Venue: Bukit Aman carpark, Kuala Lumpur
Time: 5.40am
Distance: 21KM (21.5KM by Lynn's Garmin Forerunner 405)
Shoe: Nike LunarTrainer+
By Frank
This is my second participation in the Phedippidations Worldwide Half Marathon challenge, a virtual race done globally. I ran with Andy last year and only managed 19.6KM. With a bigger group this year consisting of myself, Choi, Lionel, Wern Tien and Lynn, and also with the help of GPS sensors, it's a must for me this year to complete the distance.
My personalised bib although I did not wear it this year...
Some how and some way, I couldn't get myself to sleep the night before. I just rolled from left to right and back again on my bed for 3 hours before ending up on the couch watching Discovery Channel. And it actually rained at about midnight and I was hoping that it stopped soon which luckily it did an hour later resulting in a cool weather.
I arrived at Bukit Aman as early as 5am and no one was there yet. Took the chance to warm myself up and soon the rest arrived. Started our run and I was leading the pack with Lionel and Lynn following closely behind. Although not a race, I really enjoyed the pressure given to me as it helped me pushed myself. As we were running pretty fast, we soon noticed that Choi was left behind. Slowed down mid-way upon entering Kenny Hills and soon we all are back together again. But still, the 3 of us tend to break away and soon slowed down again just after crossing the Duta Highway to allow us to regroup.
Approaching Solaris, Lionel was now running beside me with Lynn still following closely behind. I have to thank Wern Tien for accompanying Choi although it didn't lasted very long as both of them slowly caught up with us. Choi seem to have found his pace and managed to take the lead as we approach the Petronas Station. Knowing that stopping will cause side stitches or even a tummy upset, I decided not to stop while the others did. Besides, I want to know how long my system can go on without fluid. It's a way of conditioning the system too. With this, I carried on alone along the Plaza Sri Hartamas route making my way back.
It was as I approach the income tax building, Lionel came into the picture and took the lead. This young man is certainly fast and soon he disappeared into the distance. I tried to give chase, but his pace was too much for me as my body is slowly experiencing the side effects from the lack of sleep. After crossing the Duta Highway again, my eye lids were really heavy and at certain points leading to the Tijani climb, I actually ran with my eyes closed for a few seconds. I know it's dangerous but I did make sure that there wasn't any vehicles around. But please do not do this. I'm not setting a good example here.
I could have fallen asleep if there was a clean mattress around but it's just too good to be true. I just have to complete the run and to go home to enjoy it. Kenny Hills felt short this time as I exited it with ease but I felt that someone was nearing me behind. Took a peek and saw Lynn closing in. This new friend is fast and running her pace well. Soon it was the Jalan Parlimen route and I know it's near now. With 2 corners to go before entering the Bukit Aman carpark, Wern Tien out of no where overtook me. That was certainly a super last minute run till the end by him. Lionel had completed his run earlier and was there waiting for us. I clocked 02:04:04. Nothing to shout about but at least I completed the distance this time based on Lynn's GPS sensor which recorded 21.5KM.
My World Wide Half Marathon 2008 certificate. Looks better than the previous year...
Back at the carpark, we rested while joining in with Jamie and his group. Pretty long chat here before I finally drove home for a refreshing shower and also a much needed sleep.
2 comments:
do you take any sleeping pills, like melatonin?
Nope, I don't and never will. If I take it, perhaps I won't be able to wake up instead.
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