MR25 Progressive Series 15km Results

MR25 just probably set the record for the longest time taken for race results to be posted online, almost one month. Just saying.

But personally, I'm fine with it, although I was a little impatient, but most of us knew our timings already, and the official results won't turn out much different. Maybe for those who want to check on their ranking, it had been a long wait, but nontheless, relying on it's kampung human 'timing chip' system which I have to admit is highly reliable, here are the results!

Allow me to list out the freaks in our Hall of Fame!

Saifu                          - Bib Number: 12, Timing: 2:02:49, Rank: 71
Ariffin Iskandar Sha   - Bib Number: 22, Timing: 1:27:26, Rank: 49
Lenney Leong            - Bib Number: 72, Timing: 2:21:13, Rank: 77
Tan Yew Meng          - Bib Number: 111, Timing: 1:06:33, Rank: 7
Asry Bin Kasim          - Bib Number: 112, Timing: 1:11:44, Rank: 20
Izhar Bin Mohamed    - Bib Number: 113, Timing: 1:37:19, Rank: 60
Rukhaizat Bin Rapsan - Bib Number: 114, Timing: 1:03:57, Rank: 4
Norhalim Bin Nordin  - Bib Number: 115, Timing: 1:40:55, Rank: 65
Abdul Halim               - Bib Number: 116, Timing: 1:46:44, Rank: 67
Chiang Meng Chai      - Bib Number: 208, Timing: 1:09:43. Rank: 14

That's all for results, give yourselves a big pat on the back! Many Freaks were not present that day, but they will make their comeback soon at the remaining two races.

The Freaks are giving all other runners a very good run for their money, both in the individual and team category.

The official pictures will be released on either the MR25 Website or Facebook Group soon. For now, we'll use a picture by Mr Ultraboy 315!

Lari Sama Demons

Hardwork

Today's MR25 Track Session


4 x (1200m + 400m)
75 secs after 1200m and 2 mins between sets
1200s at 10k pace, 400s at 3k pace

06:15 warm up (3km)
06:30 start

As usual, we meet on the track, close the seating area. The track is on Evans Rd, just off Bukit Timah Rd

Met a new friend after a MR25 Track Session today, his name is Tommy. He's a very friendly and encouraging guy, a former teacher at both MGS and RJC, had a good chat with him today after training. He told me that when he was at MGS, Renuka Santhianathan (National Runner and MR25 Member) used to be slightly out of shape and her father used to drop her at the track every morning at 0615. And she will run, she kept going add it, and she studied as hard or if not, even harder and she succeeded in life. Look where she is now, it's really inspiring. He also told me of a student he remembers very fondly, he has a lot of talent but due to complacency, he didn't score well. But students surrounding him who weren't ass smart as him, worked their asses off and they are doctors now. Tommy has two children himself, and he brings them off to Hike often. He has been with MR25 for almost 7 years now, he is a very fast runner himself. He told me to run and study hard, only then you will be able to succeed in life. Tommy himself is an example, during his time at MGS he was the only teacher around who didn't have a degree, despite that he shone because of his attitude and passion for learning.

Renuka and Singapore Blade Runner are featured in this video!

Running shapes your life in all ways, I had to agree with him on that! Due to running, be it a co-incidence or not, many new doors have been open for me in my life, today my brother Lenney received great news that he was ranked first in his class! I am very proud of him. As for me, I am guilty of being complacent and I got what I deserved, it's time for me to catch up during these holidays.

Tommy introduced me to another training session, not an interval but rather a sustained session. A group of speedy veterans will run for one hour straight at Bukit Gombak Stadium every Thursday at 0630 sharp. They will run slow for the first 15 minutes to kick things off, gradually increase their pace and then slow down towards the 60 minute mark. Tommy being a fast runner himself said he was the slowest runner there. But I still will go for it, as surrounding myself with a group of people who are faster than me, and at the same time highly encouraging will be beneficial for me. I am certainly looking forward to the Bukit Gombak Sessions, wish to go with Lenney but he will be going to Taiwan for a well deserved vacation.


