Adidas K.O.T.R 22.7k Shah Alam 2009

When I went to pick up my race packet at Shah Alam stadium on friday, I knew the race will be a tough one. It was hilly! I will need to use extra energy to run up those hills. Throughout the last few weeks, I hardly do any hill running except last sunday at FRIM where I only lasted for 55mins. Most of my runs are basically easy runs at Tasik Perdana park between 40-1 hour 4 times a week. Having only easy runs without other kinds of training, I still wonder if I can complete the race below 2 hours.  

On sunday, I left for Shah Alam extra early as I need to give time to find my way to the stadium and to familiar myself with the place. Reaching at the stadium, the kenyan runners were already performing their warm ups. I knew no one as this is just my third event in Malaysia. But I recognize some familiar faces who regularly does their runs in Tasik Perdana park. 

The starting line was pack with 22.7k runners. It was crowded. Perhaps running is popular here. I station myself in the middle of the crowds. When the gun shot at 6:30am, runners were moving slowly out of the stadium area. It took me few minutes to get out of the crowds before able to position myself in a comfortable place. I stay close to the side walk most of the time and maintain averange of 6mins.

 We started running downhill for the first half of the race, but the second half was basically running up and there’s where physically and mentally Im tested! oooh boy! my mind was tired but I keep pressing as the finishing line was just a km away. Reaching upon the finishing line, I was awarded the finishing medal and certificate. I look at my watch and it was 1 hr 57mins. I was satisfied with the time as the terrain of the event are mostly hilly and challenging.  I have no complains with the overall event except for the long line at the water station in the stadium.

running my first Adidas K.O.T.R. 22.7km. I thought it was 21k.

Shah Alam stadium filled with orange.

 

Im still running- Seremban Half Marathon

some wonder if Im still active running. Yes! I am. “once a runner, always a runner” The only thing is that, I have to find time to update my blog. Last sunday, I travelled to Seremban, the capital city of Negri Sembilan, 70-80km drive from K.Lumpur for my first long distance run after the Standard Charted. I intended to use this event as my long distance and a warm up run in preparation for Shah Alam Adidas King of the road on August 2. Running in a small city like Seremban flashes me back to Tagaytay. Its a bit rural, less traffic, less buildings basically like a small province city outskirt of K.Lumpur. The environment is green and better air compare to K.Lumpur where it is covered with haze and pollution.

It was a solo run as usual. But able to chit chat with some other runners. Many asked my race as Im not a chinese neither am I a Malay. My answer is, Im an Iban tribe from the Land of Hornbill- Sarawak. And Im residing in K.Lumpur. The moment I mention that Im an Iban tribe, they think of the famous long house, the Iban headhunters and great worriors of the 50’s and 60’s. Well, its always great to run among the major races  (Chinese, Malays, Indians) in Malaysia. 

Well, I have no specific target for this event. I came for a long run, whatever the finishing time! I’ll be happy, what more if I came finish the event below 2 hours- and I did. 1 hr. 52mins. Not a suprise finishing time for me. This event is not my race, Im looking forward to Adidas King of the road- 22k next month. And I hope to make a new PR for myself.

Im still running! – the smile on my face as I reach towards the finishing line. This is a local race, and I don’t expect it to be professionally organize. It was a simple event.

Post at the finishing line. simple but well organize.

Staying inspired and motivated- KL Standard Charted Marathon

The past few sundays it has been hot and humid. And those sundays, I have dedicate myself to train at FRIM under such hot and humid condition. Spending 3 to 4 hours under the heat running, jogging and hiking. When it was time to run the KL Standard Charted, it drizzle! I was full of joy and I knew that it will be a good run. Even if it were to be hot and humid, I don’t really care as my body is immune to the humidity of KL. As a runner, the weather should never be an excuse for a bad run. In fact runners must always be ready to run in whatever weather condition.

