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.

Was that a LSD?

When there were no upcoming event, I became lazy to run on weekday mornings as I did before. There was simply no motivation. I just wait for weekends. The recent weekend was not as interesting as the last two, hence I had to push myself at least for something to sweat about.

My other half had plans to spend the morning in Putrajaya with her siblings, which includes breakfast and breeze walking by the lake. I on the other hand must arrange for another plan at the same venue. I brought along my running shoes and the rest of the attire.

For motivation, I fixed a mission, to test a new running application I downloaded on my phone. Yes, I know I am kind of not-up-to-date despite the existence of the apps many moons ago. I'm trying to inspire myself here.

It was the Runkeeper apps. I still remember having to use Endomondo and Daily Miles. Perhaps this one had some twicks for improvement. 

I started from Monumen Alaf Baru, the torpedo shape structure and cruise my slow pace along the lake taking me behind the Tuanku Mizan Mosque, the Putrajaya Flora Fest venue towards the bridge before PICC.

The yellow concrete pavement was hard on my feet, hence I had to carefully pounce them in order to avoid any reasons to ditch the run. There were many recreation cyclists both families and small groups that I came across. Only a handful of runners. Once in a while I came across the 100 Plus Outrunner directional signage, which will take place that evening. I thought that the lanes could be a bit narrow to cater for the run.

I crossed under the bridge and ran to other side only to find a more secluded place though it seemed like more nice place to run and cycle due to the absence of traffic. But, I decided to turn back and continue my way back while the sun started stinging my back.

It was a great run and the humidity simply threw in buckets of sweat after the run.

Runkeeper seemed OK for the first time using it. Though I found some glitches like inconsistencies recording the current running pace, but I don't mind. I might try it during the next run.

See how slow I am now? Yes, I still enjoy running

Apa Aku Buat Hari Tu...?

Gegaran dan desakan untuk terus mencari kasut trail running menghantui aku. Memandangkan Projek Mendaki Gunung Semangkuk pada minggu ke-3 bulan ni, aku dah tak sanggup nak pakai Salomon tu. Tambahan lagi kami dijangka akan menghabiskan masa trekking dengan average 8-12 jam untuk both days. Maka, amatlah penting sekali kaki aku disarungkan ke dalam sepasang kasut yang sangat selesa bagi mengelakkan pemberontakan di luar kawalan.

Aku dah mengalami gejolak jiwa kacau hampir kronik. Jumaat pagi aku ke Mitsui, Sepang. Ini yang best jadi boss dan kuli dalam masa yang sama, takde sesiapa kisah. Harapan aku ke Mitsui ialah depa mungkin dah restock kasut sejak my last visit a week ago. Aku assume depa ikut macam Nike Outlet, restock barang seminggu sekali on every Thursday.

Aku terus ke Adidas Outlet. Berlakon macam first time sampai, padahal dah tau kasut mana yang nak grab. Takde pulak Response Trail Boost yang aku belek last week. Seorang brader yang nampak peramah approach aku & terus aku tanya pasal kasut trail running. Seemed that he's good at his job. Dia terus pi cari and brought back the shoes, probably the pair from my recent recon. Unlike some other SA, they seemed to have no clue of what product they are selling. Bila aku tanya trail running shoes, depa pi tunjuk kasut lari. Rasa macam nak apply kerja kat Adidas je, bantu & share knowledge to people about sports product.

He brought me size 8UK. I tried it on. Obviously I already knew that it's too huge for me, plus some reviews said that the shoes are a bit roomy on the forefoot. However, it seemed nice tatkala aku bergaya berjalan depan cermin. The colour does matched with the greenery as well.

Aku mencuba nasib to get more info about the restocking process. He said that restocking is done every Friday and items are being send over since they have received the email list that morning. That's today! Jackpot! Aku mintak tolong dia check ada tak Response Trail Boost dalam list tu. Brader ni dengan ikhlas terus ke counter dan check dalam komputer. Aku terus berdoa.

He came back and brought sad news. I requested for the outlet's phone number just in case boleh check semula every week. Dah takde kerja lain agaknya nak check stock?

While driving back home, this mind is working non-stop. He did mention that another Adidas Outlet is at Johor Premier Outlet. I Google-ed their phone number and gave them a call. I know these people are helpful, hence I straight away asked about the shoe. 

Moments later the SA said the words "Ya! Ada bang. Kami ada size UK7 dan UK8." The words that saved the world. And he followed with some discounts promotion which I didn't quite catch the details.

Apa lagi? Aku terus text my nephew in JB and get him to execute the salvation mission. He went later that evening and shared some photos for confirmation. As a bonus, the promotion did reduces the shoe price by half with 5 pairs of socks thrown in. Alhamdulillah.

In the mean time, I have to work out these legs for Gunung Semangkuk. I have 3 weeks which I hope my sprained ankle won't give up on me. Insyaa Allah.

There you go. Please be loyal unlike Salomon :)

Trail Running Shoes

Aku pun tak pasti kenapa jiwa aku dah kembali dirasuk oleh alam hutan. Sejak kembali aktif dengan sahabat-sahabat kejiranan dalam aktiviti hutan ni, mula dah hilang feel nak kayuh basikal. Akal Bujal ni sentiasa aje memikirkan plan outdoor.

After our trip up Mt. Kinabalu, I injured myself. Due to the level of injury and aging factor, the recovery was slow. Now dah masuk hampir sebulan tapi ankle kiri masih sengal akibat terseliuh kat Kinabalu Summit Trail. Masa nak balik turun ke Timpohon Gate, aku terkelendat kaki kiri sewaktu pijak salah satu boulder yang agak licin.

Last two weeks aku hiked to Kem Lolo with my kids and neighbours. The gripping uppersole of Salomon membuatkan kaki kiri aku menjerit. If I want to keep on hiking in the future, I need to replace the Salomon.

So the homework and recon works pun bermula. Kembali membaca trail running shoes review dan window shopping. Dah lama aku tinggalkan kerja ni. Dan dah macam-macam jenis kasut trail run yang tak pernah aku jumpa. 

To cut short the story, aku rasa dah boleh shortlist the options.

• Aku tak pilih New Balance sebab rasanya design dah tak sejiwa dengan aku. Design dan pilihan warna yang agak pelik untuk usia aku. Aku tak tengok harga sebab astetik pun dah awal kena strike out.

• Aku revisit Brooks Cascadia. Aku pernah ada Cascadia Pure Grit. Antara yang pernah aku belasah sebagai all rounder dari trail running, hiking, bike touring dan sneakers buat jalan-jalan. Disebabkan multi function, aku bagi thumbs up, tambah pulak aku beli di warehouse sale semurah RM150 sahaja. Tapi sekarang Cascadia 10 dah RM400+. Aku cancel.

• Salomon? Price too steep. Selepas aku lenjan XA Pro 3D ke Pine Tree Trail, Gunung Datuk, Gunung Bunga dan eventually Mt. Kinabalu, aku rasa aku pernah pakai kasut yang lebih selesa dari Salomon dan jauh lebih murah.

• Nike. Antara jenama dan design yang paling aku minat tapi tak pernah bertemu jodoh, walaupun running shoes dia. Aku pernah ada Nike ACG dan memang puas hati. Kasut tu juga terkubur di tong sampah Stesen Keretapi Dabong sebaik aku tamatkan misi Gunung Stong. Kali ni aku terpikat dengan Nike Terra Kiger 3. Design yang habis minimalist dengan pilihan warna yang simple but yet attractive. Puas hati aku tawaf separuh kedai Nike dan Stadium di KL mencari size, cuma ada beberapa outlet yang availabe. 

