Pasta, Birthday & Marathon

I just finished having a mini pasta party with friends.

Tomorrow is the 2nd birthday of my son BAT (“3rd”). “Happy Birthday BAT! I miss you already”, and on Wed. it will be my Tatay’s (dad) birthday too who happens to be in the Philippines right now “Happy Birthday Tay!”. This Sunday’s run is dedicated to both of you to my son who’s my inspiration and to my dad who I looked upon for guidance.

The pasta servers 2 purpose to celebrate my son’s birthday and at the same time for me to carbo-load for this Sunday’s Singapore race. Last 2 weeks I was in the north for the KRI Ipoh Race now Ill be going further south of MY to Singapore. This is definitely a long day ahead of me, have packed all my things. Gels, Shoes, Happy feet shirt, food, race collection receipt, passport, bus ticket, digicam and 100Sing$ pocket money ….check!

The Bus will leave Puduraya at 11:59 midnight; it’ll be a 5 – 6hr drive before I reached Lavender Station. I hope we have a smooth ride along the way and give me a goodnight sleep throughout the trip.

Till then ….be back on Monday.

KRI 12km Road Race - Nov. 18, 2007

Last weekend 17 & 18th of Nov. went to Ipoh for another road race, It’s the annual KRI 12km Road Race.

It’s been my 3rd time coming here I felt Ipoh as a province to me when I’m away from the busy streets of KL. Many old structures can be seen here built during the British occupation hence the name Old Town was given. I get a chance to look around and check the place after getting my race number, some of the things Ipoh is famous for are the white coffee & the Ipoh Chicken Tauge, I also learned from a colleague that the place is also the hometown of actress Michelle Yeoh who later became Dato in recognition of the fame she brought to the state.

Town Hall at Ipoh

Majestic Train station Hotel once a famous hotel at Ipoh

I stayed at Merloon Hotel it’s a cheap 3 star hotel, I like here bcoz the room is nice it’s value for money. The night food hawkers are just outside the hotel and there’s a nearby mall where I enjoyed watching a good movie the night before the Sunday’s race.

Sunday I woke up at 5am, took a hot shower and made some leg stretches. I left the hotel and jog my way going to Taman Rekreasi. It was a few minutes left before start when I arrived; saw runners coming from all directions going towards the starting line. I met also some familiar runners from KL, at exactly 7am we started the race I got a good pacing by having warmed up on my way here.

It’s been 2 months since I had my last race been lay low for sometime, so this race gave an excitement to me plus my knee feels in better shape that time. We ran along the streets and along the road where trees lined up beautiful view at the same time you can feel the cool morning breeze. I reached the 2km mark at 10min 32sec.

As I was approaching the 3km. mark saw this young lady runner and paced her until the 4km. where later on I passed ahead of her. Still my right knee seems fine but my heartbeat and lungs is really working hard, after 5km. we turn from the corner and away from the streets at this time I was expecting to see the water station but come 6km. still no sign of it. I was already getting thirsty as I didn’t bring my water belt that time. Finally I saw it at 7km, grab a cup w/out stopping which gave temporary relief going to 8, 9 & 10km.

By 10km I saw the lady runner again this time she already passed ahead of me. I try to gather speed but all I can do is just stayed 5 meters behind her. I think that’s already her second wind. At 500meters I tried again but I’m already grasping for breath, just a few meters to the finish line I saw and greeted by Tai whom I’ve met during the race no. collection. I finished at 1hr & 47sec. looks like a new PR for 12K and surpassing my 10k PR if this was a 10K race @ 50min and 55sec.

Runners in Q for the after race food and drinks

Met Tai Lee who also works in the same company as mine

Later on I saw the young lady runner she won 2nd place from her category during the prize presentation. I also met some Filipino engineers who ran the race they gave me some food from the race to take home and gave me a lift back to my hotel.

Pinoy Engineers working at Ipoh - "Say Cheese!"

