Energizer Night Race 2010 (2nd HM)

Night races in Malaysia for me is too humid, period!

I’m quite disappointed with my running performance, again! I could pace myself better i felt, my trainings paces are way better than the races, just like PNM; the ENR is too humid for me and i was hoping for rains before the race started, once more its a dry race.

I left home from PJ to Cyberjaya at about 3.30 pm, although i work for many years in Putrajaya – Cyberjayaland to me is an alien place. I wanna’ be there early, not rushing and it’s better to beat the traffic and relaxing - hopefully to push away the pre-race jitters. I was right, i got lost in Cyberjaya in locating the P7 parking space. One wrong turn and i was the on the LDP going towards KL/PJ..he he. Finally, after quite some time i found the P7 parking lot and Yimster is already there talking with Syah.

This is the first time i met Yimster and Syah, i only exchange pleasantries with Yimster thru’ FB and our blogs. We wished good luck to Syah as he left to take the shuttle bus to the starting point for Full Marathon (start at 6 p.m.), then we went to Saba Restaurant which serves Middle eastern delicacies. We had some drinks while waiting for Che, he arrived a few moments later at around 5.30-ish. The other blogrunners could not make it to the TT arranged by Che due to some reasons.

Around 6.30 pm, we left Saba restaurant and tried to take the shuttle bus to the starting point. However, as we are at P7 parking lot, the buses seems to be full of runners from P1 to P6, so no empty buses at that point; and we decided to walk to the starting point which was about 2 km away. One of Yim’s work colleague decided to join us – the 3 musketeers for our brisk walk to the starting point.

Crowds waiting for shuttle bus at P7 bus stand Another bus passed by – full of runners

There was no buzz at the starting gantry when arrived around 7.10 pm, still early but quite strange! Che and myself excuse ourselves from Yimster as we made our way to the Cyberjaya Community Club for our maghrib prayer. I met Singapore Blade Runner as he was completing his prayer at squash hall area, i took his area for solat after he completed his. He was ready to roll when i completed mine, and he wishes me good luck on my run before he left (what a nice guy, i guess we runners shared common values in respecting each other strength and inspirations) – i return the same pleasantries and hope he’ll have a good run on his Half Marathon –Junior Veteran category (his bib number started with J – the same as Yimster).

The three musketeers at starting point – calm before the storm!

After prayer i looked for Che and found him completing his solat, and then we made our way to the baggage area and jog to the starting point to get our headlight. Che suggested we started from the back, as he have this theory that it’s better for our motivation if we pass more runners starting from the back, rather than starting in the front group and getting pass by runners, especially the fast runner. This theory is called - “Che Daud starting from the back and finish strong within time limit to collect our Medal to show to our wives that we’re actually running not clubbing in Bangsar” – i totally made this up, you have to ask Che for the actual name of this theory..he he.

Runners for the HM at the starting point 

I totally forgot about the time, when the horn blazed we realized that the HM runs has started, so there we are started all the way from the back. We started at steady pace and pass many runners – i felt great about that. I lost Che at around 4km, as he was pacing faster – i urged him to go and maybe met up later in the finals km. I felt its still humid although not as bad as PNM, the water station was adequate and the runner were given and option between mineral water and gatorate, and the was a makeshift surau 15km point – i think it served the purpose of maghrib prayer for the marathon runners. My legs gave me away after 10km, again just like PNM it’s a walk-run-walk routine. The bomba shower at around 17km marks was a welcome sight and i took it with arms wide open – forgetting that i wore iPod earphone which was kaput later on! After that, Lefthanded motivated me to push on – i was stuck with “Ku Kehilangan Cinta Tiga Dimensi” song which i sang loudly during my slower pace – this time i can feel my legs was goin’ away slowly melting, can’t have this, so slowed my pace and sometimes just have to walk before pushing on running. Once again, i am humbled in the classroom of HM, the pains and the feeling of helplessness is overwhelming! But i’m not gonna’ give up just yet – gonna’ finish what i started! I dare not think about what the FM runners going through..double of everything i had to endure! I planned to take up about 7 HM before embracing the FM category, if i felt tortured like this, it’s gonna take me 17 or 170 HM before i brave enough to enter FM playground – with this statement i salutes everyone of you FM runners out there – no matter what’s your time are, its not an easy feat to complete.

