The 3rd Al Corniche Aquathlon

Fear is a state of mind…

It was a great day and once again, avid multi-sport athletes gathered for another much awaited event in Kuwait. The Al Corniche Aquathlon. The turnout of the event was not really as big as the fun runs due to the complexity of the game for most people, as the event calls for each participant to swim in an open water. There were four categories and these were the following:

Sprint and Sprint Relay – 1K swim, 5K run

Olympic and Olympic Relay – 1.5K swim, 10K run.

Most of my friends signed up for the Olympic category for they have already tried few months back the shorter version of the event. As for me, I have chosen to join the Olympic relay because I want to engage a friend in this kind of sport, meanwhile, another friend also chose to do the relay, due to his minor heel injury. It was good in my opinion for tho things, he keeps himself busy while trying to recover and he’s giving opportunity also to other athlete/friend to participate.

THE WASHING MACHINE: The start of the race – I have been with a few swim races and triathlon games; however, jitters still didn’t go away that easily, although the jitter quickly subsided after the first 50 meters, after that, it was okay. the course was not that bad too, for there were buoys from afar and there was a man in his kayak watching over us. I finished my swim at roughly around 31 minutes and immediately tapped my friend to run. Immediately, I looked for my friends on how well they were doing; gladly, they were able to get out of the water safely. I couldn’t be prouder to my friend Biboy after coming out from the water despite of finishing last.

THE RUN LEG – It was already past 10 am and the sun is already high. My running buddy Arnold started strong but later somewhat felt dehydrated due to heat. Fortunately, the run course required them to do a 6 laps to finish 10km so, we were able to see most of our friends frequently and cheer for them. Arnold clocked 54 minutes in his watch, including his transition, making our finish time at 1:25 (unofficial). Still waiting for the official results though.

POST RACE – After finishing the race and evaluated ourselves, our team mates realised the importance of open water swimming. The spur of the moment, their adrenalin and fear could still linger giving us a few mishaps especially during the swim leg.

Over all, it was an awesome event with a friendly and positive vibe!

Kuwait Marathon: My 1st Desert Run

Run if you can, walk if you have to; crawl if you must, just never ever give up. – Dean Karnazes

What is the best thing to do after a twelve-hour flight? Run a Marathon! Yes!

November 3. I just arrived from Manila to Kuwait trying to make it to their first ever marathon. I am just glad to reach the starting point in at least good condition not dizzy, not hungry, just really sleepy, but what can I do? The hard way is the option that I choose. I can just quit on this race and never show up but my heart told me that I should run (or probably walk) this race.

With only 16 runners at the starting line, to be honest, it’s really surprising that it was pushed through. It started at 9:30 AM. It’s autumn time now anyway so the heat is not really that dreadful, but there is an ample amount of heat that could give us sunburn though, not to mention that the humidity was totally dry.

Right from the start of the race, I was part of the last pack. 15th runner; and I don’t care. There was hard sand, soft sand, a little pavement sometimes and gravel; that is how the terrain was composed of. Hydration can be spoted only at 5K, 10.5K, 21K, 27K, 32K and 37K. The half-marathoners were already overtaking me (I’d be to slow if the 10K will also do) and that’s fine until I felt totally alone and deserted at after their turning point at 10.5K mark. The extra 10.5K before reaching the turning point is like going on forever and when I reached there, there were only 15 runners left and when I reach Km 27, I am the only runner left at 11th position. The moment I reached 32K mark, no one was there anymore but only the remaining water bottles (good thing it was left unopened).

As what the organizer had mentioned, the cut off was 8hrs; It was not really an awesome time for a marathon, but I was lucky he was lenient enough for me. I finally end up at 7:15 with just the two of us in the finish line, I was the 11th finisher of the race.

It was tough. But I didn’t quit, no matter what…

Check out the associated news here and here.

Strollin’ AlKout

A Fortress near water…

Ever since I landed in Kuwait, there’s one place here that I always want to hang out at. Most of the time, I happen to walk around this area because of it’s scenery, not to mention that it is actually near to the flat I am staying – The Alkout Mall. According to wikipedia, the name Kuwait is derived from the Arabic أكوات ākwāt, the plural of كوت kūt, meaning a fortress built near water, so I would say that Kuwait and this mall have the same etymology.

This is actually just a normal mall, outside there are restaurants and coffee shops. There is a wet and dry market and also a department store. Although it wouldn’t be much like a gigantic malls that you see normally; however I find it so relaxing to stay here. Try staying at the terrace of Startbucks for you to have a cozier look of the yachts and seagulls flying and diving. Go at the top of the place to see the whole area.

It’s whole architecture, to be honest, I am not sure what totally influenced the Alkout, but still looks classic for me which gives a better ambiance.

