PJ Half Marathon 2011

This was my 10th HM, wow how time flies when you having fun running.

With the limited medals offered (only 200 – Men Open Category), i paid more attention on how to strategize for this race.

My target pace was like this:-

5km = 25 mins, 10km = 50 mins, 15km = 1:20 mins, 20km = 1:50 mins, 21km = sub 2

This mean that i need to focus, start strong and run really fast. Plus, i need to be there in the front of the pen when race starts.

As the race site, Stadium Kelana Jaya was very near to my house, i decided to jogged and warm up 2km to the start line.

The PJ Half have been around since ages and it’s an iconic race to say the least, finally i had the chance to run this event.

As i stand there at the start line, i know this would be a challenging race, as who’s who in our running community were there that morning challenging for the limited medals.

At 6:30 am, the HM runners were gun off by the race officials. I think i was going a bit faster at that early stage, it was easier to run as there were less runners up front. Reached 5km – the Sponging Station 1 after the u-turn at the Motorola Bridge about 25 minutes, i was on track. Yim came and passed me soon after that, damn i could not run fast enough before the Sarongman came. I tried to follow Yim’s pace, but the inclines going towards the Subang Airport route killed my ambition.

As i carried a small bottle of 100Plus, i did not need to stop at the Water Stations, saved me few precious minutes. Around 8km, i noticed my pace was getting slower and many runners came and overtook me, the legs wasn’t working as normal. I was looking out for the 10km mark which stationed the 2nd Sponge as a signal for me to consume my PowerGel.

I was taking my walk break while consuming the PowerGel, when all of the sudden Jamie, Frank and Alex ExtraMiler came passed me by like a flash.

Finally, i got my 2nd wind at around 13km, just before the U-turn at the Subang Airport. I was back running my normal pace, but it’s getting hotter now with Sun up in the sky. Unfortunately, that pace didn’t last long as i reached the inclines at Ara Damansara, i was back fighting the small inclines – without success!

After the final Sponging Station at 18km, i was running back towards the stadium. Ijam arrived soon after and we paced together towards the finish line. Entering the stadium was marvellous to me, it’s like a grand finishing – just like Marathon event in the Olympic.

Mission accomplished, a sub-2 finishing and limited medal secured. But, i was somewhat disappointed that the medal was not the same quality as the previous event. The limited medal before this was from Selangor Pewter with finishing position inscribed onto it.

Position: 132/330; Timing: 1:59:00, Men Open.

The final medal at position 200 was claimed by runner with the time of 2:07 ; that’s how tough Men Category were.

On the other hand, a bit analysis on Men Veteran Category. You need at least to finish under 2:18 to secure the limited medals. Oh well, that’s good news for me next year.

Chap Ayam Runners (CAR) Latest Member

 

Welcome to the Club CAR#273

 

NB Real Run 2011 SG

This was a 10km recovery run after the gruelling TNF 100km Duo.

Deo mastermind this race ever since we registered for TNF, and he successfully duped not only me but Flash and CatMan as well.

It’s our back-to-back race and it was kind of nice to bring home two medals.

We’re quite coy about getting to the starting line and it was one of the rare moment for us, as we started at all the way back of the running crowd. Took us about 7 minutes to crossed the start line.

It was a nice run, unique in it's own way. 10km run with 2km on mild trail, 6.5km on the tarmac and 1.5km on the beach sand.

Completed in a slow 1:09 timing, ah well there’s goes the early plan to run 1:30.

CatMan was the fastest among us, he was standing besides with the Kenyan at front the starting line, while we’re camwhoring at the back. Congrats CatMan for that sub-1 hour finishing! No wonder you’re becoming chic magnet afterwards :)

All the runners already in the gantry, including CatMan.

The Malaysian Contingent at NB Real Run 2011

Last but not least, CatMan the chic magnet.

The North Face 100 Singapore 2011

Team RayDeo arrived at SG by bus around Friday afternoon, we quickly took the MRT from Harbour Front to Bugis, where we supposed to rendezvous at Hajah Maimunah Restaurant with CatMan, Yim and Karen for lunch.

We arrived early and was hungry, after lunch we decided to proceed to Checkers Inn after waiting for quite sometime for the arrival of the rest of TNF Otoromen. Met them halfway towards Bugis MRT, said hello and bye as we proceed to check-in at our Hostel. TNF store at Marina Square was the next agenda, as we still need to collect our race kit for D-Day.

