Pelari tegar

Eversince I followed a lot of runners' blogs and read them day by day, being inspired and learned about their skills surviving a day's life squeezing in runs and workouts, I read the word "pelari tegar" so often. That is from CAR's blog la. I also found more of the word in the newspapers and on TV. It sounds a bit funny but strong at the same. Anyway, I ran with 10 other "pelari tegar" to Sri Hartamas and back this weekend.

My pre-LSD day was so bad. I got stuck in the office without connection to the worldwide web & a dateline to meet. Weather outside was mad, with thunderstorm in mid-morning, humid in the afternoon and another whack of thunderstorm in late evening. As usual Klang Valley was paralysed, given the fact that it was also Friday evening. My Wednesday's sore throat got better but my running nose went from bad to worse. I was so chilled that the body started responding to near fever as I arrived home.

I had early dinner and pampered myself away for an early siesta hoping for a full rest. Mind was thinking hard that I can make it through the night for full recovery. I was looking forward for Saturday's LSD knowing the crowd and the need for it before NB30k next week.

5.00am alarm went off. Dragged my half awake legs to the bath & ready for a morning cold drive to Bukit Aman. Met the rest of buddies & performed our Subuh. By 6.37am we headed to Sri Hartamas at a conversational pace, it's LSD and I'm so determined that I can survive this although it was barely 6 months I have not ran here. And also realizing that I was about 98% recovering from a night's fever. AND, NB30k is next week dude!

Weather was great. Perhaps every drop of drain has gone down Klang River by now. It was still dark as we passed Bank Negara. When bloggers run together, it was fun. We talked a lot about blog writeups & how we fascinate other bloggers' entries & how they inspire us. Talk and talk and talk, we finally reached Sri Hartamas for a quick purchase of drinks & a breather. No time wasted, the journey back to Bukit Aman continued with good pace & faith. Though we got strung out surviving the undulating terrain of Plaza Damas & back to Jalan Duta, it seemed most of us were in good wellbeing. We regrouped at Jalan Duta and paced out each other all the way back to Bukit Aman.

I started feeling the lack of full fever recovery upon approaching Padang Merbuk & Bukit Aman. Running mechanics turned uneconomical. I was struggling to maintain a good pace. I knew that it was time to listen. Dude, take it easy la. OK. OK. Cool it dude. The final push back into carpark and that's it. Clocking 2:03 for a 20.13km was not bad at all pacing an average of 6.08. Need to refuel, and I mean fast. Stomach was rumbling like kenduri kahwin. A quick dashed for mee hun goreng at Tangling followed by NB30k bib collection at Hotel Singgahsana. Met up with some old friends. Spent the remaining time recuperating at home.

My Sunday ride was abandoned. A last minute text from Saiful informing he had to cancel his ride. With my half contemplating mind plus half ailing, I accepted the fact of no Sunday ride...again.