King of the Road KL

The day before the race, Firus and I went to collect our race packs at Sunway Pyramid, that was big and at some points, overlooked the amazing Sunway Lagoon where Justin Bieber had performed for MTV World Stage not too long ago. The collection point was full of energy, playing the latest Top 40 music and young folks doling out the goodie bags and manning the registration. There was the standard adidas stuff like apparel and their latest shoes.

When we collected our race packs, Firus got the ultimate lucky number (C3888) and the helpers made sure that he knew! The horrible fella was overjoyed and promised to frame his number tag!

 The running route was basically going up and down one of the major expressways, NPE highway. The challenge was getting there. Despite staying in a hotel that was relatively near, it was tough for a cab to bring us in the next day as the roads were being blocked. We could walk. But that would take us a good 40 mins! A good warm up but I'm not sure I had the strength to endure all that!



The next day we woke up at 5. As you can tell it's a lot earlier than I'm used to.. thus this stoned face! Strategically, we chose to take a cab and with luck, he managed to take us through the smaller roads to the residential area that was just behind the expressway.



We made walked there and it was really exciting to see the expressway signs flash stuff like- "this road will be closed for adidas king of the road" and "check Twitter for updates on the traffic situation". Very good use of social media!



As we continued walking, we were joined by runners and I went from being groggy to mildly excited. The road was huge compared to what I was used to back home. It was fantastic seeing everyone so enthusiastic, doing their stretching and warm-up jogs up and down and the highway when it was still pitch black. We did our own preparation as the crowd began to swell.



Standing behind the starting line, we heard the excited chatter of the runners, with some whipping out their cameras for pictures and others updating their facebook status. From their running attire, we spotted people from Singapore and many others from different parts of Malaysia, runners of marathons, school teams, state sportsmen all psyched and ready to go! The runners burst forth when the horn went off and there was this amazing drumming by some folks on the side, which I remember correctly, was possibly a school band. On the way back there would be a rousing group of percussionists, this time made of traditional drums and the like.



It was slightly smokey and the sky was still dark when we started, with houses lined along the side. Soon enough we hit the toll booths and it wasn't a breath-taking sight but it just struck me as utterly amazing to be able to set foot on this place normally reserved for vehicles! I thought it was funny and awesome at the same time!



Past that, the road got really wide and there was a lot of room for overtaking or running at your own pace. Being relatively out of shape and having not trained sufficiently, it took a lot of effort for me to hit the halfway mark of this 16.8km run!



On the home stretch, we were joined by runners who did the 10km race, with most of them tired out and walking. By then my legs were hurting like mad and I joined the crowd in their walk! After a cup or two of 100 Plus on the side I continued running, hobbling a bit as I finally crossed the finish line.



I confess to being ill-prepared but I enjoyed every moment of it. The crowd, the atmosphere and the sights were all fresh to me and it was great to be among everyone who fought so hard to conquer the distance and reach the end.



The majestic sight of Sunway Pyramid.



One of the cool things about this run was the different running tees that designed for the race! There were 3 for men and 3 for women so there was an amazing splash of colour as all the runners gathered at the end, taking photos and whatnot.



Firus was a good ten minutes in front of me. I really should've pushed myself harder! I was wearing the wrong shoes though so by the end of it all I couldn't wait to get my feet out of them and give them a break.



After that we, had a good meal at what I understand to be restoran kegemaran malaysia - KFC - overlooking the Sunway Lagoon. It was value for money and accompanied with a good view, possibly the best, most relaxing breakfast that I could have after the race.



Despite the pain (wow, the run really made my legs look good) I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. It was the highlight of this trip, definitely, and I've realised that this is the kind of stuff that gets me excited when I travel. It was a great experience, something "hardcore", something I'd remember for quite awhile. I'm keen to do other races overseas and when I travel in the future, I look forward to being part of something amazing, full of cheer and spirit, just like adidas' king of the road kl.

Bukit Batok Nature Park Run

I'm not going to lie - the run was a killer.

