Was only able to overcome the "lazy to start running" syndrome 2 weeks before the event. Crazy kan? Especially when a few advises told that "ok punya since dah biasa kayuh, so stamina should be ok". The truth was discovered on that day.
Four of us started off our journey from my place with a zillion traffic obstacles at late Saturday morning. After almost 45 minutes resolving "how to place 4 bikes on a Wira" puzzle, we hit the gas. Heard that there was a reformasi gathering in the city, so all roads entering KL were choked, I mean really choked! KL-Seremban highway bumper to bumper from Kajang. I can go crazy if stucked in there. We opted to take the outer city highway which doubles the distance & time...janji tak jem.
Successfully reaching Seri Manjung at 4.30 p.m. after a pleasant journey listening to the 1600 music collections from our in house iPod DJ. Tunes ranged around 70's to 80's. We were singing along with the Pet Shop Boys, Level 42, Spandau Ballet, Dato' Shake & lots more.
Just in time to get the timing chip and checked in at Lead View Hotel. Attended the briefing and took the last light before sun down to recce the cycling route since almost everybody was excited to tell about the majestic climb up the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Bridge. Yes, the recce trip definitely made us crazy where we decided to feast on ikan Gerut masak halia for dinner to chase the bridge fear away. Marina cove of Teluk Batik was the spot.
Come race day, each of us put on our race face still baring in mind about the ikan Gerut. We cycled to the transition point and started to stretch & warm up while enjoying the race climate with all those elite athletes, foreign & locals. Semua muka sungguh-sungguh mau race punya.
Our sprint cat start-off at 7.50am with the first 5.5km run around the sport complex through a nearby housing area. Managed to survive with minor cursings. The cycle part was awesome for 3/4 of the 32km route before both my tibial surrounding muscles started to inflict pain. Most of the cyclist that I overtook caught up & left me struggling...argh! The 31km/hr pace flew away in agony. The right leg and followed by the left one. I can't even spin the crank. Every effort was painful. To unclip was totally out of the question cause it will bring the bike & me down by the roadside. A quick gulped of the powergel took me about 2 painful minutes before I was able to race back to the stadium.
The second run was done with precaution as not to kill my legs. My task was to finish it...running, not walking, though it has to be a miilion small running steps. Was overtook again by the participants I left behind during cycling league. Tension oooo...
After 2hr14min20sec of war against me, I crossed the finish line. The rest of the day felt awesome when we decided to reward ourselves with unstoppable food bazarre from Seri Manjung back to KL. Award lunch at Dewan MPM. Shopped for ikan bilis at Lumut. Laksa asam at Padang Polo, Ipoh & mee bandung at my home before we close our 2007 Seri Manjung chapter.
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