Great Eastern PaceSetters 20km Run

Registering races beyond 10km is becoming a “long run” commitment whereby I have no excuse but to complete the distance, something, which I am unable to discipline myself in training. Come to think of it, I have not run more than 8 laps in KLCC since Feb 2005.

The day before the run, I did some DIY electrical and water fittings for my brother’s house and mine despite recovering from flu. That night was also the exciting All England Badminton live coverage where 3 Malaysian doubles pair made it to the semi-finals and Chong Wei’s epic battle with Lin Dan, the World No.1. Kenny, my brother rang my house at 11:30 p.m. to inform me of this when I was just about to go into deep sleep.

While Mee Peng was watching the matches past midnight I had a strange dream. I dreamt I did not lube my toes (?), could not find a parking lot and was late for the race.

4:15 a.m.

Woke up by the sound of my handphone alarm, took 2 bananas, PowerBar, oats drink laced with a packet of Nescafe arabica for the caffeine and a few gulps of Gatorade. Mizuno Atlantis just 35kms-old is the race shoe.

Driving at 110-120km/hr, I reached Lake Gardens at 5:40 a.m. As expected, all the car parks were full. The Bird Park and TAR Memorial parking areas were cordoned off with a piece of rope! How selfish! We are not going there to “Pak Doh” (dating/petting) lah. Most drivers had no choice but to park on the road shoulder, some right in front of Bukit Aman HQ.

I remember there was a Butterfly park and luckily, the parking area was open. Phew! Walking towards the lake a large contingent of runners came charging to my direction. Just to be sure my dream was only a dream, I did a check with a veteran Sikh runner who was doing his warm up by the jogging track. He confirmed it’s for the 30km category. 20km starts 30 minutes later.

Once again, I bumped into Kenneth Teh whom I have not seen since PJ Half-Marathon. Looked around for Newton but could not find him.

6:30 a.m.

Started off by pacing with Kenneth and his friend. After the Bank Negara tunnel I slowly drop off. Once again, I looked for similar pace runners to tailgate and as markers. 3 female runners overtook me: Black Cap (BC), Red Cap (RC) and Black Pants (BP). I decided to follow these graceful runners. I will overtake them on the downhill but on the uphill they would overtake me back. There was also a 20+ year-old Black Adidas T-shirt male runner (BAT) who was treading leads with me. Surprisingly, there were already runners walking at km-2, perhaps they are adopting the Galloway technique.

Discovering Hartamas

I reached the Jln Duta crossroad estimated 6.5 kms in 41 mins. From here it is untested territory. The “Hartamas Route” is popular amongst runners who do their early weekends morning long run drills, training and breeding ground of some of the best runners. Though I am completely familiar with this road but I have never run it before, this would be my first.

BP had dropped off. BC was very agile on the uphill and many male runners had to kow tow to her supremacy, as she seems to thrive on hills. RC and I exchanged leads a few times. Orange flavoured Powerbar Endurance drink was served in all drink stations. Thank you to the sponsors and Pacesetters. The Endurance quenched my thirst very effectively.

Finally reached the Petronas station U-turn. Stopwatch clocked 71 mins. Not sure of the distance, probably km-11. Where are the distance markers? I took half of the Raspberry cream PowerGel. From the opposite direction, I could see many familiar faces some from the 30km category: Ronnie/PM1, Rohaizad, Julian, Adidas Man….

No cramps please

At the mosque probably km-13 my right heel developed some tightness, which hadn’t happened before. The fear of an imminent cramp took the pace out of me. On top of that my nose and ear were blocked. By now BC had easily overtaken me. As I was musing on the problem, somebody yelled in a military tone from the other opposite direction “ Cheong! Common RUN don’t @#$%&*….(gibberish) !!!”. It was machine man, Ben doing his 30k. He was probably 4-5kms behind me. Fortunately, as the gradient of the road varied, the heel discomfort alleviated.

