Date: 8 September 2018, Saturday
Venue: Pantai Batu Buruk, Kuala Terengganu
Category : Full Marathon Men Open(No veteran category allocated)
My 8th FM in 2018, 11th overall and another runcation over three days from Friday to Sunday.
Received my race pack via courier service earlier because I was not sure about my traveling plan yet when I registered.
The build-up to the event was not perfect according to my planned gym workouts for strength training but quite alright in the total km achieved.I crossed 200km in total run for two consecutive months in July and August for the first time. August was also the month where I ran under the Anonymous Runners in the 1963 Team Challenge for the Malaysia Day and Merdeka month celebration.
So, the preparation for my endurance was quite alright and had more runs with some speed works along the way.What I tried to do in all my regular runs was to maintain average pace 6 all the time and some pace 5 in between to improve my speed. I knew that I still need to have more running and also at faster pace after the 25km in a FM run if I really want to improve my time.
So, the preparation for my endurance was quite alright and had more runs with some speed works along the way.What I tried to do in all my regular runs was to maintain average pace 6 all the time and some pace 5 in between to improve my speed. I knew that I still need to have more running and also at faster pace after the 25km in a FM run if I really want to improve my time.
I did the regular 30km LSD run about 3 weeks on 19 August before the event. It was quite smooth and able to run quite comfortably for the 30km under 4 hours with my friends at Putrajaya.
That was also the first time I ran a 30km without my 2XU compression running tight and just with my normal Adidas running tight. I felt comfortable and I decided to try a normal running tight for my upcoming run at LAJSM 2018.
The Brooks Ghost 11 on right second from bottom
that I bought to replace my Ghost 9.
Photos of the UA running tight that I bought and used it for LAJSM.
Then I ran 10km at the Larian Nostalgia Alumni UKM on 25 August to have some speed training with the uphill route circulating the campus area.It was a good workout and felt good to be back to UKM again for a run in 2018.
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| Larian Nostalgia Alumni UKM for 10km speed training. |
To compensate the missed gym sessions due to my working commitment, I did trail runs in order to build the strength for my lower body parts especially knee, ankle and hip muscles. I did it solo at Bukit Melati Nilai on 1 Sept and in a group at Bukit Kiara on 2 Sept. It was risky because I may get injured but alhamdulliah it turned out to be the good thing to do in my FM preparation. With no pain or injuries from the off road runs, I felt quite alright to continue my taper week as the event was getting closer.
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| The 2.8km hiking at Bukit Melati Nilai and 13km group trail run at Bukit Kiara as the strength training for the preparation. |
My plan was to have at least another 2 easy runs before traveling to Kuala Terengganu un Friday after the last Sunday prior to that but I was only able to do one night run for 15km on 5 Sept, Wednesday due to my busy days at work. So, that was my last run in the build-up to the event and I felt good enough to run my first FM at LAJSM in Saturday.
Some said that the route is quite flat but I did not think too much about the route as I always do because the routes at Miri Marathon and Kuching Marathon were flat too.However but both gave me hard times as well to finish.
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| The last 15km run and to try my new Brooks Ghost 11 shoes. |
For this event I rented an apartment with a walking distance to the event venue at Pantai Batu Buruk. Left my home at Nilai with my wife and two kids very early on Friday morning and fetched my son at UIA campus along the way. He was able to join at the last minutes and lucky for him that I was able to get a bib for him to run in the 12km run at the event as well. For this time, my wide decided not to run and just wanted to enjoy the short vacation only.
My plan was to bring my family to Kapas Island after I have finished my run on Saturday morning and then to go back home on Sunday.
I reached Kuala Terengganu just about the time for the Friday prayer.After having our lunch, we checked in at the apartment.Then I went to the RPC venue at Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman to buy the energy gel that has been out of my stock before having another meal for the day with my family.
Then I went with my wife to collect the bib for my son from a friend at the nearby hotel and our kids were left at the apartment.
The we decided to spent some time together and went for a late evening walk along the famous Pantai Batu Buruk before we went for a dinner. The beach was quite crowded but we were able to spend some good and enjoyable time together with no kids around.
