Run To Inspire (Nike 10km–The Stroller Edition)

“Don't run through life so fast that you forget not only where you've been but also where you're going”

Nike 10km “We Run KL” was our 3rd successful event for Team BoyBobbyRay (BBR).

Running to me is a metaphor for life, took every challenge in my stride and try to rise above it. Sometimes you succeed, sometimes you DNF, but it’s okay as long as you coming back stronger.

The harder the challenges, the sweeter the rewards at the finish line.

As in life, you must enjoy running, for me running is not about breaking Pb’s all the time, sometimes you need to slow down and enjoy the route you’re running. There’s no point running fast but ended up getting lost. Ok enough philosophy for today, let talk about Nike “We Run KL 2011”.

We arrived early to park at the Bt. Aman carpark and soon after performed Subuh prayer at Bukit Aman Mosque, met Ziff and Enaikay here.

Made our way towards the starting line, i think it was about 100 meters from the gantry that we decided to parked ourselves amongst the sea of red runners.

At 7:00 am the race started, i ran slowly at the most far right of the road to evade from crashing onto other runners. The kids was an instant hits with the KL runners that day, many cheered for us including the volunteers & traffic police.

After the first water station, the legs was warmed up and i decided to pushed the pace further. Once the stroller was in motion, it was easy and lighter. The expression the other runners face that we overtook was priceless – some were surprised, some smiles, other cheered us and many took our photos.

I could still remembered their surprised remarks – a guy with stroller just overtook me! Good job bro, start em’ young! Some just clapped, speechless to comment! The majority of the runners on that day gave positives feedback, except for one peculiar comment shouted to us “oi child abuse ke?”.

We stopped at every water stations, there’s no hurry – i’m enjoying this run, it’s my quality time with the kids. Although running the 100km Ultra Marathon in Singapore was the highlight of my year; running with my kids, pushing the Stroller, bonding and sharing the running experience together is always my high. Kids will grows up eventually, sometimes too fast without we realising it. But i will always have these memories – our runs together to be cherish in the future.

Met many friends along the route, including the celebrity runner  SarongMan Yimster, Jaja, Izuan and others.

The pace was good, the route so far was mostly flat except for few places, but i was having problem overtaking runners as sometimes they stopped or walked on the right side of the road. Sometimes i need to hit the emergency “leg brakes” in order to avoid these runners. Now, i devise a strategy to quickly overtake them when there a gap between the runners in front.

Arrived at the 3rd water station, it just around Bank Negara, i knew this route by heart as my routine weekend LSD route. I knew right then, that this would be a challenge to maintained a running pace, as i would need to tackle some crazy inclines till the end. That notion soon to be a reality, i was reduced to walking pace there, seems that pushing stroller with two kids (total weight of almost 20kg) took it’s toll.

The runners community is special tribe, they do take care of each other during most run. On this run, the Nike 10km, when i was walking and pushing the stroller, many runners stopped and offered to help me to push the stroller, which i gently declined, thanks peeps for your support, but as in life it’s my own challenge that i need to carried through. 

As we stopped at the final water station, a runner stopped by and took picture with us, Boboy was sporting enough to rise his hand for every photo shoot. Even the volunteer manning the water station took that opportunity to took our picture, might be as some hard proof for story telling with his buddies later.

As we entered back Jalan Parlimen towards the finish line, Rustam the Pacesetter’s President took another photo of us. Other friends came by pat my back as an encouragement, it was none than Hailmi and the Chap Ayam Runners.

We completed our 3rd running adventure with a timing of 1:15 hours. Even after we finished running and collected the cute Nike USB memento, we received many request from total strangers to take photos together, which we gladly welcome. Hopefully our running adventures would inspires other runners out there to run more, if a single parent like me can run with two kids in a stroller completing a 10km run, why not you. So get up from that couch, get healthy and start running your life.

See you later peeps until our next adventure, keep running!

PBIM - Back From The Dead

This was my 1st FM attempt at PBIM, last year i did the HM in a heavy monsoon rains and i suffered a very bad cramps during the race.

