Standard Chartered KL Marathon (24.06.2012)

Sundown Marathon 2012 (26.05.2012)

Completed my 15th Marathon today. It was an enjoyable run. Being a loyal participant of the race for the last 4 years I was even given access to the VIP Hospitality area. That was nice! This year it was new race venue, new route and New Weather!

This year, the start point was at Nicholl Highway and the route took us round the city, to east coast park and back. My only complaint this year was the same start time for both 21km and 42km runners. This led to congestions along the first few kilometers.

One thing I find very challanging about night marathons was the humidity. Although the temperature was lower, the high humidity can make one feel very uncomfortable. By the time I reached The Big Splash at East Coast Park, I could not resist the temptation of going over the 7-Eleven and buy a cold can of coke! It was great reprieve. However, the greater reprieve from the humidity came when to sky opened and thundery rain started. This was the first time that I ever had a race with thundery rain. I liked it as it was cold! The organisers actually sent out an SMS for runners to seek shelter. I however did not notice the sms during the run. I was more concerned that my phone did not get wet!

Eventually, I completed the race in 5:01. Abit of a letdown not beating the Sub-5 barrier. Nonetheless, I had a great time with great company.

Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2012

My certificate arrived in the mail today. HK marathon is the only marathon I know that issues an Achievement Certificate as well as a Progress Certificate if one has improved over last year's timing. I always feel that this is a good touch and local race organisers should really consider doing the same!

Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon (05.02.2012)

This is my 14th marathon and my third time running this marathon. This is also a very significant marathon for me as this will be the last marathon before I turn 40 on 06.02.2012.

As usual, this trip to HK did not disappoint. Other than the run itself, the highlight of the trip was food and more food! Somehow the thought of burning all the calories during the run took away all the guilt. I even managed my best timing achieved in HK. This trip was made with great friends and I am so glad that all of us completed the race safely. Friends say that we are mad flying in on Saturday and flying back Sunday night. But the trouble that we took to make this trip possible made the trip more enjoyable and memorable :)

To top it all, I came home at 1am to a birthday cake my wife baked :-)

Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2011

Everything happened as planned. My strategy for this race was the same as Newton 30k. Complete the first 11km below 1hr, 20km below 1:52 and 30km below 2:56. I figured if I could hit these timings at the various distances, I should be able to achieve my personal best. Well, the funny thing was, I completed the race with the same timing as my PB set in 2009. Now how conincidental can that be? My comfort was that last year I completed the same route for the first time in 5:10... so in fact I improved by more than 45 mins!

As a whole, I had a blast at the race. My race buddy and I arrived at the start line well ahead of time. Having gone through the new route last year, I was better prepared for the race.

My only complaint about this race was the lack of distance markers. I resorted to spotting runners wearing GPS watches and asked them what was the distance... It also did not help that all race categories merged towards the end of the race, and it was really crowded. It was difficult to run with walkers hogging the route.

Well, at the end of the day, it was a nice day out and at least I am not disappointed with my race timing.

Now I am really looking forward to my next race which is HK Marathon on 5 Feb 2012. My last marathon before I turn 40 on the next day!

Newton Challenge 30km

This is the first 30km race that I have ever participated and it was a blast. I was aiming for a sub-3hr timing and I achieved it.

Initially, I was apprehensive about signing up for this race because I thought the route would be boring as I was very very familiar with East Coast Park. However, I believe it was this familarity that helped me to achive my personal best for 30km.

The strategy for this race was simple. To achieve a sub-hour timing at the 11km mark and sub 1:50 timing at 20km mark. I figured if can achieve these timings, I would be on track for a sub-3hr timing for the 30km race. My strategy worked and I clocked in a timing of 2:56. Not bad huh...

The race was generally well organised with distance markers every kilometer. This was very useful for me as I paced myself. There were also sufficient hydration provided. I am even beginning to like the official drink. A nice touch at the end of the race was that all runners were given a COLD WET towel! That was indeed very welcomed after running for almost 3 hours under the hot sun.

Overall, it was a pleasant outing complemented with great company at the race! This race also served as a useful time trial for the end of the year SCMS.

It was indeed a good Sunday.

Real Run 2011 (21km)

One major lesson learnt today. Check your race calendar before signing up for races. I signed up this year's Real Run without realising that I have also signed up for Northface 100 (25km) yesterday. After yesterday's race, I was really wondering if I could survive this year's Real Run.