Nike Terra Kiger 3

• Eventually aku came across sepasang kasut yang agak pelik di kedai Adidas. Dah banyak outlet aku menerubus tapi boleh pulak outlet ni aje yang aku jumpa Response TR Boost ni. Aku ada jumpa di Mitsui sebelum ni tapi sebabkan takde saiz, jadi aku abaikan pencarian. Tapi kali ni aku test sarung sepasang. Mantop gak feel dia. Balik terus baca online review. Setakat yang aku baca, majoriti bagi good review walaupun tak semua kata perfect. Biasa lah tu.

Adidas Response TR Boost

Pre-conclusion aku belum buat tapi setakat ni aku berat kepada Response TR Boost. Nike Terra Kiger 3 mungkin aku kena abaikan sebab penggunaan aku bukan setakat trail run aje. Aku akan lenjan juga untuk hiking dan daki gunung, just like the old days. Hence, the minimalist concept yang ada pada TK3 aku rasa tak cukup untuk beri protection pada kaki aku.

Lanun - Prolog

Last weekend kami jadi hantu runner. Hantu runner yang dah lama meninggalkan pekerjaan berlari. Asyik jadi hantu basikal je.

Sebaik aje aku turunkan basikal dari kereta setelah pulang dari Kuantan 2 minggu yang lepas, macam gitu lah lagi keadaannya di tepi tangga rumah. Terbalik, dan tayar di sisi. Nasib baik dah siap-siap basuh kat homestay. If not, mau bersemut saddle and bartape macam basikal Det. Tu citer dulu-dulu :P

Menjelang hujung minggu, rasa keinginan nak berkayuh tu tak mai langsung. Maybe aku dah muak dan jelak. Maybe badan aku memberi signal untuk merehatkan kaki kayuh & punggung ku yang dah hampir leper. Until dah sampai hari Jumaat yang kononnya selalu kami laungkan TGIF!, masih belum ada apa-apa plan. Actually dari tanda-tanda biologi, aku masih terasa penat agaknya.

Masa weekend aku diselamatkan dengan adanya kaum yang sedang training untuk Standard Chartered KL Marathon. Cantek sangat. 

Geng Orang Kampung pakat-pakat lambung untuk lari berkumpulan sekitar kampung halaman dengan jarak siuman. Dengan window masa yang aku ada hanya sejam, aku petik untuk lari 5KM je, so sempat balik hantar anak pi sekolah. Ramai jugak yang menimang lambungan aku. Eventually, berlonggok lah kami berlari-lari macam zaman dulu-dulu seramai 5 orang. 

Antara ungkapan dalam hati seorang customer nasi lemak tepi jalan sebaik terlihat kami, "Eh?! Dah lama aku tak nampak geng Kenya Sawo Matang ni. Ada lagi rupanya."

Pace sesedap rasa membuatkan kami langsung takde rasa penyesalan, walaupun dah berabad rasanya tak berlari. Itu tanda-tanda dah mula dapat feel agaknya.

Menjelangnya Ahad, aku masih samar-samar dengan plan apa aku nak buat. Plan untuk kayuh pun masih open dan tiada satu pun yang aku confirm-kan. Di awal subuh yang hening tu jugak lah aku terima lambungan Det untuk melanun di Mizuno Wave Run. Maka jadi lah ia Pirate Chasing Wave Run.

La ni MWR dah jadi 16km. Fee seperti dahulu lagi, sejak aku last join secara halal, masih tetap mahal. Tapi dulu cuma 11km di UPM. La ni di Putrajaya, maybe depa nak justify distance & fee. Iyo lah. Aku sekadar nak ambik feel lari semula, so kemeriahan event macam ni cukup untuk kembalikan mood. Kalau lari kat kampung, kompom 1000 satu macam alasan nak mengelat.

Disebabkan dah lama tak berkejaran di hening pagi untuk ke race venue, maka pergerakan bowel aku juga mengalami masalah timing. Dah sampai PoJ baru dia nak 'panggil'. Maka dengan gimmick muka tenang aku merayau dari satu blok ke satu blok bangunan kerajaan mencari. Queue yang paling pendek aku pilih, so tak lah jenuh berdiri dalam ruang tertutup Alam Flora tu.

Tinggal lagi 4 orang depan aku, horn pun berbunyi tanda peserta 16km dah dilepaskan. Dua orang depan aku dah tunjuk muka cemas lantas depa teruih ciao. Maybe depa mau target podium. Yang lagi 2 terpaksa buat muka kelat sabar menanti, tak sanggup menghadap bala yang akan menimpa sekiranya hajat tak ditunaikan.

Eh?! Apa ni citer benda-benda gross?

OK. OK. Ada lah lebih kurang 5 minit baru aku terpinga-pinga sampai di start line. Anggapan aku, Det dan Zahrol dah ciao. Takpe, memang aku pesan kat depa tak yah tunggu. Rupa-rupanya depa tunggu jugak. Konon tanpa depa, aku nak mengelat & lari sama-sama kategori 7km udah ler.

Depa ajak belasah aje follow 16km dengan saki baki peserta yang baru nak start jugak. So kami pun cangkuk la ekor-ekor peloton yang ada.

Yang syioknya start dari belakang ni ialah kami dapat overtake runners sedikit demi sedikit. Lebih kurang macam motivasi la jugak, konon lajuuuu.

Di sudut hati aku masih berkira-kira nak khatam kan larian sampai 10km aje, lepas tu chicken loop kat mana-mana yang boleh. Pusing punya pusing, bila sampai di PICC, dah cecah 6km. Adeh. Kena lambung manja sikit dengan kaum untuk follow aje route depa sampai lokasi yang sesuai untuk memendekkan larian.

Water station semua kami skip, al-maklum la lanun. Alhamdullillah tekak boleh bertahan, maybe sebab cuaca yang agak sejuk pagi tu.

Kami decide untuk skip loop Pullman Hotel dan satu loop lagi di Masjid Besi, so kami safe 5km. Hasil distance covered cukup setakat 11km untuk larian amik mood. Kena banyak bersabar.

Yang paling girang, kul 10.00 a.m. dah sampai rumah!

Tapi 2 hari kaki sengal. Tanda-tanda untuk teruskan menimba sengal-sengal yang akan datang.

Newton - Scar of Distance Running

The scars of your love remind me of us

They keep me thinking that we almost had it all

The scars of your love, they leave me breathless

I can't help feeling
___________________________________ < > __________________________________

My longest run from the off-seasoning was 10km (Nike Run). After that it was a few dashes of 7Ks and travelling and eat-ings. And the only preparation for me to undertake Ammah Hills' advocates was a...playlist. Could you believe that?

It was kinda a bit rush for me. From the travelling, I would rather took the few days left prior to the weekend as rest days than putting on my running sneakers and not have enough time to recover. So, there you got it. A formula for disaster.

There I was after the first half of the pitch black running, tackling the first & second hills of Ammah Series, as the dawn broke & myself included. Ammah was majestic for me at that point of time. One and only reason...I don't have the potion for more than an hour of running. Simply said.

My second half was run-walk-run. Even my playlist felt dumb. I kept on repeating Rolling In The Deep and as if I was carving deeper scar into my first run of the year as a re-start for distance running.

The distance view of Ammah while running back almost caught me in awe, which perhaps Tibetan would call it Chomolangma. I only caught site the peak of Petronas high-mass sign and that was a great climb indeed. I don't recall how many points I broke to revert to walking but it was wise of me...I guess. 

And even the remaining 3km back on the straight road was a combo meal of walk-run-chat with another fellow runner whom I made friend with, who studied at UPNM, a track athlete in background, who does not feel satisfy with the system where they don't have specific track training, and he had to join the bigger triathlon group only available. Long conversation kan? Yes, I guess it took us almost 2KM to cover those. Muahaha.

