It has been 8 months since I last ran a 10km race. The Duta route is always a good benchmark to gauge my fitness level. It is also a route where I am most familiar with.
I got up in the morning with the thawed PowerBar ready on the table to be gobbled up. It was drizzling. Will the rain get worse? I hesitated on chewing the PowerBar and in the end decided not to consume it because it would be wasteful should I choose to skip the race due to the downpour. Instead I carried a pack of PowerGel to Dataran – a deviation from my standard pre-race breakfast. However, to compensate for the nutrients, I took one tablet of Bio-grow Vitamin B-complex and a tablet of Kordel’s multi-vits+ginseng.
When I reached Dataran, the weather was simply beautiful. It was cool and breezy. I quickly took the double-caffeine strawberry flavoured PowerGel and sip my Gatorade. 15 minutes to the countdown, Ben Lim came running to my direction to collect his bibs. Ben as usual is as cool as a cucumber.
CS was already in the barricade. Could not find Newton. Ben excused himself to move in front of the pack.
VIP Ong Tee Keat fired the gun and we were off. This is one of the rare occasions where I started alone without any familiar faces alongside. For some unknown reasons, I ran with a posture that was similar to Michael Johnson's, chest forward and head tilted back (?). This seems to alleviate my backache ailment but I am not sure if the posture looked silly!
The Mizuno Precision 3 once again proved to be an excellent racing shoe.
As always, many runners overtook me at the Langgak Tunku stretch. After the 2nd kilometer, I felt a mild discomfort developing on the left diaphragm, which moved to the right and settling to the centre of my ribs. I focus in my breathing with the hope the pain would ease away.
Kilometer 5
Just before the Duta roundabout, the pain disappeared and it came at the right time as it was the start of the Duta Hill. I notice the heavier runners who overtook me earlier slowed down. Coming down hill, a recently renovated road that leads to a mini-tunnel. I increased pace with the hope of reaching the National Monument bus-stop in sub-60mins. I did not target any checkpoints but merely ran to the best of my ability.
Bare-footed Runner
As I was tackling the last uphill, the Parlimen flyover, a bare-footed Chinese lady runner came from behind with a distinguishable footstep “phek phek phek” and overtook me. I admired her toughness and wondered how her foot could withstand the abrasive asphalt. I attempted to follow her pace.
I reached the National Monument bus-stop in 58:37 mins. Bare-footed runner was now just behind me. After the fast downhill run and roundabout she overtook me again. I think she was also using me as a pacer! I gave chase and manage to overtake her back just as we turn to the clock tower.
Finished in 66:10 mins (PR). I was rather surprise to achieve this time, as I have not been running as regularly as last year. The route familiarity did help in pacing the sectors. Thanks too to the bare-footed lady runner. Ben did a fantastic PR time of 52+ mins and got a medal (80th position). CS also improved and PR 76+ mins.
Overall I enjoyed the run. Later Mee Peng and I had the popular pork noodles at Bandar Manjarala.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Fainting Report
This is the first time in 40 years I passed out. The person standing (?) who took my blood poked the needle, swerve the needle from left to right and said "macam mana ini....." I was relieved when it was all over. By that time, most of the Citibankers behind me have opted to be attended by the other medical personnel.
I then queued for the blood pressure test. Told Shila from Technology not to go for the person who took my blood. She acknowledged. While I was talking to her, in a split second I suddenly felt I was teleported to another place.
It was silent, as if you are in a dream or nightmare but could not get out of it. I was confused. There were dark images of people over me, like I was in a busy street with people walking above me. At one point I had a fear I was dying!
Later, when my hearing senses came back, I could hear my own deep breathing. I was struggling to regain my senses.
According to eyewitness, I was trembling and groaning. I collapsed like a deadwood hit my butt and my head. My butt is aching badly now.
James Edwin came over and joked my macho image gone already (didn't know I had one). The Dr. or nurse brought me a cup of milo. She asked me if I had a history of epilepsy (fits) and when I last ate. They said I looked so pale (like a corpse).
Later, I went over to HR lounge area to rest. Ganesh and Newton were so kind to keep me company. I wallop the breakfast Newton bought.
The experience, I believe is like when a person suffers from a stroke. My senses and limbs were completely disconnected from the brain> but yet I could see blurry images (eyes could not focus).
I hope it is a one off thing and not related to my tinnitus problem. Will drop by a GP later.
Thank you to my friends for being caring and concern of my well-being.
