SCKLM 2010

27th June, 2010

...this was where it all began. My very 1st running adventures started here at Dataran Merdeka.

Last year : 10km run
This year : 21km (Half Marathon)
Next year : Dunno yet.

D-day has finally arrived, sooner or later. Set the alarm at 3 a.m. Can't say I woke up to the alarm clock then as I was wide awake all the time because I couldn't sleep at all. (pre race symptom). Had my signature running breakfast of coffee and 3 slices of bread. Left home at 4 a.m sharp. Herman was looking forward to this event, his 1st 21km. Reached Padang Merbok at 4.45am. Started to drizzle.

We took the umbrella to the venue and deposited it at the baggage area. (in the end we have to forget it due to long queue and considered it as a donation). 

   

We were called to gather at the waiting area at 5.30 a.m. Yeah...everything seem so familiar to me now, even my feeling of excitement.  This was where it all began...the same crowd, the same atmosphere, the same clock tower and even the same smell of Dataran Merdeka (just kiddin). Only this time, I'm proud to be standing amongst the half marathoners. Feeling sleepy, I consoled myself that it'll all be over in 3 hrs. I did it once before surely I can do it again and besides I carbo loaded so much these past 2 days, I needed to get it out of my system. I looked at Herman and he looks cool, calm and all smiles. Obviously, he doesn't know yet what comes after 21km (**the pain**)

Gun off at 6.15 a.m. Wanted to start slowly but I tell you these HM  runners are an eager lot. They started fast and I follow suit (like crazy).

1st water station at 4 km. Gladly stopped and took 2 cups at a time. One to drink and another to wash face (to wake up). I was feeling nauseous from 1km to 8km. My breakfast was threatening to erupt from my mouth. At one time I nearly vomited. I drank more water, burped a  few times and things got better. Phew! Finally, problem solved and my food stayed in my tummy.

By the way...where's Herman??? That fellow said he'll run with me and now totally left me behind!!

Then at 13km, heheh...I spotted him walking. We chatted and he said 'tiring lah'. I told him to sponge himself and that it'll help.

13km to 15km we were friends and foes at the same time. I overtook him and he overtook me in turn (many times over) but it was fun.

16km. Problem started for Herman. He told me he had to walk as both his legs were about to cramp. From this point he walked his way till the end. I continued my slow jog alternating with walk breaks.

Finally, 21km. The end.

My finished time : 2 hrs 56mins (I clipped  5mins off from my PNM) A PB for me and I ranked at 534.
Herman finished time : 2 hrs 59min. His PB at the moment and ranked 2125.

Half Marathon : Total 3763 runners (2878 - M) and (885 - W)

I took 1 power gel at the start, ate 1 banana at 10.5 km, another gel at 15km and another banana at 17km and stopped at all water station. I liked water station and really needed the water.

SCKLM2010 came and went but the memories of it lives on and it has left it's mark on me physically. I got 3 black toes, during PNM I got 2 black toes. The thing is this - I wore the same socks and shoes as I did at PNM. Big mistake. I should have known better. I bought a new pair of shoes NB1604 a month ago but didn't quite break in it yet. Should have bought the shoes sooner. Besides that, blisters on my left foot and my right foot swelled up 1/2 size bigger. My whole body ached and every steps I took are painful  and my right big toe are throbbing with pain. Guess there won't be any gym for 1 whole month.

Note : The Runner's Rule Book by Mark Remy - Rule 1.4 - Black toenails are badges of  honor. So, have no fear and keep on running.

The Finisher Medal

The 21km Route Map

SCKLM Race Kit

SCKLM race kit collection day. Reached venue (Stadium Titiwangsa) at 12.08 pm. As expected several rows of long queue for 10KM, 21KM and 42KM. Simply not enough manpower to cater the overwhelming response of a total over 16,500 participants this year - an increase of 30% more from last year.  In future, to avoid the long queue, be there early as the saying goes...early bird catches the worm.

Vest size is strictly not allowed to change. What you ordered is what you get and you get what you ordered.

The bib with our names on it.

Queue 1 hour for my bib.

2 more days to go before the big day. Gonna rest those tired legs for waiting an hour and safe the energy for this coming sunday. SCKLM...here we come. Yee ha...

MPSJ-NST Run

13th June, 2010

MPSJ-NST Carnival And 10km Run

Look at the crowd. Everyone was eager in anticipation at the starting point. MB Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim flagged off the 10km run at 7.30am. This was my 1st time seeing him 'live' in person.  He shook hands with the crowd. Truly, a 'rakyat' person. Needless to say, the hard core runners were at the front. I was way, way back behind the crowd.

