24 June 2012.. Tickets booked (via AA). Gonna make my 'maiden' full at SCKLM ! Registration starts 31st January 2012
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
My race of a lifetime !!
PBIM 2011 marks the 2nd anniversary of me taking up running seriously, at least participating in races at least.. and this must be the mother of all races to me, a race of a lifetime.. I did my first ever full marathon (that is 42.195k) on 20/11/2011 (20112011 – easy to remember ) – and that is called an FMV (Full Marathon Virgin :) Well technically I did the olden days Penang Bridge Run which started from USM (don’t think it was a full though which I remember came in at 5:50, just before the 6 hour cut off mark… and that was 1995, 16 years ago !!!)
I set up my 16 weeks training regime way back in early July by checking out web sites and learning from others but mainly comes from Chris’s Brooks marathon 16-weeks training plan. Well, interruptions along the way, including many travels, holidays, unexpected rain and especially being out sick in the last 4 weeks of training pretty much allowed me to do 60% if the targeted plans. Anyhow, 1 LSD of 26k, a few 21k runs and some shorter runs/speed works/tempos, I was ready to go ! I felt jittery as the day drew near, not knowing what to expect – like whether I will collapse half-way, whether I can last the distance or take the shuttle back (which means DNF, that will be WTF !), whether I will hit the wall too early etc etc.. But many thanks to the FMV Facebook page, I learned a lot from the preparation, what to anticipate and how to prepare. That helped to calm the nerves a bit. Saturday (the eve of the run) was a busy day. Meeting up fellow runners from out of state and it’s a rare opportunity to have many of them in together.. Saturday early morning, sent Jadyn to her wushu class, then met up Sabri for a short while to pass him the race kit collected earlier, then went to Vistana to pick up Karim for a breakfast @ the Transfer Road Roti Canai (the first carbo load) before heading towards Queensbay Mall to pick up some ORS (Oral Rehydration Salt) – a tip I learned from the FMV. Never tried that but no harm.. I didn’t want to get cramp and limp to finishing line ! After sending Jadyn to her art class, I picked up Hizam and Anna at the airport in the late afternoon and sent them to the hotel before meeting up Ray shortly for a quick 2nd carbo load @ Old Town.. After that, it’s time to head home and catch some precious sleep. Slept at 8.15pm, and woke up at 11pm.. and the moment of truth has arrived..
The race started at 2am as the bridge was closed at 1am. Thank God the rain stopped at around 10pm+ and cleared the air for a refreshing night. I went thru the checklist of items to be brought along – bib, race pouch, 5 GU gel (kiasu, 1 for each km + 1 backup), 3 ORS and some Yoko2 lotions, and decided to pick my Brooks Ravenna 2 for the race. I guess I am still getting myself familiar with the new Brooks Glycerin 9. That will be for future races – and boy how right I was ! The ‘old’ faithful Ravenna 2 worked its magic ! Picked up Karim again on my way to Queensbay Mall at around 12 midnight. The whole Vistana was painted yellow with bus-loads of DiGi runners all dressed in their yellow vests. I think DiGi booked the whole Vistana for their runners !! As expected, the starting point was already filled with an air of carnival-like atmosphere except that this time, I would be there to kick-off the full marathon versus watching the full marathoners flew-off last year (I was doing half the 2 previous years). Saw some familiar faces, especially the i-Run runners making their usual ‘battle cry’. After 5 toilets breaks, yes.. 5 ! I must drank gallons of water, ORS, honey, Nutrimeal the few hours prior to that ! LOL.
After some cultural shows and the arrival of CM LGE (who got his usual loud applauses), the race was flagged-off .. and it started at 12.54am – 6 minutes earlier !
1-10k : The first 10k was ran at 5:48”/k and 5:46”/k pace respectively (5k split) which included a 3-4mins toilet break under the tree, opposite Seagate ! The first 7km or so was a quick race as everyone tried to go out fast before hitting the bridge ramp. Saw some runners that I know.. fellow Facebook runners – Uncle Oliver, an unbelievable fit and regular marathoners at his age.. Tee HH, Cheng Liang, and Bee Hong.. Did a shout-out to Tee and he must have been shocked.. As I approached the Half-marathon U-turn point, I was determined not to let any half marathon runners over-take me (who started 1 hr later than us) but alas, as I was running on the middle of the lane, a group of 6 Kenyans galloped past me so fast that I felt like a strong wind whizzed past me, trust me !
