Author: Christine Wong

Running a race consists of two challenges. One is getting to the finish line, and the other is getting to the start line!

Firstly, I couldn’t believe how many people had signed up for the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2016 then I still couldn’t believe that I was one of them.

We slept early that night and woke up at 1.30am to get ready. My hubby and I were there at Dataran Merdeka at 3 a.m.. Living in Seremban, we did not want to be late..Anyhow, I was able to take in the atmosphere as soon as we left our home. My hubby was with me, which I always appreciate. When he is there I can take my mind of what is about to happen and just level my thoughts and center myself. The atmosphere from the other runners seemed to be the usual mix of excitement!

7.15am, it was flagged off for the 10 KM-cruise. When we started running, I managed to fall into an easy rhythm-making the running easier-running smoothly and highly. I found it surprisingly enjoyable to watch the crowds go by as I ran and KL City wake up….

I must admit that it did get a little cramped at between 1km to 3km and I lost a few minutes trying to get through the crowds. I have nothing but admiration for every single participant who took to the streets of KL on Sunday but I do wish that people were more aware of other runners around them.

What I’ve learned over the years since I started running is this: If I am going to be better, stronger, more successful runner I need to keep making mistakes. Mistakes (not just in running, but in life..) It’s not about being perfect. It is about experimenting, learning, improving and overcoming.

Here are a few mistakes I have made as a runner and how they’ve helped me learn the hard way! Try These mistakes!

1. Do something different on race day- most of the time, people will tell you not to eat, wear or try anything new on the day of your race. At some point in your life you probably will…You will try that new ‘yummy-li-ous’ half grilled chicken with mash potatoes the night before…..only to discover- half way into your race, your tummy takes a turn- porta potty time!! Lesson learned!
2. Go out too fast in a race- you are excited. You have been waiting for this day for months. The adrenaline is flowing. You know you should hold back, but you can’t! The result? You burn out early. All those runners you passed early on are zipping by you. You are defeated! You knew better, but you did it anyway. Now, you get it!
3. Compare yourself to others- Give this one a try for awhile. See how long it takes you to feel like ” a garbage” once you realize how many people are faster, stronger, prettier, fitter than you are! Relatively quickly any maybe instantly, you will see that comparing yourself to anyone else reaps NO BENEFIT! Be the best YOU that you can be….We all have unique gifts, strenghts and challenges. Come to peace with it.

I like to think that the mistakes I have made not just as runner, but in life, have made me resilient and want to fight back! Knock me down and I will try to stand back up (and punch you). In this day and age of chasing perfection as we are bombarded by social media, I say go mess it up! Do it often because it means you are trying! But, ultimately make sure you learn from your mistakes!

OVERVIEW:

The support, although not constant throughout the course was fantastic. The volunteers at the water stations and the marshalls all did a fantastic job. Some were more cheerful and supportive than others but they did a good job and they deserve a massive thank you.Overall, Kudos and well done to the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2016 organising team! See you next year!

Your marathon training is done and you are counting the days, or maybe hours..or maybe minutes….until you toe the starting line on your race day!

Congratulations on your efforts so far! I would like to wish you good luck and a wonderful “Day of Celebration”. Running a marathon can be viewed as a threefold process-First is the commitment to enter the race. Then-after making this sometimes overwhelming decision-you commit yourself to train for the momentous challenge ahead. Finally- you can enjoy the most rewarding and gratifying phrase of the marathon- the event itself! With it come endless satisfying memories of the course- and crossing the finish line!

You surely have met one of those runners that never seem nervous before a race or they don’t complain or talk negatively about running. Maybe you are one of those runners.Hmmmmmmm…..So, what’s the secret? What do mentally strong runners do that assist them in dealing with pre-race anxiety or post-race blues?

• They learn from a bad race and then move on- most runners has had a race where they felt like they did not do their best, but mentally strong runners do not dwell on it! They think about things that they could have done differently and consider what they would change for the next race. But once that have done their brief- post race analysis, THEY MOVE ON!
• They focus on their own performance, not others- They do not give a lot of thought to what other runners are doing. They focus on being the best runner they can be!
• They stay away from negative people- There are always going to be nagative nellies telling you that you should not run or that there’s no way you are going to reach a personal running goal. Mentally strong people change the conversation if someone starts spouting negative comments. They start talking about something other than running. Something positive-They also do their best to avoid interactions with negative people in the first place.
• They think about the things they can control. Worrying and stressing about the things they cannot control, such as the weather or how they’ll feel on race day- NO POINT! Mentally tough runners focus on things that they CAN control such as resting before a big race, eating the right food, and staying hydrated. Not only do they feel prepared for the race, but focusing on all the preparations ends up being a good distraction.

So, as soon as you are about 200meters from finish line on Sunday, 7th August 2016 for the Standard Chartered KL Marathon, put on your biggest smile, fix your posture,feel strong and keep your eye on the finish..Feel yourself being drawn towards that finish line……

Finally, I would like to wish everyone: Good Luck and run well- I will be rooting for you! Have lots of fun and a great marathon/ Race Day experience!

Ready to beat the heat with a little “Superstar” sparkly fun? Well, here is your chance! If you happened to missed out the Kabali Run last weekend which was held at the Sepang Circuit International, Carpark….Now……….

