Starting running...Actually I don't feel like writing this. But I think writing it down, will prevent anyone crazy enough from doing this course.
Before the run, I brought along 3 powerbars, 1 small pen torchlight, a tape, and some money to go through the journey. I started at 7:00am, which is a bit late. But since I am preparing to stay awake 24 hours, I guess it doesn't make much of a difference.
Dawn in Kuala Lumpur...
Running up Ampang Hill...
Running down Ampang Hill...it's a superb view...
Chickens...live ones...
At Kampung Tekali...there's a wedding going on...
Going down Tekala hill...
It rained so much, practically lots of water gushing down. I really had no problem on hydration...Road is the usual, from Cheras, up Ampang Hill, then Tekala Hill, and finally reaching the start of the 42km to Kuala Klawang. At this point, it's 30km. Previously, I stopped at the same store for nasi lemak, and had a chat with the owner. He asked where I was heading, and I told him Kuala Klawang. Then he asked, how? I said by running. His eyes grew bigger in disbelief. Then he asked again, is there anyone following. I said no.
42 km back breaking run to Kuala Klawang...As I start the 42km leg to Kuala Klawang, I was still feeling quite ok. The weather has been nice, and cool. But as I reach the 50km mark, things become hotter. I sat down for awhile on the side of the road, pondering the next 22km to run. I set a mental task that another 10km, there's Kampung Sg Muntoh or heaven, as I would put it because there's the place they serve 100 plus and watermelons. And after that is another 12km to Kuala Klawang. Sounds easy hypothetically. But the worse has yet to come.
Genting Peres....surprisingly empty...must be because of Lumut Powerman..
At 50km point...
It's still a long way to go...Because it was 1pm, the sun is merciless. Needless to say, the sun had me until 5pm. I was roasted. I changed between running and walking. Running in the hot sun is a terrible experience. When I reached Kampung Sg muntoh, I had what I mentioned before. It feels so nice to sit in the shade, that I don't want to run anymore.
I seriously don't want to run in the hot sun....After awhile 5pm, rain clouds formed, and the weather cool significantly. And then it started to rain. I ran quickly to a Mobil petrol station. Luckily it was near. There's a surau nearby, so I did a combine prayers and had some snack. After this, it's only 5km to Kuala Klawang. Once the rain stopped, I ran continuously till I reached the bus station. I was a bit on the emotional side as I finished 72km. It was 6:30pm.
Finally reaching Kuala Klawang after 72km...I had dinner with rice and tomyam. Mentally I struggle to find the solution for another 70 plus km. I was thinking, finishing 42km at 1am, and reaching cheras at 6am. It was really wishful thinking.
It was a beautiful evening with 2 rainbows...I restarted running at 7pm plus, reached the mobil station (and did combined prayers again), and then continue on. Since this place is so remote, you don't have street lights. That's when I started to use a pen torchlight I bought a day earlier. It was the only tool to keep sanity in this remote dark area.
Gas station, 5km after Kuala Klawang...this would be my last stop.Soon I was reaching 21km on the run, but will need to face 21km of gruelling hills of Kuala Klawang. Mentally tired, and with my right leg lower shin in pain, I was really to throw in the towel. Now, the pain is unbearable, I am practically dragging my right leg forward. Every step is painful enough.
I thought of home, and how far it is. I still got 50 plus km to cover, to get back to cheras. The thing that broke my spirit was really not the night, but having going up the hills again.
So, I thought I could get some help to get to hulu langat by flagging down cars. Maybe I could get a lift. But as I learned the hard way, no one will stop for you at this part of the road. Understandable, who would do that? The suspicion is on a guy, out at night, who might have bad intention. Not one car stopped.
But finally out of my suprise, a police car heading to a police station nearby stopped. He asked some details, and identification (which I didn't bring). I told him, I need a lift to at least Gabai. I also told him, where I came from, and what I was doing. He was just bewildered. But what he answered next totally disappointed me, because he can't go to Hulu Langat, because it's not his area of control. You see, hulu langat is in state of Selangor, and we are in Negeri Sembilan. But he offered to drive me to Kuala Klawang which I declined. I just wanted to move forward. Not going back to where I came from.
So, I made the decision to go through 21km of hills in the dark. It was already 9 or 10pm. Sometimes, when you run this place alone, it feels like dreaming. But with battered legs and mind, I was really not enjoying it. It's one km after another battle. A battle with physical pain and mind. Sometimes I wish I could just lay down and sleep, but I had to go on.
I finally reached genting peres at 1am. Not a single car passed this area. As I sat down, I told myself, I will continue to a bus stop before Gabai, and then wait for the morning bus. But the next run downhill turned into a walking affair. My right leg is busted. I did try running once in awhile, but the pain keep on coming back.
At last, I made it to the end of 42km leg at 3am. Yup, I completed 84km back to back, but there's nothing to celebrate. So I walked another 3 km to the bus stop, slept a little while at the surau nearby, waiting for dawn prayers. I did the prayer, with a congregation who was also suprised to find someone running / walking from kuala klawang. But I didn't told them, I went there earlier on foot too.
Now, I learned another thing too, the bus service here sucks. One guy mentioned the bus only comes at 8am, which didn't turned up. Furious, but still thinking, I decided to walk to hulu langat bt 18. It was a struggle, because my right shin is still in pain. I finally got a bus at 10am plus, which finally brought me back to cheras.
Would I do this again. No,...not in the near future. Total distance covered is estimated at 124km.
I'm FUBARed.
Google map of locations covered.
