Gunung Ledang, Johor. 11Apr2012

This is the second hike to Gunung Ledang in recent years. In 2009 when I first hiked this mountain of 1276 meter, I had excruciating pain at knees during descent that lasted 8 hours. This time round I only use 3 hours to reach the foot hill. My wife Subang has much stronger knees, being ahead of me during the whole hike, even though this is her first trip to tough mountain. As you can see from the pictures, there are different obstacles along the way:

Lots of ropes and ladders up the numerous steep slopes.

The dreaded rock face, need reasonably strong arms to hold on the ropes and stepped up the granite. Those with fear of height often freeze and stop half way, giving headache to mountain guides who patiently encourage them to soldier on.

 

Bonsai garden at about 1100 meter.

 

The final climb, 5 minutes to the top.

 

The first ascent for my wife, the third for me.

An- son of the part-time mountain guide Mr Tan Jui Yong- the future pro mountaineer, can trek very fast, and was among the first to arrive at peak.

Gunung Pass, Gunung Yellow. Cameron Highland, 8Apr2012

Energizer Night Race 2012, Sepang F1 circuit.

First time I participate in this race. Distance: 15.5km. There was no half marathon category, other than the full marathon and 5km fun run. I finished in 1:57 hour, whereas my youngest brother Teck Chin did it in 1:30 hour. Met new friend, Ting Sing Moh, and old friends Kee Teik Jin and Selva (first and last met in Penang Bridge marathon last year), and Oliver- the evergreen runner. 

It was exciting to run on the F1 race track. In the heart one might want to shriek like a race car eeeeeeeeeeewooo. The night was humid and sweat easily. There were many water stations, about every 20 minutes run. The track outside the circuit was not brightly lit, so we had to turn on the head lamp which was given as a gift. After finishing the run, the finisher medal, t shirt, food pack etc. were given out in orderly manner. All in all this was a well organised race.

Drove home after the race at 11pm, reached home (only 170km away) at 5am next day, why? because I slept at highway rest station twice!