Jalan Jalan Jalan

Soon I was back at the Jln Duta crossroad, the 3 policemen decided to ease traffic by letting some cars go! 2 runners and myself had to come to a complete STOP. The runner on my left said “Eh! HOW CAN LIKE THAT!”. I replied “Ya lah” raised my arm to the moving vehicles and cross the busy road without the policemen intervening, the 2 runners follow suit.

Breaking Point

Trouble began from the signage that says 3kms to the finishing line. History repeats itself. Is my right leg good for 17kms only? Based on experience my brain transmitted a report to my heart that says the right leg is going to collapse soon. Mind over matter?

There was another female runner let me codename her Never Give UP (NGU). She was limping and judging from her movement, she also had RIGHT FOOT problems! Her left leg dragged her right leg but her running pace was still steady. I am sure I looked that way too. In fact worse, I was the noisiest runner because my shoes slide with the sound of “cheak cheak cheak” due to feet dragging. The veteran Adidas Man had overtaken me. I notice he always finish strongly with a huffing sound.

At the end of Jalan Tunku, there was a Pacesetter volunteer who was clapping non-stop (he was the only person who clapped in the entire race) for us. Many felt encouraged including myself and increased the pace slightly. 10 meters from the cheering volunteer I had a spasm attack on my right leg. As I limped towards him, he said “Only 2 kms to go. Not very far” and smiled. I replied, “Ok” and continued my walk.


Battle of the Minions

The last 800 meters of this race was the most interesting. Before the start of this race, I thought I could try 2:20 (since its 20k and not 21k) but at this stage it was already 2:21+. Again I retargeted for a sub 2:30 finish! Will I make it? The pacers came into play.

It was the final Jln Parlimen uphill, most walk-run, I was never far away from NGU. Suddenly BP and BAT reappeared!!! I last saw them at km-3 and km-9 respectively. BAT and I struggled between walk and run. NGU and BP were not walking but adopt a steady run.
Veteran Sikh runner emerged from nowhere and overtook all of us. Good going mate!

As I turn right to the Lake Club road, another Pacesetter/FTAA guy said to me “Just down the road is the finishing line…very near”. I replied “Ok”. Before the mini-roundabout, all 3 of them NGU, BP and BAT were ahead of me. BP was leading! The road was descending; I took the advantage to swiftly overtake NGU and BAT. BP was just meters from finishing. I extended the length of my strides. With 8 strides left to the end I overtook BP. At the finishing line, I raised my arms and looked at the tripod Nikon camera. I finished a near identical time of my last half-marathon run 2:29:22.

Pacemakers

Ate tau fu far, watermelon, banana and drank as much as I could. A group of PMs gathered together for photographs. It was good to meet Julian whom I have not seen for awhile, Rohaizad the “Tan Sri”, Draco, Ronnie, Kenneth, Jamie, Ben, CCube and others.

Overview

I enjoyed this run better than Singapore Marathon. The Kenny Hills – Sri Hartamas is a very good route: fresh air (apart from the dusty road works), challenging terrain and low traffic. It is no surprise why many runners choose this route for their training.

The Pacesetters volunteers did a good job. One of these days I would like to contribute what these volunteers had contributed. It would be interesting to experience race marshaling cum photographer.

I did a measurement on a treadmill: 7min/km pace = 160 strides/min. In a half-marathon, I would have done 24,000 strides. The key to improve the long runs now lies with my right leg. It is my weakest point. I usually have problems buying new shoes that fit snugly on my right foot. I am left-handed. Is being left-handed has anything to do with the “rightness” anomaly?

From the last 3 races, it appears I am going downhill with slower timings but then the actual distance and terrain differ for all 3. Recent KLCC lap timing has declined. I am using races as a carrot to run 20k+ distances and by just completing them is sheer satisfaction.

I pray my incurable tinnitus does not deteriorate for I want to live another day to run another race!

Singapore Half-Marathon 2005

Work work work
Immediately after my 2-week mandate leave, there was an ISO audit and compliance deliverables, which took up 12 hours daily. While the audit was expected, the other wasn't. Singapore Marathon was not in my mind. I contemplated of foregoing the event since I may not meet the work deadline, no transportation back and low mileage.

