The Perfect Plan

Talking about crazy? I dunno but the races that bloom like mushrooms lately really drives me to the edge. My body tells me that I have yet to recover from Sundown's weekend but my mind's been telling me "Go for it, dude!". I have yet to look at my race calendar and voila! a new event crept in like I stared at my buddy's blog blankly. Whoa! Can or not? The mind starts to tremble and been digesting it for days. Blog entries keep flowing in with the event details. Aiyo!

I've always love the forest. I've been into the mud and dirt thing for ages. Love the smell of the damped ground. Admire the beauty of God's creation. Been accepting myself as one tiny creation compared to the vast giant greenery every time I'm out there. Lots of stuff I've been through that perhaps taught me the meaning of appreciation and how tiny I am and how great the world is. Like they say, The World is Just Awesome!

I've been on mountains, into deep valleys and dark caves, crossing cold and wild rivers, slept soaked in rains for nights, enjoying hot coffee on a log by the river - the best-est moment, encountered wildlife, clinging for life from a rope at 30 feet cliff and more other beautiful memories that made me a better person right now. Nature is one hell of a classroom. Now I sounded like Bear Grylls la pulak.

The North Face 100 Singapore is really one awesome race but hey! I have to shelve it for other things. I'll spare my Kanadia for it next year and perhaps for POR with Ian and Syah. Unless miracle come knocking on my door, I might reshelve the whole end of year freaking running fiesta. However, the FEE is the other main concern here. Phew! We are talking no less than 300 bucks! Ammah!

I just to have to put it straight on - as of right now. Priority is priority. I have missions and passions for this year, so I might as well stick to it. Like Zaki listed it up in his race schedule for 2010, perhaps it works for me as well to just spread it out so as not to cloud myself on top of doing laundry and ironing :P

Nearest around the corner - 17 days to go. Yikes! would be KL-Marathon. I have one more weekend for LSD! OMG! Trembling now as I look at the calendar three times to confirm. Affirmative. I gotta have a boost. Gotta get something for a mantra.

Two weeks after KL-Marathon - July 11, the 23rd Seremban Half Marathon. Like I said earlier, this is another of those race mushrooms. For 12 bucks, this is one rare cheap fee - equal the toll price from KL and back. As the running bug still dangling on my toes, I've signed up for it. The bib is way so wide, I can cover half my waist :P I've been eyeing this race since last few years but the running craze didn't caught me back then. Do I have the legs to run it after KL-Marathon? No idea. Perhaps Cendol Leman Dawi would do the trick. Haha!

Another week after that, Siemens Run. That should be a fast 10K. Done registering. I missed it last year. Perhaps another get together race for fellow running friends. 20 bucks.

Another week after that, PD Triathlon. Am I gutsy enough for it? God knows. That depends on how liquified I am with the swimming class. 70 bucks for the Sprint Cat. 100 for the OD. This clashes with the Malakoff University Duahtlon (MUD) Series at UPNM. 50 bucks for a 3.9km run - 13.8km cycle - 3.9km run. I'll give this one a skip.

Another week after, MUD Series 2 at UM. Another 50 bucks should I want to sign up. Nah! I might opt for Men's Health Night Run at Putrajaya for 40 bucks. I'll get a 12.3km run with perhaps another year of awesome goodies and loads of post race snacks. Brought my family last year and they enjoyed the fiesta. Cool. But I've yet to register for this one. Closing is July 10th, 2.00 p.m. at FTAA or at http://www.hoohaa.asia/.

Another week, MUD Series 3 at UPM. OK, perhaps I'll give this one a shot. One last run-ride before Ramadhan.

However, the fasting month will never be quiet. In fact, it was one hectic Ramadhan for last year. We have kampung runs after Tarawih prayer once or twice a week and night cycling at Putrajaya till the wee hours every Friday. This year is never an exception I guess. Especially there will be one running Prada race smack two weeks right after Aidilfitri. That would the Newton 25km Challenge brought by 2XU. Registered. 60 bucks paid.

A week after that, Adidas King of the Road at the haunted Shah Alam stadium - like Ronnie said. Date have been fixed at October 3rd. Details of the race have yet to be out. Stay tuned.

Only two races in October. The next one will be Mizuno Wave Run at UPM hilly course two weeks later. 11km for 30 bucks but please be caution of car break-ins. Lots of runners turned victim last year. Haven't sign up. Gate crashing? Hmmm...

A month later, November 14th will be Powerman Malaysia. Fee-fi-fo-fum! I smell revenge in the blood. Last year's road trip was awesome but not the race. It was hell-ish. I burnt everything I got. 150 bucks for toast and grill under the Seri Manjung freaking hot sky. God speed I'll sign up for it. Early bird period closes on July 31st. My July pay cheque will fund this one :)

Last year, Penang Bridge International Marathon came 2 weeks after Powerman and I had to miss it. I might just go pokai if I travel up north twice in a month. This year is no exception either. One week gap only. Aiyo! November 21st. A running getaway for the family might be fun though, if I just keep it to the half marathon cap. Will require the skill of an accountant to pull me through November. 35 bucks for halfy and 55 for full length of the bridge.

Last but not least, I've signed up for Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore - even before I run for KL-Marathon. What was I thinking? Beats me. Sign up first, think later. How much did I pay for it? I can't remember - talk to the hand.

All in all, I will have three marathons in 2010 oppose to the earlier plans of having only one. The passion just grew stronger and I can't deny it. The constant pounding is just simply irresistable. And the total cost for all events that I've signed up and will, goes to approximately 500 bucks. Double-ammah! Despite all these, other agendas have yet to be considered. I've heard about weddings coming through after Aidilfitri and definitely will have to sacrifice one of those weekend races. Phew! Lights out.