Nike We Run KL 2015
I've got no one but myself to blame. Again, the Kinabalu Climb update has really overwhelmed me and it has took over everything. I totally forgot that I haven't done a race recap for my Nike. Since it has been way long time, it's going to be short and sweet. More to because I forgot most of the details. So here goes.
It was an unintentional, impromptu run. Hubs was supposed to run it. He registered for it when he was in Germany for business trip and I was busy with my Full Marathon. Wasn't even that keen to joining it, due to the trauma of past events (although I only heard about the incident, didn't actually experience it). But I was happy and was ready to run alongside him as it should be his HM debut and I am more than glad if he can take it up a notch to that level. That's a big accomplishment for him.
As the days grow nearer, and no particular practice done by him, I know it would be a pass for him. Even worse when it coincides with our Mount K mission week. Having had few tough hiking sessions earlier on (well, we haven't been constantly hike ourselves, so any that is tougher than Broga can be considered tough), I think he know well enough that he needs to have fresh legs prior to the Mount K mission. So that only means 1 thing; I get to run it. So, the supposed 4th preggie halfie for MWM 2015 would become 5th for me, as the 4th halfie would be taken over by the Nike We Run KL. Altogether it would be my 8th halfie and I was more than glad to run it.
As much as it would have affected the hubs' legs for the Mount K mission, it would definitely affected me as well. But at least my muscles worked out more than him. Although he did have some slightest hints of trying it out, he was quite doubtful himself. Again, I'll be more than glad to run it.
The race venue was quite weird. All the nearby access road were mostly closed. The hubs dropped me off in front of the OCM area, thinking that I would be able to walk directly to the Stadium Merdeka. Apparently it was not, and I had to make a big round, through the Maharajalela and Petaling Street area. The queue was already very long when I reached at a very narrow and crowded Petaling Street area. Not wanting to be too far at the back, I tried to weave through the human traffic. There was another group of girls trying to do the same, so I tagged along, as if I was one of them. It was quite a hassle as I was trying to preserve my wudhu' and I was succesful at it. We weaved through until we were quite halfway through, but not far enough. The starting pen apparently separate the runner's category, less than 2 hours or those with more. So, when the gun went off, it took a while before we could actually start running. For my case, it was almost 15 minute.
Everyone seemed to start fast. I had earlier planned on starting slow. But I felt very slow with doing that, so I guess I kind of get carried away with the rest as well. My heart rate jumped from the start. I had less training leading to it, as I had lots of hiking for the Mount K preparation. Bumped into Ajak, overtook him. As I was happily preserving my wudhu' some guy knocked my hand in order to overtake me. So mad. Had reserved it for a long time, despite through the packed starting line, and it got wasted just like that. With that, I had to strategise about my wudhu and prayer then. Really hoped that the promised prayer tent will be put up as planned. Started to calculate the Subuh prayer time window and the distance where I'll be during the period. Based on the calculation, Subuh will start at KM10, assuming that I would want to pray straight, I will need to have my wudhu before that. I then decided that I would need to grab a mineral bottle at KM 9 water station. Good thing the WS was slightly further than 9, so I won't have to carry the big bottle as long. Bad thing was, there wasn't a decent place for a prayer. Not when there's so many people with the event. Not when I think it was Chinese who participated it mostly. Not that I mind, but you know, you have to be be mindful of where you stop and perform your prayer, so people won't look at you weirdly and you at the same time won't bother others. Suddenly, there was a bunch of people who stopped for prayer by the road side. I decided to stop too, slightly further, as it seemed to be packed there, and seemed to be mixed up with guys. So I picked my own corner slightly further, and it had to be on the grass cause there was no vacant pavement. I was busy balancing myself (like literally balancing) to take off my shoes and socks on the uneven ground, had your wudhu with the minimally available water and struggled to put everything back on. The kiblah was also facing the runners, so almost everyone can clearly see what I was doing, but I just couldn't care. So there you go. The things that go in your mind, how you just ignored everything else as long as you got your priority in check (running and prayer) and the pain that you have to go through (carrying a 1 litre bottle around under with no where to put it on wasn't pretty at all). Judging from the time difference between official time and my Garmin, I spent some 8 minutes doing that. Slightly longer than my prayer time for SCKLM FM. Hence the nitty gritty description of it up there.