In the end, my sister-in-law's family decided to join us for the Singapore trip. SIL's husband drove like a Formula 1 driver. He drove the Toyota Innova at a constant speed of 150km/hr even overtook a police car! Took less than3.5 hours to reach the Tuas border.

The Singapore map I bought 2 years ago was extremely useful. Reached SuntecCity at 1 p.m. The Sports Expo was full of Pacesetter members donning the trademark bright yellow T-shirt. I felt a sense of pride to be associated with the fellow Malaysian runners.

Nice Climalite
The staff manning the counters were well trained and courteous. Collected a shoe bag with a nice Adidas blue Climalite vest. I now have 3 vests: Nike, NB and Adidas - all from race events! Bought the shuttle bus ticket at $3. Hive of activities going on. Observe with awe a 6-year-old girl doing 20-feet rock climbing. Couldn't stay long as my nieces were waiting on the ground floor.

SIL and spouse being devote gamblers asked me to find a 4-D shop as they have just visited the Fountain of Fortune and wanted to buy my bib number. A salesman told us to try Peninsular Plaza. After walking for hours, I rested my legs by sitting on a walkway. Mee Peng came out from a shop and exclaimed "Look WHO IS HERE!". It was Dr. Jamie! We greeted each other and it was good to see him. We have been SMSing each other since our journey from KL.
Finally, we left the city center and drove towards Woodlands where we stayed in my cousin-in-law’s place for the night.

3:40 a.m.
Was up at 3:40 a.m. I had pre-packed all the necessities in individual transparent zipper plastic bags: PowerBar, multi-vits, cereal, Vaseline, Counterpain, contact lenses etc. Wore the Brooks Forza for the first time.We just missed the 5 a.m. shuttle bus from Woodlands stadium by seconds and had to wait for the 5:30 a.m. one.

Samba
Reached the Esplanade Bridge around 6 a.m. Aiya! The Full Marathoners have just taken off! The MC psyched the runners up with a barrage of disco beats and inspiring statements. My thoughts were with first-timer Ben and veteran Jamie.

Within minutes, the half-marathoners assembled inside the pen. I try to look for a familiar face but found none. I was calm. With the ever-motivating MC hyping the kind of music that makes you think that this is indeed "the greatest race on earth", I was eager to take-off.

Go!
My start was charged with adrenaline, I ran the first 2km in sub-12 minutes.
There were so many water stations – every 2km. The 500 ml water bottles were in a way wasted as many just had a few gulps and threw the rest away. Perhaps, the water manufacturer could come up with 250-300ml water bottles specifically for race events – the size you find in Spritzer’s Soda Pop. Noticeably missing were sponge stations. I find cold sponging helps to dissipate heat from the head and alleviate sore muscles.

This is one race where you are never alone. There were runners everywhere: front, back, side and opposite. Most of the roads U-turn back hence you’ll see runners from the opposite direction. Initially, I ran on the right side of the road to catch a glimpse of the returning runners but stop soon after I felt dizzy.

10 km
The distance markers were displayed at every km. Even the water stations had “….150m to water station” signboards. The Marshals were doing a fantastic job. Instructions were non-ambiguous and crystal clear “Runners move to your left!!! (when we approach a left turning bottle neck).….10k Runners U-turn to your RIGHT, the REST go straight!”. I reached the 10km mark in 1:04:37, which was 1-2 minutes behind my usual split. From here onwards, I struggled to maintain a sub-7min/km pace.

The sun was rising from the East Coast. Even though this is my 5th half-marathon, experience itself cannot save me from the lack of training. I drank as much water as my stomach could hold without feeling bloated.

I took the Lime PowerGel at the 12th km. Exiting Marina South, coming back to the Esplanade Bridge, there were many SLR photographers and almost non-existent cheerleaders. If I am not mistaken, there was only one pom-pom group. Since the bibs are only place in front and none at the back, it was difficult to correlate your position or pacing with the other runners. There was no human yardstick.

