Nike We Run KL 2016
Finally, I managed to register the race under my own name. Hassle free.
Slight flashback. Been wanting to sign up for this race since 2012 or 2013. But the registration portal got so congested that there was a big disappointment among runners. It was only meant for 10km that time and it was even more disappointing since it was so obvious that Nike was in it just for its marketing sake and really targeting the younger generation runners. If the registration was bad, the even itself was the worst. It was so crappy that it took a while for Nike to clean its name for this. I was not even interested and given a thought on its next one, but hubs did, and couldn't run. So I ran it for him last year. And it turned out good. I like how they reclaim themselves. It was so obvious that they put a lot of effort to be serious this time. And they nailed it.
So here I was, running the event for myself, the first time. I was under hub's name last year
The registration was very smooth. But of course it got filled up in mere hours. But it was smooth, so kudos to Nike for a job well done in 2 consecutive years. We registered while we were having our lunch outside even. Specifically, Nasi Kak Wok Warung Kita Sungai Buloh.
The racepack collection was hassle free, I like the fact that they have it at the venue, so it gave us a good idea where the starting line is and how to get there and plan our parking. Then, fast forward to the race itself. Knowing too well that there would be a huge crowd and very limited parking space, we took the LRT. Credit has to be given to Nike again as they had cater for free ride for runners. But too bad I forgot this fact, I paid on the entrance. Oh yeah, the free ride was only meant for going towards the event, not from the event. But no complains here, I know it will be super hard to manage once the event was done, with the normal commuters and all. We reached Just in Time as always, but it was slightly earlier even this time, than our usual. Runners already filled up the area, the area was simply filled with orange. We were supposed to go into different starting pens, and this is one of the things that I like. We were given a handband each, to indicate our starting pen. Me and hubs separated into our own pens, and I started to make my way out front. The traffic control was quite in order when we did this. And I tried hard to maintain my wudhu' in the very crammed area.
Finally, the blow-horn went off, and the race started. I knew I was not at my optimal self, so seeing others stormed off was very much expected. I let them be, and tried to stay true to my pace. The route went the opposite way from the last year, which I very much like again. At least, we had the painful final stretches last year up front now. And the route led to the mosque almost right after Subuh started. For faster runners, they might even reach before Subuh was in, so not sure how they managed that. I'm sure I was not the fastest one. It was at the beautiful Masjid AlBukhary, Jalan Hang Tuah and what made it even special was there were volunteers handing out telekung and kain pelikat to runners. How thoughtful. Again, I always have mind, but it's a very kind gesture for someone who really need one, and I always have a sweet spot for this kind of things.
I was a bit hopeful to break my 2 year old PB, which was obtained during NM Galaxy Run when I was 3 months pregnant. However, one thing about running in the city centre is it can get very humid. The dry period of February couldn't have made the situation any better. It was very stuffy and humid for the lack of air circulation. Lucky there was sponge provided along the way to cool us down. I was taken over by Jeg and later on Stone at some point, and that's when I started to use Stone as my pacer, which I followed from the back. His pace was more or less about mine, hence it was something quite sustainable but only to a certain point.
When we were reaching the train station, I managed to catch on with William, who was not on his good day. He was not feeling too well and I'm sure the humidity just made it even worse. Despite that, it was still a decent time. It was almost the finishing line, and since I was having some more energy in me I sprinted to the finish. That made me finished only few seconds if not minutes faster than him.
It was already crowded at the finish. We Run KL is becoming an important major event. With having a very organiser and having been able to do it quite well lately, it will only lead to even more take ups. So with more youngsters, there bound to have more faster runners. Not to forget the not so fast and casual ones as well. Which is fine. And I can't blame them as I am one of those going with the mainstream myself. Who doesn't want their fair share of their bib number printed on their shirt and the bragging rights to finish a 21 km with that.
I spent a bit more time there than we normally should once the race end. I had to wait about 45 mins until hubs finishes. I was interviewed while doing that. I especially have to credit their effort again on the finishing line facilities. Instead of the normal medic tent, they provided a cooling zone. It consisted of shallow tubs or pools filled with ice and runner can soak their feet in it. Problem was, there was just too many people and it's just to shallow to provide me much benefits. My problem is my hamstring, so I should just let those who need it more use it. They also provided the stretch zone (or whatever they might have called it. it was around 5 months ago, I totally had forgotten its name). The area was manned by real people with yoga mats who would assist you to cooldown and stretch post run. Again, it was full again. But it was very nice, creative and thoughtful of them to have this unique rejuvenation process for runners.
So hubs finally was done. I suddenly remembered that I could have waited for him at the finish line. I tried to call hi earlier but there was no answer. If he had, I would have known his ETA better and would have gotten ready at the finish line earlier. And he got his PB then. He finished in 2:58:42 which was a big feat for him. And his is not like mine, where I stopped my watch for prayer. But I just had to do this. It's a measure that is important for me, to know my exact moving time.
So that was it. A shabby timing for me, but it was ok. And a big PB for hubs. Kudos to Nike for a job well done, for giving us runners unique things to experience.
Till then..
Nike We Run KL 2016
Date: 10 April 2016
Venue: KL
Distance: 21 km
Official Time: 2:17:22 hrs
Personal Time: 2:13:14 hrs
Pace: 6:18 mins/km
I was a bit hopeful to break my 2 year old PB, which was obtained during NM Galaxy Run when I was 3 months pregnant. However, one thing about running in the city centre is it can get very humid. The dry period of February couldn't have made the situation any better. It was very stuffy and humid for the lack of air circulation. Lucky there was sponge provided along the way to cool us down. I was taken over by Jeg and later on Stone at some point, and that's when I started to use Stone as my pacer, which I followed from the back. His pace was more or less about mine, hence it was something quite sustainable but only to a certain point.
When we were reaching the train station, I managed to catch on with William, who was not on his good day. He was not feeling too well and I'm sure the humidity just made it even worse. Despite that, it was still a decent time. It was almost the finishing line, and since I was having some more energy in me I sprinted to the finish. That made me finished only few seconds if not minutes faster than him.
It was already crowded at the finish. We Run KL is becoming an important major event. With having a very organiser and having been able to do it quite well lately, it will only lead to even more take ups. So with more youngsters, there bound to have more faster runners. Not to forget the not so fast and casual ones as well. Which is fine. And I can't blame them as I am one of those going with the mainstream myself. Who doesn't want their fair share of their bib number printed on their shirt and the bragging rights to finish a 21 km with that.
I spent a bit more time there than we normally should once the race end. I had to wait about 45 mins until hubs finishes. I was interviewed while doing that. I especially have to credit their effort again on the finishing line facilities. Instead of the normal medic tent, they provided a cooling zone. It consisted of shallow tubs or pools filled with ice and runner can soak their feet in it. Problem was, there was just too many people and it's just to shallow to provide me much benefits. My problem is my hamstring, so I should just let those who need it more use it. They also provided the stretch zone (or whatever they might have called it. it was around 5 months ago, I totally had forgotten its name). The area was manned by real people with yoga mats who would assist you to cooldown and stretch post run. Again, it was full again. But it was very nice, creative and thoughtful of them to have this unique rejuvenation process for runners.
Till then..
Nike We Run KL 2016
Date: 10 April 2016
Venue: KL
Distance: 21 km
Official Time: 2:17:22 hrs
Personal Time: 2:13:14 hrs
Pace: 6:18 mins/km
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