The Second Time Around

My second year doing Standard Chartered KL Marathon. Second time doing the half-marathon at SCKLM. 9th half-marathon to-date, since June 2012.

I went into this just aiming to finish my run. A complete opposite attitude from last year's.

Well,
  1. I wasn't injury riddled last year so I ran a rather comfortable run and finished my first half-marathon at 2:31. I did 2:50 this year (nett time, according to my Timex watch. Gun time was 2:52)
  2. I ran without knowing other runners last year, but I've come to know and ran with a whole lot of runners this year. Getting hi's all through the route. :) Thank you everyone for your friendly gestures. ^^
  3. It was nice and overcast last year. It was hot and super duper sunny this year.
  4. I was very clever. I ran without having breakfast. Then again, breakfast for last year's HM was a pack of Kit-Kat. Wasn't much of a breakfast either. :P
Before the race. Met a few people and the very very famous Kak June. I'll do the full marathon next year, KJ and meet you at KM36! ^^

Half-marathon flag-off was at 6.00am, one and a half-hour after the full marathoners were flagged-off and fifteen minutes after the Ekiden category.

I purposely set my Timex not to show the distance and I just have it show my timing. I ran according to feel today. Today's run was not about getting a PB (personal best). I haven't been running/training for the past two months. Whatever mileage I acquired these past months, was by cycling and walking. I slow-jogged a few times the past two weeks, but nothing more than 7K. That is definitely not enough for a half-marathon training!

Quite  a number of friends passed me. I used to pass them once upon a time, and now they all run faster than me. They ran further too, now. I am so proud of them yet I'm feeling sad too. Sad because of my stagnant performance. huk huk huk

Ah well. On to train for the next event in October. And November. And December. And January. HAHAHA

Anyway, I managed to maintain a 7:30 pace for the 1st 12km before losing focus and getting tired. Ate my first and only gel at the water station and washed it down with a cup of 100-Plus. Not a good idea. Tummy protested. Adui.

Good thing the water stations were ample and stationed at every 2km. I drank water after that and felt better.

I picked at banana at KM10.5 water station (I think) last year but I decided to give the banana a miss this year. Cold sponges were abundant and it was sooooo nice to wipe the hot, sweaty body with it. 

I walked my first incline around KM14, I think. While walking a runner was like "Bunny! Come Come! Do you want my carrot?" - he was holding a banana by the way. It was funny that time but sound kinda wrong now! *dirty mind* LOL

The pace after KM12 was 8min pace. I contemplated at pushing all out after KM18 but I can't seem to really push myself. I am weak and lazy! Phiak Lina!

The final KM towards the finish line was really congested. You have all the categories merging at Sogo and man... was very crowded. Very very crowded.
More crowding here. Created by a bottleneck effect and the fact that some runners who finished did not seem to notice that they were obstructing the road for finishing runners to run.

Some 10K runners were seen too keen to take a shot at the 42KM signboard that they just stand in the middle of the road, oblivious of other runners. I had to shout to them to be careful. We don't want a collision, do we? All I know, for a tired marathoner (that's those who run 42km folks, the effort to zig-zag too much around others might be too much).

Zaini was waiting right at the finish so he managed to get some nice finishing photos complete with timing in the background, not only for me but for other friends too.
He managed to get there because
He was media! Yup, I was offered a media pass and I pass it to him.

Though getting the pass wasn't without drama. We were supposed to get it on race day but when we wanted to get to the media tent, we were stopped by the volunteers. When we told them that we are "media", they asked us to show our pass. "How to show our pass when we were supposed to go collect it first?" Well, they were very strict and told us to get the media pass. They sure are doing their job marvelously!

Good thing la I got the PR person's handphone number so called her so she can let us in. Haish.

As runners were finishing their run, Zaini stationed himself at the Full Marathon/Half-Marathon finish line for a while.
Managed to take a photo of Edan, who did a 2:54 full marathon. Congrats Edan!

Around 8.45am, both Zaini and Raimie made their way to the Kids' Dash starting line. Raimie was registered to do a 2.5km run.
The kids, after flag-off. This is no kids stuff. A number of kids running had their timing watch! Whoah!

Not sure the total distance was correct at 2.5km. The flag-off was 8.50am. Raimie made it to the finish line around 9.03am. If it really was 2.5km, Raimie sure ran fast!

There were two categories. One was 700m Kids Dash. Raimie ran the 2.5km category.
Maintain! Maintain!
 
Super duper long queue after the finish line. Under the baking hot sun. I needn't wait long because instead  of just following the queue, Zaini called me to walk with my son at the fun run/10K finishing chute instead. Turned out the jam was because organisers had volunteers spraying runners legs.

