Nike We Run KL 2016 Half Marathon Race Report

A fast shoes and a new personal best for the race

Nike We Run KL has been around this part of the town for a few years now, strangely this is my first time running in this race. Although is a half marathon race, however a race under the famous sports brand banner from Oregon would be everyone race to go to and therefore the race's slots were selling like a hot cake limiting to the number of running tee allocated for each shirt sizes. Assumption taken based on the fee structure of the race, the race is aiming towards the younger generation instead of the old folks like me, encouraging the youngster to engage into taking up sports. Run clinics were also organized by Nike weeks before the race led by Nike certified Coach Din and Coach Sue building up to race day. There were a lot of hype for this race, but is it really worth the hype?

Received a Whatsapp message from Yan Leng on the race registration opening informing me to quickly sign-up before it was snapped up. As usual on a weekend morning, I was out having some quality family time and wasn't accessible to a home computer. Knowing that, she quickly ask me to reach out to Choo for help and I did. Minutes later, I received an email on my mobile from the race organizer stating that "You are in". Fact is, I have been running more than 3 years now, but this would be my second race on the half marathon distance. First being New Balance Half Marathon years ago and this would be my second.

I've been in the rut since Kyoto Marathon (race report here), losing motivation and training mileage were in the low 40 KM/week at max without a reason. For some time now,  I have always been talking about recording a sub 2 hours half marathon (HM) timing but I have never recorded one. I wondered with all the marathons and multisports races that I've done, do I really have what it takes, and with the lost of motivation to train, can I really nail it? I have doubts in my training and I have doubt on how to race a HM being a relatively newbie on that distance.

Fast forward to race day, Jeanie, Sue Jean and Me would meet up at the Light Rail Transit (LRT) station before heading off to race side. However, 10 mins before reaching the station, I've got a text from Sue Jean informing that Jeanie was already 20 mins late and has not pick up her phone. As she was usually very punctual on our training run, I was wondering if she has overslept and start calling her frantically. After a few attempts, I finally managed to get though and rearranged the meeting time. No damage done as we have agreed to meet up early so even if she was late for the meet up, we still have spare time on hand. Reaching the race site, we quickly wade though the crowd to the baggage area and a quick toilet break, we then head to our designated "Sub2" pen. We met up with the rest of the gang (Piew, Yan Leng, Zijill, Selin and Choo) at the pen all ready for race start. The weather was very humid and hot, I started to sweat profusely standing without doing any warm up except for taking a few pictures that is hehe. Knowing a fact that day was hot, I kept wondering if it was because I was nervous for finally putting myself up to the test and I so wanted badly to nail it for good. Anyway, I was going blame Jeanie for being late if I didn't made it :p

With some ra ra, the race finally got underway on time. Piew being the fastest among us was telling me that he is going to start slow and picking up pace along the way and 5:40 min pace would be a no prob for a sub2 race. I was running along Piew for the 100m - 200m and within the next 500m he was gone like a speeding bullet and I was like " Blardy hell, what about the starting slow that we talked about?" Anyway, Piew is of a different league to me and would not be able to keep up with him anyway, so I kept going and doing my own race, my own pace.

Not a big problem wading through the crowd and manage to create some space between me and runners around me as we ran into the first 5 km with some rolling ups and downs. The ups are not big but with the kind of humidity and temperature that we were running in, the heart had to worked extra time supplying the O2 meeting the high demand from the legs. My pace was good, in fact it was 20 sec under the target sub2 pace, but I wasn't going to take any chances and kept going just in case I needed to walk later part of the race

Oh I forgot to talk about the race shoes!!! Ahem, my weapon of choice for the race was none other than the new Saucony Kinvara 7  (K7) in Red/Yellow (Chili Padi as I would call it). I bought the shoes about a week ago before race day and had only run about 11 KM in it. Is always a risk to run a new pair of shoes in a big race especially one that you are chasing for a goal time. Nevertheless, my first impression on the shoes was very positive, very stable and was able to comfortably put in a good pace during the first run. The K7 was a tad firmer than my recent marathon shoes but in return it gives the much needed stability stride after stride running a good race. For a fast comparison, it is definitely softer than the like of Adidas Adios Boost, Salomon X-series and New Balance Zante that were more unforgiving to my weak legs, but they are still fast racing shoes

