The Run
My main intention to run the Subang Jaya 10 km run was to test the condition of my injured right knee. After the Pacesetters NB km run in late May , my right knee which has been injured since 2001 became much worse. Throughout June, I had to drastically reduce my training mileage from 60 to 20 km a week and stop doing 20 km long runs. My Ipoh half marathon is only one week away and based on my condition during the SJ run, I may opt to run 10 km in Ipoh.
This would be my 3rd SJ run and competition for medals would be fierce. In the men's open (18 years+) category, 100 medals were up for grabs. The qualifying time for certs was also the lowest among all races ; 60 minutes for the 10 km Mens' open. For other races, it is usually 1 hr 20 minutes.
I arrived near the SJ council building at 6.40 am and immediately walked to petrol station to take a leak. As I walking towards the field and track, I met Martin@Lonerunner. I have not seen him since KLIM last February.
Upon reaching the field, I deposited the registration card and sat down to wait for the race start. I went to the MPSJ building a short while later to take a leak again. I came across Yong and his friend, Leong, pinning the bibs on their vests.
Nearing 7.10 am, I decided to warm up on the track. Jamie called me over and we ran a few times across the field. In the meantime, there was an organised warm up and stretching session. Last year, there was a group doing Tai Chi for the warm up session. Fortunately they were not around this morning and the warm up exercises were more appropriate for a running event.
We soon gathered on the main road to await the start. Unfortunately the organisers never seemed to learn about an preparing an orderly start for this race. Runners from all categories (7 km and fun run - 3 km) were all mixed up with the 10 km runners. When the gun was fired, officials shouted out that the start was just for the 10 km runners. Who could have heard them ?.
I started very slowly , worried about my right knee and gauging its condition. After 500 m or so , it felt fine , so I speeded up. Eventually I caught up with Yong. We ran together for some distance. Further in front about 200 m away, I could see, the tall figure of Jamie, bobbing and weaving around other runners . The faster runners , Ronnie. Justin and Azwar were out of sight already after just 5 minutes into the race.
I pushed the my pace really hard for the first 5 km. I was doing running at 5 min per km pace. I was so focused on running that I hardly noticed other runners around me. Yong and I interchanged leads for the first 5 km. Eventually, I was ahead of Yong by about 400 m.
After 5 km, I was pretty tired and wanted to stop. I wonder now if I could have maintained the pace. I guess I could but since my knee was getting a bit sore, I decided to walk for about 1-2 minutes.
It was pretty much how I ran the remaining 5 km. I would run about 1-2 km and then stop to walk 1-2 minutes. I think I walked about 3 times over the last 5 km. I checked my time and I guesed I would finished in about 55 minutes. There was no point to push harder as I think my medal chances were gone by now. It was a just a matter to keep going and finish the run.
The last 500 m of the run was after a U turn around a traffic light. I mustered enough strength to make a sprint along this final stretch to the track.
I finished in 55 min 30 seconds. When I received the position card , I had a bit of shock. I finished in position no. 249. This race was indeed faster than the previous races. In 2003. I finished in no 89 in a time of 52 minutes 30 seconds. In this year's run, the same time would have only got about position 180.
Birthday Boy
After the race, I went to get some drinks and chatted with Yong and his friend about the race. I could not linger too long. I rushed back to my car parked about 500 m away take Justin's birthday card and Ajeep's Get well card.
I joined the runners gathered on the field. The finishing times were duly recorded by Justin's friend, holding a clipboard. I was wondering how to get the card signed by the runners withou Justin still around. Kenneth provided the solution by whisking the birthday boy away back to his house nearby. After he left , we signed in the card.
I hitched a ride in Yong's car to Justin's house located just 5 minutes away. Jamie, Julian and the three of us (Yong, Leong and me) waited outside for the gate to be opened. A few minutes later we were standing in the kitchen drinking 100 Plus.
As more runners came and filled the kitchen, the excitement grew and so did the "aroma" from the runners bodies. Fortunately, it was compensated by the pleasant aroma of the hot nasi lemak in a large bowl.
The highlight was when the birthday cake was brought one and we sang out happy birthday song.
We had a photo session followed by eating the abundant food that laid on the kitchen table.
For me , the highlight was not the run itself but being able to attend Justin's suprpise birthday party.
July Races
For the Ipoh run, I am currently registered for the half marathon but after SJ run, I have decided to switch to the 10 km distance.
For Seremban, a week later after the Ipoh run, I will wait and see how my injured right knee progress over the next 2 weeks.
I won't be running any more races until Klang on 31 July 2005.
My training throughout July will be reduced to bare minimum to maintain a certain level of fitness.
Two 5.2 km runs at KLCC park every Wednesday and one 6.5 km the treadmill a week. Just 3 days of running a week (17 km total).
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