ICE WATCH LIGHT UP THE NIGHT RUN 2016

Notes from my last individual running event in 2016.

#iwlutnr16 on 3 December.

My last individual run.Normally nothing much to share for 10km run but this one is a little bit different.Only 10km and for me it will be just a fun run.What made it special is my eldest  son also ran his first 10km run.So,it was a father and son time together in a little bit different way.Only read about this event through FB last year and it was raining if I am not mistaken.Key concerns that I read were about the traffic controls and under distance route.

The build-up to the event was very intresting too with the anchor behind it is also a colourful guy who is also a runner himself bro Benz Azuri Malik.One of the best part is I was one of the lucky winners from Running Kaki Malaysia members for the free Ice Watch that I collected a day before the event.On top of that all runners were entitled with RM99 vouchers for watches valued at RM699 for selected models.I used one of the voucher to get one watch for my son and still undecided with another voucher.

Arrived at the venue at Plaza Shah Alam fairly early with my entire family members at about 6pm.Just to avoid parking difficulties due to the location of the venue.Before that, we were attending a wedding reception of my staff at Klang.The best part of the venue which is also a shopping complex is we can do many other stuff and hanging around instead of just waiting.Bumped into Dean Huskies ,Fafan CantoNa and Sefiyyah Rajimin the moment I entered Plaza Shah Alam. Then I spent time around with my family within the complex.

After that I let my wife continue with my kids and I went to look for friends who might have arrived.Met Hussien Mullar at the back of the main stage.We saw Fyrus Azim who was "busy"  chatting with his fellow crews especially female   members...he he he.Only after that suddenly he appeared behind us.I was told Fyrus will be one of the pacers and Fafan and Sefiyyah will be on duty at the checkpoints.After that me and Hussien spent some time taking photos of us at the FO and main stage area.Before we went for the Maghrib prayer, Ismail Razali joined us at the mamak restaurant at one side of the complex.

My son Zaim Nur...

He just finished his SPM last week and started joining me running at several events since May.Since the first 7km KLCC Runners Group and then 5km at PJ Half Marathon in August, he seems enjoying it. He is also not truly fit in term of health due to asthma and allergic but he started running this year, I can see some obvious improvement that he also has been feeling it. I was a little shocked when he said wanted to try a 10km run few months back due to my concern on his health.However, he was very determined and has started to train with solo runs on his own within our house area.During his school  sports day this year, he ran 1500 metre distance and I saw he did not having problem with it.Finally I agreed and registered him for the IWLUTNR 2016.

Initially I planned to run together with him along the way but I decided just to give him some tips only on how  to run a 10km distance and we will run our own.

My key messages to him were...

- just relax and take it easy.Don't get overwhelmed by other runners to run faster.

- don't push too hard and get slower or just walk  to finish the run if necessary.

- don't worry about timing because there will be always next runs to try again and to improve.

My run...

FO

Entered the FO area at about 7.30 pm while Zumba warm up session has already started.

Managed to squeeze myself into the spot close to the starting arch. Did my regular Mattock dynamic workout within the noisy Zumba workouts lead from the trainers at the main stage.

Here, my son was already no longer with me and I believed he should know what to do as I told him before.I just prayed and hoping he will be able to finish the run safely.

With Dean

Then we were about to be flagged off when suddenly the MC announced that there will be 10 minutes delay due to the instruction from the PDRM for the traffic preparation.At the FO area I met Dean again and we had a chat while waiting for the FO.

Dean did ask me about trying to give a shot at ultra marathon after the FM that I want to try next year.My answered to him was quite easy which was I don't think so and I will stay with my objectives of running which is just to stay healthy and not about challenging too much of my body.

The run...

The FO finally done at about 8.20pm and I started with the front group of runners.

I planned to kick off with pace 5 and to stay there till the end for another sub 1 finish if possible.With no timing chip, I have to rely to my NRC at my phone only to keep track my pace.

I did know what went wrong despite having a fairly good start from the FO.Upon reaching the 1km, my NRC indicated my pace was 6' 20" and that really stunned my mood.I pushed further at the 2nd km and managed to reduced the average pace to 6'.I knew that the remaining distance will be much tougher challenge to get to pace 5 due to a hotter and humid ambient for  night runs.

By the time I reached the route towards Taman Bukit Bandaraya,I stopped at the WS which I don't normally do before reaching the 5km.Mainly just to refresh my throat and myself mentally.

However I was able to get the pace 5 within that period but the route was followed by an elavation to test me again and later by a fairly long  downhill that has allowed me to me to make up for my earlier lost time. Then only I  managed to get my comfortable rythm to stay within pace 5.Just before reaching the 4+ km, I saw Hussien overtook me and followed by bro Nikshukri Nikdin soon after that.

Not long after I saw that, both of them were running towards the opposite direction of me.It meant there will be  U-turn next for me.Upon seeing them, I just screamed "Go Hussien!" and "Go Nik!" to them. It was more to give some boost to keep my pacev from my own voice...he he he.

From the start I saw only several lady runners in front of me and at about the 5th km saw and heard the marshal on the bicycle told one ready runner in front of me that she was at the 3rd among ladies and encouraged her to keep it up.

After the U-turn at about the 5th km, I saw Fafan at the check point and she encouraged me to keep it up with some words too.

Then I saw this lady runner again who I saw started to struggled. To support her I said to her "Go sis! Go sis! You must stay in front for me!"

Then I ran along side her for a while and after that I saw her leaving me to run faster slowly.Glad to see that.

