101km
Challenge Series 1: 33km of 125km
I was a bit afraid that 125 kilometers is too big a goal to achieve. I'm doing about 15 to 20 km a week, 125 km will take ages!
But now that I've committed to train more to prepare for a Full Marathon, and have set aside regular running times and (most importantly) got off the couch, put on my shoes and RUN, the kilometers are building up. I am very excited to see the numbers climbing up.
Challenge running log, so far
Sep 20 : 5km
Sep 22 : 7km
Sep 24 : 10km
Sep 26 : 4km
Sep 28 : 7km
33km done, just another 92km to go!
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Run: Compressport Run [21km], 18 Sept 2016
80km
Challenge Series 1: 12km of 125km
We (me and my running gang) ran the Compressport 21km Run in Cyberjaya last weekend. I was aiming for an under 3hr finish, but didn't make that time.
My time of 3hr 02m is a personal best for this distance. My fastest time before this was a whooping 19m away! Hooray me. All that training is paying off.
Challenge Series 1: 12km of 125km
We (me and my running gang) ran the Compressport 21km Run in Cyberjaya last weekend. I was aiming for an under 3hr finish, but didn't make that time.
My time of 3hr 02m is a personal best for this distance. My fastest time before this was a whooping 19m away! Hooray me. All that training is paying off.
Race summary:
Pros
- Race day weather was great. Cloudy and slightly drizzly, its better than the heat otherwise
- Race course is nice. Mostly flat with few hills. I prefer Cyberjaya/Putrajaya races to KL races cos of the feeling of space everywhere. Wide open spaces, wide lanes, less cars, less grimes.
- Kilometer markers were spot on. And so is the course distance. Nothing worse than passing the 19km marker when your gps is showing 21km (yes, looking at you, SCKL 2016).
- Coconut water! There was a coconut water station at KM9, and after the race we're handed a box of Cowa brand coconut water.. I love coconut water, this is a major bonus point.
- Ample water stations with ample water and isotonic drink (Monster brand). Do note in some races ample water stations do not mean ample water. This race has ample supply.
- Nice running shirt and finisher shirt. Some races the shirt given is never used because it's just not nice size or cut or material. End of the year just collect all and donate. Both the shirts given are nice, and I'll definitely use them.
Cons
- Race kit collection nightmare. Waited in line for 1h 12m just to collect the kit. For perspective, that is the time it takes to run a 10km!
- Toiletssssss. For an event with a medium crowd turnout, there's no portable toilets at all. Instead we had to queue up to use the measly 4 stalls in the MMU mini stadium.
- They closed the MMU gate early on, although there was still ample parking inside. We didn't park too far off still, but those that came later had to walk quite a bit.
Overall it was a good run. Can't wait for the next 21km run next month, to try beat that 3hr mark!
Me and my running gang. I'm the fat whale in purple.
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
125km Challenge Series 1 - Virtual Run
73km
Challenge Series 1: 5km of 125km
Challenge accepted!
A Sabahan friend of mine was asking me about any interesting virtual runs here, but so far my one and only virtual run was very disappointing. I gave him some links and and in return he gave some that were ran over there, with positive reviews.
The challenges are so interesting! So far I've only seen 5k, 10k, and very rarely 21k virtual runs. The virtual run he recommended that caught my interest is a series of 4 x 125km challenge, for a total of 500km. Daunting goals, but perfect for someone putting in the mileage for a marathon training.
Instead of medals, each leg of the series earns you a medal hanger (so cool!). If you successfully complete all 4 series then you get a 500km medal and finisher t-shirt. There is no time limit for the accumulated mileage, but each series has a start date. You move on to the next stage after the date or after you complete your current stage, whichever comes later.
Too bad I just signed up for it, a day earlier and I could have counted in my 21km Compressport Run. But nevermind, challenge accepted! Already put in a 5km run today, looking forward to the next 120km (omg).
Interested?
FB: Virtual I Run U Run
Event FB: 125Kkm Challenge Series
Challenge Series 1: 5km of 125km
Challenge accepted!
A Sabahan friend of mine was asking me about any interesting virtual runs here, but so far my one and only virtual run was very disappointing. I gave him some links and and in return he gave some that were ran over there, with positive reviews.
The challenges are so interesting! So far I've only seen 5k, 10k, and very rarely 21k virtual runs. The virtual run he recommended that caught my interest is a series of 4 x 125km challenge, for a total of 500km. Daunting goals, but perfect for someone putting in the mileage for a marathon training.