After that we made a bee line towards Novena Square, where we suppose to met up with Ijam, AKIM and Kash.

Kash was the perfect host, she treated us to sumptuous dinner / carbo-loading at BaliThai restaurant. Thanks Kash, we’ll be back…..he he

We arrived at the Hostel at the perfect time, as Yim was ready to rock TNF. His team “MY Ultra Oldies” were given special permission to start with 100km solo runners at 1 a.m. which would gave them ample time to catch their plane for back-to-back Marathon at Putrajaya Night Marathon.

We immediately hit the sack after that as we need to be fresh for TNF battle tomorrow. We’re up by 5.00 am and heated up Pizza from Pastamania for our fuel that morning. By 6.10 am we’re in a Taxi heading to MacRitchie Reservoir, cost us about 9 SG Dollar (including booking fee 2.50, phone booking).

It was a quick ride from our Hostel in Little India, took us about 15 minutes. The sight of SBR and Adam1Arm Runner greeted us as we alighted from the Taxi.

We took a small locker inside the gents toilet to put our things before joining Ijam and Ian at the Mushroom Cafe.

For 100km Duo participants, they will start an hour late from last year at 8.00 am, which i though was quite late as the sun was already out at the time.

The Malaysian contingent was represented sufficiently at race site, besides our Team RayDeo, there were Team Macam Bagus (Ijam & Ian), Team Geng Bas Sekolah (AKIM & Kash), Frank & Jeff, Dzul & Cyntia and others. That’s not even including the 50km Duo teams which started later at 10.00 am – Shanaz & Irwan, CatMan & Flash, Nana & Izuan and others.

After weighting our Camelbak, we took the advantage of arriving early by running a bit and warm up, before ended it with stretching session with Ian.

Photo credit: Asree

There were so many runners at the gantry. It was bright when the run started at 8:00 am, everyone was excited and made a quick dash through the MacRitchie park entering the trails.

I started running at my happy pace with Deo and let other fast runners passed us, i started this adventure with an issue with my left knee. I got this uncomfortable pain from the 16 loops around KLCC park training with KA. I did not tell Cheetah about this knee issue, as he would be panicking over nothing during the race.

I felt the need to pee really bad during the early stages of the race, so i upped my pace a little bit and told the Cheetah to wait at the next water station. The strategy was, if either one of us is in front, he should wait at water station. I passed Kash and Cyntia before found a toilet after 5km. This is where Team Macam Bagus passed me.

I felt relief after the toilet break and decided to catch up with Team Macam Bagus and set them as pacer. The knee pains was gone after that which enable me to run faster at my usual pace, i passed Kash, Cyntia and Cheetah until i slow down nearing WP1, the pains was back and i’m not gonna risk an injury at this early stage.

At WP1, they served water, Milo and 100Plus, i topped up my Camelbak here with 100Plus. We covered 7km by now, and was running along Rifle Range Road where there’s a lot monkeys at the side. It was nice pacing along the tarmac, whereas when you running in the trail you really have to focus and look down to make sure your feet landed safely.

At the end of the tarmac road, we entered the Durian loop going towards Bukit Timah. In some race your have a good day, in other race you will encounter bad day.

TNF SG 2011 was one of my worst day!

I felt tired and lethargic, i guess one week of tapering instead two was not enough for me.

I train harder for TNF compared to SD100. Now i learnt my lesson, never to challenge AKIM in Dailymile for the weekly mileage countdown! What was i thinking, going into friendly rivalry with the Demi-God Avatar Red feet! I’m just a mere mortal!

Too late to do anything now, i just hope that this race would continue smoothly, please no drama! Not today, when i still felt fatigue from the rigorous 100km weekly trainings.

By now i was slowing down tremendously, and walked every time i encounter with inclines. The Cheetah was gone from my eyes sight now, but i took the comfort knowing he’ll be waiting for me at the Water Point.

Going out of the Bukit Timah, i approached a junction. Some runners turn left  but others just continue running into another trail, which have TNF signage. As the trail are open to public, we’re running with the casual runners that day. So i thought that the runner in front of me which turned to the left was one of the casual runner.