I had my dental at West Coast Way and Firus met me there at noon to start our run. Moments after we began, it drizzled. It got heavier and we took shelter for awhile and the rain stopped. We went in the wrong direction but got to see a cock and two hens, as well as a bit of the train tracks. Thankfully it didn't rain and it stayed mostly cloudy. (We weren't really keen on floods as we were running alongside the canals.)

The blazing afternoon sun came out as we made our way up the park connector, past Keming Primary School and right into Bukit Batok Nature Park where there was finally some shade!

Okay, we did stop for a bottle of 100-plus at some mama shop as we were nearing the park. It was just to save ourselves from dehydration.

We didn't have much time to explore the park because it started to rain again! We did manage to take a couple of photos at this gorgeous body of water which got collected in what used to be a quarry. Reminds me of xiao guilin, a place that I visited regularly when I was young.

Maybe we should plan a solid route round Bukit Batok one day!

uRun

Took part in NTUC's uRUN last Sunday. It was supposed to have the added element of a 30-storey climb after a 10km run, but I knew I wasn't up for it! Thankfully I only signed up for the run. And now, 10 things about this 10 km run:

1. First time running with my NatSteel colleague, Bryan, in a race. Our Sports and Recreation Committee will be organising more of such runs and it'll be cool to have more people join us next time round. (The other colleagues who joined uRun took on the vertical climb component bravely!)
2. I clubbed and drank the night before.
3. I ran on 2 hours of sleep. Never again.
4. The route sucked. There were so many U-turns, maybe that's why they called it the uRun! Boring and repetitive scenery.
5. The Brooks running tee is too tight. I'm giving it away. I felt my ribs being crushed!
6. I liked how the emcee was hyping everyone before the race. Really A+.
7. We spent about an hour covering 10km. We spent another hour in the queue to retrieve our bags from the baggage counter.
8. I learnt that the area underneath the huge seating area where we waited for our bags was extremely stuffy.
9. I met my cousin's boyfriend while in the queue.
10. The youthful volunteers helping out with the logistics brought good energy to the event.
    

In all, it was a good run, even though it got a really hot and I my exhaustion did get to me a little. I'm happy that I didnt' stop even though I came close to doing so and even sped up towards the end.



Second race of the year completed! More to come.

Men's Health Urbanathlon 2012

Took part in my first Urbanathlon last Sunday! 9 obstacles, 14km. Here goes:



Wall Street - I was initially quite worried about this obstacle but it turned out to be relatively easy. Derek and I didn't really know how to train for it and did a few silly exercises, pulling ourselves up on random walls/bars. It's easier than the low wall in SOC, but maybe because of the weight I was carrying.



Barriers to Entry - Slightly more challenging. We were full of energy when we approached this so we went at it as quickly as we could. Climbed over and went under, over, under...



Quantum Leap - This was rather similar to the obstacle before, but it's slightly higher. After having ran a considerable inclined distance up Fort Canning, I could feel the ache in my thighs as I pushed myself over the barricades. Intense.



Monkey Business - This was rather funny as we've never done it before so we went at it with all our arms' strength! I don't know where you can practise getting across monkey bars the wrong way. Super fun. Enjoyed using upper body strength after exhausting my legs.



Frame Works - This is kind of like a metal jungle playground. Had to balance a little and at some parts there were less platforms and you had to be rather alert, balancing on the poles while pulling yourself through the obstacle. This was interesting because by then I was a small bit tired from all the running. Close to 9km by that time I think!



The Network - Also reminded me of a kid's playground, in the most awesome way. Didn't have any trouble with this one. Scrambled and stretched my limbs out across the net and just went for it. Coming down was a little harder and I was at the centre part where it was less taut but I tightened my grip and made quick work of it.



Corporate Ladder - This was a huge challenge for everyone but I did better than expected. Nearing the end it was all about stamina, a runner's race. Climbing stairs is relatively simple but really draining. I attacked this one with great rigor. I knew that the faster I finished it the easier it would be. It required great concentration, especially on the way down. The view was amazing too!



Tyred Out - It was another one of those obstacles where you had to keep your balance in check and use your arms and legs to get yourself through it. I had fun with this one too!



