Tag Archives: family work out

UEM Charity Run 2016

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I give credit to my mum for encouraging us to join this event. She found it through the internet, and announced that she would like run in the 3km Family Fun Run category with her friends and my sister. I agreed to it too. But after seeing how excited her group was about the event, I figured that she has plenty of support and company. Plus, I knew that she can run longer than 3km because she works out regularly. So I ‘upgraded’ myself to the 12km category instead.

IMG_3106Team Mama

The event was a huge turnout because it’s not everyday that one of the busiest highways in Malaysia gets blocked and closed just for a running event. Usually, the North Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) was jammed with cars and vehicles but this morning, it was full of runners. All categories and distances can safely run on the road without any traffic. Despite the high number of runners, the highway was wide with 4 lanes, so no one was knocked over and fast sprinters can easily maneuver through the crowd. There was even enough space to set up sufficient water stations, sponging stations, and portable toilets along the way.

 

IMG_3097The starting line and finishing line. Is there an express lane for slow runners like me?

Processed with VSCOcam with a6 presetJumping for joy at the same spot when I felt miserable about being stuck in a traffic jam.

IMG_3140The massive turnout for the event

Running instead of driving on a road that I travel through almost everyday gave me a new sense of appreciation for the route. I have never realized that the wide, open road against the backdrop of dawn was very picturesque. We just ran and ran into the first ray of sunlight. How could I have missed that despite driving through this road almost every day? Now, I agree that sometimes all we need is to slow down, look around to discover that there is beauty around us, and how perfect God’s creations are.  I have never realized the slight elevation of the highway too while driving in the comfort of my car. It was challenging, but it wasn’t a killer. We were rewarded with an equally long stretch of downhill. I just leaned my body forward, and let gravity do its work.

In the end I did not run my fastest 12km, so I did not take home a new personal best (PB) record. However, I did went home feeling grateful and energized, with a better appreciation of my surroundings.

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).

IMG_1720

 

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.