After the bridge, I kept looking in front for the final U-turn; many have made their turn. The sun was now up and blazing directly on my face. I saw Wan the ex-Pacesetter president from the opposite direction. Participants will have no way of cheating by shortcutting across the cone divider because the Champion Chip sensor mat is located at every U-turn.

Final U-turn
At last, the last turn, the last hurrah. I have reserved some energy to attack from this point. It is the 17 km mark. Time 1:55:32. I started to pick up speed and overtook runner after runner. But alas! My right (again) calf twitched. I slowed down immediately. When the drink stations came, I took my time to drink and walk at least 20 seconds. Initially, I was targeting a sub 2:20 finish, and then I move it to 2:25. It is still possible, so I thought.

Longest 3 kms.
When I saw the 18th km signboard, I said to myself, it is only 3kms away why can’t my legs move. By now the spasms are sporadic. My thought now was to save my right leg from a major cramp. In the final kilometer back to the Esplanade Bridge I walk-run. There was a young sweet female Marshal who yelled “Common, u can MAKE it, the finishing line is just after the Bridge (Andarson Bridge)”. Made a right turn from the Esplanade Bridge to the second bridge. After crossing it, there were scores of spectators on both sides of the road applauding their friends and love ones to the finish. I could see the distance markers 300m….200m ….100m….

Despite the attention, for every right stride I made the cramp attacked my lower thigh and upper calf. I was limping to the finish. I looked at the giant stopwatch it was displaying 2:29:50…51..52...53…. I just want to beat the gun time of sub 2:30.

I finished with an official Chip Time/Gun Time 2:29:13 / 2:29:58. The last 3km split times: 8:44; 8:48 and 9:13. My Timex stopwatch clocked 2:29:15. Accurate timing.

Rehydrate
Behind the finishing line, runners can enjoy “all you can drink” session in an enclosed area. I drank 2 cans of 100 Plus and a bottle of water. The 100 Plus somehow tasted saltier and tastier than the ones I drank last night. I greedily grabbed 3 more cans, one stuffed to my back pocket and 2 bottles of water! I had a feeling there will be no drinks outside the cordoned area and Mee Peng was probably thirsty waiting under the hot sun.

Returned the Champion Chip and collected the medal. After cooling off under the ceiling fan tent, it was time we made our way back to Woodlands. With so much hydration, I felt perfectly fine.

MRT
We boarded the MRT at City Hall. I was carrying a backpack and a water bottle. As the train moved from station to station, I leaned against the pole and coolly drank my water. I notice the other passengers were observing me and I soon realize why when I read the warning “no drinking FINE $500”.

I developed motion sickness in the train, the same experience I had after driving home from the Putrajaya Half-Marathon. Luckily I did not throw up. Maybe I should bring my blood pressure monitor next time.

Nutshell
I may not be the type of runner who would travel long distances to participate a race. However, I always enjoy the experience of running in new venues and routes. Running is another form of Traveling. The journey can be mystifying.

PJ Half-Marathon

Exactly a year ago, I pondered if I could survive my first 21km race, the PJ Half-Marathon. Coming into the same race this year, I wondered if I could repeat the feat by qualifying this time since the PJ Half is not full 21kms but 19.5km. I also wanted to erase the disappointment of being mistimed last year despite finishing 2:13.

After PutraJaya run, I took it easy to rest the legs and did only one 15-min light running. A blogger called the back-to-back Putrajaya and PJ half-marathon run “The double Jaya Run”. Indeed it was a double “jaya” and double happiness run for this blogger.

Carbo overload
The night before the race, it was again my niece birthday held in the afternoon. Unlike last year, this time I took the greasy cake, fried chicken, fried sotong, chips, noodles etc.... I made sure I was stuffed by eating Hor Fun (noodles) at 9 p.m.

Woke up at 4:30 a.m with a headache. Took half powerbar, 2 bananas, cereal drink and 2 vitamin pills. I am still keeping the opened Putrajaya powergel in the fridge! Consumed it once I reached the Stadium carpark.
Met Kenneth Teh (PM20) at the road junction. Haven't seen him for quite awhile. Incidentally, he was also the first person I met last year. We met our opposite neighbour, Mrs. Su who was running the 5km category. She finished the Putrajaya 21km in 2:15 in the senior category a remarkable timing considering she is a busy mother with 4 children.

