Running My First 10K at the Adidas King of the Road 2012

At the start of the year i signed up on the challenge to run and complete in a 10km race. Now, I know that for most people, 10km is a pretty easy race, but this is coming from a guy that back in Primary 5 had to walk to finish a 800m heats in school. For the past 5 years or so, I’ve been running a lot in the gym, doing about 3 to 4km on the treadmill. Later I started running on the road in the evenings. Only these past few months I’ve intensified the training, running about 6-9km three or four times a week.

Anyway, i went with WY this morning for the run. Here’s how the race went for me.

(At the starting line. I’m surprised they actually started on time)

(It’s always a good thing to take photos BEFORE the race, not AFTER)

Starting line – There were thousands of runners for the 10k. We were at about the midway of the pack at the starting line, took about a minute from the flag off for us to actually reach the starting line.

And we’re OFF! – I timed myself with my phone strapped to my arm (something that I’m regretting NOW). The overhead clock at the starting line said 7:06am when i started. In the weeks preparing for the race, I kept telling myself that I have to run at my own pace, and not follow those around me. This is especially important coz generally i run a slower pace than most people. At the end of the day, this is a challenge against my own self, not against anybody else. So for the start, I most tried to keep up a bit with WY. At about 800m, I started to separate off from her.

I also noticed that A LOT of people are WALKING from the starting line. Are they planning to WALK the entire RACE?

1km – The first 2-3km were the toughest for me, I face this every time i run, even short distances. It didn’t help that in this race, we had to go down and up the Sunway tunnel and up the elevated NPE highway within this 2-3km distance. When i saw the 1km board, i was going “Only 1KM? this is going to be tough. Why did i sign up for this? I could be sleeping at home now!!”

3km – Well tough as it was, i pushed through the critical first 3km, we were now past the toll gate going to Kg Dato Haron. The cool weather was a good help to me, I’m used to running in the evening humidity. The water station at 3km was a welcome sight. Props to the voluntary staff manning the drinks, i bet its really stressful serving 10,000 or more drinks in a few minutes!

I tell you what, the 3 drinks of 100plus and water was invigorating – call it placebo or what, it does work for me. My philosophy is run fast when you can, slow when you can’t. So immediately after the drinks, i was propelled and covered a good distance.

4km – The 4km mark came soon enough, i was now finding own pace. We were now at the highest point of the elevated highway, I can see the mass of neon clad runners ahead of me. Suddenly at the start of the descent from the peak, I could see the U-turn up ahead! That’s the halfway mark. And we could also see the runners who have made the turn below us on the other side of the highway. Following the run-fast-when-you-can principle, I was quick on the downhill to the U turn. But it still seems a long way off…

5km – Halfway!!! By now I knew I could do this. My time was ok, just a few minutes off my target. I kept the pace to the 6km mark where the next water station would be. But a slight problem – the sun was now up and it was a hot one. As far as i could i kept in the shadow of the viaduct above.

6km – drinks station #2. Another 3 small cups of water. I tried to run a little faster after drinks again, but this time tank wasn’t as full as it was after the first drinks station. This stretch to the end is the real test of my endurance.

8km – Sun was burning down and no shade now. Plus we’re climbing another elevated stretch. The engineer in me tells me to stay on the lowest point of the superelevation so that i run the shortest distance and lowest climb, but im not sure it helps in this instance heheh. More and more people walking now. Also, the front runners of the 16.8km race were passing us now.

9km – Last drink station too forever to come. My foot was starting to ache. And the phone strap was chaffing the inside of my arm. And my pants was wet with sweat. i can’t imagine how some girls i see that can run in this hot sun without breaking a sweat. At this point i realized the last stretch from here, isn’t 1km, its far more than that. More like 1.8km. And there’s that dreaded Sunway tunnel ascent to go…

(this is the last 200m approaching the finish. Took this when i crossed the pedestrian bridge to my car)

(the finishing line!)

The distance board now showed 800m to go, then 600m. We were climbing out of the tunnel now… i was planning on sprinting to the finish line, but there’s not much gas in the tank.

And finally… i made it. In my mind i was holding my arms aloft, saying “KING OF THE ROAD!!!!” but of course not outwardly. I must thank the organizers who made the checkout smooth and well signed. I was out of it in less than 2 minutes.

(WY, Patrick and my finsiher’s medal. Pat ran the 16.8k)

Lookng back, I’m proud I didn’t stop to walk (except at the drinking station) and made it without any cramps. My time was what i’d expected it to be, considering this was the first time i ran so far. I learnt a lot of things about running and marathons:

1. Wear appropriate clothing. My inner thighs are burning with pain as i type this as a result of my gym pants.
2. I should get earphones next time. It’s easy to distracted by other runners chatting, getting treatment, etc.
3. Runners come from all walks of life. Fat, thin, fit, unfit, we all come to compete against ourselves.

So that’s that – one major item off my bucket list. Only another 32 items left…