Ok, prayer aside, now to the real thing. Nike had a big disaster during their last event last 2 years. They skipped it last year and have an early one this year. The build up was good, in that they offered 2 tshirts, 1 being training, 1 for race day. They organised running clinics, especially required when it's a halfie event. They had roadshow sessions to distribute the training tees. So I kind of got the vibe that it will be well organised this time. So on race day, it portayed just the same. WS was regularly placed. Proper prayer tent. I didn't even use it, as it was placed quite far and I would assume that it would be packed as well, but I could see its decency there. Although the starting line was quite pack, but they made an effort to line up the fast runners first.
I kind of like the route too, though it was quite a killer. It didn't seem as such but it did according to the stats. It was almost as bad as Bukit Aman double or triple hill, whatever you call it, as I only run there for races. The elevation gain was 476 m but the Bukit Aman was a mere 310 m gain. Almost close to SCKLM Full Marathon Route 2014 elevation gain at 460 m. It was rather flat the first half but got really challenging as it ends. When we passed by the road back to the stadium, I was intrigued seeing how steep the incline was. And as we went along, the distance markers seems slower than the real distance. It gives a huge mental challange, when you think you have covered much, the distance markers tells you the exact opposite. I was hoping that I could replicate my NMGRR and PJ Half success (on my own definition mind you, as I had managed a strong finishing), but I couldn't. At one point after the U-turn, it almost felt like my Full Marathon feeling. It was nothing near of course, FM was indeed tougher. But that was the first time that I felt as close to the feeling, to distance other than the FM. It's the feeling where you have to struggle, and have to put some strength into your mind, in order to control the rest of your body in order to keep going. The mind over matter thing. Yes I seldom tap into those. It is still left reserved. I didn't even use it as fully during my FM. But somehow I did tap it a bit for a mere Nike halfie. 2 reasons definitely, I may have exerted more effort than I should for the first half (it felt good anyhow) and the inclines was also equally crazy on the second half. So it was a double whammy.
As usual, I saw familiar faces which should be about the same pace as me, went far ahead. It was heart braking but I have to accept the fact already. But it was one of the toughest halfie. Other tough halfie that I can remember was my BSN PNM and Cyberjaya Half. Other than than, I would be able to strategise it well and ended me feeling good about the race. There was some cheer when we get into the stadium saying that it was only 500m, but it seemed forever. We managed somehow and I finished in 2:22:51, my time. Pace wise, it was 6:26, which was good enough as it was almost equivalent to my International Ipoh Run of 6:29, and even better even.
We just bought the Go Pro the day before, hence was still in the excitement of experimenting the camer. So, for the first time, I brought the camera along during a run. It was not easy to capture a pic, as it was very prone to vibration. The baggage deposit was also very organised. They arranged it according to the bib number, and there were a lot of booths. A surefire proof that they really tried to overcome last 2 years mishaps. And I didn't expect on getting a medal, they say they dont give it out. So it makes the impromptu halfie even more meaningful.
So that's it, my We Run KL experience. Most importantly, how it adds to my list of preggie halfie collection. Can't wait for more real races post maternity.
Nike We Run KL 2015
Date: 1 February 2015
Venue: Stadium Merdeka
Pregnancy Progress: 16 weeks
Distance: 22.21 km
Duration: 2:16:35 hours
Pace: 6:26/km
It was an unintentional, impromptu run. Hubs was supposed to run it. He registered for it when he was in Germany for business trip and I was busy with my Full Marathon. Wasn't even that keen to joining it, due to the trauma of past events (although I only heard about the incident, didn't actually experience it). But I was happy and was ready to run alongside him as it should be his HM debut and I am more than glad if he can take it up a notch to that level. That's a big accomplishment for him.
