Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2018

Date: 8th April 2018 (Sunday)
Time: 4:00am
Venue: Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur
Distance: 42.195km (42.7km)
Result: 04:13:12
Pace: 05:56/km
Rank: 299
Shoes: Asics Gel-DS Racer 10

On my last race before SCKLM, I already have the feeling training not enough. But I only have 1 month leave to prepare, what I can do is run as much as possible. My final month target weekly mileages is 60km, but I only achieve an average of 50km per week, not a good sign.

I start the race in Pen 2, where the 3:45 pacers are in front of me, the 4:00 pacers are behind. I estimate my finish time will be in between 4:00 & 4:30. First few km, I was running comfortable behind 3:45 pacers, but I know that this pace is way too fast, it will not last long.

After 5km, the distance with the 3:45 pacers start to increase. I try to maintain 5:30/km pace until 20km and start to hit the wall. From 20 - 35km, I start to depend on isotonic drink to gain energy on every 2km. I run as much as I can on those 2km, but I rest quite long at the water station to restore energy.

Until the last 7km, I begin to walk when there is up hill, all 4:00 pacers have crossed me. I slowly approach finishing line, meet few familiar face and quite lucky to be able to hand hold hand cross line with Yeong Lai Ling.

That’s end my 24th full marathon.

Dragon Back Run 2018

Date: 4th March 2018 (Sunday)
Time: 6:00am
Venue: Urban Park, Setia Alam, Selangor
Distance: 21km (21.64km)
Result: 01:57:21
Pace: 05:26/km
Rank: 4
Shoes: Asics Gel-DS Racer 10

I use to run dragon back route few years ago, but this is the first time I experience the “back side of the dragon” full route (from 6km to 16km), it is so phobia with the “S route”. Since begining of the race, I already start prepare to reserve energy, roughly knew there are many slopes waiting for me in front.

Until the 6km, I start to climb slope one by one until 16km. I always run faster when going up, but run slower when getting down, not sure is it cause by my long legs.

After 16km, I basically used up all my energy, cannot affort anymore slope, I keep myself moving on the flat road. Until 19km, unexpected to see a slope again, and I make my first walk here, with disappointed feeling.

My mental get weeker after my first walk, I almost wanted to DNF the race at 21km point as I dunno how much distance leave to finishing point, luckily I didn’t.

In the end, I manage to get a top 10 trophy, happy and disappointed at the same time.

KL World Urban Run 2018

Date: 11th February 2018 (Sunday)
Time: 6:50am
Venue: Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur
Distance: 15km (14.27km)
Result: 01:13:31
Pace: 05:10/km
Rank: 42
Shoes: Asics Gel-DS Racer 10

Due to my last race manage to use 5:00/km pace to run for almost 11km, so I set the target for this race is to complete the whole route with this pace.

I am quite familiar with the whole route, but there are two unexpected up hill throughout the route, luckily I manage run up the hill without walking.

For the last two weeks, I manage to grab some mileages, it make me perform well in this race. Overall I am satisfied with my timing when I cross the finishing line.

Twincity Marathon 2018

Date: 21st January 2018 (Sunday)
Time: 5:30am
Venue: Persiaran APEC Cyberjaya, Selangor
Distance: 21km (21.95km)
Result: 02:03:25
Pace: 05:38/km
Rank: 88
Shoes: Asics Gel-DS Racer 10

This race didn’t do well. I manage to start the race with 5:00/km pace and maintain it until 11km, but after that my pace start to drop, due to not enough trainings.

Is ok to have a bad race once in a while, I believe it will become the motivation for next race to do better.