18th JAKARTA-PALEMBANG ASIAN GAMES 2018 FUN RUN

Date: 4 March 2018

Venue: Dataran Merdeka, KL

With the official Asian Games 2018 Mascot

An unplanned event to join. Decided to register simply because it is rare like SEA Games KL run last year.

Came to this run cautiously with the recovery from my right foot injury is still in progress since the last event at Kiara Conquer the Trails Run on 11 February. Had few days break between several short distance regular runs and much slower pace.

Given the stern warning by the Dr. The x-ray showed no signs of deformed or cracked bone but I must reduce the intensity of muscle use at that part of my foot in my runs. It means my normal pace is something I must let go for a while or maybe forever if the pain continues when I push it back to my faster pace.

I adhered to the Dr.'s advice. I ran at pace 6 and 7 only since then.

On Saturday, I attempted a 30km solo LSD at Putrajaya after the planned run in Feb cancelled due to the injury. It was also a very cautious run because I have just recovered from a fever with flu and cough that hit me since Friday last week. I failed to reach 30km and only finished 21km.Felt my fitness was not up to the mark for a 30km distance yet. Just felt no gas left to continue as well. Positively, at about pace 7 averages, it was a pain free run especially at my right foot and no signs of cramp as well.

My LSD run at Putrajaya on Saturday morning in the effort to rebuild my fitness for my double FM challenge in March.

It means the recovery is in a good progress and gave me the comfort to run today.

The only concern in my mind was whether I should approach this run like my normal 10km run at events or to stick to the pace 6 and 7 to make my recovery process not distorted and then to cause my injury getting worst.

Me and my wife were at two different events on the same day.5km for her and 10km for me 

So, I decided to go the safer option because I don't want to take any risk for my next planned FM runs at Pahang Marathon on 11 Mar next week and Miri Marathon in the following week. With the fitness is still on the recovery mode, running at pace 6 should be realistic for me although since Feb 2016, I have never failed to run 10km under 1 hour at events.

Arrived at the venue at Dataran Merdeka at about 6.30 a.m. after performing Subuh Prayer at Masjid Negara. The MC announced there would be about 1,600 runners for all categories, Men and Women Open for 10km and 5km fun run.'

With Ronnie and Isey before the flag off

Before the FO I met Isey@ Mohd Yusnisan and Aznizan Mohd Ali from Anonymous Runners who ran with me in 10km.

MY RUN

Just the execution of what I have decided in my mind. Overwhelmed a little bit after the FO at 7.00 a.m. sharp and recorded pace 5 for the first 1km. However, I slowed down and started the pace 6 fully before reaching 3km.

As expected the first 6 km of the route were hilly areas with elevation to pass Bank Negara and the famous Bukit Tunku.

The elevation along the 10km route.

It was truly a test for my fitness again but I tried to continue running to overcome the first half of the route.

The remaining part of it was quite normal with some downhill and flat stretches until the Jalan Parlimen towards the FL at the Dataran Merdeka.

Just felt a sudden and sight pain during the first 1km but disappeared not long after I slowed down to pace 6 and tried my best to run with the mid foot landing all the time. It worked and it was a pain free run after than until I crossed the FL.

I was only able to clock only 1 hour 3 minutes this time at the pace of 6:22min/km officially.
Ranked 70 overall from 482 runners and 64 out of 325 runners in Men Open.

It is a personal worst in timing but personal satisfaction because I could control myself and ran according to my plan.

The best part is it was another injury free run and built my fitness and endurance again further for my March FM challenge.

The official result

THE EVENT
It was moderate event but good to see all top guns from OCM and OCA were there. Like SEA Games Run, I opted to wear the official event tee although it was not that comfortable for me. Just to celebrate the upcoming Asian Games and promoting it at the event.

Quite well organised with almost perfect traffic control all the way.3 water stations for 10km and enough plain water provided.

Smooth for the FO and after I finished my run. Glad to meet some friends after the run such as Pengawas Laut Mohd Zamre Norhayati Yat Steven Chong and Ronnie Soong.

Congratulation to my faster running friends Shiau Pei Yong (#3 Women Open) Edwin Keat(#4 Men Open) and Mohd Yusnisan(#13 Men Open) and Azizan Mohamed(#24 Men Open) for their placing at this event. 

 

 

With running friends after we have finished our run

I did not wait until the lucky draw to take place for 40 prizes to be won for the day.

Not forget to mention the weather was also perfect this morning and the KL Car Free morning was happening in the same time.

I believe more will join this event if it was announced and promoted much earlier than January this year.

Left the venue with a good feeling with another rare medal in my collection. Now I need to continue to get myself ready to run my 2nd FM this year in 7 days from today.

The special and rare medal although it is just a fun run