11-20k : As I just recovered from my knee pain (still remember painful race @ PJ Half Marathon), I tried to conserve some energy and do some slow jogs and brisk walking in between to give my knees some rest for the long haul. There were no pain on both knees but I did that just in case anyway. Had my 1st gel at 12th k. There were many photographers near the mid-span snapping away and the drummers surely lifted the spirits somewhat. I made a terrible mistake though with my Garmin 305 watch. I must have fiddled with it so much (checking the time and the pace etc) that I accidentally stopped it without realizing it. It stopped at 11.99k and by the time I realized it, it was nearly a km down the stretch. Of course at that time, I didn’t realize the gap was so huge as a counter-check with the clock showed I was only a min or 2 off – but not knowing the race was started 6 mins earlier !! At around 19-20th point, we had to make a loop at the Seberang Jaya toll plaza to make a U-turn back to the returning stretch. I did 6:27 and 6:41 for the 11-20th split.
21-30k : I had my 1st ORS at the 21st k, taping it at 2:17. I was quietly confident I could meet my target of 5 hrs and was thinking of even 4:45. But alas.. my 22nd – 25th km was a struggle. The pace slowed and once I merged into the half-marathon U-turn point, the crowd became significantly larger. Since this is the last batch of the half runners, many were walking and even stopping by the side and take pictures. I think I was ‘influenced’ by them and started to walk. So much for being mentally tough !! Took my 3rd gel at around 25th km. Right at the mid-span, I had some giddiness and had to stop for a couple minutes. I felt my stomach churning and I suspect it’s due to my calories burning faster than the food I loaded earlier ! Thank God a bun stall appeared immediately and how grateful I was ! Grabbed a bun and I started to jog and eat at the same time. I did 7:05 and 8:00 for this 21-30th and it’s clear I lose most of the time here !!
31-42km : Exiting the bridge at around 3:45, I got my 2nd wind and started running. The line got thinner as we approached eGate where the half runners make a U-turn back. I hit the 33th km at 3:51.. which meant I used up 1:34 for this 12k !! The last stretch was dark and lonely with many runners hitting the wall and doing stretching by the roadside. I found my 3rd wind and kept running + jogging. The cheering volunteers surely helped to lift the spirits. This is the last stretch where runners will run towards MacCallum Street and make a U-turn back to Queensbay Mall. That is the time you could see who’s in front and who’s not. I saw Jin Xiang, a fellow colleague who eventually did <4:30, Hoe Hock who was doing his FMV ! and then Karim who eventually did 4:41.. Got my 4th gel at around 34th km from Powerbar. Up until then, my knees were holding up and my cramps were kept to a minimal. The first aiders along the stretch did a pretty good job in massaging my calves and hips. As I made a U-turn, my spirit was lifted again as the huge group of volunteers gave a loud cheer and I managed to give some of them High-5s.. I knew I was on the home stretch towards Queensbay Mall.. But the most amazing thing must be at the ~37th km when I saw Mohan, with his whistles, running towards MaCCalum Street and encouraged the runners. By then, he has finished the race and made a turn towards the 30+km to cheer up the runners.. How contagious that was ! I gave him a huge Hi-5 and I started to ‘speed’ towards the finishing line. Around 4km from the finishing line, I saw Karen Loh ran past me together with a runner wearing the K-Swiss vest. I tried to keep pace, but too bad, I had to make numerous stops and jogs. I think my fuel had been totally consumed ! I was determined to beat the 5 hrs target, at least get a sub-5.. I told myself !! That motivated me to keep running and jogging.. At that time, I was 6mins behind my Garmin watch and I was oblivious to that. Well, I thought I could hit 4:50 ! But as soon as I saw the 5 hrs pacer ran past me 1km before the finishing line, I knew I was behind the time ! Increasing my pace, I kicked-start and ran towards Queensbay Mall. The finishing line must hv felt like 10k away and never ending ! I hit the tape at 4:58 (43k distance based on Karim’s watch).. of course at that time, I thought I did 4:52 ! My last 30th – 42k was @ 7:12, &;15 and 6:37 for the last 2k ! Well, I guessed I managed to ‘Finish Strong’ !