Initially I thought of not having another heavy stuff for the dinner but I took one bowl of chicken soup with scrambled egg and rice and that was at about 7.00 p.m. and joined by my wife. I knew it is not advisable to take anything heavy as the meal within 6-8 hours before the FO but sometime....he he he he.
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| At the RPC venue |
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| Thank you Rizdwan for the bib |
Spending some time with my wife only at Batu Buruk beach in the evening
Initially I thought of not having another heavy stuff for the dinner but I took one bowl of chicken soup with scrambled egg and rice and that was at about 7.00 p.m. and joined by my wife. I knew it is not advisable to take anything heavy as the meal within 6-8 hours before the FO but sometime....he he he he.
My initial plan was to have about 1-2 hour sleep upon the arrival after the long drive from Nilai from the morning but it did not happened as planned. So, finally I had some sleep after the dinner for about one hour and half and woke up at about 10.30 p.m. to get ready to go the venue.
I was raining from the late evening at Pantai Batu Buruk area but it stopped with only some drizzling by the time I woke up that night.
The FO was at 12.01 a.m. on Saturday for FM and for my son the FO for the 12km at 7.15a.m. It means I don't have to stop for Subuh prayer during the run and I can do it after I have finished if I can finish my run with my normal timing in under 6 hours.
The plan
My plan for this run was to run as faster pace for the first 5km at pace 5 and later to try to maintain at pace 6 as long as possible.Another aim was to have more running instead of walking for the last 10km. I truly hope that my efforts for the strength and speed workouts in the build-up to this event would bear its fruits at this event.
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| The actual route from my GPS watch |
For this event, I was also wearing my new pair of shoes and a new running tight.After 10 FM runs and 3 HM runs at event, 7 LSD 30km runs and some regular runs weekly, I have decided to stop using my long serving first pair of shoes Brooks Ghost 9 for my FM adventure which has been very reliable and comfortable for events.My new pair is Brooks Ghost 11 which I bought one week before the event. Then I tested it for 15km night run on that last run before leaving for KT, I felt alright because it is quieter when I hit the road surface and also lighther. However, the full verdict about it could only be given after a FM run with it at LAJSM.
I also decided to use the newly bought Under Armour running tight instead of my regular 2XU compression tight. Some said,it would be a risk to try something new on the event day but I decided to take that risk.
I also decided to use the newly bought Under Armour running tight instead of my regular 2XU compression tight. Some said,it would be a risk to try something new on the event day but I decided to take that risk.
MY RUN
The FO area was just about 1km from the apartment that I stayed. I walked under the drizzling and reached the venue at about 11.15 p.m.It was still not many runners arrived yet and crews were seen doing some final preparatory works.However, I heard emcees already started doing their job to live up the atmosphere with their voices and some music.
The drizzling still continued after about 10 minutes since I arrived and then I looked for the luggage center.Asked few crews but they seemed did not know. Then I found it but it was located quite a distance from the FL area.When I arrived to keep my bag, the crews were still installing the cabinet to store luggage and that was just passed the 11.30 p.m. Then I took a shelter at one of the elevated floor with the roof and had some chat with few runners who were there. Nice to bump into some of my running friends who came from outside Terengganu as well before entering the FO area.
By this time, some live music shows have started at the main stage.More and more runners arrived but it was not that crowded like my previous FM event at Kuching. The arrangement for the FO times also strange to me because the FO for FM and HM at 12.01 a.m. and 1.30 a.m. respectively and then followed by the 12km and 8km at 7.15 a.m and 7.30 a.m. respectively. With the COT at 6:30 and 4:00 for FM and HM respectively, it was like two separate running events in the same morning because after FM and HM runners finished their run,I assumed there would not be that many crowd there because the time gap is so long for the next 12km and 8km categories to be flagged off.
I assumed most FM and HM finishers will leave the venue not long after they have finished their run and for Muslim, they will have to perform Subuh prayer as well after that. With the surrounding is expected to be still dark between 5.00 a.m. to 7.00 a.m, for nice and clearer photos to be taken, I strongly believed most FM and HM runners have already left the venue before the the 3rd FO time of the day. So, I did not expect any lively atmosphere or cheers from the crowd by the time I was expected to arrive between 5.00 a.m to 6.00 a.m.
