Orange Run 2009

EVENT: Orange Run 2009
VENUE: The Curve, Damansara
DATE: 12th April 2009
RUNNERS: Along, Angah, Alang, Izzat, Fairul, Chan, Fuzahir and the Bernama Gang
SUPPORTER: Iylia

'A friend in need is a friend indeed'. Thanks to our running colleagues, Chan, Julie and Joyce, the Sanusi family managed to take part in the 11km Orange Run at The Curve, Damansara, last Sunday.

Initially we thought we had no chance of running in this event due to the quickfire response from the public and we were just a bit too late in submitting our entry forms.

But after making inquiries through phone calls, Along and Angah received good news from Chan and Julie - they have extra bibs as some of their friends who had registered earlier couldn't make it for various reasons.

So after a period of uncertainty, eventually Along, Angah, Izzat, Fairul and me get to run wearing other runners' bibs, and for that we're thankful to our 'runners in arms'.

Reached the venue about 6.50am and made our way to the start/finish point. Took the bibs from Chan, Joyce and Julie and quickly pinned it on our shirts. Men runners were flagged off at 7.35am followed by the ladies 10 minutes later.

Except Chan, the rest finished the race in more than an hour. Met the regular runners and had the chit-chat and photo session before departing to the nearby Tesco hypermarket for a quickie session.

By Shahrizal Sanusi

Melawati 10km Run 2009

EVENT: Melawati 10km Run 2009
DATE: 29th March 2009
VENUE: Taman Melawati
RUNNERS: Along, Angah, Izzat, Javier, Fuzahir, Chan, Jaya and the Bernama Gang
DIVING MIDWIFE PHOTOGRAPHER: Alang

THE scout movement's motto is 'Be Prepared'. Runners, especially those new to the world of running, should try to think like a scout before going into a race.

For one, being prepared will enable you to finish a race with little difficulties. Training builds up your stamina, strength (mental and physical) and endurance.

It also helps build up your resistance to thirst so you won't suffer too much if the race organisers forgot to provide water stations.

But if training is insufficient, at least be prepared to bring along a water bottle to a race (water only to be used after the half way mark), especially 10km runs.

You can never be sure this or that race will provide water stations, and the Melawati 10km Run is an example. Last year's Rimbathon Run also tested the runners' patience for the same reason.

If you look at the finishers medal for this race, inscribed are the words 'water station' after the 5km mark. Sadly, no water station at the mentioned place. A mirage perhaps?

The seasoned runners will not find lack of drinking water as a major problem since they know how to adapt, but the newbies will have to bring your own water as a precaution until you are strong enough to last a 10km race without water.

So, be prepared for everything and don't take things for granted, especially when it comes to water stations. Unless you want to DNF (did not finish) or ride in an ambulance to the finish line.

By Shahrizal Sanusi

Kenyir International Triathlon 2009

EVENT: Kenyir International Triathlon 2009
VENUE: Kenyir Lake, Terengganu
DATE: 29th March 2009
PARTICIPANT: Fairul

After months of training & preparations, Kenyir triathlon will be the first triathlon that i'm gonna participate. And now the the time has come.

@11pm 27/3/2009, i took a bus from Pasar Rakyat to Kenyir. The journey took about 8 hours. Arrived Kenyir at 7am sharp the next morning. Took quite a heavy breakfast & snapped some photos before heading to hotel.

Meet some familiar faces such as Mej. Kalam & Richard Habeya. Richard participate in the relay category. Mej. Kalam said to me, if i survive Kenyir triathlon, other triathlons in Malaysia will be easy for me. Yeah.. because Kenyir triathlon was labelled as the toughest triathlon in Malaysia. Just look at the tagline on the buntings. Meet a new triathlon friend, Syukor & his friend. He didn't managed to book a room, so i offered mine as i'm staying alone. His doing his first individual triathlon too.

After checked-in the hotel room & registered for the race, took a mild ride around the resort & survey the running & cycling route. Later then, i went for lunch. I decided to go for a swimming that noon, but it rain heavily.

@7.30pm, it's time for the "Carbo-loading dinner". Variety of carbohidrate rich food were served. Eat all you can. I ate slowly but a lot. As a tribute to the Earth Hour, the organizer decided to shut-off the hall's lights. But for 1 minutes only. Well, at least it's a good effort by the organizer. Right after the dinner, Mr Chan, the head of the organizer gave the race briefing. Later, went back to my chalet to prepare the things for tomorrow.