I was glad I managed to end the race in one piece.. Relieved that my knees held strong, my cramps were kept to a minimum (ORS sure did help a lot !!) and my heartbeat were ok ! I nailed my first full marathon and a virgin no more !! My chip time results from the PBIM web site as below. Now time for some sleep and relax before resuming my raining for a half marathon at SCMS on Dec 4th !!
Name : GOH THUAN LIN
Status : Active Collect
Method : Queensbay Mall (12th & 13th Nov 2011)
Category : Full Marathon Men Open
Bib No : A00014
Event Results
21KM CheckPoint : 2:17:25.45
33KM CheckPoint : 3:51:01.36
ChipTime : 4:58:22.91 GunTime : 4:58:54.58
Ranking : 242/1190
How do I feel about the organization of the race ?
- Overall, I think it was fairly organized with plentiful of water and electrolyte drinks at every 4km. There were many complains about water running out at water stations especially for the last few batches of runners. So I hope the organizers can take heed of this and imporve next year.
- As for the finishing line, it was a clear mess. When I approached the finishing line, all the categories were cramped into the one-side small lane in front of Queensbay Mall. The volunteer keep saying full marathon take middle lane but they were standing at the middle lane and blocked me ! Pretty annoyed especially after you have been running for 5hrs and can't wait to end the race. The officials shud hv been standing after the line, not in front of it !
- The 42k finisher tee was dsitributed freely at the finishing point and so many complaints of 21k/10k runners taking the 42k finisher tee, causing sizes to run out etc. That could have been avoided had the organizer place more emphasis on full marathon finishing area. After all, it's not the number of runners that count, it's the # of full marathoners that make it a worthwhile race !
- The queue to get drinks and bananas etc were another chaos with no clear signage. I ended up walking back to my car and take my own food & drinks supply.
- Hopefully Allianz can improve the organization of the race (2009 & 2010 were pretty well-organized though 2008 was another disaster all together) for the coming year(s), if they are going to be the anchor sponsor again !
I set up my 16 weeks training regime way back in early July by checking out web sites and learning from others but mainly comes from Chris’s Brooks marathon 16-weeks training plan. Well, interruptions along the way, including many travels, holidays, unexpected rain and especially being out sick in the last 4 weeks of training pretty much allowed me to do 60% if the targeted plans. Anyhow, 1 LSD of 26k, a few 21k runs and some shorter runs/speed works/tempos, I was ready to go ! I felt jittery as the day drew near, not knowing what to expect – like whether I will collapse half-way, whether I can last the distance or take the shuttle back (which means DNF, that will be WTF !), whether I will hit the wall too early etc etc.. But many thanks to the FMV Facebook page, I learned a lot from the preparation, what to anticipate and how to prepare. That helped to calm the nerves a bit. Saturday (the eve of the run) was a busy day. Meeting up fellow runners from out of state and it’s a rare opportunity to have many of them in together.. Saturday early morning, sent Jadyn to her wushu class, then met up Sabri for a short while to pass him the race kit collected earlier, then went to Vistana to pick up Karim for a breakfast @ the Transfer Road Roti Canai (the first carbo load) before heading towards Queensbay Mall to pick up some ORS (Oral Rehydration Salt) – a tip I learned from the FMV. Never tried that but no harm.. I didn’t want to get cramp and limp to finishing line ! After sending Jadyn to her art class, I picked up Hizam and Anna at the airport in the late afternoon and sent them to the hotel before meeting up Ray shortly for a quick 2nd carbo load @ Old Town.. After that, it’s time to head home and catch some precious sleep. Slept at 8.15pm, and woke up at 11pm.. and the moment of truth has arrived..
The race started at 2am as the bridge was closed at 1am. Thank God the rain stopped at around 10pm+ and cleared the air for a refreshing night. I went thru the checklist of items to be brought along – bib, race pouch, 5 GU gel (kiasu, 1 for each km + 1 backup), 3 ORS and some Yoko2 lotions, and decided to pick my Brooks Ravenna 2 for the race. I guess I am still getting myself familiar with the new Brooks Glycerin 9. That will be for future races – and boy how right I was ! The ‘old’ faithful Ravenna 2 worked its magic ! Picked up Karim again on my way to Queensbay Mall at around 12 midnight. The whole Vistana was painted yellow with bus-loads of DiGi runners all dressed in their yellow vests. I think DiGi booked the whole Vistana for their runners !! As expected, the starting point was already filled with an air of carnival-like atmosphere except that this time, I would be there to kick-off the full marathon versus watching the full marathoners flew-off last year (I was doing half the 2 previous years). Saw some familiar faces, especially the i-Run runners making their usual ‘battle cry’. After 5 toilets breaks, yes.. 5 ! I must drank gallons of water, ORS, honey, Nutrimeal the few hours prior to that ! LOL.