At about 11.50 p.m. runners were called by the emcee to enter the FO area. Then it a safety briefing conducted. From what I saw, there were not that many FM runners and my guess it was only about 4 to 5 hundreds.
The FO started on the dot at 12.01 a.m. according to my watch and it was drizzling but it was lesser.
The route started at Pantai Batu Buruk and heading towards the roads to pass the water front area. My run started as planned and was able to run at pace 5 for 5km as planned before I slowed down to pace 6. Yes the route was flat with a little bit uphill when runners were heading towards the Jalan Tengku Mizan after 6km to cross the river, Pulau Duyong and followed by Pulau Besar. Then I had to run a long straight and flat route from about the 7km before turning right at after the 11km. At this stage until the 9km, I was still able to maintain the pace 6 comfortably until my stomach started to feel uncomfortable from the about 8km. When I felt that, instantly I regretted my decision for the heavy stuff I took in less than 6 hours before the FO time as my dinner.However, it was too late to do anything other than just to deal with it.
I tried to ignore that with the hope it as just only a temporary discomfort and will slowly disappear because sometime it does happen in any run. However, I was wrong and it become what I feared during a run where I need to stop to answer the nature's call to ease myself and hoping for that discomfort to disappear. I knew that the only way for me to ease it was just by looking for the nearest toilet to stop and while waiting for that, I needed to continue running and maintain the pace 6 until I find one.
Finally, I felt so relieved when I saw the Shell fuel station after the 10km.The stop took me about 3 minutes and I was lucky as well because the toilet was empty when I arrived.
Then I felt so much more comfortable again to continue my run. I tried to make up for the lost time and able to run at pace 5 again for the next 2km and dropped to pace 6 again after that until 22km. It was a new personal achievement for me when I was able to run at the average pace 6 for the first half of the distance in a FM run. The best before this was only up to 15km.
Running at along flat route in the early morning and waiting and waiting to reach the U-turn after that truly reminded me about my experiences at Miri Marathon. The psychological impact to the mind started to become more tested when I saw the top and faster runners started to run in the opposite direction from just after the 15km. Firstly I saw few foreign and black runners who most likely Kenyans and just after the right turn after that, I saw the top Malaysian runner Nik Fakaruddin passing me from the opposite direction. I quickly yelled Go Nik! Go Nik! to him spontaneously and while continued with my run towards the first U-turn at 15km.
At this stage runners who have made the U-turn and those who were running towards it started to come across each other on the different lane on the same road where the whole one side of the two-way roads along the from Jalan Tengku Mizan, then Jalan Tengku Mohamad, Jalan Kompleks Sukan and Jalan Tengku Omar where the first U-turn located.Roads for remaining distance were closed the same way covering mainly Jalan Sultan Mahmud and Jalan Batu Buruk until the next and last U-turn to the road heading to the FL.
FM runners started to mix with HM runners when they made their U-turn at one point along Jalan Tengku Mahmud. If I am not mistaken, the point was between 22km and 23km of my run. From that point, the road became more crowded and most of HM runners were seen running and they also ran faster than FM runners who were running with them. The impact on me was, I suddenly had the extra push mentally to run with them although at slower pace.
As expected, my pace dropped to pace 7 after the 22km. For this time I tried to hold it with no walking involved yet until the 30km as I intended to do from the start. I was doing exactly that until my stomach started to give the same problem after about the 26km along Jalan Sultan Mohamad toward the main road Jalan Sultan Mahmud. I was lucky again when I saw the Petron fuel station just after I turned right to the Jalan Sultan Mahmud. At that turn, I also saw some runners already running and turning right from the opposite direction towards Pantai Batu Buruk to the FL. Again I had to stop to answer the call of nature but this time I spent longer time which about 5 minutes.Then I continued.
I was so happy after that and with the pace 7 that I was able to maintain, I clocked 3:26 when I reached the 30km mark at Jalan Sultan Mahmud. That was my fastest ever time for 30km in any FM event for me so far. Only at this stage I felt that I had the hope to renew my FM PB timing. One of the main factors was I felt almost not much stress or pain at my calf and ankle muscles that I normally need to deal with before especially after I have crossed the first half of the 42km distance.
