Chasing a faster me

Friday 31 August 2012

Pushing It

Maintaining the motivation to keep pushing on running days in and days out is really hard if our mind and body is not on a proper track i.e. stress, tired, low motivation, those sofa's calling or fastfood temptation. So, it is good if once in a while we keep our mind sane by doing something else but with the same intensity like cycling, swimming or even walking.

As for me , I chose swimming and I did exactly that last Monday just to see whether my body and stamina could survive and last a different kind of physical challenge. The session wasn't that long since I wanted to finish early to avoid the pool getting crowded with adults doing their laps and children diving in and out by late afternoon. Well, u knowlah public swimming pool.

It's still empty around 4.45pm..

In the end, I swam for about half an hour and then went back home. I thought it was a good session though I still have that problem doing the 'breaststroke' swim correctly. Well, maybe next time for that ...:p

Now back to running...

Alhamdulillah, after a day rest, I ran on Wednesday night (after the isya' prayer) and broke that 15k distance barrier!. It was unbelievable since I maintained quite a fast pace (for me at the least) until the end. I thought that I would have to catch a breath along the run but it went well without any problem (maybe because of that post swimming effect kot! haha..). The only problem that I got that night was sores to both of my feet. But after a rest/sleep, I woke up the next day feeling very fresh and ready to go again...hahaha..as if..

All in all, I'm feeling so grateful since He granted me that will power and strength to continue running that night and completed one of the set milestones.

As of now, I could say I'm feeling quite a relief and slightly confident before the actual run on the 16th Sept 2012 since I could now run a 10k distance quite comfortably and consistently.

Come on you big guy!

In Summary

Date: 29 Aug 2012
Distance: 15.88km/9.86mi
Route: Taman Ria - As-Syakirin R/about - Parkcity Mall Junction (2 laps)
Timing: 1hr 40mins
Weather: Calm night
Pace:10:11
Gadget: Nike+ Sportwatch GPS
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Monday 27 August 2012

Against the Hills

Yesterday's run was thru a new route where I failed miserably in the previous run. This time I managed to go further and completed the run in one piece except that I was still short of my target by 2k to reach the 15k distance. I hit the wall by the time I reached the 13k split and from there on, went back walking for about 20mins. I was totally drained out since the terrains were mostly hills and they effectively took out all the strengths that I got in the tank. Nevertheless, I was grateful for the mileages I clocked in as this is the furthest I've gone since Raya and most importantly, the fitness is now slowly getting back to where it was before the long break.

I managed to find the replacement to my old Sony Walkman though the color now is strikingly more citrusy (love-it!) than the previous classic black gear. Hehe..


My running gears: Nike+ Sportwatch GPS, the new Sony Walkman (green), Adidas shoe pocket, Adidas water bottle and the old/damaged Sony Walkman (black).

Since my first race is coming up in the next 3 weeks (16 Sept), my target now is to run consistently at a faster pace than the HMP everytime I hit the road + some cross-training. There will be pain here and there as I'm planning to push further with these target but I'll definitely watch my physical threshold as not to injure myself unnecessarily.. Otherwise, everything that I've done till today would've gone to waste.

Now, let the hardwork begins!
In Summary

Distance: 13.73km/8.5mi
Route: Taman Ria - ABF Beach - Parkcity Mall Junction
Timing: 1hr 30mins4s
Weather: Cloudy (~5pm)
Pace:10:33
Gadget: Nike+ Sportwatch GPS
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Saturday 25 August 2012

The Harsh Lessons

A lot of new things I learned in today's first morning run (after Ramadhan month) as God only allow me no further than 8k instead of the planned 15k. My body was almost at its threshold by the time I completed my 2nd run. This was my biggest mistake (big time!) as I went ahead with the run without having a proper a rest or sleep the night before (I was on a night shift).

Nevertheless, one positive result achieved: The fastest 1k in 5mins 28s!