Woke up @5.30am the next morning. After shower & Subuh prayer, took a light breakfast, a bar of Snickers. Without any delay, grab all my triathlon stuff & headed to the race starting area with my roommate.

It's about 2km from the resort. Surprisingly, I was the first person to arrive there. And also the first participant to get body marking. Hahaha.. so early. Too excited maybe. Set-up my transition stuff and parked my bicycle. Mingled around, took some photos, ate a slice of Powerbar that were provided for free.

Swim - 1.5km

Before the race started, i did a warm-up swim with some other participants. At sharp 8.00am, the race started. Water splash sound filled the air. Wow.. what a feeling. What am i doing here actually? I'm doing a triathlon now? Is it now? Hahaha.. i still couldn't believe it myself that i gonna do my triathlon right now.

I let other racers to go first. Then i waded slowly into the water & started my swim. In the water, the situation was very hectic, chaotic, with lots of contact, push & pull each other. I can't concentrate much in my swimming. I have to avoid contact with other racers. I also lost my swimming rythm. But after 250m of swimming, the chaos went off slowly. Now i can swim better, but sometimes have to watch for other slower racers in front of me & avoid contact with them.

In the swim section, we have to do 2 loops of 750m to make it 1.5km. The passed the first loop with no major problem. During the second loop, my both calves crammed, on & off. I tried to recover the cram. Sometimes have to swim with one leg just not to lose my time. In about 100m to finish my swim, my right leg crammed. Arghhh.. this time i can't took it. I have to stop for a while. I hung myself to the float until i recovered from the cram. I continued my swim to the finishing.

Bike - 40km

It took me not more than 5 minutes during my T1 (transition swim to bike). Took out my swim cap & goggle, wore my helmet, glove, shoes, shades, drank some 100+ and quickly left the transition area.

The first hill was bad. It was a 30degree hill climb. I crammed again during the climb, forcing me to jump down from my bike and recover from it. A Pertahanan Awam volunteer offered me a help but i said i can take it myself. I pushed my bike to the hill peak and continued my ride. Right after the first uphill, the road went downhill, a long, steep downhill. This is the fastest downhill that my bike reached 71.4km/h, the fastest ever bicycle ride in my life... Hahahah. I really enjoyed the fast ride.

I can say, the bike section was the hardest part in Kenyir triathlon. The route consist of many uphill & downhill ride. One of the uphill was sooooo long, i lose my momentum and have to push my bike, about 300m long. Stopped for a while at the u-turn, sipped my Powergel & drank 2 cup of water, and continued my ride.

The returning ride was faster because more downhill than uphill. But still struggle to finish it with low energy left. Once again, i have to push my bike at the steep uphill at the earlier stage. Reached the T2 (transition bike - run) after 2 hours bike ride. Arghhh.. so darn late. 2 minutes spent in T2. Quickly start my run.

Run - 10km

In the run section, racers have to make 2 loop of run. I started my run very slow, just to control my legs not to get cram again. Passed by the finishing line for the first time & continued my run. The run route also consist of uphill & downhill sections. Only 1 or 2 sections were flat road. . The organizer have done a very good job by providing water stations every 1 km along the running route. Each time i reached water station, i poured myself with water as the weather got hotter & hotter.

Finally, i finished my first ever triathlon. I reached the finishing line in about 3:45. Not sure about the exact time as i forgot to clock my time during the swim start. So excited till forgot about the setting time. I've been awarded the finisher's medal. Drank Milo & 100+, ate bananas & watermelon. Gathers a while with other racers. Mejar Kalam congratulated me for finishing my first triathlon. Thanks Mejar for your tips & support!

Took my bike & headed to my room. Took shower & packed my things coz buss will be leaving to KL at 3pm.

I'm so happy & satisfied with my achievement in Kenyir. I felt this trip was like a holiday trip because of the beauty & peacefulness off Kenyir, the warm welcome that we participants got, the good new friends and the very good organizer. I'm absolutely looking forward to participate in the next triathlon. I'm inviting more of my Slowmovers friends to join me in triathlon. I can do it, so do you.

A big thank you to those who gave me their morale support for me to do this triathlon, especially my wife. Without you, i don’t have any idea that i’m gonna do this. Alhamdulillah to GOD. Alang, Halil & all the Slowmovers team, my parents, office friends. The rest, you know who you are. I dedicate this victory to all of you.

See you in the next triathlon!!!

