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.....

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...