After some cultural shows and the arrival of CM LGE (who got his usual loud applauses), the race was flagged-off .. and it started at 12.54am – 6 minutes earlier !
1-10k : The first 10k was ran at 5:48”/k and 5:46”/k pace respectively (5k split) which included a 3-4mins toilet break under the tree, opposite Seagate ! The first 7km or so was a quick race as everyone tried to go out fast before hitting the bridge ramp. Saw some runners that I know.. fellow Facebook runners – Uncle Oliver, an unbelievable fit and regular marathoners at his age.. Tee HH, Cheng Liang, and Bee Hong.. Did a shout-out to Tee and he must have been shocked.. As I approached the Half-marathon U-turn point, I was determined not to let any half marathon runners over-take me (who started 1 hr later than us) but alas, as I was running on the middle of the lane, a group of 6 Kenyans galloped past me so fast that I felt like a strong wind whizzed past me, trust me !
11-20k : As I just recovered from my knee pain (still remember painful race @ PJ Half Marathon), I tried to conserve some energy and do some slow jogs and brisk walking in between to give my knees some rest for the long haul. There were no pain on both knees but I did that just in case anyway. Had my 1st gel at 12th k. There were many photographers near the mid-span snapping away and the drummers surely lifted the spirits somewhat. I made a terrible mistake though with my Garmin 305 watch. I must have fiddled with it so much (checking the time and the pace etc) that I accidentally stopped it without realizing it. It stopped at 11.99k and by the time I realized it, it was nearly a km down the stretch. Of course at that time, I didn’t realize the gap was so huge as a counter-check with the clock showed I was only a min or 2 off – but not knowing the race was started 6 mins earlier !! At around 19-20th point, we had to make a loop at the Seberang Jaya toll plaza to make a U-turn back to the returning stretch. I did 6:27 and 6:41 for the 11-20th split.
21-30k : I had my 1st ORS at the 21st k, taping it at 2:17. I was quietly confident I could meet my target of 5 hrs and was thinking of even 4:45. But alas.. my 22nd – 25th km was a struggle. The pace slowed and once I merged into the half-marathon U-turn point, the crowd became significantly larger. Since this is the last batch of the half runners, many were walking and even stopping by the side and take pictures. I think I was ‘influenced’ by them and started to walk. So much for being mentally tough !! Took my 3rd gel at around 25th km. Right at the mid-span, I had some giddiness and had to stop for a couple minutes. I felt my stomach churning and I suspect it’s due to my calories burning faster than the food I loaded earlier ! Thank God a bun stall appeared immediately and how grateful I was ! Grabbed a bun and I started to jog and eat at the same time. I did 7:05 and 8:00 for this 21-30th and it’s clear I lose most of the time here !!
