Maiden River Jungle Marathon

I was supposed to run KOTR’s 16km run.

But, i was under mileage for this week quota.

My Saturday’s 20km LSD was interrupted by the news of the passing of my dear old college friend. Succumbed to cancer on Friday night, i spent Saturday grieving and attending her funeral. These days the reunion old friends took place in either Hospital or cemetery – and i hate this! I really do.

If i do KOTR, i will be under mileage. What happened next was magical.

Due to work commitment's – Arman had to let go his RJM’s bib. He was generous enough to give me his bib, thanks a million dude.

With that i DNS this year edition of KOTR, seduced by RJM’s bright lights.

Band of Marathon brothers (reunion of the Songkhla 3 Musketeers)

By 4:00 am race day, i arrived at race site at Pekan Batu Batu 18, Hulu Langat. I said my hello to Kak June, Azza and Kak Tiff, once i located them busy packing the goody bags – they were there as volunteers.

The 3rd edition of River Jungle Marathon (RJM) started at 5:00 am. It was a simple affair, a simple briefing before hand and then we’re all off. I decided to start the Marathon at the back with Ijam, we’re the last group to cross the start line.

I decided not to carry water bottle for this Marathon,  as i was confident with the arrangement done by James Wong – the race director. As a runner himself – i believed that James knows what runners want. The water stations was perfectly located between 3 – 5 km apart.

My game plan for this RJM was to clock the required mileage and treated as another LSD. Most important thing was to take it easy and avoid getting injured as the BIG race is coming closer.

I started to increased my pace after 2km, i was warmed up and had to say goodbye to Ijam. The first 10km i was famished, i only had a slice of Gardenia bread and a cup of hot Milo prior running RJM.

Two Power Gels only – that’s what i brought with me that morning. After the 11km and passing the 3rd water station (i think), i caught up with Karen and Catman. I decided to stop for Subuh prayer at one of the Surau around 11km, took me about 10 minutes. For Muslim runners, if you plan to run RJM next year, worry not; there are many Surau and Mosque along the route to perform Subuh prayer. You only need to “tepuk dada dan tanya iman”.

The weather was great and very cooling that morning, i just loves the cool weather.

After Pekan Batu 14, runners turn left into Jalan Sungai Tekali where the inclines towards Bukit Hantu began around 17km. Suprisingly, i felt energized after two days of resting.

I ran all the way towards the top of hill.

After 21km, while running downhill i finally caught up with KA. Damn this boy was fast, he was pacing with Cikgu Syed and completed the first 10km in 54 minutes. Prior, I passed Jeff Ooi with his costume dress on top of the hill.

Finally after 23km, i arrived at the bottom of the hill. The water station was a welcome sight, plus Bananas was served there. I took 2 bananas for instant energy, took a Powergel earlier at around 14km and planned to use another one around 30km. When you run LSD, you don’t need that many Powergels to fuel your run.

Running besides the Semenyih dam was a beautiful sight, i concurred that this is the most exotic and beautiful Marathon in Malaysia.

While running towards the u-turn, i saw Shine and Karen on the other side. I increased my pace tried to catch up with this strong bunch of runners.

Found out that poor Shine was injured when i passed him around 27km. Try to look for Karen and Cikgu, but they’re long way in front.

The Coconut drink served at 30km water station was the highlight of the run (for me), sweet coconut drink – immediately replenished my energy.

Finally saw Karen’s ponytail after that, such a strong runner. I finally caught up with her after 31km. Overtook Cikgu at 32km – he was complaining about his knees. Again? it’s like Songkhla Marathon. Cikgu started the Marathon too fast and paid dearly at the second half of the race.

Kak June was waiting at finish line with finisher medal for all runners – fantastic to see a familiar face waiting for you to congratulates and loop the medal around your neck. Thanks Kak June, even though you cannot run these days but still manage to conjure that special inspirations for us runners.

Special thanks to Yim, for photographing all the runner photos after he finished his run.

Completed my 15th Marathon (10th FM) in 4:20:21 , better timing than SCKLM with the hills thrown in. I satisfied because this 42.195km was the easiest FM for me, i’m beginning to understand how to run the perfect Marathon – just like i understand how to finish sub-2 HM timing.

 

I only took one Powergel for this FM, and managed to conserved my energy through out the run.

Glad to finish this Marathon injury free, now that the training almost completed, it’s tapering time and planning for 100 Miler race hydrations, food and mental perseverance.

See you nuts in few weeks time – we gonna have a blast running our maiden 100 miler and 100 km.