ST GEORGE MELBOURNE MARATHON 2010

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Its 10.10.10.... 10 October 2010. To celebrate the historic date as well as 2,500 years of marathon anniversary, LC (OBC) Nawal Aini Zulkifli, Rose Emini Pahamin, Ilyanna Aylin Ayob, Corporal (OBC) Sandy Roberts, Yum Kin Kok and me from the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP @ Bandar Utama departed and arrived in Melbourne on 7 October 2010 to run the St George Melbourne 42.2km Marathon.

nawal Aini Zulkifli, Armin Baniaz Pahamin, Ilyanna Aylin Ayob, 

Rose Emini Pahamin, Yum Kin Kok

The weather in Melbourne was perfect for a marathon. I did not have any timing-expectation and only target to cross the finishing line within the qualifying time of 7 hours. I have not run-train since before Ramadan (fasting month) and it has been more than 2 months now since my last run and many months since my last competition. The only training I had was at the OBC-BU three times a week. My only target was to complete the 42km marathon irrespective of time and have fun while running.... and pray that my knee did not misbehave.

The Melbourne 42km marathon was my 5th full 42km marathons. My first marathon was the Salisbury trail marathon (United kingdom) in 2006, then the Standard Chartered Singapore International Marathon in 2007. The third was the Singapore Sundown marathon in 2008, then the Ambank International Marathon 2008.

The route for the Melbourne Marathon was quite flat exept the route after the 30th km. The map for the race was as follow:

The race route was quite confusing with six races running at the same time. There were the St George full 42.2km marathon, Flight Centre 21km half marathon, Coffee Club 10km race, Asics 5.7km run, 4km race and the kids race.

My Personal Best (PB) time for a full marathon was at the AMbank Kuala Lumpur International marathon in 2008 which I completed in 5 hours and 46minutes. My PB for 30km was at the Great Eastern 30km race in 2009 (4:03). My PB for 21km half marathon was during the Ipoh International half marathon this year (2:38).


Today at the Melbourne marathon, my split time was as follows (chip time):

10km- 1:12 hours 

21km- 2:24 hours

30km- 3:32 hours

42km- 5:21 hours  

Although I did not have any target-time and with a busted knee again at 15km but the timing today was better than all my previous PB. The knee began to hurt at 15km but was at its worst after 30km mileage.

At the last 5km, I had to drag my leg when I cant bend it but it was well worth it. Mizi Rahim (pic right Mizi in Orange shirt), another runner from Malaysia cruised with me for a few kilometers which I reckon was to lend a support. Thanks Mizi cruising with you at the speed of 10 was really good. At another juncture, I was running with Ilyanna Aylin Ayob whom was attempting her first full marathon. Her dad Dato Ayob was also her personal photographer, her mum and siblings were all here to support Ilyanna Aylin's first marathon.

They must be proud when she completed her first marathon in 5:20 hour. That is a good timing even for a season runner. Ilyanna Aylin was treated with a special lunch with her whole family while we... Rose Emini Pahamin, Nawal Aini Zulkifli and me went home to re-heat the dry and not tasteful-at-all seafood spaghetti.

I did not know if it was the quit-cigarette that improves my timing or the chill weather (compared to Malaysia extreme hot and humid) or if it was the new skins compression pants & shirt but I was contented with the timing. I was very close to giving up when the knee pain became too excruciating.

The race was well organised.. the volunteers were cheerful and friendly and the most important thing.. there were more than sufficient water at the water stations.

Beside my new personal best time, Nawal Aini Zulkifli had also improved her 42km PB time clocking 4:36 hours at the Melbourne marathon today. Her previous PB 5:26 during the Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur International Marathon in 2009.

Nawal Aini Zulkifli will be running her next full marathon at the Singapore Standard Chartered International Marathon in December 2010.

Rose Emini Pahamin improved her PB time when she completed the Melbourne Marathon in 4:51hour from 6:32 in Standard Chartered Singapore International Marathon in 2009. That is an improvement of more than 100 minutes.

Rose Emini's too will be running her next 42km marathon at the Singapre Standard Chartered International Marathon in December 2010.

Corporal Sandy Roberts completed her Melbourne marathon with a new PB 3:53 hours as well as Yum Kin Kok (YKK, see picture below) in 3:45 hours. Mizi Rahim completed in 5:14hours.

 Yum Kin Kok, proudly printed his own MALAYSIA wording dry-fit tshirt to run the St George Melbourne Marathon.

Mizi Rahim (3rd from left), thank you for escorting me

Back home in Kuala Lumpur, to commemorate the historical date 10.10.10, another circle of recruits from the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP @ Bandar Utama participated in the Nike 10km race. Those runners are non other than OBC-BU Sarge (OBC) himself, Dann aka Daing Daniel Fitri whom recorded his new PB time 46:49, Corporal (OBC) Chun aka Chun Chia Kai(hooyah 5.5km PB- 21mins), John Chuah (10km PB-1:11), Lilian Lee (10km PB-1:06), John Ong (10km PB-1:00), Joe Liew (10km PB-1:00), Afiza Abdul Halin (PB-1:05), Freda Liu, Vivien Luyen Ow (10kmPB-1:03), Amir Hisyam (10km PB 1:03),  Nurfuadi, Bahariah Bahadom (10km PB-1:25) and Jun King (5km PB- 44:41).

WE  DID IT!!!!!!!! Everybody at ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP @ Bandar Utama beat their previous Personal Best time on 10.10.10!! Well done people.... Congratulation to all!!!!......

Until the next race.. the Penang Bridge International Marathon next month, Stay tune.........

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