Along came Mohan Marathon with his wistle, which surprisingly helpful for me to get my rhythm back, which was a thousand times better than my playlist. Great sport he is and always be. We ran together for awhile before he bit his support to other runners in need. I asked him how he managed to run & whistle at the same time, which was obviously tricky especially when one was heavily saturated in need of O2. Mohan said that he was actually PANTING and not blowing. So, that was the trick la. Aisey. That was simple. And we joyously plodded along until the finish line which, eventually I realized the smile on my face recovers fully :]

By the way, the scar seeped away when we gathered for milo talk after the run and as usual, catching up with hilarious lambungan ombak melepas rindu sebab sekali sekala jumpa. Berair mata, cramp rahang layan korang tauuu...keh keh keh.

Just like the old dayz tapi dulu KA pakai seluar :]

Bukan senang nak bergambor dengan Celebrity Runners :]

PCPJ Tawan Bukit Beringin

KUALA LUMPUR : Wakil tunggal Persatuan Cikgu Pendidikan Jasmani (PCPJ) yang dikenali sebagai Cikgu Ahmad (bukan nama sebenar) telah buat julung-juling kali menyertai Malakoff Run KL 7km 2011. Walaupun dengan isu tegang di antara Kesatuan Olahraga Malaysia (KOM) dan Majis Sukan Negara (MSN) yang sedang melanda (walaupun takde mengena dengan PCPJ), Cikgu Ahmad telah memberi persembahan terbaik dalam kategorinya.

Saingan hebat juga telah diberi oleh pelari-pelari Persatuan Cikgu Kimia (PCK) dan beberapa orang Persatuan Cikgu Fizik (PCF), namun Cikgu Ahmad telah membuktikan kewibawaan PCPJ meneraju puncak kejayaan Kesatuan Cikgu-cikgu Amatur SeMalaysia. 

Dalam ulasan semasa ditemuabual, "Saya ni pun terpaksa ganti kawan saya disebabkan kecederaan yang dialaminya ketika sesi latihan baru-baru ini. Tapi saya berpuas hati dengan prestasi semasa walaupun elaun "track bottom" kami masih lagi diperbincangkan dengan hangat di peringkat CUEPAC."

"Peserta kategori 7KM memang tak berapa ramai & saya kurang kenal kebanyakan daripada mereka. Nasib baik saya bawa MP3 (redeem Maybank Treatpoints), jadi ia sedikit sebanyak membantu memecah kebuntuan terutama ketika mengharungi laluan berbukit di sepanjang Jalan Beringin", ulasnya lagi.

"Setakat ini saya sedang menjalani latihan "pace" untuk acara yang lebih mencabar tahun depan. Jadi dengan penyertaan PCPJ di dalam beberapa acara perlumbaan larian baru-baru ini seperti Nike Run KL, Tibi Run dan Chin Woo Biathlon, sedikit sebanyak dapat membantu saya dalam mengenalpasti "pace" yang selesa untuk cabaran akan datang" ulas Cikgu Ahmad sambil menikmati sarapan percuma berupa Tau Fu Fa & mee goreng.

"Saya juga dapat menumpu perhatian kepada latihan ketika cuti persekolahan panjang ini walaupun terpaksa membahagi-bahagi masa untuk menghadiri jemputan perkahwinan dan cuti-cuti keluarga." jelas Cikgu Ahmad ketika ditanya bagaimana dia mampu memberi komitmen untuk sukan yang diceburinya.

"Acara yang seterusnya untuk PCPJ ialah Cabaran Tahun Baru Newton 2012 yang akan berlangsung pada 1-Januari 2012. Saya difahamkan acara tersebut menyediakan laluan yang agak sukar dengan beberapa bukit dan juga faktor cuaca yang mungkin akan mencabar kekentalan peserta. Saya akan bersedia secara fizikal dan mental untuk cabaran tersebut." kata wakil tunggal Zon Tengah PCPJ untuk acara akan datang pula.

Ni lah hasilnya kalau dok baca Harian Metro untuk dua hari berturut-turut sambil layan nescafe sebab tak berlari pepagi :]

Lassat ler Cikgu Ahmad! keh keh keh

We Ran KL

*pssst...citer lapok lagi

Henry David Thoreau:

'I have learned that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours'.

In the oddly hour of Sunday pitch black morning, I commuted to Bukit Aman on my trusty steed Honda, in a hurriedly manner of course. I was late. The phone alarm gave up on me, saved by my biological alarm clock that woke me at 5.23am.

With most major road closures into Jalan Parlimen, there were some chaos about getting to Bukit Aman's carpark. But that soon over when we were displayed with almost ten thousands sea of orange runners filling what's left of Jalan Parlimen.

Ziff, Akmal, Alwin, Zarif (new friend) & me had the initial plan to stay together as far and as along as we can into the run.

With lots of orange sightings all around, we had to doublecheck on each other once in a while. It was fun though, running lamelessly with some soft jokes thrown around. It was even better when we didn't bother to check our timing. We just ran!

Route : Parlimen - Mahameru - Muzium - KL Central - Brickfield - KTM - Syed Putra - Kinabalu - Bank Negara - Sultan Salahuddin - JKR - Wisma Tani - Mahameru - Parlimen.

Pretty much a combination of inclines and flat. Even some short steep inclines causes sudden halt to a walk due to the large crowd.

We managed some camwhoring at a manageable level before the start and after the run.

It's been a while since my participation in a mass race of thousands like this. It was fun especially when one had the chance admiring loads of runners' behaviour and appearances.

Good orange tee (can use for training), generous feed zones and awesome management. Thumbs up!

Gambor konang-konangan kena la ado

Ni lah nama dia lari demi sesuap nasik ...keh keh keh

Pemain Import

Dua bulan tak berlari pagi semalam aku sarung kasut. Itu pun sebab nak teman anak buah berlari, hari ni ada interview kat UiTM untuk pengajian sains sukan. Aku jeling je Adizero Mana dia yang berkilau hijau. Aku punya Adizero CS yang dah tak berapa melentur ni taat melayan setiap langkah. Hasil daripada larian 20 minit 30 saat, hari ni betis aku dah terasa macam tiang kelong Pulau Ketam. Walaupun keras semacam, rasa macam nak lagi. Maybe esok pagi aku repeat slow-slow.

Mengayuh dah 2 weekend terkubur & di substitute kan dengan selimut & bantal. Alasan cuaca jerebu & diselang seli dengan tropical thunderstorm cukup perfect untuk meneruskan aktiviti gusti bantal. Priority untuk menziarah sanak saudara & handai taulan bersama family aku utamakan. Sedikit perubahan berbanding tahun-tahun yang lalu. Kalau dulu 2 minggu raya dah kurang terasa bahang raya, malah bahang race seperti Powerman (yang memang hangat pun) dah membuatkan segala urat & sendi menggigil. Maybe sebab kali ni Powerman lama lagi, dan KOM Cameron pun nak melanun (takde komitmen langsung) dan register race lari-lari dah pun terlepas sebelum posa lagi. Sama ada faktor pendorong paling kuat untuk tak berlatih atau ini peluang untuk aku aktif menziarah. 

Macam biasa, pergi menziarah & open house menghasilkan kesan sampingan. Perut puh dah mula rendang sikit. Status dah kembali daaa...layan.

Khamis malam aku tertarik untuk mendengar tazkirah dari ustadz jemputan khas dari Yemen, Sheikh Ali Al-Hauri. Kuliah Maghrib actually & aku hampir terlepas sebab berada di Jusco. Mungkin takde rezki aku nak menatap muka Sheikh ni. Berkumandang azan Isya' bergegas aku ke surau, test market kot kuliah belum habis. Allah Maha Besar. Sekali ustaz ter-delay sampai. Sementara tunggu, kami dengar Ustaz Shakirin, geng Sheikh Ali dulu. Mukaddimah kepada kuliah sebenar, Ust Shakirin bergebang pasal kehebatan mukjizat al-Quran.

