World's First Muslimah Activewear Fashion Show

Women on the Run at MWM

Yours truly attended the inaugural Muslimah Activewear Fashion Show held in conjunction with the Malaysia Women Marathon. Nashata is the title sponsor for the 5km Fun Run at MWM. The 5km run was introduced for the first time at this event. It is an ideal starting distance for Muslim women to gather together and run.  The Nashata range of activewear is for women who seek modest outfits in their sporting activities. They provide two types of product range; Riada and Ultra. Products under the Riada range are designed for basic sports and leisure use while products from the Ultra range are for Muslimah who seek performance in their sporting activities.  Both collections sport reflective logos for night active pursuits.  Seven new products were introduced at the fashion show which includes Riada Active Pants, Peplum Riada Top, A-Cut Compression Top, Full Support Sports Bra and Amin Hijab.

Nashata was founded in May 2013 and operates online with several products.  After more than a year they now understand Muslim women's preference in activewear.  Nashata has also introduced more choices and colour selection for both range.  Close to 3 million adult women or more than 10% of the population in Malaysia are overweight, one third of which are obese.  What that means is that one out of three adult women in Malaysia is overweight. Today more and more Muslim women understand the importance of keeping fit and being healthy, be it through joining a gym, participating sports or walking and running.  The benefits go beyond health, and help in career and personal growth.  Ida Kamalawati, the key designer at Nashata, believes in making women look good regardless of their body shapes, without compromising on modesty.  Their products are suitable for plus sizes as well.  Women with different types of body shapes, especially pear-tshaped, will feel confident to perform their sporting activities with Nashata activewear.

Ida Kamalawati flanked by Intan and Aeda

One final pose

Eliza explaining about her new product

Posing for the media

Former Tunku Kurshiah College scholars reuniting

I was lucky enough to get to sample some of the material from their activewear range. As a runner I take delight that such clothing is available for Muslimah to wear when they participate in sport activities. From what I have seen so far it won't surprise me if many a Muslim women will embrace this type of activewear when they participate in runs. According to Eliza Noordin, the co-founder of Nashata, they plan next to focus on swimwear for Muslim women as they have received numerous requests from their customers.  They have also received great feedback from partners and customers from Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore and they would like to expand their customer reach to the Middle East market in the next one or two years.  Nashata believe in sharing inspiring stories about modest women from all walks of life at nashata.com/blog.  Nahasta's store is operated online at nashata.com. Those who want to know more about Nahasta products can contact Eliza at eliza@nashata.com.

(Eliza Noordin was formerly a venture capitalist. She is currently studying for her PhD. She is a graduate of the University of Washington. Ida Kamalawati Bakar is also pursuing her PhD.  She has a fashion design degree from the prestigious Central St. Martins College of Art & Design (University of the Arts London))

Turbo Snail Run 2.0

Mount Serapi Challenge

5km up and 5km down

The Turbo Snail Run is back! Since the month of April is filled with runs, the turbo snailers have chosen a mountain run for those who want to do something different. Like the previous run this is not an official event. It is a run for slowpokes who just want to have fun. Those who are not inclined to run up mountain roads can just hike up. Each runner can go at their own speed and be assured that there will be others watching out for them. Slow runners are given top priority. However if you want to climb Mount Serapi in a group you are most welcome to join too. The distance is 10km. It is a slippery run/hike so please use the appropriate shoes. The event starts at 8am on Sunday (20th April 2014). The meeting point is at the base of the mountain, at the National Park entrance. Please bring RM10 for the park fees. Also bring enough water for the climb. It is recommended that each runner bring at least 1L of water. Those who want to brunch at the top can bring food with them too. Shower facilities are available. As with all runs/hikes please bring a fully charged mobile phone with you. Interested parties can phone me or email me at yamiska@yahoo.com.

Run for Humanity 2014

Raising Funds for Malaysian Red Crescent

Stampin Chapter Humanitarian Services

My constant runners should know by now that I have a soft spot for the Malaysian Red Crescent, having been a member for two years when I was in St. Joseph's Secondary School, Kuching. Last year I signed up for such a run for the Kuching chapter, but never got to take part in it since it clashed with another run. I always joke that I need some sort of teleporting machine when this sort of thing happens. Well this year the same thing applies. On the very same Sunday morning (25th May 2014) that Run for Humanity starts most of the hardcore runners in Kuching will be participating in the Momentum Run Series 2 Half Marathon. That is a crying shame since charity runs like these need our support. Hopefully since the distance is only 6km, those shying away from the longer 21km run, might consider giving the Red Crescent one a go.

So what does a runner have to do to sign up for this charity run?  A minimum donation of RM40 is enough for registration. Each runner will get a specially designed t-shirt.  Prizes will be awarded to the top 15 best runners in each category.  Special prizes will also be awarded to the top 3 biggest registered delegations with total number of registered participants of at least 20 persons. The run is divided into Boys and Girls (those below 18) and Men and Women (those above 18) categories. The starting point is at Taman Le' Park at the Dewan Suarah Kuching. Those who want to register can obtain the forms at the Malaysian Red Crescent Stampin Chapter, Government Banglo Waling-Waling, Jalan Maxwell, 93200 Kuching. Tel: 082-419041/Fax: 082-417651. E-mail: stampinrc@gmail.com

Kuching Marathon 2014 - Prize Money

RM125,000 in cash!

