This run is somewhat unique for me.
Firstly, it’s a vertical run.
Secondly, it’s my first run with my Miracle Mile vest!
As the name says it, part of the run is ‘running’ (I’d prefer to use the word ‘walking’ here) up Komtar!
Yes, you read it right, all the way from level 1 to level 60.
Not only that, we need to run for about 2km around Komtar and Prangin Mall first before doing the climb.
I’ve a few things that I’m expecting in this run. We’ll be…
1. Running in an enclosed building.
Meaning the staircase will be crowded if you are running with the pack. Being crowded in an enclosed building means…
Wide range of body odour is expected! Probably it would be like in the perfume department in shopping complex, just that it’s organic and natural.
Yeah, with hundreds and hundreds (probably a thousand?) of people huffing and puffing and all the body heat.
4. Dirty railing and wrestling.
Obviously, everyone would fight to grab the railing to help them climb up the steps. All the sweaty, oily and dirty hands touching the railings, goodness! What if you unknowingly grab hold of the railing, and then unknowingly wipe the sweat off your face with the same hand? >.<
***
So did my predictions come true? Let’s find out!
***
I actually had a bad start. We’re asked to register between 6am and 6:30am. So I set my alarm to wake me up at 5am and another at 5:15am just in case if the first one didn’t succeed.
Guess what? When I woke up, I look at my phone; it reads 6:11am. I stare at it for a moment before the word “I AM LATE!!!” finally register into my brain! In 5 minutes, I got ready including brushing my teeth and bathing! =D
Here’s a good tip.
***
Always and always get the things that you need prepared the day before. That includes your clothings, Powerbar/Powergel if there’s any, receipt or any proof to show that you have signed up for this run, water, isotonic drinks, Vaseline and socks.
Doing all these the day before will save you the precious time that you need such as the one I’m facing.
***
I practically raced my way to Komtar. When I reached there, it was already 6:30am and I am yet to find a parking space! Getting quite stressed and annoyed, Andrew called to tell me the good news. Registration hasn’t started yet! Thank God for our Malaysian time!
Taking our green bands...
At around 7am, we were given hand bands according to our category. They grouped the Mens Open and the Girls Junior at the first flag off and the Womens Open and Boys Junior at the second flag off. However, before starting the race, we have to go through a warming up session by Celebrity Fitness I think? Since they’ve given a voucher in the goody bags for this run.
At 7:30am, finally the race begins! All the time my mind was thinking “Get away from the crowd, get away from the crowd”. I tried pacing faster to break away from them at the side. However, after a short while, I had a little side cramps. Most probably I didn’t train much on a faster pace so I had to embrace myself for the worst when I reach the staircase.
When I reach the entrance to the staircase, it wasn’t like what I expect it to be…it was far worser! Although it fell right on my predictions, I didn’t expect it to be that bad. Adding to the fact that the oxygen level is very low.
After crawling up to about level 15 or 16, I had to stop once every 2 or 4 floors as there’s an air vent that blows in cold air at every odd numbered floors. Now I know how firemen feel like when they are running up a building that is on fire without their oxygen tank. There are a few times I thought I could almost pass out or wants to give up. During those times, I had to stop for a longer period of time and thankfully I brought a bottle of water with me as there’s no water station at all.
Aerobics Leader : "Oi! Come to the middle lah..."
When I reach level 45, it dawned upon me that there are only 15 floors left and that itself, gives me the strength and motivation to carry on! Every floor after that seems lighter, colder and easier to breathe. Upon reaching the top (took me about 30-35 minutes), I’m too tired and too busy hoping for cold air to greet me but no; a lot of (hot and stinky) people are waiting for the elevator. Suffocation doesn’t leave me alone even in the elevator until the door opens and fresh air greets us.
Now I appreciate our air more after this run. =)
I went to look for Andrew, Christopher and Deswyn who was ahead of me throughout the entire run. =P
Had a little “walk down the memory lane” while I make my way to Dewan
And so they run...
Tunku (Komtar Dome). Childhood memories flood my mind as I pass by certain shops. For your information, Komtar is very very runned down inside and most of the shops have disappeared for a long time already. The government is already making their way in reviving Komtar back to it’s former glory.
Saw Dewan Tunku up ahead, and as I walked towards the outside where we could see the second group of runners running by, cold, refreshing cups of 100 Plus caught my attention and they tasted exceptionally wonderful after all the suffocating experience! =D
Meet up with the rest of the Miracle Miler guys and cheered for Wai Wai! However I didn’t stay back there as I need to rush back to go to church.
Andrew doesn't want to inhale carbon monoxide...
Christopher focusing in his run, so is the other runners, except for one...
Deswyn racing with some veteran runners.
The only time you'll see me smiling during the race!
This is nothing compared to what's ahead of us...
This is at the 60th floor! One person is prepared in case of AH1N1 outbreak up there.
The first four who reached the top!
Wai Wai with her finishing pose!
Congrats Team Miracle Mile for conquering Komtar!
From left : Deswyn, Wai Wai, Christopher, Andrew and Justin
By the way, I did hold the railing and I did wipe the sweat off my face with my hands!!! ARGH!!! No wonder my face felt itchy!!!
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