So i decided to continue entering the trail in front of me with TNF signage, after about 1.5km of running i arrived at the next water station, there’s no familiar face there. Maybe they left earlier i thought to myself, did the rituals pour cold water on my head but cautiously avoided from getting my shoes wet – don’t wanna get blister! Ate a banana, drank few cups of milo, topup my Camelbak with 100Plus. As i was about to leave the water station Team Macam Bagus arrived.

I was surprised and scratching my head tried to remember when did i overtook these guys. Never mind, as there were many runners maybe I forgot about overtaking them. I decided to pace with them from them on, but as we about to leave, i asked them “where did i overtook you guys?”. They just shrugged and didn’t remember about it, that was strange. Another question “where Deo?”, Ijam said he was at the last Water Station. Damn! I suspected i missed something here, they said that at the last Water Station you need to check in your time – this is where i pulled out TNF map and confirmed that i missed the WP2 and i was currently at WP3.

Just my day! Ian said that it worth going back to WP2 for the sole purpose of check-in my time. I agreed as i don’t want our team to be DNFed or disqualified!

I was in dilemma, i was tired and going back will waste a lot of my time and energy. It was an easy choice to continue and running with Ijam and Ian, but I said no! I did not come all this way to cheat or to be DNFed. As in real life, there’s no shortcut to success!

So let them go and started to run back to WP2, then i saw Deo at the counter drank his cold Milo. I poked him, and he was surprised to see me there. I said i got a problem, i missed the freaking checkpoint and i have to go back. I asked him to continue to run, but he froze there thinking about something. Then he said, i was at WP2 but could not remember whether i checked-in or not! Dzul arrived soon after and urged us to go back.

As i was running towards the WP2, i found the Cheetah was at my side. What’s your problem bro? He said that he definitely did not check-in his timing. Oh great! Another genius in our team. I said that our team now is now screwed! Let forget about our target timing, just finish this before cut off time.

Damn you TNF organizer! Now we had to backtracked 3km and wasted 30 mins because of poor signage management, plus they should put a Marshall at the the important junction.

It was the best decision on our part, when the TNF result came out later many teams were gutted as they were DNFed due to missing check point – the culprit was the WP2!

As we’re panicking and running towards the WS2, we bumped into many teams that thought we’re the leading runners.  Many looked at us with adoring eyes and gave moral claps and cheers – “wah so fast, these guys are inhuman”, “go go you doing great”.

So this is how Ahmed Lamchanak feel, we enjoyed our 30 mins of fame but it ended abruptly when we bumped into Kash and Cyntia. “You guys must have missed a check point!”, Kash said. We just can’t fool the wise Fox :)

We made it to the WP2 and wasted 30 mins of our precious time and energy. The Cheetah said earlier, he was there rehydrating and had a toilet break but forgot to check-in. You see, the organizer was superbly genius, putting the timing scanner after the toilet and drinks station. I thought this was unacceptable as TNF was held many years before this. Later, a SG runner told us that the organizer was different from the last year edition.

Our time checked at 2:29 hours (14.7 km), but we already ran 17.7km.

At WP3 for the second time, we took a brief rest before continue. What i like about Singapore event, there will always be supporters handing out free cold drinks to runners. We had Cold 100Plus and Coca Cola handed out by “Run to Eat Club”, thanks Freddy.

After that fiasco, it’s time to continue the journey. It’s now about 11 am and the sun was out there blasting full heat. The trail before this was covered by trees, now it’s an open field with NO trees in sight. We run towards Zheng Hua Park and Gangsa Trails, it was too hot, i just could not run - just walked, man this going to be a long day.

We finally cached up with Kash and Cyntia at WP4. Kash warned us that the worst is yet to come, after WP4 it’s the infamous Mandai area (ManDie). It’s a wide open area and we’re exposed to the unforgiving hot sun at around 12 noon. Many runners DNFed here, time was running out; we need to reached WP5 before cut-off time at 1 pm (5 hours).

Photo credit: Cynthia

I was disoriented and dizzy by the extreme heat. DNF was lingering around me, it’s so true what Kash said, this is the worst part of the race. If i could survived ManDie, i might be able conquer TNF. Finally after zombie walking in the extreme heat, we arrived at the WP5. We’re given a face towel which we dipped into ice cold water and put on our head to cool off.

