7 July, Sunday.
THE BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION.
The unplanned return when 2 weeks before the event, my work at client's office in the north on the same date changed to another date.
It was too late to register and it was closed when I checked. Still keen to run to have a revenge from last year's run when I clocked 6:50 due the twisted left ankle.
Another main reason why I wanted to join again is because of the uniqueness of the event itself.The only event in Malaysia so far which offers only FM category and with amazing experience of running along the country side of Hulu Langat with variety of local fruits provided along the route for runners.
The main one would be at the U-turn just after 25km mark where durian is waiting for runners to enjoy.
So, I posted at my FB page asking to buy a bib.Lucky to get one from a runner who was injured but in 18-29 years old category.I know what I did was not right and I won't defend my action if anyone questioning it.What I did was, I crossed the actual name and emergency contact details at the bib with a marker pen and wrote my details. At least anyone will know who is actually running and who to contact if needed.
THE PREPARATION.
Not really prepared myself the way I often did before any FM event.The build-up runs towards the event was also not ideal when I recorded less than 100km per month in May(59km) and June(91km) respectively.
However, my finish in 18km trail run at KOKK 2019 was a very good workout for my lower body strength and also my endurance.
I had the confidence that my regular runs and experiences in my previous FM runs should give me enough preparation to finish my 14th FM since 2017 and the 3rd in 2019.
After all I just wanted to run and enjoy the experience again where the timing to clock at the FL or getting the best time was not really my concern.
For the route, it was the same as last and I have already known what to expect and how to manage it.
THE EVENT DAY AND MY RUN.
Arrived about one hour before the FO.I was ready with my wuduk as well and will stop at one of the WS between 15km and 20km to pray like last year.
The weather was also very good to run while I was waiting at the FO area.It was a little bit drizzling that made the ambient quite cooled and very comfortable to run.I just hope it would not turn into heavy downpour which will give runners additional challenge to manage.
The FO was on time at 4.30 a.m.Many runners wore head lamp but I decided not to because I can manage my run last year.Just need to keep my eyes open to avoid anything on the road surface such as holes.The light from head lamp of other runners would help too.
My plan was just to run at pace 6 until 11km at the T-junction to turn left.Along this route, some of my running friends overtook me such as Zaly AR, Mohd Khairi Ahmad Mohd Rasid Osman Khairudin Khalid and Wai Ket.
Then it would be slower run at pace 7 along the uphill route for until about 15km at the first U-turn.After the junction, then we arrived at the WS with banana provided and followed by fresh jackfruit at the next WS.
This route is quite dark as well where no street light available and runners had to be alert of vehicles from both ways of the route.Like last year, I still saw some runners still not running at far left of the route and just ignored the warning voices by others whenever vehicles coming from behind.
I was more prepared mentally and physically for this uphill stretch this time and was able to stay running along the way with no walk at all.
I was ready to conquer the uphill and able to stay running to the U-turn.Thank to the 18km trail tun KOKK 2019 on the previous Sunday for helping in strengthening my knee and hip mucles to make my steps much more firm to overcome the uphill.
Then came the best part of the overall route.The about 4km of downhill stretch to the T-junction again.
The 4km downhill was the opportunity for me to relax a little as the gravity helped me to move forward with lesser strength needed.This was also the time I started to cheer other runners who were trying to overcome the uphill from the opposite direction.I gave them big claps and screaming to them to keep it up whenever I see them for every few hundred metres.
By the time I reached the 20km mark and at the T-junction, the surrounding already turned brighter and I could see the road surface much clearer.
My watch showed that the time recorded was at 2:46 when I crossed the 21km mark and that was just about last year's timing.
The next half of the route is quite flat with slight uphills and downhills along the way. At the half way, the next in my mind is to stay running until the 2nd U-turn with durian to enjoy just after the 25km.From the 2nd half to the end of the route at the FL, every km has the marker provided with the total km reached.
The route from 20km to 25km and then until the T-junction again at about 30km was not busy traffic but has a very little space at the edge of the road surface to run.Basically runners had to run on the same space that used by vehicles passing it.Therefore runners must be very careful and to stay alert especially when vehicles coming from behine.I saw some vehicles were driven very fast too and at one moment almost runners who stopped at a water station.
This time, I decided not to wear waist pouch and to bring my phone during the run.I keep the energy supplements and salt stick in the zipped pocket of my running short and wore a running cap as well.With my weight is now at 72kg which is 2kg extra than last year at this event, I figured out that could be one of the ways to reduce some weight on my body during my run this time.
The decision to wear the cap proven to be a good one because it kept my spec cleared from the rain water when drizzling started at some parts of the route.
So, it was another smooth run until the durian U-turn.Along the way, I enjoyed seeing the green scenery of the country side including the lake on left side of the road after about 22km mark.I saw some runners stopped and took photos there.
