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

Salomon Xtrail Run

Officially retiring my Nike Lunarglide 2. Served me well since Dec 2010

This is my first time running in a trail running event. It's a 10k run in the vast field of Ladang Ternakan, UPM, Serdang. I wore my Nike Lunarglide 2 because I do not have any specific trail running shoes. Also this would be Lunarglide's last run meet as I'm going to retire it after all the hard pounding since 2010. I know that's a long time in a runner's world, but for me, I beat the crap out of mine until it's last stretch. My only concern running in trails is when your foot does not land properly and you end up rolling your ankle. Thankfully I didn't get one. Alongside me for this little adventure this time around was Zawawi. Let's go!

The men's category was flagged off first then the women's category, 15 minutes later. Reason being was to avoid congestion, I guess. Well, here's my problem with different flag off time. Why can't men and women be flag off at the same time. Unless there's a different distance category, I don't see any other points and it takes out the fun for me as I only ran passed men and faster women ran passed me '-.-

The starting line was at stadium UPM, then runners made their way into the Ladang Ternakan which was only a quick jog away. Before entering the field, runners were greeted with a small pool of water where majority of runners chose to climb over fences to go around it, including me. Nobody wants to get their shoes wet that early. This particular obstacle caused a small traffic. Once in, everything went smoothly. The sky was clear and the sun was up. Certain areas were a bit slippery where there were mud and wet grass. Definitely got to watch your steps. Few climbs but nothing lung busting. Considerably flat and non technical. Basically, it can be easily adapted by any road runner. 

Ran the whole 9k alongside Zawawi but decided to push harder in the last km. I should've known better that my shoes will eventually get dirty, and did cross the pool of water as I was making my way back towards the stadium. Crossed the finish line at 1:21'49". Hit the refreshment booth and grabbed few photos before heading back home. Next Nike We Run KL!   

At the entrance (the gap in the middle was where the pool of water was)

Cows cheering runners on

Close up of the finisher medal

With Zawawi at the finish line

Volunteer act: Adidas KOTR

I'm in =D

When I missed out on the registration for the Adidas King of the Road, I'd jumped straight away into the opportunity to become a volunteer. Actually I didn't expect to volunteer after they replied in an email that the registration for volunteers is fulled, but then the day before the run I received a text message telling to me to join. I wasn't that excited in the beginning because the volunteers had to report in at 2 a.m. Plus, I've just got back from playing futsal and had one thing in mind and it was my comfy springy bed.

The organizer gave us t-shirts but the size was not to my liking. Didn't tripped since it was free. We all gathered at the Sunway Pyramid concourse. The organizer divided us into groups. There I befriend Akmal a student from UPM. The time was 3 a.m and you would think everybody would settle down and catch a nap. Hell no! The energy level of the volunteers at this point was the highest as if the shopping mall was opened. Me? I was already lying on the floor try to get some shut eyes. 

At 4 a.m, our group leader took us to tour the race venue so we could familiarized our self with where the medicals, toilets, baggage center, vip booth, presentational stage, finish line, starting line etc. are, so we could assist runners later on. My group was in charged of the Athlete's Welfare Area (AWA). This is where the runners, after completing their run would go to and collect water, banana and finisher medal.

After the AWA station has been prepared, Akmal and I went for subuh prayer at the mosque opposite Sunway Pyramid. On the way back, we checked out the 10k runners flag off. The 16.8k  runners flag off was 15 minutes earlier. We didn't have to wait for long before the first runner reached the finish line. After 30 minutes the elite athletes started to show up. They were welcomed with loud cheers and applauses from the crowd and the volunteers.

10k flag off

Bananas? check

Medals? check

Chilled mineral drinks? check

As runners started to flood into the finish line, I had the task of navigating traffic so the runners would keep moving forward and won't crowd the finish line. Bumped into Puteri who ran the 10k run with her boyfriend. Caught up with Hafriz who also ran the 10k run. Chatted about his run and just soaking in the atmosphere around. 

At 10 a.m, we cleared the AWA station before we were dismissed by our group leader. Overall, it was a cool experience as I got to check out the event in another perspective. Volunteering is a great way to give back to the running community because now I know the work that have been put in. It gives me better appreciation for the volunteers out there doing their part. Job well done guys!!!

With Hafriz after his run

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Another Ramadan has passed by. Hopefully we've all benefited from it. 

Most of the outdoor activities were put on hold during Ramadan. Only managed the occasional night runs and futsals just to get some sweats out. I did not ride with GTL at Elmina this Ramadan. Pretty bummed out with that. Neither did I join any runs or bash rides too.

I will be back on the scene soon after done attending all the raya open houses. There are few runs that I've already registered. There's the Salomon X-trail Run (Sept), BSN Putrajaya Night Marathon (Oct), and International Penang Bridge Marathon (Nov) coming up. There are few other runs that I've looked at but have not given serious thought about it yet. I'm gonna try my best to get back on the bike again. Looking forward for the next bash at Broga this month. 

Lastly, I want to wish everyone, friend and non friend alike, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Wishing all of you have a great time with family and friends. Drive safely for those who are making the long and short journey back to kampung.