KL Marathon 2015

I was initially aiming to do below 4 hours (not PB) for this event. I was feeling it good as I did 4:09 in Kuching and had mindset could make it better for this run.

Then came the disaster of haze, where it disrupted my training especially on the long runs. Especially, when i really wanted to go long on Malaysia Day and Hari Raya Haji, I merely ran only 10km.

Was really hoping for the event to be postponed. Then the announcement came on Friday (2 Oct) that organisers will proceed with the run. When I woke up next day, I could already smell the smoke outside my room. The reading at 11am was already 121. I was constantly checking for Facebook, if there's any announcement from the organisers.

Of course a lot of runners showed the felling on the  Facebook too, but I was waiting for the answer from the horse's mouth. At 5pm the announcement came that the event is cancelled.

Feel relieved that I didn't had to make myself suffer with haze. On other side, it's always a sentimental race for me, since I did my personal best here.

Today, I went and collected the medal half heartedly with finisher shirt.

I'm not sure on next run for the year, as I have yet to register for any.

Hopefully I can run next year's edition.

Kuching Marathon

Date : 16 August 2015
Time : 3am
Location : Padang Merdeka

Distance : 42.126km (42.2 as per gps watch)

Shoe : Skechers Go Run 1
Shorts : Brooks, 2XU short compression pants
Vest : Brooks
Others :- 2XU calf guard
              - rudy project specks (polaroid lense)
              - 2XU hand sleeves

Timing : 4:09:10
Placing: 77



It was my 1st race outside Peninsular Malaysia. I wanted to do a good timing for this marathon and tried to reach my personal best.

Even before the race, I had stomach upset due to flight food.

As the race started at 3am, it was dark, but there were street lights. The crowd was lesser which could accommodate the logistics requirements.

I did light workout before the run and stretching, to ensure no muscle pulls.

Race started on time. I was in middle and manage to reach the starting line within 30 seconds (compared to KL marathon which is 3 minutes).

I went on 5.30pace and didn't want to push much. The route started with town, then went into the rural areas. Upon reaching 5km, suddenly I tripped and fell. There were small pothole and i couldn't see it due to darkness (absence of street light).

I didn't injure myself as I was wearing calf and hand sleeve. I manage to stand up immediately and continued running. The runners behind me tried to help too. I did my 10km around 50minutes.

Thereafter I feel like I'm pushing myself but I went on. At 21km I clocked 1:50. I knew, I can't reach my timing of below 4hours. Nevertheless, I wanted to do better than KL marathon timing.

People said, the route will be flat, but there were silent hills here and there. after 21km, the route was flat, and dark. Both sides were jungle. Thus it made the race boring. Upon reaching 30km, I started to be cautious. My timing was 3 hours. This time I took "electrolytes" tablets for every 10km. That has reduced my muscle fatigue especially after 30km. I only stopped at every water station. Didn't take more than 30 seconds.

When we reached 36km, the 21km runners joined us, but it didn't mess up the race. At 37km, there was huge overhead bridge, which looked like the bank negara hills. I just maintained my pace and tried to increase after that.

The last 2km was within the heart of the town, which was narrow roads. When I saw the last 500M signboard, I just pushed to maximum, and reached the finishing line.

I was given the medal and the finisher t-shirt of top 200. My timing was 4:09.10.

My 3rd all time best timing.

Now need to use it as my motivation to prepare for KL Marathon.


Good
1. Adequate marshals
2. Had distance marker at every km (atleast for every 2km)
3. Adequate water stations
4. Had muscle sprays
5. Had 2 power gel station
6. Special shirt was given for top 200
7. Had breakfast


Bad
1. Baggage deposit was RM5 (not refundable)
2. No street lights at certain point of place
3. Should extend the finishing time to 7 or 8 hours
4. To have proper signage at roundabout
5. Improper traffic control at the heart of town 

Photos of Kuching Marathon

How to Pick Running Shoes

Malaysia Fan Run - 31 May

It's my 5th run for the year. As usual, again in Putrajaya. I was really training hard for this so that I could record timing of lower than 45 minutes. But agony happened when I sprained my left calf on Friday. To make it worse, I had to pay RM10 as fine for late collection of the kit.

