Month: April 2017

A running buddy is more than just someone who runs next to you. A running buddy is someone who pushes you, motivates you and supports you through all the joys and struggles of running.I am blessed because I have those “SOLE – MATES” in my life.

Mile after mile, she’s always willing to go the distance, understanding you on a different level- She is my “sole-mate”….who???

What made Score Run 2017 extra special? I had the chance to run with Siew Kiem, my “Sole-sista” for the last run in Malaysia before she leaves to Myanmar to stay and work with her hubby dearest, Terence.

The race started at 5.30am, the 21km flag off was on time! About 5000 runners participated for the 21KM Half Marathon. Not only these awesome runners “conquered ths city”, these awesome runners even “conquered the hills” in the city! The route was really a challenging, hilly route for the 21 KM Half Marathon. All I can say is…No pain, No gain!

Just before the 12 KM flag off, I messaged Siew Kiem, wished her happy running and see her after the race…Off we went at sharp 6.00am!

The route for 12 KM was good. It was a thrill to be running in the city- the heart of the city center, passing through iconic buildings, running on the streets of Kuala Lumpur, smack in the middle of KL City! In deed, what an experience! It really felt that “we came, we saw, we conquered”- Veni, Vidi, Vici” Woot woot…..

Distance markers were well placed, water stations were plenty and were very well organised. Marshals did an awesome job, as promised by the organisers eventhough there were three different events that was held on the same day. However, event organisers assured that Score Run runners would be given priority. KUDOS and WELL DONE! We ran and we truly had an amazing jouney/ route- I even had the chance to passed by my old office building, Wisma Genting- where Siew Kiem and I first met in Resorts World Berhad- marketing department ……20 years ago!! OMG!! We have been friends and sole sistas for that long!!  Well, here are some main differences between spending time with Siew Kiem and hanging out with other friends:-

1. Friends support you – Running buddies (Siew Kiem) run with you
2. Friends wonder why you are going to run 21KM Half Marathon- Running buddies (Siew Kiem) will high-five and revel in your accomplishment
3. Friends will follow your race destinations – Running buddies (Siew Kiem) will run a destination race with you!

Siew Kiem..her 1st 10KM run

This race, The Score Run- was truly amazing! It was a challenge for the 21 KM Half Marathon runners, it was an awesome experience for the 12 KM runners and a truly fun filled run for the 6 KM runners. There were people there of all levels, the elite runners, “The King of hills” runners, sole mates-sole sistas, fun runners with kids and strollers, it was in deed ” A happening” Score Run 2017!

There is a special bond that I have formed with my sole-sista, Siew Kiem, an unspoken connection between us that is seldom reproduced with others. Her presence adds a unique spark to any run and an extraordinary feeling of friendship and understanding. We know each other’s strenght and weaknesses and when to provide encouragement and constructive critism. I will miss her but I look forward to running with her once again.

So, call up some friends and start planning for the next Score Run 2018. I am sure you too will find a running buddy, sole-mate/sole sista- YOU WON’T REGRET IT!

I ran because I can…Why? I’ll rewind the clock abit, to those that don’t know my story…….hmmm…slightly overweight (chubby cheeks and a big butt) some friends woud call me a potato- I was once best friend’s with Mr Couch Potato,  you see….., mother of three children, probably going through a mid-life crisis, takes up running to escape from the stresses of life, but loving every minute of it!

What running has taught me:-

Patience-every runner wants to be a sprinter and on every run, there is the desire to burst away from the starting block. Running has taught me to be patient, to hold back and have a measured approach that will see me get to the finish line in all aspects of life!

Friendship- runners are universally friendly. Whether it is 4.00am  (doing hills) or 8.00pm (night runs), runners always say hello. It might only be a nod, a smile, but there is always recognition and respect for fellow runner that always lifts your spirits!

Teamwork- Although many of us run solo, whenever I join a new running group or turn up at a race, nobody ever feels isolated or abandoned. People/runners approach each other and make each one feels warm and welcome!

