Tag Archives: 10K

Back to the starting line: TM Fan Run 2016

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The end of Ramadhan marks a new running chapter for me. After one month of good rest, it is time to get going again with higher hopes and bigger goals (Hint: another ultramarathon coming really soon!). Coincidently, 2016 has passed it’s second half and so it is also a good time to reflect on the progress of our New Year Resolutions ; How far are we from reaching our goals? Have we completed any New Year Resolutions yet? Have we even started working towards our goals yet?

IMG_7480IMG_48922014 vs 2016. Same race, different venue, different distance

Time is of the essence. When you have limited time to work towards your goals, every mileage and work out counts. Not wanting to waste another moment, I signed up to run for 10KM in the TM Fan Run. Plus, signing up for an event in the midst of Eid celebration made me feel less guilty about enjoying the high calorie foods such as rendang and cookies.

IMG_4917Who says runners don’t celebrate Eid? This was our carbo-loading on the night before the run!

Lining up at the starting line, I realised how much I missed the smell of the morning air before dawn, the rays of light during sunrise, and the immediate jolt of caffeine and sugar in my system. I missed the cliché, annoying pop songs played while some random instructor did an aerobic warm up on stage, the buzzing crowd building up the excitement, the sight of your running crew and a few familiar faces. There was nothing quite like the feeling on race day!

As soon as the gun goes off, I took a deep breath, ready to give my best shot. The route was mildly easy with minimal elevation. Starting from Dataran Putrajaya, we passed by the usual landmarks if you have been running in Putrajaya regularly such as PICC and Persiaran Perdana Bridge, so there was not much excitement about the route. Overall, the 10K route was short of a few hundred meters but by my books, I ended up running my fastest 10K anyways by shaving 10 minutes of my previous personal best record.

So far, it looks like my running calender is off to a pretty good start. I’m feeling rather optimistic about the second half of 2016, with more races and work outs in the near future!

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Until next week,

The Weekend Runner.

Natura Run 2016

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Today I woke up, dressed up, and laced up as usual for the Natura Run 2016. Nothing fancy, it was just a 15km run, just like any other run on any Sunday. However at 5km into the race I realised that my body was not cooperating. I knew that I wasn’t going to call it a day yet. Instead of hitching a ride on the patrolling ambulance, I decided to cut the run short by going into the 10km route instead. I guess I wasn’t ready to run to my fullest ability – I needed more time to recover from last week’s ultramarathon.

IMG_293110km instead of 15km. That’s all for today, folks.

This run has been receiving bad press and complaints since the first day of the race kit collection. The awkward size of the race t-shirt, delayed flagging-off by 30 minutes, no prizes for podium finishers, last minute route changes, no goody bag or freebies, no timing chip on the race bib…and which charity organization does the proceeds go to again??? At RM65, this run was not cheap. Nobody had high expectations- they just want their money’s worth.

 

IMG_2929This was all that I got for today, plus water, a packet of bread, and a banana.

 

Negative comments aside, let’s focus on the brighter side of the race today: The weather was pleasant because it rained yesterday, the route was scenic because we passed by a park with a vast lake. There was a calm, meditative, and stress-free feeling while running through that route. On top of that, there was ample parking space, enough water stations, free ice-cold Milo and cereal at the finishing line, supportive crowd and running community, and the volunteers were friendly and helpful.

 

IMG_2937Positive vibes despite negative comments about the event. I guess It takes more than a badly organized event to crush these people’s spirits.

 

Every race or event will have its plus and minus points. But in the end, all that matters is our passion for running and good sportsmanship.

 

Until next week,

The Weekend Runner.

The Weekend Runner: FIT Malaysia 2015 10K

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I think it’s every runner’s dream to be able to race for free with no entrance fees. After all, running events are getting more expensive these days. Well, your runner’s dream might just come true thanks to FIT Malaysia events. Held over several series in different states across Malaysia, this event features 10K and 5K running, and 30K and 10K of cycling. Yup you heard me right, a 10K race for zero payment. However, if you are not up for running, there is also martial art demonstration, obstacle challenges, and zumba at the main stage area.

