New Route, New Kind Of Fun At SCKLM 2014

I have to admit, I have been tirelessly (or some would say, rather tiresome) in posting about the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2014 and all that blog updates came to a finale on Sunday, Oct 12th when Kuala Lumpur was swarmed with 35,000 runners. It's a sight to behold and an experience to cherish.
Both hubby and I ran in the full marathon category. A month plus after our full marathon in River Jungle Marathon. Kinda suicidal since we hadn't had much mileage a month leading to this Standard Chartered KL Marathon (SCKLM) apart from a hike to Nuang a day before my birthday, a 5K run at BOH Highlands Run a week after that.

I only managed to do a few short runs ranging from 3-5K last week and no mileage at all until the marathon. Hahaha Adoi.

Anyways, we just plan to run and finish. Well, we did, didn't we? So, yeay us. LOL

SCKLM 2014 sees a new route and featured two elevated highways. Full closure of two elevated highways. Now, full road closure is a novelty in running here and it was sure nice to have the road all to ourselves. I love the experience!

Flag-off was at Dataran Merdeka, and at 4.30am for Full Marathon category and it was a reverse route from the previous year. Instead of heading down to Brickfields, we headed towards Jalan TAR and on to Jalan Sultan Ismail.

Couldn't help noticing hotel guests (at Renaissance Hotel) and clubbers along the route "harassing" volunteers and some runners for making them stuck and not able to drive through. Didn't these business owners get the memo about road closure and made the announcement accordingly to their patrons?

Anyway, it was mostly flat route for the first 9K before we entered AKLEH. Both my Timex GPS and hubby's Polar reading went a bit of haywire when we were running in the city centre, I guess due to the high-rise buildings.

Subuh was when we got to KM8'ish and some runners stopped at the Bomba Station at KM9 to perform their Subuh prayers. SCKLM had put up prayer tents at KM11, and some runners had kindly donated some kain pelikat and kain batik for runners to use there. Thank you! Banyak pahala uols. :)
We had an easy plan. Reaching AKLEH, we'd walk the incline and run on the flats and declines. We needed to keep a conservative effort, seeing that neither of us had much mileage this time.
The route before the u-turn had a really magnificent view of the twin tower. I was really tempted to keep on stopping and take photos of the tower but didn't take that many as I didn't want to get left behind by hubby!

But I ran while enjoying the view of Kuala Lumpur skyscrapers and it was such an awesome experience. When else do you get to stop along AKLEH, stop and soak in the view instead of just driving pass, hurriedly?
One of the water stations on AKLEH. Runners taking over the highway!
Friends who overtook me at KM14. The rest was already far in front too, I guess.

Congrats guys on your VFM!

It was here that hubby got a bit of stomach issue after he ate a power gel and he started walking. I was foreseeing a boring stretch ahead and didn't want to start walking so I asked him whether I should keep a lead and keep pace.

He told me to go ahead and meet him at the finishing line later.

I kept a lead, fully expecting that he'd catch up and maybe take the lead at around KM30. With that in mind, I ran ahead and stopped at each water stations from KM14 onwards while making sure I can see him catching up behind me.

When I reached KM18, I suddenly thought of aiming for a sub6 timing so I tried making sure that I'd get to each water station at KM18 and KM20 at a certain time. I did and was stoked about it that I think my second 10K was faster than my first 10K.

It was after KM20 that we started to enter DUKE and I couldn't help laughing (what else can I do?)  at the sight of the steep flyover that we needed to run up to, to enter DUKE.

I tell you, AKLEH and DUKE sure give you an undulating experience! 
Got to KM21 mark at around 2:47.  Good, because it was under 3-hours. Though I had to remind myself that it'll be hard work to maintain that same timing for the balance 21K but hey! No harm trying! Hubby arrived at the KM21 around 3hours. 

I had actually started to get hungry at KM20 mark. The whiff of food cooking when I pass the Gurdwara Sahib Ampang sure made my tummy rumble.

But alas, no solid food and only drinks (water and isotonic) served until we got to KM27(?) and we got our hands on some powergel. I don't normally take gels, but I was hungry so I took and downed the Kona Punch Powerbar gel served there. Good thing it wasn't funky tasting or anything and my tummy didn't protest.

Rule of thumb : don't take anything new during your marathon in case it doesn't agree with you.

Perked up a bit with the power gel and also seeing a friend waiting on DUKE to give us runners some cheer and taking photos. Appreciate it, Kam! ^^
My aim for 30K was to do something less than 4:30 and I got to this mark at 4:15. Yeay!

Couldn't believe I was still feeling relatively good and I guess it must be the very conservative pace I was keeping.