Unlike other years, this year's race offered a new 21km category. The route was pretty much the same as last year's 15km route just that they lengthened the part along Changi Coast Road. Overall, it was a very well organised race. No surprises, just like all other years.

My race buddy and I really suffered for this race as we were still experiencing fatigue from the previous day's race. However, we persisted and came back in a decent net timing of about 2:06. Again we finished the race within a minute from one another. This meant that we kept to an average pace of 10km/h which was quite decent.

Post race, I was suffering from the effects of the races... I don't think I will go anywhere which requires me to go down flights of stairs... However, the satisfaction from completing 2 huge races back to back was priceless.

The North Face 100 (50km Duo)

This is my 3rd go at this race. This race has always been the most painful race in my race calendar but it is one of those race that one die die must do dispite the pain.

Somehow the pain and adventure of running a trail race seemed very atttractive. Anyway, all the years, this has always been one of the better organised races with great post race goodies like Subway sandwiches and cookies. This year, they even brought in the Milo Van! I had countless cups of it after the race... comfort drink indeed after a hard race.

This year I fell during the race and I actually hit my face on the ground... I also scrapped my shoulder, knee and palm. Thank God I was not badly injured and could carry on with the race. There were also some good samaritans who came to render help and made sure I was ok. To top it all, I also have a blackened toe nail (not my first though) and a few blisters... See this year's race is indeed eventful and memorable...

Anyway, this year my race partner and I completed our race within seconds from one another and I came slightly after he crossed the finishing line... We completed the race about 3:13. Last year both of us completed it in 3:22. So it was a personal best for both of us...

Really looking foward to next year's race.

Anyway, my next race is tomorrow morning... RealRun 21km.... its gonna be painful....

Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2011 Certificate

My KL Marathon 2011 Certificate arrived. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the certificate. It came laminated with useful information such as split timings as well as overall postion.

I must say that SC KL marathon has come a long way since its inception. I remember the chaos the first year it was held in 2009, with drink stations running out of water and slower runners had to resort to buying drinks from convenience stores along the way. Runners also had to contend with traffic as the locals as well as the police who were not used to the idea of road closures.

Two years on, the marathon has grown to become one of the better marathons I have run. All the issues that were experienced in the first year has disappeared. This marathon has become a highlight in my yearly race calendar!

Indeed looking forward to next year's race.

Army Half Marathon, 21 km (04.09.2011)

This was one special race for me. This was the race that I achieved my PB for 21 km last year at 1:56. Inherently, I was under pressure to better my time. To manage my own expectations, I actually revisited the quote that I put up to explain why I named my blog "I am not a Jogger".

"If you were motivated enough to train for and participate in an organized running event, then you were a runner. Anyone willing to risk public failure in order to be a part of the running community--no matter what his or her pace per mile might be--was a runner. I AM A RUNNER because I am willing to lay it all on the line. I know that every finish line has the potential to lift my spirits to new highs or devastate me, yet I line up anyway. - Quoted from RW Magazine"

It might sound very emotional, but thats how each and every race can be. Each and every race has the potential to lift my spirits to new highs or devastate me! Sometimes I ask myself why do I want to put myself through such stress. As though my life is not stressful enough.

To be honest, I was concerned and I was preparing myself for disappointment that whatever the race turned out to be, just enjoy the race, the route, as well as the company. Its the enjoyment that counts... yeah... like real.

To make matters worse, I discovered one the night before the race that I have been issued a wrong bib... a bib carrying someone else's name. I tried calling the person on the mobile number stated on the bib hoping to return him his bib but he did not answer the call... oh well... I thought it was not a good sign for the race.

Therefore, I decided to run the race with the wrong bib, which means I will not be having an official timing, and really simply enjoy the race.

Well, everything turned out fine at the race. The race was superbly organised, the route was new and nice and most importantly, I ACHIEVED MY PERSONAL BEST!!!!!

As can be expected, I was ecstatic! I really could not believe that I could better my PB, having been disappointed at the 2 previous 21km races. I actually completed the race in 1:52!

Really happy with my timing. Now, I just want to busk in the moment... till the next race....


Next race: North Face 100 (50km Duo) and Real Run (21km). Made a mistake signing up to the races back to back on a Saturday and Sunday... crazy!