I felt that I still could continue running at pace 7 for longer distance after that. The route along that road was quite flat with a slight uphill after the 31km to pass a bridge. At the 31km mark with the WS provided, HM runners made their U-turn and FM runners to continue further for the last U-turn between the 35km and 36km. After this water station I met another runner and we greeted each other. The runner said finally we met after only communicated via FB.At that point, I still could not recall his name but we started to chat when we continued running slowly together.
He is from and staying Terengganu and also often going to KL to join running events. He is also 49 years old and started running way back from 2006 with the PB for FM at 4 hours 30 minutes something. Only after the we finished our run, I found his full name at my FB page which is Wan Karim Wan Muhamad. We chatted about a lot of stuff because we ran together from the 31km until we arrived at the same water station again at 38km. I must thank him because running together with him made me keep running most of the time after the 30km of the run instead of walking and running which I often did in my previous FM runs.
The route after the 31km covered Jalan Batu Buruk in Chendering area and later arrived at a traffic light where runners turned right after the 36km mark. Then we entered the darkest part of the route until the final U-turn until we reached the traffic light again. I was surprised and puzzled on why the the street lamps along the route turned off and runners had to run in the dark. At one point, I almost hit a runner who came from the opposite direction.When I asked Wan Karim, we was also surprised to see that we had to run in the dark. At the final U-turn at 35km, me and Wan Karim stopped and joined other runners to take a break for a while for a drink and cooling ourselves with wet sponge before we continued our run.
The timing when we were at the 38km was about 4:30 and realistically to me, with the average pace that I could try to continue to maintain, the sub 5 was no longer achievable with 6km more left to finish. What in my mind at that time was I will push myself to run and maintain it at pace 7 to the FL to beat my PB. My quick calculation told me at the moment was that to finish under 5:10 would be a more reasonable target to achieve for me to say good bye to the 5:24 that I clocked at Twincity in January. So, I told brother Wan Karim that I will continue my run and he said just go ahead.
It was still dark at that time and my goal after that until I reach the FL was just to continue running because at this stage, most runners I bumped into along the way were just walking or chatting with other runners. Every time I saw other FM runners also running and when some overtook me, it gave me more push to continue running like them.
I became more excited and spirited when I was running closer to the FL.However, again, I was a little bit surprised to see no one was manning the last turn from the main road Jalan Sultan Mahmud towards the road to the FL. I also saw cars and motorbike were started to use the road as well and runners had to look around and find find their way to avoid these vehicles. At this moment, I also saw runners who have finished their run started to walk to leave the event venue while I was running to the FL.
I continued my run until I started to see the FL arch in front of me. I felt so happy and extra excited that I was running to finish the run with the new PB in my FM adventure when I saw the digital clock display on top of me when I crossed the FL for the 11th time. It showed 5:06 at the display and also on my watch when I pushed its button to stop it. It was a new PB and I broke my PB for the second time this year!
The summary of my pace for the 42km is shown below.
1st half
Pace 5 : 8km
Pace 6 : 12km
Pace 7 : 15km
2nd half
Pace 8 : 4km
Pace 9 : 1km (including 1st toilet stop at 11km)
Pace 10: 1km
Pace 11: 1km (including 2nd toilet stop at 28km)
Average pace : 7:10 min/km
However, the only thing I felt a little bit strange was the atmosphere at the FL area and from the time I ran towards it from the main road. It was fairly quite with not that many crowd to available to cheer the arriving runners like I always experienced at other FM events before. What I saw mainly more and more crowd started to leave the area with the surrounding was still dark like a typical early morning.
After collecting my medal and finisher tee, I walked slowly to collect my bag which was at the other far end of the FL area. During my walk I bumped into my friend Aswad from Kuantan who have finished earlier.He was the first one to know that I had my PB and he was happily congratulated me for that before we took photos together using his phone.
Initially I thought of leaving for my Subuh prayer at the nearby masjid and then return to meet and chat with more friends who have finished their run but in the same time, the ache at my stomach returned. I felt uncomfortable again and decided to return to the apartment instead.
After taking my bag, I bumped into some more friends and took photos with them.Then I went to the FL area again as asked for a friend who was there to take my photos with the medal before I left the event venue to my apartment.