Instead of medals, each leg of the series earns you a medal hanger (so cool!). If you successfully complete all 4 series then you get a 500km medal and finisher t-shirt. There is no time limit for the accumulated mileage, but each series has a start date. You move on to the next stage after the date or after you complete your current stage, whichever comes later.
Too bad I just signed up for it, a day earlier and I could have counted in my 21km Compressport Run. But nevermind, challenge accepted! Already put in a 5km run today, looking forward to the next 120km (omg).
Interested?
FB: Virtual I Run U Run
Event FB: 125Kkm Challenge Series
Monday, September 12, 2016
Book : Shut Up and Run by Robin Arzon
47km
Love this book. It's a huge kick in the ass to just Shut Up and Run. Just get up and go run already!
This book is coffee-table style with lots of pictures and motivational quotes throughout. It's also packed with great running info and tips. From the basics - how to start, what you need to start, and the motivation to keep at it. To intermediate and advanced - training plans, fueling tips, warm ups and downs, running stronger, running faster, running longer, the mental game, and the motivation to keep keeping at it.
Yes, the previous paragraph is full of the word motivation, because that's what this book is! A solid brick of motivation. I read it while on a short weekend getaway and came back all fired up to build up my running again. Now I have a sort of training plan, am experimenting on my fueling strategy, and most importantly have my motivation tank filled up. Thank you Robin!
Robin's very New York and very 'street' (her fav songs are those that I switch channel away from, the word swagger makes me wince, and I had to google the definition of ethos), but underneath all that is a 5-star running guide, with a superb motivational kick.
I'm marking this to be re-read again in a few months time.
Love this book. It's a huge kick in the ass to just Shut Up and Run. Just get up and go run already!
This book is coffee-table style with lots of pictures and motivational quotes throughout. It's also packed with great running info and tips. From the basics - how to start, what you need to start, and the motivation to keep at it. To intermediate and advanced - training plans, fueling tips, warm ups and downs, running stronger, running faster, running longer, the mental game, and the motivation to keep keeping at it.
Yes, the previous paragraph is full of the word motivation, because that's what this book is! A solid brick of motivation. I read it while on a short weekend getaway and came back all fired up to build up my running again. Now I have a sort of training plan, am experimenting on my fueling strategy, and most importantly have my motivation tank filled up. Thank you Robin!
Robin's very New York and very 'street' (her fav songs are those that I switch channel away from, the word swagger makes me wince, and I had to google the definition of ethos), but underneath all that is a 5-star running guide, with a superb motivational kick.
I'm marking this to be re-read again in a few months time.
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Shout It Out Loud.. or not?
37.5km
Some say when you set a big goal, shout it out loud. Tell your family, tell your friends, post it on social media. Telling people keeps you accountable and makes you more likely to strive for the goal. You can't back out now - you've told everyone!
On the other hand, the other school of thought (more asian, I feel) is to keep your goal to yourself. Don't shout it out, after naysayers will 'put the eye' on you. Don't tell people, as a caution against bad luck.
For weeks I've debated on putting up my goal, or doing it quietly. Here's my decision now!
I want to run a Full Marathon (42km!) in January 2017
Aiming for Twincities Marathon because I had a positive experience running the the 21km Half Marathon early this year. Five months is ample time to get ready, provided I put in the effort lah.
I've started tracking my kilometers since Aug 22. I have no xxx km goal in mind, just that counting up something will be fun! Of course I am to have run some good long runs to be race ready in time, but for now my goal is to increase my weekly mileage (km-age?). Build the habit of regular running first.
Still prefer writing things down, but I do use garmin connect and runkeeper to keep track of my running. Loving the cover of the notebook I'm using as my running journal.
Some say when you set a big goal, shout it out loud. Tell your family, tell your friends, post it on social media. Telling people keeps you accountable and makes you more likely to strive for the goal. You can't back out now - you've told everyone!
On the other hand, the other school of thought (more asian, I feel) is to keep your goal to yourself. Don't shout it out, after naysayers will 'put the eye' on you. Don't tell people, as a caution against bad luck.
For weeks I've debated on putting up my goal, or doing it quietly. Here's my decision now!
I want to run a Full Marathon (42km!) in January 2017
Aiming for Twincities Marathon because I had a positive experience running the the 21km Half Marathon early this year. Five months is ample time to get ready, provided I put in the effort lah.
I've started tracking my kilometers since Aug 22. I have no xxx km goal in mind, just that counting up something will be fun! Of course I am to have run some good long runs to be race ready in time, but for now my goal is to increase my weekly mileage (km-age?). Build the habit of regular running first.
Still prefer writing things down, but I do use garmin connect and runkeeper to keep track of my running. Loving the cover of the notebook I'm using as my running journal.
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