New Balance Pacesetters Malaysia 20km 2010

18.1.2010

The day after that all dreaded 2okm run- which I surprisingly completed and in under 2 hours! 1h 56m to be exact. Never in my wildest dream did I expect to complete the race in that time. Furthermore, after that last disappointing 12km run at Bukit Kiara run where I finished in 1h15m and my car was broken into.

So as usual, strictly under the cloak of secrecy, I registered for the New Balance Pacesetters Run 20km category and trained at my own pace. I did not publicise it to anyone. Only two people knew it – myself and I.

Jitters set in days before the event. Fear of not able to complete the course set in. I invested in Sloan’s liniment, Salonpas and Fastum Gel to prevent joint pains before the onset of run. I cancelled dinner with Mama and Atteh so as to be fully rested before the run.

I got up three or four times on the night before the run. Finally, got up at 4.45am and after a hot shower and application of Fastum Gel over the knees, thighs and feet along with 2 pieces of Marie biscuits and 100plus, I set off on my tour of duty.

The 20km run commenced at 0628h on 17^th Jan 2010 from Padang Merbuk. It was pre-dawn and almost pitch dark except for the street lights here and there. I was thinking to myself, only fools and lunatics like myself will be running around in the dark on a Sunday morning when most sane people in KL and Malaysia would either in slumber land or in a daze after a Saturday late night stupor. But seeing so many other fools like running, I did not feel such a fool. In fact, it rejuvenated me.

I never knew so many roads existed behind Padang Merbuk. The run took me around so many unseen buildings like Istana Selangor, Bank Negara Museum, Army House etcetera. After a few zigzags here and there, I landed on the other side of Lebuhraya Mahameru and a few turns later landed us near Jalan Duta and finally Hartamas. Before I knew it, half of the course had been completed and it was time to head back. That was not too bad, I thought. Heading back was faster than I thought it would.

Ah…it is here…reaching Tugu Negara again. The end must be here soon. Finally with renewed zest I raced to the finishing line. That is when I saw my mobile phone – the time was 0824h. Wow! 1h 56m. A personal feat for a 47 year old man, under 2 hrs, Rifle Range Boy did it again!

N.B. The official time was published as 1h 55m 52s.,position 88/568 overall, 79^th in Jr Vet category.

G7235 Asokan Shamuganathan 01:55:52 79 88

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