Mukjizat al-Quran adalah salah satu mukjizat yang masih ada bersama kita hingga kini. Kalau mukjizat nabi-nabi telah hilang bersama kewafatan mereka. Beberapa contoh cerita or kejadian di kalangan tokoh-tokoh bijak pandai kafir dunia yang terlalu kagum dengan kehebatan al-Quran telah memeluk Islam. Saintis Jepun, German dan sebagainya. 

Akhirnya Sheikh Ali sampai kul 9.20 p.m. Sesat sikit cari jalan ke Al-Ansar. Dia lead solat Isya' sambung dengan solat sunat hajat & kami melopong dengar dia bagi trailer mengaji kejap.  Mantap beb. Meletup! Melopong sorang-sorang. Ada part dia tarik, memang kalah ler Nash Lefthanded or Amy Search. Dah macam DTS surround sound kat TGV or GSC. Tapi dia ngaji kejap je, saja trailer bagi kami semua gigil. Hehehe.

Lepas tu sheikh sambung dengan kuliah. Dah tentu la ada translator Ustadz Imran, orang kita gak. Kalau tidak dah tentu la kami semua akan terus melopong tak faham sepatah haram. Sheikh sambung citer pasal al-Quran. Dia cakap pastu ust. Imran terjemah. 

Sheikh mengibaratkan al-Quran tu seperti sahabat karib kita. Kalau kita ni memuliakan dan menghormati sahabat kita, begitulah balasan yang kita akan dapat dari sahabat kita. Kalau di dunia ni kita kerab berinteraksi dengan sahabat kita i.e. chatting contohnya, maka semakin akrab lah hubungan persahabatan tu.

3 golongan yang menjadi ahli al-Quran. Yang mana satu kita?  (1) Yang sentiasa membaca al-Quran (2) Yang memahami al-Quran dan mengamalkannya  (3) Yang mengkaji al-Quran. 

Kembali Berlari

Dahsyat...bunyi tajuk. Macam berkurun sangat tak berlari. Tapi benar sangat...last lari right after Interstate, LSD ke Hartamas yang telah menjanjikan ketidakesampaian aku untuk melarung KL Marathon. Bila tu? Ada 2 purnama beb. Ngeri!

Dengan level confident aku setinggi Wisma Yakin selepas tri clinic hari tu, aku decided untuk kembali turun ke padang larian dari asyik bertenggek atas basikal. Nothing much to expect, aku capai singlet, suar pendek yang dah berkurun aku tak pakai & sepasang Adizero CS yang aku dah pencenkan jadi kasut driving (laassat! driving pun pakai adizero?!)

Maka terkial-kial lah aku salin baju kat surau Petronas Jalan Ampang selepas waktu pejabat dengan harapan untuk berpinau di KLCC Park. Target menu, cukup sekadar 5km dulu sebagai modal.

First lap standard la kena warmup. Tapi sepatutnya aku tambah se-lap lagi untuk warmup, memandangkan orang tua tak sedor diri, telah ku balun tempo teruih kat second lap. Dah hampir nyawa cicak, ada lagi cita-cita untuk buat negative split. So aku balun third lap & terjumpa Abang Shuk yang sedang menikmati panorama & irama poco-poco. Zas! Aku potong dia & tunggu kat paip air untuk aku basahkan tekak. Lap ke-4, aku saing Shuk sambil catch-up citer-citer purba. Cukup setakat hari ni. Looks like I still have my running legs.

Tanpa aku sedari, otot-otot mula mengeras & meraung sehari kemudian. Tak ku sangka ianya berlarutan sampai 2-3 hari menyebabkan aku terpaksa ciken loop kayuhan malam Rabu ke 23km sahaja & hari yang selebihnya hanya makan kuaci depan TV.

Next target, balik kampung nak lari kat Padang Istana. Walaupun travelling dari KL lewat petang Jumaat men-cilok dari trafik ganas menyebabkan aku sedikit keletihan sewaktu sampai di JB malam tu, aku kentalkan semangat untuk turun padang jugak pagi tu.

Agak lewat sedikit aku terjaga & sampai di Padang Istana hampir 8.00 a.m. Mata sepet ni terbukak sedikit bila aku bertembung dengan Shuk & wifey. Aik?! Rupanya balik kampung jugak brader ni. Tapi Shuk dah setel larian & bersedia untuk berlari ke kedai sarapan pulak. Aku baru nak start. Takpe, laluan di sini agak teduh. Boleh layan sampai tengahari.

Baru nak start, terjumpa pulak ex-schoolmate. Aduhai! Ini dah macam larian alumni. Sembang kejap sambil tukar-tukar phone number. Settle. Teruskan niat untuk mencapai objektif since kaki terasa sedap macam Muratabak Singapore cecah kuah dalcha.

2 laps warmup + 1 lap zus-zas & 1 last lap lari teman Azizi & wifey, Misni sambil sembang. Ternyata larian yang boleh dikatakan addicted, sebab...aku terasa nak lagi.

Walaupun Sabtu penuh dengan acara makan-makan sampai lebam hasil dari kenduri & hoohaa bersama sanak saudara, aku tetap jugak dengan misi untuk bangkit & bergegas ke Padang Istana. Agak aku ni dah kena stim kas-kas lari ke apa? Tapi aku rasa macam best lari kat sini. Or is it sebab running in loops membuatkan ianya sesuatu yang ketagihan?!

Kali ni 3 lap aje. I kept it short but FAST! Alasan sebab nak basuh periuk belanga kat rumah yang menambun tuh. Wamrup first lap. Second lap negative split (jumpa Shuk lagi!!). Third lap lari dah macam kuda Sultan Johor. Best! Best! Driving balik KL senyum aje sambil cium tangan bau durian pakcik aku bawak dari Muor. Keh! Keh! Keh!

It Humbles You

Chooop! Aku nak kepochi sikit walaupun aku tak akan berlari kat SCKLM Ahad nanti. Tapi aku masih boleh rasakan kehangatan event day dan kedinginan yang kawan-kawan dah mula rasa suspen & kalut. Biasa la tu. Nak pi renew permit bibik kat imegresen pun suspen.

Dah lari a few marathon pun, rasa kalut tetap gak ada. Unless kalau marathon tiap-tiap minggu tu dah kategori lain la. Untuk average Joe & average Jah macam aku ni mungkin jugak kurang rasa kalut sebab dok busy kerja & supir anak-anak. Bedebak-bedebuk sedor-sedor race day dah dekat. OK gak tu kan? Tapi, persediaan tetap kena ada beb. Nak berlari jauh tuh. Pusing satu KL tuh.

Macam-macam soalan gak la aku dapat. Kak Esah la, Kak Limah la, Kak Piah, Kak Senah, Kak Joyah, Kak Jenab (bukan Catwoman Chap Ayam Runners tu), Kak Halimaton Saadiah. Semua kak tapi pak takde pulak yang bertanya. Hehe. So, untuk kak-kak & sesaper je lah or even untuk diri aku sendiri next time aku sign marathon, ni haaa....secubit garam untuk yang perhaps boleh digunapakai:

Tinggal lagi 5 hari beb. Boleh la pelan-pelan carboloading. Amik aje portion macam biasa tapi lebih kan menu yang high carbo & kurangkan or elakkan food yang susah nak cerna. Aku dulu maintain aje makan nasik siang malam cuma last 3 days baru jadi mamat Italian makan pasta. Nak lahap seminggu mau lidah berpintal macam fetucini kang. Jangan pulak kalut, nervous breakdown last day tu pi ter-over lahap sebab takut takut tak cukup. End up stomach upset esok pagi. Bye-bye aje ler PB or even run itself. Sia-sia je training turun naik Hartamas 12 minggu.