31-42km : Exiting the bridge at around 3:45, I got my 2nd wind and started running. The line got thinner as we approached eGate where the half runners make a U-turn back. I hit the 33th km at 3:51.. which meant I used up 1:34 for this 12k !! The last stretch was dark and lonely with many runners hitting the wall and doing stretching by the roadside. I found my 3rd wind and kept running + jogging. The cheering volunteers surely helped to lift the spirits. This is the last stretch where runners will run towards MacCallum Street and make a U-turn back to Queensbay Mall. That is the time you could see who’s in front and who’s not. I saw Jin Xiang, a fellow colleague who eventually did <4:30, Hoe Hock who was doing his FMV ! and then Karim who eventually did 4:41.. Got my 4th gel at around 34th km from Powerbar. Up until then, my knees were holding up and my cramps were kept to a minimal. The first aiders along the stretch did a pretty good job in massaging my calves and hips. As I made a U-turn, my spirit was lifted again as the huge group of volunteers gave a loud cheer and I managed to give some of them High-5s.. I knew I was on the home stretch towards Queensbay Mall.. But the most amazing thing must be at the ~37th km when I saw Mohan, with his whistles, running towards MaCCalum Street and encouraged the runners. By then, he has finished the race and made a turn towards the 30+km to cheer up the runners.. How contagious that was ! I gave him a huge Hi-5 and I started to ‘speed’ towards the finishing line. Around 4km from the finishing line, I saw Karen Loh ran past me together with a runner wearing the K-Swiss vest. I tried to keep pace, but too bad, I had to make numerous stops and jogs. I think my fuel had been totally consumed ! I was determined to beat the 5 hrs target, at least get a sub-5.. I told myself !! That motivated me to keep running and jogging.. At that time, I was 6mins behind my Garmin watch and I was oblivious to that. Well, I thought I could hit 4:50 ! But as soon as I saw the 5 hrs pacer ran past me 1km before the finishing line, I knew I was behind the time ! Increasing my pace, I kicked-start and ran towards Queensbay Mall. The finishing line must hv felt like 10k away and never ending ! I hit the tape at 4:58 (43k distance based on Karim’s watch).. of course at that time, I thought I did 4:52 ! My last 30th – 42k was @ 7:12, &;15 and 6:37 for the last 2k ! Well, I guessed I managed to ‘Finish Strong’ !
I was glad I managed to end the race in one piece.. Relieved that my knees held strong, my cramps were kept to a minimum (ORS sure did help a lot !!) and my heartbeat were ok ! I nailed my first full marathon and a virgin no more !! My chip time results from the PBIM web site as below. Now time for some sleep and relax before resuming my raining for a half marathon at SCMS on Dec 4th !!
Name : GOH THUAN LIN
Status : Active Collect
Method : Queensbay Mall (12th & 13th Nov 2011)
Category : Full Marathon Men Open
Bib No : A00014
Event Results
21KM CheckPoint : 2:17:25.45
33KM CheckPoint : 3:51:01.36
ChipTime : 4:58:22.91 GunTime : 4:58:54.58
Ranking : 242/1190
How do I feel about the organization of the race ?
- Overall, I think it was fairly organized with plentiful of water and electrolyte drinks at every 4km. There were many complains about water running out at water stations especially for the last few batches of runners. So I hope the organizers can take heed of this and imporve next year.
- As for the finishing line, it was a clear mess. When I approached the finishing line, all the categories were cramped into the one-side small lane in front of Queensbay Mall. The volunteer keep saying full marathon take middle lane but they were standing at the middle lane and blocked me ! Pretty annoyed especially after you have been running for 5hrs and can't wait to end the race. The officials shud hv been standing after the line, not in front of it !
- The 42k finisher tee was dsitributed freely at the finishing point and so many complaints of 21k/10k runners taking the 42k finisher tee, causing sizes to run out etc. That could have been avoided had the organizer place more emphasis on full marathon finishing area. After all, it's not the number of runners that count, it's the # of full marathoners that make it a worthwhile race !
- The queue to get drinks and bananas etc were another chaos with no clear signage. I ended up walking back to my car and take my own food & drinks supply.
- Hopefully Allianz can improve the organization of the race (2009 & 2010 were pretty well-organized though 2008 was another disaster all together) for the coming year(s), if they are going to be the anchor sponsor again !
My FMV vest. A virgin no more.. Wohooo !!
The Starting & Finishing Point 
Met Hizam who was running the 10k together with Anna 
Me having cold dip for my sore feet after the race 
This is what my Garmin clocked, minus the 6mins miscalculation due to unexpected stoppage at 11.99th k !! lesson learned ! 
Finisher medal 
Me @ Finishing Line, photo courtesy of MJ Jamal !! 
This gotta be my best bib foe the year !! :-)
The Starting & Finishing Point 
Met Hizam who was running the 10k together with Anna 
Me having cold dip for my sore feet after the race 
This is what my Garmin clocked, minus the 6mins miscalculation due to unexpected stoppage at 11.99th k !! lesson learned ! 
Finisher medal 
Me @ Finishing Line, photo courtesy of MJ Jamal !! 
This gotta be my best bib foe the year !! :-)
Friday, November 18, 2011
Jittery sinks in... I must Finish Strong !!
