I’m now a Duathlete!

Today, I’ve upgraded my status. No, not the Single/in relationship sort, but have turned from a marathoner to Duathlete!

There’s a series of duathlon races being put up for the 3-week back-to-back weekend. Only short courses category is available, and mainly targeted for the university students. I’ve picked one of the races and signed up for the open group category, mainly to gain some experience in a multi-sport event.

Today’s race is at University Putra Malaysia, Serdang. As I couldn’t make it to collect the race pack yesterday, I have to be there extra early just to pick it up before i could join the race.

Little did I know, I was probably one of the first few who arrived. I picked up my race pack without any confusing procedure, and proceed to check-in my bike at the transition area.

As the race would only start at 9am, the crowd only make their way in by about 8am. By then, I have had a little nap at one corner just to make it up for my lack of sleep.

I did some warm up just to make sure I really wake up from the sleepiness. Then we’re asked to get behind the starting line for a quick briefing and get ready to start. The Sun was up and the sky was clear…. I had the feeling that it’s gonna be a hot race.

The first run was alright. It wasn’t a big race, so i didn’t need to negotiate through the crowd within the pack. The route led to a remote trail with lots of trees cover as shades so it wasn’t to hot after all.

It was an easy run for me and I was still able to smile my way to the transition area. Then came the tricky part. I had to take off my running shoes and switch to my cycling shoes, then swap my cap with the helmet on, and put on the glove to minimise impact on my hands. I think all these have wasted me some time and took me a little while to get out from the transition area.

The cycling route wasn’t too bad. Although it’s not as shaded as the run route, there’re well balance number of hill climbs and downhills. The organiser label it as route with rolling hills. Thanks to my consistency in attending RPM classes, I didn’t find it very tough for the cycling part, except for the final hill before coming back into the transition area, where the hill climb seems to be forever.

And again, because of the shoe changing, it took me another while to come out from the transition area for my final run. by then, the weather was getting hotter and hotter, so did my body’s temperature. I pour a cup of water from the drink station as I was coming out from the transition area and dash out for an all-out run.

…. well, at least I tried to go all out. It was no joke for my body as after transitioning from cycling to running, i found that my heart rate was at exceptionally fast. I had to slow down my pace slightly to let my heart rate recover to a manageable pace. All my mind could think of was to pay attention to the pounding of my legs, my breathing, and my heart beat, all the way to the end.

A total time of about 1 hour to finish a 3km run – 13km bike – 3km run for the very first time. I’m not sure if this is a good timing, but I’m glad that I’ve completed it strong and now being recognised as a duathlete!

Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2011

The final race of the 4-weekend back-to-back races, and it’s none other than the well-known Singapore Marathon. Kind of think back, this would be my 10th full marathon race and my 5-year-straight of running for Singapore Marathon.

This race down south has always been special and close to my heart. This is the race where I first started my full marathon 5 years ago. I’ve also have the privilege of having gone through 3 rounds of route changes since I first join.

Since last year, Standard Chartered Marathon event has been felt even better simply because I’m now staff of Standard Chartered Bank. The perks includes access to the special staff tend during race day. Apart from this, Singapore marathon being the biggest marathon race in this region, we also get to go for the special staff carbo loading party during the day before the race, and as well as being the selected few for complimentary hotel stay for the marathon event.

I arrived in Singapore on the day before the race day. Touched down at Singapore airport by 8.30am. Had some time to move around in town before heading to the staff carbo loading party. This year’s carbo loading party is no longer in Fullerton Hotel, but at Raffle’s Convention Centre. Somehow, the crowd is less overwhelm than last year’s.

We were treated with wide variety of food. It’s nice to go for a marathon race not needing to worried about getting myself fuel up for the race.

 

After that, walked around a bit with my friend and head back to Ibis Hotel to rest early. (but can hardly sleep at all, probably too much coffee during the day and the bed being too small)

With little sleep till the next morning, I knew the race gonna be screwed. However, I’ve signed up for it so I’ll go on no matter how much it’s going to be tough for me.