As the days grow nearer, and no particular practice done by him, I know it would be a pass for him. Even worse when it coincides with our Mount K mission week. Having had few tough hiking sessions earlier on (well, we haven't been constantly hike ourselves, so any that is tougher than Broga can be considered tough), I think he know well enough that he needs to have fresh legs prior to the Mount K mission. So that only means 1 thing; I get to run it. So, the supposed 4th preggie halfie for MWM 2015 would become 5th for me, as the 4th halfie would be taken over by the Nike We Run KL. Altogether it would be my 8th halfie and I was more than glad to run it.
As much as it would have affected the hubs' legs for the Mount K mission, it would definitely affected me as well. But at least my muscles worked out more than him. Although he did have some slightest hints of trying it out, he was quite doubtful himself. Again, I'll be more than glad to run it.
The race venue was quite weird. All the nearby access road were mostly closed. The hubs dropped me off in front of the OCM area, thinking that I would be able to walk directly to the Stadium Merdeka. Apparently it was not, and I had to make a big round, through the Maharajalela and Petaling Street area. The queue was already very long when I reached at a very narrow and crowded Petaling Street area. Not wanting to be too far at the back, I tried to weave through the human traffic. There was another group of girls trying to do the same, so I tagged along, as if I was one of them. It was quite a hassle as I was trying to preserve my wudhu' and I was succesful at it. We weaved through until we were quite halfway through, but not far enough. The starting pen apparently separate the runner's category, less than 2 hours or those with more. So, when the gun went off, it took a while before we could actually start running. For my case, it was almost 15 minute.
Everyone seemed to start fast. I had earlier planned on starting slow. But I felt very slow with doing that, so I guess I kind of get carried away with the rest as well. My heart rate jumped from the start. I had less training leading to it, as I had lots of hiking for the Mount K preparation. Bumped into Ajak, overtook him. As I was happily preserving my wudhu' some guy knocked my hand in order to overtake me. So mad. Had reserved it for a long time, despite through the packed starting line, and it got wasted just like that. With that, I had to strategise about my wudhu and prayer then. Really hoped that the promised prayer tent will be put up as planned. Started to calculate the Subuh prayer time window and the distance where I'll be during the period. Based on the calculation, Subuh will start at KM10, assuming that I would want to pray straight, I will need to have my wudhu before that. I then decided that I would need to grab a mineral bottle at KM 9 water station. Good thing the WS was slightly further than 9, so I won't have to carry the big bottle as long. Bad thing was, there wasn't a decent place for a prayer. Not when there's so many people with the event. Not when I think it was Chinese who participated it mostly. Not that I mind, but you know, you have to be be mindful of where you stop and perform your prayer, so people won't look at you weirdly and you at the same time won't bother others. Suddenly, there was a bunch of people who stopped for prayer by the road side. I decided to stop too, slightly further, as it seemed to be packed there, and seemed to be mixed up with guys. So I picked my own corner slightly further, and it had to be on the grass cause there was no vacant pavement. I was busy balancing myself (like literally balancing) to take off my shoes and socks on the uneven ground, had your wudhu with the minimally available water and struggled to put everything back on. The kiblah was also facing the runners, so almost everyone can clearly see what I was doing, but I just couldn't care. So there you go. The things that go in your mind, how you just ignored everything else as long as you got your priority in check (running and prayer) and the pain that you have to go through (carrying a 1 litre bottle around under with no where to put it on wasn't pretty at all). Judging from the time difference between official time and my Garmin, I spent some 8 minutes doing that. Slightly longer than my prayer time for SCKLM FM. Hence the nitty gritty description of it up there.
