World Kidney Day Run 2012

Sorry for the late post. 


I wish I do not get to the point where I am so broke and have to sell one of my kidneys. This kind of things happens and it's no kidding matter and it's a reality of life.


I egged my colleague to sign up with me for this race for 4 reasons. First, it is for charity. Second, it is cheap, 30 RM. Third, the cool kidney-shaped medal. And last, it comes with a Brooks shirt. What else could you ask for?

I consider the race well organized with very minimal hangups maybe started off a few minutes later than started but that's it. Simply put, it served it purpose and everybody had fun.


Kudos to the organizers!

Event: World Kidney Day Run 2012

Location: Detaran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur

Date: March 4th 2012

Starting the year right...12 km for 2012

Three weeks of running and weeks and weeks of not updating this little nook in this humongous cyberworld, I once again conquered the unknown but usual territory. 

I signed up for the Multi-Purpose Insurans Race last year before going home to the Philippines for Christmas. The numbers game were on it again. 12km for 2012 and happening on the 8th of January. How lucky can one get?

I wanna keep this brief as wordy is so 2002. Let me give you what I thought of the race.

freebies

Pluses

1. Route - as unusual as it sounds, the challenging route was enough to keep me at the edge of my toes and to look forward to the next turn. I didn't expect it to be hilly and boy, was I shaken when I realized how arduous this route was. Good thing, the latter part of the route was mostly downhill so it compensated the pains at the onset of the race.

2. Generous amount of hydration - Aptly spaced 3 kms apart, the organizers made sure runners were well hydrated.

3. Price - At $48RM, I can say I got more than my money's worth. New balance shirt. Timing chip. Finishers' medal. A box of cereals. Fruits. 

4. Accessibility - For non-car owners like me, the event area in Kuala Lumpur beside the bird park is not hard to find and any taxi driver would be able to find it without the hassle of being lost.

Minuses

1. Lack of race clocks - PRs are important even for newbies. Not everyone brings a watch while running. And those digits on the finish banner are enough gratification for toiling it in the race route.

2. The crowd - I admire how they had women go first. But I do not think it has something to do with gender. A lot of us, men, were chicked by agile women runners. How about classifying runners based on their pace? That would spread the crowd along the route evenly. 

short shorts

Overall, I did enjoy the race. I felt slower as my behind got bigger. Lol. But the important thing is I had fun and I guess, I am starting the year right. 

More running in 2012!

Thanks to Raymond Estrella for hosting and for being my buddy for the day.

Bitoy Running in KL

Petronas towers view from KLLC park (inset: view from my hotel room)

I just arrived in KL yesterday. While I am excited to start a new phase in my ho-hum life, I am sad to leave my family and friends in the Philippines. I think I did not get to spend as much time with them as I wanted to since I was busy preparing. I got my visa and clearance just last week so some 'me' time was close to nil. But at least, I got to see most of my dear ones before I leave.

Anyway, I started work today with a bunch of other crazy pinoys. It was a bit overwhelming to get to understand the new environment I'll be having for the next years or so. So to cope with all the stress and all the other emotions and at least to make a running comeback after being sidelined for two weeks, I decided to do a short run. I have an obstructed view of the Petronas towers from my hotel room so I was wondering how it would look like uhm, unobstructed. So I ran from my hotel--with always the fear of being lost--and found my way in KLCC Park. 

It was in the evening so I really can't see well. But I can see there are lots of trees and there's a man-made lake. But the best come-on of the park is the perfect view of the Petronas. I remember a sappy movie I saw a year ago where one of the character likened the towers to two people holdings hands. I wish I could metaphorize the tower at this moment but I think I would have to save that later.

I enjoyed running for thirty minutes in this park teeming with trees and has a running trail. And with the Petronas towers hovering over me, it couldn't get any better.