Melawati 10k 2009

I had registered earlier for this run. This was planned to coincide nicely with the trip to KL together with Anisa & Faiz. It was the trip for everyone. My wife was attending the course, Faiz went to see the speech therapist, Anisa went for shopping and I went running of course.

I had surveyed the starting area the day earlier when I collected the race number. The starting area is quite packed with shophouses and cars parked along the road. I had been pre-warned by Adam earlier that the route around this area can be hilly.

I arrived 6:40am on race day, had a bit of bowel discomfort but managed to deal with the urge, thanks to a nearby mamak restaurant. Since there are many shophouses around, parking lots were plenty. I was probably the only runner coming for this event alone. Everyone else were seen busy warming up with their buddies. After a short warm-up aerobic session, the runners swarmed the starting line only to find out that they all have to sing the national anthem. It reminded me of the experience of watching movie in Bangkok.

I started in midpack and maintain the pace for the first half. The route brought us along the housing estate, up the hill to the back alley, to the small waterfall, to many roundabouts. Adam was right about the route, there were quite a number of long hills but I was not surprised after my experience in the recent GE20k. I was very sure that the organiser would provide water station some where along the route. After running for about 45 mins I realised that there was no single water station. And the distance markings were rather confusing. I had not reached 5km after 45 mins of hard pace. Biar benar depa nih.

I had my walk breaks and during this period lots of runners of different age, shapes and sizes whizzed past me. At one moment a very chubby auntie went steadily overtaking me, followed by another whose running style can be described as sideway dancing. Their form may be off, but they were way in front of me.

I was for a while thinking of buying packed drinks at the road stalls, well I have brought my tenner and I saw someone running with the plastic pack on their return leg. However I had to cancel the plan as most of the kuih selling stalls were packed with long queues when I arrived there. After a couple of wak breaks I managed to finish the run in 1:11:57, still could not breach below 70 mins. I collected the finisher medal and the completion certificate.

Hydrated myself with lots of isotonic and Vicos. Met Azad and the gang at the finish line. Also had the opportunity to chat with Wong Kei Ming and runner-up Nicholas Merica after the race. I guessed everyone was talking about the lack of traffic control at the finishing point and the missing water station, despite the fact that it was carved on the finisher medal.

I was not sure whether the road markings were reliable, but my split timings were recorded as follows: 1k - 05:41, 2k - 12:52, 4k - 26:48, 6k - 45:58.

It was a good opportunity to learn about this run to couple with my timely trip, however I may not join this one in the future. I think the small fun run at Piasau Boat Club two weeks back was more runner friendly - they may not have medals but at least they had 3 water stations.

Winners in international category - that's me at the back (taken by RunWitMe)

With Azad

Runner-up Nicholas Merica

Weekend Pacetrailer Run - Mar 09

We have started this Saturday run since mid Feb 2009, ranging from 4 to 6km along the beach road to Kidurong Club. There were lots of joggers in the morning especially at the Millennium Park. Some runners were also seen running along the beach road to the end of Taman Matahari - they were very good indeed. I wonder if these joggers are interested in running quarter or half marathon. I can always help with the registration.

Our 6km route includes a 30 deg incline at midway near the main road before turning back to Taman Matahari guard house for the finish line and water station. The intention in the future is to do this route twoce for 12km.

7 Mar - Azri, Pascal, me

21 Mar - Stephan, Azei, Adam, Rebecca, me, James

Piasau Boat Club Borneo 10 Mile Run

This is the annual fun run organised by Piasau Boat Club, located at the Piasau Beach in Miri. Three categories are available – 16km, 11km and 5km. Five of us decided to join this run, Adam, Rebecca & Azri in the 5km category, myself in the 11km and Pascal in the 16km (10 miles) category. We left in convoy after work from Bintulu in four cars and reached Miri at 7:30pm on Friday.

We didn’t have any problem finding the club and the running route during our reckee the night before. This was certainly a nice fun run, everything from the communications, the registration, briefing, water station and time-keeping were runners-friendly. It turned out to be a small run af about 35 runners for the three categories. The 16km group consisting of 15 runners were flagged of at 7:00 am and quickly disappeared into the Piasau Camp housing. I could not locate my bib number (22) so I chose number 56 instead. I later found out there were only three participants in my category, the other two being the ang moh expatriates.

I was already trailing behind about 300m at the 3km turn near Kelab Golf Miri. From here we would combine with the 16km runners and run back to PBC on the beach. I shouted to the marshall saying that my number was 22 instead of the 56 on the bib. It was quite an experience to do beach running, the hard sand was perfect for cushioning. I was gradually overtaken by three runners from the 16km category and reached PBC (6km) in 38:27. Stopped for water at the club steps and continued into the second 5km leg. It was a shady cycling path along the housing and soon I exited into the main road. It was already blazing hot as this time and I started to take my intermittent walk breaks along Taman Bayshore.

I was glad when I saw the marshalls near the fish stalls. Had to inform them again about my number, gulped two cups of water and continued again onto the beach. At one point I had to cross a small stream and wet my right shoes. No regret for this nice run. I had a couple of walk breaks here as well until about the last 1km where I could clearly see the half submerged finish line due to the rising tide.

I completed the run in 1:16:06 and congratulated by the markers. Hydrated with chilled 100 Plus and bottled drinking water. Azri, Adam & Rebecca were already there after completing their 5km run and chatting with Airtone & friends. We had a laughter after finding out that I got the third place, a podium finish, yet I finished last as there were only three runners in the category. Being a Pacetrailer, I am openly declaring that I finished last in this race. I soon found out that Pascal was nomor onchet as well in his category, hahaha.

It was definitely a nice run and a good outing or the kids in Miri. I will surely join this run again in the future. Well done to the organiser.

Me & Pascal were considered shorties

PBC Borneo 10 Mile Run - Me, Azri, Adam, Rebecca, Pascal

KL Marathon 2009 Registration

It’s the company’s soft launch for the Sports & Recreation today. We took the opportunity to launch the SMGP Pacetrailers Running Club aka Team Nomor Onchet (means the last finisher). In conjunction with the launch, the registration for Standard Chartered KL Marathon was promoted among staff, there are currently 12 employees joining this run in various categories. Hoping to have more numbers and connect with runners in other locations as well.
We intend to organise one or two events this year – most probably the medley relay race, and participate in as many as affordable outstation races as possible. Well, mass run is so rare in Bintulu that you will need to organise it yourself.