During the walk, I met new friend who was walking to the same direction. His name is Gee Heng from Penang. He came alone by bus and to return to Penang by flight via KLIA.He is a much faster FM runner and also clocked a PB at this event this time at about 3:30 something only.
I reached the apartment at almost 6.00 a.m in the morning. After cleaning myself, performed my Subuh prayer, had some light meals and then took a medicine to ease my stomach ache, I went to sleep to have some rest.
Lucky that my stomach ache did not become worst after that. Woke up to have a breakfast with my family at about 8.00 a.m. and then I continued to sleep until about 11.00 a.m. My son has already returned from his run when I woke up.We left the apartment at about 12.00 p.m. and headed to Marang to have a lunch and then to look for a boat to Kapas Island.
The official results
The event
My quick comments and suggestions
The drizzling still continued after about 10 minutes since I arrived and then I looked for the luggage center.Asked few crews but they seemed did not know. Then I found it but it was located quite a distance from the FL area.When I arrived to keep my bag, the crews were still installing the cabinet to store luggage and that was just passed the 11.30 p.m. Then I took a shelter at one of the elevated floor with the roof and had some chat with few runners who were there. Nice to bump into some of my running friends who came from outside Terengganu as well before entering the FO area.
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| With two young runners Alif and Zulfahmi who will run their first FM |
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| Nice coincidence when our bib numbers are in sequence |
I assumed most FM and HM finishers will leave the venue not long after they have finished their run and for Muslim, they will have to perform Subuh prayer as well after that. With the surrounding is expected to be still dark between 5.00 a.m. to 7.00 a.m, for nice and clearer photos to be taken, I strongly believed most FM and HM runners have already left the venue before the the 3rd FO time of the day. So, I did not expect any lively atmosphere or cheers from the crowd by the time I was expected to arrive between 5.00 a.m to 6.00 a.m.
At about 11.50 p.m. runners were called by the emcee to enter the FO area. Then it a safety briefing conducted. From what I saw, there were not that many FM runners and my guess it was only about 4 to 5 hundreds.
The FO started on the dot at 12.01 a.m. according to my watch and it was drizzling but it was lesser.
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| The flag off. Photo by Action Pix Malaysia |
I tried to ignore that with the hope it as just only a temporary discomfort and will slowly disappear because sometime it does happen in any run. However, I was wrong and it become what I feared during a run where I need to stop to answer the nature's call to ease myself and hoping for that discomfort to disappear. I knew that the only way for me to ease it was just by looking for the nearest toilet to stop and while waiting for that, I needed to continue running and maintain the pace 6 until I find one.
Finally, I felt so relieved when I saw the Shell fuel station after the 10km.The stop took me about 3 minutes and I was lucky as well because the toilet was empty when I arrived.
Then I felt so much more comfortable again to continue my run. I tried to make up for the lost time and able to run at pace 5 again for the next 2km and dropped to pace 6 again after that until 22km. It was a new personal achievement for me when I was able to run at the average pace 6 for the first half of the distance in a FM run. The best before this was only up to 15km.
At this stage runners who have made the U-turn and those who were running towards it started to come across each other on the different lane on the same road where the whole one side of the two-way roads along the from Jalan Tengku Mizan, then Jalan Tengku Mohamad, Jalan Kompleks Sukan and Jalan Tengku Omar where the first U-turn located.Roads for remaining distance were closed the same way covering mainly Jalan Sultan Mahmud and Jalan Batu Buruk until the next and last U-turn to the road heading to the FL.
FM runners started to mix with HM runners when they made their U-turn at one point along Jalan Tengku Mahmud. If I am not mistaken, the point was between 22km and 23km of my run. From that point, the road became more crowded and most of HM runners were seen running and they also ran faster than FM runners who were running with them. The impact on me was, I suddenly had the extra push mentally to run with them although at slower pace.