My post race meal - Koey Tiao Mee and Yong Tau Foo on the side

Next stop: My last & big race for the year 2007: Singapore Marathon.

30KM Pacesetters Practice Run - Nov. 11, 2007

It is less than 3 weeks before my 4th Marathon. I started early at 5am after doing my usual routine. Ate an energy bar and drink some hot chocolate.

The start of the run is 05:30 I started running from my place going to Bukit Aman. I just ran slowly to keep me warmed up, while running I suddenly notice Im not wearing my knee support. I’m already halfway so instead of going back I continue my run no matter what the outcome may be I’ll just complain later.

I reached the place at 05:25, paid the reg. fee and do some light stretching; I noticed many familiar faces mostly from the Pacesetter’s Club. After a while we were flagged off when most of the runners are ready.

The 30K practice run was organized by Pacesetters Club currently the biggest running club in KL, Malaysia, been glad to be a member of this Club as it has many perks to offer aside from discounts to its races.

Our route is the usual 30K designed by the Club.

"Route: Car Park to Hartamas (Petronas Station); turn back to Goverment offices at Jalan Duta; turn around and back to Petronas Station Hartamas, and then the same way back to Bukit Aman car park.

Water Station: One at bus stop, near government offices Jalan Duta; one at Petronas Station."

1st hr. Bukit Aman to Jalan Duta to Sri Hartamas

I’ve reached the first water checkpoint in Jalan Duta around 6 Km. drink 2 cups of endurance drinks. then proceded my run , during this time I felt a slight pain again in my right knee but controllable . therre are 3 uphill climb before reaching the Sri Hartamas the uphills gave my heart & legs an intense workout. I push myself harder going to the top the only problem is when im already going downhill it really send some pain so it made me run slowly and avoiding to break in between. I reached the first turnaround point at Petronas Gas Station in 1hr04:14, made 1 loop around the station (3rd uphill). This is also the 2nd water station have myself 2 cups again then headed back to Jalan Duta.

2nd hr. Sri-Hartamas to Jalan Duta to Sri Hartamas

Upon reaching back to Jalan Duta I drink my 1st energy gel have a couple of endurance drinks and made some stretches, we have to make another 1 loop around Jalan Duta before procedding back to Hartamas. cramps slowly building on my legs plus the pain in my knee for not wearing my patella support which is making me uneasy. Just as I was passing through Hartamas Shopping Center I was greeted by Gin a runner too we had a quick chat along the road. He’s doing his 5th Marathon and his finishing time is also same with mine 5hrs++. So our common goal this SG Marathon is to break the 5 hr barrier. After a moment he slowly ran ahead of me, coz we’re going downhill again I have to slow my pace to avoid hurting the right knee. 2hr08min:20s

3rd hr. Sri-Hartamas to Jalan Duta to Bukit Aman

I did another stretching at the Petronas Gas Station drank some endurance drinks, this is final turning point. I continue my run going to Jalan Duta water station. right now the uphill appears to look more difficult as I try to reach the top I made a few loud exhale breaths.

At last I reached the final water station in Jalan Duta I saw again Gin, after refueling I continue to head back, cramps already build up from my legs down to my feet. At first I was pacing the old couple runners’ auntie and uncle. But slowly they are running away from me until I can no longer see them, I was spotted by a cyclist and saw insult at his face bcoz I cant keep the pace from those old couples who've ran faster than me. Finally I reached Bukit Aman exhausted plus the cramps I finished at 3hr 22min and 8s.

My total 30K Splits

1:04:14 - Bukit Aman to Jalan Duta to Sri Hartamas (2 uphills)
5:57 - loop at Petronas Gas Station Uphill
22:59 – Back to Jalan Duta
29:46 – Back to Sri hartamas (2 uphills)
5:24 - Loop at Petronas Uphill
27.08 - Back to Jalan Duta
46:38 – Back to Bukit Aman

Ave pace: 6.44/km

Tomorrow I’ll be going to Ipoh, Perak to join the Annual KRI - 12km Road Race. My last road race before the Marathon.