Forming a Running SIG

Pic 1 - The race that started the Running SIG idea

Pic 2 - Our GE race after picture

Pic 3 - Lance Armstrong, my inspiration

Our office running SIG is officially almost 1 month old. We have organised 5 runs, the first three in KLCC park, and the next two in Kiara hills. The running SIG was born during last year end party when after many many months of convincing my colleague and fellow Pacesetter runner and racing comrade Kell Jay to spearhead this challenge, we decided to take on the SIG for 2007. Thus the running SIG was formed...!

The first run was held at KLCC park on Jan 7th. After rounding up almost 30+ people in a mailing list, Kell Jay informed whether I was able to "lead" the inaugural practice session at KLCC park. I agreed but underestimated my own procrastination skills. Once again, it was difficult for me to get up after a long series of late nights at work rushing out something, thus I was not able to get up on the 7th morning!! I SMS'ed two comrades - but rest assured it was a pretty disjointed session and only a handful turned up.

The second practice run we were more organised. Both Kell Jay and myself went, and we picked up another young colleague, so collectively we were 3 even before we started. As it turned out, about 7-8 people turned up, so we had a good second chance to start the SIG afresh. We took on the KLCC park 1.3km - which was a good track for people at different levels as you could do more or less according to your own pace. Kell Jay did 10 laps, and I struggled with 8 - this was our one and only warm up for the year for the GE 20/30km race which we did the 20km option.

For the third practice run, I heard a larger group turned up at KLCC park whilst myself and 3 others went for the GE race nearby. It was quite a good start to the year, pumping up with 20km of practice run.

Therefore, as you would have guessed, by the fourth practice run, I skipped it to sleep in!

For the fifth practice run, we were determined to keep the pace going and we turned up (some from far) at the Kiara hills last week - if you heard someone muttering past it must be me, I was cursing the young fella who suggested such a knee-wrecking route! Still, Kiara hills possesses the spirit of hill climbing and hill running.... but suffice to say, it was difficult for me.

Happy 1 month birthday running SIG!

We have almost 50 people signed up for the KLIM in various categories. We are very excited that this will be the event of the year for the running SIG - a special commemorative vest will be designed for us to show off our achievement during the run! Also, thanks to Kell Jay who managed to get Saucony samples which will be the brand of our new running SIG.

The beauty of forming a running SIG was really simple - we were going to motivate each other to run socially and competitively - we were also able to seek companions to run together and challenge each other to achieve their firsts this year.

We are planning to move our venue for next "training" session to Bukit Aman.

See you around in the next race.