You can join the Virtual Kabali 5 KM Run.

“Run whenever, Run wherever!”

And once you have completed the distance, the race kit will be posted to your doorstep!

What is a virtual race? A virtual race is a race on your own terms. You choose the location, the time and the distance. A portion of your race fee will be donated to a charity and you will receive a cool and awesome bling and goodies in the mail!

Here’s how you do it:-

1. Register for KABALI RUN 2016- virtual series online at http://www.beestorm.com.my
2. Choose Category E for Men or Category F for Women
3. Set your GPS tracker (phone application/watch) and start running or walking for 5 KM anytime and anywhere.
4. Email your distance with your selfie to kabalivirtual@marathonmy.com
5. Your entitlements will be delivered to your doorstep.

What are you waiting for??? Come on and don’t miss this chance!

Nowadays, joining a fun run is one of the must-do activities since my hubby and children are also into sports and running.It is one of the most popular events one should participate in whether he or she wants to develop an active lifestyle or simply adventurous! Sure, anyone can go jogging, but the experience in a fun run lies in running together towards a common goal of reaching the finish line. Trust me..when I tell you that once you start joining fun runs, you will develop a sense of motivation and discipline to keep going! It brings out the athlete in everyone that could unleash a greater potential. A person may not be a runner or a fitness buff but participating in a fun run is a good start and is, hence, a good habit to develop!

Aside from a set of freebies a participant usually collects, another awesome pawsome aspect of fun runs is that they are usually organized for certain causes and proceeds (or a part of it) are donated to help charities or calamity victims. Also, some fun runs promote awareness in various subject matters.

But wait! wait! There is more! The Great Eastern Bubble Dash 2016 is gonna be fun..with an added twist! There will be……………………..hmmmmmmmmm… Coloured Bubbles……..Music……….foam……..Coloured Bubbles…….Fun……foam……..Coloured Bubbles……as the runners dash and stride along the route, giving them a unique fun filled experience!

The wait is finally over!!! It’s time to be part of the most exciting run in town! This year, Great Eastern have partnered with the Heart Foundation Malaysia to create the Great Eastern bubble Dash 2016.

Join us on:

Great Eastern Bubble Dash 2016 -Penang, Sunday Morning, 25 September 2016 at Queensbay Mall, Penang

Great Eastern Bubble Dash 2016- Kuala Lumpur, Sunday Morning, 23 October 2016 at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur

Come and join me and if you want to know more…Log in to http://www.greateasternbubbledash.com

The day is coming! In a few days ….hours..you’ll stand at the starting line-pumped with energy and adrenaline! Counting the days, hours, minutes and seconds until the crack of the gun is shot- 5, 4, 3, 2, 1- Kabooommm! Kabali Run 2016 @ Sepang International Circuit, 31 July 2016.

Adrenaline is flowing, nervous butterflies are dancing around in your belly, and sometimes things can be forgotten or overlooked amid the excited tension. Here are some tips for you before “Kabali Run 2016”.

• Make sure you are well-rested and well fuel, but don’t overdo the eating.
• Make sure you set an alarm for a bright and early time, and have a back-up ( or else you will be seeing “Kabali”- in your dreams!)
• Sometimes when you get to a race, there can be a lot of action…and who knows la…Kabali’s special appearance….ehem..ehemmm…, noise and stuff going on…make sure you take time before the race starts to warm up, think about the race, the fun….the glory….the excitement- line up according to what you can actually run, not what you hope to run and set your intentions for the race!
• Look around and enjoy the route and the experience
• Races can be really awesome and fun to run in groups. At most of my races, I saw lots of groups dressed in the same T-shirt getting ready to run and support each other, and I thought that was really cool! You can decide if you like to run alone, with a partner or a group, but signing up with others creates a bit more accountability and a “we-are-in-this-together” mentality!

Being organised and prepared will keep you calm and focused on the things you can control. For everything else that is outside of your control, let go……..and have faith in your preparation-it’s what’s gotten you to this point, and it will help you run a strong and Fun-filled “Kabali Run 2016”.

And I am proud and happy to announced that I have completed my Virtual Run 5KM Kabali Run 2016 today!

Here’s 3 things that runners love doing:-

1.Running

2.Talking about running

3.Tricking their friends, family member and random strangers into running

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

The kids aren’t around, your boss isn’t standing over you, it’s just you, your running shoes and the road….Pounding the pavement with a friend can make all the difference. You can encourage each other to get going, commiserate on the hills, and chit-chat your way to the finish. And making a plan to meet someone for a run can give you a little extra motivation to get out the door.

This is my motivation for running. I love the camaraderie that my running buddies and I have and the memories we create as we get up at 4.00am to hit the road to solve all the world’s (or at least our) problems.

Sometimes you need a person to motivate you, to share your pains, to celebrate your accomplishments or simply to run with you. Support, encouragement and inspiration are key factors in having a running buddy. They will always be running on your side and by your side……gives you support and pushing you outisde your comfort zone.

So, join me for the 10 km Rimbayu Run with a friend or two, the road seems shorter when shared with a friend..

“If you want to go fast, go alone! If you want to go far, go together!”