The alarm sounded at 0030hrs. Kayano was first to the toilet, while i gave myself 5mins after another. Eventually, i got to my feet and left the room for the common toilet for a shower. A shower at 1am, not to sleep but to start running.
Applied NEAT Cream to abrasion prone areas (which reminds me, need to get Brudder Burnz to buy for me a new tube) and plasters too. I then donned my SGRunners vest, Adidas black shorts, USK, Adidas cap (by now my signature race attire), socks and NB 1060. Strange that i opted for NB 1060 instead of Asics Cumulus, i still can't recollect the reason why. Nevertheless, i had a pack of Protein Plus before heading out towards the startline by 0200hrs, just 10mins walk from the hotel.
Got to the reporting centre and was angered by the race referee and official's insistence for 2 racebibs to be put on at chest-level. I have raced numerous times, mostly in Malaysia and never once was i threatened with disqualification for not putting on 2 number bibs, at chest-levels, with safety-pins. Imagine this, a RM50 registration fee, 10 hour bus ride, got up at midnight, and disqualified because i wear 1 racebibs instead of 2. Hhhmm, ridiculous isn't it, more like chicken shit to me.
Preferring to be the victim, Teelee and i ran back to the hotel and grabbed the racebibs, and ran back to the reporting centre. The officials continued their chicken shit behavior by requesting us to put on the bibs before he let us in. We complied, put on the bib and entered the centre. I bent my frustration by peeing..... at the toilet. (gotcha hehe)
Did some stretches and warm ups before the officials opened the gate so that the runners can proceed to the startline. Said my hi to Bernard and Michelle, Mythos and Jennifer. Got hold of Balasing and tuned my stopwatch, bracing for the start.
The gun went off. I switched on my MP3 player, filled with songs selected by my best buddy Han. Crowds were lining the streets cheering us on. As always, i ensured a steady pace is maintained. Reaching the expressway towards Tesco, i stopped for my first pee break. Continuing on, i said hi to Tigger and opened up to get in line with Balasing again. We ran past Tesco and made a left turn towards the Teacher's College, where my MP3 played Elvis Pressley's "A little less conversation".
We turned left again and headed towards the startline. Stopped by the first waterpoint at the 5km mark. Saw Captain Lim of Klang Pacesetters and said hi to him. He replied by saying that I've gained weight. How nice.....!!
The crowd were still cheering us on as we passed the startline again, this time we'll be heading towards the bridge. I kept near the centre divider where the road is flat and stable. I was on the look out for the next waterpoint, where i will be taking my first pack of powergel. My race seems to be from one waterpoint to another.
Had the first pack and entered the bridge. The runners were more dispersed by now. I was running mainly with Captain Lim and another runner from SG Red Hawk. We got to the centre of the bridge, where the road slopes upwards and my MP3 playing songs by Joss Stone. I hoped for a waterpoint at the top but there was none. There was one at the end of the downslope. I had my drink but a dried fish-like bad odour was lingering. I almost puked.
My spirit was elevated when we got to the end of the bridge, signaling a u-turn. There was a waterpoint and i had my second pack of gel. Collected my second ribbon just before entering the bridge towards the island. By this time, i was already tired and i started my run-walk routine. The first 21km runner zoomed past as i reached the 20km mark. Soon, many more passed by including Juwatim. Harmoni and Vincent waved from the other side of the road. I emptied my pack of salt solution into a cup of water and drank at the last drink station on the bridge.
The sky was still dark when i reached the island. The faster 21km runners must surely have finished their race and there i was with close to 18km to go. The expressway was closed to traffic on both sides. Those ahead of me kept to the centre divider, so i followed. A powergel station came up circa 27km. I declined their offer as i still have 4 more packs in my USK. Less than half a km ahead while MP3 was playing Survivor's Eye of the Tiger, was the drink station, where i had my 3rd pack of gel.
From a distance i saw what looked like Swoop. I kept my distance, using him as a gauge. I ran past Queensbay Mall, Sports Complex, factories of every kind, before reaching the u-turn point. Collected my ribbon and continued on. Tey was at the drink station, snapping pictures of tired faces. I took my 4th pack of powergel. I planned to take 5.
By the time i got back on the opposite side of Queensbay Mall, the sun was already up. I was too tired to run and my chest was heavy. I wanted to just sit and sleep. My MP3 however, had other plans and started playing U2's "Walk On" and "It's a beautiful day". I calculated the distance against time, and suddenly felt stressed about not finishing within the 6 hours qualifying time.
I walked on in the beautiful day, chatting with every runner that i overtook and the many more that overtook me. Soon, i saw the 37.5km sign and knew that i had less than 5km to go. The time was already 5:00. I was sure i could finish 5km in an hour by walking but decided to jog just to make sure. Reached the final u-turn, collected my ribbon but felt disgusted when an official demanded a runner to put on his vest so that he could see his race bib. Ridiculous!!
After the u-turn, the group of runners surrounding me started asking me for the time. I replied and we encouraged one another. Soon, we got on the viaduct and blended in with the Fun Runners or should i say walkers. The place was crowded and i had to summoned what's left of my energy to tell them to make way. The last stretch before entering was filled with people, mainly those who have completed the run. Some cheered us on, some blocked our way. I managed to weave through and finished the race in 5:45.
I spent the next 5 minutes looking for water but there was none. Instead i had to walk to the opposite side of the road to collect my goodie bag. I walked slowly, using the time to cool down and stretch. The goodie bag minah gave me 2 bags, and they were heavy. I stopped to talk to Yen Erl, who finished her 21km race, complaining of pains of her ankle.
Getting back to the end point where my group were waiting at, i felt a sharp pain of my left shoulder. I knew i was getting cramps and headed towards the nearby first aid tent. The St John's Ambulance medic helped my to the tent, applying what little ice they have to the shoulder. When i complained that the pain is not going away, they got out the stretcher and carried me to the Medical Post. That was the first time in my life i was carried on a stretcher.
Medics at the station applied more ice to my shoulder. One even joked to the doctor that i needed CPR. All in good humour, but i knew laughing will cause more cramps. Thankfully, the pain subsided after a while, and i walked back to the finishing line, found Balasing and Teelee, and we walked back to the hotel.
A shower, 3 hour sleep, Nasi Kandar lunch, a bowl of chendol, a mug of Americano, Secret Recipe's Meatball Pasta for dinner and 10 hour bus ride later, i was back at the office, zombied.
Good run, great route, but pathetic organisation. Thumps up though to the St John Ambulance. Next is Port Dickson Triathlon.
Collected my medal and goodie bag. Terrance was around to congratulate us. He seemed more relieved than we were now that we are able to make it for the 10am bus. Met Yeehua who finished 2nd in the women’s category. Congratulations to her. Also runwitme appeared and informed me about him missing the Bendang run because slept through the Alor Star bus-stop. A cup of water later and NL and me were on our way back to the hotel. We stopped by a pasar tani, selling everything like what Sungei Road does and bought Nasi Lemak and the tarik.
