MWM 2017 - My 4th participation and Shah Alam Half Marathon 2017
As is SCKLM, MWM is another one of my must go event. Something that I never fail to join almost every year. The only year that I missed was the 1st one, which was the time that I just delivered Qaisar.
I was supposed to join the January's Twincity. But I had to miss it since I had to travel. It was so devastating, especially when it was such a good event, especially when it was a long time since my last FM. Especially when I was almost at my fittest self to secure a decent time. But it was not meant to be and I just enjoyed my daily running streak, some twice daily in the Sheraton's Bangkok gym. After much contemplation, I let the race go. Nevertheless, having to miss that race, made me have to look forward for MWM even more. I followed the training plan as much as I could. I have not been following training plans much after my first FM. There was never suitable time and situation for me to really follow the training plan religiously. But I cannot remember what kind of epiphany that I got, that I realised that I really need to get back to some structure training. Only then your race will matter. Only then you'll be able to make some difference. I started off with Twincity, and I really think that I was at my peak then. But it was not meant to be, and the situation towards MWM was not that ideal for my training, but structured training was observed somewhat.
The race venue changed the very last minute to the stadium. Which I like. it got nearer. Problem was we had to do 2 loops. Which is not really a big deal for me as well.
The race pack collection was held at Acapella hotel. Nice venue and I looked forward to the expo to buy more skirt. but it was too damn expensive. The good ones are in the rage of RM 200 to up. So I only ended with Ash be Nimble. I have nothing against it. I like the design but the cutting doesnt seem to provide the kind of coverage you need. But it was so cheap, so I bought it anyhow. And something different this year, I have a pacer. William was my pacer then. So we quietly set a target of trying to go to 4:3x without prayer time.
So everything was fine at the start of the race day. Proper parking, I managed to go out undisturbed. I didn't even need to pump that time which makes the logistics even more easier. Less things to worry about. While waiting for the race to start, I saw 1 familiar face. No, not my pacer William, but the famous Tahira Aliya. And she came to me to ask where the toilet was. Kind of star strucked, but couldn't really help her with the answer she need, I just pointed somewhere inside the Shah Alam Stadium. When she got back out, I stopped her for some photo. So tak malu.
So the race finally started. Everyone stormed off as always. I maintained my cool pace. It felt so slow, seeing how fast everyone went. But I reminded myself so much not to get too excited with the surrounding. Too many people past by and left me behind.
But after a while, I slowly managed to catchup with them. There was nothing flat about the highway, but it certainly didn't feel so bad. Rolling hills on hiway is still fine, since it will be gradual. Water station and toilet was plenty this time, unlike last year. Surau was also placed just fine. I took about 6 mins for solat and William waited outside. I had about sub 6 pace before reaching the surau, in order not to let William waited for me so much. I got back to my perceived comfortable pace afterwards, which was still around sub6 pace as well.
I had a good run until the U turn at Kota Kemuning, where it started to rain. And it still felt good. I managed to maintain average of 9km per hour, which left me at 27km by 3hrs (my own timing at least). I managed to run almost throughout, even after 35km. My 36 km split was still at 6:19 and based on Garmin's record, I only started to walk a 37km (I shall put this as a note to self later. Never walk in a marathon until at least 37km). Maybe my fitness was still good at that time, I managed to pull myself together again and told myself to slow my pace and not to succumb to walk. Walk is your enemy, walk is the culprit. Which I managed to until the final uphill near the Kelab Darul Ehsan. It was a nasty hill that one. My target of a neat 4:3x with prayer time went down the drain during that time. I managed to finish at official time of 4:41:14, and my own personally logged time of 4:35:05. Somewhat what I had wished for, though not exactly what I had aggressively targetted. Alhamdulillah. And what made is special was I get to have a photo with the timing board. For the first time. All due to Fadzilah Mohamad.
Shah Alam Half Marathon 2017
Date: 26th Feb 2017
Venue: Dataran Shah Alam
Distance: 21 km
Position: 61
Official Time:2:44:05
Personal Time: 2:44:09 hrs
Pace: 7:44
MWM 2017
Date: 5th March2017
Venue: Stadium Melawati Shah Alam
Distance: 42 km
Position: 25
Official Time:4:41:14
Personal Time: 4:35:05 hrs
Pace: 6:32
I was supposed to join the January's Twincity. But I had to miss it since I had to travel. It was so devastating, especially when it was such a good event, especially when it was a long time since my last FM. Especially when I was almost at my fittest self to secure a decent time. But it was not meant to be and I just enjoyed my daily running streak, some twice daily in the Sheraton's Bangkok gym. After much contemplation, I let the race go. Nevertheless, having to miss that race, made me have to look forward for MWM even more. I followed the training plan as much as I could. I have not been following training plans much after my first FM. There was never suitable time and situation for me to really follow the training plan religiously. But I cannot remember what kind of epiphany that I got, that I realised that I really need to get back to some structure training. Only then your race will matter. Only then you'll be able to make some difference. I started off with Twincity, and I really think that I was at my peak then. But it was not meant to be, and the situation towards MWM was not that ideal for my training, but structured training was observed somewhat.