At the start to the 3rd Km mark, the roads were pack with runners. It was jammed! I made the mistake to position myself in the middle of crowd. I couldn’t speed up as I was force to follow the pace of those runners infront of me. I estimate about 2000 runners participating in the full marathon event itself. It was such a big crowd and it was my first time to see such a big group of runners coming all over the world to participate in the first Standard Charted KL Marathon.

From the start till the 36km, I was comfortable running my slowest pace of 6:50min per km. But there are times when I speed up a little. I didn’t dare to speed as I was afraid to develop injuries at the later stage of the event. It was after the 36k-40k where I speed up and hoping to complete the event below 4 hours. But because I was taking my time too much in the first 30k, to speed up doesn’t really make any different.

The last 2 km towards the finishing line, that was my marathon! I can say that was the most tiring and challenging part. Perhaps is pyschology! The mind is tired and thus effect the body. I completed the event 4 hours 19mins. Not bad compare to my last Full Marathon event in Borneo 4 hours 55mins. But still can’t beat 4 hours 12mins last August 3. 2008 at the Milo Elimination.

1 Lesson of improvement – Run longer on sundays! Running 3 hrs 30- 40mins or even up to 4 hours on sunday does make an impact to your performance. Try it out!

Few days before June 28. I did some staircase run at the Tasik Permaisuri park.

 

                                                                 

When I arrived at the starting line, the ground was dry. But minutes after that, it drizzle. And I was thanking God for the rain. I was alone at this event. It was a solo start and a solo ending. Guess I have to create a new ibanrunner team here in KL as most of my members are back in the Philippines.

 

 

There was a kind lady volunteer to help take my picture. Normally, my friends would wait at the finishing line to take my pictures, but as what I said earlier, solo from the start, solo at the end! The entrance to the finishing line was pack with supporters and family members. There was one time where the whole crowd was cheering as they watch a middle age husband and wife holding hands towards the finishing line. It was an inspiring moment. They completed the full Marathon event!

 

My red Mizuno shoe has serve me long enough. I intend to use it for the last time. This is the pride of a runner. Every runner would feel proud of earning a medal after working so hard to achieve it.

 

I’ll be back for more action… Goodbye!..got to go and have my dinner now.,…

1 sunday before KL Standard Charted

For the last four sundays in a roll, I have been travelling to FRIM which is about 21km from my resident to have my long runs. The facilities in FRIM makes it the best place to do long runs especially preparing for a marathon. Combination of road, steep hills and trails gives me to experience to run on different surface. As early as 6:30am, many joggers, runners and bikers will come here to do their weekend training. The Pacesetters ( Popular running group in Malaysia) who lives around this area will take the advatage of FRIM to have their long runs inside.

Today I was able to carry along my handy camera as this would be my last run before KL Standard Charted this coming weekend.

from entrance to end and back to the entrace is about 5k for the simen road. But if I were to take the trail, 1 round is about 10k. 3 big rounds can cover a distance of 30k.

One end to the other end about 4km. bikers and joggers enjoys this trail.

running at the soccer field. its a grass track actually, but you can’t see the lines.

I have 4 more running days to go. Im planning to try the nearest oval. Get the test to run on an oval again after many years.

Breakthrough

I have not been consistently upgrade myself with wordpress. Been busy throughout the entire week trying to settle down at work and also cleaning up the condo where my parent use to stay. Nevertherless, I never skip my running time. consistantly running 3-4 times a week to maintain fitness. The last past sundays I have been trying to breakthrough 3 hours of running and out of those 3 weeks, I was able to run beyond 3 hours last sunday. The feeling was good but I wasn’t satisfied as I was struggling and forcing myself to breakthough the 3 hours.

This morning?… I tried to make another breakthrough but Failed, as approaching 2 hours, I was exhausted. I didn’t want to just stop and go home, so I decided to go for a 5k hike a steep hill. The only place where I could do a combination of road, hill and trail runs is at FRIM ( Forest Reserved Institute of Malaysia) which covers aproximately 10k for a big loop (road and trail) and 5k (road alone) for the smaller loop. One of these sundays I’ll take some photos of FRIM. as I do not have a handy camera yet.

