Get in shape in Shape Run!

Race: Shape Run
Date: 24th Augst 2008 (Sunday), 7.30am
Venue: Lake Garden, Tapak A
Distance: 10km (actual: 10.3km according to event emcee, and 10.38km according to this)

Why this Race?
1. The GOODIE BAG!
2. The GOODIE BAG!
3. The GOODIE BAG!

With RM20 registration fee we could get a goodie bag worths over RM300, I had been promoting this event heavily to my colleagues and friends. I helped 50 persons to register, imagined that I collected 50 vests in one go!

I was actually determined to win a medal in the beginning, 75 medals were available for each category (except Fun Run category). However, after a lousy week of no running and so much binging, it was too late to regret, I didn't dare to put much hope and would just do my best.

The starting point was inside Lake Garden heading towards the jogging pavement around the lake. It was very narrow to accommodate such a big group of runners, most were slow in the beginning. This was not a problem to me at all, as I like to start slowly to get warmed up and find my pace. I felt that I am getting better at this, I would not rush anymore in the starting and able to sustain the distance with much more energy when approaching the finish line.

My little Sister's friend wanted to challenge me even though this was her first race, and obviously did not train much and had no idea of how long is 10km by feet. She started like a launched rocket but soon was slowing down and I caught up with her at around 1.5km+. She was not happy and increased her pace in order to overtake me. Well, I stayed with my own pace and let her go ahead. But before long she slowed down to walking again and I overtook her effortlessly. She tried couple more times and finally gave up. Young girl (11 yrs younger than me), even though I am big and old, I do respect the distance!

Although I had been slacking in the past week, I was confident that I could finish the 10K distance, the weekly 20K LSD training before Adidas KOTR was really helpful. I kept running, in the familiar terrain of Lake Garden which I run in every Saturday morning with the buddies from RunnersMalaysia.

I was slowing down when entering the second half of the route which was outside Lake Garden. After passing Wisma Tani and running back to Jalan Parliament, I knew the finishing line was not too far away, suddenly I felt my energy was coming back. I sped up and left the RunnersMalaysia running buddy who paced with me at that moment, and sprinted all the way when entering back to Lake Garden to the finishing line. I knew this was annoying, I overtook a Malay lady in less than 10 meters before the finish! If somebody else did this to me, I would curse the person! :P I got 70th place, around 1hr 08min 33sec. Hehehe, feeling so lucky that I got a medal again! :)

While queuing up to collect the 1901 hotdog breakfast, I received a call from Mom. I couldn't believe to hear my Uncle passed away! Even though he had heart problem many years ago and liked to drink, but this was too sudden! I collected the goodie bag while waiting my Sister to come back to the finishing line, and quickly went back home. I don't know what to say now. I lost 2 very closed family members this year. 2008 is certainly a year to remember.






Picture taken from http://www.shape.com.my/goodie_bag.asp