Back to the race... 1st half of the race, we ran past a few KL city landmarks namely the formal Pudu Jail, Time Square then to the ups along the stretch of Lot 10 shopping mall, followed by Pavilion and the Prince Court Hospital. Running with a small softflask, meant that I skipped the 1st 3 water stations (3km, 5km, and 7km) so that I don't need to break my rhythm and keep going. On the 4th station at the KM 9, which was supposed to be my planned first stop, but seeing I haven't run out of juice I decided to skip the forth and made sure I finished up my flask heading to the 5th which incidentally was at the half way mark of the race slightly after the KLCC tower. A quick stop and go at the water station and a peeped at the watch for average pace,  it was all good at 5:16 min/km. I'm not surprise with that average, but can I hold on to it for the second half? The race starts here!!

At KM 14, I found my second wind and felt really strong pushing for pace going down below 5:15 min/pace and I told myself to capitalize on it and don't let go of the feeling. It felt really great for the next 2 KM then I developed a side stitch at KM 16, was forced to slow down managing the pain. I was determine not to let the sub 2 race slips away this time, with the pain I kept pushing finding the limit without letting the pain slowing me down too much.

I could really use a stretch at KM 16 

With 5 KM remaining, I wasn't going to throw my race away, so I chuffed and puffed to the ups and downs towards and past Lake Garden down heading towards Jalan Mahameru. With tired legs and lungs working on a double shift, the next 2 ups had the better of me and I started walking on both the ups. I made sure I took not more than 20 secs on each of the walk and forced myself to go back into running and not letting up. Then after a left down, The Majestic Hotel was a welcomed sight as it means the finishing line is just a striking distance and the watch says an average of 5:25 min/km. This is it, today is the day... today is my day!!

I remember sprinting down on the last straight, over taking a few more runners, the crowds were cheering and the straight felt forever reaching the finishing chute. I finally saw the finishing chute along with the clock, with meters left I could see the timing and it was under 2 hours sprinting across the finishing line. With my head held high, I gave myself a pat on the shoulder whispering "well done and thank you legs" to myself.. Yes I finally walked the talk and recorded an official sub 2 hours HM race!!

Ice on the head cooling down on a hot hot day

Good to see our brother Zane back in action

The rest of the group did well too. With Piew finishing way ahead of me which is expected, Selin and Yan Leng came back walking with wind beneath their wings (armpit..LOL) with a cards that has the word " Potential Podium Winner" on them.. Brovo ladies!!! With the rest of them running a good race respectively, it was a good race day for all. Good job team

two hot mamas

The 2 potential podium winners

The race was good with plenty of water/aid stations along the race route, oh they has sponge soaked with cold water too. The route was challenging with a few steep and gradual ups passing KL city landmarks and traffic police did a good job controlling traffics at any given busy intersection. Apart from the race pack collection and the absence of a race expo expected out of a big brand name race, it was an overall well organized race event. However we have much to learn from the overseas race organizer, this is true for all races held in MY and not specifically to Nike We Run KL. Yes they hype was real and it was worth the hype

Kyoto Marathon 2016 Race Report + + +

Boy this is along overdue post and I still have 2 more to catch up with.

I have to admit, this wasn't "the race" I was looking for in Japan, I was hoping for Tokyo Marathon which is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year but instead I raced in Kyoto. Nope I didn't get it wrong, I know.. Kyoto is Tokyo read backwards :) but believe me this 2 places are a total opposite just like the name sake. Long story short, Nick and I throw in our ballot for both Kyoto and Tokyo race back in Sept 2015, while Nick was hoping to strike the lottery on Kyoto due to the scenic and historic run, I was secretly hoping to strike for a Tokyo slot. Well things doesn't always works out the way you want it to, so Nick won and I lost, saying that both of us got the Kyoto ballot. Nick sign it up almost immediately, but it took me quite sometime to mourn my lost on Tokyo ballot and decided to sign up for Kyoto only days before the ballot entry expire.  With everything signed and sealed, I capitalized on the fitness carried over from the Vietnam Mountain Marathon (race report here) and starts ramping-up my weekly mileage as early as Oct last year. I was averaging 70-80 km weekly since Oct to late Dec, was I tired running close to 80 km accumulative week after week? Yes I was, but I was determine too, I want to run a big personal best and not just a mere 2 mins improvements (which was what happened for my previous 3 races).

