Standard Chartered *Free* Run

Standard Chartered Fun Run was held in conjunction with National Youth Day. So there were plenty of other events happening around the area. Prior to the run, I managed to persuade quite a number of my friends to join the run with the biggest reason that the registration is FREE! Good news, I did get some positive feed backs, but mostly ignored me. My effort to promote future runs to friends and family will continue no matter how many times they shook their heads and coming up with excuses. I will persist until I succeed!

Looking forward for this run in particular because Dz, Hafriz and Diana will join the run too! Always excited to see new faces in the running scene. Unfortunately, SARC were only me and Paan. Aina and Farah bailed out on us. 

Ran the 8k route as it was the longest. Predicted it would be a sunny and hot morning and it was. The run started at 8 a.m so by the time we ran the sun was already right infront of our faces. Those runners who were sunphobia had towels covering their faces. Many were looking to take cover by running under the tree shades. Ran the first 4k alongside Paan and decided to speed ahead on the last 4k as I wanted to get a good workout. At the 5k mark, bumped into Dz and co but with one man short or should I say woman. Diana didn't run =( She didn't collect her running bib and the organizer didn't let her run. She should just go ahead run and screw the organizer!

Crossed the finish line in 58'20". Chilled out with Diana at the finish line while waiting for others to finish. Love when organizers provide isotonic drinks and even milos at the end of the run. We runners super appreciate it! Saw many familiar faces in the crowd. What a pleasant surprised to see Lydia and Dila! They ran in the 5k. Kudos to them and all the volunteers!

When the sun is shining, got to have your shades and flowered shirt on!

Farhan showing how its done

Dz crossing the finish line. Didn't even smile for the camera

With Lydia and Fadila

With Farhan, Diana, Hafriz and Dz at the finish line

PJ Dawn

Date: 13 May 2012

First and foremost Happy Mother's Day to all mums! I dedicate this run to my mum, Puziah Hashim. Showed her my customized bib before leaving the house and she was so so impressed with it. Well, it's the small things that matters right =P

What scared me the most was not the distance that I'll be running because this would be my second time running in a half marathon, so I knew what to expect and was full with confidence. However, it was the pre meal run that I had the day before the run that worries me. I attended a kenduri Aqiqah back in kampung and devoured nothing but lamb! I ate so much lamb after that the sight and smell of a lamb would just make me sick to my stomach. Guess what?! My mum brought home tulang kambing from the kenduri and made sup tulang for dinner that night! Plus, I'm pretty sure that lamb is not the ideal meal for carbo loading as I felt heavy, lazy and slightly dizzy afterwards.

The run starts at 3am. This would also be my first night run. I tried to catch a quick nap but was getting restless as the hours past by. So, I decided to head to the venue early this time. Furthermore, I was the sole representative of SARC, so couldn't share the race day jitters with anyone. This might just caused me to forget to bring a vaseline petroleum jelly to avoid chaffing. I knew I would pay the price later and I did!

The start was flagged off by the Minister of Youth and Sports Ahmad Shabery Cheek and off we go! At 2km along Jalan Lapangan Terbang, I ran into Ben! He was rocking his new 2XU compression pants. We did a little catching up on our hardships in running, and the previous and upcoming running events this year. Chatted non-stop up until 10km when the conversation started to wear down. I gave him the green light to proceed by any means if he wanted to clock a PB but he stuck with me all the way. At 14km, I was suffering stomach cramps possibly from consuming to much water and needed to walk it off. The last 4km was the hardest part of the run. It seems forever to reach the finish line! My legs were heavy and starting to stiffen.  My form was out of shape. Sleepiness and fatigue taking its toll. I wanted to walk but Ben pushed me to keep going.

PB babey!!!

My aim was to finish below 3 hours and I did it with a whopping 30 minutes differential. Big thanks to Ben who paced with me all the way. I know that he knows if I hadn't stopped him he would clock a better time. All the best in your first marathon at the SCKLM in June!