When I first started running SCKLM back in 2011-10k category-never thought I would be lining up for the full marathon category. Then progressing to half marathons in 2012 and 2013, and finally the time has come for me to run in the full marathon category. Yeah it took me quite a long time to get around as I was the only one among my peers who was actively running and I had plenty of doubts in my abilities whether it was possible. Nobody to push me. Nobody to motivate me. But I knew I had to do it sooner or later, and I can't wait for someone to hold my hand and lead me the way. Sometimes you have to lead the way yourself although you do not how it would end up. And I'm glad I did and starting to see my friends has followed suit.
After getting my ass handed to me in my first marathon-Borneo Marathon-I realized marathons are difficult and hard on the body if you do not prepare for it and I've learned it the hard way. You can't go in thinking that you're fit and having an active lifestyle, you could easily run a marathon. You can do that for 10k's and half's but not full's. You need to put the time and effort to practice.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PRACTICE??!!
Yes practice and practice for runners would be training. There are plenty of lessons to learn from my first marathon and lots of improvements to be done. Started doing more lower body workouts in the gym to build up muscle strength in my legs, and I put in the time on the road cranking up the mileage. Plus getting enough rest, recovery and keeping myself injury-free is key in making sure my training went according to plan.
RACE DAY
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The commute |
I parked my car at Taman Jaya and took the LRT to Masjid Jamek. I ran the first 11k wearing a kain pelikat before I ditched it after subuh prayer at Tol AKLEH. I really need to start investing in a long compression pants as my house is running out of kain pelikat. Bummed into familiar and new faces running their first full. Shout out to UITM Runners Club runners whom were all running their first full. The weather wasn't that bad (I didn't see the sun) and wasn't that good either (because it was a little hazy). So it was cool light hazy morning thus I had my sunglasses on my head the whole run.
One thing that every runners would agreed on was that the number of water stations were more than needed, which I LOVE it! I did not pour any water in my water bottle which I was carrying, thus keeping things light. There were water stations at every 2km which I stopped and took my sweet time at every water stations.
I only passed the 6:00 hour pacers and managed to catch up with the 5:30 hour pacers which I never saw again after I'd stopped by for subuh prayer earlier. At every hills, whether it was a long or short ascends, I would stopped running and walked it through as I did not want to pull any muscles which I was starting to feel them tightening from KM20 onwards.
To my surprised, I didn't hit the infamous "wall" and had a good run from KM30 until the finish line. The cut-off time was 6:00 hours, and cross the finish line with a time of 5:43'48"(net). I was so so happy. I shaved off 45 minutes from my last run. I felt the time and effort I'd put in training paid off, and that great satisfaction you feel after achievement your goal. You can say I've fall back in love with running again.
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Running on MRR2 with KL Twin Towers in the background |
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With UITM Runners Club |
One thing that every runners would agreed on was that the number of water stations were more than needed, which I LOVE it! I did not pour any water in my water bottle which I was carrying, thus keeping things light. There were water stations at every 2km which I stopped and took my sweet time at every water stations.
I only passed the 6:00 hour pacers and managed to catch up with the 5:30 hour pacers which I never saw again after I'd stopped by for subuh prayer earlier. At every hills, whether it was a long or short ascends, I would stopped running and walked it through as I did not want to pull any muscles which I was starting to feel them tightening from KM20 onwards.
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100 plus Edge was served from KM30 onwards which is non-carbonated isotonic drink for easy consumption. No need to burp or fart to get the gas out as normal 100 plus would have you do. Why not just serve 100 plus Edge at every water stations... |
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...but again sometimes runners want carbonated drinks. At KM 35, supporters opening up their own water stations to serve ice-cold Coca-Cola. God bless them |
To my surprised, I didn't hit the infamous "wall" and had a good run from KM30 until the finish line. The cut-off time was 6:00 hours, and cross the finish line with a time of 5:43'48"(net). I was so so happy. I shaved off 45 minutes from my last run. I felt the time and effort I'd put in training paid off, and that great satisfaction you feel after achievement your goal. You can say I've fall back in love with running again.
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With Rifdi, Anwar and Kimi after the run |
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Welcome to the club Amirul 'Nyun' Faizan! Congrats on your first marathon finish |
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All smiles after crossing the finish line with a PR. 2nd marathon in the book |
