New Balance Pacesetter 15km Run

Well, what can I say about this run other than it's well organized, sufficient water stations that served water and gatorade and a new venue this year. Previously it's at the lake gardens rolling around into the double hills and what not hills. Hey, where there's Pacesetters involved, there'd be surely plenty of hills to conquer to. This year, it's a different tune where it's held at Putrajaya. My playground indeed.

I had more up my sleeves though. Been neglecting my LSDs lately and since I freaked out, I've decided to make this Sunday morning my LSD instead. On the menu was a pre 25km completed before this 15km run at 6.30am. No sweat. Done this before. So at precisely 1.30am Sunday morning, my alarm went off. Dragged my sorry ass to the Palace of Justice by about 2.30am and plodded off into the wilderness all alone. The gang (yeah YOU!), that was supposedly turn up by 11pm the night before was no where to be seen. God. Ah well, I told myself the show will just have to go on ... alone.

Off I went in the direction of the Putrajaya International Convention Center (PICC), made the customary hills surrounding it and back to PoJ and onto the Prime Minister's office at the other end of the loop. Got back into PoJ to clock 11km. Nice. Quick pitstop and off for my second round where I suddenly bumped into Khairul Annuar. Seemed he did his LSD from 1am. God. So we set off together in his pace but we detoured into Pullman Hotel/Putrajaya swimming pool area and back into PoJ again. Seems he was hesitant about doing PICC in the dead of the night lol. It was gossip pace, and with that we had gossips. Juicy ones, big ones, question marked ones, the whole lot.

By the time we got back to Poj, he had done 35km whilst I was only at 20km. The crowed picked up at the starting line of the 15km run. Also bumped into Jamie who was also doing his pre LSD. I left Khairul while I plodded onwards to the PM's office to make up the remaining 5km. Back into PoJ and completed my intended 25km in about 2hours 50mins. 30mins to go before the flag off at 6.30am. Pitstop into the nearby toilet. Errm .... I won't say more right?

Then it was the usual hellos and hi to the usual runner friends whilst we got ready for the flag off. Pics galore below.

Minutes before the flag off. Yes it's pitch dark because it's just before 6.30am on a Sunday morning. Generally, most races will start at 7am but this was a special request so that the runners won't get toasted in the sun as early as 7.30am.

Piling up before the starting gantry. There were about 2,000 runners I was told. All very eager to try this new route.

And the gun went off and we went running into the dead of the night or rather morning. I decided to run with my camera this time for the fun of it. But it's hard to take decent pictures and run at the same time.

Dannie and Carrie, the lovely couple, volunteering this time with the water stations. I think I shall volunteer soon. You know, sort of giving back to the running community. A+ for Dannie's water station. Plenty of cups filled with water at all times.

And we headed towards PICC as dawn was just breaking. This was over the bridge and you can see the flying saucer PICC in the middle of the picture. Yes, it was uphill for this bridge.

And around PICC did we go. Yes the hilly bits unfortunately. And yes, it's already morning and the sun is trying to peek out. Gladly, it was rather cloudy for the whole of the morning.

And then off to the Pullman Hotel where the first u-turn awaits us runners. I can't remember what km is this but I guess around km 6 or 7. Organizers should have the km markers. Not every km but perhaps every 2 or 3km for the benefit of runners trying to pace.

And back to the bridge before PICC. It's nice and bright now and more uphill this time around. I was already knackered from the early 25km and was just trying to hold on to the 6min pace as much as I could. Everything in me hurts!

After the bridge, we made a left turn which brought us parallel to the PoJ and the other government buildings. Secretly, I wanted to just walk cause my energy reserve was zero. Forgotten to swallow a gel before this 15km began. Oh well, I plodded through the pain.

And again bumped into Dannie and Carrie's water station. That's Carrie looking sombre lol. But hey, there's Gatorade drinks! I do wish they were super cold though.

And finally a right turn back into the main streets. Rejoice did I cause I guess it was just another 2 or so km to contend with before getting to the finishing line.

Oops. Instead of turning right back to the starting line, we were made to turn left! %&*#&@# mental ... mental, where art thou? No choice but to just plod on me said to meself.

Oh lordy, I can't even see the u-turn in front! I think it was like a good km before we even reach the u-turn (ok I am exaggerating of course!). Well, it seemed like an eternity lah!

Oh joy! The blasted final u-turn finally! Yes, I was dead by now. Honestly. I was running on fumes. Me legs seemed like concrete, so bloody heavy.

Time stood still when trying to end this misery. But I knew the end is near. Only mantra I could think of was to repeat '10 more steps now ...' again, and again.

And YESSSSSSS ... the finishing line finally! I thought this pain I was in would never ever end. That's it! I've completed 40km in total and brings my own LSD to a close.

First 25km in 2.52.03 and the remaining 15km in 1.27.39 for a total of 40km in 4 hours and 20mins. If only I could hold the last 15km timing for a marathon. That would be sweet!

But of course I ran that 15km in my ever trusty sarong :). Thanks Tey for the that picture, just metres away from the finishing line.

The front and back of the unique finisher medal depicting PICC building

Overall good event, no complaints really. Enjoyed it and at 15km, it's nicely placed between a 10km event and a half marathon event. Hey, make sure you join in next year cause I know I will!

Now excuse me whilst I go pack my bathing suit for my 12th marathon this Sunday in .... sunny, beachy Phuket! :)