A quick takeaways/lessons to be shared (these are no expert advice, only my experiences after went thru all those snags):
  • NEVER attempt any run if you haven't had any decent rest or sleep especially if you were on a shift work the night before. Or else, you fatigue will surface fast and hard!
  • Drink a lot of water/ Hydrate yourself sufficiently before started running to avoid cramps at the waist area.
  • Put on head-caps if you want to avoid sun-burns while running during the full-smile of the sun/hot and humid environment
  • DON'T ever leave your MP3 on the car tyre (after finding out that the battery was low). You wouldn't want to know what would be the consequence if you totally forgotten about it post work-out. Waaaa!!
 My badly damaged Sony Walkman after I accidentally ran thru it with the car..sob sob
  • DO NOT test any new route or a straight jump for a longer distance (farther from the convenient/routine distance) if you just got back from a long run break. Your mind /mental is still not there yet
  • Prepare and ready all your running gear/gadgets the night before i.e. MP3's battery, dry socks etc
 In Summary

Distance: 9.5km/5.9mi
Route: Taman Ria - ABF Beach
Timing: 59mins14s (First 8k) + 20mins recovery walk + 8mins 16s (Fast 1.5k)
Weather: Windy morning
Pace: 1st - 10:18, 2nd - 8:58
Gadget: Nike+ Sportwatch GPS

 1st 8k

2nd Fast 1.5k
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Friday 24 August 2012

The Awakening

Alhamdulillah...after 5 days break for Eidulfitri, I managed to pull myself for a quick run yesterday's evening after putting up a good fight with the holiday laziness. It was really tiring (yeah right~) and with the sight of my running buddy (Adizero) still hiding/sleeping beneath the plastic-bag just outside the front door, the situation couldn't be much worse.

The moment I put in my first stride, it was the heaviest I felt within these past 2 months and no doubt it's because of all those Raya weight accumulated within that 5 days break; a period where I manually blind myself from all those ethics and just enjoy the company of foods, available 24/7 from Day 1 of Syawal. Astaga~

And no weighing for me after this Raya week!.No no and no...

As for the run, I tested myself to a new route from the usual Sg. Kantan circles to the outside route until I passed thru Penjara Kajang and the Sg. Jelok road ( these can be referred in GPS tracking pic below). It was quite a challenge I must say since 60 - 70% of the terrains were hills. Even the 'flat' road was slightly inclined (at approx. 2-3%)!.

With Nike+ Sportwatch GPS

I completed the route at a steady but slower pace (just like what I expected) though there are some area of increased pace due to me running down the hill. 

All in all, I completed the run at a modest time of 49mins and at a distance of 7.89km.

In Summary


Distance: 7.89km/4.9mi
Route: Sg Kantan - Sg Jelok, Kajang
Timing: 49.29mins
Weather: Windy afternoon (~5pm)
Pace:10:05
Gadget: Nike+ Sportwatch GPS



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Tuesday 21 August 2012

Eid Mubarak!!

Happy Aidilfitri to all my muslim brothers and sisters..may our Ramadhan ibadah is accepted, our sins have been forgiven and our Syawal is blessed by Him, the Almighty..

While writing this entry, i'm still in Besut, Terengganu celebrating the Eidul Fitri with the wifey + my in-laws and will be back in couple of days.

So, see you all in a bit since I malas nak tulis panjang2..

Owh, another thing...control your diet my friends! Jangan makan banyak-banyak...bak kata one of my colleague, ingat makan ingat acid uric...heheh

Adios!
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Friday 17 August 2012

That Surge before Iftar

Subhanallah..Ramadhan is going to leave us all in 1 or 2 days and the feeling is always that you are not doing that much throughout the month. We can only hope and pray to Him for all of our ibadah are accepted and all of our sins have been forgiven insyaAllah.

As for me, prior to Syawal and before I fly back to KL this Saturday, i need to at least clock in some mileage and put in some workout before a week long of Hari Raya celebration where the daily main theme would be all those 'kuihs' and foods served whenever you go visiting your relatives. With that, I do expect a little extra weight when I come back from this leave but hopefully, it doesn't exceed my expectation too much after all those running and weight loss during this Ramadhan month.