Lihat sini untuk wiki carbo loading : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbohydrate_loading

Hydration: Maintain macam biasa gak la cuma last few days tu boleh la tambah perisa sikit dengan electrolyte. Kalau tak boleh telan ORS paket tu, macam-macam perisa tablet ada. Nuun, Camelbak, Shotz, Nathan. Even pagi kat Dataran Merdeka tu aku bawak sebotol mineral boleh minum sikit-sikit sementara tunggu start. Botol boleh buang terus lepas tu.

Part dressing ni elok la pakai apparel & gear yang dah biasa meghoyan kat LSD tu. Kalau nak sia-sia kan training, boleh la try benda baru. Hehe. Sekarang attire pun semua dah macam pro. Setakat suar ketat tu dah common la. Elok la tu, tutup aurat & boleh singgah solat Subuh masa marathon nanti. Yep, if route same as last year, boleh singgah Madrasah Al-Tarbiyah just before Stadium Badminton Cheras. Last year aku siap tinggalkan kain pelekat a day before so pagi tu terus sarung je. Lepas tu dok cari Nik dalam jamban yang gelap gelita. Hehe. Sorry bro, terkonang sikit cito lamo :]

Errr...kalau agak2 nak baru nak cuba bawak cap or cermin mata hitam Oakley, tak yah la kot. Berat benda alah tu semua boleh cecah 50kg bila dah sampai KM30. Kot nak campak kat kedai runcit boleh gak tapi masa tu la saat & ketika mentari memang dah mula menyinar & menikam.

Food & drink: Yang ni memang kadang-kadang pening sikit beb. Macam biasa, makanan ruji powergels or Gu gels or Hammer gels. Berapa paket Pak? First marathon dulu aku bawak 5, pastu ada belen satu pulak. Sengal. Kedai Powerbar bagi free satu kat Petaling Street. Perisa cekelat. Habiskan aje terus, kan senang tak yang buat berat poket. Kalau target 5 jam, boleh la bawak 4 paket for every hour. Powerbar bagi free satu kat KM30+ kot. Boleh check route map untuk fuelling station please. But then last year aku kurangkan, bawak 3 aje. Seingat aku at 21km baru aku bedal first gel, lepas tu maintain every hour + yang free tu. Itu aku la. Masing-masing lain citarasa. Lagi pun Kak June ada bukak kedai runcit kan? Lagi sempoi! Oh! Minum air at setiap water station tu sudah mesti. Bukan togok segelas penuh or 2-3 gelas. Kembung berkocak dalam perut, naik LRT ler jawapnya. Cukup sekadar basahkan tekak, especially time nak makan gel tu. Apa nak risau, water station every 2.5km kan?

Eh! Petua yang boleh kata mujarab. Aku memang maintain sampai la ni. Bawak tablet ORS masa race day. Bawak sebijik dua. Normally cramp datang merayap bila dah cecah KM25 ke atas. Biasa la tuh. Pop setengah bijik dalam mulut & hisap macam Dequadin sebaik aje mula terasa bisikan cramp. Layan aje buih-buih sparkle dalam mulut. Sedap gak, macam asam boi. Tapi jangan la sampai berbuih kuar mulut, pastu buat-buat menggelupor tepi jalan kan? Hospital Besar KL dekat dah tu.

Pace notes kalau boleh bawak memang senjata terbaek. Mujarab untuk menjaga pace supaya tak tercangkuk dengan kaum yang terlalu laju or tersangkut dengan kaum yang terlalu slow. Unless ada kaum yang memang pace sama all the way, tapi jarang la. Even pacer bertauliah kat KL Marathon tu pun masih belum perfect. Klik sini untuk pace notes yang boleh di-print & jadikan wrist band http://www.marathonguide.com/fitnesscalcs/PaceBandCreator.cfm.

Sila refer widget caps sebelah kanan blog ni. The second one. Itu memang menjadi guide aku setiap marathon. Guna aje citer kanak-kanak kura-kura & arnab. Start slow & habis bertenaga. Tak yah nak poyo tengah ramai-ramai tu nak berdesup mula-mula pastu bonk kat KM25. Takde makna dah lepas tu. Jauh perjalanan tu & banyak masa boleh catch up. Bukan apa, bila tekan awal-awal ni, potensi cramp menyerang awal tu ada. Unless dah memang dalam training ada buat strength workout takpe, tapi kalau nak mission nak cross finish line dengan senyuman & injury free, pastikan anda tepek pace notes bior terang.

Oooop! Cukup dah. Berjela bercerita. Macam terer je kan? Aku sekadar berkongsi berdasarkan pengalaman yang tak seberapa ni & pengetahuan membaca. Mudah-mudahan ada yang boleh pakai, ye tak? Semoga kawan-kawan semua sukses di KL Marathon dan Sundown Ultramarathon Ahad nanti. You can do it! But remember, Bill Rodgers pernah berkata "The Marathon can humble you". Ia bukan alat untuk kita bermegah or poyo sebaik completion. It's a journey yang telah membuatkan aku kenal betapa tingginya langit & betapa kecilnya aku & betapa kompleksnya ciptaan Allah yang mencipta tubuh badan kita yang selengkapnya ini.

OK. Sila layan lirik lagu masa aku attend kursus bina semangat 15 tahun dulu. Keh keh keh :]

Jika kau fikirkan kau boleh

Kau hampir boleh melakukan

Jika kau fikirkan ragu-ragu

Usahamu tidak menentu

Jika kau fikirkan kekalahan

Kau hampiri kegagalan

Jika kau fikirkan kemenangan

Kau hampiri kejayaan

Engkaulah apa kau fikirkan

Terkandung dalam pemikiran

Kau fikir boleh melakukan

Fikirkan boleh

Percaya apa kau lakukan

Tabah apa kau usahakan

Bertindak atas kemampuan

Engkau boleh

PCC Interstate 2011 and all cramped

With lots of fellow friends blogging out and fraternizing about running events, I have yet to start putting up my running legs for races. I have to priorities. Only can juggle one big ball at a time. That's the best I can afford for the moment. I have signed up for PCC Interstate 2011, that meant leaving out my running passion for awhile until end of this month, hence absenting myself from running camaraderies.

And too bad it is, this weekend I had to attest that we can only plan but not necessarily can we afford to work the plan. Running the Energizer Night Race 2011 followed with the longest PCC Tar & Grime Interstate training ride the next morning probably is a bad idea. I had to ditch ENR. Not just that, I had to miss Bidor and Borneo again. Seems all events are being cramped for these last 3 months before Ramadhan, and I'm having trouble catching up with what's on and when? Looks like the weighing between cycling and running needs a bit of twitching...and where should I put the swimming?! Lerrr....

Two more weekends, and I'll be freakingly cranking the menu as follows:

PCC Interstate - 3 days of indulgent road cycling

Day 1 Raub - Brinchang (145km): Freakishly hilly

Day 2 Brinchang - Bukit Merah (200km)- Grindingly long & undulating

Day 3 Bukit Merah - Damai Laut (120km)- Enjoyably Flat & short

And this is the time I start to laid out the logistics and prep up my bike and stuff. Nothing similar to running, the list is longer. And I'm gonna need a bigger bag than my current Camelbak Octane. 

Worry not, right after completing Interstate, InsyaAllah I'll be working on the running legs again for a month or two with KL Towerthon and Larian Bomba in May before the return of KL Marathon in late June. That would mean, pounding Bukit Aman - Hartamas again, right away. Whoot! And who's up for 32km LSD? But then again, people talking about ultra la nowadays. Apa barang LSD 32k?

All the best to all Energizer runners, Bidor and Borneo. Travel and run safe. Yang penting enjoy!