But for me, I was out in a matter of minutes. Hehehe

Got my goodie bag, Raimie got his (he got free ice cream too) and heard my name being called out.
By Massy! We finally met again. We met the first time last year, on the route. While running in this same race and in the same category. ^^

After that, we decided it would be fun to show support to finishing marathon runners so we camped ourselves nearby 7-11 there to take photos, encourage, motivate and make a nuisance of ourselves.
Following Kelvin. He's a 5:30 pacer. Very very havoc when he is nearby. LOL
The gold man was there too.
Those who were not running and those who had finished their run, supporting others. I love the spirit of these runners!
Took lotsa photos with the #Krazirunners gals and finally headed home around 10.50am. The day was fun!

All in all a great event. Volunteers were great. Quite a number cheered us and it was super appreciated.  Thank you to all volunteers for being there for us. ^^

KL drivers - haven't changed much. Lots of honking nearby Renaissance Hotel. Some irate drivers commenting over at SCKLM FB page about the jam too.

You know what... these people probably won't complain if the jam was caused by a "Jom Heboh" event or because of a sale but boy, were they mad when there were 33,000 non-motorise and non-polluting way of travelling (i.e. on foot) took over the road for a few hours! BRAVO!

Good job to all running in SCKLM. You are a winner! See you next year, yeah? :-)

In the meantime, enjoy some photos:
Album I
Album II

Comments

  1. Fuyoo..the run looks fun and merrier. Good that you learned many things from running and there's many tough guy over there huh?

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  2. I want to make a confession.. I saw your shoes!! heh.. I nmpk u pakai kasut apa yeh.. LOL..

    congratsss u mmg hot runner kak lina.. kipidap!!

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    Replies
    1. wahahahah!!!!

      Choice of kasut best tak hengat tu! Nampak sangat tak ikhlas nak lari kan? :P

      Bett, you're ohsem tadi! So supportive!

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    2. Terasa peluh2 keluar semalam macam berlari jugak you!! ahahaha..

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    3. Bett & K.Lina, tq sbb every supportive. ms nmpk uols sblm finishing line tu almost burst into tears.

      Has

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    4. Has!
      Take care.

      Kaki amacam?

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    5. kaki dah ok. syukur!! dah ilang dah rs serik.. so start training utk PNM..hooyeeah.

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    6. Hahaha

      Terbaek :-D

      Krazirunners memang gila berlari :-P

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    7. Has, speedy rcovery to u.. just do it! Gile Berlari is our new tagline!! Mihmihmih. .

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    8. Has, speedy rcovery to u.. just do it! Gile Berlari is our new tagline!! Mihmihmih. .

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    9. Aku risau kang ada yg selamba guna tagline kita tu.

      mihmihmih

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  3. wow, that's an awesome event! So much fun and cheers to all runners and supporters!

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    Replies
    1. A running event always have supporters from runners, Wenn. That's why the running community is so great. :)

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  4. Glad to know that lessons learnt! Hehe~

    A few of my friends joined this marathon too this morning, must be happening!

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    Replies
    1. It would need to be happening. There's 33,000 runners on the street running in it. ;-)

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  5. wah, kids these days got their own running/timing watch?? i hope it's just a plain casio with stopwatch feature, though! :P

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    Replies
    1. I didn't even have that when I first started! :-P

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  6. It looks fun!! 2nd time is always better than 1st time and it will be better each time.

    Congrats and keep running, Lina.

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    Replies
    1. I'm game for a change for the third time though.;-)

      Thanks Rose. :-)

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  7. saw someone keep nagging in facebook before the run.. so were you able to pick up your running mojo by then?? i certainly hope you did.. :)

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    Replies
    1. Mojo still missing but I'll try my best to still keep training. ;-)

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  8. anyway, i think if there's no fun in running pun, also fun in meeting up friends you've known all these years through running right?? it's like a gathering of friends and also photo taking session.. quite busy dei~~ :p

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    1. Definitely.

      Run takes less than 3 hours for me but we were there from 4am - 11am! :-D

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  9. this SCKLM is surely one huge event.. i see lot of people wearing that shirt in almost every corner in town yesterday.. and especially "sardined" in the packed LRT with stinky smells of sweat yesterday, almost fainted~~

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    Replies
    1. I contributed to the stink also as I used LRT too.

      Sorry ah, Ah Boy. Why were you out early on Sunday anyway? Pigi dating ke? :-P

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  10. nice bunny ears on Mak Glam and that hat on Raimie!! errr, Zaini didn't run?? and Mak Glam should post more photos of cosplay runner and supporters.. like that golden man, that batman and that lolita skirt runner~~ :p

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    Replies
    1. But you can see it on my FB album what... :-D

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  11. You really made it! I was searching high and low for this arnab until gave up! I stood at the finishing line for more than 1 hour under the blazing sun until my neck burnt. Haiks!

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    Replies
    1. you should have search for Zaini easier LOL

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    2. Yala. Zaini was standing right at the finish line until.9.10am. Then only we go lepak near 7-11 to support others.

      How could you miss him? ;-)

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  12. Wah! Gold Man also came to run! I missed all these famous celebs! I saw things that others didn't see. Gila Anay.

    I met quite a number of friends and regulars whom I cam muka only. It was a good day with high spirits!