Adidas King of the Road (28.08.2011)

This is one of the better organised race I have done this year. Appreciated the efforts organisors took to "smoothen" out the route in that they actually build ramps to prevent runners from climbing up stairs near MBS. I thought that was a nice touch. Did not sleep well the night before the race as I was staying up to watch Singapore's closest ever fought Presidential Election. Enjoyed the route though, and did decently well. Completed the 16.8km race in 1:33.

Marina 21K (23.07.2011)

Just completed the race last night with a timing of 2:02. 6 minutes shy of my personal best. But I had fun nonetheless. Especially after the fiasco experienced at a race one week earlier. Last night's race was relatively incident free and well planned out. The race route was nice and being able to see fireworks from the National Day Parade Rehearsal en route was a bonus.

This race route comprised of 2 loops around Marina Bay/Tanjong Rhu area. I completed the first loop in 56 mins. After completing the first loop, I thought I could keep up the pace and finished the race with a PB. But somehow, I could not keep up the pace and fell behind. I was glad that my good friend was able to clock yet another PB and was there to take the video of me at the end point :)

Next Race: Adidas King of the Road

Community Games Road Run (16.07.2011) and Timex Trifactor 21km Run (17.07.2011)

This weekend is a relatively "busy" week in terms of races. I participated in two events. My first Community Games, Road Run and my second Timex Trifactor 21km.

Together with my team mates we ran at the Community Games, Road Run. It was a short race of 4.29km. Did not do fantastically well (about 21 to 22 mins, did not start my stop watch) as I have always found short races painful. It is ironic but short races to are really painful to me. This is because for short races, there is a need to have a burst of power from beginning till end. Power, something which I do not have much of. I am more of a consistent, moderate-paced, long distance runner who can go on and on.

Anyway, I thought I could do better at the next race which was a half marathon distance. I was hoping to beat my personal best of 1:56 as this race is usually not crowded. However, I was disappointed. I finished in about 2:06. I was quite amazed by the (lack of) organization of the race. There was a real lack of water points and one of the water points were not even manned (I guess due to a lack of volunteers). To make things worse, there was hardly any route and distance markers. The route marshals were also not clear as to how to direct the runners. We were literally running "blind". At one point runners were wondering if we were lost. I encountered a group of 10k runners who said that they could not find the route to the finishing line. This really affected my motivation as well as performance.

Well, after this experience, I am really apprehensive about my race next Saturday which is Marina 21. This is also a new race by new organizers. I hope it will not be a repeat of today's fracas. And hopefully a personal best?

Next Race: Marina 21

Pleasant surprise from HK Marathon

Had a pleasant surprise from the organisers of the HK Marathon. I actually received a "Progress Award Certificate" on top of the normal finisher's certificate from the race organisers.

I think this is a nice touch which local organisers can consider.

Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2011 (26.06.2011)

Completed my 12th full marathon last weekend and completed it in 4:38. Not my best timing, but still very happy. Considering that I have not really been running since Sundown Marathon and was on holiday right up to the week before this marathon. I was also nursing an ulcer in my throat from all the heaty food consumed during my holiday in Vietnam and Phuket... (yup, excuses, excuses). I was ranked 266 out of 1256 Full Marathon runners in the Men's Open Category. Incidently, next year I will be competing in the Veteren Category :-(

This marathon is special because of several firsts that were achieved.

The first first was that my friend and I decided to drive to KL from Singapore rather than catching a flight. The drive up proved to be a very pleasant experience as it allowed us to "stretch the legs" of my car... loved the feel of the car on the NS Highway. We also managed to reach our destination in very good time ;-) With the help of modern technology in the form of GPS (loaned from my wife), we were able to navigate to the race pack collection venue as well as our hotel without any problems.

The second first was that this time round we decided to stay in a hotel near Chinatown that was within walking distance to the start and end point rather than our usual hotel. This was indeed a good idea. We even had time to leisurely walk back to our hotel for breakfast after completing our race.

The third first was that my good friend managed to achieve his PB and a sub-5 timing. Truly happy for my friend!

The fourth first was that this was actually the first marathon that I used a Heart Rate Monitor to monitor my exertion throughout the race. This was despite the fact that I have owned a HRM ever since I started running. I guess it was a wise move as in my eagerness to run a good race, I did not want to over exert myself. Throughout the race, I kept my HR to below 151 pulse. This would be around 70% to 80% of my maximum heart rate. However, I could hardly push my heart rate above 141 beyond the 25km mark. I figure if I really want to push for a PB, I should be pushing towards a HR of 158. Lets see if this will work at the year end SCMS.

