Running In Melaka

I had not wanted to run the Skyhawk Nature Run, initially. 

I was so under-trained for any running event for the past few months. The last "LSD" that I did was during Watergate 16 hour but that was done very much at jogging pace for 25K and walked the last 25K. Before that, the "LSD" was done in November at Putrajaya Night Marathon.

Running on weekdays nowadays is limited to 20-30min sessions, 2 times a week. Maybe get a run on Saturdays. I walked though, and walked a lot too on Sundays with hubby and son. I probably could choose to run instead, but that meant not spending time with hubby and son. So yeah, that's it for training for me. It's not something I'm proud of or something I'm happy about, but there you go. 

So, with just the occasional runs and once a week long walks for the past few weeks, I had a simple game plan. Run at a comfortable speed and finish with no tears. 

I told hubby to give me 3 hours. I told him I'd make it under 3 hours and hopefully it won't be a PW (personal worst) timing for me.

The run has only one distance. 21K. Men & Women. This is the first time the Skyhawk Nature Run was organised, as a matter of fact.

We went to collect my race kit on Saturday. Hassle-free and painless. Actually, my race-kit was ready for me when I reached the table.

Macam VIP! Muahaha

Thanks to the lovely people manning the race collection counter. ^^

Pre-run goodie bag with race bib. 

Flag-off was at 6.30am. On the dot. 

If I'm not mistaken, there were 800 runners in this event. It was capped at just 500 runners initially but response was good so the organiser added a bit more quota to allow more runners to join.

I chose to start among the last ones, with a very easy pace. A runner said hi and we chatted for a  bit before he went off in front. I stuck to an easy effort run. The morning is still young. ^^

1.2K later, we faced our first incline. From there onwards, runners went through a rather undulating route. Up, down, up, down...

As announced on FB by Skyhawk Nature Run, there were limited water stations. At KM4.5, KM8 (though it was actually at KM9; after an incline), KM12.5 and KM17. It was a big gap between the water stations and I guess some runners "suffered" as some may have been too used with water stations that are placed 2K apart in other races. 

Skyhawk Nature Run organisers made a request for runners to ensure used cups to be thrown in designated bins too at the water stations but I guess some runners might have missed the "memo". I saw paper cups strewn as far as 200m away from the water stations (WS), at WS1 & WS2. Thankfully, it weren't as many at the rest of the WS. It's a nature run peeps. Respect nature. If you can stroll drinking a cup of water, why not just stop at WS instead? Because you'd think there'll be someone to pick up your trash?

We started to enter into a Malay Village area after KM6. I noticed two toilet signs here, both were at some villagers home. No, we didn't need to use a portable loo. We "tumpang" villagers out-house. ;)

Anyway, it was lovely running through the village. At first, we passed through some rubber trees on both sides of the road. There was this Singaporean guy who went looking for rubber seeds for his daughter. A fellow runner went and helped him and he was so happy, the other runners (including me) just couldn't help feeling his joy and laughed with him.

We saw durian trees, rambutan trees, ciku trees, kelapa sawit and plenty of runners (we're a bunch of city-slickers so most of us can't help being excited, right? heh heh) stopped to take photos. It was a nostalgic moment running this particular section of the run. It felt like I was transformed to my childhood and walked in my kampung. 

Reaching the village, I first saw kids standing by the roadside looking-on at us runners. Further up, I saw more villagers waiting in front of their homes watching and supporting us. You don't get this running in Kuala Lumpur, I tell you!

By this time, I was already kicking myself for not having my handphone or my camera along.

Some runners were joking and chatting with the villagers at a stall. I myself even greeted villagers and they all replied warmly. Even the makciks! 

Saw a family of three (a lady, a man and a little boy) waiting to support someone (a family member, I suppose) at around KM11 and I kinda missed the support of my own boys. Saw them again afterwards at KM14. Their presence supporting helped lifted our morale too. ^^

At the third WS a nice surprise was waiting for us, in form of two mini lion dance heads. Of course most of us stopped, drank water and then played with the two lion heads. Cute photo opps what! ;-)

I didn't take any photo there but I lingered there and laughed looking at some runners antics. 

We went back out to the main road at around KM14. AT KM15, I was initially relieved that we needn't face the long incline straight ahead as we needed to turn right instead but the relief was short-lived. From there, it was a 600m incline too! I decided to walk the incline. 

From here onwards, it was a mixture of jog/walk for me. Just couldn't stomach the idea of running up inclines so I decided to just walk. Thankfully, it wasn't that slow. The long walks I had with hubby had helped improved my walking speed. 

I again "lepak"ed at the last WS, eating my gel (yeah, I finally took the effort to eat my gel at this run. I don't really like gels) and drank two cups of water. There was a small boy helping out at the last WS and he was so cute. Good job, kiddo! ^^

4 more KM of running and walking, with lots of laughter while chatting with fellow runners, volunteers and marshalls and when hearing passengers in passing cars complimenting other runners with cute head gear. Even the "abang" traffic were nice. 

I almost had a seizure when a two-door blue Audi stopped and turned out a fellow runner was driving it and he shouted encouragement to me. I think the rest of the runners near me got surprised too! LOL

More encouragements followed by runners who had finished and I super-super appreciate it. I actually slowed down to walk but with some of them aiming their camera at me, I just had to fake a run. Hahaha

Everyone runs happy when there are photographers and there were a whole lot of them in this run!

I did managed to complete my 21K in under 3 hours. In under 2:45 and I'm happy with my timing because I ran happy. Sure, it wasn't my personal best (PB) but I wasn't aiming for one anyway.

After doing 50K last week at Watergate 16 hour and doing the 21K today, I think I found back the motivation to run. Both of the events were organised by runners for runners and they both excel.

The kids helping out at the finish line, handing out finisher goodie bags. They were up since 5am! Respect!

Collected my goodie bag, ate ice-cream (they served ice-cream and it's free flow), cups of 100-Plus and Milo later and it's time to harass friends for photos.

I had a very fun morning.

I realise now that I don't need to run in big races to enjoy myself. This boutique kind of run suits me just fine.

To Skyhwak Nature Run, great job! Thank you to race volunteers, marshalls and everyone involved in this run. You guys and gals are awesome!

I hope there will be another Skyhawk Nature Run next year. If I may be selfish a bit, please continue with this format. Well, for at least another year? 21K is just nice for me. And the crowd too. Not too big that it got unmanageable. I love the cute medal too! Save medal space in my mooncake box! hehehe

Thank you too for the generous goodie bags. Where else could we get a before and after race goodie bag? ;-)

See you in 2015? I'll run with a camera next time!