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    Replies
    1. Good for you. So, yesterday was like a reunion for you too? ;-)

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  13. Luckily you alerted me about the traffic closure otherwise I would have nightmares. Taking the train was easier though I had to walk like hell as my car parked so far from the main big station. Next time I must really park at kuku bird's house as that small station has no proper parking lots.

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    Replies
    1. Spend the night there. Less hassle. LOL

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  14. I believe in the next few days this Mak Glam's Bunny appearance will grace many media sites!!!

    Kudos!!

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    Replies
    1. Over exposed already la. Nobody wants to see me :-P

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  15. I must say that this event has improved so much now compared to the earlier years I attended where the finishing line and follow ups were very messy!!!!!! Even the parking areas were like a circus!

    Yes, the KL drivers were so #@$%.

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    Replies
    1. KL drivers think the road only belongs to motorised vehicles.

      Those running that day pay road tax also, dei!

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  16. Now when will I post up the photos? Kick my backside please!! Muahahahahaha!

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  17. Hey, you have injury but yet managed to complete more or less similar timing as last year so kira as very good already la

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    Replies
    1. Mana ada similar. I was 20min slower. That's a HUGE gap actually. Can run like 3km in that time wor... ;-)

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  18. saw in a friend FB...her 5 friends have the finisher medal and they cantum 5 together making it look like bunga raya

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    Replies
    1. can ah?

      I thot this year's one all square?

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  19. lucky u have the PR person Punya phone number...really chicken and egg situation....if they dont let you in to collect pass how la to show they...terrible

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    Replies
    1. some more didn't want to check with the PR. Got walkie talkie for chit-chatting, I suppose.

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  20. semalam saya punya half marathon paling teruk...3 jam..lagi teruk dari NB...tak tahu lah kenapa..even yg NB langsung saya tak ambik gel...tapi 2-3 benda buat saya sedih pasal performance saya...first asap bas tak ingat,nak muntah bau...second tak semua water station ada 100plus..just air kosong...kat situ saya dah down...dalam sejarah saya ambik 2 gel...saya ingat SCKLM ni lah nak buat PB...aish..kecewa gile...

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    Replies
    1. Don't beat yourself. Anyway, NB is a bit under-distance & SCKLM is over distance.

      Pasal water station, i thought it was mentioned in runners' guide? Selang seli WS yg ada 100-plus?

      Anyway, there's always the next race. Tul tak?

      Errrr... Sapa ni? :-P

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    2. Lina & Anon : owh byk nye over distance? sbb lupa nk stop my nike watch. lps rest kat medical tent n collect medal baru igt nk stop. 22.10 km

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    3. My kiraan was 42.53km.

      Ada sapa punya tah, was 42.50km

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  21. It a very sunny cloudless morning yesterday... The scorching sun was tormenting most of the runners' body n soul. Thank goodness there were so many WS provided along the route. Glad u finished your 2nd HM SCKLM just in time to show yur support for Raimie.

    I was super excited upon seeing so many familiar faces at 200m before the finishing line. U guys gave me the boost to finish the xtraordinary hot run strong. Thank you for your support Kak Lina n Abg Zaini the official media... ;D

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    Replies
    1. SCKLM is a great event.

      Jom train for next year.

      Sub5 for you kan? :-)

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    2. Sub5 mission is for next year... This year xmampoo lagik... Banyak kena modify and improvise here n there, plus training main tangkap muat je lately Sis... Hehee... Can't wait for SCKLM 2014... Arap2 la xda jerebu dah bulan 6 tuh... Pfft!

      Jom train kak lina femes bunny jom! =D

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  22. Glad you're running again! :)

    Zaini, I've decided, was born to be a photo-journalist. He's got The Look.

    More photos of the young man running, please! :)

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    Replies
    1. There were lots of photos but oh wait..somebody got ejected from FB, right? Heh heh

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  23. congrats sis lina, steady la timing tu, walaupun injured. my gun time is 2:58. lagi 2 minit nak cut off. penat gila rupanya lari half marathon ni, nak pulak training kurang.

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    Replies
    1. Congrats Mat Joe for your HM. First HM ke?

      Lps ni PNM? :-)

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  24. kak, welcome back from injury!!!
    thats a BIG yey!!!
    lepas ni boleh back on your technical training again.
    see u in PNM ok :))
    (tp i lari separuh jeee. heheheeee)

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    Replies
    1. Ahaha... Miss my techie training plan. :-D

      Gotta get training cecepat... Dah way behind uols skrg ni. T__T

      HM PNM maknanya wat KOTR le tewwww. Kan? Ek? Ek? ;-)

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  25. Emo jugak I baca ni. Huhu. You did great Lina. We all have our moments. I pun selalu rasa happy & sad, at the same time, towards other runners that run faster & further now. Tapi I selalu ingatkan diri I that it's me against myself. Hehe

    I love Raimie's running pic! Memang cantik gaya dia berlari. And yeah all those kids pun amboi siap ada jam bagai. Fuh.

    I shall try not to miss SCKLM next year. I hope nobody wants to go motocrossing & break something pulak lagi. Oops. :P

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