I am starting to enjoy overseas marathon races more than local races. This is because I am starting to find local races being too crowded and the route boring. From the statistics given by the organisers, there were less than 1400 runners in the Full Marathon Category. Compare this with our local year-end marathon which has about 15,000 full marathon runners, not including runners from all other categories merging at the end point. This year, organisers for the local marathon are aiming for 70,000 runners...

Anyway, I really had a good time and am looking forward to the next race overseas.



Next Race: Tri Factor Run

Passion Run 2011 and Sundown Marathon 2011

 

Sundown Marathon (28 May 2011)

Completed the two races in two consecutive weekends. As usual, Passion Run was seen as the final Long Slow Distance (LSD) before Sundown (my 11th Full Marathon, completed it in 5:15). Both races were done and completed with great friends and at an relaxing pace. Both races had similar race format/route as last year, so there is really nothing much to talk about... haha. Honestly, I pity race organisers nowadays as it is really getting harder to come out with fresh ideas and new race locations on our tiny island. Particpants are also getting more and more demanding concerning race entitlements and experiences. At the same time. I am pleasantly surprised that there are more long distances races organised this year. According to my personal race calendar, I have one or two long distance races (15km and above) every month from now till the end of the year... I really wonder how race organisers are going to keep interest among the running community alive as I suspect the participants for all these races will be the same group of people.

Next Race: KL Marathon

Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2011 (20.02.2011)

Just back from my first race for the year. This race was special to me as it marked the completion of my 10th full marathon since I started marathoning in 2008. What better way to commemorate this milestone than to do it in Hong Kong? Another highlight of this marathon was the fact that this was the coldest marathon I have ever attempted. Apparently, it was as cold as 12 to 13 degrees Celsius. As someone from the tropics, this was indeed a fantastic experience. Initially, I was very concerned about the cold temperature as I arrived in Hong Kong not prepared physically as well as psychologically for the cold. Some last minute shopping for weather appropriate running gear helped tremendously. I bought a long sleeved running T and on race day, I wore 2 layers of T-shirts.

The actual experience of running in the cold proved to be very positive. It was indeed very comfortable and I really enjoyed the cool air. This was also the first marathon that I ran in a pair of full length compression tights. The compression tights served me well as it protected me from the cold as well as provided enough support for my leg muscles. This is the first marathon that I completed absolutely pain free. I was really surprised.

The route was exactly the same as last year's and this year, I was mentally better prepared for the elevation of the route. I improved by about 15 mins from last year's timing completing the race in 4:47. I am happy with this timing =)

Other than the race, the company and food that went along with the race was fantastic... All of us, completed the race well.

This race will indeed be a highlight for me should my friends and I decide to do this race again.

Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2010

Let me start by saying that for my 9th marathon, I achieved my worst timing for a day time marathon! I completed it in 5:10. Am I upset? No. This is because I sort of expected it. No, I am not trying to give excuses for my "bad" timing but as I complete more and more marathons, perspectives start to change.

When I did my first marathon, my objective was to complete it. I did it in 5:45. After knowing that I could complete a marathon, timing became important. I put my mind to training, adhering to a strict training regime. My timings improved tremendously and I achieved my best timing of 4:25 in 2009. One year after my first marathon.

As I "progressed", timing became less important. What became more important for me in marathoning was to enjoy the whole experience, enjoy the company of fellow runners and to complete it injury free so that life can go on as normal the next day.

Well, I achieved exactly that. The interesting thing was I started the race with pain at my left hamstring and calf which was bugging me for a few months. However, by the end of 5 hours, I completed the marathon with these pains disappearing. It was unreal. Throughout the marathon, I was focusing on running in such a way that the pain was not aggravated and I could finish the race. The unintended outcome was that marathon turned out to be a 5 hour physiotherapy session for my left hamstring and calf and I was healed by the end of the marathon!

In short, I completed the race in a better state than I began!

My perspective in marathoning is mirrored in my perspective of life. Having achieved a certain degree of stability and success in my career, it is no longer about outdoing myself. It is more about completing every day, week, month and year well so that I can face another day, week, month and year well....

Life is indeed a marathon. Some people achieve great success at the cost of permanent injuries to self and others. I choose to complete each mile in a marathon well and live to run many more :-)

Well the best part for me in this year's marathon occurred after the race. My wife surprised me with a post marathon treat. She got me Cakes, Coffee, Flower and even a voucher for a session of sports massage. Now that is better than a personal best :-)

Next Race: Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon! This is going to be a challenging one. My objective is not to be picked up by the sweeper bus!