 At the start of the run. A very slow, slow start more like snail pace and slowly picking up the pace. Look at the boy wearing the TOTO tee shirt holding a camera. We are just above the camera partially hidden by  2 other runners.    

 

That's us - Herman and I beside him. Herman with his full running gear - which are:-

1) Head band - is a must - to avoid sweat getting into the eyes and stings.

2) Black pouch around the waist to store in chewing gum that works as power gel to him.

3) His favourite and most comfortable blue colour football shorts that has a auspicious no. 8 on it.

4) Wearing both knee guard for protection is better than sorry and regret later on.

Good for me cos it is so much easier to spot him amongst the huge crowd and also makes my job easier to search him amongst hundreds of photos.

We arrived at  MPSJ at 6.00 am, we  were the only few  early birds around. We walked into MPSJ office  and was surprised to see a small stadium complex just right behind the MPSJ building. 

Me - on stage wearing the event tee and bib no. B 2020

Herman - The Coach.

The Coach said 'in future no finisher medal don't run'

Me - the disciple.

The disciple said 'run for fun only mah...'

Not in the best of mood. Woke up feeling sluggish and sleepy but still needed the exercise and to keep up the stamina. Time not important - run for fun only mah...!!

Wasn't sure if there were any water station or not. Either we were too slow to grab any mineral bottles or simply not enough for everyone but we saw many mineral bottles strewn on the side walk. Herman later told me he picked one unopened bottle from the sidewalk and took a large swig from it. Luckily for me, I had my water pouch with me.

A certificate of participation. Sure felt good after sweating it out. I covered a distance of 10.72km and finished in 86 minutes and burned up 755 calories. I left many people behind and at the same time many people also left me behind. What a run!!! Goody bag consisted of 1 small towel, 3 small packets of biscuit and 1 packet drink plus the tee shirt - all for only RM10.00 registration fee. Not bad at all!!


 Cheers!

Setia Eco Run

... the sky was grey and gloomy and there were flashes of lightning. And then to my dismay, it started to rain... oh no...

5th June, 2010

Alarm went off at 4.30 am. A cup of coffee and 3 slices of bread for breakfast. Had a quick shower. Set out from home at 5.15 am. At 5.45 am, Herman decided to park at the Tesco basement parking and take the shuttle van to the venue. A 5 minutes transfer. Reached Setia Alam Welcome Centre at 5.50 am. Many runners were already there and I thought we were too early. The atmosphere was good and lively with music. Good mc-ing. I didn't feel bored one bit. A very good turnout of young and old. Handed  over the reporting slip and made a quick dash to the washroom.

Warming up started after 6.00 am.

At 6.30 am flag off for the 1/2 marathoners. I ate 1/2 piece of power bar.

We (the 10km runners) were flag off at 7.00 am sharp. I like the punctuality (very good!!!). Herman and I made a deal that we'll run our own race slowly but surely till the end. We both started at a slow pace together but soon he took off and left me behind but was still within a 300 metres distance at sight. The route was nice with minimal traffic. I stopped at both water station, 1 at 2km and another at 5km. Herman stopped and waited for me to catch up a few times. Have a short chat and off he goes again. At this juncture, I was liking every minute of it until ... (please see top) ... Some may like it, some may not, some don't mind, some couldn't care less. I don't like running in the rain and I can't see clearly with my glasses. It's like driving a car in the rain without a wiper. On the good side, it cools down the body  heat and I was soaking wet from head to toe and I bet nobody will even know if I take a piss in the rain and I swear I didn't !!!. No need to at that time...heheh.

Rain or not, I continued my running and very cautiously step by step not to slip and fall.

At the last 1 km stretch, I was running up the bridge and I saw Herman opposite running down the Setia Alam - Eco park overhead bridge and we waved at each other. Seeing that I was okay, he made a dash to the finishing line. I finished at 74 minutes (my best 10km was PNM at 71 minutes - could be someone's PW).

By now the rain has stopped. There were plenty of food for everyone to eat at the end. We waited for the 1st round of lucky draw to finish and then took the shuttle van back to Tesco. It was a very well organized event and definitely will look forward to coming here again next year. 

In the car, we congratulated each other and  happy to have another medal to our collection. It was fun, fun, fun.

Herman - making a final dash towards the finishing line.

 

 

Me - Wet, Wet, Wet

Cheers !!! Looking forward to our next adventure...