Race Report: Malakoff 2013 - 17 km

Date: 03/17/2013 7:00 AM

Type: Run (Race)

Distance: 16.74 km
Gun Time: 1 hr 09 min 21 secs
Chip Time: 1 hr 09 min 10 secs           

Average pace: 4:08 min/km

Route: Malakoff 2013 17km

Route link: http://www.logyourrun.com/showroute/ivLYgzJ0VP0tVI

Shoes: Brooks PureFlow

The annual Penang Malakoff Run happened on 17th Mac this year. Since participating two years ago (2011), it has become my annual event. Firstly, the event is held in Penang so I don't have to travel. Second, I've been enjoying the run by the organizer. Third, the date fall earlier on my June marathon training cycle and I still have time to adjust the training.

This time the build up to the race is different from last year. For Malakoff 2012, I put in 10 weeks of training with 3 hard days per week, which consisted of mostly speed work such as interval, long interval, hill sprint, fartlek and 25km-30km cut down run. On top of that, the weekly mileage was maintain at the amount that equal to previous training for marathon. All of these, led to shin splint 2 weeks before the race, and stress fracture (suspected) followed by ITBS that took me 4 months off the training. Taken the lesson, I treated Malakoff 2013 as one of the "early tune-up" for June's marathon. The race fit in the training cycle, adopted training schedule for "tune-up race week". It's an "all-out", but I reminded myself it's "part of the training", which lessen the a lot of burden.

The drill for the race day was the same:

0330- Woke up, breakfast.

0530- Drive to venue.

0600- Toilet

0625-Warm-up

0645- To starting line

0700- Race start

I warmed up at the padang beside the start line. When I was finishing, I felt a sharp pain on my left baby finger. Something had bitten me. The pain was so sharp and it was like something stayed and pressed on the finger. Surrounding was dark that I couldn't see what's insect was that. I ran to area with light to check and there's a bitten wound visible. It could be a bee sting or ant (I leaned on a tree for stretching). The first thought was, should I run today? Went to toilet to get the hand washed. Saw KFC and his brother. Told them about the bite. OK, if something happen unless there's people know. Not enough, I wassapp my friends regarding the bite. It's 10 min to the race. I went to the starting point, pressing the finger with pain.

17 km male flagged off at 7 a.m. sharp. I started behind a small pack but it's not too far from the start. The crowd was not heave on the start. I saw Dan Low and he asked me to "jia you". 

Started with comfortable pace just to get the rhythm. 1st km at 4:19/km. With GPS watch I could match the effort with the pace. 2nd KM increased the effort into faster pace. The good thing of running on a familiar route is the psychology basic of the distance and what's next. The interesting part is usually i drove on this route, and today I'm running cross this traffic light.

The first 5km was OK and I could maintain the effort. 5km was the drink station and I took one power gel. Thing was not doing well after this as stitch developed after the drinking and eating. For the next 5km, the pace fluctuated between 3:57/km - 4:16/km. This showed I was trying to push hard or one km, then had to slowed down for another. I was fighting with the stitch constantly. 8th km - 9th km consider one of the harder part of the run due to stitch. 10th - 11th KM (Heading Island Plaza to Marina Bay) things got easier and I managed to pick up.

After 5th km it was junction of Kelawai Rd - Bagan Jermal Rd heading to Tesco, I paced with a green shirt guy. Last year there were no divider con for this section of road but this year it was there. The green shirt guy had a wide stride but the breathing was stable. I guess he is more comfortable than me. I paced behind and beside him to Tesco and to Island Plaza junction. 

After 12th enter the Gurney Drive area. I remember I started to feel restless at this point last year. But I don't remember the heat. This year, the sun was shining generously, together with reflection from the sea, the heat was very strong. This was another harder part of the race for me. The heat took the effect on 14th and 15th km with pace of 4:12/km and 4:13/km. 

In front of Northam Tower saw my friend YLing and partner Steve, near E&O saw another friend CS and partner. I was looking for another friend with purple shoes but I guess she already arrived. It's nice to see friends on the road.

The last 2 km was not an easy one. I tried imagine I was on the usual 2 km training loop, while try to look for the building of finishing.

Just as always, the finishing is so simple. Crossed the mat, and press the running watch. That's it. Past the yellow ribbon to volunteer, collected the goodies. That's it.

Looking for friends, ate the ice cream, took some pictures. I guess this is the moment that is good. When everything come to an end, everyone is around. Talked about timing, talked about training, about shoes, about the insect bite, the lucky draws. And a mini breakfast after that.

At race venue I met some runner friends. Jinji, KFC, Hugo, Damian, Kenny, Tan. Some of them head for LSD before the race started, and continue with the race.

The results this was the same as last year. Even though it has no mark improvement, I feel pleased as able to maintain it by coming from another type of build up.

For the race, it's a enjoyable one.
However, it would be better if it can started a bit earlier.
The road direction this year was better than last year.
Each drink station provided plain water and isotonic.

:)

Race Venue at around 6 a.m.