As expected, my pace dropped to pace 7 after the 22km. For this time I tried to hold it with no walking involved yet until the 30km as I intended to do from the start. I was doing exactly that until my stomach started to give the same problem after about the 26km along Jalan Sultan Mohamad toward the main road Jalan Sultan Mahmud. I was lucky again when I saw the Petron fuel station just after I turned right to the Jalan Sultan Mahmud. At that turn, I also saw some runners already running and turning right from the opposite direction towards Pantai Batu Buruk to the FL. Again I had to stop to answer the call of nature but this time I spent longer time which about 5 minutes.Then I continued.
I felt that I still could continue running at pace 7 for longer distance after that. The route along that road was quite flat with a slight uphill after the 31km to pass a bridge. At the 31km mark with the WS provided, HM runners made their U-turn and FM runners to continue further for the last U-turn between the 35km and 36km. After this water station I met another runner and we greeted each other. The runner said finally we met after only communicated via FB.At that point, I still could not recall his name but we started to chat when we continued running slowly together.
He is from and staying Terengganu and also often going to KL to join running events. He is also 49 years old and started running way back from 2006 with the PB for FM at 4 hours 30 minutes something. Only after the we finished our run, I found his full name at my FB page which is Wan Karim Wan Muhamad. We chatted about a lot of stuff because we ran together from the 31km until we arrived at the same water station again at 38km. I must thank him because running together with him made me keep running most of the time after the 30km of the run instead of walking and running which I often did in my previous FM runs.
The route after the 31km covered Jalan Batu Buruk in Chendering area and later arrived at a traffic light where runners turned right after the 36km mark. Then we entered the darkest part of the route until the final U-turn until we reached the traffic light again. I was surprised and puzzled on why the the street lamps along the route turned off and runners had to run in the dark. At one point, I almost hit a runner who came from the opposite direction.When I asked Wan Karim, we was also surprised to see that we had to run in the dark. At the final U-turn at 35km, me and Wan Karim stopped and joined other runners to take a break for a while for a drink and cooling ourselves with wet sponge before we continued our run.
The timing when we were at the 38km was about 4:30 and realistically to me, with the average pace that I could try to continue to maintain, the sub 5 was no longer achievable with 6km more left to finish. What in my mind at that time was I will push myself to run and maintain it at pace 7 to the FL to beat my PB. My quick calculation told me at the moment was that to finish under 5:10 would be a more reasonable target to achieve for me to say good bye to the 5:24 that I clocked at Twincity in January. So, I told brother Wan Karim that I will continue my run and he said just go ahead.
It was still dark at that time and my goal after that until I reach the FL was just to continue running because at this stage, most runners I bumped into along the way were just walking or chatting with other runners. Every time I saw other FM runners also running and when some overtook me, it gave me more push to continue running like them.
I continued my run until I started to see the FL arch in front of me. I felt so happy and extra excited that I was running to finish the run with the new PB in my FM adventure when I saw the digital clock display on top of me when I crossed the FL for the 11th time. It showed 5:06 at the display and also on my watch when I pushed its button to stop it. It was a new PB and I broke my PB for the second time this year!
The summary of my pace for the 42km is shown below.
1st half
Pace 5 : 8km
Pace 6 : 12km
Pace 7 : 15km
2nd half
Pace 8 : 4km
Pace 9 : 1km (including 1st toilet stop at 11km)
Pace 10: 1km
Pace 11: 1km (including 2nd toilet stop at 28km)
Average pace : 7:10 min/km
However, the only thing I felt a little bit strange was the atmosphere at the FL area and from the time I ran towards it from the main road. It was fairly quite with not that many crowd to available to cheer the arriving runners like I always experienced at other FM events before. What I saw mainly more and more crowd started to leave the area with the surrounding was still dark like a typical early morning.
After collecting my medal and finisher tee, I walked slowly to collect my bag which was at the other far end of the FL area. During my walk I bumped into my friend Aswad from Kuantan who have finished earlier.He was the first one to know that I had my PB and he was happily congratulated me for that before we took photos together using his phone.
Initially I thought of leaving for my Subuh prayer at the nearby masjid and then return to meet and chat with more friends who have finished their run but in the same time, the ache at my stomach returned. I felt uncomfortable again and decided to return to the apartment instead.
After taking my bag, I bumped into some more friends and took photos with them.Then I went to the FL area again as asked for a friend who was there to take my photos with the medal before I left the event venue to my apartment.