I have 2 weeks and 1 more sunday (for my long run) to go before the Standard Charted. I can’t tell how will it go, but Im glad that my body is well adjusted to the humidity in Kuala Lumpur. The routes of the event are familiar as one section of it passess through my condo.

For the remaining weeks. I plan to do my speed run at a stadium near my work place. Will test my speed for 800meters. I haven’t done 800meters for many years. In College, I won the 800meter onces and twice for 400meter. I’ll try if I still can keep a fast pace as during my college days. This will be a test speed run for me.

Keep Trying

I started my Standard Charted journey as soon as I reached KL. I had my first 15k run on Sunday (May 24) but it was a tiring one. The humidity and low oxigen cause me to back out after 1 hr 30mins of running. I just can’t  stand the heat ( I was already sweating  even before stepping out of the house). I guess my mind is tired which does has some impact to my body. Nevertheless, my determination to keep trying is very strong. I still have 3 sundays for my long runs before the KL Standard Charted Marathon. Proper planning and smart training is needed at this moment if I want to improve. The result will be determine on June 28!

Farewell Philippines, welcome Malaysia

I arrived safely in Kuala Lumpur on the evening of friday (22.May.09), bringing with me good memories which will be cherish for the rest of my life. As the plane fly above metro manila, I could see all the routes of the road races often took place- the fort, Luneta, UP Diliman, MOA, and some part of Cavite. I even could see the hotels which I used to stay the night before an event. These places are now history . What remains are memories.

They came and throw out a farewell supper for me. Friends who had some impact in my lives.   

Thanks to those who have helped me for the last two years in the Philippines.  I can’t express my gratitude neither can I pay back the goodness of those who had helped me succeed in my studies as well as in running.  Hope to come back soon!

Positive lesson drawn from Botak Paa-Tibayan 42k.

After the incident last sunday, I decided to look at it on the positive side. Maybe perhaps I took the event too seriously (Not to break a PR but to finish it with a good time) which only turns out to be discouraging. I said to myself, Why not take it as another long sunday adventure run as I haven’t been doing my long distance consistantly. From there, I draw out some valuable positive lesson to learn.

1. Know who are the Organizers of the event.

Before deciding to participate in a race, make sure you know who are the organizers! The mistake I often make is that I often look for events that has a longer distance (above 10k). without knowing who are actually organizing it! . On top of that I take it for granted that these organizers will professionally do their job.  It is wise to ask yourself  if it is worth your time and money. If you felt no confidence in these organizers than better  don’t participate!

2. Decide whether you want to make your personal best or just another long sunday distance run.

In the near future, I will have to decide which event I want to make my personal best and which one will I take as another long sunday distance run. If  I have thought earlier of making last sunday’s event as one of my sunday’s long distance run, I would have not taken it seriously. I was thinking of completing the said race with a good time. Well, for last sunday’s kind of race with confusing routes, lack of road Marshalls, water and so on it is best to used it as a build up run for the next marathon.   

3. Appreciate those who have work hard for the event.

Eventhough it may turn out to be the “worst” and “ugliest” as many of us describes last sunday’s event, I personally felt that there should be some credit given to those who try to put up an event when others are not ready to. Well, I thank Botak for taking up the challenge to organized the first full marathon for this year. They took the challenge, they provide the way for improvement. So, If those other organizers who already planned or planning to have their event towards the end of the year, they better learn from Botak! They better humble themselves and start planning things well. Don’t let History repeat itself!

 4. Thank God that it is just the begining of your running career.

There’s a saying, “there’s never to late for anything”. In other words, its still early! As long as we are still alive, we will keep on growing and learning. That if you are willing to put yourself as a humble student! Another saying, “Experience is the best teacher” Percisely! We will never improve if we never experience failure!. So, what most of us experience last sunday whether it is the failure on behalf of the organizers, or whether you fail to complete the race, or experience cramps, injuries, or whatever experience …it’s just the beginning of your running career!  