The race venue changed the very last minute to the stadium. Which I like. it got nearer. Problem was we had to do 2 loops. Which is not really a big deal for me as well.
The race pack collection was held at Acapella hotel. Nice venue and I looked forward to the expo to buy more skirt. but it was too damn expensive. The good ones are in the rage of RM 200 to up. So I only ended with Ash be Nimble. I have nothing against it. I like the design but the cutting doesnt seem to provide the kind of coverage you need. But it was so cheap, so I bought it anyhow. And something different this year, I have a pacer. William was my pacer then. So we quietly set a target of trying to go to 4:3x without prayer time.
So everything was fine at the start of the race day. Proper parking, I managed to go out undisturbed. I didn't even need to pump that time which makes the logistics even more easier. Less things to worry about. While waiting for the race to start, I saw 1 familiar face. No, not my pacer William, but the famous Tahira Aliya. And she came to me to ask where the toilet was. Kind of star strucked, but couldn't really help her with the answer she need, I just pointed somewhere inside the Shah Alam Stadium. When she got back out, I stopped her for some photo. So tak malu.
So the race finally started. Everyone stormed off as always. I maintained my cool pace. It felt so slow, seeing how fast everyone went. But I reminded myself so much not to get too excited with the surrounding. Too many people past by and left me behind.
But after a while, I slowly managed to catchup with them. There was nothing flat about the highway, but it certainly didn't feel so bad. Rolling hills on hiway is still fine, since it will be gradual. Water station and toilet was plenty this time, unlike last year. Surau was also placed just fine. I took about 6 mins for solat and William waited outside. I had about sub 6 pace before reaching the surau, in order not to let William waited for me so much. I got back to my perceived comfortable pace afterwards, which was still around sub6 pace as well.
I had a good run until the U turn at Kota Kemuning, where it started to rain. And it still felt good. I managed to maintain average of 9km per hour, which left me at 27km by 3hrs (my own timing at least). I managed to run almost throughout, even after 35km. My 36 km split was still at 6:19 and based on Garmin's record, I only started to walk a 37km (I shall put this as a note to self later. Never walk in a marathon until at least 37km). Maybe my fitness was still good at that time, I managed to pull myself together again and told myself to slow my pace and not to succumb to walk. Walk is your enemy, walk is the culprit. Which I managed to until the final uphill near the Kelab Darul Ehsan. It was a nasty hill that one. My target of a neat 4:3x with prayer time went down the drain during that time. I managed to finish at official time of 4:41:14, and my own personally logged time of 4:35:05. Somewhat what I had wished for, though not exactly what I had aggressively targetted. Alhamdulillah. And what made is special was I get to have a photo with the timing board. For the first time. All due to Fadzilah Mohamad.
All in all, MWM 2017 was one of my best races. It has allowed me to claim the bragging rights of a 4:3x marathon. Despite not winning any position, it is still a big accomplishment. Alhamdulillah.
On another note, exactly prior to the race, I joined the Shah Alam Half Marathon, or they call it Race of the Champion. It was a midnight race, which I look forward to cause it's in the city center of Shah Alam. And being a midnight run will be something unique for me. It was a good race and I decided to stick around the hubs and be his pacer. We managed to run together almost throughout the race, except for the final less than 5km, where I decided to finish off with tempo like effort. It was definitely the worst HM timing ever. But I was glad that we ran together, except that hubs is really the type who will not listen to people, no matter how much you told him. It was a good race, with a nice route. Many complained that Shah Alam route was quite crazy. Which I only had to painfully admit during MWM. Till then...
Date: 26th Feb 2017
Venue: Dataran Shah Alam
Distance: 21 km
Position: 61
Official Time:2:44:05
Personal Time: 2:44:09 hrs
Pace: 7:44
MWM 2017
Date: 5th March2017
Venue: Stadium Melawati Shah Alam
Distance: 42 km
Position: 25
Official Time:4:41:14
Personal Time: 4:35:05 hrs
Pace: 6:32
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