Powerhills NB-PACM 30k

L-R: Nizam, Shuk, Hanchik, Ian, Shaq, Amsyah, Saiful, Diket

L-R(F): Shaik, Fazil, Upiq

The inaugural Pacesetters 30km run never stops entertaining participants with hills, hills and more hills. It was like a nightmare for some and communal for others. Sights of runners struggling and some lost the battle brought me back to the movie Hamburger Hill. It was a battle between quads and valor. Those inclines were really killing and dampening the faint hearts. Twittering beeps of heart rate monitors reflecting the labour state of ones engine. Hills after hills awaited everyone. Small & steep ones. Long & grannies. Some even didn't allow for recoveries, especially the Wisma Tani & Istana Selangor inclines. Those really almost zapped my guts away. It's the best route involving least traffic disturbance, well actually more like motorists harassing runners (SCKLM 2009 experience).

However I came 98% prepared, mentally most of it, and responded valiantly like dodging a dogdeball coming at 220kph. I never train for hills. Perhaps the most rigorous hill repeats was my previous Salomon appearance. That was a month ago. The thought of attempting Double Hill during my LSDs never hovered. But the key of it is strength. The current plan I employ allows for strength key workouts. So far, it has been proven workable today. Alhamdullillah.

My yarn started Saturday evening with two dinners. Early dinner/carbo load with family followed by unplanned neighbourhood dinner function. Though my initial plan was only as a social obligation, but the menu was undeniable. I ended up reaching home at 10.00 p.m. bloated. Took me an hour to at least settled the initial digestion stage while killing time nursing my son, pinned up the bib and lacing up the timing chip while smiling away to Liverpool's continuing blunder. The pre-race anxiety never fails hooking me up during my sleep as I tossed and turned for at least another hour. 3.30 alarm went off & I know that I was still digesting my dinner. A munch of the tiniest granular bar would not be a good idea.

Met up with the rest at Bukit Aman at 4.30am & walked towards Padang Merbuk for the flagged-off. I was a bit 50-50 about my strategy which I didn't had time to attend to. Hence, my initial run was a bit cautious. Nicely paced myself out of the second kilometre into Jalan Parlimen where I met Kash. She was a bit surprised to see me way back from the rest of the buddies. We chatted a while which I didn't remember what was it about & paced on. Still contemplating.

Climbing Bukit Tunku in pitch black was a bit wobbly. It was not even 6.00am and the streetlights already off? Caught up with Shuk at the peak. Approaching Jalan Duta, azan from Masjid Wilayah can be heard. Our mission is Petronas Sri Hartamas. Nizam and me caught up with Amsyah and we continued on. Reaching Dutamas, the front runners had already u-turned. Pergh! So fast eh? Their stride were strong and determined especially the non-Kenyans i.e. our local runners. You guys have my uppermost admiration. We had our fajr solat at Petronas and continued on. It was KM13 and I was hoping there's a water station soon for my first powergel. Just at the bottom of Plaza Damas hill, I was joyful to whizz down my first food.

My pace towards Matrade was raised. Caught up with Amsyah, again, but I was busy ignoring another runner who was either pacing me or trying to challenge me. It seemed like he was pushing himself against the long incline & at the same time giving me some hard time with his horrible pace & peptalks. The disgusting moments lasted for the next 2km when he suddenly burst from beside me and left me in peace. Lega! You won't last long if you keep doing that buddy. As I reached Jalan Duta, the 20km runners have started flooding the scene. I was fascinated to see more runners coming in. Managed to wave at Haza. Ooops! I got carried away with the excitement. I forgot about my next mission, to complete in 3 hours. I know that Double Hill and it's siblings will jumble up my pace but perhaps it's a long shot.

The first and perhaps the most killer incline suffered most runners. Met Nik Arief and a few others including the suicide-pace guy. I hurriedly passed him to avoid another episode of unnecessary confrontation. Up and down. Free powergel before going down. Up again and down again. Approaching Mahameru, I saw a familiar figure. It was Nik! His bobbing white cap propelled my effort. A quick snap from his trusted camera & he jokingly reminded me not to get lost again like in Salomon. Hahaha! My laughter almost cost me a tummy cramp. Sheesh! Nik stayed with his pace & I continued chasing my assignment.

Ignoring the taxing route of Istana Selangor and repeating Jalan Parlimen & Jalan Dato Onn, I pushed on. Met AJ and said Hi. There was stillness in the air as I climbed the second last rise at KTM Bank Negara. Only a few us and everyone was keeping it to themselves. Muhasabah diri kot and that includes me. I was in search for the last kilometre but there was 4 minutes to go. The last climb was unacceptable but it's the only way to the finish line. No use cursing la dude. Push and the glory is yours. Fortunately it was a 500 metres downhill to stop my watch at 3:03:51. Though I didn't achieve it but all is good and I was glad that the race was so enjoyful with friends and satisfying. Alhamdullillah I thanked Allah for his mercy and wifey for the anchorings.