Thursday, June 29, 2006

Hot,hot,hot

This time around of the year is the Solstice period where the Northern Hemisphere is experiencing summer and so is our country. The day is longer than night, approximately 30mins of extra sunlight.It is so hot until I have to wait for the sun to set in order to put on my running shoes, usually I could starts running at 6pm but during these few days I have to wait till almost 7pm.

I need to do some running this week cos did not run much last week moreover this week end is the Ipoh Run, hope to do at least 6km today. Will be heading to MPSJ stadium. Looking forward to this week end in Ipoh.
Will back with more reports.

Monday, June 19, 2006

PJ Run

PJ Run has been one of the most important run for myself since I started participating in 1987. If I can recall, no finisher medals were given then. We were very proud to receive certificated only. Medals were only given in the year 1989 and I got my first medal in 1990 and todate I have a collection of 14 homogenous pewter medal and I hope to collect many more medals in years to come. PJ medals are my most valuable one mainly because it is engraved with "year, category and position".

Last year I did the 21km but this year due to lack of fitness and the spririt of " pia" so I opted for the 5km just to test my fitness and try to bring back the "SPEED" I lost. Knowing that 5km has only 30 medals at stake I have to run for my life or else no face to meet the PMs.

I was worried since submtting the entry form and I try to do as much 5km run as possible and I noticed it was very tough for me to run or rather to maintain 4.30 pace for 5km. Anyhow I just hope to finish within 30 position and do not care much about timing.

The run started about 6.55am, I was running as fast as I could trying not to be too far from the front runners. After 2km I slowing caught up with some Pacesetters members and narrowing the gap with the 1st women runner ( Susila). At this juncture I had overtaken Agnes Tee the defending champion for 5km veteran category. My breathing was heavy and strike getting slower and slower after the 3.5km mark and I could estimate that at the front about 20 runners ahead so I was confident I should be able to finish within the medalist. Eng Seok Ling was side by side and strike by strike, both of us were very tired and exhausted but kept on pia kau kau lat just to finish the race.

It was a tough run and I was glad to cross the finishing line in 17th position clocking a time of 20min.46sec. This is my best ever position in my entire running career. Will I try again next year for the same distance? It depends.