Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009

This was my 3rd marathon so i was well prepared. Yes you can only prepare ...

I was at Dataran at about 4.15am. I had with me only 3 powergels since the organisers - OTAKGONE promised bananas throughout the run and powergels at 30km. I also had with me a packet full of kurma.

To everyone's surprise it started to drizzling 10 minutes before the start time and when we were at the starting line it started to pour. All I could do is to protect my shoe by slightly bending. I should have brought the "finger socks"with me. The atmosphere was upbeat, there were lot's of people, the 2000 quoted could be right. All I had in my mind was to complete the run as planned.

The gun went off, not sure who fired, definitely not Datin Rosmah (at 5am, I doubt!!!) and all of us were off. Amazingly, the rain stopped. It was a blessing after all. We had a wonderful morning breeze which was perfect for running. I was actually holding myself for a pee because I couldn't do it before the race as all the toilets were out of water and tissues - i need to be "clean" so that i can pray. Maybe because of this extra preasure, my pace was about 6.20. At about 5km, we came across a mamak shop and managed to relieved myself. Immediately my pace improved to about 6.00. At 10km i had to go for the big one pulak!!!. According to the original plan I should have done this immediately after i wake up ... but who got control over these things. So my pit stop had to be at Masjid Alam Shah (originally planned for Tabung Haji) at km13 and it took me 8 minutes ...

When I restarted, pacing improved further to about 5.40 and continued at sub 6 for the next few kms. At 20km my time was 2hr 11mins. At 30km my time was 3hr 11mins. I was overtaking some of the guys who ran with me before the big pit stop. I felt great, the same feeling i had during the GE30km. I thought I can do something.

But disaster started to show some signs, first my nose tape (Breath Right) came off which made breathing a bit difficult. At about 33km we came across one of the first elevation, i did it in a breeze, but i felt my legs getting heavier. This happens sometimes when I go beyond 30km but naturally when you slow down a bit you can still run but with some pain. But this was something else, this is what i felt in Lumut last year, and yes it was a cramp. I saw some guys resting on the dividers and joined them. We shared the counterpain cream and one of them had a 1.5L 100 plus. By this time i know 4.30 is near impossible. But I tried to continue as soon as possible and I did. the other guys were saying, relax bro, you got nothing to chase ... Yes! True! but I brisk walked anyway. The pain was unbearable. I was hopping the next water station i can get a good recovery. The water station came and from distance the table looked empty but impossible i thought. As i came closer, the impossible had happened, they have run out of water. I didn't know how to react, i just run pass the water station in pain. I was wondering should there a fruit station as well....there were none till the finish line (and also after the finish line).

To cut the story short, here is last 10km's story ...

32 - 5.57: On route to sub 4.30
33 - 6.20: Disaster Struck
34 - 6.49: Hanging on ... hopping to recover
35 - 8.26: Stopped. Met Tey, managed to smile for a few shots ...
36 - 8.48: walked ... no water
37 - 8.25: walked slightly faster
38 - 8.15: walk, walk, walk ...run ... maybe here, another station without water.
39 - 7.03: walk, run
40 - 6.53: maintain walk, run
41 - 7.02: hanging on, i thought i'll be finishing 5hr. There were some officials (angels!!!) pouring 100 plus for us. I thanked him few times ...
42 - 6.53: Final push - nothing left to push actually.
43 - 7.02: Looked at the total time, it was 4.40 ... so happy. But still cursing why it is more than 42???

Run Stats
Total Time 4hr 45mins,
Max HR: 178 (96%)
Ave HR: 161 (87%) - hopping for 85%
Max Pace: 3.02 - maybe just for a second...
Ave Pace: 6.37 - despite the walk, not bad ...
Calories: 3374

KM35 - With Fellow cramper ...

... moving on (pose je ... as if i am running ...)

... excuse me, legs were as stiff as a wood ...

(All pictures are from Tey : http://pmtey2.multiply.com)

PS: Next post in 3 months time. Happy Ramadhan, Happy Eid & Happy New Year (just in case).

Howdy ...

Just came out of piles and piles of dunk... but I have not been idle.

Added another metal to my collection yesterday. Can't remember what number it was but the total is approaching 30. As usual the kids will do the hanging. it will be almost like a ceremony.

the funny thing is they expect me to bring a medal every time i go out for a run. it will take me a while to explain to them that only on certain occasion that i will get a medal. at the end of the explanation they still ask where is the medal ...

just got my GE 30km cert. Glad that the picture came out ok. well this run had brought a new perspective to my KL marathon preparation. Hope I can improve in the same quantum.

Swimming has been the focus for the past 2 months but still lacking technique (no coach maa...). I just wack every time I have the opportunity. 2 weeks ago managed a 1.8km ... yeah babe ...1.8km. unbelievable actually. Time was about 50 mins and that was in a 25m pool.
but yesterday (after the run) went to a 50m pool and ever thing was back to square 1. I was doing ok but i think i still have some iso fear. first few laps was terrible and I almost got a cramp because i panicked. then slowly i managed to get comfortable and did few more laps. bottom line, 25m swimming not same as 50m swimming. ok ...roger that.

just my rambling so that i don't forget the password for the blog ...

This year so far ...

If last year was fantastic ... it is unbelievable this year so far ...

