Newton New Year Challenge 2012...

Event: Newton New Year Challenge 2012

Venue: Bandar Kinrara, Puchong

Date: 1 January 2012

Time: 5.30am

Distance: 25KM (24.53KM by Polar RCX5 G5 GPS)

Shoe: K-Swiss K-Ruuz 1.5

By Frank

It's the first day of 2012! HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! Hope most of you had wonderful year 2011 and had a blast ushering the new year. For me, I woke up at the stroke of midnight on the new year's day with fireworks bombarding the sky send the neighbourhood dogs crazy and scared. Only 2 hours of sleep for me. But that wasn't exactly the bad thing. I had a bad end to year 2011 when I suffered 4 purging yesterday, followed by 2 more before leaving the house to the race site this morning. Legs were a little jellified but the worst was... Ahh... Never mind. I shall not go into too much details.

The plan was to run a 17KM pre race run first starting at 3.20am which I did back in 2010 where we run to the 4.5KM junction before returning to race site, and we have to do it twice. I arrived late as I was stopped by traffic police at a road block set up near Damansara Perdana. Probably my race apparel that I was wearing is too red and he thought that I must have been partying through the night. I showed him my race bib and told him that I was going for run and off I went. The pre run this time was joined by Jeff, Roy and Bernard and we set out at a pretty fast pace hoping to make up some time. Yim already started before us. Probably on a secret training himself. Hehehe... Just before arriving back at the race site on our first loop, we spotted Jamie, Loke and Wind and decided to cut short our return trip as we are running out of time. Pace was still good and my tummy is not showing any issues yet, probably because I'm not putting anything in.

Completed our run which was shortened to 15KM with 15 minutes to spare till race time. Took some liquid and quickly change my shoes giving my new K-Swiss K-Ruuz 1.5 its debut. And during the changing process, there was this man driving a Hyundai Matrix bearing plate number WLN 8172 asking me to move my car a little so that he can squeeze into the parking lot next to my car. I was reluctant to do so cause the lot was just too small but to prevent any argument on new year's day, I move my vehicle. And I regretted my decision later!

Met up with lots of friends and wished everyone a Happy New Year before the race was officiated at 5.30am sharp. Off I went after finding a clear route to run. It won't do justice if I don't run first in my new shoes. I felt like flying and I better do it before fatigue takes over me. I took in some GU Chomps and it started triggering my already problematic tummy some at near 7KM mark. I decided to ditch the remaining hoping no further damage is done hence I started giving out my GU Roctane and GU Chomps to other runners who may need them.

My tummy felt like a washing machine doing its spin. I felt really bloated. I started to slow down and I felt bad. At 11KM, I started walking but quickly resume when Kannan joined me. We had a hearty chat before I lost it again and he zoomed off. I just kept moving and slowly chip away the distance.

At about 15KM near Lestari Perdana, while making my return, I spotted Jeff, Roy and Bernard at the opposite side. They are suffering as well. And just ahead, Terence called out to me and we had some "friendly argument". I was slowly ascending while he descending. He told me that hill was created for us to walk up and not run. I replied to him saying that he registered the race to run and not walk. Hahaha... That was some amusement and hope we didn't wake up the neighbourhood.

With Pui San and Carrie (photo courtesy of Dannie)...

At about 17KM, I was joined by Pui San, Gary and Daryl. We ran together for a while before I went ahead a little before regrouping with Pui San again. With about 4.5KM more to go, Dannie and Carrie joined in and we ran together till with about 2.5KM to go before I went for it. I was just glad to see the finish line after spending almost 5 hours on the road on my legs. I completed the race in 03:07:11 and my total new year run with a distance of 40KM in a time of 04:44:44. What a time eh!

Back at the car after lingering with friends, knowing something will go wrong, I quickly check on the passengers door. And quickly enough, I spotted a vertical scratch which is pretty deep and immediately I know who is the culprit. "THANK YOU" Hyundai Matrix WLN 8172 owner. A very "HAPPY NEW YEAR" to you! For those who knows me on how much I take care of my car, this is something I'm really PISS at!

My finisher's medal and "New Year gift" on my car...

Overall, though I enjoyed the run as part of my Comrades training and was glad that nothing unfortunate due to my tummy happened, I found that the event was not up to par. In fact, the quality deteriorate from 2010's edition. Lack of man power at refreshment station and I had wait and pour my own. Traffic control wasn't that great too. The only positive thing will be a few volunteers and road marshals was all with smiles especially those giving out the medals. They tried their very best to congratulate each finishers' with a smile, something simple which will make his or her's day.

So yeah, a 40KM on new year's day. Could been better but I'm overall satisfied. Oh and yes. There were a lot calling out to me whom I don't know. My apologies but I just won't know who you are until you introduce yourself. Perhaps the next time when we meet. And finally of course, my favourite racing flat has been "reincarnated" as the K-Swiss K-Ruuz 1.5 and I'm absolutely loving it. A review will come soon...

Predecessor (white/red/blue) and successor (red/yellow)...