Down & Dirty - This was possibly the most anticipated obstacle - most hyped even! I planned to throw my shoes away after having done this (which I did). It was quite a downer, however, when we had to stand in the queue for a rather long time just to do this obstacle. While waiting, one of the athletes in the mud container threw mud at the rest of us, all in good fun. But we lost quite a lot of momentum here even though it was thrilling splashing in the mud and having to heave oneself through.

And after the race:









Paid quite a lot for this and must say that it's worth every cent! There won't be anything like this till the next Urbanathlon and there's a great sense of satisfaction upon completing this race. In a long distance run, usually my brain shuts off towards the end - I can only tell myself to breathe and to maintain my stride. With this, however, I'm constantly challenged to get through the obstacles that come my way.

I will be taking part in it again next year.

This race gave me great motivation and preparing for it was half the fun! All thanks to Firus and Derek who trained with me consistently, from long distance runs to static stuff, we made every session count. It's amazing to have completed the race and I'm really proud that we did it together.

A huge thank you to Men's Health and Run Society for the photos.

Next up: U Run this Sunday!

MI ADIZERO adios2

Fighting Fit

I'm the fittest I've ever been since I ORD-ed.

I haven't tested it out. I'm sure my results would be the same if I were to take my IPPT. But I feel stronger. It wasn't the same as when I went to the gym for a year. I did grow in size then, although not noticeably. And I don't think I'll never step into the gym again.

It's just that now, I'm more interested in making a fitness a lifestyle. Pumping iron in an air-conditioned environment doesn't appeal to me that much any more. I'd rather be outdoors. I enjoy running because of the cardio effects - I always feel more pumped up after a run. Really deep breathing, a clear mind, the pulse of my heartbeat in my veins. I enjoy doing some small static exercises after that - chin-ups, push-ups, crunches. Going back to basics, being more functional, more agile and training my body to handle its own weight.

So yes, my fitness is the best the best that its been in years. I've been more consistent in my exercise sessions. I've been consistently pushing myself.

And as for my physique, that's still questionable. Youth is a miracle drug, something you can't get back. But with that comes a bit of maturity, knowing that how I look is not as important as the fact that I'll be able to climb a mountain when I need to.

It's nice being a little old.

The Keppel Bay Run

This could possibly be my favourite run by far. Different terrain, going uphill and downhill... it's quite challenging. The sights are just breathtaking, making the effort to conquer the distance worth it.

I'll roughly run through the route - we started off at Vivocity and climbed Mt Faber. That was already a rather challenging start! We ran past the Jewel Box and made our way to the Henderson Waves, followed by these amazing metallic structures that made us feel like we were running in the canopies of the trees. It was a maze - down, left, right... all the way till we hit Hort Park. From there it was a right turn to Labrador Park, before running down the glorious, gorgeous Keppel Bay, and back to Harbourfront. You can take a look at the full route map here.

Maybe it'll be sexier to share it in photos. So here it goes:



Up, up here we go! The view of the cable cars from Mt Faber never gets old.



The Jewel Box. Epic, expensive food that I haven't had the opportunity to try.



The picturesque high-rise housing estates.



Firus and Ben on the Henderson Waves.



That zig-zag metallic tree-top dash!



A route that's popular with runners, obviously.



Really loved running through this structure. Can really feel the height of it. Really relaxing.



Seemingly endless...



Hort Park! Really nice place, but we didn't have time to go in.



Architecturally curvaceous.



The boardwalk at Labrador Park. Running through a bit of mangroves...



Hit a resting point. Sipped from the water cooler.



Firus and I. He plans the route. I shoot the photos.



Somewhere near Reflections at Keppel Bay. No idea what this building's called though. But it was a work of art against the sky.



Marina at Keppel Bay.



Reflections at Keppel Bay



I think it has the potential to be as iconic as MBS.



Caribbean at Keppel Bay. Okay they really need to come up with more interesting names.



The Marina again. Really reminds me of The OC.



The signboard marking the straight road back to Vivocity.

It was a fantastic experience. I'd run this route a couple more times and focus more on the environment around me. This being my first time, I went a bit nuts taking photos with my phone. I love how running is a great way for me to explore places I don't often go, speedily.

Kinda tempted to spend half a day covering this route, walking, with a DSLR. Should be quite interesting!