Malakoff 12k: Macam celah gigi...

... for a whole 72 minutes! :D

I was contemplating whether I should even post this - tulis? tak tulis? tulis? tak tulis? - because I neither had any pictures to show nor I had a spectacular timing.  But this being my online diary (or so-called), I should just pen it down for future reference.

I didn't consider this event at the first place, but seeing that Malakoff-12K fits in pretty nicely with Hal Higdon's post marathon training (altho' short of a week), I signed up for it.  Besides, it keeps me motivated.  Just the other day, I couldn't believe I told my cube neighbour "Malasnya nak lari" (I don't feel like running).  I'm happy to tell you guys that I didn't slack off... at least on that day.

A friend commented on FB that Malakoff being a 12km-er, it'd be just a celah gigi (a stroll in the park).  That wasn't in my mind at all.  Firstly, I haven't even run more than 10K after PBIM.  Secondly, you have to respect 'em hills.

I didn't get to survey the route prior to the race, thus the plan was to take it easy and learn the route as I run since we'll be doing 2 loops of it.

Did I say that I almost DNS the race?  Yes... almost.  I had set not one, but 2 alarms for that morning.  It's been awhile since I woke up for an early morning run.  One at 4am, and another at 5am; the latter to remind me that it's time to leave the house.  Little did I know that the 4am alarm that I set was the one that I had used for my Saturday LSDs.  Obviously, I was awaken at 5am! :P

Sure it was still early, but I'd like to find a parking spot closer to the start/finish line, and didn't want to rely on the bus service from Sri Hartamas.


Good thing I had everything prepared the night before. I was out of the house by 5:30.  However, in my scrambling, I forgot to bring along my prepared Gatorade in my Ultimate Direction bottle.  So I had make do with the mineral water bottle.


I found a parking spot near the Royal Selangor Club House entrance; if I had read about Yim's past post, I'd have some reservation about it.  Alhamdulillah, no break-ins occurred in the vicinity.


I believe you'd get a better understanding of the event from Yim's post.  All I want to report is:

• I finished the race in one piece, and that's always a good thing :)
• I didn't have to stop at the water station since I brought my own drink
• It was perhaps more of a jog or a run at slow pace, but I didn't walk *lol*

Here's a couple of pictures I found in FB.  Senyum le sebab ada orang ambil gambar. Lagipun azab dah nak habis :)

From "Mo Bahir"

From "Malaysia Runners Network"

That was my last official running event for 2010.  I haven't really ironed out which runs I'd be going for next year.  Tak banyak kot? (Not that many).

I know I'd like to better my SCKLM record, so I'd be signing up for that.  To tell you the truth, there's one I've registered but I'll only let the cat out of the bag once I complete it; I pity the cat :D.  Cakap sekarang tapi kalau tak buat, buat apa ye tak? :D


Here's to a wonderful 2011. Insya-Allah. Amin.

[update]

Here's a picture after going through the comments :D

taken from Edwinleap.com (post #736)