anak-anak berlari-lari anak di Putrajaya

I have to give PNM a miss this year. I never register anyway, since PNM's calling was not appealing enough, and driving around meetings doesn't help improving my old hardrive in my head to remember any better. But a chance for a LSD every weekend is something I need to accustome myself to. And when CAR invites, I answered, although the taste of Shape Run 2009 in Putrajaya is still locking in my throat. Few GBS clan 'turun padang', and making their first entry were Yimster and Crusshio.

My main target - to see how night LSD in Putrajaya/Cyberjaya area in seeing myself in Energizer, March 2010. It will be a time to gauge my diet, pace, and mental preparation to running into the night. I am still wondering how running through the midnight at Sundown would do to me. I think this will be a different ball game.

After locking myself in a room to do my homeworks, and some short sprints at Isetan, I arrived at Taman Tasik Empangan, Putrajaya just around maghrib, and met Shuk, Yimster, Zul, Hailmi, Diket, Nizam etc. Quite a number of weekend warriors that night. We prayed, getting ready etc, and I could see there were 20 strong runners in many colours of past vests. Semua power2 - keting Avatar, keting Kenya, keting Euthophia, keting Somalia semua ada...

Our trainer - ZulAzlan briefed us on the route - run along Putrajaya Boulevard into Precinct 4, 3 and 2 until a roundabout by PjH, and turn back until PICC, going round the back and turn into the carpark. Almost a 10k-loop. CAR plans a 3-loop, I planned only 2.

We headed out in a slight drizzle, and 5 minutes into our run, it started raining, and getting heavier by the minute. By the time we reached the U-turn point, we were drenched and shoes soaking wet. OK you get the picture. Have I told you running in the rain is therapeutic? I absolutely loved it. No one around near to gawk at you, and no thumpers to throw your pace off. Great!

I was in the second pack with Diket, Hanchik, Nizam, and Hailmi chatting away, running at conversational pace. It is good to gauge that I am running comfortably, as compared to have a glance at my screaming HRM. We were running, dodging puddles and traffic when lightning and thunder join symphony. Give me rain, but not those. I have lost a friend back in the Uni-days, playing soccer in a rain. I was spooked. We wanted to finish the first loop quickly, and the peloton (haha) caught with the first group just behind PICC and we retreated immediately back to the carpark.

While waiting for the rest of the troops to return, we replenished and hoping the rain would stop soon, although I would not mind at all. While we though all have returned, it was clear one lady was missing, and we spent some half hour waiting for her before sending out a search team party. Running alone in Putrajaya, if not sure of the routes, can be dangerous. More so for a lady. That is why it is very, very crucial to pay attention and know where you are going (perhaps Che boleh buat orienteering course hahah).

After an hour of shrinking cold leg muscles of waiting, some decided to call it a night. I thought of joining Nizam and Diket at Double Trouble too, but changed my mind at the last minute. A 10k for the weekend simply mean I have to do more the next morning to cover the mileage, and at 10p.m., there is a very sim chance that I'd get up early and drive to the training ground. I took off my belt, and headed out with the remainings towards PjH. It was a good pace but we were quiet at most times. None of us have ever run together before so the ice was still a huge block and laughter was a rare commodity. When we passed PjC, I started to feel a little dizzy, my HRM shot up beyond 176bpm. Not wanting to fall out, I trudged on. It was at the U-turn that I had to stop as my head suddenly had a woozy. It was then I realized, my belt is 5km behind with my Snickers, drinks etc. I was out of fuel.

I figured, a late lunch at 3, and later some chocolate muffins, water around 6p.m. would suffice, but I was wrong. The physics of fuelling myself lightly 2 hours prior to the run for night run isn't sufficient. Later I'll try heavy meals 2 hours before, which has to be tested too. Terlalu kenyang will also lead me faster into the snoozeland without counting sheeps.

Macam-macam perangai.

Anyway, the guys went on leaving me alone cruising very slowly, feeling light headed. My only consolation was seeing Hamidon and the Ayam Dara runners within shouts if I ever to pass out. And hey, the Boulevard stretch at night, in the rain (yes, it was still raining) is not bad at all.

Reached the RV point, changed and we agreed to hang out at Double Trouble. It has been ages since I would sit at a mamak mindlessly and just have a casual night with friends, and that night was thoroughly welcomed. A LSD mileage done, great people, milo ais and capati... wow! In the end, we stayed until ZulAzlan finished his meal and took off around 1a.m.

In a way, night runs are a good option, as Iris goes to sleep around 9.30p.m., and wifey would be able to enjoy her 24 DVDs uninterrupted. Win-win-win situation, but do not worry, honey... I won't do this often, or on purpose :D.

This week's done. I have a date with the Double Hills next weekend (or are we trail running soon?).