My 10th SCKLM

Last post was a year ago when I just started my job...again. It was rezki. However, His plan was better. My job lasted for 11 months when I decided to end my contract slightly before a year. The management changed and I don't see any future sticking around. Would be better I left. Hence, it's been 4 months now unemployed. Though with freelancing jobs now and then, things are not quite sustainable. I am looking and applying jobs here and there.

OK skip the ranting. I should be thankful, I can still enjoy the free time doing things that's beneficial and to my likings. I ran again at the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2019 for the 10th times I guess. Nope, not the marathon distance but merely an effort that I am obliged to commit which is the 21km. An event that shouldn't be missed by old and new runners. The only time that we can run on almost all roads in KL without harassment from motorists. Though I heard that some unlucky runners were hit by drunk drivers somewhere at MRR2. What a mishap?

When haze was gone only a few days before the event, it was a superb blessing for the country and especially us participants. However, some marathon participants were a bit reluctant due to under training and thought of the non-haze days were tough lucks for them. It was raining as early as 3.00 a.m. when the marathon runners had to beat the cold night making their way to Dataran Merdeka. I left home around 4.30 a.m. as usual by motorbike. The most efficient transport for marathon events. The rain had stopped but the cold was still hovering around the start line.

The crowd was superb mass. Thousands. I get the news later that day, they gathered 40 thousand runners in all categories. Such a huge upgrades from Malaysians.

Nothing new for me except accompanying Amir Nauf for his first running event and his first half marathon attempt. He's is young and energetic. Without a doubt he could finish strong. However, I decided to start with him from Pen 4 though I registered myself for Pen 3 - targeting 2:30, he seemed a bit nervous.

Two other friends from my college days called. We met up seconds before the gun went off. We decided to run together. As usual, this old kidney needs to lighten the load. Only 100 meters from the start line, I had to pee at the mobile loo. I can't afford the shaking bladder throughout the run.

The route remain the same as of previous years. Fajr prayer was early. I saw runners exiting the race course to perform prayers at Medan Tunku, Masjid Dang Wangi and by the road sides. I managed to reach Masjid Kampung Baru.

The early rain opened up to a beautiful morning. As we reached DUKE Highway, we met up with the marathon runners catching up their 30KM mark. The crowd grew until we reached Jalan Duta Hockey Stadium when the marathon runners turned into Bukit Tunku. I still remember my last marathon when they took me to that same route. It was the last 12KM and was solitary. Back then, participation for marathon category was less. Hence, the last few kilometers was less company. The hills in Bukit Tunku was mentally challenging.

However, we the half marathoners were served with Lebuhraya Mahameru ups and downs as well. All the way from Jalan Duta to Muzium Negara. With my running buddies, we stopped at all water station and paced ourselves again. At one of the hills, as I continued to run slowly up, they decided to walk.

My plan to survive to the end without walking worked out well. Though the overall average pace was slow, there was no special target for me in this race. I just wanted to be part of the biggest marathon in the country, just like what I did for the last 11 years.