IMG_1689On your marks, get set, go!

IMG_1690Fancy turning your 10K into an obstacle race instead?

 

As it was a free event, the number of participants were overwhelming. Parents ran with their strollers, school kids ran with their friends, or elderly couples taking a leisurely stroll. It turned out to be an interesting crowd, so everyone took the opportunity to make small talks along the way. If you ever feel like giving up, there were random people cheering for you along the way to lift your spirits. I think that FIT Malaysia focuses on one of the most important aspects of working out: interaction. People need to feel like they are a part of a community, that they have a support system. Then they are more motivated to successfully complete a run or a work out program.

 

IMG_1704 IMG_1714No t-shirts were given, but no problem. Running clubs or other communities proudly wore their own t-shirts instead!

 

Processed with VSCOcam with a6 presetI entered the 10K run and completed it in approx. 1 hour 12 minutes, which was a new personal record for me. Was today’s speedier than usual performance a result of wearing a brand new Mumtaz hijab? If it was, then I need to get more colours too! (Pink Rose, Oxford Blue, and Baby Blue).

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At the end of the day, this event made me re-discover the pure joy of running and nothing else that comes associated with it; no branded t-shirts, no goodie bags, no fancy sponsors. Sometimes all you need in running is high energy, a great crowd, and good company. The best things in life are free – and it probably is true for the case of FIT Malaysia 10K Run.

 

Until next week,

The Weekend Runner.

The Weekend Runner: IMU Chariofare Run 2015

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Almost every Saturday or Sunday, I have been trying to consistently clock in about 15km to prepare myself for my first full marathon (and I know that that I am still under-training). So the routine before a long run will usually involve packing my waist pouch with power gel, water bottle, plus other required items, and hunting down my headphones, non-chaffing socks, etc. However, last Saturday, I participated in the 10km event for IMU Chariofare Run and none of those was required.

 

I forgot how simple it is to run 10km – no carbo-loding required, a comfortable distance, no power gel to be carried, no fancy gear required like water belt, bladder pack, etc. It was purely getting up, get dressed, go for a run. And Nashata’s Mumtaz hijab makes everything simpler – all I had to do was just slip it on and go!

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Essentials for a 10km run: The grey Mumtaz hijab and Ultra top in Turquoise.

 

The race was held at International Medical University (IMU), Bukit Jalil, Malaysia, flagging off at 6.30 am. The haze condition has somewhat cleared up around Kuala Lumpur. The air quality has improved over the past few days, but today’s running condition is not really optimum because I can still feel the heat from the residual haze. However, I manage to complete the run in 75 minutes. Not my personal best, but I’ll run another 10km tomorrow to catch up on my mileage so I don’t want to over-exert myself for today.

11217663_10207505886835134_1234804215675049122_n Obligatory finishing picture with medal. The Mumtaz hijab goes pretty well with the Turquoise Ultra – My blue top for the not-so-blue skies. Keep your chin up everyone, we’ll brave through this haze together.

 

After the run there was a carnival. I still had some energy so I’d thought it would be fun to hang around and contribute to the good cause. There were booths set up by the students, selling items like food, pre-loved clothings, and fun-fair games. IMU is lucky to have students from all over the world, so I tried food from Iraq, India, and Korea. I guess everything smells and tastes good after working out!

12003353_10207506506530626_7145531200887536109_n A friend of mine was part of the organizing committee so it would be great to support her by joining this event. Plus, the event was for a good cause: to raise funds for the university’s welfare partners such as Penang Hospice Society, Ti-Ratana Welfare House, and many more.

 

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The crowd was very encouraging, everyone was in high spirits! Keep up the good cause, folks!

 

Until next week,

The Weekend Runner.