I just came back from Penang, from doing my last half marathon for the year, from running on the 3rd longest bridge in the world.. It was my first time running the Penang Bridge International Marathon, & it was my 4th half marathon for 2010 & my 11th race of the year.
Since it was already November, I decided to treat the trip to Penang as our holiday & asked my wife to come along. We went to Penang on Friday, 2 days before the race. We stayed in Summit Hotel Bukit Mertajam, we've stayed there a couple of years back during our trip to attend Azizah's wedding in Perlis. Most of the hotels on the island were fully booked for the marathon,& those who still got rooms was way off our budget. So we're gonna have to take a 20 mins drive to the start. This race had several firsts for me :
1. It was my first race outside of KL or Klang Valley
2. It was the first one with an early morning start (3am for half marathon)
The day before
We got to Penang at noon on the 19th. So we stopped for lunch at Aeon Seberang Perai, before checking into the hotel at 2pm. I'd reserved 2 tickets for the latest Harry Potter movie there at 8.30 pm, so we went there & had dinner before catching the movie. after the movie I decided to drive to the island to check out the course & the starting point. As soon as we crossed the halfway point on the bridge, it rained really heavily. So heavy that missed the turn into Queensbay & ended up in the Bayan Lepas Industrial zone. Roads in Penang are as winded as the sea surrounding them & as a result there was flash floods everywhere. We were lucky to have got outta the mess in one piece as there were times when we got caught in water so deep it slowed my car down considerably.
On the way back I saw the turning into the Queensbay area. We went back to the hotel & there wasn't a single drop of rain as soon as we reached the Peninsular. Strange. Tht's made me think again about my choice of clothing on race day. I tried to go to sleep as late as possible so that I can stay in bed the day after. I went to bed at 3am.
Race day
I tried to sleep as much as I can during the day, to prepare for the 3am start. But then the TV was showing the finals of the sepaktakraw inter-team finals at Guangzhou at 2pm so that kept me awake. Malaysia was soundly beaten by the Thais, who was much more superior, both in skills & in tactics. The Malaysians were so busy playing mind games & provoking the Thais that in the end, it was the Malaysians who couldn't live up to expectations. I played takraw during my schooldays & also during the early college days. Malaysians have been playing catch up with the Thais for so long, we didn't really have any secret weapons or tactics. Whereas the Thais have always been the innovator of the sport, introducing the "servis kuda" few years ago & now with the double killer. & their players really look lean & tall, Malaysian players look more like couch potatoes than athletes. We must innovate in order to survive, otherwise we'll lose out to the likes of China & Korea again.
I'd planned to catch another movie just before the start of the race, but then the TV was again showing the Arsenal-Spurs derby, plus the semi finals of badminton, LCW vs Chen Jin. So I decided to stay at the hotel.
The race
The bridge was closed starting at 1am, so we went off at about 12.30am. Traffic into Qeensbay was heavy, this time I didn't miss the turn. But the atmosphere was electric. There were at least 20 busses carrying runners from all over the country, even from Singapore & Thailand.. some of the runners have set up camp at the open car park, it was really cool. Once we got a parking space I decided to take a nap.
I got up with about an hour before the race. I decided to go on with my racing vest instead of the tshirt, seeing that the weather was okay. Then I did some warm up & was relieved to see my Polar footpod working fine, finally. Then we went to the start with about 30 mins to go.
There was like 6000 ppl in half marathon men's category alone, I was lucky to start quite far up. Traffic was heavy until the bridge, when the field finally broke up & I was finally into my rhythm. But as soon as we hit the bridge, I was in trouble. I was feeling drowsy & sleepy. I couldn't keep the pace up & was at times dragging my feet. I had some thoughts in my mind, I was reflecting on my preparation, on my targets... I've never felt that way in a race. & there was already some flashes of lightning on the horizon, the rain was coming.