So it’s kind of a redemption this time around, PBIM was my 4th FM overall and 2nd attempts in Malaysia, i guess i did more races in SG rather than MYS. I was confident to secured a new PB with strings of HM sub-2 finishing lately, plus more than sufficient weekly mileage and speed works.

We arrived a day earlier, for the planned rest and enough shut eyes, last year i didn’t had enough sleep before the race. The Makanthon started as soon as we arrived in Penang.

It was raining heavily with thunderstorms at early stages of the night, i was thinking – oh here we go again and i imagined the size of blisters that will be accumulated later after running in the rains. But later that night, the rains stopped and the weather was cooling for a perfect race.

I met many familiar faces at the start line, as the Bangkok Marathon was postponed, all the Marathon runners made a bee line to APBIM.

The full marathon started at 2 a.m., i started pacing slowly and tried so hard not to follow other runners pace. The pacer note was placed on right hand for reference and i knew this would be some kind of the perfect marathon for me, the adequate trainings, null injuries carried and the perfect cooling weather. I think i started around the middle of the pack and slowly made my way to the front.

After the turn around and past the 5km marks (water station), i glanced my pacer note and was few minutes under the target. I was not tired, the body was warmed up nicely and i maintained my pace and running towards the bridge.

I was disappointed with the lacks of the route markings, Alex the Extra miler came and said hi before overtook me just the entering bridge. I passed Frank K-Swiss afterwards, he was running very fast with a bottle of Coke in his hand.

I took my 1st Power Gel at 45 mins, and nearing the middle of the bridge, i asked the runner beside me whether we passed the 10km mark as he was wearing Garmin Forerunner, he confirmed my query – great i was running few minutes under the target timing. I was ecstatic with this progress, the legs still going strong and the body felt good.

Found the 15km mark on the bridge and looked my watch – it shows 1:26 . Not too fast nor too slow, i just maintained my target pace. I saved my energy by gliding down the inclines from the middle of the bridge. I was cruising and destined to record fabulously new PB, but fate had other ideas.Around 18km, i felt a little discomfort inside my stomach. As time goes on the pains continued to grew and made me to slow down my pace. I took the 2nd Power Gel at around 19km, i think it’s under the bridge before coming up at the other side of the bridge. As i arrived at the water station No.6, i slowed down and took a cup. Now the pains was overwhelming, it felt like someone tangled my stomach into giant knots.

Now i was having problem to maintained my pace and had to slow down and could only muster a slow jog. The stomach ache was getting worst and I kept on fighting to maintained this run, but eventually i had to stop around 20km on the bridge and walked, clocked 2:04. Then all my problems came at once, suddenly felt fuzzy and dizzy, stopped at the side-line and vomited air, my body felt weak all of sudden.

After 10 mins of stopping, i tried to continue my run but only able to muster a slower jog before stopping for the 2nd and 3rd time at bridge right side - repeats vomits nothing but air. Almost collapsed when a kind heart runner stopped and helped me. He massage my back and help me to my knees and asked me to breathe deeply. Whoever you are, thank you very much for your kindness! I hope to repay your deed to other runners. I noticed that there's a medic nearby, he just stand there and looked! Can you believe this?

When i stopped and had to deal with the pains, i clearly heard few runners ran past me mocking and imitating my vomiting sound. That was totally uncalled for, typical Malaysian attitude! No empathy for others! If you don’t wanna help, just shut the hell up! I had a good mind to kick their arses, but i was too weak to do anything at the time.

Finally decided to DNF this race and walked back to start line, took off my bib and walked..very slowly. There’s no point risking my health and life, it was a long walk toward the end of the bridge. Slowly, one by one of my runners friend came passed my by and asked about conditions, thanks for your concerns dear friends.