Check out more of my shots in the area by going here – ALKOUT

Photography Glimpse

Shoot and Learn…

Apart from my passion in running, my interest in photography is another thing that at least I also want to improve. Landscapes, Portraits, Sports and Strobes are just few of the genre that I would love to master. As I have previously mentioned in one of my posts, I have joined a photography club called “PINDOT” here in Kuwait. This group I must say, have thought me in line with my expectations; of course I am not to be called an expert yet, but I think I my path is going somewhere. I learned new information each time I am with them. Youtube videos and books are helpful but it’s still best to talk with someone where you share common passion, not to mention the motivation it adds, every time you see a good photo that they have composed.

Julia — A Photoshoot headed by Jalil Marvin, a young and promising photographer in Kuwait. Glad to be one of his crew members!

Aside from being with these goal driven people, another thing that gives me motivation is the thought of seeing yourself or your photo in the news or in the local newspapers. Tell me that I have a shallow happiness believe it or not, it’s giving me more energy to pursue. It’s like saying “WOW, I was there!” There’s no cash prize but it was just merely the bragging rights. Negative people will say you are boasting and will say “So What?” but life is just to short to dwell on those stuff.

Try something different in your life, and who knows, you might see what you have been looking for or you might discover something you never knew you had. Being a couch potato is not bad, for you can also learn something by watching TV but try at least put something unique or different in your normal routine. Afterall, “Variety is the spice of Life”.

Take a look at some of the pdf links where in we have been featured.

A New Light in Mutlaa

Pindot Clicks with Envy

Photo Credit:

Jalil Marvin

Arab Time’s Online

Run Kuwait Support

Glad to support!

Yousef's Group — Team Run Kuwait arrival in Kuwait Towers

The attempt of Run Kuwait has started since yesterday; without hesitation when they started sending mails that there’ll be a support group that will happen, I didn’t think twice of joining. I headed this morning at Kuwait Towers to witness this Kuwait history; I even forced my colleague to go with me! A 240K run that started from North Kuwait going to the South. Spectators were there when I came, Friends, Relatives and Running fanatics as well (like me).

They had some photo-shoot of course when they came. Friends and spectators of course would love to be with to take a snap with them like what I also did; to be honest, I was amazed to see them still fit and well. I asked Cris Craita from Romania how was he and he said, he is ok but that he couldn’t feel anything anymore and then laughed. He also mentioned that they really had a tough time for it was really cold in the north.

They had a little bit of interview before they took off once again.

And so we ran going to Marina Mall. It was calculated to be 10K. All runners were energetic cheering for their champs! I choose to ran with the slower pack right from the start. There were people alongside the road while waiting for the parade that will take place as well for today is Kuwait’s Liberation day too.

Started the support run at Kuwait Towers

Our pace was a little bit slow as expected. Yousef and his comrades were undeniably tired but the determination was still there. Hah! Good for me for I can walk more (lolz!) and catch up whenever I want to! The whole 10K was pure enjoyment except for the rain that was quite bothering, not to mention that it was really cold… I couldn’t feel it much though because we are running. I didn’t sweat though; none at all. The wind might have dried it up quick. hehe!

After more than an hour we finally reach their next pitstop – Marina Mall. We were reunited with the other runners and support group. Hah! Now I realized how cold it was now. I am totally wet and shivering, so after saying thanks and good luck to the runners we went off back to the towers!

It was indeed a great experience!

Glad to have ran again.

Visit Also Aymstong blog for the Update

LINK

Kuwait’s Skyscraper

The skyscraper establishes the block, the block creates the street, the street offers itself to man. Roland Barthes

: Kuwait’s Pride

November 11, 2011. 11-11-11. Al-Hamra tower, the highest skyscraper in Kuwait at 412.6 m (1,354 ft) is innagurated by having a light show itself. Choreographed lights like as if they are dancing. Too bad my skill in long-exposure shot is still in progress and for most of my shot I feel unacceptable. Ok, so much for ~~fishing~~ sourgraping.

Aside for being the highest in the country, Al Hamra will also be the tallest sculpted tower in the world. Why? This is because the construction of it turned out to be assymetrical having fin-like structure in the front and not just one but two! My bad again for not capturing this (because it’s night time when I get there and we stood at the back to see the lights). Oh well, I’ll try again next time…

Roaming Around

You’ll never be lonely if you know how befriend yourself – David Archuleta

Prisoned — Maybe, I am claustrophobic (photo by Cyril Conrad)

It has been almost two months since I arrived Kuwait. As I previously mentioned on one of my posts, I quickly searched for something to look forward to on the country. Oh boy! There’s definitely has a lot of stuff to do. Who’s getting homesick eh?

