Sights and Sounds

 

Sights and Sounds

It was a beautiful Malaysian sun rise , with just a little high cloud and no wind .  Calm , it was a Saturday  morning during Ramadan , so 70 % of the population ( the Muslims ) would have been sleeping off their Suhoor : the pre-dawn meal, which has to be finished before the first light of dawn ,and   to set them up for the days fast . So little noise ; until that is the foggers started up their engines actually in the stair wells . So much for a Saturday lie in . For me it was a final push to set  me off on the morning march ; this time to complete the 6 km in under an hour , my previous best time  being 1hr 2 minutes . 

New track set up on my iPhone , timer started , and I am off!  I had decided that to increase speed , I had to both lengthen my stride whilst maintaining pace . So it was off on my toes and down onto my heals, letting my Nike Airs absorb the shock and add bounce. 

Left right exhale; left right exhale …for the next hour .

 

Concentration to ensure no slacking . I had looked at an ‘App” to monitor pace , but it seemed too complicated ( for me) ; and besides I needed my senses tuned to avoid being run over. Pavements are a rare luxury on old  rural roads ; I was mainly walking on Federal Hill , a bit of old KL not yet taken over by the bulldozers . This inability to cater for pedestrians is ubiquitous; we had just come back from a ‘retirement village’ in Australia where the minor roads had stamped on them “ slow down , shared road “ , euphemism for look no pavement!

Being semi rural and surrounded by trees , there were plenty of birds to add atmosphere . I recognised the Cole and probably a Malaysian black bird . The sun had only just risen, so could be enjoyed without frying , a little light cloud reducing it’s  intensity .No time for pictures!  With day time temperatures in the 30’s and high humidity ; outside exercise is best taken early morn. But wait , my mind is drifting ; 

back to left right exhale, left right exhale …

That stride length …. It was a down hill section , so time to lengthen stride ; uphill would be leaning forward to maintain momentum. 

No over leaning , must maintain balance . I have a large bruise on my hip , after tripping in a hair salon of all places ; the seat had a stupid design to catch out unsuspecting clients . I lay full stretch on the floor while I assessed possible damage ; aware that those around me were wondering if this old man was OK . Fortunately only bruised and embarrassed.   

I passed a trickling of water , left over from last nights thunderstorm . I was at the bottom of the hill passing the  surprising sight of water reservoirs ; I thought these were usually on top of the hills to maintain  supply pressure . Whilst ascending I tried to solve this conundrum : there is a small water tower on the hill , which is itself surrounded by expensive properties ; no room for large tanks  So I guess pressure is largely maintained through pumping , and the houses’ roof top water storage tanks . Wait ! 

Concentrate! left right exhale, left right exhale .

 It is worth it , just passing the first check point ahead of time . Must maintain momentum. Last 20 minutes to go , and still ahead of time . Rising confidence. Passed a worker sweeping out front . He may have been dressed in  standard working cloths , but from his physique and demure,  he  had all the appearance of a body guard. Perhaps the dress was a blind . Ah mind wandering !

Left right puff, left right puff . It’s getting harder!

Getting ready to cross the finishing line , phone out , stop watch says …YES.  59 minutes 17.11 seconds . Phew , completed in a speed of 6.1km/h.

 Feeling good walking through the mall to get revitalising coffee; black with the fasting diet . Also I  have to make up from eating part of a gigantic piece of chocolate cake . We were lead astray last night ; so I had to burn that off this morning …or did all that sugar help to maintain this mornings pace? Ah conundrum , perhaps further testing of the hypothesis is required !

Not sure where the bear fits in , hope none left in the woods !