Back To Seremban Half-Marathon

A year plus ago, in Seremban; after finishing my run at Seremban Half Marathon 2013, I declared here that I will never run in Seremban Half Marathon again. 

Shows how you cannot trust a runner when it comes to running in any event because here I am in 2014, running in Seremban Half Marathon again! Hahaha

I actually registered very late for Seremban Half Marathon. After the closing date, as a matter of fact. But despite the weekend having a clash of races all around Malaysia, what with the inaugural Kuching Marathon (which many of my friends PBed... congrats yous!), GuocoLand Run, TMBT 50K & 100K, Hassu Tasu Trail Run 25K, Colour Run to name a few...none fitted the distance I wanted to do (and my budget too) so Seremban Half Marathon it is, finally.

I actually still had reservations running in it seeing that not only that I had not had any runs at all this week, I caught a bad flu on Friday morning. Spent much of Saturday trying to rest to get better but it got me a huge migraine instead so I decided that cleaning up the house was best. That and a walk around my neighbourhood for an hour and half later at night.

We decided to still go to Seremban so after a 3-hour sleep, woke up, got ready and off we went to Seremban to first meet up with friends who helped out with collecting my race kit. Thanks Lina and Man! <3 p="">

I didn't expect hubby to run too so I was surprised when he didn't want to bring the camera to the run. I only got to know that he planned to run as we met our friends! *slap forehead*

Flag-off was a few minutes after 6:30am. Just a small crowd of half-marathoners this time and most of the familiar faces were noticeably absent as they were running in other events. However, that didn't mean the ones who ran in Seremban were to be scoffed at!

Hubby chose to run with his buddy, Man while I ran solo. He caught up with me after 500m and was encouraging me with some annoying words like "go gog go" or "ganbatte" (HAHAHA) and I told him I'm taking the run easy as I was feeling a tad dizzy. 

Easy my foot. My first 3K split was 21min! That was way too fast for me even when I was feeling OK! Decided to be really easy and force walk breaks. Still, the next 3K split was about 22min (depsite walking 500m of the 3K). The next 3K got more walk breaks but still a 23min 3K. That meant, when I was running I held a much faster pace than I intended to. Haish. 

Anyway, the balance of the run was done much slower at an average 9min/km pace of walking+running as my chest started to feel a bit tight. Better not risk anything.

At this point, I somehow looked longingly at the ambulances that passes us. Adui.... Good to know ambulances were nearby should we need urgent medical care.

The route that we half-marathoners shared with the 10K runners were well-manned with marshals and coned off but after 10K runners were diverted to another route, we half-marathoners ran just like we did during LSD. Take care of sendiri punya safety.

Although yes, there were still marshalls at junctions but some big junctions were not manned. 

Water stations were placed at roughly KM5, KM8, KM11, KM14 and KM17. No Gatorade served this year, and we got mineral water and Revive instead handed out by absolutely enthusiastic school kids. Thumbs up to them! Plus thumbs up to the St John's volunteers who were stationed not only at water stations but other spots too. Some of them diligently waited for us runners under the hot sun! Respect, kiddos!

I ran easy and would occasionally caught up with hubby and buddy who were always kept a lead so there weren't much drama, running wise. 

The route we did was EXACTLY the same as last year but my short memory seemed to have forgotten that Seremban Half-Marathon had long gradual climb littered along the route. Nothing steep but looong climb. Nice. Ahahaha

While there weren't any traffic control for us runners, gotta give a hand to Seremban drivers for being a courteous and patient lot for driving slowly and not speeding while they passed us. I didn't hear any honking except for two occasions :

1. a letchumi who must have needed to go home urgently as she not only honked but also gave me and another lady runner the evil eye while she makes a turn into her "taman perumahan". (Actually she could always made the turn if she  put on her indicator light to show that she's turning left... but she must have need to poop or something badly)

2. The drivers going in and out A&W and in front of the Padang. No traffic police whomsoever sighted there this year. Hmmmmmmm... I actually had to wait for the traffic light in front of the Padang to turn red in order to cross the road and finish my run. Plus having to contend with a busy traffic plus hordes of people mingling around getting into the Padang too. Haih.

A slow 2:51:30 later, I finished my run. 10min slower than last year. I just walked like enjoying a stroll in the park for the last KM due to lack of traffic control.

I managed to bag a limited Pewter medal last year (only 30 limited Royal Selangor pewter medals for Women Open category) but no such luck this year. This year, finished no. 39 so only got a cheap plastic finisher medal. Huhuhuhu

Never mind. I got my run. I got to smell fresh and not-so-fresh air. ^^

Thanks Lina Kamarudin for the photos! ^^

Hubby did his in 2:45 and he was just mainly speed walking. *envy*

Hubby and gang

Lina & Lina. The other Lina bagged 10th place at Seremban Half Marathon. 

Will I run this again next year? Well, I might consider it if I needed a race to run in and I need the mileage. Race organisation lacking notwithstanding, this is still a "cheap" half-marathon. Nowadays, even a 5K can cost RM50!!!

Next week there'll be Mizuno Wave Run 16K in Putrajaya. I didn't register for it but a number of friends will be running in it. To all of them, all the best and have fun next Sunday!

For those who braved the brutal trail at TMBT and Hasuu Tasu or running in other events this week - good job! :-)