The Singapore government recognised that this marathon event is going to be massive, so they have allowed the MRT to extend their operating hour non-stop overnight just to accomodate the runners getting to their various starting line.  We were glad that we didn’t need to take taxi this time round.

The day was cool, thanks to the non-stop rain for the past few days. This make the major part of the route cooler to run until the Sun rises.

I caught up with the 5hr pacers and was able to keep with their pace until 22km point where my lack of sleep started to give way. I started to feel to sleepy that if given a bed at that moment, I’d just collapse and sleep. My left tight also started to feel heavy and cramp up. I had no choice but to slow down and walk for the next 6km.

I managed to pick up my speed and effort a little bit when i was approaching 28km mark, where I started to use the run-walk-run strategy. As soon as I gain back my momentum, I pick up my pace further and started to run again for the next 14km.

It was really tough running under the Sun. At least I was still haven’t hit the walk and kept to the pace as far as possible.

This year’s run wasn’t as great, as I’ve slowed down my pace and hit a slower finishing time compared to last year’s. Anyhow, there’re up’s and downs in all races. I guess the strongest thing I needed to improve is to get myself more rest and sleep on the day before the big race.

 

Before I work in Stanchart, I kept telling myself about how crowded and crampy the Singapore marathon has been and vowed not to run again next year. But seeing how it’s became my annual marathon “pilgrimage”, I think I’ll continue to sign up and try to hit 10 years straight running for Singapore marathon.

Nike We Run KL 2011 10km Race

After helping out with 4 sessions of run clinics for Nike, the race day finally came. Everyone don on this year’s race tee to the starting line eagerly waiting to start running.

Thanks to Alex, we were given the priority access to be at the starting line ahead of everyone else at the starting pen. If you look at the picture below, it’s pretty interesting how everyone else behind the pen looking at us taking group pic ahead of them. LOL!

The weather was nice, and it’s only 10km. A few of us pacers were starting out together. Gary shoot off ahead of us as this is the only race for him around this time. I on the other hand, knowingly that there’s Singapore marathon the following week, just wanted to take it slow. Chiat, Winnie and I were running at the same pace throughout, while Chi Ming had Stomach stitch problem and back off from our pace. Sophie was running and encouraging her hubby, Jeremy, for it was his first race.

I was part pacing and pushing Winnie through out the race as she haven’t been running in a race for very long. …. and guess who’s the photographer??? …. Chiat, of course!

Nothing much to talk about, as it’s only a 10km run. I would said it’s really well organised, and am glad that they capped the number of participants despite a lot of dissatisfaction over how fast the registration has reach full capacity and have to take off the registration online.

We were also given the access to the Nike+ tent, with all meals provided. We indulged in the good nasi lemak!

One last shot together with the pacers when everyone comes back from the race!

Can’t wait for next year’s Nike race!

Penang Bridge International Marathon 2011

Yet another race one week after Powerman 2011. This time, it’s the land of good food in Malaysia, Penang!

The last time I did Penang Bridge Marathon was back in 2008. Then 2009, I did the Bangkok Marathon, which was on the same day as Penang Bridge Marathon. 2010, I thought I wanted to do the Bangkok marathon again, but couldn’t book a cheap flight, hence I missed both Bangkok and Penang Bridge Marathon. This year, I thought I should just give Bangkok Marathon a miss and signed up for Penang Bridge Marathon. (Anyway, due to flood issue, Bangkok Marathon 2011 has been postponed to February 2012)

First thing I arrive Penang is to collect my race entry pack from the collection centre. The organiser did a good job on this part. The booth was well spread out and the queue for each category wasn’t too long. My was a slight delay due to the race pack was initially couriered to me, but I wasn’t at home to sign the package. Hence the parcel was being sent back to the organiser.

After collection of race pack, it was carbo loading time! Not a difficult task being in a land of good food. Had my favorite stop-over at Genting Cafe, Island Glate for my Penang food fix. Duck-egg Char Kuey Teow, Penang Chee Cheong Fun, Hokkien Noodles, braised pork leg rice…. And off to rest for the early race next day.