So;-

Alhamdulillah, I managed to run yesterday's evening just before iftar for about 40mins. I wouldn't say it was a great run since the body was not that prepared to sustain a long run without being properly hydrated (of course ma, you are fasting). But i was really grateful that I at least broke that 5k barrier and pushed for a 6.13km distance. You should have seen my t-shirt after the run, it was like I just ran in the rain. I even thought that I would collapse after all those running strains and feeling a little bit dizzy in my head.

But to say the least, I thank god that I completed that run in one piece.

In Summary

Distance: 6.13km/3.8mi
Route: Taman Ria - BDA Hill
Timing: 39.05mins
Weather: Cloudy afternoon (~5pm)
Pace:10:15
Gadget: Nike+ Sportwatch GPS
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Thursday 16 August 2012

13.8.2012 - KLCC Park Night Run

The opportunity for a run just before flying back to Bintulu I grabbed on Monday (13/8) when I was in KL attending a project workshop. Helped by a close-distance to the KLCC park (I stayed at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel), i turned-up at the park's rubber track at around 10pm that night after the terawih prayer at As-Syakirin mosque. I did twittered that AM inviting anybody randomly to join me for the run, but none replied except for a senior of mine who wanted to join but was constraint by the travel distance to KLCC. So, i guessed it wasn't my day-lah .

Nonetheless, there were some expats still jogging (most probably towards their last lap) at that time but gone after I completed my first 2 laps. So in the end, it was only me running, accompanied by the occasional passes-by of the security.

My whole plan that night was to run a 16k but was forced to stop at the 10th laps (13km distance) after a worker started 'mosquito fogging' the area ( Is this a routine practice?) at around 11.15pm. So when that happens, my rhythm was slightly ruined as my hands were covering my nose along the way. So, i decided to stop and felt grateful nonetheless for the distance I have achieved that whole night (even after that sudden snag..shukoor~ :-) )

All in all, it was a great night run to say to the least.

In Summary
Distance: 12.91km/8.0miles
Route: KLCC Park
Timing: 1hr 23mins 58s
Weather: Cloudy night
Pace:10:28
Gadget: Nike+ Sportwatch GPS
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Monday 13 August 2012

Respect lah Bro!

Last Saturday night was a fun occasion for me and my brother since this is the first time we ran together after many years (haha...so sweet~)...Since I'm the one who to be blamed for persuading him to join the 5.5k category in the next Klang Oren Sports run, we ended up running side by side (albeit at a very relax pace) that night after the prayer in Masjid Besi, Putrajaya.

My bro - Achik -

Initially, I only wanted to push him to run 5k distance with a faster pace but after halfway running, he gave me those 'police traffic hand sign' to push further until more than 6k in distance. So, in the end, we ran a 6.4k with a slight 'kick', just 300m before the finishing line . Not bad at all big brother..haha!

TBH, I was quite impressed with his progress since he only started running 'seriously' only for the last two weeks and already reached that 7k barrier..Respect la weh!....My hope is only for him to continue running until he reaches the 10k distance or more and along the way, loses his weight as well..:P..

 Of course lah the - Hero - 

In Summary

Distance: 6.4km
Route: Dataran Putrajaya - PICC Junction - Masjid Putra Roundabout
Timing: 49mins
Weather: Cooling night
Pace:12.04
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Sunday 12 August 2012

The 'Flu' Run

For the last three days, I was down really2 bad with a flu + fever. My eyes were watery and combine that with a runny nose, I was half dead and was even struggling to pray properly as my hands were kept busy by handling those runny noses.

On one side though, I admitted it was a struggle (or perhaps a test during this fasting month) but on the bright side of it, I was grateful since those three days gave both of my legs the rest they really need before readying for another LSD (> 10k run) just before the weekend.