Ok, prayer aside, now to the real thing. Nike had a big disaster during their last event last 2 years. They skipped it last year and have an early one this year. The build up was good, in that they offered 2 tshirts, 1 being training, 1 for race day. They organised running clinics, especially required when it's a halfie event. They had roadshow sessions to distribute the training tees. So I kind of got the vibe that it will be well organised this time. So on race day, it portayed just the same. WS was regularly placed. Proper prayer tent. I didn't even use it, as it was placed quite far and I would assume that it would be packed as well, but I could see its decency there. Although the starting line was quite pack, but they made an effort to line up the fast runners first.
I kind of like the route too, though it was quite a killer. It didn't seem as such but it did according to the stats. It was almost as bad as Bukit Aman double or triple hill, whatever you call it, as I only run there for races. The elevation gain was 476 m but the Bukit Aman was a mere 310 m gain. Almost close to SCKLM Full Marathon Route 2014 elevation gain at 460 m. It was rather flat the first half but got really challenging as it ends. When we passed by the road back to the stadium, I was intrigued seeing how steep the incline was. And as we went along, the distance markers seems slower than the real distance. It gives a huge mental challange, when you think you have covered much, the distance markers tells you the exact opposite. I was hoping that I could replicate my NMGRR and PJ Half success (on my own definition mind you, as I had managed a strong finishing), but I couldn't. At one point after the U-turn, it almost felt like my Full Marathon feeling. It was nothing near of course, FM was indeed tougher. But that was the first time that I felt as close to the feeling, to distance other than the FM. It's the feeling where you have to struggle, and have to put some strength into your mind, in order to control the rest of your body in order to keep going. The mind over matter thing. Yes I seldom tap into those. It is still left reserved. I didn't even use it as fully during my FM. But somehow I did tap it a bit for a mere Nike halfie. 2 reasons definitely, I may have exerted more effort than I should for the first half (it felt good anyhow) and the inclines was also equally crazy on the second half. So it was a double whammy.
As usual, I saw familiar faces which should be about the same pace as me, went far ahead. It was heart braking but I have to accept the fact already. But it was one of the toughest halfie. Other tough halfie that I can remember was my BSN PNM and Cyberjaya Half. Other than than, I would be able to strategise it well and ended me feeling good about the race. There was some cheer when we get into the stadium saying that it was only 500m, but it seemed forever. We managed somehow and I finished in 2:22:51, my time. Pace wise, it was 6:26, which was good enough as it was almost equivalent to my International Ipoh Run of 6:29, and even better even.
We just bought the Go Pro the day before, hence was still in the excitement of experimenting the camer. So, for the first time, I brought the camera along during a run. It was not easy to capture a pic, as it was very prone to vibration. The baggage deposit was also very organised. They arranged it according to the bib number, and there were a lot of booths. A surefire proof that they really tried to overcome last 2 years mishaps. And I didn't expect on getting a medal, they say they dont give it out. So it makes the impromptu halfie even more meaningful.
And I did something annoying. I went through people's result, those that I know of. The gurls at the bottom are those who were with me during NMGRR (I don't know them for real, I just found their names on the result), so I want to assume that I would have gotten their equivalent result if I had been on my normal self at the very least if not better. The 2 names at the bottom finished 2.5 hrs in NMGRR, did worse than I. So I would have done better than them this time around, if I had been at my usual self. And it's good to know that Aishah Sinclair finished much later than me still. She's such a strong lady and a strong runner, lucky I can still maintain an even stronger running state than hers. It was good to know that I wasn't too far off from a fellow strong colleague (a mere 11 minutes).
So that's it, my We Run KL experience. Most importantly, how it adds to my list of preggie halfie collection. Can't wait for more real races post maternity.
Nike We Run KL 2015
Date: 1 February 2015
Venue: Stadium Merdeka
Pregnancy Progress: 16 weeks
Distance: 22.21 km
Duration: 2:16:35 hours
Pace: 6:26/km
Comments
Post a Comment