Slightly over 24 hrs before the biggest run of my life.. I am truly an FMV = Full Marathon Virgin ! Jittery has set in. Worried about the weather, the body condition, whether I will hit the wall too early, enough gel to last me etc. I guess that's normal.. and this will be a good test for me to endure and exercise mind-over-body again !!
So, wish me luck. Any timing will do.. Just wanna start steady & finish strong.. and end up with a great race !
So, wish me luck. Any timing will do.. Just wanna start steady & finish strong.. and end up with a great race !
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Rock to Rock Run - they really rock !!!
Did my first ever Rock to Rock Run on November 13th (Sunday), and well well well.. they do rock ! It wa sa short 4k (measured on my Garmin as 4k vs published 3.8k) run from Hard Rock Hotel to Tropical Spice Garden, make U-turn at the big tree right opposute the Tree Monkey Restaurant, and back to Hard Rock Hotel.. Pretty much an ascending run from hotel to Spice Garden and mostly descending run on the way back.
I did my run in 18:40mins, with a pace of 4:40mins/km.. Enjoyed the run, and think I did well. In fact, I just had a 10k run the evenng on Saturday at Botanical Garden ! I guess that must be me trying to catch up the lost time - I only did 3 runs in the last 3 weeks, including the "disasterous" 21k @ PJ Half and a couple of short runs ! So much for my early tapering towards PBIM.. LOL !!
and for once, I became a semi-photographer myself.. Had some great shots, especially the whacky dressing the runners came in with.. I went with Chris, good that he's off the clutches and walk with a slight limp but definitely in a much better shape !!
I did my run in 18:40mins, with a pace of 4:40mins/km.. Enjoyed the run, and think I did well. In fact, I just had a 10k run the evenng on Saturday at Botanical Garden ! I guess that must be me trying to catch up the lost time - I only did 3 runs in the last 3 weeks, including the "disasterous" 21k @ PJ Half and a couple of short runs ! So much for my early tapering towards PBIM.. LOL !!
and for once, I became a semi-photographer myself.. Had some great shots, especially the whacky dressing the runners came in with.. I went with Chris, good that he's off the clutches and walk with a slight limp but definitely in a much better shape !!
The stage for the performance and post-run awards
Me and Chris 
The winners for the runs and best dressed 
Very creative dressing in deed ! 
Mostly i-Run and Forward runners 
Monday, November 7, 2011
Geoffrey Mutai Wins New York Marathon With Course Record
Geoffrey Mutai breaking the tape in the record time of 2:05:06. More Photos »
By LIZ ROBBINS
Published: November 6, 2011
The footsteps keep getting faster, pounding like a drumbeat on the city streets. From Boston to London to Chicago this year, Kenya’s marathon men have smashed course records in frenzied fashion, and they drilled the world record in Berlin.
Would New York, the final and hilliest of all the major marathons, allow a similarly blistering pace?
Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya, the self-coached 30-year-old who shocked the running world to start the season in Boston, made the question rhetorical on Sunday. On a glistening, windless day that seemed made for marathoning, Mutai flew over five New York bridges, surging in the final six miles to shatter a decade-old course record by more than two and a half minutes.
Mutai captured the 2011 New York City Marathon in 2 hours 5 minutes 6 seconds — and the stampede did not stop when he broke the tape. His countryman Emmanuel Mutai, 27 and no relation, finished second in 2:06:28. Tsegaye Kebede, 24, of Ethiopia finished third in 2:07:14.
The official margin of victory, 1:22.31, was the largest in the race since 1992.
The three men each earned a $70,000 bonus for breaking the course record (2:07:43, set by Tesfaye Jifar of Ethiopia in 2001). Emmanuel Mutai collected an additional $500,000 for winning the World Marathon Majors with his strong performances over the last two years. Geoffrey Mutai won a total of $200,000 for his victory and the record run on a day in which an event-record 47,438 competitors started.
“Although I won, the race was not easy,” Geoffrey Mutai said. “I was not expected to win at that time.”
But he was favored, given his history. About seven months ago, he obliterated the hilly Boston Marathon course record in a world-best time of 2:03:02. It was an eye-popping mark in a roaring tailwind that was, however, ultimately not sanctioned as a record because of the course’s elevation loss and because Boston’s start and finish were separated by more than 50 percent of the race distance.
