Sahara

Sahara, the Great Desert, one moment she was as serene as Venus, suddenly she morphed into Medusa, ravaging and petrifying everything in her wake. There were treasure hidden under the sand, from caravans buried a thousand years ago, or even black gold flowing surreptitiously far beneath the fine grain. One of the most extreme terrains on Earth, she serves right for the Ultramarathon.

This year, 2 Malaysians are going to challenge this 250km run, 6 days across the forbidden earth. We call him Ngae, he’s practicing law, and he’s as old as this country. And Dr. Tan, 51, I’ve only met him the day before they departed to Paris on their faithful journey.

These 2 people are blessed with a happy family, successful carrier, and friends. Not just any friend, but people who would actually care for you, give you the best, and see the best in you, true friends that is. Treasure.

Basically I would think they are the lucky ones with no regrets in life. But why? Why the torment? Risking life, even permanent disabilities, for something most would regard as insanity? When one has everything, eventually he would want fame. But this is utterly the last thing on earth anyone would do for fame. So rule out fame. Is it a spiritual thing? 20 grand (each!) aside, it may literally cost them an arm and a leg! Doing this for Charity HOSPIS Malaysia doesn’t cut.

There’s only one way to find out, get into their shoes. So, I signed up for KL International Marathon, 21km run. That’s the best I could do for now. It’s the day before the run we saw them leaving for KLIA, and I’ll remember the inspiration for a long time. Tomorrow, the finishing line is 21km away. The date is 17^th March 2007.

Run, Kelvin... Run!

I just took up running, positive influence from a very positive group of frens! Yes, go get a positive group of frens, ask me if you need any help.

This group of frens always say: Kelvin you are cut out to run, you know? I was like, really? ok, so we shall see. So I signed up for the SMART tunnel run, some 11 march sunday.

B4 I even started running, i had this idea that since it was newly constructed, it might be all dusty and clogged air etc. The organiser were indeed smart, to lure some 3,000 strong men and women to vacuum this mess. How many would leave the tunnel alive? And since it IS the GOVERNMENT, who know someone might pressed the wrong button and flood the whole tunnel?
Headlines: SMART Tunnel Run ends up a Swimming Competition, Unknown Floaters Still Found.

When i actually entered the tunnel, it felt ok. Deeper into it, the air was getting thin, or it was just me. Bout 2.5 km before the end of the return tunnel, the first of the lady runners who started 10 minutes after the guys, overtook me. That's not very good, but i could hardly pace myself... Thinking of giving up, but hey, that was just a thought.

Crossing the finishing line felt good, but i didn't get my time... Dang! Some fast runner complete 13.5km in 62 minutes, that's very good! Eric did 62mins, he'd done iron man! So from now on, he'll be my benchmark. Some Kenya runners did it in 40 something minute... Average speed bout 17km/hour!!

I was back on the threadmill on Tuesday, guess my effort paid off. By the way, I could do 3.5km within 20 minutes! That is the minimum fitness requirement if you wanna be an Astronaut. Learned that from the newspaper when they were looking for the 1st Malaysian Astronaut. Otherwise known as Can-or-nout.

Eric said his training requires him to do 5km in 20 minutes!! Wow... I'll start with 3.75... Just got slightly comfortable with 3.5, but that was the minimum anyway. Next Sunday will be KL International Marathon... Not sure If i were ready...