Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email From an Ironman to an Ultraman
By STUART MICHAEL
metro@thestar.com.my
Photos by S.S KANESAN
FITNESS buff Kannan Murugasan is one man who is determined to reach for the stars as far as fitness is concerned.
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Cruise control: Kannan embarks on weekly rides of 100km to 180km to get himself ready for the Ultraman.
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The 33-year-old, who has taken part in seven Ironman Triathlon competitions, now wants to do the Ultraman in Canada from Sept 1-3 and will use his own money to compete there.
Unlike the Ironman that has a 3.8km swim, 180.2km cycling and a 42.2km run, the Ultraman is a gruelling 10km swim, 418km cycling and 84.3km run in 36 hours, that is more than double a triathlon event.
Ultraman is twice to three times harder than Ironman.
If Kannan completes the Ultraman, he will be the first Malaysian to finish this race and it would be a feat that only a handful of Malaysians dare to take.
Kannan said that he has always looked forward to doing things that people rarely venture into and it was more timely since Malaysia is celebrating its 50th year of independence.
“Obesity and health problems are on the rise and by doing this, I want to send a message to all Malaysians to start somewhere, be it walking for 15 minutes, and you can be doing the impossible someday, like me.
“Given a lot determination and persistence, anyone can accomplish the impossible,” said Kannan, who had his best finish in the 2005 Hawaii Ironman World Championship with a time of 13 hours and 29 minutes.
The Penangite is living proof as he does not come from an athletic background.
Kannan obtained an Electromechanical Engineering diploma at the Federal Institute of Technology in 1996 and became an engineer but that is not his desire but his father’s wish.
“Then, I joined Fitness First four years ago and now have my own mobile fitness concept called Mission Fit,” he said.
Chong Huey Yin, 30, who has been training under Kannan for the last three years, hoped that he does well in the upcoming Ultraman, and makes Malaysia proud.
As regular face in Ironman events, Kannan has been training for a month.
His training regimen includes attending seven cycling classes a week and weekend ride that covers 100 to 180km in Cameron Highlands, Hulu Langat and Putrajaya.
He also swims about one-and-a-half hours each day on weekdays and runs on the treadmill at least 80km a week with some weight training.
“The next 60 days will be the toughest training that I will endure. In fact, my metabolic rate is so high that I feel hungry every two hours and sweat very easily.
“My hope is just to finish the race in 36 hours and prove to foreigners abroad that Malaysia Boleh!” hesaid.
Those interested in having a personal trainer or sponsoring him for Ultraman, can contact at 019-383 0447 or missionfit@gmail.com.