During the walk, I met new friend who was walking to the same direction. His name is Gee Heng from Penang. He came alone by bus and to return to Penang by flight via KLIA.He is a much faster FM runner and also clocked a PB at this event this time at about 3:30 something only.
With Aswad
With other friends who were also FM finishers this time
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| My IG friend Putera Wak Lu who helped me to take my photos at the FL |
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| Gee Heng from Penang |
Lucky that my stomach ache did not become worst after that. Woke up to have a breakfast with my family at about 8.00 a.m. and then I continued to sleep until about 11.00 a.m. My son has already returned from his run when I woke up.We left the apartment at about 12.00 p.m. and headed to Marang to have a lunch and then to look for a boat to Kapas Island.
The official results
The event
My quick comments and suggestions
- The route - published early for reference. Generally flat and the main reason for the opportunity to get PB timing for runners.
- RPC - smooth when I went to the venue on Friday although I received my race pace via courier service.
- Pacers - not provided.Should have to benefit FM runners mainly to keep running.
- Water station - sufficient with plain water and isotonic drink provided at each of it. Banana, wet sponge and energy gel provided at some water stations/check points. Could not see any muscle spray provided which is highly recommended to have especially after the 2nd half of the FM distance.
- Traffic arrangement and control - well done with sufficient personnel to man every junction and entrance/exit road along the route except for the last 1km to the FL. It was a good strategy to have one way of the two-way road fully closed for runners for better safety for all. There were traffic personnel and medic team did the patrolling seen along the route as well.
- Medal and finisher tee collection - smooth due to mainly not too many runners for FM
- Food and Beverages supplies after the FL - sufficient.
- FO/FL atmosphere- noises mainly only from emcees, shows and music from the main stage.Not crowded at all because the biggest number of runners were in 12km and 8km categories which started their run very much later after the finish of FM and HM categories.
- Cheering group/entertainment along the route- none and shoud have some for future events especially for the last 10km to make the atmosphere livelier along the route and to cheer up runners during the wee hours. Recommended to have some such as the modern and traditional music groups or cheering groups by students or local people.
- To change the FO time for FM and HM much later than the current one. With the 6:30 COT and to start as early as 2.00 p.m there will more crowd at the FL area and also much brighter surrounding to finish the run.It would be much better for runners to take photos and to spend more time at FL area after finishing the run.It would be a need to provide a mobile or temporary praying facility along the route as well for Muslim FM and HM runners to pray.
It was a good decision because my new shoes and running tight gave me much better comfort throughout the run.
Brooks Ghost 11
Did not expect to give me any problem after I tested in few days before for 15km. Compare to my previous Ghost 9...
Took the risk to wear it for the first time during this event but it was worth it. I received it through an online purchase on Monday before the event.
Before this, I mainly used my 2XU Ice-X compression tight which I bought in May 2016 for almost all running events that I participated and for all my FM runs.I can feel the different when I used normal running tight and compression tight during my early days of running. Compression tight gave me extra support especially at my calf muscles when I am running.It made my runs more comfortable when there will be less or no movement of muscles at areas that being covered and compressed by the tight. It resulted my legs felt firmer for every step when I run.
However, after so many runs with the total distance over 4,500km since May 2015 and with all the strength workouts especially for lower body muscles that I have done, somehow my body has been accustomed to a running body.
I can feel the different in term of the intensity or the compactness of my muscles especially at my thigh and calf now. I guess the strength of the muscles at these parts is now able to hold and support itself during my run and the impact of the extra support from the compression tight before is no longer needed. Therefore, I could not feel that much different when I tried to run with a normal running tight during the last 30km LSD run in the build-up to this event.
The main difference of the new tight and the 2XU compression is it has additional layer from the high part of the thigh to the waist while 2XU has only one layer from waist to bottom.
I can feel the compression effect from my hip to calf muscles with the 2XU. With the UA tight, I can feel the it really stick to my skin despite with lesser compression impact because it is just a normal running tight but the material felt so thin that made me feel like I am not wearing anything from my lower thigh to bottom. This truly made me very comfortable during my run because I can feel the effect of the wind blowing for every steps during my run.