Fast forwarding to 2016, came January, Nick experienced a knee injury but not knowing what it was really, he decided to take it easy on the training and scaled back drastically on his mileage. The big upset came in Feb 2016 just weeks before the race, Nick tore his meniscus while walking down the stairs :(. Nevertheless, I met up with Nick and Nessa at the earlier agreed spot and I would hitch a ride from them to the airport since Nick wanted to drive and park his car there instead of taking a cab. We arrived early at the airport, the baggage check in was smooth and decided to take our dinner before boarding the flight so we can sleep or at least try to sleep all the way over a night flight.

Rise and shine, we reached Kansai Airport at Osaka early in the morning the way we liked it so that we have a whole day to our dispose. Anyway it was too early so we head to look for breakfast around the airport before we decide on which one to patron. It was officially Nick and Nessa's first Japanese meal in Japan, they loved it; I told them that it would be their least tasty meal in Japan and I was dead right.. why? Read THIS, THIS AND THIS by happiefeet. Back home, me and Jamie have  been telling Nick how nice is the country and how much we loved Japan and he was already in awe with the country with just the first meal!

Kansai Airport

After getting our stomach warmed, we head out to Rinkutown for some shopping or windows shopping since we had all day and our accommodation in Kyoto check-in time was 4pm.. yeah really late, but no complaints. The sales at Rinkutown this time around wasn't that great compare to December, but we took the opportunity to fool around with some silly pictures, get impressed by the various and colorful vending machines and visiting their equally impressive convenient store "The Family Mart".

No idea what we were doing.. apart from being silly

After spending a few hours there, is time to for us to head to Kyoto on their Haruka Train (Limited Express). Train arrived on the dot, not a minute earlier not a minute late, my dear friend was again impressed. I fell asleep almost immediately after finding myself a comfortable seat, put up my MP3 and Zzzzzz away since is going to be a 75 mins train ride.  Then, the unexpected happen, damn!! The Haruka train service was interrupted just merely a stop away from our destination Argghhh.. And off we go taking our luggage, wading through floors of train platform and wondering what's next??? As I have said to Nick and Nessa countless time "how not to love Japan?" and you think this would spoil the whole awesome Japan experience? hell no.. we were all upgraded to Shinkansen (Japan famous bullet train) FOC !!! Untungla as we would say it back home means value for money in this context haha!! Not my first time on a Shinkansen, but let me tell ya.. it is better than taking a flight, far better than a lot of air lines especially our local budget air which kept rescheduling their flight recently :P. Though it was a short ride (200km+/hr), it was a welcome "disruption" for all of us.

Hello there

Reaching Kyoto, I just put all my trust on Nessa's research and in no time we've reached our Airbnb like apartment. Whipped out our phone, scanned the QR code that was send to us along with the "survival" guide and we are in. Although small as expected, it was clean, equipped  with a kitchen, private bathroom and washing machine. It was well worth the price that we were paying and it is located in one of the best part of Kyoto - Gion. After dinner at an unique Ramen place and a short look around, we decided to call it a day.

At Kyoto Station waiting for a bus ride. 

The next morning, we have decided to put on our shake down running gear and head out to Nishiki Market (walking distance from where we stayed) for breakfast before heading to race pack collection. We were there a little early, as most of the shops/stalls are not open for business yet, nevertheless we managed to find a few stalls and munched away 1-2 hours satisfying our taste bud. Although we were in our running gear, but we knew very well before reaching Japan that our planned shake down run to the race pack collection, would be called off due to Nick's injury and it was coincidentally raining on that day. We then decided to take the train to the nearby Heian Shrine, once we got off the train we could see a bee line of people walking towards the same direction and we just followed.. is a no brainer thing to do.

No joke we were in our running gear checking out food at Nishiki Market.

