NBE30

No it's not N.B.E. as of Non-Biological Extraterrestrial like Lord Megatron or such. It is something that perhaps will resemble this Sunday's New Balance Everlasting-hills 30km bravado. Yes, they will be using the all time favourite Bukit Tunku-Sri Hartamas stretch but where they put the tiny pimple called Double Hill is the main concern here.

In Great Eastern 2009 we faced Double Hill in the early hour of the run...in reverse. So, scaling those hills in the pitch black morning had us skipped our sight of the majestic grannies. The only hills visible that morning was Plaza Damas and the one behind Sri Hartamas school. Yes, I remember that spot was so taxing. My post run assessment rated the route as DIFFICULT.

However, from race map courtesy of Mr. Ronnie's blog, the mission seems near suicide. No wonder they didn't reveal the route map earlier. Last year I had the chance to strategize my race & study the route milage by milage. Cut short of all the normal LSD route, now here is the extravagance of it.

At KM20, we will take Double Hill from rumah P.Ramlee (that's what I call the place since the architecture reminds me of those days). We shall meet up Tijani route again (no idea which bypass will that be) and climb up that steep short peak before turning right exiting at Lebuhraya Mahameru. Perhaps, prior to reaching Mahameru runners will whack through more magnificent elevation gain. Then, it's the usual unforgiving Wisma Tani climb towards Istana Selangor, winding through tapered road to Tugu Negara. I say taper because the super elevation (engineering term for road cross falls) can be strenuous on tired knees. Lari senget sebelah! Linearly that will cover 6km.

Approaching KM27 to the end, the story will continue with the final chapter of Merry-go-round and Melly go-slow. Ammah! We will have to pass by Padang Merbuk, wave hands to the crowd at the event venue and say "bye-bye because I want to cry some more!". It's all the way back to Dato' Onn roundabout, passing Bank Negara, KTM commuter station and new Bank Negara...again! Double Ammah! if only it taste like curry, I'd love to say it twice. This will probably falls into insane phase of the run. It's either I will have to diminish my IQ and run in grief or be wise. There's two more days to go and perhaps I shall spend more time muhasabah diri and anchoring myself.