So, as per my earlier plan, I wanted to run for more than 10k but I ended up yesterday with only 10.3k distance after the terawih prayer. This time, I ran at the Precint 3 of Putrajaya after I got off from the plane that Friday morning from Bintulu. Throughout the session, I didn't feel 'that' tired to be honest, but I just don't want to run further as I would like to get back home early (before 12am) since it was the start of the last ten days of Ramadhan. So, my priority would be pretty obvious there..

Here I shared the pictures I took after I asked my brother to 'instagram-ed' the moment just before I ran:

 Alhamdulillah


 Changed to my running attire...walaa~

Since it was Friday, it was the night where Putrajaya was buzzing with people doing recreational activities such as running and convoy cycling (it's like a bunch of folks inspired by Azizul Hasni Awang - everybody was wearing that Malaysian-orange jersey!) mostly. But most of the time, these people just prefer to 'chillax' at those green spots surrounding the Dataran Putrajaya until late a night, chatting, playing balls and even doing some usrah gathering. Respect!

In Summary

Route: Dataran Putrajaya - PICC Junction - Masjid Putra Roundabout (1 full lap)
Timing: 59mins 56s (Yes!..sub 60mins)
Previous PR: 63 - 67mins
Weather: Windy night
Pace: 09.21
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Thursday 9 August 2012

The Running Mags

A rest day for me today, though I was planning to do some strength workout just before I went for my night shift. But the fasting-tiredness syndrome got into me and I ended up watching movies and cooking for my iftar (that's even better right?!)..

Folks, I'm sharing two of my latest running mags that I'm currently reading and trust me, it is worth your money and it will feed you with tons of know-how and easy-to-follow info that could guide you step by step on every aspects of your running career, be it for the beginners or for those who had start running since the day their legs know how to walk!..

And here they are:

Left - Runners World, Right - Ultimate Guide to Marathon Running

If I could recall, i bought these two from the Popular bookstore and its prices were reasonably affordable to everyone (~RM20 -RM25 each) considering how much content they have inside.
 
The Runners World magazine is published monthly but the Ultimate Guideline (i think..) is a once-off issue. But I believe you can just check in to any bookstores especially those premium bookstore i.e. Kinokuniya (KLCC) or MPH and you can find these mags readily available on their racks. 
 
Worse to the worst, if you couldn't find any, then the next best option will always be the internet right ? Or better still, find any runner that you know of and ask them any questions directly. Peace yo!
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Tuesday 7 August 2012

Run the Talk..

Haha..i changed my planned workout right in the middle of the run.. from an LSD to an 8k speedwork. It was great i guess considering this was the first time i ran more than 7k in two consecutive days. Plus, i broke my own PR by achieving 8k distance below 50mins. And for that, I'm now more confident  to achieve a higher target for my 10k run ; sub 55mins!

In summary

Route : Taman Ria BTU - Assyakirin Roundabout - Parkcity Mall Junction (One complete loop)
Time : 47mins 39s
Previous PR : 50 - 52mins
Weather : Cooling and breezing night
Pace :09.35
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Day 18..

Last night I ran my normal 11.7k run in 1hr 14mins. Compared to the previous run (the same distance but faster by 2mins), my timing was much slower this time. Maybe the last time I was helped by the windy night...huhu..anyway, it was a good run after a day rest from the hill session on Saturday (5/8) though the legs still feel a little bit heavy than usual..I assumed it was because of the Monday tiredness and the lingering soreness from the hill workout..

Tonight I might go for another run, perhaps a LSD via a new route..wish me luck!
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Monday 6 August 2012

The Story Begins

Today would be the first day I posted for this blog, dedicated solely to my journey towards a full-fledged marathon running, targeted to be achieved in 1 year time. I know i could have put the target much earlier but considering my surrounding factors (work, family, travel etc), i thought that target is quite reasonable for me who for quite a while have gradually started building my fitness and strength (physically and mentally) for the past 2 months (since June).. Alhamdulillah..

All in all, may Allah give me the strength and continuous desire to achieve this dream and share this small story to inspire my friends and colleagues out there that nothing is impossible if you work hard towards achieving it..
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