My 5th marathon stories...

Finally..... my side of story on the Penang Bridge International Marathon 2007... Have been too busy with work & even too busy for the recovery run, but will do it over the weekends. Nothing great & nothing much to share. There were some points that make me happy, sad & angry during my stay in Penang. That's normal I supposed.

Day 1

The journey from KL to Penang took about 5 hours after few stops at the R&R area. Crossed the bridge & arrived at Queensbay Mall by 2.00pm & collected all the necessary running stuff. Of all, only met Ms Jewelz with Eric Teo & wife. Also 1st time met Ngae who did his Sahara Ultra Marathon recently. Later, left to check-in at my company's resort at Tg Bungah & had lunch at Subaidah Nasi Kandar. Plus-minus, by 10.00pm, back to the hotel, to get some rest, preparing for the next day's race.




Day 2 ~ Race day...

1.30am, got up & get ready. Felt so tired & sleepy still, regretted for not sleeping earlier. By 2.00am, started the vehicle to go to the starting point & suddenly saw a big group of motorcyclists doing their remp-it & wikang styles ahead of me & I had to give way & slowed down. I knew if I overtook them or even give the horn signal, they'll go rampage & created havoc. From Tg Bungah till Sg Gelugor, I had to give-in & just bear with the situation. My patience was really getting thin at that time. I know I can't do anything but just to follow the traffic. Why on earth should they be around at that time, I said to myself, only later I realised that, it's a "Malam Minggu" & of course for all those who loves clubbing, it's an important fiesta night for them.

3.05am, I arrived at one junction where the police traffic told me, the race has just started & advised me to quickly park my vehicle & go to the starting line if I still wanted to race. Without hesitation, I just parked, put-off my sweater & ran as fast as I could to the starting line about 500m away, then gave my reporting slip to the marshall who told me that I'm late by 15 mins but they gave me a starting wristband & I just started running. My mood & spirit was really down that time & I thought I was the last runner, but when I started my 1st loop, I saw 2 Thailand guys have just arrived & they're late too. About 2km, the 2 runners than overtook me which also meant that I was the last runner. Lucky me, the marshall on the motorbike escorted me during the 1st loop of 6km before I headed to the bridge. I knew that I was behind by 3km away from the rest of the marathoners. I set my mind that I'll chase & try to catch up as many runners as I could. I ran faster than normal as I could till I got the chest pain.

Once entered the bridge, my head told me to stop & turn back when I realized that I didn't do a proper warm-up & stretching, didn't wear my watch, left my MP3, I didn't apply any Sloan & didn't even carry any Powergels. In fact, I didn't even had my proper PowerBar as I always did. But I just couldn't stop my legs from running & enjoying the strides on the bridge. So I just do it for the sake of doing it. I overtook one after another of the full marathon runners, glad that they didn't recognized me as I just kept silent all the way & not in my usual cheerful mood greeting everybody I knew.

Remembering Lai the Pacemakers's advice to start slow on the 1st 10km, I really went slow as I've ran at a very fast speed during the 1st loop of 6km. I didn't know exactly my 10km timing, but only realised that the half-marathon runners has started. After PM1 Ronnie & PM17 Ryan passed by, I ran a bit faster as I knew I need to catch up with time. I just ran & ran & ran & took one wristband after another from the marshalls & passed by PM22 Tey who was so busy taking pictures of the marathon celebrities. Glad that he didn't see me as I was also hoping that no pictures taken on my sour-face & bad-mood look. At certain points, I didn't even stopped for a drink. My legs felt good & I just ran & ran & ran.. till I realized that I've reached the finishing line.

Felt relieved that it has ended, passed all the multi-coloured wristband to the officials & grabbed my medal. I even forgot to check the timing & no one that I knew waited for me at the finishing line, not even any photographers around to take my finishing photo, but it's OK, I'm not the Champion or a marathon superstar that needs an attention. While walking towards the rest area behind the stage, I asked someone who wore a watch what time was it. Just can't believe my eyez, it was 8:15am. Said to myself, "Not bad lah. I was the last in but not the last out."

Saw Julie Ms Jewelz & her friends & we took some pictures together. I just rested myself near the Brooks Running Team & later went over to the medical tent to get some packed iced for my aching feet. While I was having the good treatment time, I saw some Red Crescent guys carrying a stretcher & to my surprise, it was Raihan!! Pity him, I dunno what happened to him as he seemed to be in pain. Before that, I saw Eric Teo being dripped due to heat stress. Eric finished his run by 4:30hrs if I'm not mistaken. He was taken to the Penang Hospital for further treatment, while I rested under the tent till they packed their things. My car was parked so far away & I was so lazy to walk to the car. I waited till the end of the lucky draw & no luck on my side, then only I went to the car & headed straight to the hotel to pack & checked out.

Before leaving Penang Island, went for nasi kandar again, then "lepak2" at Padang Kota for the good food. By 9.00pm, started the journey back to KL & stopped for rest & short nap at 3 R&Rs along the hi-way. Reached "home-sweet-home" safely in one piece by 3.00am.

All my anger & sadness of the Penang Bridge Marathon has gone away by that time.... Phewwwww...

:)