Racing thru the track in National Stadium

Race: Larian Jelajah KSN
Date: 12th July 2008 (Saturday), 8.00am
Venue: Stadium Nasional, Bukit Jalil
Distance: 6km (actual: 5.39km according to this)
Why this race?
1. The route included my elementary training ground, so I must give support!
2. The opportunity of running on the track in National Stadium
3. The MEDAL of course!

Never thought of running this race. I didn't even know what was 'KSN', it took me some time to figure out KSN == Kompleks Sukan Negara. Not only slow in running, I am slow in mind too... paiseh~~

I found out about this race when helping colleagues and friends to register the Shape Run 2 days ago at Wisma OCM. Since the race was on Saturday and merely 6km, it shouldn't affect the 20K LSD training on the next day. Moreover, the venue was so near my place, Bukit Komanwel was part of the route, which was also my elementary training ground. I started my weight loss journey there one year ago by walking, and slowly got into running. It would be very meaningful to touch the same ground as part of a race.

Most importantly... not many female participants signed up this race, there were 60 medals available and I was the 71st registrant. When my Sis knew about this event, she also wanted to get the medal so desperately, so I signed her up yesterday at 4.40pm as the 77th registrant, she should be the last registrant. You do the math, 60/77... what a high chance to win the medal.... hehehehe~~~

Anyway I had been very lazy lately, had not run for a few days. In addition, it was stated on the entry form that it required to climb staircases. Staircase was my weakness, and I knew there would be lots of staircases from my previous experience in Bukit Komanwel. I felt a bit nervous.

By the way, I could not understand why the race started at 8am, the sun would be so high up. As usual, I lined up far behind from the starting line, avoid blocking the faster runners. An uncle talked to me as he recognized me training in Bukit Jalil park. My Sis and I also took some pictures, since it was an unusual experience to start and run on the track of national stadium.

My start was slow, but I took it easy, I knew there were more challenges ahead. My tummy was not very well, probably because of I ate too much and different food before the race, the Jacob's Sunrite biscuits and Dutch Lady chocolate milk. I should stick with the faithful bananas only. The route was not very straight forward, but there were adequate road marshals and signboards along the way, a brownie point to the Organizer. I was even more surprised to see a drink station, 2nd brownie point to the Organizer!

Even though I was slow runner, I still looked around for some targets to 'sayur' as motivation. I overtook B1031, but later she overtook me back when going downhill, I could never see her again after that. I was running behind B1072 for quite awhile, finally getting closer to her and overtook her at the overhead bridge which crossed to the other side of the road to Bukit Komanwel. Then I slowly caught up with an Indian lady of number B1065, I thought I would leave her behind victoriously, but I lost to her when climbing up the dreadful stairs at the zig-zag route of Bukit Komanwel :(

Very soon we were approaching the finishing point, however I didn't remember the route very well, I was afraid that would be another stretch but all energies were exhausted, this would not gonna be fun. At last, I confirmed it was heading back to the stadium, I sprinted my best on the red rubberized track to the finishing point, imagining myself as a national athlete, what an experience!

Looking at the watch timer, it was 37:44, did I have a new PR? No, I knew it won't be especially I was actually 'walking' up the stairs which had significantly slowed me down. According to pm1 website, I was not surprised at all to find out the route was only 5.39km. I still had quite a lot of energies after the race, I should have increased the pace if I could remember the route better. Anyway, I felt very happy to achieve 17th place and add in another medal to my collection :)

I approached Tey, the generous and faithful photographer, after finishing the race. I asked his favor to snap photo for my Sis. While waiting for my Sis to come back, I met and talked to the 2nd place winner of Women Veteran category, I saw her in many races and in pm1 website, I knew she ran very fast! Hi, SL (if I recognized your name correctly), nice talking to you!

My Sis finally came back, her time was 50:25, she got her first medal at position no. 42! Good job, Sis! Hopefully more folks would pick up running and join races with me! :)


2 t-shirt designs... well, nothing interesting to talk about


My lucky number this time :)


Waiting at the starting point


Luckily my Sis has normal size... not like me :P


pia-ing to the finishing line (photo by Tey)


(photo by Tey)


The rewards