The last GE run is still fresh in my mind. I still can't answer the question like ... what happened??? I myself still cannot comprehend the 55mins per 10km for 30km and the blady 17mins improvement from the previous time of 3.02. This is despite the crazy work load and unscedule trainning.

All I can say is Rome is not built in a day.

Now i look fwd to the Marathon and see if I can achieve the "impossible". After all Adidas says "Impossible is Nothing".

... Hint ... Hint ... (to whoever concern ... )

Happy New Year

First of all A Happy Belated new Year ...

I kind of left the blog for a while now mainly because of the some weird problem with blog itself. But now it looks ok. Hope it stays that way.

And YES, I owe one Year End Report. It was a fantastic year especially with the PD Tri.

Before the report here is something interesting from Adidas.

Hope I get the change to test the shoe worn by The Man. This guys further improved the world record by a almost a minute in 2008. So in 3 years time we are going to see sub 2 hours for a Marathon. How wacky is that???

Some cool picture of the shoes below (I like the blue ones). If it suits me, I can even try it out for the KL Marathon in Jun ... sub 4.15 perhaps ... woohoo ...

This is the e-mail from Mr Krisnan ... give it a try...

Hello Guys,

Good news for runners who blog or having their own webpage. adidas had once again brought in more highly innovative running shoes to be given away FREE to runners to wear-test them & to post in their blog a very frank & unprejudiced opinion about the shoes after 30 days of usage.One of the shoe that is included in this program is adiZero Adois that Haile Gebrselassie used at the 2008 Berlin Marathon setting a world record in the Marathon at 2hr 03 mins 58 sec.

The sizes are limited and I have them in size UK 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5 &10.5. Those wishing to possess these shoes will have to comply with the following terms & condition :

1 ) Come to the adidas office to fit the shoes.

2 ) Undertake to post a comment in their blog

a ) about the Technical features of the Shoes upon receiving them

b ) about the performance of the shoes after 30 days of usage.

3 ) Must be a blogger or has his/her own website.

This offer expires on 15th January 2009 & the shoes will be given out ona first-come-first-serve basis. The program this year is only open to those who had NOT participated or missed out in this program previously.

If you are interested pls call to make an appointment as appended below Office address:

Adidas Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Block B , Level 4, Plaza Damansara
45 Media Setia 1
Bukit Damanasara
Kuala Lumpur

Tel Office : 03 - 20804843
Mobile No : 012 - 3503668
E-Mail : krishnan.karuppan @adidas.com

Best Regards
Krishnan Karuppan
Head of Running
adidas Malaysia

What's wrong???

I can't see my latest entry???

HELP!!!

Is this still Alive?

Somehow I can't see my latest entry ?

HELP!!!!

I'll be back ...

Powerman 2008

YEZZAAA … I AM ALIVE!!!!!

Unofficial time: 4hr 24 mins. A new PR!

[As usual this is going to be a short one. I am just very bad at “goring-ing” or “frying” the story. It just amazes me how some people can (and hv the time) really tell the story]

The first run was really good. No problem at all. I was a bit worried earlier if my experiment of having half-boiled egg as break-fast would fire back. Thank God it didn’t. So I kept my Powerbar for the bike session. (Now I am thinking I should have taken 3 instead of 2). I think my time was 51 minutes.

Came to the transition and rolled out my bike. Knowing now that I have a cracked bike was a bit worrying. But I just continued, hoping nothing happens to the bike (and me). I managed to keep up the speed at 28-30km/hr and by doing this I found myself with some riders with really impressive bikes. Going for the second round, it was exactly 2 hours. I just can’t resist the thought of finishing sub 4 hours. Well who can control your own thoughts? Reality quickly came in 4.15 probably. By the time I came into transition, my shoes were soaking wet. This came from all the bottles of water that I poured to my legs every time I was given one. So the first order of business in the transition was to change my socks. That was the toughest job in the world after 3 hours of hammering.

In transition, it was tougher than what I thought. I only managed to get out after probably 5 minutes. Started to jog slowly but it lasted only few minutes before the cramp gets in. I thought I could handle the cramp just like during “practice” but it became worst to a point I had to squad. Surprisingly, I fell better squatting. So it was squad/ jog/run all the way. Every time there was a drink station, poured water all over the leg. It lasted only up to the next drink station. But I was running and managed to catch up with some of the guys that overtook me during my agonizing moment.

Last 1km, was the longest km and it was so relieving to see the Finish line. Saw the time and it was 4.24. Saw my kids and they started shouting and crossed the finishing line. I felt like I was on top of the world again. The feeling was beyond words.

Well off course a bit disappointed with the cramps but that is something that I need to work on. Need to find the cause and the cure. I am sure one day I will do sub 4 hours.

And congrats to all finishers.

Powerman #3

It is my 3rd and I am still hanging on. This year bringing the family along for a sports vacation. I think the kids are enjoying this stuff after PD.

For this year, no big targets. Just hopping to do sub 4.30. What is encouraging is the last 2 bricks I have done. Feeling better on the 2nd run but you never know on the race day. Well ... I am just going to have fun!!!

The beau above has been with me for more than 3 years now and just gave her a good overhaul. Unfortunately discovered a crack. Nothing serious I hope.

So all set for the trip tomorrow. For those who are going ... LET"S ROCK & ROLL.