Blessed for Blast - Mizuno Wave Run 2010

For being ignorable of the run and being an al-cheapo for not rwanting to spend the fee, I was caught at the very last moment. Few days before the weekend, a roundup of the medal collections, the Mizuno 2009 metal brought me into nostalgic mood. That seized me to test my luck should registration still open. Det and Hailmi told me perhaps limited number available on Saturday morning. I went in the afternoon, I was shut with a big NO from PACM. A try was a try. Had to keep to the original plan - gate crash. Only wanted to do the 10K drill. 

The Perskindol Team - Hancik, Rayzeef, Deo and me
(photo from Yim)

6.30 a.m. Det and me rolled off from kampung to UPM 15 minutes ride in the cold morning - parking issues had us decided for motorbike option. 6.45 a.m. right in-front of the sport complex gate we parked on the kerb. Orange people started to flood the stadium. Short run means longer warmups. We decided to spend 15 minutes around the track. We met Rozaimi, Det's neighbour. He handed me Asharul's bib (my neighbour and his in-law) since Asharul was down with fever. Blessed? Tell me about it.

I straight away ran to PACM booth for safety pins and rushed to the starting line for not wanting to be late as I did last year. The strategy was to be at the front pack should we want to make it worth at targetting something. We jumped the barricade as the mens' open category was flagged-off. I was running on the road shoulder most of the time just to stay clear from the main crowd and for ease of overtaking. Hills after hills at the first 5km of the run and HR wass going rather beserk. I tried pushing my luck should there be any chance to stay at LT level for an hour.

A red Mizuno 10.10.10 flew by which attracted me with it's awesome design. A second look to the feet, that particular Vibram was not mistakenly belongs to the ultra-trail runner Yim! As usual Yim was with his camera in hand but still managed to squeeze in between the crowd. Moments later we were shoulder to shoulder for some quick chat and photo snap. Exiting into wider road, we got separated for our own destiny. Echeh!

I plunged into higher revolutions up longer climbs and onto flatter plains. At times a shadowy pain in the tummy deterred me from going stronger. Perhaps from the Kit Kat I had earlier. "4K to go! Lets go!" A marshal shouted as we crossed the main road into the hostels area. Judging from the route terrain, there's gonna be another 2 to 3 inclines awaiting at every corner. I was already desperate to finish the run but the inner me kept on reminding to just focus on maintaining pace and gait. I obliged.

The hill have eyes! Yes, the last one and the sun shines right infront.  The same climb from last year and it wasn't any easier. It was like the Hamburger Hill where too many soldiers struggled and some defeated. I was again desperately targetting for the best sub 60 minutes. 53 minutes at the top of the climb. Shoving into higher gears, I gave chase towards the sports complex. 54 minutes at the entrance gate. Aiyo! 37 seconds for another 150 meters on the track. Where's the A category lane?! 44 seconds I stepped on the timing mat. Unofficial time. Voila! There you go. Moments later I was feasting watermelons, chill Milos and camwhoring with Yim, Hancik, Deo, Rayzeef and lots more Chap Ayam Runners buddies.

Enough with the blessed and blast, I rushed home with more home chores intervals to settle. Before that, I dropped by Asharul's house to pass him the goodies bag and thanked him for the bib. Nice meeting you guys. It's the small races like this that really brings the running spirit together. Adios!

Breath Right enhancement, thus the fertilized composed smell from UPM farm had me high
(thanks for the photo Yim)

Results are out:

Name : Asharul Huzairi Mohd Mansor (me in disguise)

Category A : Men Open

Chip time : 56:09:62

Gun time : 55:37:49

Split 1 : 32:26:89

Position:

Category : 99 / 1580

Gender : 162 / 2123

Overall : 172 / 2906