Nike 10K

Next time before you embark on a 10km run, here are a few things you can take note.

Lesson #1 : Do not play a competitive soccer match on the morning of your race day.

Logic should always prevail here but then again, I cannot bear to give the beautiful game a miss.

Lesson #2 : Do not play the match with no substitutes at all.

It is one thing to play a match but another to play without no one at the sidelines to replace you. The situation was so bad Zal played the whole game. He has since retired from football. Circumstances definitely made it harder for the 11 men on the pitch, but we won. At a cost, of course. (baik nye rhyme)

Lesson #3 : Watch your diet.

A plate of mee goreng with no veggie and lots of sambal doesn’t exactly make for the best lunch in preparation for your run few hours later. Come to think about it, I ate maggie in the wee hours of the morning as well. Very wise choice there. I’m on my way to become a nutritionist.

Lesson #4 : I am not a superstar. I am not a superstar. I am not a superstar.

When the start time indicates 415pm, stick to it. Because if you don’t, you’re going to stick out like a sore thumb. By the time I reached the start point, it was 5pm and the gantry was empty. I was wondering where had all the participants gone since there was supposed to be a prominent pool of red. Little did I know that they were already running in the opposite direction. The roads in front of me were practically empty and I was officially one of the last few runners out of 10000 to start the race. I could see thousands of faces giving me the look from the corner of my eyes since I was the only blooming idiot to run in the opposite direction. Tapi yang penting, muka maintain. Confidence mesti ada. And that was what I did until I caught up with the people in front of me. Very humbling experience.

Lesson #5 : Immerse yourself in music

When you’re running alone, music is the perfect companion. Not only will it drown away the noisy footsteps of the other runners, it helps to put you in the mood. You know, your game face. The one that gives you that invincible feeling but deep inside, you’re cursing yourself, someone or other random innocent things because you just want the suffering to end. Don’t be too caught up with the emotions of the song tough. You don’t want to tire yourself out just because of Cold play’s ‘Fix You’. I learnt that the hard way.

Lesson #6 : Look around, seriously

This would be the perfect race for Nas. If ever he needs any motivation to run, then the eye candies in red would be it. Not that you’ll have time to talk to them, but I don’t think that will be a problem with us. Statues make better conversations with hellos than us. And literally, you will be chasing them and chasing as we all know it ,gives us the thrill. (baik Sheer. Kau class)

Lesson #7 : Run your own race

It is very easy to get carried away with your adrenaline constantly burning but always listen to your body. You know yourself best and you know your limits. It is perfectly ok when runners people overtake you so long as you’re pacing yourself right.

Lesson #8 : Run smart

Since I am no longer the runner I used to be, it took me a while to get into the groove. And since the route doesn’t allow me to build any sort of momentum, it was better to utilise certain part of the routes instead. Like for parts where you pass through the narrow tunnel or across a bridge, you can seriously just take a chill pill and walk. No point trying to jog and overtake because the space simply doesn’t allow you to. For downwards slopes, open up your strides whereas for upwards slopes, lean forward. All these simple measures will ensure yourself of a better run in the end.

Lesson #9 : Back to basics

My limbs are still aching and I think I know why. STRETCH. That’s right, do it before and after the race. Don’t ever think you can do without it or you’ll suffer the repercussions. Just like me.

Lesson #10 : Just go

There are no traffic rules. No signals, no blind spot checking. You see the space in front of you and then you go. Body contact is inevitable so squeeze, push , shove, whatever. You don’t want your movement to be restricted by the people around you.