Brunei Half Marathon 2008

Ive been quite tied up with work and other stuff that i just cant find the time to post any updates. Havent really done much training or workout as i was away on a business trip for a week and have been battling this cold/flu for more than a week now. However, did managed to do a few easy runs and joined in on the HSBC Heart of Borneo Challange last Sunday.

On another note, here's some pictures from the Brunei Half Marathon last month.

Managed to maintain my PB for this distance. 1 hr 29 mins.

About 2 km to go

I look heavy, need to get leaner

Bahar (he managed to get a new PB) Congrates dude

Veteran Runners - Julaihi and Pg Nordin

Speedy (have been seeing him running alot) - must be preparing for Spore Marathon

Not a big turnout - Need more publicity

Sumbangsih Runners - Squadra

Sports Medicine people on hand

The Winners

I was wrong about the Kenyan runner - he was really fast (1hr 11mins)

Overall, the race was well organised and the route chosen was very challenging. Would have been better if it was promoted widely and had more runners.

Brunei 21K 2008 (pre-race)

The Brunei Half Marathon 2008 will be held tomorow morning, starting at 6.30am. This will be the first half marathon race in Brunei for this year, and might also be the last for this year. Thats whats boring about Brunei, in terms of sporting events, there aren't alot being organised.

I haven't really been preparing for this race, cause i dont really enjoy doing halves. It's not that i can't complete the race, it's just so sakit/painful doing 21k.. its usually a fast race to run... everyone goes speedy gonzales straight from the start... and you need to follow these fast guys, if not, you'll be left behind and wont be able to catch-up coz its only 21k.

i'm more like a diesel engine.. i need to get warm-up first, taking it steady to get my momentum and rhythm.. that's what i like about doing 42ks... you dont have to follow the guys going fast at the start, coz usually at around 30k, most of them tends to slow down and you can run pass them smiling....

Last week did some speed workout and some long runs, just to prepare abit for tomorow. This week was supposed to be a tapering week, but due family and work commitments, only managed to run a few times... but my body and legs do feel fresh today... did a 30 mins run this afternoon and a lot of stretches..

Persatuan Olahraga Amatur Brunei

I heard that tomorow's race will also be a trials/qualifier for the local runners to represent the country for the Standard Chartered Greatest Race on Earth Marathon series. Click here for more info on this.

Basically there are 4 marathons being held in 4 cities, Nairobi, Mumbai, Singapore and Hong Kong. 4 persons will be representing their country with each runner doing a marathon at one of these places. Their aggregate times will be counted and the fastest country wins.

They had the same trials last year in Brunei doing 21k.. i only managed to get 10th place. Only the top 4 were selected. But 2 of the runners who did the marathons did poorly, what a shame... thats what they get for having a 21k trials for a 42k race....

Oh well, i'm not really hoping to get top 4 for tomorow.. there's alot of other runners who's fast at this distance, especially the army guys.. I'm just gonna try my best and not be left too far behind.

Oh ya i heard there will be 2 Kenyan runners tomorow, but i doubt that they are elite runners... as it wont be worth it for them to come here for the prize money.. 1st place is only $500.00. Inda balik modal lah.. They might be students studying within the region.. But it'll be interesting to see how they do tomorow..

I better head off to bed now, planning to wake up at 5am...

Race kit checklist:

check, check, check, check, check, check, check

All set to go...

green?????

Out of action

Half way through the week last week, caught myself a cold which affected my training plans. Spent most of the week without any exercise or workout, just resting trying to get rid of the cold. Wasted 5 days....

Catching a cold is always a worry for any athlete, especially when you have a race coming up. So getting enough sleep and a 'rest day' is VERY VERY important, because after doing intense exercises for a long period of time, your immune systems becomes weak and you'll be prone to getting sick. "a rest day is as important as a training day"

By Tuesday, felt better and continued my training plans as i've only got less then 2 weeks till the Brunei Half Marathon.. there's not much i can do to prepare for the race... i just need to get my rhythm back...

Last week training log:

Monday pm: Swim - 1,300 m

Monday pm: Run - 1 hr steady run - 11 km

Tuesday pm: Run - 56 mins hill sprints (warm-up/hill sprints/cool down)

Wednesday am: Run - 1 hr 20 mins steady run - 15.32 km

Wednesday pm: Run - 50 mins easy run

Rest of the week: Rest - Sick

Haven't been doing much swimming and cycling for quite awhile... was trying to concentrate on my runnning for the race, and not to confuse my muscles...