2XU Compression Run 2014
Murderous Route. Period.
Just had to jot down the note quick, worry the details is forgotten all too soon.
The route was up and down all the way. It was crazy.
Just had to jot down the note quick, worry the details is forgotten all too soon.
The route was up and down all the way. It was crazy.
Never have I felt pain on the legs (glutes mostly, quads sometime) WHILE on the run. The Muscle Sorenes always set in after and not WHILE you're at it. But this time it was. There's no DOMS at all in this case (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness). I should be fitter than before. The last time I conquered some part of this route was in May. It didn't seem to break me too early then. But it did yesterday. Legs started to really feeling it much earlier than the Hentian Duta uphill. The Changkat Duta; there's no argument about it. one can only count when will it be over. Another surprise was how much the finishing path was going upwards. I was only scaring over the Hentian Duta and the Changkat Duta. But more was actually in stored. Or I wasn't not that up to it myself for this race. Been blowing the nose most of the time, to the point that I didn't have any more spots left to blow on. Lucky the sore throat was better, but it was not totally clear still.
Going through the Changkat Duta hill is good for checking out on other runners. And there were a lot of lady runners at front. It's a humbling moment for me. I was very struggling to keep up my pace and manning my legs, and there they were, strongly up front.
The only good thing, I found out that I'm quite good at downhill...compared to others. Just right after the peak, when your body is still sustaining the momentum of a huge effort to climb uphill, that the kinetic energy had to be translated into a fast downhill along with the complementing force of gravity, InsyaAllah, I will be able to weave through kind of faster (well compared to how I do with uphills). People always took me over with uphill, and I paid my revenge on the downs.
So, major lessons to note:
- increase your hill works
- increase the leg strength, particularly the glutes
I'm quite shy on focusing much on the glutes area in the gym. Nor have I the time. Need to think of ways for strength-multitasking.
Saw few familiar faces. Damien, the Iron Man guy that trains at the gym, Bovin, Hisham, Karsten, the lady that I ran along for MWM finishing.
I might have bumped into Johanis again (the last time I saw him might be in the Mizuno Wave Run).
Didn't pace anyone in particular. But have used them as benchmark. All I can say is, the benchmarks have given me a slight hint of hope. Passed by most of them in the end.
The organiser did a good effort this time. Especially compared to last year, and even better than other events. Water stations were not only sufficient but plentiful. The water arrangement, although quite terbalik, with the revive first and water later, was properly managed. You just have to educate people in the first few water stations, that the isotonic was arranged first, and water later. And people would have known it better later on in the race and they can manage it well later on. There was not that much volunteers, but it was sufficient and efficient. It was quite a good surprise that they gave away bananas and gel at around KM 10 mark. Pleasant surprise for me as I had forgotten to prepare any breakfast, and the tummy felt rumbly early on. And it was a good thing that revive was offered at every station, as that appeared to be one of my main saviour as well. The rumble was gone as I went along further into the race. I had used the abundance water stations very well with stopping at almost all of it, except for the final one. And this has proved to be helping.
One thing that they could have done better might be:
- manage the logistics better (got to know that some got summoned)
- inform on the planned water stations and whether there will be any fuel given.
On the result, it went off than my target. Have targetted to come close to the last race conducted here. It was 6.08 pace. Yes, it is a much further distance, but my fitness should have increased, and I should be able to come quite close, not 11 seconds off. It's either my fitness has degraded, or the route is so damn tough.
Had been busy nursing the legs afterwards. There was no other more trusted recovery food than the good old 2 piece of half boiled eggs. Had 2 roti canais for my carbo fix. Still wondering whether I need any protein powder as part of my recovery. Took out some metal sticks from the store to massage the legs. The kids were excited to do it for me. Then they helped to massage me by standing on the legs (I only allowed Qays to do it). Then applied perskindol and even ginger cream as I felt some gassy caused pains as well. I had to scrap off my planned 10km evening run, that was meant to emulate 30km distance prior to doing a marathon, due to this unexpected soreness. So, my hope of upping my longest training distance gone to the drain again.
This is the run that I can't get excited much on. A sad thing happened to the hubs family. A dear auntie passed away due to cancer. And it happened in the wee morning right before the race. Lucky hubs let me went through with the race. But he sent me over and picked me up. The tiredness of being up too early (3 am maybe) along with having to go all the way to KL to send me has made him uttered the dreaded words: "Enough with the running".
As far as I can recall, this is the 2nd time that he really means it. My heart felt crushed quite a bit, but I silently hope that it's just a phase. It's just due to the tiredness. He will soon get over it. For all I know, this running thing, will stay quite a while. It keeps my sanity in check. I can't find any more productive way to be one. This is the one that I know, I won't have to break my bank much, won't be separated from the kids much, won't interfere with the relationship much (i do things alone, no 3rd party involved, yada yada). I even plan my pregnancy and family planning along my running activities and targets.
It's tough, with all the jugglings, there's this obstacle that I have to overcome as well. So for those out there, who are so blessed with the endless support, be grateful with what you have.
On a happy note, got maself a trail shoe...weehoo...there are 2 sad things though.
Going through the Changkat Duta hill is good for checking out on other runners. And there were a lot of lady runners at front. It's a humbling moment for me. I was very struggling to keep up my pace and manning my legs, and there they were, strongly up front.