Support- whenever I struggle or waiver, there is always someone (most of the time- my better half, my hubby dearest) to inspire, motivate amd keep me going. It might be a cheer squad from the event organiser, a stranger calling my name or my “sole sisters”, telling me to run up that hill, to conquer the city, but I always know that I am not alone.

Hope- Not just the “I hope this is the last KM” type of hope but knowing that you are faster, stronger and better than the next great run (or hill) won’t be the end of you!

Happiness-maybe it is the endorphins but for me it’s the feeling of air in my lungs and the sweat on my brow.

Running isn’t just an activity I do to keep fit. It is a way to de-stress, escape my worries, to bond, to test my limits and to catch up with my friends.

Happy feet…..Happy me!

See you on Sunday at the The Score Run- Conquer the city at Berjaya Time Square.

There’s nothing like running somewhere peaceful, somewhere we can get lost in thought and find a little solace in our otherwise busy days.

Here’s 3 things that runners love doing:-
1. RUNNING
2. TALKING ABOUT RUNNING
3. TRICKING THEIR FRIENDS, FAMILY MEMBERS AND RANDOM STRANGERS INTO RUNNING

LOL….I see you laughing, you are laughing because you know that it is true! We have all done it!!

The kids aren’t around, your boss isn’t standing over you, it’s just you, your running shoes and the road!

I am proud to share with you that the IJM Land Half Marathon is back! It will be held on the 13 August 2017 and yes yes!!! And I am also proud to tell you that it’s my home town..woot woot! SEREMBAN! It will start from 6.00am to 11.00am and the event venue will be at Dataran Centrio, Seremban 2 (Opposite Mydin Mall). And the best part of this race…….21km half marathon finishers will receive their 21km half marathon finisher T-shirt! hooray…!Not only that, this race is more than just a race- why? Because part of the contribution goes to Pertubuhan Hospice Negeri Sembilan (HOSPICE) and Malaysia Lysosomal Diseases Association (MDLA).

To prepare, just lace up your running shoes and go…it doesn’t matter how fast you go, your pace, your race! So whether you are setting a goal for a new you or a goal to be part of something bigger than yourself, RUN! Sign up now for IJM Land Half Marathon 207-This race is a wonderful way to begin a fitness journey in a meaningful way. Not only will you achieve your fitness goals and earn a great sense of empowerment and accomplishment, but you will also be giving back and helping others in process.

RUN TOGETHER, BOND STRONGER!

Sign up now at http://www.ijmlandrun.com

As the darkness creeps into the evenings, a head torch becomes an essential piece of kit. Escape from civilization and step into the darkness!

I am proud to share with you, that I have conquered my fears and I survived my first night trail run- Petzl Night Trail Run 2017 which was held at Taman Rimba Alam, Putrajaya.

We arrived two hours earlier to grab a quick dinner. Then we were off to Taman Rimba Alam, Putrajaya only to be like a headless chicken, driving in circles looking for the start venue. We came across other ‘lost’ runners looking for the start venue too..There were no signages or arrows to show us the directions…Urrghh…To make matters worst, it began  to rain-not just rain but it was raining cats and dogs! Flashes of lightning and continuous thunder. Finally, I decided to logged into Facebook to look and search for any updates and the information was a last minute changed of venue to the Nexus International School area. We thanked our lucky stars, that we managed to get a nice parking spot and we waited in the car….and waited….and waited……and waited….for the rain to stop….but it did not! Then at 8.30pm, we decided to make ourselves ‘waterproof’ and walked in the rain to the start venue. Finally, there was an announcement, the race will go on….and it will be flagged off at 9pm….Could it be divine intervention or maybe you could call it a miracle…..sharp 9pm, the rain just stopped!

At 8.30pm, we were led by two awesome ladies with a warm up Zumba session. I really had a fun time dancing, jumping and yeah baby..It’s Zumba time! Then at sharp 9.00pm the 13 km was finally flagged off. The race wasn’t crowded, about 1200 runners. My heart was beating like a drum…butterflies in my tummy…..THIS IS IT! My mind said….My first night trail run…..What’s it gonna be like? So many random thoughts in my mind then……….Bang…we were flagged off! I immediately head down the hill towards the entrance of the jungle….Ohhhh…..I ran about the hall way down before cutting cross and then back up the hill. I can proudly say I conquered the hill! My legs were burning by the 2 km and I struggled but I did it!