After a short walk, we reached the Miyakomesse for our race pack. The collection was very well organized, with English speaking greeter all ready to guide the overseas' runners like us. They even have a big sticker over the volunteers' jacket that says they are English and/or Mandarin speaking volunteer, talking about putting in effort for customer's experience!! Two thumbs up! We were guided to a overseas' runners queue, Nick in the elite queue and I was of course in "the rest of " queue. Collection was smooth and fast, took a few picture and of we go heading to the expo

Photo courtesy by Mrs Philips

At the expo entrance, official photographers were all ready to take the runners' photo; they even welcomed family and friends to be in the frame which you can opt to purchase as part of your race event photo. That was to me a nice touch, I mean how many official race photo that your family or friends were in the same frame? Honestly, I don't think many can say they have one.

CW-X was the first stop, the event tee was nicely done, but would be too expensive for me to stomach in and decided to give it a pass (which I regretted dearly after). Toyota was there to promote their green technology, we decided to visit the booth to show our support for Richi. They also gave out small sticker where runners could write any inspiration/motivation phrases that would be displayed on different section along the race route. We took a few shots with the Toyota's staffs before moving on.

Next stop Asahi hehe, yes Asahi was there to give out beers to visitors and mind you the promoters are very pretty too better than the beer itself haha. Whipped out our camera shamelessly again asking for a photo or two with them.

Soon enough we reached a section of the expo where the history of Kyoto Marathon was narrated with the route,  the past years winner and how the race was setup to help raise funds to relief the great eastern earthquake since the 1st edition of Kyoto Marathon

We then reached the sports good retail section, unfortunately the place was too crowded proving navigating around is a pain. We didn't spend much time there and decided to move on. By then, it was past noon time and coincidentally we land ourselves at the food section hooraayy.. more food. Too promote Kyoto tourism further, the organizer had invited some of the famous local eatery to set up stalls and many more. Like a kid walking into a toy store, I was very excited and concluded that this was the best part of the expo. We found ourselves a bench sharing with other visitors, put our staffs there and start roaming around for food. Grill fresh scallop, BBQ squid, Japanese beef bento, Okonomiyaki and green tea ice-cream are among the local delicacies available at the expo.

Photo courtesy by Mrs Philips

After concluding that we could not stomach in anymore food, we decided to take a walk heading home. It was still drizzling, but that didn't stop us to take a long stroll on what was supposed to be the shakedown run route, it was truly a nice route Nessa has mapped out for us. We took an early dinner that night and call it a day preparing for racing the next day.

The Race Day
The race starts at 9am, that gives me a couple of hours of sleeping time compare to the early race we have in Malaysia love it!! love it!!.

Nick and I met up around 7am and started walking our way to the train station which is about 10 mins away from where we stayed. We were glad there were no rain in sight that morning albeit chilly and we layered enough to keep ourselves warm. Since the race start at Nishikyogoku Stadium (different location from the race pack collection/finishing line Heian Shrine), hence we were not 100% on the direction to the race site. Luckily there were runners going the same direction, we just followed, hopped on the train and reached the race site after a short walk from the train station.

Pacer group

Found our designated baggage truck, layered down and checking in the baggage was just simply smooth and hassle free. Although we have layered down, we were still among those who "Overdressed". Some runners were just going with skimpy shorts and racing vest and just like you would in a hot weather race. Is mind blowing how they can fight off the cold temperature with so little, while me and Nick were shivering at a corner waiting for the race start. 30mins or so later, we went for a not so quick toilet break (queue), Nick wishes me good luck and we proceed to our respective race pen. Nick nursing an injury meant he would not run the whole race but will try to beat the sweeper bus to checkpoint 1. Although not an ideal outcome but with him tolling the start line with me meant a lot to me and it goes to shows how big a fighter he is by starting the race.

Skimpy shorts

Race started on time but it took me close to 10mins to cross the starting line, once out from the stadium there were already tonnes of supporter from all walks of life cheering for their loves one and strangers. Atmosphere was really great and is race on for me!! The streets are narrow and I'm fighting every inches of available tarmac with other runners to keep my target pace. Zig-zaging all the times passing the slower runners and at times I have to ran on the street divider and drainage cover to keep going at my target pace. It wasn't all bad, I learnt alot from them as a matter of fact, the runners respect each other very much and gave every one enough space regardless what pace you were running. Runners also took a quick look behind before they come out and pass other runners, that's how it should be done!!

Photo from Kyoto Marathon Official Facebook

Keeping pace was not an easy task with human traffic, and judging from past Japan run experience, the challenge is here to stays. After about 4-5 KM into the race, the body is nicely warmed up this time and starting to get into my own rhythm running along the scenic Katsura River and the famous Togetsukyo bridge can been seen from afar.