The only good thing, I found out that I'm quite good at downhill...compared to others. Just right after the peak, when your body is still sustaining the momentum of a huge effort to climb uphill, that the kinetic energy had to be translated into a fast downhill along with the complementing force of gravity, InsyaAllah, I will be able to weave through kind of faster (well compared to how I do with uphills). People always took me over with uphill, and I paid my revenge on the downs.
So, major lessons to note:
- increase your hill works
- increase the leg strength, particularly the glutes
I'm quite shy on focusing much on the glutes area in the gym. Nor have I the time. Need to think of ways for strength-multitasking.
Saw few familiar faces. Damien, the Iron Man guy that trains at the gym, Bovin, Hisham, Karsten, the lady that I ran along for MWM finishing.
I might have bumped into Johanis again (the last time I saw him might be in the Mizuno Wave Run).
Didn't pace anyone in particular. But have used them as benchmark. All I can say is, the benchmarks have given me a slight hint of hope. Passed by most of them in the end.
The organiser did a good effort this time. Especially compared to last year, and even better than other events. Water stations were not only sufficient but plentiful. The water arrangement, although quite terbalik, with the revive first and water later, was properly managed. You just have to educate people in the first few water stations, that the isotonic was arranged first, and water later. And people would have known it better later on in the race and they can manage it well later on. There was not that much volunteers, but it was sufficient and efficient. It was quite a good surprise that they gave away bananas and gel at around KM 10 mark. Pleasant surprise for me as I had forgotten to prepare any breakfast, and the tummy felt rumbly early on. And it was a good thing that revive was offered at every station, as that appeared to be one of my main saviour as well. The rumble was gone as I went along further into the race. I had used the abundance water stations very well with stopping at almost all of it, except for the final one. And this has proved to be helping.
One thing that they could have done better might be:
- manage the logistics better (got to know that some got summoned)
- inform on the planned water stations and whether there will be any fuel given.
On the result, it went off than my target. Have targetted to come close to the last race conducted here. It was 6.08 pace. Yes, it is a much further distance, but my fitness should have increased, and I should be able to come quite close, not 11 seconds off. It's either my fitness has degraded, or the route is so damn tough.
Had been busy nursing the legs afterwards. There was no other more trusted recovery food than the good old 2 piece of half boiled eggs. Had 2 roti canais for my carbo fix. Still wondering whether I need any protein powder as part of my recovery. Took out some metal sticks from the store to massage the legs. The kids were excited to do it for me. Then they helped to massage me by standing on the legs (I only allowed Qays to do it). Then applied perskindol and even ginger cream as I felt some gassy caused pains as well. I had to scrap off my planned 10km evening run, that was meant to emulate 30km distance prior to doing a marathon, due to this unexpected soreness. So, my hope of upping my longest training distance gone to the drain again.
 |
| The trusted ginger cream or minyak panas |
This is the run that I can't get excited much on. A sad thing happened to the hubs family. A dear auntie passed away due to cancer. And it happened in the wee morning right before the race. Lucky hubs let me went through with the race. But he sent me over and picked me up. The tiredness of being up too early (3 am maybe) along with having to go all the way to KL to send me has made him uttered the dreaded words: "Enough with the running".
As far as I can recall, this is the 2nd time that he really means it. My heart felt crushed quite a bit, but I silently hope that it's just a phase. It's just due to the tiredness. He will soon get over it. For all I know, this running thing, will stay quite a while. It keeps my sanity in check. I can't find any more productive way to be one. This is the one that I know, I won't have to break my bank much, won't be separated from the kids much, won't interfere with the relationship much (i do things alone, no 3rd party involved, yada yada). I even plan my pregnancy and family planning along my running activities and targets.
It's tough, with all the jugglings, there's this obstacle that I have to overcome as well. So for those out there, who are so blessed with the endless support, be grateful with what you have.
On a happy note, got maself a trail shoe...weehoo...there are 2 sad things though.
- The shoe was 0.5 too small
- Brooks outlet is selling it at 40% instead of 30% as sold by Key Power Sports. A total of 64 ringgit loss.
Just not my rezeki. It's a lesson hard learnt. Size too small? Don't fret. Quickly went all d way to mid valley for a mere 17 mins inside. Quickly left as I really need to be back to the kids soon. Had Qaisar was not asleep, I would have brought the kids along. Bigger concern is on the shoe price. RM 321 vs RM 256 (RM 64 difference). Hard earned lessons:
- never buy a Brooks shoe from non other than its own shop.
- always wait for the discount. Most notable ones are SCKLM, BSN PNM or Brooks itself. Always these and no other.
- always avoid spot and instantaneous purchase.
10% is made even bigger when Brooks shop is selling at rm30 lower list price. And with a 2 day gap, the pain is much more felt.
The beauty. Pure Grit 3. I can't help it. The Pure Project simply appeals to me. Hope the lesson learnt will stuck and I will not make the same mistake again. Now, just bring me those trails.
Speaking about trails, there is this real driver why I need to have the trail shoes. We will have a FRIM team building next week. And of course, I dream of climbing the Mount Kinabalu soon. Hope it will happen soon enough, not until this shoe gets out of date.
Happy trails.
While updating this, the result of 2XU Compression KL 2014 is out.
Not a very good result. But I'll take it. Top 5% of the pack...ok...hope to have better next time
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