By Fairul

The Wild Wild Run 2009

EVENT: The Wild Wild Run 2009
VENUE: Zoo Negara Kuala Lumpur
DATE: 8th March 2009
RUNNERS: Along, Angah, Alang, Izzat, Iylia and Javier

THE big bad wolf must have been eyeing Along at the Wild Wild Run 2009 at Zoo Negara last Sunday. Instead of puffing and huffing at the three little pigs' hut like it normally does, it decided to choose Along as it's new target, possibly because of Along's meaty build.

Along told us she suddenly wobbled and fell like a sack of potatoes while running the second of the four lap race, with Angah as her witness. Maybe the bad wolf was in the bushes and waiting for the right time to pounce on her, and Along swore she felt a gush of wind just before rolling to the ground. Luckily her aging bones wasn't damaged in the process.

She got up, smiled sheepishly and looked around for the bad wolf, but it was nowhere to be found. Perhaps it got scared and fled when the lions in the nearby enclosure suddenly roared (or maybe laughed at Along).

Fairytales aside, it was an enjoyable run for the Slowmovers. The route was basically flat, and we also get to see lots of animals during the run. This is also a run where aromatherapy (in the form of the animals' dung) is made available to the runners for the whole duration of the race.

As usual Javier was the first Slowmover to finish the 9.2km race in a time of 40 minutes, coming in 18th in the overall men's category. Eleven year old Iylia later arrived with her time of 54 minutes and 17th placing in the overall women's category (distance 7.35km).

Izzat finished in 58 minutes (87th), Along in 59 minutes (26th), Angah in one hour (29th) and finally me in 66 minutes and 93rd placing.

Javier also introduced us to an Ironman from Slovakia, Miroslav Blanarik and his German friend, Nicole Hauffe. Miroslav finished the recent Langkawi Ironman in 11 hours plus. He had that typical triathlete build - tall, lean body with a six pack.

After the race, we had the normal chit chat with fellow runners and the photo session. After the prize giving ceremony, we walked around the zoo to see more animals before leaving and having our breakfast at the McDonalds nearby.

One more thing, I realized my bib number (C323 or 'see tree to tree') is really meant for a jungle run...

By Shahrizal Sanusi

KL Tower International Forest Towerthon Challenge 2009

EVENT: KL Tower International Forest Towerthon Challenge 2009
DATE: 1st March 2009
VENUE: Menara Kuala Lumpur
PARTICIPANTS: Along, Alang, Halil, Fairul, Izzat, Javier, Chan and the Bernama gang
CAMERAWOMAN: Angah
SUPPORTERS: Acik, Nina, Iylia and Hannah

"LOOK, up in the KL Tower! He's a Cuban, he's a journalist, he's Javier!" Showing his Superman-like ability to 'reach the top of a tall building in a single bound', Javier Clavelo Robinson emerged champion in the media men's category at the KL Towerthon 2009.

His triumph (plus cash prize of RM1,000) brought joy and pride not only to Bernama, but also the Slowmovers because it's the first time a member of the group became champion in an individual category.

Last year Chanthiran finished third in the same category but hampered by a leg injury, he failed to defend his position this year. Never mind Chan, it's the participation that counts, right?

Among the Slowmovers, Halil the Hustler is the most improved, slashing about 20 minutes from last year's timing of 80 minutes. Sure you're not on steroids for this event, bro? He he, just kidding.

Fairul the triathlete wannabe also improved by four minutes to clock 25 minutes. Me and Along went downhill, both of us finishing several minutes slower than last year's timing. The tell tale sign of old age? Hmmmmm...

This year the Harian Metro newspaper team were represented by me, Rama and Halim (men) and Ayu, Sue and Nini for the ladies media category. All of them performed admirably for a first timer. Good showing guys and gals!

A new category (celebrities) was created this year as an attraction for the event. Comedian Yasin emerged champion, completing the 2,058 steps in 25 minutes.

I also met and chatted with Nezz, who used to be active in the local running circuit until about two years ago. She's part of the main Technical Committee and also head of the Results and Winners' Committee (all this mentioned in her blog).

She also studied at the same school as my office mate, who recognized her immediately when I showed him her blog. I took a picture with her as proof to my office mate that I really did meet her.

We left after chatting with many friends and watching the prize giving ceremony, with the biggest cheers reserved for Javier. Next event for us will be the Wild Wild Run at Zoo Negara this weekend. We might have a picnic there after the event.

