Sunday - 21 km Run and Fight against Nature (Long report)

On Sunday morning there was a15 km trial for New Balance-Pace Setters 15 km run on 22 May 2005. By 5.50 am, the car park at Bukit Aman was crowded with cars and runners. Usually there will only be half a dozen cars on Sunday morning. While waiting for Yong, I ate a Snickers bar but I couldn't finish it, too sweet for my taste.

Yong showed up just before 6.00 am. A crowd of runners was gathered near the car park entrance. Met John and his wife but I did not recognise most of the runners.

By 6.05 am, Yong and I was ready to run our normal 20 km route. It was a cool morning as it had been raining since 3.00 am. Perfect conditions for a long run. The only problem for me was I wanted to defecate. The toilet at the park is open at 7.00 am. What to do ? I had to fight against nature and hold it back at least until we reach the Sri Hartamas petrol station. That was 10 km away and about 1 hour from where I was.

As we ran along Jalan (Jalan - jln=road) Parlimen, a grey coloured van sped along on the slippery road. It must have been going at 140 km/hr. Then a bus passed by at a frightful speed. If anyone was to be hit by any these two vehicles, it would be a certain death.

The route was devoid of runners as almost everyone was running the 15 km route. We ran along steadily up Bukit Tungku roads. This morning was different as many of street lights were on. The normally pitch black road was well lit. What was going on ? Had there been a spate a robberies in the area resulting in complaints from residents to switch on the street lights ?

I felt quite comfortable and it was indeed a good morning to run. Ocassionally I had to re-establish control and fight the urge ........ The sensations passed away and order was restored. Occasionally we took turns to lead the run.

At the Jln Kuching intersection, we had to make a long detour as the workers have closed the gaps between the barriers. This was the most dangerous stretch with the most number of vehicles. Some of the drivers may well be drunk and high on drugs. Designer drugs are now the rage among the youths and disco goers.

Steadily we ran up the steep road to Sri Hartamas. While running we had a good chat about many subjects. Again I had to fight the "Urge" Not to worry, I was only 2 km away from the petrol station. Yong asked me if I wanted to run farther than the petrol station. This was the 21 km route instead of the routine 20 km. I agreed. So we ran farther around a playground, along a steep road and doubled back to the petrol station.

At the petrol station, we bought and dranks Gatorade (350 ml). We had reached here in 65 minutes. So far it has been a comfortable and great run. Even my "Urges" had dissapeared so I decided not to make the toilet "run".

After 3 minutes, we started our run back to Bukit Aman. There were very few people on the road. Even the filipino maids waiting at the side of the roads are missing. 5 minutes along the urge became worse. I was about to explode. As I ran along, I considered the options:-

• Stop by the Indonesian construction shacks and use their toilet (last resort).
• Ask the guards at the condos for me to use the toilet inside (unlikely).
• Find some bushes and do it there (best option).

As we ran past a "jungle", a thin mist covered the tree tops. A mist covered trees is a rare sight in Kuala Lumpur. Yong remarked that this morning run was great as the air was fresh and temperature cool. I replied that yes I agreed but most people would be breathing fresh air in their cars instead of running 20 km on Sunday morning.

As we ran past the mist covered jungle I spied some thick trees an bushes near past the Hartemas shopping centre. Maybe I could just hide behind the trees and do my business. Luckily the "urge" dissapeared and resume my focus on running.

We went reached the barriers at Jln Kuching but we stopped at the wrong spot. Ended up walking 100 m underneath 3 sets of scaffolds. We had to be very careful when we were to step over the barriers. Vehicles just whizzed by as though were were invisible. A slight gap to the incomingtruck (50 m away) and we dashed off to the side.

We continued running towards Bukit Tunku. Near the tax dept? I saw some black shapes on the left side of the road. The black shapes were monkeys. Most were infants and the entire troop ran off as we went closer. They dissapeared into the a patch of trees. I noticed the bare earth behind the trees and it appears there is construction in the area. Soon the trees will be cut and I felt sorry for the monkeys. Soon they will not have enough to eat. When I run this route again, I will bring some peanuts for the monkeys.

By now, the sun was fully up as we ran towards Bukit Tunku. Some cops were manning the crossroads for the runners taking part in Laria Anti Dadah (Anti Drug Run) held the same morning. We continued running along Bukit Tunku and came on a few more cops.

Near the Bank Negara train station, the "Urge" was irrestible and the blister on my left foot was also getting worse. I had to stop. I asked Yong to continue running. I walked and soon the front runners of the A.D. run appeared. Chen was just behind the front runner group. We waved to each other. I started to run again but hhen a big crowd surged from behind. The entire road was filled and I had to walk on the side walk.

After the crowd passed by, I started to run again back to Bukit Aman. I saw many runners standing around and I guess talking about the 15 km route. Met Ajeep who mentioned about eh hilly and tough 15 km route. Met Azwar wearing his Kenyir Triathlon T-shirt.

Umm, one last thing. I satisfied my "urge" in the toilet. I should not go through this crap (no pun intended) again.