I then queued for the blood pressure test. Told Shila from Technology not to go for the person who took my blood. She acknowledged. While I was talking to her, in a split second I suddenly felt I was teleported to another place.
It was silent, as if you are in a dream or nightmare but could not get out of it. I was confused. There were dark images of people over me, like I was in a busy street with people walking above me. At one point I had a fear I was dying!
Later, when my hearing senses came back, I could hear my own deep breathing. I was struggling to regain my senses.
According to eyewitness, I was trembling and groaning. I collapsed like a deadwood hit my butt and my head. My butt is aching badly now.
James Edwin came over and joked my macho image gone already (didn't know I had one). The Dr. or nurse brought me a cup of milo. She asked me if I had a history of epilepsy (fits) and when I last ate. They said I looked so pale (like a corpse).
Later, I went over to HR lounge area to rest. Ganesh and Newton were so kind to keep me company. I wallop the breakfast Newton bought.
The experience, I believe is like when a person suffers from a stroke. My senses and limbs were completely disconnected from the brain> but yet I could see blurry images (eyes could not focus).
I hope it is a one off thing and not related to my tinnitus problem. Will drop by a GP later.
Thank you to my friends for being caring and concern of my well-being.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
New Balance Pacesetter 15km Run
I thought I would have missed this run since it clashed with our company's department trip to Penang. Luckily, Jamie told us that there would be a replacement run organized for Pacesetter volunteers the following weekend.
The double-hill route is one my favourites as it covers almost every aspect one can expect in road running; uphill, downhill, zigzags, long straights and best of all the greens provide healthy levels of oxygen minus the highway carbon-monoxide.
Gurney Drive
In all my holiday outings, no matter where, I will make it a point to jog around the area or hotel where I am staying. Apart from the exercise, I gain to sightsee and explore the area. In fact, I have been doing this way before I started regular running/racing.
For the department trip, we stayed in Evergreen Laurel Hotel just along Gurney Drive. Since the trip is a free and easy one, I thought I should do some training. On Sat, I started my run at 7:30 a.m, to my surprise it was already hot since it was next to the sea, the sun had already risen from the horizon. Ran back and forth Gurney Drive, probably end to end approximately 1.8-2km. This was also the first time I ran with my colleague, Ganesh. Ganesh has recently picked up running.
The following day, I started at 6:40 am and the walkway was already packed with elderly people doing their morning walks. There was a very fast Japanese runner who looked like a seasoned Marathoner doing lap after lap carrying a water bottle, smiling and enjoying the endorphins. He was there for hours!
Newton and Ben
Newton SMS to wallop more bananas to ensure maximum carbo and potassium loading. Ben Lim also missed the original run as he was caught up with work in Penang. Ben Lim told me "this time you can beat me because I haven't run in 2 weeks". At the back of my mind I say to myself..."even if you haven't run for 2 years, you will still beat me hands down". I mean how can you beat a person who runs like a machine.
I woke up 4:15 am before the alarm clock rang as my throat was dry and needed a drink.
It’s being a while since I parked my car at Bukit Aman. The last time I ran the double-hill was at least 9 months ago.
Hello Double-Hill
The NB vest was very tight fitting to the point my nipples protrude. Newton suggested I wear the Nike vest instead which I did bring along but I thought since this was an NB sponsored run, I am in a way obliged to wear it. No problems with the vest throughout the race.
Runners start and time themselves. Jamie took off like a rocket. I followed Newton from behind. Ben Lim was behind running with his camera. Just after the tunnel, I was panting....lack of training? My last run was 6 days ago. At the BNM KTM station my left knee for the first time in a race showed signs of sprain (?). My plan was to conserve stamina for the impending steep hill at Laman Tunku.
Shortly after entering Langgak Tunku, Ben caught up and started taking new angles with his camera. As soon as he finished taking the rear shots, he took off like a diesel powered locomotive. This man can run.
Did not feel I was in a race, was overtaken by at least 10 runners. At one point there was nobody in front or behind me as far as I can see.
Water Station
Somehow I was not thirsty when I took 2 cups of water from a water station setup strategically under the bus stop. Thank you Pacesetter volunteers! It was here that my race started. I overtook 2-3 runners and increase downhill pace. Coming down to National Monument I was clocking 69min-ish. I learnt from last year's run where I suffered in the Carcosa stretch because I did not foresee more hills.
Carcosa
Ran past a number of morning strollers and a few runners, I was now focusing to finish within 100 minutes. Entered Lake Gardens with increased pace. Bear in mind, there was a final long uphill ahead. Before the race started, I was informed to run straight up the hill, which means it is a shorter path than taking the deer/bird park route.