Last but not the least, Keep Running! your escot will make sure that you’re still on the run.

Have not they learned their lessons?

If you think about improvement, going to the “next level” as to say, then start humble yourself and learned from other road organizers, lend your ears to the needs of runners and professionally follow the basic requirements of road races. If you are not ready to humble yourself, forget about organizing a race!. It is not about competing with other organizers neither should it turn out to be political but rather in harmony to promote an active lifestyle as well as to make running an establish event in the country.  Those who take running seriously hates when organizers do not have proper objective and direction. Don’t just organize a race (esp. a full marathon event) because there hasn’t been a  full marathon event yet this year. If you want to be the first to organized a full marathon event for this year, then do your Job professionally well!

I believed the reason why other organizers (Subic marathon, Clark marathon, Phil. marathon, etc) postponed their dates towards the end of the year perhaps because they are not ready to organizes a good race yet. Maybe because they want to improve the quality of service, market their event internationally, or maybe because of insufficient fund at the moment. Whatever the reasons for postponing the dates, I hope that these organizers too will humble themselves and learned from the mistake of others particularly yesterday’s Paa-Tibayan 42k. I also hope that they will consider listening to their “customers”/runners concerns.

I can say with disappointment that Paa-Tibayan 42k marathon is the worst and ugliest event I joined since last year. From a confusing route, delay of starting time to the lack of Marshalls and lack of water cups (whatelse?) I sadly can say that the event was not worth to participate!.

When I studied the map few days before the event, I was already confused. What is this? even the Rajang river (the longest river in Malaysia) or the Mekong river (longest river in S.E.A) doesn’t look as complicated as this map.  If there were not enough marshalls, I’ll be the first to get lost in the concrete jungles of Manila. Im not familiar with the routes in Manila. No matter how much time I spent studying the map, it still won’t give me a full perfect picture. I need to experience it and sometimes it means to get lost! But this can be avoided if there were sufficient marshalls who knows where the runners should go or enter. Not just telling them to go straight!

Well, I don’t want to accelerate my disappointment more neither do I want to fully put the blame on the organizers of Botak but rather I hope they humble themselves and take whatever criticism as lessons and NOT just to walk away when runners pour out their complaints (I felt disgrace when we were talking directly to the Head organizer, and he didn’t say anything but just walk away silently, ignoring our complaints).  We complained because it wasn’t fair to many of us. We are NOT cheaters! Even if I were to win a price, I won’t accept it. In fact I almost refuse to accept the finishing medal because I felt cheated and on top of that I didn’t fully completed the distance of the required event (only 32k). We come here to finish the race and go home satisfied with whatever accomplisment!

I guess I had an unlucky disappointment Farewell run. As this was already scheduled to be my last and final race before leaving the Philippines next week. Well, For this half of the year, most of the races I participated were good and memoriable ones except the Power Run last february and this one (Paa-Tibayan 42k) otherwise all would turn out to be perfect. I hope not only these organizers will humble themselves and learned from their mistake, but we too as runners who support and promote running in the country should give our moral support and acknowledgement for the hard effort they had put in. It is not an easy job but when both the organizers and runners works together, it makes the challenges easy to handle.

Upon reaching to the FInishing line, Jerry approached me and asked about my time. I told him that there was a mistake as my time of completion was 3 hrs 20mins. I also told him that I made a U turn at the Buendia Avenue (26k mark) as some other 42k runner did. Basically, I followed the flow of a group of 42k runners who were few meters ahead of me without realizing they were not suppose to make the U turn at the first place. This is where the confusion and the whole mistake begins. Mari did the same mistake as I did too!

I went back to the big map to see where was the error made! Im confused and disappointed. Who do I blame? the organizers or myself? As I look and study the map again, Instantly I saw the error. As far as I know, there were only 2 female marshall at the 21/42k U turn (at the 26k marker). But both Marshall were busy monitoring the 21k runners and neglect the 42k runners who were supposed to go forward and turn right to the other side of the street and not to make the U turn.

picture with Takbo phils. The blog where I used to update myself on running events in the country.