By Shahrizal Sanusi

KL City Day 10km Run 2009

EVENT: KL City Day 10km Run 2009
DATE: 22nd February 2009
VENUE: Dataran Merdeka Kuala Lumpur
RUNNERS: Along, Angah, Alang, Halil, Fairul, Izzat, Sarah, Iylia, Chan, Jaya and the Bernama gang

ALONG helped save a fellow runner's life! Approaching the Jalan Mahameru-Jalan Parliament junction (about one km to the finish line), she saw a male veteran runner lying by the roadside.

She checked him and realized he was unconsious and tried to revive him using the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) method (but without the mouth to mouth part becoz he was foaming at the mouth and she was too squeamish to do it).

While she was doing the rhythmic abdominal compressions on the man, my daughter Sarah came along and realising the situation, played her part by fanning the man with her towel.

Along also asked a traffic policeman and a FTAAA official to get help, saying the man is in serious trouble. About 15 minutes later, a St Johns ambulance arrived at the scene and the staff took over the rescue operation.

After the race, Along informed a FTAAA oficial about the incident and asked how is the runner doing. She was informed that the man's condition was now stable but he was that close to dying becoz of a heart attack.

Along's effort was important in preventing an almost certain death. Praise to Along for being a good samaritan, and to Sarah too.

Along was also surprised other runners before her did not bother to check the runner's condition despite seeing him lying by the roadside. She was also relieved not to see a person dying in front of her.

About the race, the only point worth mentioning is the return of Halil the Hustler to the running scene after a year's absence. Good to see you again bro. Hopefully, you will not be like a Chipsmore biscuit.. kejap ada, kejap takda.

By Shahrizal Sanusi

FTAAA X-country 2009

DATE: 15th February 2009
TIME: 7.30am
VENUE: Tapak A, Lake Gardens
RUNNERS: Shahrizal, Fairul, Suraiyah, Sumarni, Izzat, Iliya, Chan & family and Javier

After quite a long break after the last running event (Great Eastern 30km), here we are again running for Slowmovers in the FTAAA X-country 2009.

As usual, we gathered before the race start. Met Chan with his family members. They're all running too.

Race started at 7.30am for the A category (8.5km), followed by other categories later.

The race route was the same as last year's route, except the jungle route. The jungle track was longer, narrower, darker, steep, slippery & muddy. More challenging. After the jungle route, there's a small mudpool waiting for us, enough to make our shoes covered with mud.

Reached the finishing line, no more medal left. There's no finisher's cert for the adult categories too. They said, they will send the cert later if you qualified within the given time.

Searched for Milo lorry, there's only one there. Got soooooo many school students queuing. Have to take a long queue for it.

There's a registration counter for the coming KL Towerthon. Registered myself & Halil there.

After some post-race chit-chatting, we left the scene & headed to Jln Pahang's McDonald for our routine post-run carbo loading. Hehehe...

See yaa on the next race, KL City Run 2009 at Dataran Merdeka.

By Fairul

Larian Mesra Rakyat DUN Chempaka 2009

EVENT: Larian Mesra Rakyat Sempena Program Mesra Rakyat Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Chempaka 2009
DATE: 8 February 2009
VENUE: Dewan Orang Ramai Pandan Jaya
DISTANCE: 6km
RUNNERS: Suraiyah, Sumarni, Izzat, Iylia and Javier


"OOPS! I did it again, I ran a slow race, but still got third place... Tho I'm not blessed with speed, getting on the podium, is not that difficult" (to the tune of the popular Britney Spears song).

This song best described Along coz she managed another top three finish after her 'historic' achievement at the One Mile Dash run on the 31st December last year.

Not only did she got a medal and hamper at the Larian Mesra Rakyat event during the Program Mesra Rakyat DUN Chempaka 2009, she also scooped RM20 for her exploits! So I assume she considered herself a professional runner now.

Only this time she had to compete with six other runners, including Angah, unlike the One Mile Dash where a top three finish is guaranteed as there were only three runners in her category.

Now in terms of podium finish, she and Angah are currently tied 2-2. Looks like it's becoming a personal duel between the two aging sisters. Go Along! Go Angah! From what I see, only osteoporosis can stop you ladies from reaching even greater heights!

Who knows, maybe in the future both of you will be recognized in the running community as the 'senior citizen podium runners'! Suraiyah 'Podium' Sanusi or Sumarni 'Podium' Sanusi... hmmm, sounds good eh?

By Shahrizal Sanusi