By this time, I kinda lost hubby though. I waited for him for a bit but didn't see him so I told myself that I'll wait for him at the finish line if I can't see him catching up.
It was at the KM30 water station that I got to eat.

Actually, this was my first banana ever eaten while running in a race. I usually didn't have the appetite to eat but that morning, I was so hungry; I devoured this banana in no time.

Feeling rather full, I only ran slowly after leaving the water station and walked up another incline. Then pretty soon, we were leaving DUKE and out to the busy Jalan Kuching. Skipped the KM31 water station only to be greeted with these familiar faces opening an independent water station for us!

I was so happy seeing them, I was waving to them like 50m from where they were waiting. Hahaha
Thank you all for being up, waiting and serving us countless fruits, chocolates, coke, root beer and even karipap for us GC runners (and others too). I heart you!!!

I stopped and lingered here for a few minutes; eating, drinking, taking photos, gossiping... 

Then off I went again. Jogged a bit until we reached another ascent. Then walk lor. It's back to walk incline (which was a lot at this point onwards) and run declines. Flat was slow jogged.

Saw more familiar faces taking photos at the cooling arch near the tennis complex in Jalan Duta. Thank you Lini!

And from there onwards, it was Bukit Tunku! BUKIT!
Saw another awesome independent water station manned by Zinov (& wife) and Zul from the PACat Team. They served cakes, watermelons, drinks...

Of course I stopped here.

The watermelon was a godsend. Sedap. ^^

There was a decline afterwards and I slowly jogged down. By this time, I realised that with about 8k left, a sub-6 timing wasn't gonna happen but I still want to finish it in a decent time so I coaxed myself to run whenever I can and speed-walk on the inclines.

Actually, I wanted to run. It's much faster to finish if I run instead of walking, right?
Along the road next to Lake Garden. More incline. Huh. Hahaha

Just a few km to go but dang... it's damn hilly last few KMs!

After another jog/walk from here until Majestic Hotel, I made an attempt to run. Like, run.

The last 500m towards the finish line, I pushed. The adrenaline rush from the supporters (and runners who had finished) made me run towards the finish line. Yes, I was tired but seeing them cheer lifted up my spirits and give me energy. Again, thank you!

I didn't get my sub6. It wasn't my PB either. But I have to say, I really enjoyed my run.

I had fun! And that's what's important for me. Though I guess I need to train smart to prepare for my Nov marathon. That one, die-die must do sub6 or get sweeped and not be able to finish my marathon! Alamak!
Photos taken along the route, by Lini and Amir's cousin. At KM31 and KM33 or 34 mark.

Of course can smile, if one runs at my slow pace. Miahaha
A hundred meter towards the finishing line, taken by Kam and Rashid.

Thank you!
After crossing the finish line, I waited for others and took some photos and of course waited for the fella in orange vest to finish. Congrats hubby.

Crazy fella who had much less mileage than me leading up to SCKLM.

What can I say? We both cari pasal this time. Huhuhu
I wore both my Timex GPS watch and my Samsung GearFit. I was curious to know how many steps I'd do running a full marathon and the answer is as the above photo. It's counted from the moment I cross the Start line and stop the moment I cross the finish line.

All in all, I had loads of fun today. Sure, some section was boring but that boring section was where I'd actually tried to push myself to run instead of lingering or wasting time walking. So boring route makes me run. There were plenty of inclines which made it tough too. I'll just have to do more hill training to not be afraid to tackle them next year.

Thank you to the race organiser, to the awesomely enthusiastic race volunteers, hardworking cleaners who were sweeping our cups tirelessly fellow runners and all the supporters. You are all GREAT! 

It was also a nice feeling to run a local marathon and see a big crowd of runners in front of me and behind me as opposed to seeing a few of them like I used, in other marathons. Almost 6,000 winners toed the start line today, after all!

Congrats to all of us!

Comments

  1. wow.... respect! Waking up early for a 4.30am marathon of 42KM is not easy! I also saw some of my friends running and got a finisher's medal. Some of them finished quite fast, below 5 hours I think. Thanks for the post , now I got a picture of how running a marathon is like.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Try waking up at 4.30am to train, Chris! Waking up for a race day is the easy part. Lol

      You can always learn from your ftiens how marathon running is like. :;

      Delete
  2. Congratulation! Another marathon in the pocket.
    I loved the new route too but hated the section where we joined with the half marathon runners. Most of them were walking and we need to waved in and out to dodge them. Water stations were jammed too (only felt regreted not to run with my Gatorade bottle after 38km in the race).

    Next one, P100?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was too slow so missed the HM runners. :p

      Congrats on your run and all the best to Seoul.

