Borneo International Marathon - Done

3 hrs 32 mins 38 secs

Full Marathon: Men Open - 7th place

Full Marathon: Overall - 12th place

Slower - but Happy

Click here for full results.

Point of No Return

After much thoughts and contemplating on whether to go or not… decided to just go for it and bought my tickets to Kota Kinabalu for this weekend.

Knowing that the race route would be flat, my initial aim when registering was to set a new PB or to just prepare for setting a new PB in Singapore in December.

However, I have a feeling that this race will be a nightmare, considering the amount (little) of training I’ve done for the last month or so.

And the last few runs I’ve done this last couple of days haven’t been good. I still haven’t found my rhythm.

My goal now is just to try and enjoy the race and aim for a sub-4 hours.

So no turning back now.

Penang Bridge International Marathon 2008

The PBIM comprises of a full marathon, a half marathon, a quarter marathon and a 10 kilometer fun run opened to those above the age of 13.

Info on the Full Marathon:

Date: Sunday, November 16 2008
Start Time: 3am
Reporting Time: 2am ~ 2.45am
Finishing time: 6 hours
Start Location: Queensbay, Penang.
Entry Fee: RM50.00 / USD25.00
Distance: 42.195km
Closing registration date: October 26th, 2008 (3 weeks before the race day)
Collection date of running bib, t-shirts and etc: 13th - 15th November 2008
Location for collection of running bib, t-shirts and etc: Queensbay Mall

Details at : http://www.penangmarathon.gov.my/

Route for the full marathon

This should be an interesting race to run as part of the race is on the famous Penang Bridge. The view should be phenomenal.

I might consider doing this race instead of the doing the Bangkok Marathon. This would give me more time to recover before the Singapore Marathon in December.

the famous Penang Bridge

Some quick facts on the Penang Bridge:

Official Name: Penang Bridge
Malay Name: Jambatan Pulau Pinang
Carries: Motor Vehicles
Crosses: South Channel, Malaysia (connects Penang to the Malay Peninsula)
Longest span: 225m
Total length: 13.5km
Opening date: 1985

Source: Wikipedia.com

Gebrselassie breaks marathon world record

Berlin Marathon 2008

2 hours, 3 minutes, 59 seconds

source: msnbc.com

What more can i say?

This is what he said after the race:

“Today, I’m so, so, so happy. Everything was perfect today,”

Offcourse he would say that, he just set a new world record and bagged himself £39,000 for the victory and the same amount for his world record

Some quick info on "The Man" himself and the Berlin Marathon:

Source: wikipedia.com

Haile Gebrselassie (born April 18, 1973) is an Ethiopian long distance track and road running athlete.

Gebrselassie has achieved major competition wins at distances between 1500 metres and the marathon, moving from outdoor, indoor and cross country running to road running in the latter part of his career.

He has broken 25 world records and won numerous Olympic and World Championship titles, and is widely considered as one of the greatest distance runners in history.

Berlin Marathon

Date: 27/28 September 2008 (usually takes place on the last weekend in September)

Location: Berlin, Germany

Race Type: Road

Distance: Marathon

Established: 1974

Official site: berlin-marathon

Several world records for men and women have been set at the Berlin course (42.195 km), which is known for its flat profile, even surface, a cheering spectator crowd, and its frequently mild temperatures.

This is probably the best race to set your own PB. Will definitely put this in my calendar if im im that part of the world.

Saturday "brick" training

I was initially planning to do a 'speed workout' down at the track, since i havent done any speed sessions for awhile. So decided to ride my bike down from Kapok to the track instead of taking the car.. kira doing my part for the environment lah... At least i'll get some bike workout..

Improvised

No water bottles, just shoes

Arrived at the track around 5.30pm and felt that ive used up most of my energy on the ride down. (20km - 45mins. est.)

Instead of doing a speed workout, i just did a fast run around the track (10 laps - last outside lane) in about 25 mins.

Padang Kebajikan - only a few runners around

(note: Padang Belapan tutup)

Ultra Marathon Runner's legs amputated

Taiwan Ultra-Runner in Coma After “La Trans Gaule”
September 9, 2008 http://trailrunningsoul.com/trs/2008/09/09/taiwan-ultra-runner-in-coma-after-la-trans-gaule/

Sad news from the ultra world. According to several news websites, Chiu Shu-jung, a 51-year-old Taiwanese female ultra runner has had to have both legs amputated after her participation in La Trans Gaule French ultramarathon.

Chiu, nicknamed ‘ultra-marathon mama’, developed blisters during the race which broke on the 16th day - of the planned 18 days race course – but she was able to finish the competition. But then she was diagnosed with septicaemia, a potentially life-threatening infection, and was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Montpellier. There she had her two legs amputated to stop the infection from spreading and remains now in coma.

Chiu, nicknamed "ultra-marathon mama"

It’s always sad to hear bad news, even more if the bad news is about an athlete getting injured or worse amputated. My deepest sympathy for the Ultra-marathoner and her family.

She is one tough lady; she managed to complete the race 17th of the 44 runners even after getting the blisters. And this is not just any race; this is a really extreme ultra.

I hope she will recover soon and hope she will still be able to enjoy the joy of running again some way.

No matter how much you’ve prepared, there’s always a chance that something might go wrong.

So keep safe, train smart and listen to your body.

What’s in La Transe Gaule Footrace ?

• 1150km (715 Miles) solo race across France, from coast to coast
• 18 stages, 18 days
• shortest day: 49km (31 miles), longest: 75km (47 miles), daily average: 63,9km (40 miles)
• supply stations every day at km15, km30 and then every 10km until the end of the stage
• cut-off: 5,5 kmph (3,4 Mph)
• Overall cumulative rankings by adding the times of each stage
• accomodation in gymnasium (bring your own mattress and sleeping bags)
• breakfast included, every morning from 5 AM
• dinners included, all other meals at your own expenses
• Support vehicle and handler(s) allowed
• Organisation : Phare-West Organisation

Are you up for the challenge???

Ramadan Training - Week 1

It has been a slow start for the month of Ramadan – in terms of my training though. My plan for this month was to do easy runs before sungkai and do long runs in the evening after terawih.

But its been raining almost everyday lately especially late afternoon and in the evening that i've only managed to run thrice last week. It seems that I'm getting more workout done while performing my terawih, especially doing 23 rakaat and with the Imam that goes fast. Good workout for the legs.

Ramadan Training - Week 1:

Monday Run:

Duration: 1hr 5 mins

Distance: 12km (est.)

Type: Easy

Route: Around Stadium

 

Thursday Run:

Duration: 1hr

Distance: 11km (est.)

Type: Supposed to be easy – but it was hard

Route: Manggis – Sg. Akar – Stadium – Berakas - Manggis

 

Sunday Run:

Duration: 1hr

Distance: 11km (est.)

Type: Steady

Route: Around Stadium

With only about a month till the Borneo International Marathon in Kota Kinabalu, i will need to increase the intensity of my training... I know it's a bit too late to start training for a 42k race now, but i've just got to try and get my rhythm back. 

This week training will have to be hard, so I'm off to run now.....