I was staying almost in the shadows of Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I was only a half mile away at Number 8 Guesthouse. I woke up and the day was an ugly gray with a constant driving rain. It had the look of an all day rain and that is just what it did.
Kuala Lumpur and the beautiful Petronas Towers
Staying in shape after the Chicago Marathon
I had recently completed the Chicago Marathon, and I was still in pretty good shape. I intended to stay that way and brought my running gear with me to Southeast Asia. I had run a couple of times in the fitness room at my hotel in Bangkok.
The Kuala Lumpur Tower
Related: Running, peeing, walking the Chicago Marathon
Since the day was a wash for any outdoor adventure travel activities, I decided it would be a perfect day to run. When you run, especially in a country like Malaysia, you know you are going to end up a sweaty wet mess. I figured it would be refreshing to have some cool rain fall while running in high heat and humidity.
My first view of the Petronas Towers
Running to Kuala Lumpur City Park
I ran the half mile from my guesthouse to the Petronas Towers. I was already soaked by the time I made the famous twin towers in downtown Kuala Lumpur. I had my eyes and legs not only on the towers, but the adjacent Kuala Lumpur City Park. On the way, I also got nice views of the Kuala Lumpur Tower and a few other interesting buildings and hotels. I was cautious running through the city looking both ways several times before crossing busy city streets. Be careful running downtown as the city is a huge metropolis.
Be careful running when crossing busy city streets like this
Running the Kuala Lumpur city track
I had walked around the park the day before and noticed they had a spongy running track along the park. The track had a starting and ending point and kept track of the distance by meters. Along the route there were different places to view the beautiful towers.
First view of both towers once I ran a little closer
Starting point on the running trail in Kuala Lumpur City Park
The park itself was beautiful. It featured lagoons, amazing trees, flowers, a wading pool, and a man made lake. The main attraction was of course the views of the omnipotent Petronas Towers. When you are in the shadows of one of the biggest buildings in the world, you don’t have to move far to get a good look at the twin wonders.
Beautiful trees in Kuala Lumpur City Park
The day before when I was here walking, the wading pool was a mob of kids and families. Today it was empty. There were Lost in Translation like stepping stones under a kind of man made waterfall. I figured it would be a good place to cool off.
Lost in Translation like stepping stones
I took two steps on to the stepping stones and heard a loud whistle blow. Any former school boy who has ever played at recess knows what that sound means. I looked up and a policeman was giving me the pointed finger to move away from the water. They must have been concerned about lightening even though it was not an electric storm. I retreated back to the track and continued my workout.
Beautiful structure with flowering trees at Kuala Lumpur City Park
Kuala Lumpur running track
Beautiful park bench in Kuala Lumpur City Park
Of course we cannot forget the Petronas Towers
Quite a thrill running in the shadows of Petronas Towers
It was quite a thrill to run in a park in a country halfway around the world, not to mention in the shadows of the Petronas Towers. Have you ever run in a park during your travels overseas? What is the most exotic place you have ever completed a workout at?
Adventure on!
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Good Shots. Thanks for sharing this great blog post. Keep posting
Junalin @ Doula Training recently posted..Is A Doula Right For Me?
Thanks Junalin.
Neat photos of a neat city, it appears…keep runnin…
Cheers..
Charles Higgins recently posted..Las Vegas New Years Eve 2013/2014 orderly according to police arrest reports
Kuala Lumpur is a cool place. Thanks!
To answer your question, no I never have run during my travels, mostly because I never run…period. Unless, of course, I am being chased. 😉
These photos are amazing, and I love that you ran while traveling. You continue to impress me. Malaysia has been on my list of places to visit since forever, but mostly since my trip to SE Asia back in 2011, when I saw their commercials on tv all the time. I still dream of Malaysia, Truly Asia. 🙂
Erin at The World Wanderer recently posted..2014 Resolution: Nowhere to Go But Everywhere.
I wish I had more time to explore Malaysia. Next time I come here I will concentrate on the adventure here because you could easily travel for months in this country alone.
we’d address your questions at the end, but… we’re pretty sure you know the answers.
the lazy travelers recently posted..no travel required: #frifotos
I would be shocked to hear that the Lazy Travelers exercise on the road. Stay true to your brand 🙂
What a great way to put a positive spin on an ugly day. Running near the Petronas Towers looks actually very beautiful. Did you snap those pics with a cellphone?
I’ve given up on running but used to do neighbourhood runs- Chicago comes to mind – when I traveled.
Leigh recently posted..Looking Ahead: Travel Plans for 2014
When training for the Chicago Marathon I bought one of those cellphone arm bands. I usually don’t like to have anything on me when I run, but I wanted to take some pics on some of my training runs and the device was perfect for this run.
What an awesome place to go for a run (despite traffic). I like that the park has such a great view of the Petronas Towers and that it has a spongy track and distance markings!
Raul (@ilivetotravel) recently posted..Top 16 Memorable Moments from 2013 in Photos
It was a memorable run. The park itself was quite scenic too even without the towers.
If I traveled solo instead of with my wife who seems to have much in common with the lazy travelers ladies I would run daily. I love being able to go on a run when I travel. It’s a great way to see a city and a great way to still enjoy a destination in the rain. I’m trying to think of the most exotic location I’ve run in and I’m struggling. I’ve gone for a run in the English countryside but never the cities. I’ve intended to run in U.S. cities like New York but haven’t. I have run on the National Mall in D.C. I might have to get back to you on this one.
Trips By Lance recently posted..5 Ways to Celebrate Elvis’ Birthday in Memphis
You should one day travel with the Lazy Travelers. They could hang with your wife while you go on a run. After your run you could then join the lazy crew for wine and beer and feel good about doing it since you have already run 🙂
Tedward, how did you survive those crazy busy streets?? That one picture alone, with the lines zig-zagging all over the place, is giving me heart palpitations! But good on ya for going for the run and, as Leigh said, you made the most of a yucky-looking day.
Francesca (@WorkMomTravels) recently posted..2014 Chicago Boat, Sports & RV Show – and a giveaway!
Just have to pay attention to the crossing lights. Definitely don’t want to get out in the middle of that traffic and then hit a green light 🙂 Luckily, it was only about a half mile from my place to the park.
I think these towers are really pretty. Hope to see them some day! Love that you went for a run.
Lola recently posted..One Bucket List Item for 2014
They are definitely Lola ready 🙂