Running a marathon faster than anyone in history (Patrick Makau of Kenya set the world record, 2:03:38, with the aid of pacesetters in Berlin in September) yet being told that his race was not worthy of a record deflated and elated Mutai. Those dual emotions, he said, motivated him through his training runs in the remote trails of the Rift Valley in western Kenya.
By winning in Boston and in New York — on hilly courses where pacesetters are not permitted — Mutai allowed that he might have erased any doubts about his talents.
“I am happy now because even although it was not recognized, I’m happy to be at that level,” he said.
Meb Keflezighi of the United States, the Olympic silver medalist in 2004 and the winner in New York in 2009, marveled at Mutai’s race.
“To run that fast is pretty incredible,” he said.
On Sunday, Keflezighi stayed with the leaders through 19 miles, then started to feel his stomach churning. He stopped in Mile 22 to vomit but still finished in 2:09:13, his fastest marathon. In this swift field, it was good for sixth place.
Keflezighi said he was thrilled to finish the race healthy, because he plans to compete in the United States Olympic marathon trials Jan. 14 in Houston, hoping to make his third Olympic team.
New York was an unofficial Olympic trials for the Kenyans. Officials from the country’s federation traveled to New York to make a decision, ostensibly on a final runner, as Makau, as the world-record holder, and Abel Kirui, the world champion, seemed to be guaranteed to make the team.
But are Geoffrey Mutai’s accomplishments in the enigmatic world of Kenyan athletics enough to put him on the Olympic team?
“If they select me, I’ll be there,” he said after the race.
With patience and grace, Mutai ran in front of a tightly packed group for the first 16 miles. The pack thinned from 11 to 10, and by the time the men hit First Avenue, there were seven, including last year’s winner, Gebre Gebremariam of Ethiopia.
But crossing the Willis Avenue Bridge at Mile 20, Mutai broke away on Alexander Avenue in the Bronx. He charged off the Madison Avenue Bridge into Harlem, and from there, he attacked the incline of Fifth Avenue and entered Central Park with a 55-second lead.
“We all worked together — and then it was time to push it,” he said. “For me, I was trying to run my own race.”
For 10 years, Mutai has been his own coach. In 2004, he made a painful decision when he was not winning enough to afford treatment for a leg injury. He went to work cutting trees for Kenya Power, the nation’s utility company.
In the last two years, his own power has been sizzling. He said he wondered if he could break the world record on a flatter course.
“I have that in my mind, if it was another course, maybe I can do it,” he said.
As for the role of pacesetters in aiding world records, he said bluntly, “I don’t think if those people can come here and run here, if they can break the world record here.”
Mary Wittenberg, the chief executive of the New York Road Runners, which oversees the race, said she believed someone would one day run 2:04 in New York.
“I think to take two-plus minutes off that record says a lot more about Geoffrey Mutai than it says about our course,” she said.
A world record has not been set in New York in three decades: the American Alberto Salazar ran the race in 2:08:13 in 1981. But that era is long gone. Now there is a brave, blistering crop of runners who are threatening to run under two hours.
“The record is still going down and down,” Emmanuel Mutai said. “I see maybe it would not take too much more time, maybe after three years or one year, the record will be broken again. Even if it is not me, the other generation is coming.”
But right now, Emmanuel and Geoffrey, especially, are not looking back.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/07/sports/geoffrey-mutai-wins-new-york-marathon-with-course-record.html?pagewanted=2
By LIZ ROBBINS
Published: November 6, 2011
The footsteps keep getting faster, pounding like a drumbeat on the city streets. From Boston to London to Chicago this year, Kenya’s marathon men have smashed course records in frenzied fashion, and they drilled the world record in Berlin.
Would New York, the final and hilliest of all the major marathons, allow a similarly blistering pace?
Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya, the self-coached 30-year-old who shocked the running world to start the season in Boston, made the question rhetorical on Sunday. On a glistening, windless day that seemed made for marathoning, Mutai flew over five New York bridges, surging in the final six miles to shatter a decade-old course record by more than two and a half minutes.
Mutai captured the 2011 New York City Marathon in 2 hours 5 minutes 6 seconds — and the stampede did not stop when he broke the tape. His countryman Emmanuel Mutai, 27 and no relation, finished second in 2:06:28. Tsegaye Kebede, 24, of Ethiopia finished third in 2:07:14.