To make it short or as the conclusion, I don't need a compression tight to have a comfortable FM run anymore and I have proved that at this event.On top of that, surely I can save some cost from investing into new compression tights for my future running adventure.
For those who did ask for my reviews on both gears before this event, I hope the above sharing will be useful for your reference and consideration. For me, I will invest in my running gears especially items that are costly when I truly need any of it an not just because I want it.
Brooks Ghost 11
Did not expect to give me any problem after I tested in few days before for 15km. Compare to my previous Ghost 9...
- it is lighter
- it gave me better grip at the middle upper and left and right side of my foot
- better cushion impact for my foot throughout the run for every step
- it is quieter every time I landed my foot at the road surface
- the insole felt firmer and sticking better to my foot
- feeling more air flow at the upper and front parts of the shoes - I like this one the most because it kept my foot cool throughout the run especially after the 30km mark where my shoes often soaked the sweat that came from my lower body parts at the maximum level.
Took the risk to wear it for the first time during this event but it was worth it. I received it through an online purchase on Monday before the event.
Before this, I mainly used my 2XU Ice-X compression tight which I bought in May 2016 for almost all running events that I participated and for all my FM runs.I can feel the different when I used normal running tight and compression tight during my early days of running. Compression tight gave me extra support especially at my calf muscles when I am running.It made my runs more comfortable when there will be less or no movement of muscles at areas that being covered and compressed by the tight. It resulted my legs felt firmer for every step when I run.
However, after so many runs with the total distance over 4,500km since May 2015 and with all the strength workouts especially for lower body muscles that I have done, somehow my body has been accustomed to a running body.
I can feel the different in term of the intensity or the compactness of my muscles especially at my thigh and calf now. I guess the strength of the muscles at these parts is now able to hold and support itself during my run and the impact of the extra support from the compression tight before is no longer needed. Therefore, I could not feel that much different when I tried to run with a normal running tight during the last 30km LSD run in the build-up to this event.
The main difference of the new tight and the 2XU compression is it has additional layer from the high part of the thigh to the waist while 2XU has only one layer from waist to bottom.
I can feel the compression effect from my hip to calf muscles with the 2XU. With the UA tight, I can feel the it really stick to my skin despite with lesser compression impact because it is just a normal running tight but the material felt so thin that made me feel like I am not wearing anything from my lower thigh to bottom. This truly made me very comfortable during my run because I can feel the effect of the wind blowing for every steps during my run.
To make it short or as the conclusion, I don't need a compression tight to have a comfortable FM run anymore and I have proved that at this event.On top of that, surely I can save some cost from investing into new compression tights for my future running adventure.
For those who did ask for my reviews on both gears before this event, I hope the above sharing will be useful for your reference and consideration. For me, I will invest in my running gears especially items that are costly when I truly need any of it an not just because I want it.
The short vacation at Kapas Island
8 September 2018
To Kapas Island
Reached the island
Watching and enjoying the sunset views and ambient
9 September
Time to leave the beautiful island
8 September 2018
To Kapas Island
Reached the island
Evening beach walk and getting wet
Time to leave the beautiful island
The conclusions
LAJSM is a good FM event and with some improvement especially about the FO times for HM and FM, it could be a much better and great event at the East Coast compare to another FM event , Pahang Marathon which the organiser performed very poorly in the 2018 edition in March.
I do recommend more runners to come and enjoy the experience to run at LAJSM next year and I am most likely to return as well.
It was a bonus for me to clock a PB for my FM here despite some setbacks along the route that should have been avoided.
The event is another perfect avenue to have another great and quality family time because there so much to explore and enjoy after the run around Kuala Terengganu and along the way back if you are coming from the Klang Valley and the South. The bonus for this year is because we had extra two days of public holiday on Monday and Tuesday due to the Agong's Birthday and Awal Muharam celebrations.
Congratulation to all finishers and thank you to all running friends who recognised and cheered me up when I was running and we bumped into each other along the route.
On top of all that I had a very great time with my family throughout the whole trip until we reached home in Nilai at almost midnite on Sunday!
I hope to see you some of you again at LAJSM 2019 and in the next event at Dpulze Malaysia Day Run at Cyberjaya on 16 September 2018.
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