Another thing Tommy learnt from these running groups, "In running, or anything that you do, it's the company that either breaks you down or lifts you up. So surround yourself with the best, you will be the best."
He admitted that he was guilty of falling into the wrong company, which caused him to perform below par for his A Level examinations. Well he did have a lot of fun, but a lot of time was wasted in the process too.

"A man's growth is seen in the successive choirs of his friends." - Arafat Maverick

I'm glad to have met a new friend in Tommy, and I will attend the Bukit Gombak training session next week, as I have IMT for NCC this Thursday and will not be able to make it in time for it. Will see how my legs feel, may attend SICK Training!

I hope I will recover in time tough.. ;-)

Seeya

MR25 Progressive Run Series 2012 - 15km

Last sunday which is 6 May, the MR25 Runners organized held the second run in series of four progressive runs. The total distance was 15km, which consists of route through Macritchie Reservoir and along the Lornie Road. Me and my friend Ariffin Sha, which is one of the contributors to this blog, ran 15km along with me too. He did not achieve his target timing, but I believe one day he could make it as he is a determined guy.

(The route)

The flag-off was held at 7am sharp. Everyone was anxious to run except for me. I didn't had a good time since that following morning, as I had a bad stomachache and things did not go as well as expected even after I reach  Macritchie. However, that did not stop me. I told myself to run and complete the race even if my timing was bad.

Everyone started to run fast after the word 'go', but I told myself not to run the same pace as them as I might end up dying since the whole route is 15km and it is not a simple task for someone who is having a bad stomachache. I died out during the first 3km even though I did warm-ups the night before and before the flag-off. I guess the warm-ups weren't a solid one for me.

I stopped at a Ranger station at the 2.5km mark and went to drink some water. I was almost going to give up and is aware of my timing as I was walking instead of running at some places. However, I always tell myself one thing which is to continue and don't give up. As long as I reach the finish line, even if I am the last, I still completed something a young 14 years old cannot do.

So I started running and when I reach the 3km mark, I started to enjoy running. I enjoyed the breeze, nature and trail. I managed to maintain a steady pace until 12.5km, which is the last water checkpoint for this run.

The adult volunteer shouted at me: 'Young man, cmon!'. I went to drink 3 cups of water to quench my thirst after 6km+ without drinking any water. The guy then talk to me, saying that I am really slow at this age and that I was the last runner. I felt sad and demoralized at that point of time because everyone will definitely feel the same way like me if they are called last. I told myself not to listen to his nonsense and start running like a real man, a hero. I brought my feet up and start running again. 

Along the last 2.5km, I had muscle cramps and fell down in the middle of the trail. All in my mind was to complete the run but still, I got to run slow and steady to prevent often cramps. And finally, I completed the race with a timing of 2:20. Like what I've said, it did not turn out as expected because my timing could have been lesser than that and might be because of the slopes that caused me to be tired.

The moment I crossed the finish line, I told myself that I did it. That's why we should never underestimate or look down on anyone who tries to give their best because those who are willingly to cross the starting point already won compared to those who do not even wants to try at all.

I am a winner.

MR25 Progressive Run Series 2012 - 15km

This morning, the MR25 Runners held the second run in the series of four progressive runs. The 15km ran began at 7am sharp.

I joined the progressive run series as the Freedom Freaks were sending two teams in and also the race had a small number of participants. Creating a friendly 'kampung' spirit without compromising a well organized race. There were many elites in the race, like Gen Lim, Renuka and also some of our own very own elite demons. Anyway it was free for MR25 members, so why not? It was going to be a fun race, although I did not train up properly before this run, I still went ahead. A 1h 25mins finish would be good enough, although I was secretly hoping for a 1h 20 finish. The previous 10km, I finished with a time of 53minutes, still waiting to break that 50min barrier! Lenney joined the run this morning too, his first progressive series run, he signed up on the spot.