KM5 - KM10 the steep climb.
This is where the elevation starts. We were running along a parallel road to Tenryuji, heading towards Arashiyama Koka Bridge abeit a short climb but it got my heart pumping. After a short downhill run after the bridge, the next 3 KM towards KM10 was an elevation fest, the road doesn't seems to end especially with a hard climb. Nevertheless the crowd of supporter were amazing and the shout of "Gambate" has turned into a chant-like music to all the runners fighting against the hills. Took my first gel at KM10, to my surprise the temperature wasn't that cold anymore compere to the race start. Nevertheless, to be cautious I only have one glove off to see if is a good idea to run with gloves

Arashiyama Koka Bridge

KM10 - KM15 - the breather.  I can finally catch a breather from the hill. The roads are more gentle to the heart on this part for the race course. At this point, the runners crowd are still pretty much the same but fortunately most of the runners are now running at a very similar pace without impeding each other. One unique sight that I remembered along that stretch was running pass Ninna-Ji temple, the resident monk came out in the cold giving their support for all the runners with a banner which I could not make out what it means, but something along the line of "Rebuild". I waved my hand to say thanks to all who came out to support, amazed with the beautiful structure of the temple and I quickly move on.

As you can see, one of my hands without glove

KM15 - KM20 -  the narrow roads. This part of the race see us navigating through some of the narrow roads, however the runner's crowd starts to disperse a little giving ample space for all the runner who are still keeping the same pace. Along this stretch there are rolling hills, saying that it wasn't a big issue as the gradient were mostly kind to the tiring legs by now.  We ran passed a few temple along this stretch namely Daitokuji-Temple and Imamiya Jinja Shrine. Then we were back to the open road running along Kamo-Gawa river make our first (out of seven) u-turn across the small bridge heading towards KM20. By now both my gloves are off, yes it was warm enough to run without gloves.

Imamiya Jinja Shrine can be seen at the background

KM20 - KM 25 - the slight dip. The biggest thing around this stretch was how did I fair half way point of the race. Well to be honest, I have had a sub2 in mind to give it a shot at a sub4 overall race time. Unfortunately, the disruptive run from the start meant that I'm not able to keep to my goal pace and the dream for an official sub2 21KM was long gone at the early part of the race. Nevertheless, a time of 2:03 at the half way point wasn't all that bad. There wasn't much to see between the distance here, we were running along the Kamo-Gawa river then crossing a small bridge into a flat fast section with 2 u-turns ahead. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to capitalize on the flat course and my performance started to drop slightly going into KM25. One interesting thing that I spotted here was the digital sign-board that gave out information to runners on the portable toilet whether the toilets were vacant or occupied. Such are the effort that the organizer put in giving detail information to runners helping them to manage their race/goal time. I applaud the effort.. kudos to the race organizer

Kamo-gawa river at the background. Notice the runners' crowd at about KM20

KM25 - KM30 - the painful drop. After a short straight and the 4th u-turn on the same straight back, we then ran into the Kyoto Botanical Garden. Believed it or not, there were some tress with flower blossoming in the month of February and it does seems like Sakura flowers. I don't care, I'm just gonna take it as Sakura. Took my first long walk here not because of the beautiful garden mind you.. it was because my calves nearly froze up and decided to walk it off. By then all my hope doing a sub 4:15 timing was slowly diminishing. Since I'm walking, I took the opportunity to really look at the beautiful surrounding of the garden instead of running pass with a fast glance of the many attractions at the earlier part of the race. There were also a few Geisha (presumably arranged by the organizer) playing traditional musical instruments entertaining the runners as well as the supporters and tourist alike, Out from the botanical garden, we are back at the Kamo-gawa river again (yes a long river) heading towards KM30

Photo from Kyoto Marathon Official Facebook

KM30 - KM 35 - the struggle continues. KM30 marks the point for most runner hitting the wall, really? look at some of the runners around me, doesn't seems like they are; but my struggle continues. KM30 was also the entry to the riverbank, the terrain was soft and sandy. The path was narrow, damp and slippery due to the overnight rain. Puddles of water can be found along the path especially where there were water/aid stations. This was the part of the race I didn't enjoy, but don't get me wrong is just a personal preference to run on dry and solid ground. It was a 2 KM of riverbank path, there was a slight pain developed on the calves, again took another walk hoping that it will be fine after that. Back to the road after 2 KM of riverbank and we are next to the Kyoto Imperial Palace... Sweet.

