When the Fire Fighters Organised a Race

Last 2 weeks must have been 1 of MY running highlights this year at least. Having gotten the first race bling, having had 2 races consecutively and had my 3rd half marathon.

In between the first race to the next was the CIPS exam. So I took it well in some sense. Gotten the excuse to reduce the mileage prior to the so called race (as if 15km race requires taper). And reduced mileage again after NMGRR for the so called recovery week/taper for the Fire Fighter Race. That gives me less pressure to squeeze in some runs, or feeling obliged to do certain key workout for some study. Even then, 2 runs were managed to be squeezed still, albeit short. And I really thought I would have to excuse myself from the Human Foosball, but I did still. Mostly because I had to cause someone got sick, but I very much welcomed it. It was fun and I am sure glad with any opportunity given to me to play some balls. Not good and fond of anything played with racket tho.

I always have major concerns for the kids for races. Night run would feel much worse, cause I'll have to leave them while they are awake. But it just had to be done. It's made even worse now since we had to leave early for the race pack collection. I would normally optimise my time as much as I can at home. It was raining while we were on the way. Good thing as it should lower the temparature down. Bad if it was prolonged and hubs wouldn't be too keen on it. Lucky it stopped just when we reach the Fire Station.

It was very near to my alma mater, just as I have expected. A bit sentimental that time. That was the path and the places where both me and hubs started dating. The area has changed tremendously of course, but the memories still flashed by. The organiser had accidentally given a wrong bib number to me, which I only realised when I was about to put it on. Quickly, it had to be changed. This is my 3rd HM and I am quite anxious on knowing what's the official outcome like. and I wouldn't want it if it's under someone else's name. Plus, don't want the person to wonder the whereabouts of his bib as well. Lucky mine was still with the organiser and hope the person will get his.

I kind of like the setup of the race venue as it provided enough facility for us. Ample space for parking and most importantly, we got to conveniently get to solat without having to rush. At least I got to solat jemaah at surau after such a long time. Bumped into Jeg at the start of the run and kak Millie. Waiting for the starting line was quite a task, as I normally reach just in time. Waiting to run is not really in my dictionary.

When the race started, everyone just stormed off. Because of the supposed flatness, because of the much overdue subsequent HM and because of the slight confidence from the previous race, I kind of let myself get carried away with the surrounding. Usually I would have some target pace to start in mind. This time I didn't. Despite noticing that it was in the range of 5.30-5.45 mins/km kind of pace, I just let it went with other's flow. I was huffing too early on, but I hoped I could sustain it. I could, but only strongly until I reached km 15 or 16 mark. That was the start of the real incline. That was when the water station decided to be phased out. Dehydration started to kick in. The rain prior still couldn't put the heat away. But it was such a blessing that it did rain. God knows what would it feel like without it. 

I managed to record a decent 10km record (too bad it didn't go to my Garmin dashboard). the time was aroun 58 ++ mins. As usual, I had a Chinese guy as my benchmark since the 3rd km. I started to lose him around 8-9 km. Around the 15 onwards stretch, the road light was either not functioning or non-existent. Any case, I was glad I had the headlight with me. have securely put it in the bag the week before. Even more glad that I think my headlight had assisted others too. There were police and volunteers spread out along the path, so it felt secure. Some runners were complaining about the road condition and all. I think it might have been the case with me as well, should I not have the headlight. It was from 2012's Energizer night run. Better get another one since they're having it again this year.

About the water station, I was really expecting that it should come at km 12, but it didn't. That is 1 of the main contributor as well to the deteriorating condition towards the end of the run. It was only available at km13, what a weird WS placement. the next one didn't happen at km 16 when I think by right it should have considering 13+3=16. so close to 4km WS gaps for the last 2 or 3 WS. I lost track of the last one. upon 17km, the guy from km3 passed by. We definitely noticed each other then, and that was the time that he acknowledged it when he said "come on, only 4kms left". So we ran together, him being around was kind of a motivation for me as well. He led most of the way, until I bumped into Bismi at the final and killing uphill. I think it was almost 20km. But it sure was the longest final 2kms. The Chinese guy decided to pull it back. Bismi asked to go faster and I really didn't dare to attempt such a thing, until I see the end is near. Played catchup until I finally dare to sprint from the 500m mark to the finish line. Felt good that I managed to sprint, felt bad that I didn't sprint earlier but felt contempt as I was huffing and puffing like nobody's business at the finish line. at least I know, I've tried it my all.

I was really targetting to break the previous record in this race. The setup was almost similar to my previous PR, so PRing was quite possible. But from km17 mark, I know it will lapse real bad. So I had stopped looking at the clock. The time went off by 1mins 3 secs. but this race is under distant. Previous race was over distant. the pace PR went off by 12 secs, despite being only 1 min 3 sec delayed.

So a lot of lesson learnt. The bad thing is none of it is new. It's new in the form of, the process and the technique will always be true no matter what the condition is. For me, it will take at least half an hour to really warm up, and 1 hour to start a real ramp up on speed. or to start initiating the tempo like pace. Runner's World forum sent to my mailbox came quite coincidental to this. In marathons, my best results have been from starting 30 seconds slower than planned pace.  In half marathons, I frequently still catch myself going way too fast, but generally get good results from about 10 seconds slower than my planned pace.

So that is a good learning curve. Nothing works better than negative split. both to secure a decent timing and not to break yourself down afterwards. the above tips seems to be able to work for me

Oh, and for the hubs, am sure glad that's he was still willing to join. Despite supposed to have a futsal tourney the day after, and haven't fully recovered from last week's race. 

As for the race itself, I truly enjoyed it. It wasn't perfect but it was decent. I especially like the medal, the finisher tshirt. It differentiates 10km to 21km, so it kind of a finisher shirt in itself. I like the setup, where there were multiple lanes upon finishing the race, the food, the shower which really helped to cool yourself down. I especially like the route as well, despite having almost killed me near the ending. Really need to redeem it next year. It was a small event but the crowd was nice as well, the kind of thing that I like to go to. No trouble with logistic whatsoever. Definitely gonna join again. Let's hope that they will have the next year. I was at number 12, just 2 off to make it to top 10. So the lesson learnt is better stuck to mind. After this, it will be running race dry period again until the next half late June for Ipoh Run

Adios