We were actually quite lucky that we managed to sign up for the Nike Run. Back then I didn't know that Hubby wanted to start running so I didn't bother signing up online for the run when they launched it during the weekend. Come Monday, Hubby emailed me at the office asking me whether I wanted to join the run. Unfortunately the online sign up was closed, but I found out that they were doing manual sign ups at Nike stores. Hubby walked over to the Pavilion outlet but they were out of forms while I called the MidValley outlet and used my best 'damsel in distress' voice to beg the guy over the phone to save two forms for me. Alhamdulillah, he kept to his word and I rushed over after work to make the payments.
Signing up for the Nike Run was a really good motivation for Hubby and I to keep running. But seriously, I only managed to complete a 10km on the treadmill exactly 5 days before the real run. And I was absolutely freaking out - will I finish? Will I even make it within the qualifying time?
Since the gun off time was sharp at 7am, we decided to set the alarm for 5am and then leave the house by 530am. I insisted that we laid out our attire and pack anything we needed for the run before we went to bed. And it was a good thing that we did. Our alarm clocks didn't work!!! I woke up at 540am and literally jumped out of bed. I'm not kidding. I jumped! Hubby jumped a few minutes afterwards (with some screaming encouragement from yours truly). Got ready in record time and left the house at 6am, armed with our breakfast bars.
Easily 10,000 runners, not counting the 'bandit' runners who ran without the official Nike t-shirt.
Run buddy, run!
Nike certainly went all out for this. They had banners everywhere, even a mini stage with JJ from Hitz.FM as the emcee and loud music to get everyone into the mood.
Thank god he received doctor's clearance to run just two days before the run. If not, I would probably have to lock him up in the master bedroom toilet to make sure that he does not sneak out to the run.
Walking over to the start line. Since we were not one of the Nike Plus priority members, we had to wait with the rest of the runners behind a separate barricade.
They had a countdown to gun off, in which everyone joined, and sharp at 7am, all hell broke loose (in a good way, of course). Everyone just started running enthusiastically. Maya had warned me that I would probably face the same problem at the start of the run as during the Terry Fox, weaving through people as I ran. But surprisingly, I did not face the same problem. I believe everyone was so pumped up that they ran their heart out and the road was big enough to accommodate us so there was plenty of space to run without having to stop because someone in front was a tad slower than you.
It was also very thoughtful of Nike to mark each and every kilometer. It certainly pushed me ahead as I saw the first 3kms past by pretty easily. Mind you, it was my first competitive run so I was relieved when I realised that the further I ran, slowly but surely I felt like I could finish. I stopped at every single drinking station they provided (after each ~2.5km). Nike even provided entertainment in the form of traditional Indian & Chinese drums and Malay kompangs near the Brickfields and old KTM station respectively - which were way more motivating than listening to my one and only running song - Fallout Boy's Thanks for the Memories, which played on repeat for the whole 10 kilometers. (Hey, it keeps my pace!)
Our running shoes with our finisher gift. Inside the box is a cute little keychain model of the Nike LunarGlide 3 which is also a 1GB thumb drive. Very creative!
Nike, you rock!
We did it Hubby!
Aaaaahhh, I finished my first competitive 10km run! Aaaaahhhh *drama queen mode*
Well done Nike. The event was certainly organized very well.
So when is the next race?
There were also performances by Joe Flizzow and Mizz Nina to close the event.
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