The pre-race brefing, the two demons in the center of the picture in blue. ('Chong' Izat and the Unicorn Yao Ming!)

I tried to split the race into two portions, 10km and 5km and was gunning for a strong finish. But my plans backfired within the first 5km, I started to walk, was feeling immense pains in my thighs. I guess it's because it was the first time I wore heavily cushioned shoes again after almost 3 months. I am trying to transition to barefoot running, switching between my Bikilas and naked feet. I wanted to wear Bikilas this morning, but I haven't tried running with them in the trails before, I didn't want to try something out on race day that I haven't tried during training. My muscles really cramped up big time after all that heel striking during the run. I will start hitting the trails with Bikilas soon. Okay, now back to the race!

There was a whole lot of walking for me, at least 1km of walking I think. A few short seconds of walking then I'll be back running, but this happened too often and affected my tempo. I told myself, to enjoy the race and aim for a strong finish. The race had 3 water-points (we passed by the second one twice) which was sufficient. At the 7km point, it was Dejavu as I met the roots again, and struggled up them. A check on my watch, 42 minutes at 7km, a slow 6 mins pace. I tried to pick up the pace but always ended up slowing down. A 1.25 finish didn't seem possible, well it's okay, I pressed on. At the 12km point I me Lance Sum, who encouraged me and said 'Let's Go!', I drafted him for about 1.5km. Along Lornie Road, there was a fallen tree and runners had to bend under it, was kinda unique, although I am sure I did affect some runner's performances, no biggie. So with 1km left, I picked up the pace. I managed to get a quick look at the stopwatch, it showed 1.26 I think. Not exactly satisfied, but I did have fun and learn some things during this run! ;-) I will start training at the sacred training ground (MacRitchie Reservoir) more often now, those slopes can help can help me to become a stronger and faster runner, in VFFs of course. 

The Freaks after the Run! They all did well and ripped up the trails of MR.

Here are some of their results! :-)

1. Izat (1.04)
2. Yao Ming (1.06)
3. Meng Chai (1.09)
4. Asree (1.11)

I'll post up the rest of  the results after the official results have been released! Well done to all today, we certainly made our mark at the MR25 and the two teams are faring well in the Teams category. They are giving the MR25 Runners a good run for their money, literally. ;-)

After completing my run, I went back up to the zig-zag bridge to cheer the runners on and wait for Lenney, he arrived at about 2.15. He had an unfortunate fall as he muscles cramped up, but he soldiered on and finished the race at 2.20!

I am proud of him, although he wasn't feeling that good after the run, he should be very proud of himself for finishing the run, despite the circumstances. He is a champion, we all are champions. Well done buddy! And I'm sure he will come back stronger next time around, nonetheless a tough but good race experience for us.

He did have an unpleasant experience with the person who was manning the second water-point. It was a hot morning and the man was probably standing there for an hour or two, maybe he might have not been in the right mood. Let's forget about it bro.

Let me share something with you guys that Arafat (Singapore Blade Runner's Manager) said once.
Many times I have been doubted, but I believe proving those who have doubted you wrong is very satisfying! ;-)

small words never hurt a big dream or idea. Let those people say whatever they want.. Cos it won't do them any good anyway. It is only that they need to be careful on whose toes their stepping on today because they might be connected to the foot that kicks their own ass tomorrow.

Well at the end point, we met a familiar face! The man with the ever-present smile and camera, Tan Tick Hock.

Chatted with him and he told me that he had three marathons coming up in the next three months. Sundown, SCKLM and the Pattaya Marathon, then after that it would be the Craze Ultra! ;-)

My Dad who is getting back into running, made friends with Mr. Tan too.

It was a good end to a great day, and I look forward to the 20km Progessive Run on the 1st July, gotta train up for it too! 

Run Free! :-)