The timing scanner was located at the top of Mandai hill – great! another brilliant idea from the organizer. Why make it easy for us runners, i just can imagine their ideas for next year TNF.

Photo credit: Deo

We checked in at 12:45 pm, with barely 15 minutes before cut off time.

It took us 2:16 minutes to cover 12.4 km from WP2, now in total we covered 27.1 km.

Another 22.9km to cover within time left of 5:15 minutes.

Now we’re running back towards WP4 through Lorong Asrama, it’s was extremely a hot day. But i learned a new trick today, i put the wet towel on my head and voila it’s more bearable to run in the hot sun.

We made it back to the WP4, but i was already suffered and effected from the merciless sun. We soldiered on running through the Gangsa trail, the sun was unforgiving that day. At WP3, Freddy from “Run to Eat Club” was still there smiling and handed us ice cold 100Plus and Coke, thanks buddy we really appreciate it.

After WP3, we ran back through the route of 50km Duo, it was a barren area and nowhere to hide from the hot sun. We walked and walked until we arrived at the bridge leading towards the tarmac road of Rifle Range. I made up for the lost time by pacing faster here, road racing is much more easier than this. Soon we arrived back at WP1, all this time the Cheetah was doing the pulling, he was strong that day.

We met Shine here, Shine was running 100km solo; he trashed his feet badly. I could see plasters and bandages around his feet, he suffered from wearing the NB Minimalist. The guy was still smiling with a trashed feet, i wanna know what he had in his backpack. Thank god we wore the thickest and most cushioning shoes for TNF, the rocks around the trail was hard, sharp and painful.

After WP1, it’s back into the uneven trail. I pity the Cheetah, coz he had to wait for me all day long. I asked him to just leave me and proceed to the finish line, every time he loyally stick by me. He was the real Ultraman that day, i had issues with my knees and my lethargic conditions.

It’s about 6km now from the finishing line, i had to walked most the time here, the sun took a lot from me, i was tired and grumpy plus i can’t run properly with the uneven terrain and the inclines just my excuses to further walked.

I walked slower now, Deo keep urging me to move faster as he was keeping track of the mileage and time with the Garmin Forerunner. He was panicking that we might not make it for the cut off time. I was on other hand confident we’ll make it as i had insurance with Shine and Kash were still behind us. Especially with Kash, the Ultramom that does not know the word quit or surrender!

Around 4km to finish line, still in the trail Deo urged me for the 10th or 11th time, i was walking…slowly. I still remember, i said to him that i am bonked!

I just could not forget his expression that moment, like a sad puppy. This was his big day, his 1st maiden Ultra race, i had mine at SD100, i just could not let him down. I pulled a Powergel from my Camelbak, quickly emptied it, took a deep breath and clear my mind - just forget about everything, then i started running like there’s no tomorrow, all or nothing baby!

Deo followed my lead closely behind, we overtook many runners in that last few km. The trail felt endless, damn where’s the exit, i could not maintained this run any longer. I almost tripped when accidently kicked some stone or root  – i gave a loud curse there and then. As i stopped and walked, i realised that few meters in front of us was the exit way into the road of MacRichie park…boy that was the most wonderful thing to see all day long.

We made it into the park road, we continued running, still the sun was blasting full force at 4:30 pm in the afternoon. Just a few more meters and we’ll be home free, i was painfully running to finish this gruelling race.

We crossed the finish line side by side at 4:35 pm with the total timing of 17:13:02 at position 44 out of 73 qualified finisher team 100km Duo.

A lot of team was DNFed or unqualified due to the missing timing at WP2. The organizer should do better job next time. Overall, we are proud that we went back for that extra 3km, best decision ever. I will cherished this TNF medal forever as it was very hard earned. TNF 100km Duo much harder than SD100, echoed by many SD100 finisher that day. At the finishing line, I decided that this was my maiden and final TNF, if i ever enlist next year, it would only be for 50km Duo.

You should see how happy the Cheetah was with his virgin Ultra debut, it was priceless seeing him sleeping with his TNF medal that night. Congrats mate, you’re now an Ultramarathon Man.

Congrats also to all runners dared to took up this challenge, it was not an easy feat but i guess all the Malaysian contingent did well bringing back their hard earned Medals.