Real Run 2010

Just completed my 4th RealRun. As usual, it was done with great friends. Everything was pretty much the same as previous years in terms of location and route. The only change was the swap of start times for the 10 and 15km categories. This year, the organisers decided start 15km race (7am) before the 10 km race (7.30am). I guess they had intended for the runners of the longer distance to avoid the sun as much as possible.

I did not manage a PB this year completing the race in 1:27. Initially, I thought I was on my way for a PB having clocked around 51 min at the 10km mark. However, somehow, I started to slack at the beach. It did not help that for the first time in 4 years that I could not avoid the incoming wave and got both shoes wet.

On the whole, I found this run a well-organised and enjoyable one.

RealRun has always been special to me as this was the first ever organised race that I participated when I took up running in 2007 and have not missed one ever since.

Next Race: Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore.

Looking Forward

The best way to overcome post-race depression is to have something big to look forward to.

Other than RealRun 2010 which will happen this coming Sunday, I have 2 big races that I really look forward to.

The first would be the "new" Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore. The start point is suppose to be Orchard Road and the end point the Padang. This is the first time that a marathon in Singapore has a different start and end point (similar to HK marathon).

The other race that I am really really looking forward to would be my first race in 2011. That is the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon to be held on 20 Feb 2010. This will be my second attempt at the most painful full marathon I have ever participated.

What makes this race sweeter is the fact that there was overwhelming response and registration was closed as soon as it was open. I was indeed fortunate to a get a race slot.

Now I feel so much better..... haha....

Post-Race Depression

Two days after having a blast at TNF100 and I am feeling depressed. I have always wondered if a condition as "Post-Race Depression" existed.

Usually, after a race (especially a tough one) that I have thoroughly enjoyed, I will feel pretty high. I guess this is what the literature calls the "Runners' High". However, the day after, I will feel lost and empty.

I did some online search and realised this is quite a common phenomenon and it is really called Post-race depression! Exact same words!

According to some online forums, running and completing a race boost one's endomorphins and makes one feel good. However, in the next couple of days, the endomorphins dissipate and makes one feel down.

Maybe this explains why I am always looking forward to challenging yet achievable races to join, so that I can experience the "high". I remember writing in an earlier blog entry I don't understand why I keep signing up for marathons and races (especially overseas ones) incurring the costs (regstration fees, flights, hotels) along the way, when I know that I will end up being in pain for the next couple of days.

Well, I guess the answer is obvious now. I have been chasing after the high at the end of every race.... only to feel the low at the end of it.

Hmmm... can this be liken to a drug addiction?

I take comfort in the fact that this "addiction" is relatively a good one as it keeps me fit and healthy. I guess it becomes bad when I become obsessed with it. As the saying goes, maintaining moderation and balance is key!

Found some interesting resources to deal with the issue:

http://www.runtheplanet.com/trainingracing/marathon/recovery.asp

http://blog.foodservicewarehouse.com/pursuing-the-dream/tag/post-race-depression/

SAFRA Bay Run & Army Half-Marathon 2010

It has been a year since the last AHM. I remember writing last year about my disappointment of not achieving a sub-2 hr timing for the half-marathon. Deep down inside, I really wanted to achieve this target, although the odds were really against me.

For one thing, I was not getting any younger. As each year passes, I could feel the ravages of time working against me (sound so drama... haha).

I also did not do well at an earlier 21km race in July, clocking my worst ever timing.

Days leading up to this year's event were also fraught with challenges. Not to mention stress from work, I also sprained my left ankle last week while running at Macritchie Reservoir. Associated with that injury, I also pulled a muscle at somewhere that I could not say in this blog.

Therefore, I did not have high hopes of achieving my target of a sub-2 hr run today. I decided to simply enjoy the run and enjoy the company of my friends.

However, everything seemed to go right this morning. For one thing, my ride to the race came super early and we were there well ahead of the flag-off time (last year, we were late by 6 minutes). Even my GPS watch worked without fuss. When the race started, I felt relax and did not feel any pain at the various places. As a result, I could maintain a good pace. According to my GPS watch, I was averaging a pace of 5:30/km. I started to feel ambitious sensing that I might be able to hit my target today. I came up with the strategy of trying to hit sub-hr at the 11km mark thinking that if I could hit 1 hr at the 11km mark, I would be able to hit sub-2 so long as I maintain the pace (with some allowance for slacking...). Well, this strategy worked very well. At the 11km mark, I was exactly at 1 hr. This raised my morale and meeting a friend at this point also helped as he paced me for the rest of the race.