As I was limping on Saturday, I was contemplating, whether to go or no. Finally decided, let's just walk and get the medal. because I paid RM48, it would be a waste if I don't take part.

I reached there 25 minutes before the race. Didn't do much warm up apart from stretching. As the race started, I jogged slowly and did like 6 minutes pace for 1st 2km and 27 minutes for 1st 5km.

Halfway through, I got a bit energised, as I don't really feel the pain. It was even sweeter, when I meet Tengku Zafrul, CEO of CIMB. I told him "Hi Tengku, Nice seeing you" He replied " yeah man, keep it going:, by giving hi-5.

There were at least 4 water stations and I didn't feel much thirsty as I wasn't pushing much. The distance markers were not accurate.

Upon reaching the final km, I could see Wisma Tani, which means it's towards finishing. After the KBS junction, I sprinted , as it was only last 500M and I manage to overtake at least 5 runners.

My timing was 55:23 unofficial.

Good thing, after that, I manage to meet Syakilla Salni whom I admire as sportsperson. She was humble and tall. I took picture with her. couldn't sleep after that. Next I had chance to meet Tengku Zafrul and manage to chat with him. Glad to share my timing and upcoming runs. he was amazed.

It's my indirect resume to him.

Now, for 3 months no tournament. Just focus on mileage.

SHAPE Run - 11 April'15

This is my 3rd run for the year. Again it's a night affair and happens at Putrajaya.

I had to rush from Taylors University from my division contest. From a tip top corporate attire to stunning athletics attire.

As I reached there, I changed and did some warm up. Around 7.15pm, the cloud became dark ad started to rain like cats and dogs. I was hiding under the stall. The organizers were in questioning mind, whether to continue or not. As the lightning wad bad, the organisors said, they would cancel the event, should it stay till 8.30pm.

Around 8.15pm, the rain stopped and the organiser decided to flag off at 8.45pm. The weather was cooler than usual. I was at the 2nd row. When the race started. It was a fast run. Had to maintain my momentum to be placed in top 50.

At 3rdkm, had a bit of pain in the chest. I stopped for 20seconds, for my usual break, then my pain subsided. Thereafter, I didnt allow anyone to overtake me and I overtook whomever that overtook me during the break.

I saw Jessica towards the last 2 km and followed her and overtook her for last 500M. The route was boring for 7 to 9km till I could see the buildings of government complex.

When I came back, I had dinner, showered then, just fall flat on my bed. I'm happy with my timing of 51:53 for 11km at 28 placing. 

MHWH Run - 21 March

It's my 2nd run for the year.

didn't really target much. Just a below 1 hour mark was my target and I achieved it.

As I had to rush from Sunway, I left the place at 6pm and I thought I would reach by 6.45pm. Agony started half way when it rained. I was waiting at the Caltex station for 1 hour, but the rained didnt stop.

So I went to counter to get a redbull, but the system was down. That increased my stress. I quickly wear my rain coat and rushed to Putrajaya.

After Putra heights, the rain stopped. I manage to reach the place at 7.45pm. Then changed and went to starting lane. The queue was 200M. I had to squeeze between the runners. Luckily I saw Albert Tan, my former teamate in UM. So I followed him and we were at 6th row.

I didnt had time to strech or warm up, due to lateness.

As the race started, I was on good pace. I had to clear the slow runners and overtook them. Tried to follow the veteran champion, Susan, but she was faster towards the last 6km. As usual, I stopped for pit stop for 20seconds. That allowed atleast 10 runners to overtake me.

Nevertheless, I overtook them back. The distance marker looks a bit inaccurate. Anyway, it was good atleast, there were markers at every 3km. Water station was also there at every 3km.

Towards last 2km, I saw jessica. She overtook me, then I overtook her towards the last 1km. As usual, Putrajaya is known for the flyover. Towards the last 3km, it was just straight road, which made things boring.

When I reached last 500M, i tried to overtake the guy in front of me, but I just didn't had the endurace to push and settled at my place.

Next run is at the same place, Shape Run on April 11.