The Weekend Runner: Newton Challenge 30KM 2015

I know that everyone can get a little bit emotional at finishing lines. The welcoming sight of the “FINISH” arch can make you suddenly sprint while smiling and laughing even though your feet hurt, or you may be overwhelmed with thankfulness that you makes you want to cry. In my case my emotions were really messed up; I really wanted to cry because even walking was painful, yet I was so happy because it was finally over that I wanted to shed tears of joy. I bet my tear ducts were really confused that morning.

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This was me at today’s finishing line.(Picture credit: Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon instagram)

When I registered for this race, I plan to treat it as a last minute training for next week’s full marathon debut. The race was 30km, at 70% of a full marathon length it will give me a taste of what is about to come running for 42km. Part of the training also involved a 30km test run last week, however things did not go as planned. Realising that I was low in my mileage, I hastily agreed to a 10km LSD run on the day before the race (Warning: Bad idea, do not try this at home).

To ensure that I made full use of this 30km run as a training session, I deviced a plan to challenge myself to complete in 4 hours. However, it turns out that the race had pacers. I started off by keeping up with the 3:45 hour pacer. They were running at around pace 7:00 to 7:15 minutes/km, which was fine by me since it was still early in the race and I was feeling fresh. However, I lost them at the KM8 water station because I took a longer break to pray Fajr (morning prayers).

I finished praying just in time to keep up with the 4:00 hour pacer. They were cruising at a pretty easy pace of 7:50 to 8:00 minutes/km, so I thought I could cope with that…until I bumped into more hills. My pace slowed significantly by one minute, I can no longer keep up with them at the KM23 marker. By the last 5km, I was seriously contemplating if I should just DNF the race and hitch a ride from the patrolling ambulance because it hurts to even walk. But there was a stronger voice in my head saying “You are so close to finishing! You will finish this, even if you end up crawling!”. So I practically dragged myself to complete at approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes, which was way off target.

 

IMG_2115‘The Plan’ to complete within 4 hours. Does it makes sense to you? Seems pretty straightforward, except for one major flaw: I did not take into account that the route is notoriously hilly, resulting in a significantly reduced pace.

 

IMG_2170Besides running skills, an important characteristic that every pacer should have is being friendly. These two were really helpful and encouraging.

 

No smiling finisher picture from me this time. I was pretty disappointed with myself since I did not complete as planned. On the other hand, I felt accomplished because the hilly route will prove to be useful as part of preparing for next week’s full marathon.

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Until next week,

The Weekend Runner.

The Weekend Runner: FIT Malaysia 2015 10K

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.

Mengapa perlu bazirkan duit anda? Kami ada SKIRT dan SELUAR MAMPATAN yang digabungkan sekali bersama!

1) HARGA YANG BERPATUTAN

Jika anda survey harga satu set seluar mampatan dan satu set skirt, anda perlu membayar ratusan ringgit untuk membeli kedua-duanya. Kami memperkenalkan produk terbaru kami iaitu Seluar Skirt Mampatan yang digabungkan bersama dengan hanya satu harga yang sangat berpatutan yang mampu dibeli oleh semua wanita yang gemar bersukan.

Skirt Pants Comparison

2) WARNA YANG CERIA DENGAN CORAK YANG MENARIK

clean Skirt

Kami menggunakan gabungan warna HITAM dan MERAH JAMBU untuk menyerlahkan lagi ciri-ciri feminin seorang wanita. Warna merah jambu ini juga merupakan warna yang terang dan boleh juga digunakan untuk bersukan pada sebelah malam. Golongan muda gemar dengan warna yang ceria, terang, dan lembut. Skirt ini lebih kelihatan menarik kerana terdapat 6 corak bunga yang diselang selikan dengan warna hitam dan putih dibahagian depan skirt pada sebelah kanan. Skirt ini juga tidak ketat dan dapat menutup bahagian poket dibahagian belakang seluar.

 

3) SIZE YANG BERBEZA

ukuran-Seluar

 

 

size seluar

 

 

 

 

 

Seluar Skirt Mampatan ini terbahagi kepada 3 size yang berlainan iaitu Medium, Large, Extra Large. Bagi mereka yang berbadan besar, anda tidak perlu risau kerana size Extra Large sesuai dengan badan anda. Kainnya juga bersifat anjal dimana pemakaiannya akan membentuk mengikut size kaki anda dan sekaligus dapat memberi kesan regangan yang efektif pada bahagian keseluruhan kaki anda.

 

4) TERDAPAT 2 POKET DI BELAKANG SELUAR

pocket

Terdapat 2 poket di sebelah kiri dan kanan yang berlainan fungsi pada bahagian belakang seluar mampatan ini. Poket disebelah kiri anda dijahit sekali dengan zip dimana fungsinya untuk menyimpan kunci atau duit. Zipnya dapat menjaga barang berharga anda dari terjatuh atau hilang semasa larian. Manakala poket disebelah kanan pula berfungsi untuk meletakkan telefon bimbit anda. Kini anda boleh mendengar lagu sambil berlari dengan membawa telefon bimbit anda ke mana-mana!

Tempahlah SEKARANG!http://shop.nashata.com/en/skirt-pants/51-skirt-compression-pants.html


Compression-Wear Released @ the 4th Malaysia Sports Trend and Games Expo (MSTGE’13)

It took us a few months to build compression products that are modest for women. We pay great attention to little details to ensure every women gets a good sporting experience covered modestly.

We are all excited to release two new products at the Malaysia Sports Trend and Game Expo (MSTGE’13) which is happening 24-27th October 2013 at the Mines Exhibition Center.

They are the compression arm sleeves and the compression skirt pants.

Compression Skirt Pants

Now, every women can wear a compression sports pants MODESTLY! Here are the reasons why :

1. All-In-One
Our compression skirt pants are compression pants that come with a skirt, ALL-IN-ONE. You don’t need to purchase a sports skirt separately.

nashata compression sportsskirt

2. Smartphone Holder
The compression pants come with a mobile phone holder on the right, sizable enough for Samsung i8552 model (13cm x 7cm x 1cm dimension). We have also tried an iphone for the phone holder and holds perfectly well during a run. As long as your phone is not bigger than the Samsung i8552, your phone is good to fit in the holder!

3. Zipper Pocket
There is another zipper pocket on the left to keep keys and money when you run. With this, you do need  not to worry about loosing your items during a run.

Mobile Phone Holder Samsung 8552 Phone holder 

4. Flair Pink Skirt
We offer a pink flair skirt to add the feminine in you. The pink skirt has a trail of Nashata motif on it covering the compression pants. With this, it covers your phone and items in the pocket on your compression pants. Not only that, you can now run or cycle in a compression pants without worrying about exposing your thigh and lower torso. They are covered by the flair skirt!

5. Longer Length
The skirt skirt longer than the existing sports skirts available in the market. It is slightly above your knee. The length of the pants is long, all the way to your ankle. It ranges from 86cm – 93cm. This is to suit muslim women who needs better covering.

Retail Price : RM189
Sizes : M, L and XL
Material : Polyester and Spandex

 

Compression Arm Sleeves

The compression arm sleeves comes in two colors; black and pink. The detail features of the arm sleeves are highlighted in our earlier post
Black Compression Arm SleevesCompression Arm Sleeves

Retail Price : RM89
Free Size
Material : Polyester and Spandex