Ok, I just don’t want to stay home. All my weekends are now jam-packed with activities here. May it just be going to a mall or joining a photo-walk, it doesn’t matter, as long as I make my stay in an environment I am trying to call home a better place to to live in. Maybe, just maybe, it would workout, again it’s all about choice and what attitude you’ll have each day! Yeah!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Oh btw, I still run. I just don’t have someone to take a photo of me while running for I run only on treadmills at a local hardcore Arab Gym with a name that’s not so Arab (Swiss Gym). 😀

Failaka Island Tour

A part of Kuwait history visited…

Map_of_Kuwait_Failaka_(lithuanian) — Failaka Island Location (source: Wikipedia)

Failaka, an island part of Kuwait located east of the country in the Persian Gulf. I have been excited upon learning from the Pindot Group that we will be going to the island. Great! It would be another chance for me to add more on my photo stash.

Three dinars is all it took for us to have a two way journey to and from this island which is 20KM from the port of Salmiya. Some us brought cars (they pay more for that), for us to maximize the trip as the bus may just take you to designated areas only not to mention we can manage our own time and the places to visit.

There’s really not much on the place, everything is history in there. From the ruins of the past Iraq-Kuwait wars where bullet marks are all visible, to empty canisters all lying on the ground, standing light posts though I suspect they are not operating at night, to tank relics, etc… There’s not really much to see if you’re not really into these kinds of things, but I guess for me, these are all candies for my camera to feed.

We have not worked on going all over the place as we do not have much time. They’ve mentioned that there’s more to see on the place, they have a hotel where you could stay overnight and a restaurant which I didn’t see either, hehe!

Have a look on all the photos I took.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Salmiya’s Snaps

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day. ~Vincent Van Gogh

Night photography is one of the stuff that I care about least. My poor NikonD40 I claimed that it’s not at it’s best at night (or maybe I might have not exerted my effort in getting a good shots out of it).

One of my Pindot friends John invited me along with Nelson for a photowalk. I also tag-in my coleague to get an opportunity to learn a little bit of what I like to do as well, with the use of tripod, I have just acquired, I had a chance to take some snaps that I like.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

For your information, Salmiya is one of the largest places in Kuwait with residential and commercial areas and considered as their flagship district for it has the major commercial establishments. I may think it’s their Makati City, hehe!

On this area, I’ve seen a couple of runners who are running in groups. Maybe, I can tag along with them one of these days.

There are also bikers and probably a swimming are on the seaside. hmmm…

There are people swimming on the sea line, I am thinking this is a place for a good training. Hmmm….

A View of the City

We all become great explorers during our first few days in a new city… – Mignon Mclaughlin

: The City

One Sunday afternoon I was invited by my coleague to visit a christian church in Kuwait City. I was a little bit hesitant at first for I am a neophyte and going back to my place would be a long ride since I live in some suburb locale called Fahaheel. I agreed to go with him to feed my soul. 🙂

I got a glance of the city and made a few snaps. We didn’t go anywhere but just go around the area before the mass started.

T’was dark when the mass ended, another snap just to see the beauty of the place at night time.

Arriving at the KPTC bus station, I saw this huge tower which I have seen before in some photos when I look for some stuffs in the country. The Kuwait Telecommunications Tower or the Liberation Tower, the second highers tower in Kuwait.

Hush, It was passed 10 PM when I got back to the hotel. More than an hour of commuting could sometimes be tiring.

One Kuwait Photowalk

I make fun wherever I go… If I go to a restaurant by myself, rest assured, people will be talking about it. I always have a great deal of fun being with people. It’s part of the journey. – Cloris Leachman

: Group Hug for the Haraj Photowalk by Bordz Abrasia (Click the link for the flickr group)

It’s been two weeks since I got back to Kuwait. The first thought that I have is to look for a Filipino community so that at least staying here wouldn’t be to much away from home. I look for a running group of course, but considering the weather here, it looks like running here is not much that of a hobby so I look for a photography group.

Photowalk (1) — Harajz First View (Overexposed shot but I like it, 🙂 )

The last photography group that I joined is in Sykes Photo Club but my schedule can’t fit there, so it was a failed epic for me; however, this time, now that I have a normal work schedule, I strongly believe that I can now attend to PINDOT ; A Pinoy photography club here in Kuwait.

The group organized a photowalk in a dry market. Lots of items were there. Leather bags shoes, pots, antique materials, carpets , perfumes, jewelries; all good stuff to take photos and be a subject; too bad taking snaps of the locals is a risk. We were forbidden not to take shots of those people; Oh well, better to be safe though. Anyway, below are some of the shots I took.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.