Off we go...
I started off quickly with no feet problems experienced in Putrajaya but had an unexpected urge to urinate despite visiting the washroom just 15 minutes ago (prostate gland enlargement?). Maybe it is due to anxiety but I did drink quite a fair bit of water in the morning.

I reached the first waterstation right before the Motorola flyover in 22+ mins, which was 2 mins faster than last year. U turn back on the other side, there were many familiar runners from the Putrajaya run. I recognized them from the rear and side profile but not the face. This is because during a run, one normally doesn’t get to see the runner face to face!

Ponytail girl, Adidas man, Bidor Kaki and Slim Orange Lady were all there and we seem to share the same pace. After I overtook Ponytail girl, it began to drizzle. Alamak! Would this be my first time racing under the rain? It was almost 7a.m and chilly.

Raindrops keep falling on my head…
Just as I approached the Subang airport flyover, the rain got heavier. I ran a little faster to induce more body heat negating the coldness. By now, my hair was dripping and shoes soaked. I decided not to lap (press buttons) on my Timex watch as it had a problem of hanging/reseting under wet conditions.


12 km
The distance markers were completely missing until km 12. Time was 77 mins. No race plan no target checkpoints just run to the best of my ability so I told myself. The new flyover under construction last year was ready this year for the runners to tackle its gradient.
After passing the Subang roundabout, I saw Kenneth on the opposite road, it was the same place I saw Newton last year. I waved and gave him a thumbs-up. I should be making a U-turn soon at the Aerobridge so I thought but to my chagrin, the U-turn was right at the end of Terminal 3 roundabout! The route is now at least 1.5km longer!

Habis, habis my 2-3 minute gain is completely wiped out by this longer route.

16 km
Reached the km 16 marker in 1:45+. I did a quick arithmetic; to finish 2:15 I need to run the last 5kms within 30mins i.e. 6mins/km. It was mission impossible and my only hope was the distance marker was inaccurate.

I put up a challenge and increased pace. Then I saw the new daunting flyover again and people walking on it. This was the turning point of the race.
At the crest of the flyover, I gazed far ahead to locate the final left junction turn to Kelana Jaya. When I could not see it, I lost hope.

Chopsticks
My stamina was dead.
Though my legs had no muscle pull or cramps, they were as stiff as chopsticks. Out of the blue, an orange angel appeared. It was Slim Orange Lady (SOL), she had been following or pacing behind me for the last 8-10kms! SOL seemed to adopt the Galloway’s walk-run strategy. In the last 3 kms, we exchanged leads 6-7 times until it became embarrassing. I almost wanted to chat with her since we were running side by side. I wanted to tell her I wasn’t competing with her but merely trying to survive. Maybe she thinks the same?
I was running so slowly until a smart Mat Salleh’s fast walking equaled my slow run. (Perhaps I should walk more often but Ben says, “It is a sin”.)

Angel speed
Finally, we came to the Kelana Jaya junction, from here onwards SOL took off. I started walking too after observing the Mat Salleh’s speed walking.
Coming into the stadium, it was rather quiet, overtook one runner and sprinted the last 100 meters.

Wan the ex-Pacesetter President waiting at the finishing line whom at first I thought was a race official, handed me a 30km Pacesetter race application form which initially I thought was some certificate!

There was no official to take my position. According to Mee Peng, the moment the 2:15 qualifying time ended, the race officials just left the finishing line. I completed the race in 2:26:49.
Traffic control could be improved with road closure as 99 percent of the time we were running along with the traffic. I fear somebody may get hurt one day.

Keep trying
This is my 4th Half-Marathon. For the 2nd year running, I failed to qualify for the PJ Half. This is the only race event I fail to meet the qualifying mark. Regardless of age group, the PJ Half-Marathon organizers fix the qualifying time of 2:15 for all categories.

On the positive side, my legs were stronger this time and perhaps with higher mileage I may one day conquer the 2:15 barrier.