Mizuno Wave Run 2006
I decided, rather belatedly, to sign up for the Mizuno Wave Run 2006. I guess I needed to affirmation of running a decent race (being the Putrajaya Marathon 21k) to make up my mind. The Putrajaya race left me with no doubt on the level of my endurance (which I felt was at a decent level). As I had mentioned in my earlier posting, I run a relatively hard 15km the day before the race and still managed to complete the 21k in 1:41. What was lacking from my training since "returning" to "proper" training is speed work. That is why I decided to sign up for the Mizuno Wave Run- it was a 10k race; the route is one of my least favourite routes (the dreaded double hill); the distance was short enough which meant that, yours truly not being fully race-sharpened, can force himself to run at a fairly fast pace, as the route will give yours truly a good speed workout to provide his body and legs with the stimulus towards running faster.
Set the alarm for 615am and woke up in an extremely groggy state, which was strange as I had gone to bed rather early. As I hadn't done it the night before, I pinned the bib to my runing vest; then my usual pre-race routine which consisted of a morning coffee (to jolt the sense awake) and toast with honey. Left the apartment at 650am. Parked my car at Lake Gardens and headed towards Padang Merbok. Handed in my registration card to the race officials and proceeded to the starting line. Practically the whole gang was there- Jamie, Sim, Jason Learn2Eat, Lai, Chen, Tey, Adam, Anil, Kit, Li Sar, Kevin Chow, RunWitMe, KNN, Lawrence, Khoo Yit Kiat, Onn Chai (i.e. Forefoot Dude with whom I had an "epic" battle with in Putrajaya); even Azwar was there, as a phantom runner. After joking for some time while waiting for the race to start, the blow horn went off, and the race started. Because we were a few rows behind the front, many of the faster runners were forced to zig zag and overtake the slower runners at the start of the race. I estimate that we probably lost at least 2 minutes because of that.
Anyway the race proceeded without much incident (at least on my part). When I arrived at the dreaded double hill, it took alot out of me. I shortened my stride, and tried my best to get my legs to move as quickly as I could , quickeining my RPMs. Khoo Yit Kiat overtook me at this point. I was quite winded at the top of the hill, but we all know that the inclines were by no means over. After a slight decline in the terrain, there was another one, which, again slowed me down considerably. It was after that that I could finally catch my breath, when there was a major decline before the roundabout. From then on, the route was somewhat flat or declining again (save for the road leading up to the palace, where once again, there was a slight incline) and although I wasn't feeling tired, despite attempting to push the pace, I couldn't quite do so.
Up the road towards the palace, on the windy road towards the National Monument and all the way back to Padang Merbok, all I could do was to maintain the pace I was running. I couldn't find a higher gear to go faster. I finished the race feeling somewhat fresh in a time of 48:12. Position- 64th.
I then saw the rest of the gang after the race- Kelvin Ng, Chen and others. We hung around for a while and took some photos.
The Mizuno Wave Run was a well organised race. I would prefer it if there were distance markers, but apart from that I can't really complain.
Running-wise, I know now that endurance-wise, I'm at a decent level. The race gave me an insight on my condition (decent) and race-readiness (not quite there yet). As my goal race is the Singapore Marathon in December 4th, I still have time to work on another facet of my running, which is speed.
In summary, the diagnosis- endurance-wise- decent. Speed- could do better.
Prescribed medicine- more speed work, in the form of long-ish intervals (mile repeats of up to 6 repetitions); strides. More short distance races, time permitting. But speed work most be balanced with endurance work. One cannot be done at the expense of the other.
PM19, over and out
Set the alarm for 615am and woke up in an extremely groggy state, which was strange as I had gone to bed rather early. As I hadn't done it the night before, I pinned the bib to my runing vest; then my usual pre-race routine which consisted of a morning coffee (to jolt the sense awake) and toast with honey. Left the apartment at 650am. Parked my car at Lake Gardens and headed towards Padang Merbok. Handed in my registration card to the race officials and proceeded to the starting line. Practically the whole gang was there- Jamie, Sim, Jason Learn2Eat, Lai, Chen, Tey, Adam, Anil, Kit, Li Sar, Kevin Chow, RunWitMe, KNN, Lawrence, Khoo Yit Kiat, Onn Chai (i.e. Forefoot Dude with whom I had an "epic" battle with in Putrajaya); even Azwar was there, as a phantom runner. After joking for some time while waiting for the race to start, the blow horn went off, and the race started. Because we were a few rows behind the front, many of the faster runners were forced to zig zag and overtake the slower runners at the start of the race. I estimate that we probably lost at least 2 minutes because of that.
Anyway the race proceeded without much incident (at least on my part). When I arrived at the dreaded double hill, it took alot out of me. I shortened my stride, and tried my best to get my legs to move as quickly as I could , quickeining my RPMs. Khoo Yit Kiat overtook me at this point. I was quite winded at the top of the hill, but we all know that the inclines were by no means over. After a slight decline in the terrain, there was another one, which, again slowed me down considerably. It was after that that I could finally catch my breath, when there was a major decline before the roundabout. From then on, the route was somewhat flat or declining again (save for the road leading up to the palace, where once again, there was a slight incline) and although I wasn't feeling tired, despite attempting to push the pace, I couldn't quite do so.
Up the road towards the palace, on the windy road towards the National Monument and all the way back to Padang Merbok, all I could do was to maintain the pace I was running. I couldn't find a higher gear to go faster. I finished the race feeling somewhat fresh in a time of 48:12. Position- 64th.
I then saw the rest of the gang after the race- Kelvin Ng, Chen and others. We hung around for a while and took some photos.
The Mizuno Wave Run was a well organised race. I would prefer it if there were distance markers, but apart from that I can't really complain.
Running-wise, I know now that endurance-wise, I'm at a decent level. The race gave me an insight on my condition (decent) and race-readiness (not quite there yet). As my goal race is the Singapore Marathon in December 4th, I still have time to work on another facet of my running, which is speed.
In summary, the diagnosis- endurance-wise- decent. Speed- could do better.
Prescribed medicine- more speed work, in the form of long-ish intervals (mile repeats of up to 6 repetitions); strides. More short distance races, time permitting. But speed work most be balanced with endurance work. One cannot be done at the expense of the other.
PM19, over and out
posted by pm19 at
2:49 pm
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