I was slow and steady. We ran across small muddy rivers. It was an awesome experience! Never in my life, I would imagine running and playing in mud…Back home, I will be the one- yelling from the top of my lungs at my kids telling them not to play with mud……but I did it! And I proudly can say….I faced my fears!

The best part of it all was the experience! It made me be a stronger and fearless person! Why? Hmmmmm….I wore the wrong shoes! I wore my lucky road running shoes….Yeah…lesson learnt! When you run a trail run…..you need trail shoes! DUH! Anyway, the trail runners were just so awesome! Each time I fell, many runners came to my rescue! At one point of time, going down hill on a small waterfall-mud gushing waters, I had to grabbed plants and tree branches and at times, crawl on my hands and knees and grabbed tree roots….(Spider man action or maybe more like cicak man action) It was a hilarious sight and luckily there were no photographers at that particular time for evidence- if not, I would have won the best action drama category, that night! But what really touched me the most was the attitude and passion of the trail runners- they were so ever ready to lend a helping hand and to rescue a damsel in distress! LOL!

Running in the woods made me realized it was indeed a night without limits! Running, walking, hiking and at times crawling and oh yes, sliding and skiing- thanks to my lucky road running shoes in the dark- woot woot! I HAVE CONQUERED MY FEARS!

Not knowing how I would fare for the whole race, I did not attack the course as much as I could have..(Or should I say- The course/trail attacked me) LOL.. My main focus was to just finish the trail run. I kept reminding myself to keep breathing steady (That I am not gonna get murdered or killed by a zombie in the dark) that I need to save energy on the uphills, so I can run stronger on the flats and hard on the downhills and finish the race and go home!

Then, suddenly in a weird creepy feeling, something happened to me…LOL..thoughts of when you are out in the forest alone in the dark, complete silence/ the sound of the forest envelops you, your senses heightened and alert and you lose your sense of time…..of place……you start to hallucinate, then it starts…weird, scary thoughts starts creeping in my mind….A killer clown! Behind you! Annabella is right beside you! RUN! RUN! Run for you life! RUN FOREST RUN! Other times I am keenly aware of my surroundings, BUGS! BUGS! SLUGS! SLUGS! nooooooo wait! FROGS! FROGS! It’s alive! It’s alive! Nahhhhhhhh…Run Chrisy! Just run Chrisy! Run and just finish this night trail run!

At some point after my diversion, I came across the 13 km runners, which was an interesting case for me because for some reason it made me hike/walked/crawled and ran a little faster. Entering downhill portions, finding passing lanes was a lot of fun, as was zig zagging around the trails and blasting through mud.

Yes, there was mud! Lots of it, the course overall was muddy and wet due to the heavy down pour which made the Petzl Night Trail Run even more AWESOME! Wearing compression socks was a good idea in a way as mud flew up my leg but my feet was intact..phew…but it kept me going…when the going gets tough…the tough gets going! In a very strange and weird way, the trail kept going and going and goin…to me it seemed endless…but it felt right at home!LOL….Finally, I reached the finishing line with the time 1 hour and 25 minutes (garmin watch) and the distance trackked at 7.7 km….woahhhhhhhhh…..For a first timer……

All I can say is, I LOVED IT! I can’t tell you how much all of that-interesting, lower impact trails, along with the challenging terrain, was exactly what a road runner like me wanted! (NOT!) Trail running as I did during this trail run used some of the same concepts but with huge twists that made it so interesting for me!

Overall, it was an awesome experience- water stations were well manned, volunteers did a tremendous awesome pawsome work despite the heavy rain, markers and directions were well placed, the terrain and route was simply amazing!

Thank you for making my first Night Trail Run an amazing journey and a memorable moment to treasure. Will I be back next year……???Oh yes, you can count on it….!