The Lefthanded songs got me to the final 2 km (emm i really need AZ songs when i embrace FM i think? he he), at that point i found Che – he was walking and urged him to run with me. The sight of Che made my night, suddenly there was a second wind energizing my run. Che said he almost sleeping while running – wow.. i need to learn that from Che – he already gave me a theory on running tonite. We guess by that time, Yimster would already completed his HM – you are too fast for us man (makan asap again!). Around 1 km to the finish line, from Persiaran Bistari to Persiaran Sepang i lost Che at the back, but don’t lost hope yet; as i ran nearer to the finish line i recognized Che coming from behind and said to him lets run together to finish line. I hold his left hand and together we cross the line with both arms raised to the sky – that's a photo i want to see. Anyway, when i checked the result – Che completed a place in front of me at number 391. I did my PB by reducing 5 minutes from PNM, still far away from 2:30 hrs.

Che and yours truly taking a breather after the race

With Pacesetters runner from Kuantan.

Medal collection and goody bag arrangement was a mess, we used our instinct to find out where to go. The medal was nice but rather small, it’s smaller than PNM medal, is it a trend now for smaller medals in reducing cost? The design is almost similar to PNM. This ENR really taking a toll to my body – i was dead tired and my feet are killing me, i could not even walk properly after the race. After a quick shower, we headed for the shuttle bus taking us to P7. We had to cancelled our supper with Yimster as we both were truly looking almost like zombie – we was in the state of daze and confuse (not in the thinking state!). Although tired and tortured, i had fun running and the best part was meeting new friends in person, as i only met fellow runner through blogs and FB. I was lucky enough to met another fellow runner (from FB) attach with Malaysian company in Brunei as i was waiting for Che at the exit roundabout, - “it was nice to meet you Azmi and your friends - Eileen and Sharon”. What next in my agenda –the inaugural CAR Family run next month.

With Eileen, Sharon, Che and Azmi. (Photo from Azmi’s FB)

Medal - front

Medal – back (my 2nd HM medal)

ENR 2010 Unofficial Preliminary Results

The Energizer Night Race 2010 results are out, it’s still an unofficial preliminary result. The official result will be announce soon, mean while you can check your timing and standing here - http://www.myraceonline.com/?page_id=11.

I completed my 2nd Half Marathon (HM) with a better time and standing than my maiden HM at PNM. Frankly, i am quite happy with my little progress, shaving off about 5 minutes from PNM timing (2:46:16). I can considered this timing as my Personal Best (PB), although it’s still a long way from my target - the elusive 2:30 hours, well i’m glad it’s not a PW!

My timing for Half Marathon ENR (Men Open Category) :-

2:41:41.02 – Chip time
2:43:22.73 – Gun time
392 – Placing out of 729 HM participants, with 12 runners on DNF list.

 

Race report coming soon :-)

Death of a sensor

I have been running using the Nike+ system for more than three years now, since April 2007. The Nike+ system consists of (1) iPod/iPhone, (2) Nike+ shoes, (3) Nike+ sensor and receiver (Nike+ Sport Kit), and recently Nike introduced the Sportband system. Nike+ system is like your personal trainer, which recorded your running mileage, enable your to set goals etc which then synchronize through Nike+ website. My gears includes 2nd generation iPod Nano 2GB (which cost me about RM700 plus in 2007), Nike+ Sport Kit  (RM138) and Nike+ shoes = which cost me quite a lot when i started running in 07'.

During recent runs, my iPod flashed me that my sensor are running low in battery, which mean i need to replace the sensor soon. Fortunately, in recent months Nike have made it possible for user to buy the sensor separately from the sport kit, i surf the apple shop and found the sensor cost RM79 and it can be delivered to my doorstep with additional courier charges of RM50...damn it's from the USA store (i thought the sensor is coming from Malaysian Nike store!). Never mind, i shall look for it after collecting my Energizer Race Kit in Melia Hotel, after all there's a Nike store apposite the Hotel in Berjaya Times Square.

Yesterday, after completing my errand in Melia Hotel, i went to look for the sensor in Nike store in Berjaya Times Square, but to no avail as the store did not carry these item as it sold months ago. I decided to try the next Nike store in Pavilion, still the same story but they have stocks for Nike+ Sport Kit. I only need the sensor not another receiver as the old ones still working perfectly. The staff there, suggest that i try Apple store in another part of Pavilion. But, damn its still the same story, further queries to the sales assistant reveals that the sensors was sold months ago and the suppliers in Singapore are taking their sweet time in delivering new stocks of the sensors. My sensor will died soon, what am i going to do? with the Energizer Night Race is around the corner, how do i cope without this? Without my "personal trainer"? Nike Malaysia should take more responsibility on ensuring these products availability, you cannot feed the consumers the same old excuse "no stocks"! Well the shop happened to carry Nike+ Sport Kit, guess i have no choice rather than letting my sensor died without remorse replacement. At the end of the day, i end up with a brand new Nike+ Sport Kit which cost me RM109 (cheaper than three years ago), time to continue training and hope for the best in the Energizer Night Race, see all you peeps there!