At this route after the U-turn, we could see more crowd of runners for 10km were running towards the opposite direction at the other side of the road. Then I saw groups of 5mins/km pacers were coming and Fyrus was one of them.

Then I arrived at the elavation which was a downhill before that.There was the time I saw most runners in front of me started slowing down.I bumped into one runner and I ran along side him.We had some casual chat about the hot and humid night run and also about no timing chip that might keep us more motivated to get  better timing.Something bro Benz should consider for future IWLUTNR runs.

Here, the 5mins/km pacers reached us and I could only keep up with them for about few hundred metres although my pace was still within 5.

Not long after the elevation and we were about to enter the main road again, the true challenge was actually started for me to keep my pace 5. We were joined by 5km runners where most of them we were just chatting and walking.

With about 2+ km to go, the route became more crowded and the best thing I could do was to make some noise nicely while I was running to alert them to stay left of the road.

It worked to some of them and allowed me to stay running zig zag and sneaking myself passing through. Then I bumped again into the lady runner who I saw earlier and encouraged her to push again because she looked like just running slower than before  in the crowd. I am unsure what position she finally finished the run.

Can't blame anyone or to feel too stressful about it because they were also excited and enjoying their runs too although the indication from my NRC telling me that I might have to forget the sub 1 possibility.With about 1km to go, a miracle happened...he he he.Another group pacers  was passing me and somehow it created so space for me to speed up again until the end to the FL.

Did my final sprint upon hearing the noise from the FL area.Just before reaching the FL I heard a voice mentioned my name to encourage me but again, I could not recognise who was that because my mind was just to reach the FL and to confirm whether the sub 1 was mine again or not.

It was a nice feeling to raise both of my hands and screamed WHOOAAHH! again when I finally crossed the FL.

It was a great feeling again too when I just managed to record slightly under 1 hour at 59 minute again at my last individual run of the year.Yes! Yes! Yes!

After receiving the medal, finishers were ushered to the other side of the building complex to Q for the bread,  ice cream and bottled mineral water.It was a little bit long Q and made one new friend bro William Lee while waiting in the line.

By that time, I was still have not anything from my son and just waited for him to call me once he reached the FL.

I looked for a spot to have my meal and drink and when I found one among all there, I introduced myself to bro Amirul Izani who was sitting alone waiting for his friend.

While having my snack and drink, I saw Alzmers Khadre who finished later than me and then Hussien who finished much earlier than me as he always do.Then Razman Shah joined us but then just disappeared.I guessed he was busy with his selfie and also with his family.

Amirul Izani

William

Kian Au with his friends

Also met bro Kian Au for the first time in person with his friends after only knowing each other at FB.

Glad to know when one of his friends told me that some of what I shared in Running Kaki FB do inspire others in running.Bumped again into  bro Tajul Ariffin Abdul Ghani after the Beestorm Trail Run last month.

With Tajul Ariffin

Then finally my son called me and he just finished his first ever 10km run safely.

The timing was fairly strong too as a first timer at about 1 hour 20 over mins which is about the same time with my first 10km run last year.

Congratulation Abang! You have made it!

You have achieved something that Ayah thought would be impossible with your health condition.I am proud and respect of your spirit and determination to challenge yourself because by being naturally not a sportsman like me, what you have just achieved is truly big to me.

Now it is up to you on how do you want to move further in your life in running because if you want to carry on, you will me by your side.

Then we took some more photos together at the FL area.He looked enjoyed it so much this time on the special night for him.Over there I met a familiar running couple and my running friends again Chiew Mei Ling and Shiou Hwa Cho and we took photos together too.Bro Shiou will also to run his first FM like me at Twincity Marathon in January 2017.Also bumped into bro Muhammad Amin who was celebrating his wedding anniversary on the same day.

With Chiew Mei Ling and Shiou Hwa Cho

With Muhammad Amin

Planned initially to gather with other Annonymous Runners members but my wife and other kids looked were just too tired after a long da since we left home that morning.So, I decided to leave with the clock showed about 10pm something already.Took a last photo together with Hussien before I left and I guessed he stayed to meet other friends who might still around.
Bumped into the key man behind the event, bro Benz Azuri Malik on my way walking to the car.

With Hussien Mullar

With Benz Azuri Malik

Reached home at Nilai at about 11am something.Then I made some preparation for thr next morning on Sunday.Putting up the bib for 4 tees for a 5km fun run at Larian Keluarga Nilai 2016 at Dataran Nilai.By this time, all my kids were already slept and me and my wife joined them at about 1am.

The event...

• The wheather was great because it was not rain.
• The best part is the venue.Not a problem at all to be there early because so much you can do at any shopping complex especially if you come with family members but they don't run.
• The route was fairly ok to me which is a straight forward one loop of about 5km each direction.
• The traffic...quite busy with vehicles at the turn and junction towards Taman Bukit Bandaraya from the main road and vice versa.However the presence of crews and traffic personnel were sufficient to control for me.
• The set up at the venue...and the after run arrangement...
• Pretty compact at the FO area with pretty small starting arch for runners.
• Should have more counters and crews to man the snack collection area that caused the long Q.
• Should have provided cooled isotonic drink too for runners  after the run.

What a long day for all of us and what a night!

Grateful to have an enjoyable night with my son and running friends.

Congratulation to all finishers and thanks to the organiser led by bro Benz and organising team for the memorable IWLUTNR 2016.Not to forget Ice Watch for  the free and discounted watches especially.In sha Allah I will be back  next year and surely expecting will be better in 2017...he he he.