Larian Sultan Azlan Shah: The Friendliest Neighbourhood

Can't sleep last night. Even after turn turvy on my side of the bed several times, I can't seem to doze off. And it was still 1.30 am. 

When it was morning, it seems that Iqbal also have the same problem. And here I thought he had a good sleep, since I heard him snoring throughout the night.

This is strange and possibly bad.

The great news is that my chest didn't feel hurt anymore. And that is a huge plus.

Arrived at the field of SMK Clifford just in time before the start off. Iqbal had to dash to the toilet though, it was for the number two. Need to clear out the colon before the run.

For me, I'm trying to find the bag keeping area. Didn't find it though, even when I asked one of the running crew. I just hang it unto one of the fence. Nothing valuable in it. It was just the official running shirt inside. It was meant for after the run, since I'm wearing a running vest instead for this run.

The start off will start at 6.45 am by the Pemangku Sultan Perak. He was punctual, very rare for a VIP. Even politicians didn't have this kind of attitude. Another plus point for the Perak Royals.

It was a cool morning. The morning breeze was blowing nicely. There were fogs by the foot of the hills. So majestic.

My strategy for this run is just to survive the run until the end. Iqbal already far in front of me. Nothing that I could do. Even if I upped my pace, I'll surely suffer at the middle of the run.

I have my new hydration running belt with me. Plan to keep hydrated throughout the run. The run will have a drink stop in every 3km. I'm just cautious in case that the stops don't have any sport drink.

If Iqbal had been in peace with his stomach urges, unfortunately not the same can be said about me. Suddenly number two emergency flashes out during the run. And I'm still at 3km. I don't think this would end well.....

The route run through the kampung houses. This is the first time for me for any running event. Surprisingly the locals were very supportive of the runners.

We had these makciks standing outside their homes and waving to the runners.

We had these guys that took their photos with the pakciks.

It is indeed the friendliest bunch of locals that I have ever seen. As a Perakian, this indeed makes me proud. Not long we were back on the main road. And even here we could see the greenery of the scenery in Kuala Kangsar.

The next drink station will be at the 6km mark. When I arrived at the 2nd stop, I was in for the next surprise of the run. Thank god it is the good kind of surprise.

Starting from the 2nd drink stop, the organizer had prepared both the mineral water and isotonic drink. That is a big plus. Since altogether there will be 4 drink stops, that is the most generous run organizer that I have ever seen.

After the special support of the makciks and pakciks in the kampung that had went earlier, I found another local delight in the 2nd drink stop. They served foods for free.

Initially I thought it was from the organizer, but then I realized that some of the stalls were not manned by the organizer personnel at all. It was just some kampung people waiting with their tables. On the side of the food scribbled crudely 'Makanan Untuk Pelari'. Oh my gosh, these snacks are from the locals.

Even though I didn't took any of the snacks as it would upset my pace, it was a great gesture from the locals.

It was at 6km that I reached the u-turn route. I hate u-turns in a run. You need to cover the road twice and worse, you got to see everyone in front of the pack.

This man need to push another man in a wheelchair and he was already on the way back from the u-turn.

If that was not bad, I just realized how far my pace was off when this mother pushed her kid in the stroller passing me.

At that moment, I just chuckled and thought to myself... Well, I'll be damned....

It was already past 8am, but we're still running to the cool morning breeze. The scenery of its hills covered with fog even though it was already late into the morning was simply majestic.

Finally the dread of the u-turn ended. By this time it was at 9km. Another 6km to go.....

It was when the route bring us to the Persisiran Sayong that the final surprise hit me. I knew that this run is conjunction with the Sultan Perak's birthday. But I didn't realize just how big the thing is with the locals. Until now.....

Suddenly up in front we had these locals that have some sort of celebrations of their own for the runners.

We had these Indians dancing their traditional dance....

We had these boys who beats out traditional instruments for us....

We also had these makciks who belted out some nasyids along the way.....

The once in a lifetime surprise was when the locals passed us these coconuts for us to quench our thirst. Every single runners that ran alongside me have this disbelieve look. Dafuq? Is this real?

The best, friendliest locals ever.....

After I passed the side of the Perak River, the route will be the last strand of roads that will bring the runners to the finish line.

Up until now, my body still can stand the rigor of the road threw to me. More than 12km, it will be uncharted territory for me. And what a challenge it was.

The first that went down was my mp3 player. Evidently, after serving for more than 9 years, it only can play continuously up to 1 hour and 45 minutes. 

The second that finished was my drink at my running belt. Even though along the way there were drink stops that served isotonic drinks, I really glad that I bring mine. The run demanded a lot more from me.

The final nail to the coffin was my leg suddenly gave away. Never before that I experienced leg cramp during any of my runs, but it was definitely a twitch in my right calf. Since I don't want it to deteriorate, I managed my pace after that with more walking.

With the music already stopped, the juice already dried up and the legs only be able for walking pace, I have only the spirit to go on. The spirit of not letting go. And during these time my mind was talking sense with my body:

Brain: Wow, susahnya nak lari lebih dari 10km ni.

Body: Tu la, aku dah cakap memang susah. Ko degil jugak.

Brain: Tapi kita kena start ada provocation. Kalau tak, sangkut kat 10km je.

Body: Ye la, ko je yang betul. Nanti bulan 10 kena lari 21km pulak tau.

Brain: Shit......

When I passed the finish line, it was such a relief. And the distance that I had run was not 15km, but instead 15.8km according to my GPS. Iqbal had bested me by a long distance in this run. He had finished it almost 20 minutes earlier than me.

Now I have the BSN half marathon to think about.....

RUN RATINGS - LARIAN SULTAN AZLAN SHAH 2014
Organizer - 5/5
This is the case of the organizer be able to get the locals to support the event. While the organizer managed to pin point all the great things, the locals support was really the best that I have ever seen.
Kit & Goodies - 4/5
The fee was not more than RM50 but the kit that had been provided will put other pricier runs to shame. I got the running tee, a pair of socks, a training bag and also the finisher medal.
Route - 4/5
The route is exceptional.Going through the village was the first to me. The scenery of green environment of Kuala Kangsar really envies me.
Overall Experience - 3/5
The only grouse that I have is that I'm really a novice in the long distance runs (more than 10km). If I have been comfortable with the distance, this would be great. But if you ask me would I prefer come back the next time in this run? You betcha!