Steroid Hill, Part Deux

It has been 3 days - no, I have not got on the saddle and ride out this weekend yet. Went out looking around and 'researching', I only came home with a padded shorts. The shoes will come in next Wednesday, and I am out to get a helmet in the next few days. This is so exciting - there are so many things to look at! But for starters, I will get on with the essentials - pants, helmet, cadence/speedometer-thing, shoes, clip, and perhaps a Trek World Racing jersey if I have some money left.

Instead, the weekends were filled up with maintenance runs - with Saturday saw me running with the big boys. Rashid and Kam joined me, Kash and Daniel to run FRIM.

We started from the carpark, into the Dream Trail, Rover Track, towards the Steroid Hill. After making good progress, and cutting rest times to regroup since we maintained a close peloton (thanks to Daniel who kept Kash company) where I dug dirty secrets about the stuff around the world from the 2 IMs. The who's who, the juicy bits, the sad stories, the triumphant finishes, etc.

On top of the so-called Steroid Hill, Kam lambung-ed us to the helipad. A go-ahead from all, relieved from all crazy wedding receptions the weekends before, we walked slowly entering the Steroid Hill Part 2, before the trail meanders into delicious curves and downhills when we caught the second wind and ran it. The trail from then on was sandwiched by pine trees (?), and in the moody morning, it was awesome where no bushes in the tropics were seen, and as we raised in the elevation up to the helipad, the views are breathtaking!

I'll stop here. If you want to know, join me next week, because it is so gorgeous - with the steep climbs and all. Promise!

The helipad itself was unevenful, we came down it doubly quickly and arrived at the familiar descend down the Steroid Hill. A quick regroup on top of the trail overlooking the over-zealous Sungai Buloh Trail, we stormed down towards the Tea House, and took the short cut back to the carpark as the time inched closer to 10 a.m., and I promised wifey to fetch her to her office.

Ah... the trails always ended too soon.

And on Sunday, I took off Bukit Aman with Nik, Diket, Dett, Daniel, Azmar and A'eshah on a morning that resembled a small race. The carpark was packed, and the road blitzed by many fast runners!

We started easy, as jokes were steadily served as an entree after the long absence of the fellow Kings. On the climbs of Bank Negara KTM, I broke away, eagerly wanting to end the suffering of the dreadful hill. I know the guys were close behind me, but as we entered the Bukit Tunku's infamous meadering climbs, I heard many hard stomps behind me. In the darkness, I assumed Diket and Daniel switched on their engines and hooked me.

Thanks to the nasi beriyani the dinner before, I stepped on, thinking I'd pace them as much as I could. By then, their sweet sound of thumping racers were really articulate. I could almost see the wicked cadence and full form from the sound of it. To my horror, I looked back, and it was 2 runners, but Diket and Daniel. I let them loose at the junction to Open University, and waited on as Daniel came around, and we continued running.

The first time running the course, Daniel is one strong runner. I have been running alongside Daniel in FRIM many times before, and he is one fast horse! We ran past Tijani, and quickly arrived at Jalan Duta interchange, and wait to regroup.

The next half was cool and collected, where we stayed as a group, and I used the opportunity to ask many novice questions about biking, accessories etc. All I have to do is ask for assistance, and these guys are generous enough to advise. But the group did not stay long though. At the last incline after the new Palace, I was running with Azmar and Daniel, and started pushing up. Daniel followed in hot pursuit, and we pretty much had it strong all the way to Petronas. That has to be the sweetest and nicest stretch in the entire route!

Petronas was buzzing as always - bumped into KA, Karen, Dzul, Puisan, Alexis etc etc. But my turnaround time was up, and we made our way back. We stayed in a pack until the Masjid Wilayah, when Daniel pulled out, and I followed. A quick time check with him says I was late, but we ran still in visible distance with the rest. After the Jalan Duta, and passed Tijani 2, I hinted to Daniel that I cannot wait, and both of us went on without the gang (sorry guys!). Tijani, Sasana Kijang, commuter station, and we were home run.

We arrived back at the carpark, and me and Daniel parted ways. Tak sempat nak lepak minum lagi...

Stretched, and sped off home. The weekend is ending too soon! I hope next week, I'd take my bike for a short spin. Time to poke on Bluey and Mr. Smith!