 

Picture with the newly wed. couple, president of Takbo phils. Mr and Mrs Jinoe! Congrats. May God continue to bless both of you!

I never fail to post these beautiful faces up. Lately they have been actively joined me in road races. I admire their enthusiasm. They are not worried about maintaining the pace or break a new PR as I am, but they just want to enjoy, to experience the event and most of all to complete the race. Good luck guys in your next race adventure! Too bad won’t join you all in the next race.

Felt Cheated! I expect to run 42k only to find out that I completed 32k. We had our lunch at the Manila Adventist Medical Center cafeteria and I hardly finish my rice. What a disappointed day! The only thing that satisfied me is that I was able to do a long distance run under the heat. At least I know what to do and how will I prepare for the KL. Standard Charted Marathon this coming June 28. I’ll be There!

Mission Accomplished!

When I first went to Mindoro early february, I promise myself that I would return again before leaving the Philippines. During my first visit, my friend’s mom told me about a young native Mangyan who ran a half marathon bare footed during the Abra de Ilog town fiesta in October 2008. Inspired by the said story, I decided to come back and donate my New Balance shoe as to encourage him to keep running. Not only I return to donate my shoe, but also with a strong determination to run 30km in preparation for May 10 Paa- TiBayan Takbo 42-k.

My plan to return back to Mindoro came true upon hearing the news that it was free from typhoon.  Early friday, we quickly packed our bags and made our way to the Batangas peir to catch the 3pm Ship bound for Abra de Ilog. As I journeyed to the said island, I already saw myself running. I was praying that the weather would be good on Sunday as I planned to have my long distance run from Barangay Cabacao to Barangay Balansay (24k) and back to Mamburao town (6k).

Sunday came and the weather was perfect for my long distance adventure run. Having my friend escorting me on her dad’s motorbike, we were heading to Mamburao slowly. I need at least 3 hours running which equivalent to 30k if I were to maintain my marathon pace of 6:05mins. I started with an easy slow pace but as I get into my running form, I can’t help myself but to speed up. My goal is to run 3 hours covering 30k. But, it seems that the feeling is good to maintain an average pace between 5:30 – 5:55mins. So, instead of focusing to complete a 3 hour run, my attention then was to complete a 30k.

To make it short, I completed the 30k  but not in 3 hours. Suprisingly, my time was 2 hrs 49mins. By then, both my legs were stiffed. This was not a good sign as it would lead to muslce cramps. I quickly stretch both my legs and walk for few meters to get away from the normal routine. My senses later informed me that I need to get Alaxan. Without wasting time, I went to a nearby drug store to get some of those pain reliever. It helps! Reaching at my friend’s house, I indulge myself with bananas and at the same time continue to keep my body hydrated. This run helps me to better prepare and expect the worst for this coming sunday’s marathon.   

Watching out for dogs! I was making sure that I wasn’t ambush. Sometimes these dogs will come out of no where and gives you a shock!   

Heading towards Mamburao Town. It was a cloudy morning. I passed the Mamburao river.  

I made my U turn at the 400k mark. this was after a 24 k run. 6k more back to Mamburao.

Going back to Mamburao. My legs are stiffed by this time. I was running out of water so I slower my pace. I completed the 30k run unexpected time of 2 hrs 50mins but with stiffed legs. Not a good sign! But glad I experienced it here which helped me to better prepare for this sunday’s marathon.

 This is the highlight of the event. One of main reason to return back to Mindoro is to keep my promise to donate my shoe to Milan- The native Mangyan who won the half marathon during the Abra de Ilog Town fiesta last October. He completed the said race within 1 hr 40mins bare footed. No proper training plus running bare footed is something! I believe if he only had proper training and the right shoes, he can perform better and achieve more. I also donated some of my running clothes to him. Hope that this small donation inspire him to continue to run and win the next fiesta run.