Entry to the riverbank. Do you see the contrast between me comparing to the lady behind me? This is KM30

Then the nature decided to throw in another challenge to me, the wind started to pick up and so was the rain. The temperatures dropped and I had to put back my gloves to keep whatever little warm I have left with me. Although the rain was not heavy, but the headwind was, it was cold and started to get wet. I had to hide my tired body behind a bigger runner to stay away from taking it head on against the wind. It worked for a short bit until the runner in front of me started to drop back, then I had no choice but to take the wind all by myself. KM35 was the sixth and coincidentally it was at the Kyoto City Hall. This section would be my slowest 5KM interval for the race

Kyoto City Hall

Sixth U-Turn with Kyoto City Hall at the background

KM35 - KM42 - the second wind. After the final U-turn, I picked myself up again and knew I had to keep my strong for the remaining 7KM. I was running right at that stage and started to pick up my pace again; told myself to keep going, running by feel instead of looking at the watch. I did however took a few peep at the watch and to my surprise at some part I was running faster than my goal pace. The headwind hasn't slow down, however I found my second wind of my run and kept pushing through with a pace to me was a strong one. KM38, KM 39, by then I was very comfortable with the pace that I'm doing at the late stage , although tired, I'm pretty confidence I can keep running at the pace that I was doing for the remaining distance.

Came the seventh U-turn, the last we would see for the race, make the turn and head towards gradual climb again.. oh god. Crossing the 40KM mark feels like eternity, fortunately there were many locals who are out cheering for us. Then came the Kyoto University, which was a landmark that signified the finishing line is within sight. It was about a kilometer or so from the finishing line, soaking with all the positive vibes around, I pushed on along with a few local runners pacing and pushing each other to the final stretch of the race. At the final turn towards the finishing line at Heian Shrine, the atmosphere was simply unbelievable with everyone cheering on. Some runners slow down to wave to the crowd  while some sprint on hoping to achieve their respective personal best. For the first time, I actually slowed down to wave and express my gratitude to the locals as well as the volunteers making this a fantastic race. Crossing the line with a new personal best, shaving off 20 mins from my previous best was ecstatic and beyond words.

Picked-up the finishing medal and towel, I moved on quickly to the drink station for some sports drink, I was literally drained from the race. After 2 pack of drinks, l walked towards a temporary tent that was setup to give out the completion certification to finisher. Pick up the cert, and my baggage I proceed to the changing area and quickly change to some dry cloths and put on my jacket to stay warm. At the same time I didn't want Nick and Nessa to be waiting too long out in the cold for me.

Nick gave me a hug and congratulated me on the run upon seeing me walking towards the agreed meeting place which is outside of a 7-Eleven. Wanted to get a hot coffee, but the queue was simply too long and didn't want to wait. So we decided to quickly move on and walking back and along the way we manage to get our hot coffee from some vending machine... machine is everywhere. We walked back using the shakedown route but we took a little detour and venture a little and found ourselves at the back of the Yasaka-jinja Shrine. It was a beautiful shrine to start with, and as usual lots of photo opportunity with some silly pose.

All photo above are courtesy by Nick and Mrs Phlips

The race was very well organized to say the least, aid/water stations was plenty and space out nicely with volunteers are also doubling up as supporter for everyone who run past their station. Pedestrian traffic control was an eye opener for me, with a few volunteers holding on to a rope shifting from left to right and vice versa directing runners to the left or the right lane of the running course while pedestrians were crossing the road, it was very well orchestrate without slowing down any runners and at the same time impeding the public from crossing the road. Runners also plays a big part  in keeping the area clean, emptying the drinking cup and made sure it was thrown into the designated bin. Amount for effort put in by the organizer to help runner achieve their goal time was second to none, for example digital board informing number of vacant toilet and number of tables at each of the aid/water stations so that runners doesn't clog up at the first slowing down the rest were some of the examples that our local race organizer can learn from. I have to say... I love racing in Japan!!!