The Heat Wave at UPM

It's been 2 months since our last competitive run and we felt like inexperienced newbies all over again as we struggled to get out of bed to get ready for the run on Sunday morning.

It was our first time joining the Mizuno Wave Run 2010 at UPM, and we expected the waves of slopes along the 11km route as forewarned by many, and the exceptionally huge one at the last km.

I thought we were early but i guess we weren't early enough! we parked so far that we had to walk 1.5km to the starting point, and that took time! we took it as our warm up jog but by the time we arrived at the mini stadium, we needed the loo.

I thought i was hydrated enough but i was wrong. the first few minutes into the race, i knew i was doomed. my throat was parched. i panted like mad and was on the verge of swearing loudly to demand for water THAT instant.

When i finally arrived at the 1st water station, 1 cup wasn't enough but as i had already sped off, i had to trudge on and prayed for the next water station to be near.

But it wasn't. it was very very very far. Well, i felt that it was.

So i had to continue moving my legs.
"Be a machine!" was chanting in my head and focused on the finish, BUT i also half contemplated on giving up and forget about the PB because it was too hot! But every time i looked at my watch and my target, i was somehow on track which i found rather puzzling. i thought i was shites!

Then in my head i'd go, "Oh! i guess i have to move on and try to hit it, then!"

It was a "might as well" moment.

I mean, i was pleased to be on track, seriously. it was a great feeling. =D

But after the 2nd water station, come the 7 - 8km mark, i also felt like, "screw the PB! i just want to finish the race! get me outta this heeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaat!!"

It was only when i reached the 10km mark that i was off my target by a minute, and i knew that with the impending slope ahead, it would be impossible to reach my PB. Secretly i felt pretty gutted, but i just couldn't push myself to scale the slope like a gazelle. (ok, i didn't want to push myself ... mebbe i was scared, i dunno.)

spot me! [picture is courtesy of pmtey]

I felt more like a lumbering hippo with a fat arse.

The minute i reached the top, i was so glad to see the stadium in sight. woooo!

And as i crossed the finish line, I made sure i smiled at the cameramen so i could have a good photo on my cert! (But knowing me, i will look like a true hippo in it!)

Got a medal, too. yay!

And then i despaired at my timing. *big sigh*

~

But let's be happy see how far i've come after a year plus of running:

1. I can now set a consistent pace to follow and achieve. YAY.

2. My posture is not as constipated as before, but still needs straightening up A LOT.

3. At the 10km mark, my time was sub-60! *pleased to the max*

(which meant that i spent too long coping with the final km!)

4. My body is not in so much agony after a run - either i recover faster now, or i wasn't pushing myself hard enough! (what if i underestimated myself? <--- a question that always bugs me)

The things that i simply cannot change:
1. My fat round face in photos.
2. My elephant thighs in photos.

i always look atrocious in running photos!! [pic nicked from chuah]
bet you want to laugh at those who actually said i dah kurus, right? hehe.

BAH!

Malakoff 12km, anyone?

~

On another note, do you remember i mentioned an aunty/grandma who is SO consistent with her 10k timing? For 2 years in a row she does it sub-60 for the SCKLM and Jeff and i have always been in awe of her.

So i spotted her at yesterday's event while i was waiting for YB to cross the finish line and head towards the Revive stall. As i stood under the shade holding 2 cups of Revive for YB, she was there, clearly waiting for someone.

I pondered to myself, "Hmmm, shall i say hi? will she think i'm crazy?" and shuffled my feet closer to her.

And then i'd stop and decide otherwise. (Yeah, i can be shy, ok!)

And after a while, i shuffled my feet towards her again, waiting for an opportunity to say hi.

I was still 2 metres away.

Then i got bored waiting for YB and i said, "screw it! i shall march up to her and say hi!"

But somehow i ended up walking past her and stood behind her, pretending to search for a familiar face in the queue at the Revive stall. i was facing her back.

After probably like 15mins or so, i decided to tap her on the shoulder.

She turned.

"Hi Auntie!!!" I chirped.

"I am Yvonne," and shook her hand. (Auntie was damn puzzled at this point.)

"I just wanted to say that you're my role model for the 10k! I want to be like you! I want to do sub-60! I always see you at the Stand Chart KL Marathon!"

Auntie smiled and layan me, prolly thought i was cuckoo.

"Have you been running for long? Many years? I hope to be like you!"

"Must I lose weight and be as thin as you?"

"How often do you run?"

"Do you join running events regularly?"

"How about last week, the Nike KL vs SG one?"

"Yeah! Nowadays it's so commercialised! Not cheap! RM50 registration fee!"

"And only got a figurine! No medal!"

"Last time got PJ Half Marathon eh!"

"Yah, those days runs were for family get-togethers! Nowadays so competitive hor!" I'd nod furiously and smile.

"I've only been running a year! But i want to be as good as you!"

"My first time at Mizuno! Last km was hard for me!"

Amidst my non-stop chattering like a siao char bo, she did reply my questions oh so softly.

I learnt that she's been running for years and she used to be better during her hey days. ;)

she runs at the taman behind her house.

she says i'm fine, too thin not good! very weak! maintain!

she advised me to continue running and i WILL get better one day! (i joked that it'll take me 4 years to be as good as her!)

nowadays running events aren't fun any more as everyone is SO competitive!

*grins madly*

YB came across us and i excitedly told him, "HEY!!! REMEMBER HER? my role model!!!!"

YB thought i was demented. he said that to me after we said goodbye to Auntie.

I can imagine if Auntie had a Facebook account, her status yesterday would have been, "Was stalked by this CRAZY young lady who cornered me and pestered me with running questions! Refused to leave me in peace! Kids these days!"

yep, it was straight to Uptown for Village Park's nasi lemak! we saw 2 guys from the MWR.

i think i'm done with Village Park's nasi lemak. i found the sambal and the fried chicken on the salty side.

and i finally got my badminton racquest re-strung! yay!