As soon as we hit the turnaround, the rain hit us. The wind was unbelievably strong & the rain was heavy. Strangely, I felt much better running in the rain & as soon as we came off the bridge, I was back into my rhythm. I was really pushing it in the last 6K, I clocked 29mins for the last 6K. At the end, I saw the time, I got 2:10 unofficialy, better than expected, considering my preparation, the weather, etc... I couldn't have asked for more.
Lesson #1: Get enuff rest for early morning starts.
Maybe if I'd had enuff sleep during the day, I wouldn't have felt so sleepy & drowsy during the race.
Well, all the suffering, the weather, the traffic.. will I come back & do it all again next year ? Hell yess !!!
Livestrong.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Klang Run4It
This is one race that I would wanna do every year. The organization is nothing to shout about & I've seen races with better traffic control & security. But since the race venue is the place where I grew up.. & the race course goes through where I used to live, I've made it a point to do this race every year, as long as it goes through the same course. The fact that the course is the same every year (like Larian Bomba) makes it a good race to gauge your improvements year in year out. This race is also my 10th race of the year & I've still got a couple to do.
I went out early but even then I got to the start just 15 mins earlier. I had to stop for gas as I forgot to fill up the day before. But all is well & I went looking for Azam but he was nowhere to be found. I managed to catch up with him about 2km into the race.
The race goes through the very same route I took to ride home from school in 1989, thts 21 years ago... can U believe that ? The road was pretty much the same, but the surrounding areas is much more developed now. Taman Sri Andalas now in far more developed than it was some 20 years ago & that's a good sign.
I'd set a target to better my last year's time of 1:14 & I set my Polar for a 5:30-6:00 pace zone. I started off pretty fast & got a 28mins first 5K. However I started to suffer from stitches again at KM7. Normally breathing heavily in & out would make it go away, but even after a few mins of heavy breathing it didn't go away. This is the 2nd time in a race I gt stitches & I dunno why. I stopped for water at the 2nd water station & almost immediately it went away. Hmm...
Becoz of the stitches I couldn't follow Azam, but after the last turn & with about 3K to go I was feeling much better & began to push for the finish. At the finish I clocked 1:12:10, with a 30min second 5K. I'd done 59 mins for the 10K. I guess I could've done better but with a 5:58 average & 2 mins off my previous best, I guess I've achieved my race objectives. & with 2 days sick leave, a tooth extraction, & 2 days outstation, which has left me with no running at all in the week before the race, I guess I couldn't ask for more.
I'm now making plans for Penang & I guess I'm not gonna do any tapering, maybe a short one. I still have to do another LSD this week, preferably 20K before beginning my taper the week after that. Until then, Livestrong.
I went out early but even then I got to the start just 15 mins earlier. I had to stop for gas as I forgot to fill up the day before. But all is well & I went looking for Azam but he was nowhere to be found. I managed to catch up with him about 2km into the race.
The race goes through the very same route I took to ride home from school in 1989, thts 21 years ago... can U believe that ? The road was pretty much the same, but the surrounding areas is much more developed now. Taman Sri Andalas now in far more developed than it was some 20 years ago & that's a good sign.
I'd set a target to better my last year's time of 1:14 & I set my Polar for a 5:30-6:00 pace zone. I started off pretty fast & got a 28mins first 5K. However I started to suffer from stitches again at KM7. Normally breathing heavily in & out would make it go away, but even after a few mins of heavy breathing it didn't go away. This is the 2nd time in a race I gt stitches & I dunno why. I stopped for water at the 2nd water station & almost immediately it went away. Hmm...
Becoz of the stitches I couldn't follow Azam, but after the last turn & with about 3K to go I was feeling much better & began to push for the finish. At the finish I clocked 1:12:10, with a 30min second 5K. I'd done 59 mins for the 10K. I guess I could've done better but with a 5:58 average & 2 mins off my previous best, I guess I've achieved my race objectives. & with 2 days sick leave, a tooth extraction, & 2 days outstation, which has left me with no running at all in the week before the race, I guess I couldn't ask for more.