Then finally reached the U-turn and this time not only durian kampung awaited us but rambutan also available.I joined others to enjoy the fruits and drank some water.Then I continued my run.I knew I need to be very careful because last year, I twisted my left ankle when Iost the balance at the edge of the road surface why trying to stay left when suddenly I heard came from behind.
However, this I had pretty smooth run after the U-turn until I reached the 30km mark and followed by the T-junction and then to turn left towards the FL with about 11+km to go.
I bumped into other running friends EstherBan Chuah and Ben Harrasyad at about 27km while they were running to the opposite direction towards the U-turn.I stopped when they invited me to snap photos together.
In between, a seasoned veteran runner Azman Ali overtook me and I had the chance to chat with another 52 years old veteran runner Teoh from about 28km.He just walked but the pace of his walk was almost the same like my slow running pace while we were talking to each other.He said he was unlucky that day and had a cramp.That was why he had to walk.Then he shared with me that he had finished 100 miles run before and to me that explained why he was walking that fast.
At the water station nearby the T-junction, fresh coconut water and watermelon awaited runners to refuel and refresh. I made a longer stop here to relax myself before I continued the final phase of the run.
At this stage, my legs and overall body still felt very good to go but the drizzling started again not long after that.
In the same time, I felt that if I can keep running as I did in the last 10km, to finish my run within 5:30 would be something realistically achievable.
It was 100% walk in pain from 28km to the FL in 2018.On top of that, the weather was also hot compare to this year which was much cooler.It could be nice if only the drizzling continued during the last about 11km of the run but it was not.Suddenly, the heavy rain came at about 31km and lasted about almost 5km if I am not mistaken.
Then my shoes and socks soaked with water when we ran on the road surface.Again, I was lucky again with the cap I wore than allowed eyes to see clearly from the glass.
Then I started to feel uncomfortable at the inner skin part of my thigh.I quickly assumed the much more wet tight at that part caused the chafe to happen when I was running in the rain although I have already applied Vaseline gel before the run.It was not too painful but at that stage of any FM run, any discomfort will disturb me physically and mentally.
I just tried to continue to run and gradually the rain and drizzling stopped within about 4-5km from the FL.
At about 36km, I started to apply the walk and run strategy mainly to ease the pain from the chafe.Around this time, my friends Khairudin Khalid and the much more veteran Mohd Rasid Osman a.k.a Arjuna Senja overtook me once again.
At about 39+km, the group of pacers 5:30 overtook me and I knew the sub 5:30 finish was gone for me because I could not keep up to follow them. I stopped for a little bit longer at the last water station and enjoyed the rambutan again.
Then I finally reached the final 2km of the run and I pushed myself to keep running and ignored all the discomforts to finish my run.
In the end I crossed the FL in 5:31 and again I enjoyed that moments with both hands raised to the air. Whooaahh! I have done it again and my 14th FM run is finished in fairly in a comfortable way with relatively no problems and drama all the way.I can't ask for better performance and it was a sweet revenge that well taken.
AT THE FL AREA.
After collecting my medal, I quickly went to refuel and rehydrate myself with meals and drinks provided.I sat under the tent and made a new friend Ling Chen who as just finished his run a few minutes earlier by wearing running sandal.
Then I had more chatting with other friends and took photos with them.On normal days, I don't have that many opportunities to run in group and to meet my running friends due to my daily working routines with no properly scheduled time to run.So, meeting them at running events is often the best time to meet them and exchanging updates and stories about each other.
While I was chatting with friends, suddenly I heard the emcee calling the number and the actual name of the bib that I was wearing.The number secured the 4th place in its category but definitely I don't want to create any trouble by responding to the emcee's call to claim the prize🤣🤣🤣.
Then I also heard that this year could be the last one for the event and there may be no more HLM next year.I was sure what was exactly the reason because it has been a great and special event to me and many who have experienced it to run a marathon here.
I did ask the anchor of the event Jeff Ooi about that when I bumped into him at the FL area and he indicated to me why. However I think he should be the one who can share with others the actual reason and not me if he feel necessary to do it.
Personally I do hope I can run again at this event next year and I do believe runners who have finished their FM run here are feeling the same way.
FINAL NOTES
My main personal key lessons learned.
1. My body can finish any FM run under 6 hours comfortably on my healthy day if I can stay consistent with my existing at least 20-30km run every week with some regular core and strength workouts in between.
2. I tested my new #brookslaunch6 instead of using my #brooksghost11 at this event for a FM run for the first time. So far I have been using using #brookslaunch for up to 21km runs only.
The risk that I took was worth it because I felt very comfortable and also lighter although my initial worry was it thinner cushion compare to Ghost will affect me for the last 10-12km of the run. So, I can save some money for my next new running shoes for FM runs because the price of Launch is cheaper than Ghost.😁😁😁👌
Kudos to the organizing team members and congratulation to all runners at #hululangatmarathon2019!
I had an amazing time again!👌😁
No comments:
Post a Comment