vincent khor

In February 2018, I visited Japan for the very first time to run full marathon at Tokyo Marathon 2018 and to travel around Tokyo and Lake Kawaguchiko, located right at the base of Mount Fuji.

Usually in the month of February - a low travel season, the visit to Lake Kawaguchiko might not grant travellers a chance to have a glimpse of the beautiful Mount Fuji. The mountain is not always visible because of the thick clouds.

I stayed at Lake Kawaguchiko for two nights. True enough, I didn't get to see the beautiful Mount Fuji as it was covered by the thick clouds on the day of arrival. Amazingly on the second and third day of my stay, Mount Fuji decided to smile at me. She showed me her breathtaking, beautiful, smooth, snowy face giving me the warmest welcome!

From the 2-night stay, I also realised that the best time to catch beautiful Mount Fuji's stunning views would be in the early mornings (usually before 9am) and in the late afternoons. During the daytime, the clouds might decide to cover up Mount Fuji to protect her from sub burn! :) Besides, in the early morning and late afternoon, the sun ray also helps to give Mount Fuji a very mystical view!

Precious Run 2017 - auntie Valli with her daughter Tara holding her hand in her run

"It is never too late to start. So stop giving excuses and take the first step today." -- Valliammai Palaiappan, 72 year-old runner who just completed her first 10km race

I have known lovely Tara for a few years now from running. And I was introduced to her mom auntie Valli in December 2017 at Kg Pandan Sports Complex. When Tara told me that her mom is 72 years-old, I couldn't believe it! Auntie Valli looks so youthful, energetic and full of life! I do observe her when she runs at the running track. I tell you! Auntie Valli doesn't run like a 72-year-old! Even 100 meter striding sprint exercise, she can do it with big stride strength and no complaints! What an amazing inspiring woman!

I also noticed how close both of them are - Tara and her mom auntie Valli! It's their close bonding between mother and daughter that really touches me. I believe Tara has really helped to bring out the youth, the inner potential, the best of her mom at the age of 72!

Tara also mentioned in January 2018 that her mom would be running her first ever 10km race in February. And she thought it would be awesome if her mom could share her inspiring story with readers. Tara suggested an interview with her mom. Wow! I'm very excited about it because if one more inspiring story can go out there to the world, the better the world will be. We need more positive vibes in this world! :)

I finally had a chance to set up a set of interview questions and got Tara to help me to have a casual chit chat with her mom based on the interview questions. The topics evolved around how running has transformed Tara's loving 72-year-old mom, auntie Valliammai Palaiappan, who just completed her first 10km run in February 2018.

SCKLM2018: 10 Years Running (8 years running for me)

When Standard Chartered KL Marathon was first organised 10 years ago in 1999, I was still recovering from slipped dic and not into running yet. During that time, running was only starting to boom in Malaysia.  I remember I was dragged by my then-colleagues to run with them in mid 2010 in preparation for their Penang Bridge International Marathon. I could barely run 3km then!

Little did I know that my running life has grown over the years with Standard Chartered KL Marathon. And every year, I have been so looking forward to running the streets of Kuala Lumpur at SCKLM.

SCKLM2018 FM Start