I'm now making plans for Penang & I guess I'm not gonna do any tapering, maybe a short one. I still have to do another LSD this week, preferably 20K before beginning my taper the week after that. Until then, Livestrong.
Mizuno Wave Run 2010
The Mizuno Wave Run was my 2nd race in October, the 2nd one in my 3-race line up for October, which began with the Nike KL City Run & ends with the Klang Run 4it. In the month of October, I have a race in every weekend except the 1st & the 4th week. All of them is 12K or less, so it was okay. I couldn’t imagine doing a half marathon every weekend, which never is in my plan anyway. The Mizuno Wave Run is also pretty special for me for one reason : it was my first race after my accident last year. Even with that condition I managed a 1:08 for an 11K course, so my goal for this year obviously is to do a better time.
Mistakes
I did some mistakes in the run-up to the race. Firstly, I didn’t even bother to read the race program or study the route, assuming that everything would be the same as last year. I didn’t know the start time, which I had to ask my race partner Azam the nite before the race. On the other hand, the race also had a few firsts for me as well. would be the same as last year. I didn’t know the start time, which I had to ask my race partner Azam the nite before the race. On the other hand, the race also had a few firsts for me as well. During the bib collection day, I decided to purchase the Powerbar Recovery drink mix. It costs me RM110, with a free Powerbar bottle, a Powergel & a Powerbar. At RM110, with 36 servings, it cost me about RM3 per serving. & after each race (or workout), I’m gonna need two servings. All this while, I’ve been relying on Gatorade as my post-race drink & usually I’ll down 2 bottles of Gatorade after each race, with each Gatorade costing about RM2.40, the Powerbar Recovery will cost me an extra of RM1.20 each race. Complicated huh ?
Race day
Well, on to the race 1st. Since UPM is pretty close to my house, I decided to go out a little late. I got to the stadium at about 7:05 & immediately I heard the announcer telling it’s 5 mins to the start. What the ? Azam told me that the start is 7:30. So I put my gear on & ran to the line. Strangely, the field was filled with ppl warming up, nobody seemed to care about what the announcer just said. Apparently the 7:15 start was for the women’s category… which is a bit strange still, coz most of the races (if not all) I’ve been, all the categories for the same distance will be flagged off the same time. So I went to the Powerbar booth but no one was there edi. So I just proceeded to the line.
My next mistake was to start too far back, although I had the chance to start further up. The thing I didn’t learn from last year was, the 1st 3K of the course is through a very narrow road, like half the width of a normal road. It was just chaotic. & my foot started to hurt almost right off. So I tried to navigate through the crowd of the slower runners, but it was pretty difficult. Normally I’d just bear with the slower runners, but that day, the urge to just shove a couple outta the way, along with some verbal abuse was just too great. Luckily I managed to keep cool.
I only managed to break free after the 1st water station, which I customarily skip. But the situation there was just awful. There was not enuff staff, & becoz the water distribution was slow, some of the runners just grabbed the bottles & threw it away half empty, which was bad race etiquette. & some was just standing at the station as if they were drinking at a kopitiam. I understand that there was a lot of rookies & non-competitive runners in the race, but that was no excuse.
The next mistake I made was thinking that there were 3 water stations, as what normal races would have. Generally, each race would have 3 water stations, at the beginning, mid-way & at the final 3rd of the distance. But for some incomprehensible reasons, the Pacesetters decided that 2 was enuff. When I finally got to the last water station I was already suffering pretty badly. & by then also I began to notice that the route didn’t go through some of the places I raced through last year.
I hit the line at 1:04, better than last year, but at 10K, it was worse than KL City Run. It was just a bad race for me. I met Azam after the race & had a look at his new Brooks T6 Racer. I guess that shoe can be a good half marathon shoe for me, as I dun think I’ma race with my Asics for anything more than a 10-12K races. More on that later.
Some of the lessons I’ve learned from what turned out to be my worst race of 2010:
1. Always study the race program & route, even if U’ve done the race before. The organizer might change the route, U’ll never know..