To cut the story short, today, I achieved my target and I finished the race in 1:56:56!

I was ecstatic!

Above is a picture of my GPS watch capturing the time, distance and pace for today's race. As you can sense, I am still basking in the joy of achieving my target!

This bag of old bones still have what it takes... haha...

Next Race: North Face 100 (50km Duo). This is going to be a painful one!

*****

The official race results are out!

TIMEX TRI-RUN 2010 (21km)

Achieved my personal worst in a 21km race. But enjoyed every moment of it nonetheless :-)

This is a new race to me and I completed it in 2hr 9mins. The race format was interesting. Held at Punggol (which is a nice change from ECP), runners had to complete 3 loops of 7km. Initially, I thought this would be a good opportunity to achieve my personal best as the route was very flat and 3 loops of 7km would mean that I could pace myself better, thinking that I would be on track for a personal best so long as I keep under 40 mins per loop. Things went well for the first 1.75 loops. However, the legs chose not to cooperate with the plan after that...

Personally, I liked this race. This was because it was not crowded, with amply stocked water points and if you really trained and put your mind to it, a personal best was highly possible. The winner, Mok Ying Ren who completed the race just over 1 hr, went on to encourage runners along the route giving high fives by doing an extra lap (even his warm down lap was fast...). Well, he high-fived me no less than 3 times at 3 separate locations along the route! See how slow I was going? haha...

So what excuses could I give myself now for achieving my personal worst? Well, I could say that I was still recovering from KL Marathon which happened 2 weeks ago. I could also say that I have not been feeling fantastically well since KL and only did one 8km run the week prior to the race. And of course, I am not getting any younger. Excuses, excuses... Whatever it was, I was glad that I did the run, and had a good experience. More importantly, I also completed the race injury-free :-)

Not achieving my personal best in this race also cast a shadow on the possibility of achieving a personal best this coming AHM for the simple reason that AHM tended to be a very congested race... I just have to wait and see how AHM turns out.

Now looking forward to AHM :-)

Next race: AHM

Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2010 (27 June)

Back from my 8th Full Marathon, 3rd overseas Marathon and 2nd KL Marathon.

Having done a number of marathons, I begin to ask myself why do I want to subject myself to such pain and torture. It is no longer about proving to myself that I could complete one, nor achieving personal best timings (because personal best timings are getting harder and harder to come by as I age and as work pressures mount).

On the night before each marathon, I would always ask myself why am I doing this? When it comes to overseas marathons, I would also ask myself why do I bother to incur the cost and trouble only to be in pain for the next couple of days.

So why do I bother? Honestly, I do not really have an answer. All I know is that when registration opens for a marathon that I could possibly participate in, I would automatically sign up...

I guess one of the reasons why I am doing this is that it makes me feel very alive. Appreciating how blessed I am to be able to participate and complete them. Another reason could be to be part of a fraternity of like-minded friends who enjoy similar pain. Whatever the reason might be, I do not foresee myself stopping.

This year's KL marathon was a vast improvement from last year's. The whole organisation of the race went pretty much without a hitch for me. The route was pleasant enough and water stations were well stocked. There was also minimal overlapping of routes with the other categories. The race was also not congested and runners did not need to navigate through a maze of people right from the beginning. My only gripe was the course elevation.

I was doing pretty well, on target for a PB when I hit the incline at 37km and another one at 39km. It floored me completely and I literally ran out of steam. At 41km, my legs almost gave up and I thought they were going to play me out for good. The last km was indeed the longest km of the race. I cannot imagine how could anyone attempt and complete 84km at Sundown. Respect!

Managed to complete the race in 4 hours 35 mins. 5 mins worse than last year's KL marathon and 10 mins off my PB.

I have complete respect for Malaysian runners. My sense is that runners in Malaysia take their marathons seriously and would only sign up when they are really ready for it. This is evidenced by the perceived lack of 'walkers'. Also, I would usually come in top 10% of the field in Singapore races. However, in Malaysia, I will usually come in the middle of the field.

Again wondering if I will repeat this marathon next year. Well, I will know when registration opens. Haha.

Next race: HP Tri-Factor Series: Timex TRI-Run