Up at 5am, handful of raisins for brekkie. Arrived, still in darkness, at 5.45am. Watched the 30k race set-off and then bumped into my trusty running companion Joel. Saw Arif & May Sen arrive 5 minutes late for their race!
We set-off at 6.30am and I was pleased that as I seem to be a bit more relaxed at these events than I used to be, my HR was hovering around 100bpm.
The first minute or so was walking due to the crowd, but I soon settled into a deliberately slow pace. The first 40 minutes were in darkness, which made the route seem different and adding to the interest.
At the 5km mark I headed into unfamiliar territory and was surpsised at how hilly the route was (see below)...
It was nice doing an out-and-back course as you could see the front-runners and those behind along the way. I picked out Wong Ah Thiam, Dino, Shahrom and Marianna Mohd amongst the front runners as I approched 10km. Joel and I reached the turn in a bit under 1h 10m - good considering my target of 2:20:00.
On the way back I finally saw Arif & later May Sen, and was overtaken by fellow cyclist from last week, and Bukit Gasing Green Challenge winner Ashley Lim, as we past Tijana 2 estate. I was quite amazed that even after 1h 40m my HR was recovering (on downhills) to as low as 141bpm.
My legs began to feel a bit heavy on the uphill at about 18km, but I still managed a fast descent to the final hill of Jalan Parlimen. I struggled up that one and sped up down to the tape to finish in a very pleasing
2:11:42! The second 10k was about 4 minutes faster than the first, as it was more downhill. Average HR = 150bpm = good!
I got a nice big medal for my efforts...
After copious amounts of Milo, PowerBar drink, tau foo fah, cereal and water to recover, I hung around to see who I could see and watch the awards ceremony.
Azman introduced himself to me, and later I bumped into Ashley Lim and chums, and did some PCC TT promotion work. I then discovered that Ashley won the Womens category - wow! I also said hi to
Azwar, who I hope to cycle with again soon. Although I've never met him, it was good to see
Simon Cross running again after his near-death experience a few months ago.
I left at about 10.30am. Hungry and a bit lazy, I didn't go for a bike ride! I went home, relaxed for a while and then took Lucas and newly 6 year old Mihir to the playground in BSC, and for a whiz around the Scalextric track there.
Bike ride on Tuesday night, run on Thursday night and then FRIM to Ulu Yam and back next Sunday.
Cheerful Joel at about 19.5km....
Still at 19.5km, me looking more cheerful in this one!...
Joel pulls away in the last 500m!.....
Ashely Lim finishing........
Hooray! I finish in just under 2:12:00, a good 9 minutes inside my target! thanks to Bacin for the photo!!
Ashley Lim & I posing......
It was nice doing an out-and-back course as you could see the front-runners and those behind along the way. I picked out Wong Ah Thiam, Dino, Shahrom and Marianna Mohd amongst the front runners as I approched 10km. Joel and I reached the turn in a bit under 1h 10m - good considering my target of 2:20:00.
