Larian Kesihatan Maal Hijrah 29 Dec 2008

Obtained the entry from from Ashari, another Kidurong running kaki who asked me to join in the event. I asked him the distance and he said only 5.6km. A later found out that was the Junior Veteran category while I will be running in the Mens Open (11km).

I have already planned to be in Kuching with my family during this period and I have also registered my uncle Hamdan to join in the Senior Veteran category (4.3km).

I collected my bib on 25 Dec 08, managed to do two 5km runs a few days before the race. Our category was flagged of at at 7:30am from Baitul Makmur. I followed the middle pack and was slowly falling behind. I reached the 3km mark at 17:15, that was when I realised that I started too fast. After collecting the first ribbon at Bulatan Stadium I tried maintaining the pace as we join the other categories into heading towards Jalan Pustaka.

At the 4km mark I was breathing heavily and started to walk with the rest. From this point onwards I would alternately walk and run. The route became congested at Jalan Samariang after collecting my 2nd ribbon. There was hardly room to run with the heavy vehicle traffic coming out from Santubong. I had to run on the grass to avoid the traffic. A group of young runners about 200m in front of me were also adopting walk/run. At the DBKU junction (8.5km) the medic van asked if I was OK to which I gave thumbs up. At 10km just outside Masjid Jamek I could see a few runners about 500m trailing behind me and the group in front of me were already out from reach. I walked a couple more metres before taking a stride to the finish with 1:19:10 (34th placing)

It was nice to join this run and meet fellow runners like Khoo Yit Kiat and crazytomatoman who were 4th and 7th respectively. It turned out to be a lucky day for my uncle Hamdan, winning a table fan in the lucky draw.

With Uncle Hamdan & Ashari

My faithful supporters

Nike Bowerman Series

Bought this two pairs recently, the Nike Zoom Elite 4 for myself and Nike Air Pegasus+ 25 for my wife.

Nike Zoom Elite 4

Nike Air Pegasus+ 25

Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2008

No.. I was not running in this event. I came early before my business travel to cheer up my fellow running colleague Pascal but unfortunately he was ill with dengue and still recovering. If only the running bib was transferable I would certainly explore the idea of running the full marathon on his behalf, well I was close to the starting point without a bib, albeit without proper training.



There were so many participants in all the 10k, 21k and 42k categories that the runners were still filling up the kandang even after half an hour after the category started. The atmosphere was brilliant, I admire the spirit of the Singaporeans, more than 10,000 of them finishing the full marathon alone. Need to promote more fellow Malaysians to participate.



I have pledged to run this marathon next year hopefully with my wife and a few kakis.

Runspiratographer?

Adidas Allegra 2

I bought this pair at Al-Ikhsan Sunway Pyramid during the recent company awayday. Was very excited during the fitting that I forgot about the half size rule, I ended up taking the same size 8.5 UK. I hope this will not end up with the same fate as the previous Nike.

Adidas Allegra 2
A great shoe for any kind of runner. The adidas Allegra 2 is versatile and functional, packed with everything you need, from adiPRENE® in the heel to midfoot TORSION® SYSTEM to get you off and running.
Textile and synthetic upper for durability and comfort
EVA insole for comfort
adiPRENE®+ in the forefoot maintains propulsion and efficiency
TORSION® SYSTEM provides adaptive midfoot support
adiPRENE® under the heel for superior cushioning at impact
Full rubber outsole for durability in high-wear areas
Imported

Reviving Saucony Grid Formula 2

I thought of throwing away this pair after the outsole "buaya" as a result of prolonged hibernation. Instead I sent the pair to a cobbler in town who helped me to sew the insole and outsole for RM24.

The Nike running shoes that I bought 6 months earlier felt a bit tight after a few runs - I ended up giving the pair to my father in-law, happily wearing the pair for his gardening.

I would put the revived Saucony in Kuching as a reserved pair, saving me the hassle of bringing running shoes to my home town.

The Sun Park Run 2008

This 4.2km running event is coming to it's 2nd edition this year. I have been running some 2.5km about a week leading to this run.

There are more individual participation this year, signalling the increase of interest in road racing in Bintulu. Road racing is so rare in this small town that we had to organise one ourselves.

The categories were flagged simultaneously and I was starting slow at the back pack together with the veteran category, trying to maintain my pace as long as possible. I knew from the previous few runs that I can expect to walk after 2.5km. Indeed I was stopping even before the expected mark to tie my shoe lace. The pair was a reuse from last year and I was hoping that the outsole would last to the finish line, the rear outsole were both dangerously clinging like a hungry croc. After this stop I was having problem to run steadily, so I alternate the run and walk. As I was approaching the entry back to Taman Matahari I saw Tamat holding his shoes - with both outsoles fully detached, mine could end up similarly any time.

I was catching up with Alvin with about 200m to go when suddenly he fired his turbo and sprinted to the finish line. Finished at 19th spot with the time of 25:41.