Energizer Run 2010

ENR is the second race i entered this year after the NB Pacesetters 20k in January. Though if we just round off 21.1km to the nearest tens, the answer would be 20k but NB Pacesetters 20k was not technically a 1/2 marathon run (whats more with the 19.4km distance recorded via GPS by some runners). Because of that I treat ENR as my maiden 1/2 marathon attempt.

As per my previous post, my principal target was to enjoy and complete the run injury free. That means a slow and steady run all the way (i can't run fast anyway :)). With that in mind I found that my pre-race jitters were minimal as the pressure of recording any PB is irrelevant.

I was supposed to have TT with the other bloggers i.e. Che, Yim and Rayzeef (another Razif) but this time around my race day prep was a bit hire wire (last minute thingy) and though Cyberjaya is not my playground, I proceeded anyway to find parking area p7 without any map guidance. After a few circles of unintended sight seeing, I finally parked at the StreetMall (only then i knew it was opposite P7!). I have to extend my apology to Che, Yim and Rayzeef for a DNS to the TT.

On the race itself, I don't think there is any special report that I could dashed here. Same story, from gun off tried to maintain a slow steady pace, which also mean ignoring the other runners. The first 10km was quite OK with no excessive tiredness or injury to be concerned of. I stopped and re-hydrate at every water station where by KM15, I felt a bit bloated and started to feel the light stiches at the right side (a case of too much re-hydration possibly?). Luckily the stiches went away after a while by slowing further my pace.

At that point i think a finishing time of 2hr 30 min was achieveable if i continue running with a slower pace all the way to the finishing line. This is where I started to appreciate the importance of adequate distance makers (especially the route is totally alien to you), which sadly were apparently lacking last night. Without knowing the remaining distance I started to, rather than reduce, increase my pace up to (later i think around) KM18, where I succumbed to the mental challenge of running with no ending sight in my mind map. I spent quite substantial/precious time walking in the last 2km, which I should at least do baby steps (like i did in NB 20km) until to the finishing line.

My spirit was lifted a bit when i started to hear the drum beats and made the effort to do the final for slightly less than 1km run to the finishing line. Result - 2hr 46 mins. Am I happy? The answer is yes. Happy that I completed my maiden 1/2 injury free and finally officially earning my cap as a snail pace 1/2 marathoner. Would the once UNTHINKABLE feat of doing full one day come to my mind? I think you can guess the answer :)

Note - It was an awsome sight watching the full marathoners completing the challenge. Also had the pleasure of having an early morning supper with the blue calves gang at the StreetMall after the run. If anybody knows someone is selling his bib for Sundown 1/2, please tell me :)