From an Ironman to an Ultraman<\/p>\n
source <\/a> <\/p>\n By STUART MICHAEL \n FITNESS buff Kannan Murugasan is one man who is determined to reach for the stars as far as fitness is concerned. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n \n Ultraman is twice to three times harder than Ironman. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n “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. <\/p>\n “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. <\/p>\n \n The Penangite is living proof as he does not come from an athletic background. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n \n “Then, I joined Fitness First four years ago and now have my own mobile fitness concept called Mission Fit,” he said. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n \n As regular face in Ironman events, Kannan has been training for a month. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n “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. <\/p>\n \n “My hope is just to finish the race in 36 hours and prove to foreigners abroad that Malaysia Boleh!” hesaid. <\/p>\n
metro@thestar.com.my<\/a>
Photos by S.S KANESAN<\/b> <\/p>\n\n\n
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