Bash#217 Kg. Gerachi Jaya, off Kuala Kubu Bharu

I've been off the bike for 4 months and that's a long time in MTB world. Riding with hardcore bash rider, Uncle Jo. The trip took about 1hr 15mins from Kuala Lumpur. Arrived just in time for briefing. Registered and briefed, on on!

First, the warm up ride was up a really long steep road kinda reminiscing of Bukit Kiara. I thought if I start pushing here, where quite a number of riders did, its better for me to take the short ride if I want to live to see another bash. Simply because the pre-ride description said that this bash is going to be a hilly and steep terrain, and they didn't lie. Survived the warm up climb without pushing and was rewarded with a breathtaking view of the Sungai Selangor Dam.

The trail started here. Descended into a fast switch back downhill. All fun fun fun, then came the first major hill. Here, I pushed my bike about 3/4 of the way. After 1 hour of hard pushing, finally reached the top and descended to an Orang Asli settlement in Kg. Gerachi Jaya. 

Here, the short and long rides parted ways. Had a slight contemplation to take the short ride, but since I was still feeling strong, so the long ride would be the obvious insane choice.

Reached the second hill where a hasher was on standby. He said that you can choose to go up the hill or down. Without thinking I went down and enjoyed the fast and sketchy gravel road. 

All I can remember after that sweet downhill was a single track leading towards Kg. Kolam Air. Let me sum up the journey; ride, climb, push, several small river crossing, climb, a really steep downhill, more climbs, starting to feel cramps on my thigh, one red bull and 1hr 30mins later, I was out into KKB housing area and rode back to the bash site.

Total ride was about 3hr 30mins. Thank you to the lady rider who gave me some electrolyte caps and the guy rider who helped stretched my legs when I got wicked cramps on my thigh towards the end at the housing area. Overall another great insane climb bash!

Sungai Selangor Dam

I wish I had that view in my backyard - Kg. Gerachi Jaya

Re-energized myself with Redbull somewhere in the jungle

Towards the end at Kg. Kolam Air

BSN Putrajaya Night Marathon

Away from the Piala Malaysia Final between ATM and Kelantan in Shah Alam which momentarily turned into Kota Bharu, I endured another half marathon adventure in the bright empty city of Putrajaya. Joined by virgin half marathoner, Dinie. We left "Kota Bharu" and never looked back.

An underrated event which consists of all the running categories to suit every level of runners from full marathon to 5k fun run. Flag-off was at 8.20 p.m infront of the Istana Kehakiman and off we go into the lifeless federal administrative center of Malaysia. The plan was to run with Dinie for the first 30 minutes but we managed only 7 minutes together. With the monsoon weather kicking in extra high gear lately, I was expecting a wet run. Thank God, dark storm clouds that were looming that evening had dispersed and the night sky was as clear as you can asked for.

One of many bridges in Putrajaya along the route

I had no intention of breaking my PB in the SCKLM because this time around I brought along a camera which I held uncomfortably in my hand wrapped in a plastic (expected it would be raining) as I wanted to stop and snap pictures along the way. Loving the group of people that cheered for the runners and made the night lively at least to their best effort. There were moments when some uncivilized impatient drivers honking non-stop as they were held up by traffic police to let runners past through. What's the hurry!? What does Putrajaya has to offer that you can't wait for 30 minutes the most !?!?

Barefoot runner running past me =P *salute

The  extraordinary sights and sounds along the route

Moving on. I had a steady 10k with 1:02', which turned into a bad 8k after that, and finally became the worst 3k of my life. I was battling mother of all cramps in both of my calf and hamstring, plus excruciating knee pain. There could be two reasons for my injuries here. First, I'd may not warmed up properly which was only a slow jog of 300m from the car to the race site and some light stretches. Second, the shoes (NB 1080v2) may not fit my running profile. Gotta go get them Newtons =P

The last 3k of the run took me almost 30 minutes.  I was limping, walking, massaging and stretching them cramps on the side curbs and continued running with a gimp. I felt like there's a baby alien about to pop out from inside of my leg. I managed to push through the pain with the help from the cheering crowd that grew louder as I was approaching the finish line. Crossed the finish line with 2:35'20", collected the finisher tee and medal and went straight to the third last place any runner would never wanted to end up in; the medical tent (1st: back of an ambulance van, 2nd: sweeper bus), to get some ice treatment. Great job to the medical team. They were very helpful and kind.

ICE ICE BABY~

Once the legs felt better, I went to my favorite part of the event, the finish line, cheering runners on. Overall great event, love the finisher tee. Best one I had so far. Pretty bummed out that the milo station packed up early. 

With Dinie minus my shoes

Nike We Run KL: first sub-1 hour 10k

The best view of the run. Now that's what I call "We Run KL"

Ran past Plaza Tol Dato' Keramat

Performances to cheer runners on along the route

Sub-1 hour babey!

Yes, finally I broke the sub-1 hour 10k mark with a time of 59'08". Super thrilled about the result. Been setting this goal since last year's nike run. Hard to describe the feeling you get when you set a goal, work hard and achieved it. Dammit, it felt sooooo GOOD!! 

The strategy was simple. I knew what I need to do to break that mark. Run hard from the start and run even harder towards the end. Well, this achievement didn't come without some share of setbacks. First, the obstacle. When there are 15,000 runners running in the same category there are bound to be traffic. Meaning, I got to weave through runners in order to maintain a decent pace. I've found it quite bothersome when runners do not exercise runner's etiquette that if you're walking, jogging or even tying your shoe lace, please move to the left. The same principle as heavy/slow vehicles on the road to the left.

Second setback was my calf strain injury which I sustained a week before the run, presumably from playing futsal and over trained in my Merrell Road Glove. A word of advice for those who has just started to wear minimal shoes, gradually work your way into minimal running at the slowest rate possible. Thankfully, the calf strain which I still felt on Wednesday has subsided. 

Weather was cool. It was only drizzling when the run started, where before that it has been raining the whole day. The finisher tee collection was a bit slow, which resulted in a long massive queue up until the finishing line. Those who crossed the finishing line after an hour would suffer from the congestion.

Besides that, others find the starting and finishing line to be at two different venues was a bit troublesome. Battling the KL traffic on a Saturday evening is not everyone's cup of tea. Planning was key, so Hafriz parked the car near Padang Merbok (finishing line) and we took a train to KLCC (starting line). 

Now, I understand why nike promotes the run to the public aged 24 years and below, and held the run in the evening. They wanted to lift up the post race event which turned into a party/concert atmosphere  with performances from Mizz Nina etc.   

Overall, great event. Glad Hafriz and Diana could join. I couldn't locate the whereabouts of Uitm Runners Club after the run. Supposed to ride with them but couldn't make in time for the rendezvous. Big thanks to URC. Without them it would be impossible to get a slot when the public registration closed just after 6 hours.

With Diana a.k.a "super runner" and Hafriz