Sunday, January 30, 2011

The First Test Run...

By Frank

The first super long run, and one to be done at night at the place where running is made even tougher, Putrajaya. The main priority is the run past midnight while to hit 50KM is the secondary. This will be the first test to see how much improvement I've made over the past 1 month of schedule training. It should improve, else it's back to the drawing board.

Weather was good with rain before we started and drizzling along the way. But don't be fooled by it, as it didn't really make the run easier. Recently, I became one of the Vibram Five Fingers official dealer in Malaysia hence I got myself a pair of the Bikila model. I've ran 10KM in it and found absolutely problem free in them. Therefore, I decided to put them on again for this run as I decided that this will be the shoe to strengthen my legs.

Close to 8pm, I started my run with Karen, Jamie and Kelvin. Started really well and the plan was to run 5 loops around Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) first when our legs were still fresh and besides, safety first before it gets too late. This area can be quite deserted when it gets late. Along the way, we met other runners under Irwan's event and almost greeted everyone. Well, I was still fresh that time so I'm not "silent" yet. Hehehe...

Kelvin started to drop back at the second loop and Karen's pace started increasing. Jamie dropped back to accompany Kelvin while I gave chase for Karen as I didn't want the lady to run alone in the darkness. We did 4 loops together chatting along the way before heading back to the start area for hydration before doing the fifth. We were joined by Shine here and off goes the 3 stooges. I'm sure Karen felt her "royalness" here when she's running with her "bodyguards" (Shine and myself). Hehehe...

At 26KM, we waited for Jamie and the four of us ran together till the start of the fifth. I started to drop out and told them to go ahead without me. At 40KM, I ran over to Mohan, Winnie and Mabel for some company back to the car. By the time I arrive back, I've hit 42KM, and decided to run another 195M more around the car park to achieve the marathon distance before calling it a day. It was already 1.18am and calling it a night will be the best option for me.

I stayed around to catch up with friends and also some of them who showed up to support like Khairul, Yim and Cynthia. Had a good chat with them before we wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year before I left at around 2.30am.

Despite the cool weather, running at Putrajaya has proven once again tough. Yes, I failed to hit the half century distance, but to run my second run in my Vibram Five Fingers Bikila hitting the marathon distance without any pain and blisters is something I'm proud of. And yes, I do see improvements. Whether is it due to the help from my friends who ran with me, I don't really care. An improvement is an improvement. The quest to strengthen my legs continue but for now, I'm just laying back to enjoy myself after having ran this. And most important, I now can indulge in Chinese New Year goodies without feeling too much guilt. Hahaha...

1 comment:

YS said...

Hi Frank, congratulation on the test!

Sorry that I was not able to join this round... had family thingy to do.