The half marathon flag off at 3am. Not too bad considering that the full marathon starts at even earlier time at 2am. Originally wanted to be at starting point at least 30min before race start, but due to my friend’s delay, I had to half walk half jog to the starting point. Luckily I arrive just in time for the race to be flagged off. I told my friend shouldn’t be too slack to get to the starting point next time, to avoid the final rush to the starting point.

The starting point was narrow and I hate how I needed to dodge so many people to get a clear way in front to run. It wasn’t until entering Penang Bridge that I managed to get out from the crowded pack.

The run along the bridge was windy but not as cool. I was quite surprise at how fast my body was being heated up so badly. I kept telling myself that it’s only 21km and all this would be finished around 2 hours.

After the U-turn at the other end of the bridge, my time stated about 1 hour into the race. Just nice there’s a water station not far after that. I pop my power gel with the water, and continue on with my run. After the midway point of the bridge, my stomach started to feel hungry…. I was thinking that this is not right. I just had power gel not too long ago. Stomach grumbling become stronger toward exiting the bridge. I had to slow down a bit as it’s taken too much energy away from me. The water starting before exiting the bridge saved my life for awhile. At least the water helps to suppress the hunger.

Upon exiting the bridge, there’s about another 4km towards the finishing line. I talked myself into thinking that that’s about another 3.5 loops around Taman Tun Park. I could do it easily. I kept the momentum on until i finished the race at about 2hr14min finishing time. Somehow didn’t want to push all the way for this race as I kept reminding myself that I’m running full marathon in 2 weeks time in Singapore.

Quite satisfied with the race overall. The organiser did a fairly good job. (although I heard there’re some screw-up at the water station at the later stage for the full marathon runners and their finishers’ t-shirt distribution). I hope the organisers will look into the glitches and improve the race for next year’s event.

So, 2 races done, 2 more to go. Looking forward for this Sunday’s We Run KL 2011 10km run. Just nice for me to taper down for Singapore Marathon.

Powerman 2011

The day finally came to past. I’ve completed a powerman event! Well…. sort of.

Jun An and I has signed up for the relay category back in August. This is also my first time participate in a multi-sport event. As the race day approach, I’m kinda pumped up for it, which I haven’t been feeling such way for many of my run races for very long time.

We travelled up to Seri Manjung on Saturday. And of course, the journey wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t stop over at Bidor for the famous duck noodles.

We arrived early in Seri Manjung pretty early. So we went around to recce our race route. I’m quite delighted to find out that my run route is quite flat; whereas Jun An’s bike route has a very steep bridge to climb.

The briefing started at 5pm, just nice after we’re done with the recce. I reckon the organiser did pretty good job to ensure we’re well brief on what’s to expect on race day, so what we don’t run around like a headless chicken come race day morning.

On race day, we woke up quite early at 4.45am. Although they will only open up the transition area for us to do our race setup by 6am. Maybe we were super kiasu, wanted to get a very nice parking spot at the race venue.

 

Jun An has his bike setup once the transition area was open. As a runner, I only need to know where our bike is parked, so I don’t get lost looking to past my race chip during the transition.

The relay team is being flagged off at 7.40am. I would say that’s a pretty late time to start off a race. Sun would be up by then and we’re spend most time under the hot sun.

Due to the flat route, I manage to complete the first 11km run within 58min, saving more time for Jun An’s bike session. However, by the time I started my second run, after Jun An’s done with his bike, that’s when the drama begun. I was already pretty much exposed to the hot sun whole time waiting for Jun An’s to come in. When he finally came in, my stomach was half empty and heat is steaming up my head. I was glad that they have sufficient water stations along the route to cool us off and fuel us up.

Thank God I completed my second run strong and kept my timing within an hour for the last 10km run. Overall timing is slightly less than 4.5hr. Pretty decent for being first time.

Now I’m feeling the after-effect, sun burnt and tan line. Don’t like the sun burn part, but quite like the tan line from my tri-shorts and race jersey. It’s like telling everyone that “I survived Powerma!!” LOL!

I should get myself a road bike and do the individual Powerman next year! …. finger crossed…..