Official race 3 in preparation for the
BOSTON MARATHON and the start of the “runRICKYrun Project”.
It was an early start and as normal was one of the first runners to arrive at the start. As always needed to find a restroom whilst waiting for the race to begin. This event had several races that had different start times – 17km, 10km, 5 km fun run. I entered the 17km race. Race maybe not the right word in my case as I was looking to just have a longer run at this stage of my preparation.
I should add at this point that I had only returned back to Penang 12 hours before this run (after my monthly trip to Tokyo). Not ideal preparation, especially as I did not have time to train whilst away and also I was flying the next morning from Penang to London (via Kuala Lumpur)…!
It was a warm morning and although the sun was yet to rise the humidity meant that I was sweating before I had even ventured across the start line. This was the first run to try out my new NIKE APPLE WATCH…..!
So after the start the you head around Georgetown and then head out towards Straits Quay and the marina. I know Straits Quay very well as this is part of my normal training loop that I run.
First 5km was slow and steady with no real issues in 31’ 26”. The next 5km including the loop at Straits Quay was slower as the heat began to rise and my split dropped to 37’ 45”. This was outside my target but the lack of fluid stations on route were a contributing factor. The final 7km which was the running back to the start position near Fort Cornwallis in Georgetown was tough due to the dehydration. I had to walk on three occasions due to the heat (and lack of real preparation) and finished the 17km run in a time of 2:06:43. Average speed was 7:18 per km.