Enjoy The Silence

Should you be in the 80's genre, you'll recognise the phrase. After so much chaos and living in the so-called fast lane, the recent weekend was kept at a manageable pace dealing more with self thoughtfulness and retreat.

Though it was kinda weird for being existence in the house on Saturday morning, I played the role of Saturday-morning-dad. Been awhile, but enough to keep me occupied handling diplomatic issues with fellow Diket's citizens. Extra class at school, homeworks, Kumon, siblings debate peringkat daerah and conspiracy to topple Diket's Administrative. Almost made me forgot about the night LSD. How time flew and I also forgot about lunch. Well, a last minute carboload at 5.00 p.m. did the trick.

It rained as I left the house for Putrajaya that evening but the urge to meet up with friends especially a large gathering of fellow RBUs is expected. Nik showed seconds after me & we saw Zaki, hence we perform solat together. The rest of the suspects arrived moments later. By  this time, the official registered runners have started their run. I think we started ours somewhere around 8.30 p.m. in the slightly drizzling rain.

Putrajaya, monotonous as it is. Good for mental strength training but not quite accomodating for a man without a mission like me. Though I plan for 2 loops, completing one loop almost killed me from boredom. I tried changing pace once in a while and catching up stories with Ian and Nik. Didn't quite manage to synchronize the pace with Zaki, else we should've muttered lots of Dreamer 100 stories. The KNN guys were on duties, hence once in awhile a few "latest updates" were thrown in, in the midst of the run.

Too bad I only ran one and a half loop. Sigh. Night running just ain't geared up for me. Not just yet perhaps. From the bridge fronting PICC, I couldn't stand the boredom, hence increasing the pace all the way back to PoJ. It was kinda fast I guess and horribly far also. I remember Nik's howling statement "Weiii! Ni jauh lagi nak sampai PoJ tau!" but he was also up for the 2 miles dash together with Det. Didn't stayed back for mamak gathering & rushed back home.

The laid back Sunday was pretty much...laid. We went for a picnic somewhere in rural Selangor. Rain? Yep. It was raining alright, throughout but kids loved it. When was the last time dad allowed to play in the rain? It's the rainforest, hence you get all the freshness from nature plus you have to stand the cold.

High canopies, wet, gushing rivers and food. As I stood there on the patio watching the water level elevates, it brought me back to the years. The years of mountain and gullies. From majestic waterfalls, leeches and heavy load backpacks to beautiful peaks and serene riverside coffee in mass-tin. The years full of appreciation. Where I kept on expressing gratitude to the Creator for the his creation.

Skyscrapers and highways - materials. Dipterocarps and damped trails - flesh and blood.

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

Running Bloggers United

Larian Integrasi 2011

For the second time now. Very the early they held this year. Nope. I think about the same time as last year, first/second month, same day as PNM2010. I was still in denial whether to participate or not but I was definitely shaking the beds for my kids to rise & shine for their runs.

OK, I just brought my shoes and left it in the car, just in case the legs starts to shiver. Wore the most decent apparel I can get from the wardrobe. Pretty much difficult to get a clean cotton tee beneath those tonnes of drifits. NO running vest! Definitely NO to compression wears OK! No 5" Adidas short! Luckily found a Billabong cotton tee and a three quarter Muller short. Phew. Overdressing for a school run is too much.

After my kids left with the school van, wifey & me went for roti canai first. Still in denial, and at the same time pray the roti won't come out at the first kilometer if I decided to run. Upon reaching the school compound I was surprised to see lots of parents, especially fathers, in their most exclusive sports attire. Wallawey! Jitters started creeping in. 50-50 now becomes 70-30.

Tidur kejap

Kids got assembled for their lengthy briefings and stretching. Almost fell back to sleep waiting. Then they paraded onto to the football field for their start by age. Pergh! Now I'm excited already. The frequent announcement from the Dee Jay booth had me, "Kepada ibu bapa yang ingin mengambil bahagian, sila mendaftar di pondok urusetia. Bayaran hanya RM3." No further thoughts, I signed up. Second surprise, they have veteran category! 40 above somemore! Sign!

After the kids left the field, I terhegeh-hegeh went back to the car for the shoes. Hurriedly ran back to the field and kinda missed the so called briefing by the teacher. I only get the idea that all adults will be flagged off together. Horn blown away, and me without any warm up, just plodded along with the rest of the parents. We also have a few teenagers trying their luck in the Men's Open Cat. Definitely can't beat them.

No strategy, I just ran. Keeping a constant pace, eyeing the front runners. Not many of us actually. Barely 30 I think, so we were scattered just after 500 meters into the run. I just ran, only thinking that I want to survive the 6km at a decent pace. With the sudden start and barely last minute decision, I had to miss the hydration part. Suddenly felt so thirsty meh?! Mouth drying rapidly. Aiyo! OK no need to panic lah. Only 6km can just finish it up and drink later.

Det couldn't join. Only Rozaimi around, so I followed him 200 meters away. Overtook a few guys before the U-turn and saw one indian boy running with a smile on the face confirming his victory in the Men's Open though still another halfway to go. I smiled back and pushed on maintaining whatever left inside these legs. Rozaimi held back after the u-turn and left me for the final leg. Chances are high that I could win the veteran category, I slowed my pace not wanting to push further incurring any injury.

Saw the finish line and a teacher held out a small card but held back in confuse upon seeing the gold ribbon I hold in my hand (veteran had to bring the ribbon to separate from the Open Cat).

"Alamak! Encik kategori veteran ke? Placing dah habis!" he said.

"Huh?!" I replied.

"Ni mesti encik ikut salah jalan. Terikut jalan lelaki terbuka." he kinda confirmed with the statement.

"Ye ke?! Alamak! Takde orang kat simpang bagitau saya pun?" frustration in my voice and hopes crumbling.

I presumed that I missed the earlier briefing about the route and admitted in silence of my mistake. But, still pray that the sweat and thirst could be paid off with the least token. With face like Puss In Boots from Shrek, the teacher handed me small card No. 4 from the Men's Open Cat. Alhamdullillah. Rules are made to be broken? No idea for this case. Hehe. More like flexibility I guess. And so I claimed my first running medal for 2011 but still with a tiny frustration of being careless. Wifey left me a note before bed "It's normal a veteran to forgot that he's old already." Lol.

Yasmin placed 40th while Amir 32nd. They don't even bother about it though I placed high hopes they could secure medals. No worries. At least they enjoyed trips to the ice cream seller.

Kembali ke LSD Bukit Aman Dengan Pangkah di Peha

Berlari?! Fuiyo! Lama sangat aku tinggal. Konon ikut kan petua-petua mengatakan 42km Marathon tu kena recover selama 42 hari. Sebab banyak sangat bahagian nak kena repair & recover. Untuk itu, dan demi mengelakkan dari kena turun enjin akibat overhaul, aku menyepikan diri dari dunia larian & sibuk berkayuh.

Sejak selesai Marathon Temasek, ada la sebulan aku jeling aje kasut kat rak. Baru-baru ni je aku mula pasang niat untuk kembali meghoyan kat Bukit Aman. Untuk menambah motivasi supaya kembali berlari, aku cuba-cuba apply konsep retail therapy. Maklum la, tahun baru, azam lama tapi motivasi kena baru. Dengan hanya berusaha menekan butang tetikus, aku zas! kan sehelai suar ketat panjang jenama Dua Kali Huruf-U.