I finished in 93 mins. Met Newton and Ben who had taken the longer way but still finished way ahead.
Met friendly Penguin-2 in the washroom where he told me he was pacing with Ben. I told him I thought he was much faster of which he humbly said, "Penguins cannot run fast". I replied, "Turbo-Penguin can...".
My thoughts
I am happy with the outcome of this run not because I ran well but because despite of my incurable Tinnitus (ear-ringing) condition I was still able to sustain a 90+ min run. Dr.Sangara the ENT Specialist at Pantai Medical Center has twice reassured me I can continue with the distance running. I had my doubts. He was right.
29 May 2005
The double-hill route is one my favourites as it covers almost every aspect one can expect in road running; uphill, downhill, zigzags, long straights and best of all the greens provide healthy levels of oxygen minus the highway carbon-monoxide.
Gurney Drive
In all my holiday outings, no matter where, I will make it a point to jog around the area or hotel where I am staying. Apart from the exercise, I gain to sightsee and explore the area. In fact, I have been doing this way before I started regular running/racing.
For the department trip, we stayed in Evergreen Laurel Hotel just along Gurney Drive. Since the trip is a free and easy one, I thought I should do some training. On Sat, I started my run at 7:30 a.m, to my surprise it was already hot since it was next to the sea, the sun had already risen from the horizon. Ran back and forth Gurney Drive, probably end to end approximately 1.8-2km. This was also the first time I ran with my colleague, Ganesh. Ganesh has recently picked up running.
The following day, I started at 6:40 am and the walkway was already packed with elderly people doing their morning walks. There was a very fast Japanese runner who looked like a seasoned Marathoner doing lap after lap carrying a water bottle, smiling and enjoying the endorphins. He was there for hours!
Newton and Ben
Newton SMS to wallop more bananas to ensure maximum carbo and potassium loading. Ben Lim also missed the original run as he was caught up with work in Penang. Ben Lim told me "this time you can beat me because I haven't run in 2 weeks". At the back of my mind I say to myself..."even if you haven't run for 2 years, you will still beat me hands down". I mean how can you beat a person who runs like a machine.
I woke up 4:15 am before the alarm clock rang as my throat was dry and needed a drink.
It’s being a while since I parked my car at Bukit Aman. The last time I ran the double-hill was at least 9 months ago.
Hello Double-Hill
The NB vest was very tight fitting to the point my nipples protrude. Newton suggested I wear the Nike vest instead which I did bring along but I thought since this was an NB sponsored run, I am in a way obliged to wear it. No problems with the vest throughout the race.
Runners start and time themselves. Jamie took off like a rocket. I followed Newton from behind. Ben Lim was behind running with his camera. Just after the tunnel, I was panting....lack of training? My last run was 6 days ago. At the BNM KTM station my left knee for the first time in a race showed signs of sprain (?). My plan was to conserve stamina for the impending steep hill at Laman Tunku.
Shortly after entering Langgak Tunku, Ben caught up and started taking new angles with his camera. As soon as he finished taking the rear shots, he took off like a diesel powered locomotive. This man can run.
Did not feel I was in a race, was overtaken by at least 10 runners. At one point there was nobody in front or behind me as far as I can see.
Water Station
Somehow I was not thirsty when I took 2 cups of water from a water station setup strategically under the bus stop. Thank you Pacesetter volunteers! It was here that my race started. I overtook 2-3 runners and increase downhill pace. Coming down to National Monument I was clocking 69min-ish. I learnt from last year's run where I suffered in the Carcosa stretch because I did not foresee more hills.
Carcosa
Ran past a number of morning strollers and a few runners, I was now focusing to finish within 100 minutes. Entered Lake Gardens with increased pace. Bear in mind, there was a final long uphill ahead. Before the race started, I was informed to run straight up the hill, which means it is a shorter path than taking the deer/bird park route.
I finished in 93 mins. Met Newton and Ben who had taken the longer way but still finished way ahead.
Met friendly Penguin-2 in the washroom where he told me he was pacing with Ben. I told him I thought he was much faster of which he humbly said, "Penguins cannot run fast". I replied, "Turbo-Penguin can...".
My thoughts
I am happy with the outcome of this run not because I ran well but because despite of my incurable Tinnitus (ear-ringing) condition I was still able to sustain a 90+ min run. Dr.Sangara the ENT Specialist at Pantai Medical Center has twice reassured me I can continue with the distance running. I had my doubts. He was right.
29 May 2005
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