It took me a week to come up with the SCKLM report. Why ? Been so busy with work, down with a cold (not H1N1, at least I think not). So now..
I collected my race pack right before the closing time at 8 pm. I've been getting reports about the chaotic situation earlier in the day. So I was glad that when I was there, there was only like 3 persons in front of me. Even then, the organizers took a good 15 minutes to get my race number & vest. The bad part was that I got the wrong size initially, XXL. I changed it straightaway & got my size, which was XL. The guy in front of me got the ladies' XL. Lucky he checked it there.
Off to the race on Sunday. We left home at about 5 & it was raining. I thought it was only in Serendah, which is usually the case. But when we got to Sg Buloh it was still raining, albeit lightly. I was beginning to think that I shud've brought my running shirt & undershirt instead of the skimpy little vest. I've never run in the cold, so I hope it'll be ok. We parked at the food court near MOH & it was already full. We saw 2 couples performing their Subuh prayers right under the tree, so we joined them. As soon as we left for the start, the half marathoners were flagged off. There must be around 3000 of them.
This was the first time I arrived at the start early, so I had time to even join the aerobic session. However, it was a mistake not to go into the gated area early, as there was 5100 ppl in my category, the biggest number according to the announcer. So, I had to force my way to the front, I dun wanna get caught too far behind. Even then, it took me 58 secs to get past the Start/Finish line. & once the race started, I had to run on the sidewalks to get to the front & I finally got out in the open after 5 minutes.
At KM4 I guess, I met the uncle again, this time I found out that his name is Tan. So we ran together, up until the hill at LHDN where I moved to the front after the water station. I was feeling good, so I pulled away. I managed to maintain that pace up until Jln TAR. The organizers had put in the guide book that the race course is flat & fast. If this is flat & fast then I dunno how a hilly course would be like.
I didn't get to break the hour, I clocked an official time of 1:01.09 & Uncle Tan managed to get past me about 300m from the finish. his time was low 1:00 I guess. I got #248 out of 3300 finishers, top 7%, so I guess that was okay.
My wife didn't realize I had finish. She thought that since I was running with a cold, I'd finish the run a bit later. So I can't find her at the finish. I grabbed some bananas & drinks. I couldn't get in line to get the medals coz the number was with my wife. After almost 1/2 hour I finally found her.
Overall, I guess the race was good & I didn't hurt so much & my time was okay considering my conditions. My next race will be on the track & I hope I can break the hour. Good luck.