Tak pernah aku ingin nak cuba pakai suar ketat panjang dengan ada simbol pangkah besor kat peha ni tapi maybe it's about time untuk anjakan paradigma. In fact, ramai dah kawan-kawan & pros yang nampak segak & berkeyakinan memakainya. Doube in fact, dah sampai waktunya aku tak payah nak tinggalkan kain solat kat memana masjid the next time kena lari di waktu Suboh. Triple in-fact, pelan-pelan cubaan untuk menutup aurat. Amin. Dan lagi, dengan teknologi compression yang claim boleh mengelak muscle fatigue, apa salahnya aku try mengenangkan muscle aku pun dah semakin tua. Nak ke gym mengangkat besi idak ler teman sempat buat masa ni, tapi sesi mengangkat iron (seterika) & berdiri satu jam sebelum Suboh setiap pagi dah pun bermula. Hehe.

Beli dah beli, cuma nak kena try pakai & berlari je. Sabtu aku tewas kepada urusan kekeluargaan. Attend wedding anak buah wifey di Ipoh, melahap nasik Vanggey, singgah kedai bundle untuk sesi cooling down & balik ke apartment layan kacang chap tangan sementara tunggu reception malam full long distance dinner. Dengan semangat yang berkobar-kobar, aku decide untuk balik ke KL terus. Sejak dari siang, aku dah mula text kawan-kawan untuk plan Ahad. Memandangkan arrival di KL dah lewat malam, aku bercadang untuk revisit Bukit Aman - nak kayuh macam-macam benda nak kena ready, mata dah mengantuk sangat.

Lega aku bila Det offer untuk carpool dengan dia. Badan masih penat from travelling, tambah lagi dengan kerja berlari yang dah lama aku tak buat, ini bakal koyak untuk sehari dua. Belasah. Thanks to Nik & Syah yang dah memang penunggu Bukit Aman syif weekend, ramai la kawan-kawan untuk kembali melambung. Azmar, A'eshah & Daniel pun ada jugak. Turun-turun kereta, aku dah kena lambung sebab suar ketat Dua Kali Huruf-U. Macam-macam spot check aku kena dengan Nik, mengalahkan kastam kat CIQ. Takpe, maybe tak lama lagi kita akan ada kumpulan suar ketat Bukit Aman.

Kail panjang sejengkal, lautan bukit aku duga. Memang teraso sampai ke urat. Pergi & balik pace aku huru hara. Ada tatkala tercangkuk Syah punya pace membuatkan aku teruja tapi ku tarik balik tanda malu. Ada masa lain, Azmar & Det pulak pecah peloton. Tak sanggup aku nak mengikut. Dah ler Polar wearlink tak pakai, memang heartbeat setakat main rasa-rasa je. Cardio OK tapi kompom, kaki aku menjerit-jerit sebab tak cukup milage. Segala apa sendi, urat & otot sudah tangkap cuma tak cramp je.

Sampai Sekolah Arab sebelum Bank Negara baru, aku buat benda yang tak pernah aku buat - shortcut atas rumput instead of ikut traffic light. Lol. Det & Azmar dok tunggu kat traffiic light. Depa kata depa nak potong terus ikut JKR ke Padang Merbuk & balik ke Bukit Aman. I follow. Pandang belakang takut Nik & A'eshah nampak, sekali depa pun ikut sekali daaa...

Maka berjalan-jalan lah kami macam student baru balik tuition & berduyun-duyun la kami ke gerai mee hun sup untuk timbal balas 19km kalori yang dah hilang. Syah & Daniel dah hilang, perhaps dah bersiap untuk pi keje Isnin. Bersembang ler kami until Dzul (seorang pelari VFF) yang nampak power join & sambung merapu.

Tu la dia. Walaupun cuma beberapa race larian yang aku plan untuk sign up tahun ni, aku tetap akan teruskan usaha berlari. Dah masuk hari kedua, aku masih lagi berjalan kejung. Tapi suar ketat memang best. Tak rasa panas or rimas. Malah tak rasa apa-apa. Lol. Tapi muscle cantek aje maintain. Best best. Kena beli lagi satu untuk pakai time recovery. Hehe.

SCMS 2010 - Edisi saja cari pasal

Tu dia aih! Aku dah register bulan nam lagi tuh! Punya lah aku scroll dalam yahoo mailbox dok cari confirmation slip. Tu dia, nuun jauh di bawah. And dalam dua minggu open, dah penuh. Even early bird pun tak sempat nak bertelur!

Gedebak gedebuk, tup-tap tup-tap sampai dah. Program letihan tak seberapa. Dah ler recovery dari Powerman punya ler lama. Hampir seminggu lebih. Simptom-simptom fatigue memang ketara saperti mood swing, tak lena tidur, hidung berair dll. Aku juga hampir demam over the weekend. So terpaksa miss satu LSD. Untuk itu, aku hanya mampu buat satu je LSD seminggu sebelum SCMS. Cukup lah sekadar basahkan tekak. Memang aku tak bubuh target yang mendongak ke langit. Aku tau kemampuan buat masa tu, jadi takde tekanan untuk aku berlari buat julung kali di Temasek sejauh 26 batu. Yang penting spend time dengan kawan-kawan & aku sumbat jugak family vacation untuk ke Universal Studio sekali. Yep, untuk masa-masa yang akan datang, aku akan teruskan projek 2 dalam 1.

Aku sampai JB awal sikit, kononnya nak rest secukupnya. Jumaat whole day aku chill balun masakan ibu tersayang yang dah jatuh kategori carbo-overloading. Disebabkan Deti terpaksa bail out last minute dari race, aku buat adhoc program perjalanan untuk masuk Singapore seawal Sabtu pagi yang gelap. Hitched ride dengan bas rombongan Azmar. Dapat pulak rezki aku tiket terlebih masuk USS, so ronda hampir setengah hari dengan Azmar. Hujan lebat di USS pagi tu sampai ke tengahari. So kepala aku ada sikit ting-tong. Walaupun ting-tong, aku sempat bedal nasi bryani Pharaoh sepinggan kat situ sebab rugi kalau tak guna meal voucher.

Kami cargas ke Marina Float untuk collect bib & meet up dengan Ziff, Ray, Kak June, Az Hana, Zaki. Ada jugak jumpa Rustam, Suhaimi & beberapa Klang runners. Kami dok berkampung ler kejap kat dalam tu dok buat kecoh. Geng yang baru sampai semua dah lapar, so the idea ialah 2 in 1. Lunch at Novena Velocity. Tu dia! Pandai je aku atur program. Depa semua pilih Kenny Rogers dan aku balun untuk second round lunch. Perut dah mula sendat, kaki dah memang sedia lenguh, mata pun ada sikit-sikit berat.

Segala yang lemah tadi terus lenyap bila kami mulakan projek tawaf dalam Velocity tu. Tu dia! Ada la dekat 10 kedai sukan dalam tu. Ye la 10 kot tapi yang pastinya memang banyak di bawah satu bumbung! Huru hara dibuatnya kontinjen RBU petang tu. Macam komunis serang Bukit Kepong! Mula-mula dok alim lagi masuk sama-sama. Tapi lepaih 2 kedai, masing-masing dah tunjuk belang. Habih berterabur buat destinasi sendiri. Ada jugak yang masuk kedai 2 kali sebab tak puasa hati. Tiap kali belek barang, mesti tekan handphone convert harga. Lol! Yang murah kami sambau, yang mahal kami jadikan sempadan. Nak kata shopping sakan tu idak ler tapi aku cuma beli sepasang stokin secara adhoc sebab stokin yang aku bawak lencun kena hujan pagi tu. Barang lain setakat pegang, belek, tengok harga & cium tapak tangan aje. Perbelanjaan berhemah orang tua-tua kata. Pukul 7 baru ler masing-masing insaf & kami beredar ke reban masing-masing untuk gantung kaki & simpan dalam freezer.