2. Always take note of the water stations. Some organizers might go against the norm. At the KL City run there was water stations every 2.5K, which was extraordinary.
3. Always try to get to the start early, at least 30 mins earlier. That way U won’t rush anything & won’t risk forgetting anything.
4. Try to start as high up as U can, especially if U’r targeting a PB.
Livestrong
Mistakes
I did some mistakes in the run-up to the race. Firstly, I didn’t even bother to read the race program or study the route, assuming that everything would be the same as last year. I didn’t know the start time, which I had to ask my race partner Azam the nite before the race. On the other hand, the race also had a few firsts for me as well. would be the same as last year. I didn’t know the start time, which I had to ask my race partner Azam the nite before the race. On the other hand, the race also had a few firsts for me as well. During the bib collection day, I decided to purchase the Powerbar Recovery drink mix. It costs me RM110, with a free Powerbar bottle, a Powergel & a Powerbar. At RM110, with 36 servings, it cost me about RM3 per serving. & after each race (or workout), I’m gonna need two servings. All this while, I’ve been relying on Gatorade as my post-race drink & usually I’ll down 2 bottles of Gatorade after each race, with each Gatorade costing about RM2.40, the Powerbar Recovery will cost me an extra of RM1.20 each race. Complicated huh ?
Race day
Well, on to the race 1st. Since UPM is pretty close to my house, I decided to go out a little late. I got to the stadium at about 7:05 & immediately I heard the announcer telling it’s 5 mins to the start. What the ? Azam told me that the start is 7:30. So I put my gear on & ran to the line. Strangely, the field was filled with ppl warming up, nobody seemed to care about what the announcer just said. Apparently the 7:15 start was for the women’s category… which is a bit strange still, coz most of the races (if not all) I’ve been, all the categories for the same distance will be flagged off the same time. So I went to the Powerbar booth but no one was there edi. So I just proceeded to the line.
My next mistake was to start too far back, although I had the chance to start further up. The thing I didn’t learn from last year was, the 1st 3K of the course is through a very narrow road, like half the width of a normal road. It was just chaotic. & my foot started to hurt almost right off. So I tried to navigate through the crowd of the slower runners, but it was pretty difficult. Normally I’d just bear with the slower runners, but that day, the urge to just shove a couple outta the way, along with some verbal abuse was just too great. Luckily I managed to keep cool.
I only managed to break free after the 1st water station, which I customarily skip. But the situation there was just awful. There was not enuff staff, & becoz the water distribution was slow, some of the runners just grabbed the bottles & threw it away half empty, which was bad race etiquette. & some was just standing at the station as if they were drinking at a kopitiam. I understand that there was a lot of rookies & non-competitive runners in the race, but that was no excuse.
The next mistake I made was thinking that there were 3 water stations, as what normal races would have. Generally, each race would have 3 water stations, at the beginning, mid-way & at the final 3rd of the distance. But for some incomprehensible reasons, the Pacesetters decided that 2 was enuff. When I finally got to the last water station I was already suffering pretty badly. & by then also I began to notice that the route didn’t go through some of the places I raced through last year.
I hit the line at 1:04, better than last year, but at 10K, it was worse than KL City Run. It was just a bad race for me. I met Azam after the race & had a look at his new Brooks T6 Racer. I guess that shoe can be a good half marathon shoe for me, as I dun think I’ma race with my Asics for anything more than a 10-12K races. More on that later.
Some of the lessons I’ve learned from what turned out to be my worst race of 2010:
1. Always study the race program & route, even if U’ve done the race before. The organizer might change the route, U’ll never know..
2. Always take note of the water stations. Some organizers might go against the norm. At the KL City run there was water stations every 2.5K, which was extraordinary.
3. Always try to get to the start early, at least 30 mins earlier. That way U won’t rush anything & won’t risk forgetting anything.
4. Try to start as high up as U can, especially if U’r targeting a PB.
Livestrong
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