Special acknowledgement to Yim and Karen, congrats on your back-to-back one day Marathons, you’re both now certified cRAYzy in my book.

TNF 100 Singapore Ultramarathon Trail

TNF 100 Duo Completed.

Team RayDeo crossed the finish line in

8:35 hours / 17:10 hours.

(unofficial)

Song Of The Day

When to Buy Airline Tickets and More Travel Advice

When to Buy Airline Tickets and More Travel Advice

Muar Half Marathon

This wasn’t a planned event in my Calendar, decided to enter it at the 11th hour. I found out that the registration was already closed at the time, but a quick call to the organizer enable us (Deo, Zaki Otoromen & yours truly) to register it at the final hour.

It was one the best decision ever, Zaki decided to pulled out last minute after injuring his ass during Saturday LSD. We drove all the way from KL that morning and greeted with heavy rains on arriving at race site. It’s going to be a cold run that morning.

The rains finally beginning to slow down as the event approaching starting time at 6:35 am. Found many familiar faces among the crowd at the starting lines, runners from KL, Chap Ayam Gang and even celebrity runner from Singapore – Mohan Marathon. Well it’s speaks volume about this event when Mohan ditched Nike 10k SG for Larian Amal Muar. Furthermore, it’s a sure bet that this will be a quality event when James from Marathon shop involved with race organisation.

It’s a special event for me as it’s the first time i run Muar, and it’s nice to be back in town after leaving my boarding school in Tg. Agas back in 1989 (SPM).

The route is the flattest among many of my event in Malaysia, it’s better than Taiping (i hate hills). You need mental perseverance to run this long stretch of route, started from Tg. Emas and running towards Parit Sakai Laut, Parit Keroma Laut, Parit Raja Laut until Parit Unas Laut where we made a detour towards Jalan Junid and going back to Tg. Emas for the finish line.

The road was wide and deserted in early morning, the traffic control was superb, manning by Police, Rela and the organizer. Two thumbs up for this event, i definitely will be back next year.

Although the finisher Medal was average and they only served water at WS (no isotonic), it’s still the cheapest entrance fee for a Half Marathon event – RM30.

Started the race with Deo, Dan plus the Chap Ayam Girls. My strategy was to finish the HM in whatever time thus complete 100km week mileage and maintained a constant speed plus keep up the correct running posture.

I completed the Half Marathon in 2:09 at position #40 Men Open and happily accumulated a week total of 111km mileage. The toughest week so far and really pushed my limit for TNF preps, i still got it baby :)

Congrats to Deo for his PB and the Chap Ayam Girls for dominating the podium. It’s a must do event to record new PB – see you peeps next year here.

The Perfect Plan

13 Weeks of Training Plan with a weekly mileage of about 90km at it peak, that was the perfect training plan for my 100km Duo TNF race.

But, there’s no such thing a perfect plan! Unless you name is AKIM (Avatar Kaki Merah).

My training plan was definitely screwed and shred to pieces when i fell sick due to fever last week, it’s THE week when i supposed to peak for TNF. No runs for 5 days and on Saturday i ran a bit for KOTR preps on Sunday.

It’s kind of hard dividing your time between being a full time single father to two kids and your mistress (running passion). Many times i planned for a very early run in the morning, which i thought the kids would be fast asleep. But it didn’t happened as i was deprived of sleeping time as the kids sometimes woke up in the middle of the night screaming in needs of dyper change or warm milk.

I’m NOT regretting it! Not a single bit, that’s just the sacrifices you need to give to your kids, most of the times the kids demands or attention need to be fulfil before yourself. My reward is watching the kids slept peacefully – bliss! Nowadays most weekend i am fully occupied the the kids, so forget about that long run on Saturday or Trail assault on Sunday.

I could see it now, i’m going to pay heavily on race day especially with under training mileage. It’s going to be a long day under the HOT sun, i realised this since the day i signed up for TNF.

Now my strategy post fever is to walk really fast during the race, since my endurance level is questionable. If i’m up to it, i might run a bit, running an ultramarathon need strategy, especially on hydration, food and to conserved your energy during the race – speed definitely not on my list running an Ultramarathon.

Hopefully i could use my running experiences to survived the TNF, especially my 100km Ultramarathon experience and the Tioman Eco Hell Challenge. I survived Tioman and believed that i could survive anything after that, especially when Otai Ultraman Yip stated that TNF is much more easier than Tioman.