The official margin of victory, 1:22.31, was the largest in the race since 1992.
The three men each earned a $70,000 bonus for breaking the course record (2:07:43, set by Tesfaye Jifar of Ethiopia in 2001). Emmanuel Mutai collected an additional $500,000 for winning the World Marathon Majors with his strong performances over the last two years. Geoffrey Mutai won a total of $200,000 for his victory and the record run on a day in which an event-record 47,438 competitors started.
“Although I won, the race was not easy,” Geoffrey Mutai said. “I was not expected to win at that time.”
But he was favored, given his history. About seven months ago, he obliterated the hilly Boston Marathon course record in a world-best time of 2:03:02. It was an eye-popping mark in a roaring tailwind that was, however, ultimately not sanctioned as a record because of the course’s elevation loss and because Boston’s start and finish were separated by more than 50 percent of the race distance.
Running a marathon faster than anyone in history (Patrick Makau of Kenya set the world record, 2:03:38, with the aid of pacesetters in Berlin in September) yet being told that his race was not worthy of a record deflated and elated Mutai. Those dual emotions, he said, motivated him through his training runs in the remote trails of the Rift Valley in western Kenya.
By winning in Boston and in New York — on hilly courses where pacesetters are not permitted — Mutai allowed that he might have erased any doubts about his talents.
“I am happy now because even although it was not recognized, I’m happy to be at that level,” he said.
Meb Keflezighi of the United States, the Olympic silver medalist in 2004 and the winner in New York in 2009, marveled at Mutai’s race.
“To run that fast is pretty incredible,” he said.
On Sunday, Keflezighi stayed with the leaders through 19 miles, then started to feel his stomach churning. He stopped in Mile 22 to vomit but still finished in 2:09:13, his fastest marathon. In this swift field, it was good for sixth place.
Keflezighi said he was thrilled to finish the race healthy, because he plans to compete in the United States Olympic marathon trials Jan. 14 in Houston, hoping to make his third Olympic team.
New York was an unofficial Olympic trials for the Kenyans. Officials from the country’s federation traveled to New York to make a decision, ostensibly on a final runner, as Makau, as the world-record holder, and Abel Kirui, the world champion, seemed to be guaranteed to make the team.
But are Geoffrey Mutai’s accomplishments in the enigmatic world of Kenyan athletics enough to put him on the Olympic team?
“If they select me, I’ll be there,” he said after the race.
With patience and grace, Mutai ran in front of a tightly packed group for the first 16 miles. The pack thinned from 11 to 10, and by the time the men hit First Avenue, there were seven, including last year’s winner, Gebre Gebremariam of Ethiopia.
But crossing the Willis Avenue Bridge at Mile 20, Mutai broke away on Alexander Avenue in the Bronx. He charged off the Madison Avenue Bridge into Harlem, and from there, he attacked the incline of Fifth Avenue and entered Central Park with a 55-second lead.
“We all worked together — and then it was time to push it,” he said. “For me, I was trying to run my own race.”
For 10 years, Mutai has been his own coach. In 2004, he made a painful decision when he was not winning enough to afford treatment for a leg injury. He went to work cutting trees for Kenya Power, the nation’s utility company.
In the last two years, his own power has been sizzling. He said he wondered if he could break the world record on a flatter course.
“I have that in my mind, if it was another course, maybe I can do it,” he said.
As for the role of pacesetters in aiding world records, he said bluntly, “I don’t think if those people can come here and run here, if they can break the world record here.”
Mary Wittenberg, the chief executive of the New York Road Runners, which oversees the race, said she believed someone would one day run 2:04 in New York.
“I think to take two-plus minutes off that record says a lot more about Geoffrey Mutai than it says about our course,” she said.
A world record has not been set in New York in three decades: the American Alberto Salazar ran the race in 2:08:13 in 1981. But that era is long gone. Now there is a brave, blistering crop of runners who are threatening to run under two hours.
“The record is still going down and down,” Emmanuel Mutai said. “I see maybe it would not take too much more time, maybe after three years or one year, the record will be broken again. Even if it is not me, the other generation is coming.”
But right now, Emmanuel and Geoffrey, especially, are not looking back.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/07/sports/geoffrey-mutai-wins-new-york-marathon-with-course-record.html?pagewanted=2
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