So just like that 2013 came to an end. Newton Challenge had been my year end run for the past 3 years. It was held at Bandar Kinrara, Puchong. The weather that morning was perfect. It didn't rain the night before and it was a cool and dry morning. Left the house around 4.30 am. Arrived at the race venue with couple of minutes to spare before the flag off. Park my car inside the mosque parking area which is beside the race venue and quickly hustled my way towards the starting line. I was joined by Faiz who was doing his first 25km run cum half marathon distance.
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I thought I was still in bed dreaming when I saw a unicorn. A girl in a unicorn suit and she did 25km. Kudos! |
The 25km run was flagged off at 5.30 am. The route was the same as last year's. Bumped into a fellow triathlon friend Amir who is planning to join next year's Malaysia half and full Ironman. Chatted with him until we reach a surau at a nearby apartment complex around KM4 for our subuh prayer. After done with prayer, I continued running and there were only several runners spotted in sight. I liked it for change as it was way quieter and more peaceful compared to being in the middle of the pack with thousands of runners where it is hard to get a clear run ahead.
The climbs that this place is famous (that's why they called it Newton Challenge and not Newton Run) for has now turned into a joyful ride for me. The climbs uphill were not so bad now compared to what I had described 2 years back when I first started here. I'm still slow on the ascends but man do I love the descends that comes afterwards. Thank you strong knees!
Spotted several familiar faces along the way. There was Izzati who was also doing her first 25km run cum half marathon distance. Only drinking water was provided at all water stations. At about KM21 the 15km runners converged with the rest of the 25km runners to run the final stretch back towards the finish line. Crossed the finish line at 2:49'38"(official) and 2:35'17"(stopwatch: excluding prayer break). Collected my finisher medal. There was queue building up for at the watermelon booth, so I skipped that and went straight for the 100 plus booth. Chilled out at the finish line to cheer runners on and snapped few photos. Later I had breakfast at a Terengganu restaurant located inside the mosque premise where the rice for the nasi lemak was in green in color.
That is all from me for 2013. It's been an incredible ride. Alhamdullilah for the good health and friends I've made during the year. My highlight of the year got to be the Seremban Half Marathon where I clocked my first sub-2 hour half marathon. Plus that was the only run I ran outside of Selangor this year. I got one DNS which was the Penang Bridge Marathon. Last but not least, thank you all that have taken their time to read my blog. I appreciate it greatly. May 2014 be another great running adventure for all of us. Happy new year everybody (=
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The 3:00 hour pacer |
The climbs that this place is famous (that's why they called it Newton Challenge and not Newton Run) for has now turned into a joyful ride for me. The climbs uphill were not so bad now compared to what I had described 2 years back when I first started here. I'm still slow on the ascends but man do I love the descends that comes afterwards. Thank you strong knees!
Spotted several familiar faces along the way. There was Izzati who was also doing her first 25km run cum half marathon distance. Only drinking water was provided at all water stations. At about KM21 the 15km runners converged with the rest of the 25km runners to run the final stretch back towards the finish line. Crossed the finish line at 2:49'38"(official) and 2:35'17"(stopwatch: excluding prayer break). Collected my finisher medal. There was queue building up for at the watermelon booth, so I skipped that and went straight for the 100 plus booth. Chilled out at the finish line to cheer runners on and snapped few photos. Later I had breakfast at a Terengganu restaurant located inside the mosque premise where the rice for the nasi lemak was in green in color.
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With Nasrul, Rifdi, Amir and Faiz after our run. Thanks Amir and Faiz for bending down. Now I'm the tallest! |
That is all from me for 2013. It's been an incredible ride. Alhamdullilah for the good health and friends I've made during the year. My highlight of the year got to be the Seremban Half Marathon where I clocked my first sub-2 hour half marathon. Plus that was the only run I ran outside of Selangor this year. I got one DNS which was the Penang Bridge Marathon. Last but not least, thank you all that have taken their time to read my blog. I appreciate it greatly. May 2014 be another great running adventure for all of us. Happy new year everybody (=
