FTAAA Cross Country 2011 - The Otais' War

Running makes me humble. With the constant pounding on the very dirt I came from, it sure does reminds me how puny I am. The humbler I am, perhaps the more minimalist I could be. Unlike cycling, it can drift me away into the world of materials. Seated on a 500 bucks saddle can easily turn oneself into an overbearing pride and plain ignorance. Top up the equation with a fifteen grand speed machine, you'll be on top of the world looking down on everybody. Thus, there goes the saying "The moment we tell the world of our greatness, that's where we lost it."

What was that all about? OK, perhaps a bit of off-topic intro. Lol.

First official run race for 2011. And also my first race in the Fantastic Four-ty Category. Junior Veteran already! Woot! And soon I will know how high is the sky for me. Start small - 6km to be precised. Slowly I'll add up together with the so-called unplanned fun-fun LSD soon. Besides, no specific training for this kind of race. I'm taking a risk here but wisdom should pull me through...I hope. Decided to ditch Bagan Lalang ride and have a go with a quick race & hit home before neighbours wake up. Besides, cranking high milage weeks after weeks kinda draining, especially when a good calm Sunday evening at home is more preferred.

With FTAAA organising, old fashion race with lots of otais behind the mic and counters was expected. No timing chip, no timing mat. No cables connected to laptops. Just the cupon we brought for checking in and get our bibs checked. They tossed the mic around, almost like arcapella la pulak. Too many people wanna talk. Race route briefing was the best. No map what so ever, this guy simply give directions verbally. His memory so strong one. Di sebelah kanan mesjid, di depannya mini market! Lol.

Oh! And they even announced the top 30 will be enlisted for SEA Games selection! Are they serious?! That's when we laugh so loud.

They changed the venue to Padang Merbuk since Lake Garden is under renovation, so they informed. Quite a lovely morning, with small and joyous crowd. I came with Rozaimi, separately on our bikes, zooming through Jalan Loke Yew and into KL in the dark of the morning. Met Ray and Che moments later into my warm up run which quickly turned into a laughing stock once we gathered for the briefing. Yes, short runs require long warm ups. I just jogged around the venue a few rounds cause I know there won't be any chance for a slow start. A little bit of muscle stiffness from yesterday's run in the calves and quads.



See! All otais one!

The Men's Open were flagged off first and the rest of the categories (6km) moments later. No one I knew as I scanned the starting parade. Nah! I will just run and make new friends and foes as the battle begins. Yes, they still have the gun! Pah! (does it sound like that aaa?) Suddenly I saw all these otais dashing away from the rest of the categories. Wallawey! All show their race faces, you know la with all those mustaches, white, grey hairs, calves like pistons inside some more! Nope. No compression wears. None. Vest and 3 inch shorts. Pure breed running shoes, some socksless. Perhaps I kinda missed a lot of this short races while I was busy with marathons kan? And so these are the geeks that really race hard & seriously.

Adding to the pschye, it was all the way inclining from the start. Aiyo! And I had issues trying to be in the group. I know that not everybody could sustain the long stress, so I saw one by one slowed down as we further climb Istana Selangor. Slowly engaging the gears, I crept among them and made my way to the top hoping I left the whole bunch and take a breather. Nah! I was wrong! They caught with me on the descending part la pulak. Aiyo! Again I had to catch up. Luckily la the trail stretch was just around the corner. Welcome to Kiasu off-road running! Steep sections and slippery, still these lunatics want to overtake like bulls rampaging stupidly. Aaaw! Common! I can't stand the selfishness, and so I joined them. No, not the idiotic type of overtaking. Excuse me, runner on your right! Haaa...macam tu la. Not Bangla style "Elo! Elo! Air panas! Air panas!"

It was not quite enjoyable. So crowded and too technical. Thorns all over the place. The safety ribbons they laid was not helping either. Once people pull it off, it serves as hazards and tend to knot your legs. Killer! I thought the end was near when I saw Jalan Mahameru as the sky was visible. Nah! There were muds on the pavement. What? DBKL baru siram ayaq ka pagi tadi? Mau tambah challenge. A few guys walking cautiously not to dirty their shoes. I just whacked on and I know the challenge is not over. Just not yet.

We ran along an incline. I mean along, not up straight up. Was a bit tricky though. Saper lutut takde alignment memang confirm balik pi kedai tayar. I thrushed on, still trying to leave some of the familiar faces earlier. Yep. I remember there were quite a handful of these otais clinging with the same pace as me and we kept on overtaking each other. Then there were steps, garden steps. Once reaching the top, besides Tugu Negara, I was relieved the some of them bowed to the climb. First WS. Just a gulp. No time! Must run!

Down from Tugu Negara towards Jalan Parlimen. Ooops! A few otais managed to catch up and zoom down ahead of me. Nope, I must maintain pace and recover. Along Jalan Parlimen towards Carcosa junction, I desperately maintaining gait and posture for not losing to late fatigue. Steps down into Lake Garden, and still only one infront and no one behind. Suddenly, out of nowhere, three of these otais overtook me. Those wearing C and D bibs some more! Aaaw! Common guys! Don't you guys ever get tired?! One otai even gave me a pad on the shoulder and smile. What was that? I took it that the war wasn't over yet eh?

Trying to keep them visible, though the gap is growing as we circle the lake. They sure are fast on flats. No way I can beat them. The steepest section awaits. One mother climb. Short but very steep. It's a wall actually. I ran three quarter of it before parading to the top with the rest of the otai class. The Memorial was at the top, and down we go along Taman Rusa. Now no more otais around me. Just one, and he overtook me on the descending which I embrace the fact, I can't catch up with you nod.

More twisting and turnings and mini steep climbs in Lake Garden, maintaining visibility of this guy. It was so relieving once I saw Jalan Parlimen again. Yeay! I saw Arif & Frank on the other side, finishing their LSD perhaps. Was so happy, I called out their names and waved. They showed blur faces, perhaps exhausted. Never mind. And I don't know why I was so happy also. Lol. Perhaps the sufferings almost over I guess. I just ran towards Padang Merbuk. I saw small crowds at the venue. Seems like less than 70 people and chances I reward myself with medal are high. Medals are given to top 70 only for our category - 10 winning medals + 60 finisher medals. Unlike Men's Open, they have up to 100 medals. Now I know why la these otais so competitive one.

I just made sure no C or D runner behind to add to the pressure, so I embraced the Finish line with fullest satisfaction. Phew! And remember this otai who pad and smile whilst overtaking me? He just collected his medal and waved at me acknowledging me as comrades. Way to go! I got 21st placing. 10 before me, strong ones I'm certained. I need to work my way up that rank and I mean hardwork for next year. And again, where do these otais come from?

Chap Ayam Runners. Been awhile

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