Setia Eco 1/2 Marathon 2010

A funny thing happened, i did not felt nervous at all the night before this race, maybe because i did not expect anything out of this event but just another LSD this weekend. This never happened to me before, maybe i could now estimate the distance and knows exactly what to expect during race day. 

Due to my required readings, I turn to bed only a couple of minutes before midnight. Prior that, I set the alarm clock at 4:30 am and hoped i didn’t overslept for the big day. Exactly 4:30 a.m. the alarm went off and i had a cold shower before drinking hot milo with bread. About 5:00 am, i left my home and arrived at Setia Alam welcome centre 20 minutes later, this early hours the highway was practically empty.

I search for the Surau at the center and had my Subuh prayer there around 5:40 am, KR was there too praying with me. (KR – Ketua Reban CAR, Mr. Ramlan Sulaiman). I called Zaki and Ijam afterwards, i found out that they still on their way to the race event and Ijam was lost for a while looking for the starting point. I met them finally few minutes before flag off, apart from us there weren’t any RBUs around except for many the familiar faces of Chap Ayam Runners. I like to say as time goes on, i’m enjoying myself more by attending these race events due to more familiar faces and new friends made during it.

The Race

All three of us (myself, Zaki and Ijam) started at the back of the pack, and one of us became accidental pirate runner, looks like Nik got himself a new disciple. Zaki was trying in vain collecting his race kit at the eleventh hour, the result – his bib was nowhere to be found by the organizer, hence became the accidental pirate.

The weather that morning was good, cool Saturday morning. Around 6:30 am, we’re flagged off and although we tried to slow our pace, i feel the first 2km was to fast of a pace around 5.00/km. I was quite surprise because Ijam was there running with us at the back of the pack, because he is normally a fast runner in the same category of Abang Misai. I found out that Ijam did not have the time to warm up, so running with us is like warm up to him, thank you friend, we felt much better knowing that.

After the 1st water station at 2km, Ijam was readying himself to push to his usual fast pace, at 3km we can still see his behind, at 4km he’s gone. On the insistence of Zaki, he asked me not wait for him and off i go trying to catch up Ijam. I was feelin good, the leg was ok, never felt better, i didn’t felt any pains. I was still feeling strong after the turnaround at 8km water station, at that point it’s started raining, i opened my plastic zip bag and took off my iPod to stored for safety. The rains was cooling and refreshing, and from then on onwards i ran for the 1st time without Nike plus iPod and no music, just the sound of my breathing and heartbeat.

I plodded through rains water throughout the race, the best thing was my Injinji Socks keep my feet dry by draining out the water from my socks, you gotta try it to believe it. The route was mostly flat and weather was cool due to drizzling rains, now i like running in the rains. I found myself running strong and didn’t walk at all except walking breaks at the water stations, this was my best race ever.

The rains stopped after 16km, and i put on back my iPod for some music and listen for my timing. The music got me going to a new pace there, now i’m pretty sure i need music while running. In the end i did not catch up to Ijam, but coming nearer to the finish line, i was excited when i looked at the watch and calculated i could do a new PB here. My timing in the last ENR HM was 2:43 hours. 400 meters from the finish line i was feelin good and the legs was on my side, so i pushed on for power finish with longer and faster stride for my new PB.

My timing: 2:15:51 hours (unofficial) PB

I shed off 27 minutes from previous record yay, the weather and my new Injinji socks plus Heel Seats help to achieved this. For the record, please don’t take this like i am gloating or anything coz i know there are more faster and better runners out there, but i’m running against myself, against the best of what i’m capable of doing, to be a better man, to be a better runner and hopefully a better human being.

I met Ijam after taking my medal from finish line, i did not know my standing as i didn’t read the card given to me at the finish line. This is why i’m all for digitally recorded timing where we can have official stats of our running during the event. Ijam did well, sub 2 hours for him. Zaki joined us few minutes later eating the cendol and watermelons. We met many of the Sundown warriors, including the Ultramans and Ultrawomen – Frank, Hailmi, Dr. Puisan during this event.

RBUs (Zaki, Dr. Puisan, Ijam & yours truly)

Ijam left earlier after taking photos, and while talking to Zaki the Deejay was announcing lucky draw numbers. One of the number was mine, i went up to the stage and won myself a big hamper. Now who wants to help me finish up the hamper?

Overall this event was a success to my book.

• Good deejays and communications with runners
• Ample parking space
• Warm up sessions before the race
• Adequate water stations (every 2 km)
• Nice medal

My only comments is the need for timing chip in the future, hopefully the organizer will take this into their consideration next time. 

 Finisher Medal