Yours truly, my dear constant runners know, runs to finish, and hopes in the process I make good time. Never in my wildest dreams will I hope to end up on the podium, even in my age group. The joy for me is finishing within the allocated cut-off time. However there will be those out there running to win. Well, this post is just for you. The Kuching Marathon Association has just announced the prizes for all categories of the upcoming Kuching Marathon.  One look at the top prize of RM15,000 for the winner of the full marathon makes me wish I was born a Kenyan.  I am sure come gun time on race day there will be Kenyans at the starting line. Lets hope that the Ethiopians come along to make things even more exciting for us and them. We Malaysians have a chance to win the top prize in the national category too. RM4,000 for two and a half hours work is something to shout home to mama about. If I can dream, so can you my dear constant runners. For those who have not signed up for the Kuching Marathon, do clear here, for your chance to run with Kenyans.

Please note that the organisers have the absolute, complete and discretionary   rights to conduct doping test on winners in all categories at any time before   payment of prizes are released in which event, the payment of prizes shall be   kept in abeyance pending and subject to the full and final result(s) of the  doping test.  The prizes under category 42KM National are open to the top 5 Malaysian runners who participated in 42KM – both Open and Veteran categories.  Each qualified runner is allowed to win one prize only in Kuching Marathon 2014. In the event any qualified runner is entitled to win prize of more than one category, he/she must elect to receive the award in the category that offering higher prize money.

I'm Free From Corruption Run 2014

Keep our country free from corruption!

Wanita Gerakan believe that integrity begins with each individual. Thus, I’m Free From Corruption Run is to evoke each individual’s responsibility towards he root cause of corruption. The launch of I’m Free From Corruption Run is on the 20th April 2014 (Sunday), 7.30am at Padang Merbok, Kuala Lumpur. The distance for the run is 3km. A series of runs will follow across the 14 states in Malaysia on different dates. For more information click here.

Date : 20th April 2014 (Sunday)
Time : 6.30am – 9.30am
Venue : Padang Merbok, Jalan Parlimen, Kuala Lumpur.
Distance: 3km
Apparels: All Participants must wear their own WHITE t-shirt as no free t-shirts will be given out.

All Malaysian are welcome to participate in this run. Children under the age of 12 years need to be accompanied by an adult.

Online registration start on the 7th March 2014 (Friday) and closes on the 12th April 2014 (Saturday).  Click here for online registration.

For walk-in registration:
Date   : 10th March 2014 (Monday) to 11th April 2014 (Friday)
Time  : 10am – 5pm (except public holiday)
Venue: Level 5, Menara PGRM, No.8, Jalan Pudu Ulu, Cheras, 56100 Kuala Lumpur.
Person in charge: Catherine Chong (Tel: 03-9287 6868)
No registration/participation fee.

The Borneo Highlands Padawan Nature Challenge 2014

Who wants to climb Mount Penrissen?

The main reason why I signed up for last year's Borneo Highlands Padawan Nature Challenge was so that I could get to climb Mount Penrissen. Did the 15km trail run so that I could chalk up another mountain climbed. Last year an 8km mountain run was added to the mix. This was an all run run from the foot of the plateau to the plateau itself. Those who have run up Mount Serapi (5km run) will know that is child's play to what awaits them at Borneo Highlands. There is also the 10km trail run. The hardiest sportsmen sign up for the bike from the kampung right up to the plateau and the 15km trail run. Please believe me when I say that none of the trail runs are recommended for novices. The trend for the past two years has been for those who participate at the Spring Live Active Run to sign up for BHPBC. This was so evident last year by the number of SLAR run tops on display. 

Just remember before signing up for this run that it is a dangerous run. I have seen quite a number of people get injured the run and was involved in saving someone from a dreadful fall. You can read about this here. in 2012 I signed up for BHPNC 10km straight after SLAR and learned the hard way how unprepared I was. On paper it looked easy shifting from a 5km road run to a 10km trail run, but trust me when I say it is not. The energy expenditure is terrible to say the least. So when I ran last year's SLAR half marathon I thought I was more than prepared for the 15km trail run.  I was yet again proved wrong. To run trails the participant must be absolutely fit. The climbs at altitude in the beginning can catch the inexperienced climber off-guard. That's why some people even fainted and one person I saw was concussed.  Women who fear leeches of the no leg variety be forewarned that they are aplenty here too.

My plan this year, if I do sign up for BHPNC is to only do the 8km road run as I need to do hill work training for my longer runs during the latter half of the year. Besides each year I find I have problems with this run. It is highly recommended to run with at least two hydration bottles or use a hydration pack, preferably of 1L to 1.5L. If you run out of water along the route the going will get very tough indeed. The t-shirts given are of the cotton variety and unsuitable for this sort of run, and each year the design doesn't change much. The Facebook page is active. I will keep my readers informed of any new developments regarding this run. This will be the last run here before the fasting month.  So those training for the Kuching Marathon might not want to give it a miss. Of course I have been informed of a night run during Ramadan that hopefully will give us more preparation for KM. Happy running always!

Autism Run 2014

Your World is Our World, Together We Stand

Yours truly caught this charity run really late, but luckily online registration has been extended till Friday (21st March 2014). The run will be held from 6.30am to 12.30pm on 6th April 2014 at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur. The 5km and 10km run is open to everyone, while the 2.8km run is for children with autism. This Light the Austism is a charity run that is organised by the students of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia with the help of HOPE, The National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASUM), PERMATA KURNIA and Akademi Remaja Islam Autisma Malaysia (ARISMA) to help generate funds for its Tabung Amanah Makmal Kanak-Kanak Istimewa UKM.  To know more please contact either Ain Mokhtar (0193314387) or Syahirah Rahghni (0142587079). Registration fees for the 5km and 10km run are RM55, while the for the fun run it is RM45. Fees are inclusive of t-shirt, goodies bag, medal and certificate. A guardian is allowed to accompany the runner in the fun run, but the prizes will go to the runner only.  Visit their Facebook page for the latest updates. Click here to access the official website. Click here to register.