Around 28k, i saw Alexis running slowly and awkwardly, when i asked, she said she's having heels pains, and she braving the pains to finish this marathon. When i told her my predicament and my intention to DNF, she convinced me to run with her, said that there's still 4 hours before cut off time (7 hours). Alexis is one of the multiple Sundown Ultra Marathon finisher (completed 84km & 100km), i decided to give this run one final chance, if i vomited once more that’s it – game over for me.

She said lets finished this and get our medals and finisher T, she consoled me and added that there's still many more races for PB. I put on my bib and started to jog slowly with her. I’m glad that the body felt much better now, and decided to stick to this pace till the end.

Around 30km, her friend came and i said thank you Alexis and asked her to proceed as i stopped at the porta loo, met Frank here – he’s already turning back from the u-turn at 33km. Earlier, Jamie came to me and passed GU Chomps before continue to finish his race.

When i restarted my run, i saw Ms. A and Fairul just passing the water station. They were surprised to see me there, and i decided to pace Ms. A for her sub-6 target finishing.

I cheered on to every FMV passed my way, and met Arman around 38km, he was smiling and looking good to finish his Virgin Marathon. When i looked at the watch, i calculated that it’s a 50-50 chance that we could complete this Marathon within 6 hours. So i urged Ms. A to upped the pace, and whenever she stopped for her walk breaks, i asked her to walk faster. The last 5km was torturous for her, it’s all summarized in her face, but she followed my instructions every time i asked her to keep running, and i even barred her from stopping at the last water station fearing we wouldn’t enough time. The ever so chirpy Ms. A now is very quiet running and i could hear her laboured breath, i just hoped she could bear with me till the finish line. At that point of the race, i was worried that she might passed out and i do not know CPR…not the best way to learn CPR during the race :p

A few motivational pep talk and now we are ever close to the finish line, and she was determined to finish this, at last we overtook the 6 hours pacer’s balloon few hundred meters from the finish line.

I completed the race in 5:56 (PW) and managed to get Ms. A to the finish line before 6 hours (lompat sikatak lompat). She was so happy to get her PB, in the end i was destined to be someone else pacer and quite happy to turn this Marathon from a potential DNF to another 42km finish under my belt. I am thankful that i completed this injury free, now to lick my wounds and continue on.

Two weeks from now, Singapore Marathon (my anniversary Marathon) here i come and Penang Bridge i'll see you next year, i got a score to settle with you. My finisher Tee is still in the wrapping and the last time i saw the medal was at the Hotel, i haven’t unpack yet, that’s summarized how much i cared about this Marathon – NOT! Excuse my rants..

A special congratulations to all finisher, especially the FMV – KC, Arman and others, you guys did a great job finishing the virgin Marathon. See you at the next Marathon, don’t be shy now to click that registration button :)

Photo log:

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.

PBIM Revisited

Last year at PBIM i ran my final HM before my FMV at SCSM, actually i ran back to back run (HM and 10km) to complete the compulsory 30km mileage before a Marathon. You could read the PBIM 2010 race report here.

As you could see from the picture above taken from Ijam’s blog, the smiling runners on the left were celebrating their completion of another Marathon (wearing the fugly green FM Finisher Tee), while the other two were just newbies running Half Marathons as their longest distance.

Fast forward almost a year later, all four of us are now on the same level of playing field, we accomplished so much in a year, what a year it has been.

Zaki and i became Ultra Marathoners when we completed the 100km Sundown last June, while Ijam and Deo just completed 50km Ultra Marathon Trail Run at recently concluded The North Face (TNF) SG.

This year it’s redemption for me as i had bad cramps during the previous year edition, all four of us will compete the Full Marathon distance this year, it’s a friendly rivalry between us since that day Ijam posted that photo (kau memang nak kena kali ni Ijam…he he).

But one thing for sure, we shared the same mutual respects to each other, the distances, the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship. Without these elements, running is just another empty soul, in running Marathon there’s only one winner, the rest are finishers despite of timing.

This year i will be running under the banner of Team Century Marathoner with three other established runners. Say hi if you happen to see me on the road, i might be doing a little shuffling during the run especially coming to June Malik’s FMV Station.