MPKJ Half Marathon 2016 : 16 Oct 2016
#mpkj2016 #AnonymousRunners #DRunnersConspirancy #HalfMarathon #21km #Running #RunningKakiMalaysia #ForgetThePaceJustRun
This event has many memories to me personally and also to all of us in Anonymous Runners. Last year, this event was the first official gathering for Anonymous Runners with our pinkish (supposed to be magenta) first group running tee, soo sweeet kann??👚👚👚. Also this was the first event that I managed a podium position (10th placing) under VetCat👑🏅🏅.
For this year, a bit of upgrading introducing the half marathon category instead of 12km last year. I did not have a chance for the REPC, which was held at the event venue itself. Many thanks to Marzuki Khalid for the help. But, I was worried if Juki decided not to run and I will not be able to get my bib. huhuh... Instead, he stayed overnight at the venue to be sure that he will not miss the FO... what a true runner.
Short Overall: This event was underdistance at 20.4km, and I manage to complete 21.12km for 2:04hr, satisfied with the final timing considering the struggles i had. (Continue reading if you got nothing else to do, this will be long... heheheh :).
5:25am, we (Marzuki Khalid, Fyrus Azim, Tharmendren Mahadevan and I) gather at the McD nearby the venue of the event. I decided to put my baggage in Juki's car instead of looking for baggage counter at the event without realising that should Juki finish the run at COT of 4:30h, i will have to wait till 10:30am.
The Half Marathon category FO was punctual at 6:00am, no special guest but just a simple count of 10, which is good. After a short gap for Subuh prayer, we proceed to the SL and it was already all filled up. Met with bro MrFive Zal (Fivezal) and we slip through the crowd up to the first quarter section. (I am not sure where juki, fyrus n tharmen stopped).
Well i would say this run was quite a test for me: 1) The first 3 km was ok for me, maintaining pace 5, but feeling a bit odd for some reason. 2) Really struggled between KM3-KM10. I cant remember any event that i had stopped that often, even during non competitive run. Pace dropped to almost 7. The pain on my right thigh to the glutes really annoying physically and mentally. I was even thinking of quitting and DNF. (I wonder how can i cope for next week 30k in TRR Taiping and the coming FM for PNM.) Would appreciate any feedback nd experiences on this kind of pain and how do you guys deal with it.
3) Then enter the hilly route in UKM. Surprisingly, i enjoyed the most the elevation (up to 72) and the pain slowly gone. By the time we are about to leave UKM and back to the main road, i felt much more comfortable and then started pushing to gain much of the loss time. 4) Pushing for the final 5km to the FL, I saw Zaini Jai in front about 500m further up. I knew he was pushing for a sub 2, and it seems very achievable. That motivated me to catch up and managed to run side by side with him around KM18. Tried to push him for the final 2km but probably he's already exhausted. So i leave him for the FL first, and eventually he managed to achieve that sub 2 target. 5) Because it was under-distance with 20.4km, after collecting medal and finisher tee, I continue running around the park to mke up for the HM distance and record 21.12km for 2:04hr. Still waiting for the official time, but overall I am satisfied with the final timing considering the struggles i had.
On the overall event, I would say its a fairly organised one, nice route (some hilly, some dark area, some secluded area, lots on main road, crossings, etc), plenty of WS, signboard and directions here and there, good split route for 21 n 10 n 5, some refreshments, and so on. The only obvious improvement probably on the traffic management as runners were running alongside vehicles, compromising runners safety, which can be dangerous.
After the run, as usual we gather for wefie and chatting about the run and etc. Fyrus n Zaini finished with sub2 as planned. Alif James still secretive about his timing but i knew he surely finished sub2. Fafan CantoNa and Sefiyyah Rajimin also had completed their 10k run. But Tharmen and Juki still nowhere to be seen. I knew Juki is targeting for 2:30, but with COT 4:30, we were wondering what's the trick now. Not forgetting the route has many access to kedai mamak along the way. We dont see ambulance rushing around. So Fafan CantoNa and Sefiyyah Rajimin made a theory that probably Juki is taking his time, stopped for a quick roti canai along the way, just nice for breakfast time. And after the roti canai with more time to spare, he had conveniently go for another teh tarik before finishing the race still within the COT. How true? Only Marzuki Khalid can answer.
Congrats to all fellow runners completing the run - Nicx Ryme (pacer),PakJat Growoldlivefit, Md Faizul Md Ismail, Azuan Wera, Rozanor Nayan,Khairul Nizam (ready for TOKMAR), and all other runners...
