Tuesday 31 July 2012

Runners receive tips and expert advice - Twenty First Century Sports, organizer of BSN Putrajaya Night Marathon helps participants prepare for night run

Ahead of the BSN Putrajaya Night Marathon 2012 scheduled to be held on 20th October 2012, the organizer Twenty First Century Sports (TFCS) has been actively helping runners to prepare for the only sanctioned night marathon in Malaysia. Gauging from the encouraging response of the Putrajaya Night Marathon forum last year, TFCS decided to organize forums in various states this year to help participants prepare for the marathon.  TFCS had completed three forums held at The Zon Hotel, Johor Bahru on 16th of June 2012,  Sunway Pyramid, Selangor on 30th of June and at MS Garden Kuantan on the 28th July 2012. The forum in Kuantan received encouraging response from the Pacesetter Running Club, Kuantan.
 Among the panels who had fielded the forums were Dr Aparajitha Krishnan (Sports Physician, Hospital Sg. Buloh), Dr. Stella Chai (Consultant Podiatrist, Family Podiatry Centre), Chai Wen Jin (Nutritionist, National Sports Institute of Malaysia), Dr Syed Nashraf Shah (Orthopedist, Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital), Azimah Zakaria (Youth and Sports Officer, National Sports Institute of Malaysia) and Sidamparam a/l M.Periasamy (National Marathon Coach).
According to Nithiaseelan Vegayathunam, Director of TFCS & Race Director, “The right kind of training is very important especially as running a day marathon and one at night is very different. We do not want the participants to experience any mishap or injury during the run. The panelists that we have gathered at the forums are the best people to answer queries on diet, hydration, injury, footwear and training.”
Coach Sidamparam the first and only Malaysian to have won the KL Marathon, gave advice focusing on the mental aspect of the preparations as well as the training routines. He insisted that runners must focus on improving their own capabilities by having a disciplined training schedule. Coach Sidamparam also highlighted the need to be patient as everyone has a different body and limitations.  
On footcare, Dr. Stella Chai, Consultant Podiatrist said that there is no one true way to run, just as there is no one set of way to enjoy coffee. “There are multiple elements that can affect the way we run effectively. By recognizing and addressing the areas that affect this, we can improve performance. The type of feet that we are born with will determine our gait pattern and subsequent suitability for a certain running style and shoe. What is most effective for one runner, may cripple the other. Therefore, it is essential to consult a podiatrist for an expert assessment of your personal condition so that you can choose a running style and shoes that is compatible to your personal condition,” she added.
Having worked with TFCS for more than 6 years in all their runs, Dr. Aparajitha’s deep insight of the marathon scene was invaluable. “Blisters, sprains, strains, lacerations and heat illnesses are some of the usual conditions treated in the medical tent. Runners should actually aim to avoid the medical tent during the marathon. Hence, preparation is very important – warm-up routine, training, injury rehabilitation and self care are key elements that runners should look into before the big day,” said Dr. Aparajitha. 
When it comes to eating and drinking right, during the forum in Johor Bahru and Selangor, nutritionist Chai Wen Jin stressed that runners must prepare for a marathon at least a month before. Diet must be adjusted to incorporate high carbohydrate, low fat and a balanced protein intake. Meanwhile, to keep well hydrated, Chai advised runners to drink small doses frequently.
 “Having the forums in various states and giving participants from all around Malaysia and even Singapore the opportunity to exchange views and receive professional advice from these experts is one of TFCS’ efforts to ensure that the standard of BSN Putrajaya Night Marathon is elevated every year. The fact that so much is done even before the run itself shows how passionate we are for this much awaited running event!,” said Nithiaseelan.   The next BSN Putrajaya Night Marathon forum will be held in Pulau Pinang on the 1st of September 2012. For those interested to attend, visit www.bsnpnm.com or www.facebook.com/bsnPutrajayanightmarathon for updates and information. 

Panel of experts at the forum in Johor Bahru  

Forum in Selangor held at the Centrecourse, Sunway Pyramid

Participants of the forum in Kuantan

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