Aku & Azmar dengan belas ehsan Ziff dapat la berbumbung di York Hotel belakang Orchard Road tu. Ada la 500m ke starting line. Aku dengar kaum lain pun dekat-dekat jugak. Malam kami merayau dekat-dekat je untuk dinner nasi padang kat Lucky Plaza & tewas dengan nafsu punya pasal, sambung pulak bedal burger McDonald - ni dah kes bela hantu raya beb. Lol. Kaki yang dah memang lenguh memang ler mencari pasal untuk esok yang penuh penyesalan.

3.30am bukan main liat nak bangun. Ada jugak 5% dalam hati nak aje terus tidur, bangun kul 9 sambung jalan-jalan - teruk betul. Lol. Apa nak jadik, jadik lah. Aku cuma nak merasa macam mana agaknya berlari dengan jumlah 20 ribu orang buat full marathon distance. Sampai je Orchard Road, tau dah aku. Punya la melaut! Tak putus manusia beb. Siap ada first and second wave. Walaupun dah flag-off, ramai lagi yang lepak-lepak tepi jalan. Aku & Ziff masuk second wave & hampir 20 minit sampai starting line. Tu pun termasuk ler jalan-berhenti-jalan mode. Muka familiar tak jumpa kecuali Sara CAR & Tey yang jerit kat aku dari tepi railing. Best sikit dapat tengok muka kawan-kawan.

Tapi itu hanya sementara. Aku pace dengan Ziff dalam gelap dingin entah jalan mana kami lalu. Pusing sana-sini. Ada yang lebar, ada jugak sempit. Memang tak payah nak zig-zag mengelak ler, buat penat. Layan je tapi terasa macam dok pusing-pusing kat situ je. Kami terpaksa berpisah bila aku decide untuk melawat toilet sebelum KM10. Hajat kecik je walaupun gesa-gesa hajat besar sudah mula tunjuk petanda. Tapi aku dapat catch up balik dengan Ziff lepas tu & layan pace aku sendiri.

Part lalu kat F1 pit and depan float tu memang hebat nampak. Segala apa pace note aku dah prepare semua dok tinggal kat JB. Hampeh betul. Hanya berbekalkan powergel + GU & 8 lagu kat dalam MP3 anak aku. Ni semua cari pasal nombor dua la ni. Sebaik aje masuk area East Coast Park, langit dah mula cerah & jalan mula sempit sikit. Aku dok pilih toilet untuk hajat kecik kali kedua. Tak pernah dalam sejarah aku dok buang hajat macam ni punya kerap. Apa dah jadik nih? Dengan ribuan manusia, setiap toilet memang gerenti kena beratur & telan at least 10 minit. Selesai kes toilet, aku decide untuk pasang lagu and layan sampai ke distance 21KM. Entah berapa lama aku berlari layan lagu, baru aku teringat aku lupa tekan stopwatch lepas keluar toilet. Cis! Habis ler entah berapa timing aku.

Ni je yang sempat aku rakam sebelum Marina Barrage. Memang lawo.

Runners yang seberang sana yang dah u-turn dah bertambah ramai. Memang sah aku dah ketinggalan. KM25 tahap kebosanan dah mula bermain di akal. Mau jalan or mau maintain lari? Nak sampaikan KM28 untuk habiskan East Coast Park pun dah mula menduga kecekalan. Aku mula mengatur langkah berjalan sebaik aje lalu area padang golf. Part lalu area construction tu aku tabah untuk berlari sebab panas yang amat & route pun tak menarik untuk layan jiwa. Sebaik nak sampai Marina Barrange, permandangan & angin laut cukup best untuk aku teruskan berlari-lari anak. Ada part aku jalan, ada part aku lari. Memang total opposite dari KL Marathon.

Jambatan yang tinggi dan panjang tu kompom aku jalan sampai atas. Bukan tak boleh berlari tapi saja malas. Turun jambatan aku lari tapi sebaik aje nampak route tu dok pusing balik, kekecewaan melanda. Aiyo! Ada 6KM lagi dan aku rasa satu jarak yang sangat-sangat tak sabar aku nak habiskan. Aza dok potong aku masa aku dok makan angin. Semangat dia. Bagus. Last jambatan at last KM, aku nampak Aza & depan sikit Ziff! Fuiyo! Aku kena tapau dengan pelari tegar batch baru. Caya ler. Aku atur langkah untuk catch up and bagi semangat sikit sedangkan aku pun dah tinggal habuk je. Aza & Ziff nampak bersemangat & kuat menghabiskan marathon diorang. Aku hanya akur untuk follow belakang slow-slow cross finish line.

Tapau 2 botol air, 2 tin 100plus, collect medal & finisher tee lepas tu dok berkampung bawah pokok dengan kaum yang lain. Tak dapat jumpa Ray & Ijam untuk salam lambungan. Dengan kaki yang dah terasa macam batang balak, Ziff, Azmar & aku melangkah ke MRT station untuk pulang ke hotel sekadar untuk bersihkan diri & check out. Langsung tak sempat nak lelap seminit dua. Ziff terus naik bas balik KL at 3.30pm while Azmar, Zaki & aku layan nasi bryani Zam-Zam sebelum pulang ke tanahair.

All in all, event memang mantop. Crowd memang giler ramai. Kalau la rakyat Malaysia yang gemuk-gemuk kuat makan & berpenyakit tu dapat berlari macam rakyat Temasek ni memang best. Aku nampak diorang kat sini berlari dah macam outing. They are having fun & at the same time challenge diri sendiri. Yang competitive tu ada jugak tapi tak seramai yang casual. Memang sepanjang hampir 6 jam & sejauh 42km tu, keliling aku tak kurang dari 50 orang. Kalau kat KL Marathon hari tu, sampai Tijani dah sunyi sepi jalan tu. Even berjalan kat Orchard Road tengahari tu nak balik ke hotel dengan pakain lari pun aku tak rasa pelik sebab ramai lagi yang lain macam kita orang.

By the time aku sampai KL siang tadi, result pun dah kuar. Memang betul-betul makan hangin keluar asap tahap gaban punya performance. Ni semua gara-gara cari pasal punya pasal. Hehe. Untuk sahabat yang sama-sama berjuang and cemerlang, setinggi tahniah untuk kalian. Teruskan berlari marathon! Sebaik aje cross finish line, tobat dah nak buat marathon. Sehari selepas, dah mula gatal fikir pasal Borneo. Cheh!

Ranking : 5267

Gun Start Time : 05:00:28
Chip Start Time : 05:19:54
CP10k : 01:36:40
CP21k : 02:57:57
CP21k : 02:59:34
CP30k : 04:10:45
Chip Finish Time : 05:42:06

Revisiting Temasek

There you go. Arrived safely in JB 12.30 a.m. last night amidst the continuous drizzling along the 300km. And now typing this with the smell of chicken curry from mom's kitchen. Carboload or spice up? Hope I don't fall into feeding frenzy and got all spicy until race day. That would be disaster.

My second race in Temasek will be this Sunday. Sundown was test water only, running the half distance and experiencing the much-talked about awesome race events perfectly organised. True that but hujan batu di negeri sendiri kan? When it comes to races that require travelling, a checklist is a must. I don't want to end up missing vital stuff especially when I have 5 hours on the road in foreign soil somemore! And I need to travel light also. And the list goes on with some logistics thrown in for transport and lodging.

The initial plan was to run slow. Not setting any ambitious target considering the tiny commitment I gave towards training and even smaller is the milage logged. Thinking about it will only give me the chills up my spine, hence I will just run non-stop at whatever pace sustainable. It would  be senseless to go into battle without a mission, so I have prepared a pace note targetting for anything below 5hr30min. Achievable? Cross my fingers. The best part is, I have the rest of the RBU peeps whilst sharing the battlefield i.e. Ziff, Ray, Zack, Ijam, Yim, Azmar and many others. Definitely the Chap Ayam Runners will be there as well.

Good luck to all friends running the Temasek Marathon! Thanks to the rest of the peeps for the wishes.