Energizer Night Race 2010 - Race Kit

It's Sunday morning and it's race kit collection day for the Energizer Night Race, yatta! I decided to take my bike to the venue of the Race kit collection at Melia Hotel, Jln Imbi, KL. I do not want to trouble myself with issues of driving, traffic jams and parking woes. It's about 15 minutes with my bike from my place in PJ, and i found a nice and free parking spots for motorbikes besides the Hotel. It's about 12.00 pm when i got up to the second floor of the Hotel, looking for the signage of the event, voila! Found the registration room after passing the AdiNation booth, tight compression booth, Power Bar booth etc. I made a bee line to the 21km Men line - which i found very few standing in line, compared to 10km line which was crowded; you should look at the 42km line - its empty! I gave the my printed confirmation slip to the guy at the counter, immediately he went to the back looking for my number and found it. He gave me a plastic bag containing Bib Number, timing chip and brochure - but no t.shirt? Later, i was informed to collect my running vest at the next room. I must say the bib is excellent - it got your number plus they add personal touch by printing your name across it.

There was someone manning an area in front of the second room with several white Adidas vest hanged  in different sizes, (there are two areas for this vest fitting - men and women).I immediately asked his advice on my size - he said XL! No way, much too big for me - so asked for the "L" ticket, which i need to present to the guy in the next room to get my vest. My advice - get your size right coz it's Adidas Clima Cool vest which cost arms and legs in the open market. I entered the second room, gave my "L" ticket to the guy and after he passed me the vest he said it was the last L size vest for the day. Lady luck was smiling at me today, after that the vests available are XL and XXL sizes, i am sure many runners won't be happy about this. Further info, the organizer did not gave us our headlight today? It's beyond me why they decided to dance like this! All i know, it will be given in the goodies bag during the race day - 27 March 2010. Overall, from my personal view this event went smoothly for me - it will be different stories for the runners which did not get their desired vest size. There will be three more race kit collection days - 25 March and 26 March (Melia Hotel) and 27 March (Kelab Komuniti Taman Tasik Cyberjaya), be there early for your desired vest size!

Race kit consist of :-

• Runners Bib Number and Name
• Adidas White Vest - ClimaCool Response
• D-Tag Timing Chip
• Two Discount Coupons - Hi Tea and Dinner (Cyberview Lodge and Resort) 

 

Futsal PERKASA@Penang

This event was last hosted by RMC Johor in 2007, and  during that competition; RMC Penang was crown as champion of "Piala Presiden PERKASA". It was also decided that, whichever team won the Futsal championship cup will be the host for the next event - this is why we went to Penang last Friday. In 2007, RMC WPKL and RMC HQ sent two teams to the Futsal tournement, and each team made it to the semi final. This time around, we hope the two teams we sent would better the record and reach the futsal final. Many old players has retired and the new team comprises majority of new faces - some of them just started working for the department for one or two years; i am one of the original team in 2007 - you can considered me as old timer (otai) in the team. For the record, we really did not have enough training hours  between us; plus we did not even had a friendly game before this competition, we really do not know what to expect for the Futsal tournament.

                                            The team with coach, advisor and manager.

We left from KL for Penang quite late, we depart at 6 p.m. and arrived at Safira Country Club Resort in Seberang Jaya around 11ish p.m. The resort was chosen due to its location very near to the Futsal venue (Sport Planet Safira) - it's a walking distance. Unfortunately, when we arrived late and tired, we were informed that the area around the resort was cut off from water. So no water for the night and no bath for a busload of smelly futsal players and we really need to freshen up for the game at 9.00 am next morning.

Yours truly in action

On the day of the competition, we really found out the level of other teams, which is better organize and looked properly trained. Both of our teams lost in the groups stage, not even made it to the quarter finals. We learned cold hard lessons that morning, we really need proper practice before a big competition like this. RMC Johor won this futsal competition this time around, and the best part of the winning team is that most of them are old timer - i should know, i was part of RMC Johor football team when i started my service 11 years ago in Johor Bahru. Congratulations to them, most of them are my good friends - experience triumph against youth! That's their statement. Best thing about this futsal tournament is that i can connect with friends all over Malaysia, especially the otai ones. Yeah winning is not important to us, we just came to play and see good old friends (really?).

With Bustamam (RMC Johor)

 In action againts RMC Johor

500 km

I had a wonderful surprised today, when i ended my run (using Nike+ iPod), Paula Radcliffe congratulated me on achieving 500 km. Not in real life of course, as i am using Nike+ iPod, when you achieved certain target, the system will generate various sport celebrities voice as a motivator for the user. I had Lance Amstrong when i reached 250 km. Sometimes you lost count of your mileage when you had fun running! 500km more to go for next goal, 1000 km. Hope to achieved it before year end.