      My next one will be Fujisan Marathon. Skipping P100 this time. :)

      Delete
    2. So I guess next we will see lots of spam for Japan trip from your FB & Blog :P

      Good luck and have a great trip to the land of the Yummy Sushi.... ahem,.... Rising Sun.

      Delete
    3. Yeah... probably. I apologise in advance for future spamming there. Lol

      Delete
  3. Congratulations, Kak Lina! Good job!

    I saw you in the hotel lobby, you were heading to the elevator (I was checking out), wanted to holler but didn't. Next time, eh? :)

    All the best for your next adventure!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aaahhh... the lady at the checkout counter was you. Ala. Missed saying hi.

      How was your run? :)

      Thanks ya. ^^

      Delete
  4. surely a new route gives more fun and excitement, usually, hehe~~

    pat on your shoulders for bagging another marathon in your bag!!

    any "post-event syndrome" that you are having now?? hihihi ^^

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahaha thanks SK.

      Post-race syndrome = craving for sate.
      Lol

      Delete
    2. only sate ke?? what about nasi lemak, rojak passembor and cendol?? :p

      Delete
    3. Protein first dei. Lol

      Delete
  5. Bravo!....

    Understand la you passionate about running. Hence will not bored with posting about SCKLM punya. Jiayoh!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Fuiyoh.....in this cerita arnad and kura kura...arnab arrived at the finish line first wor....

    ReplyDelete
  7. How come so little photos? Comning soon ka more photo. This year did not dress up? Last year saw many people dress up wor.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Photo check FB. It's swamped with race photos.

      Official photos will be up soon.

      Delete
  8. Dahsat!!
    congratss kaklina.. paling dahsat u left zaini tuuu.. fiwittt!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. O.o ~~ 21KM in 3 hours! Salute! *Give a pat on the shoulder*

    I can only go 2KM in 30 mins..... 3 hours = 12KM, uahhhh!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL

      Try lah.... mana tau you're actually way faster. :)

      There's a Taiping Run on 21/12/14. Got 12K category. :)

      Delete
  10. It's great that you and hubby completed the run. I really admire and salute both of you!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Well done! Well done! Congratulations to you and Pak Kura. You both need not have to do rigorous training yet you could finish without sweat. You were just more concerned on the time to finish but that's not really important who comes out champion. We are proud to be your friends!

    Anay pandai cakap, betul.......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anay memang pandai cakap. Hahaha

      Letchumi apa macam?

      Delete
  12. Congrats on the run! I like your narration here. Feel like I am also running with you. ^^

    ReplyDelete
  13. Congrats Lina, feel happy reading your blog. Wish I was there. Will make sure next year I am there! Kanbate

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!!!

      So see you at SCKLM 2015? :)

      Errr... who is this? hehehe

      Delete
    2. Hahaha! U got another stalker ;D
      Congratz on the FM. Super like the name on the bibs. Cool couple lah korang.
      I did 10K, first time masuk SCKLM. Ramaiiiiinya mak aiii! Kagum skjp.
      Good luck with PBIM14, can do lah sub6.

      Delete
    3. Awww ada stalker. Hahaha

      Tak berani masuk 10K kat SCKLM. Ramai sangat. Lol

      Tak buat PBIM. Gonna do a marathon end of Nov instead. :)

      Delete
  14. Ooowh ingatkan PBIM. Event apa tu end of Nov? Apa2 pun, good luck :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Congrats! *clap clap clap*
    Full marathon, Wow.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Awesome view on the twin towers.. that's my favourite highway in KL in terms of view!...and somehow the word karipap seem to jump up from the post :P
    p/s - me being curious, what time was that when you smelled a whiff of home cooking? haha :P

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Around 7am. Probably preparing breakfast. Hahaha

      Delete
  17. My HM was good, thanks for asking, considering my energy depleted significantly after KM12/13. Wished they gave us pisang too, hehe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Takde pisang ke for HM?

      Previous years kat KM12 mark tu ada pisang.

      Congrats again for your HM. :)

      Delete
  18. Well done Kak Lina n Abg Zaini... You guys were doing great and had so much fun... I missed all those indie kedai runcit though... Super slow me huhu... Felt so hungry too after I smell the whiff... I could already imagine hot capatti and kuah dhal or curry at that corner hehee...

    Best of luck for your Fujisan yaa... Can't wait for my 1st Japan trip Feb next year :D

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wow! I know your friend, the one in front pegang GC Rocks tuh! Hehehe congratulations on your full marathon! *salute*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So we're both Ejah's friend. :)
      Thanks. :)

      Delete

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