So that’s my plan, to survive TNF within 9 hours cut off time for 100km Duo, if worst come worst, hopefully i have mental perseverance to cross the finish line in whatever time like the legendary HZ did last year. Screw the timing, what matter most I must cross that damn finish line at TNF.

KOTR 2011–Psycho Edition

LATEST UPDATE!

Official Timing:

This is my very first KOTR event, i signed up for 10km category but didn’t remember why i didn’t opt for the 16.8 km. My decision on the 10km was proved to be the best option came race day.

I was down with terrible fever for almost a week since last Monday and i missed 5 whole days of running since then, and i was barely recovered from the fever on Saturday. In fact, i was in no condition to race on Sunday morning, but i decided at the eve of the race day that i would just walk if i could not run – in fact i would love to emulate Pui San’s robotic power walk on the NPE.

The 16.8km runners were flagged off at 6:45 am on lovely Sunday morning, next my wave the 10km runners started the race at 7:15 am. When the first few groups of 16.8km runners came passed us at the other side of the road at the starting line, i could see Yim was among them fast runners – many Amois and girls recognised his sarong attire and excitedly cheers and shouted wildly for him. I’m glad to know this celebrity runner  is one of my runners friends :)

When the my race started, i found my self near at the front pack, sometimes i wonder how i got there. I started running very slow on the NPE towards SS14, and after about a km someone poke me from the side. It was the Cheetah runner, he look very strong that morning – i said to him i’m gonna do this painfully slow, don’t mind me just continue with your pace, which after that he was gone from vision. This could be my worst run yet…

I ran on the right side of the road and taking the opportunity to greets few friends on the other side, few minutes earlier before tackling the first bridge i saw CatMan checking some girl’s arse. He looked genuinely surprised when i shouted his name out loud! “Hey CatMan stop lookin around and run buddy!”.

My strategy was to run all the way without stopping and walking, since i brought my own bottle of hydration i didn’t need to stop at the water station. I tell you one thing, running post fever is no fun – you don’t have the torque to push for speedy run, it’s chore to maintain running at steady pace and making sure your running posture is correct at all times. After the race, many runners bitched about the inclines during the race, i had no complaint coz i was running so slow i didn’t felt the inclines..sigh.

I was hoping to overtake the "RJM World Record Holder” girls somewhere along the route, but didn’t see them anywhere – they must be trying to set another World Record that morning.

It’s painful to see many runners overtook me one by one, young boys and girls and even grey haired uncle, but i just kept maintaining my running form and slow-arse pace. My nightmare started after the 3km water station – this one uncle ran (Uncle Psycho) besides me and asked me to pace him, when i just smiled to him, he overtook me and pushed faster pace.

A few meters after that i found that particular uncle was now walking – my turn! “Uncle, no time to walk, come lets run!” – he just gave me a Bleargh sound.

I thought that was it! It’s over and i won’t see him again. I just move on maintaining my running pace. After about a km, somebody was running besides me and said “hey come’on move faster lah!”, it was him – my very own Uncle Psycho.

Adoi la, i’m in no condition to pace you Uncle Psycho, please find someone else. This act of annoyance continued on and on throughout the race – things you have to endure once becoming an Otoromen! damn! The Uncle Psycho running strategy was running fast for few meters then walked, waited for me to passed him, then he started to run again – so damn irritating!

At long last after the final water station after the toll and the U-turn, somewhere around 8.3km, i thought i lost that Uncle Psycho for good. I noticed him overtaking me earlier (again) few maters before the U-turn, he was going really fast this time. As i was nearing the tunnel (reminds me of SCSM’s Fort Canning) going back to the finish line, i decided to have a few quick swig from my 100 plus bottle – then out of nowhere the Uncle Psycho appeared besides me and said “hey it’s you again!”.

This time he was smiling broadly and wearing a sunglasses – i almost puke the 100plus inside my mouth as i was trying very hard to refrain myself from laughing! Why me i said to myself?

After the tunnel i decided to ditched the Uncle Psycho for good, decided to push a little faster my running pace and end this run before the Uncle Psycho came up with something else. Oh noo…

Completed my demam pace run at 1:01:12 – not too bad for a recovery run.