CICM Half Marathon 2011

This was my 11th Half Marathon to date, and as the medals are given out to all finisher regardless of time, i did not plan to run fast as PJ HM. To complete this HM under 2:15 would sufficient for me.

Woke up around 4 a.m., sent text message to a friend for wake up reminder. Unfortunately, that person doze off till 4:40 am but amazingly recovered in time for HM flag off.

As the start time for HM runners is early as 6:15 a.m.; i realised that i need to perform my Subuh prayer at race site. Unfortunately for Muslim runners, the organizer and Setia Alam Welcome Centre’s owner failed to provide access to the Surau inside the building. This is unacceptable! At least provide tent or some space/facilities for Muslim runners like SCKLM did at their event.

A bottle of mineral water and yesterday newspaper solved my problem that  morning, i performed my prayer at the back of the building corridor’s around 5:40 am, i seen some runners brought prayer mat and performed Subuh prayer at the other side of the building’s corridor.

After a few minutes of warming up, i settled myself into the starting line and walked  myself towards the back of the crowd (all the way back), medal guaranteed there’s no need to kill my lungs for this.

At 6:15 am, the HM race started, unlike PJ HM, i started slowly at the back and made my way through the crowds of runners slowly. The weather was dry and humid, not a drop of rains unlike yesterday.

The first 5km was tough and i wonder why my breathe was laboured and my feet felt like running a 10km at fast pace. Although the route was flat (almost same flat route as Setia Eco HM last year) but its inclines were steady and invisible to most of us, i did not noticed it as it was dark at the time.

After 5km, i felt better as it’s now a steady downhill route, finally got back my “happy pace”, felt a bit relief and i decided to ran this at a slower pace and enjoy the run.

Around 5.5km, i came a crossed a familiar face, she was struggling a bit with her pace and decided to slow down and pace her. Wow this is more comfortable, no more lung busting pace from this onwards.

Met and shouted at few familiars runners along the route, including Aini, Nick, Arman and few others.

After the turn around at 10km, i felt much better as the body now is fully warms up, as i didn’t felt like running fast that morning, i decided stick to that friend and be the pacer. Finally catch up with Nick around 2km to the finish, he was definitely having problem that morning, i stopped and asked him whether he’s okay.  I left him after making sure he’s alright to continue. Continued my run as pacer to the finish line, and that friend completed the HM with a new PB at no 7, podium finish y’all.

Surprised myself with another sub-2 finish, 1:59:58 just barely made it. That the final the preps for PBIM, see you soon at Penang and can’t wait for my 1st visit to the FMV Station at 35km point. Please reserve a cold Coca Cola for me Kak June :)

Later that afternoon, my feet were itchy to complete another 100km week mileage, so i ran 8km more. Great ending to the weekend, sub-2 HM finish and 100km mileage to boot.