Last but not least....

Finally, my side of story on the Penang Bridge International Marathon 2007... Have been too busy with work & attended a two-days' office training but away from office. 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 ~ From KL with love.....

The journey from KL to Penang took about 5 hours after few stops at the R&R area. Something suspensed & interesting happened right after the Sg Bakap Toll. I was stopped by the Traffic Police for driving fast, the speed limit stated was 100km/h, mine was approximately 105km/h. The first thing I did was pullover my Serena by the roadside, get out of the car, took off my sunglass & gave my sweetest smile to the policeman. And the conversation was...

He asked, "Mintak lesen".
I said, "Kenapa Encik".
He replied (in his northern accent), "Laju bawak ni."
I answered (with guilt smile & in my northern accent too), "Laju ke? Maaf, saya tak perasan tadi."
He stared at me, "Dari mana ni, nak pi mana?"
I looked into his eyes, "Saya dari KL, singgah Tepen, nak pi Penang, ada marathon esok".
His response, "Buat apa singgah Tepen, org Tepen ke?"
A cheerful me, "Ye, saya memang org sana. Singgah rumah Mak sat".
And finally he's convinced by my innocentnezz, "Tak pa la lagu tu, ni nak pesan, bawak elok2. Hari ni byk kereta kat highway."
Before leaving, I said (with my 'suara-manja-lemak-merdu), "Terima kasih baaaaang!! (oopsssss) OK, saya bawak elok2 sampai Penang".
And in my heart, "Hhhmmmm... hensem gak mamat nie, nak luruh jantung aku..." OHHHH TIDDDAAKKKKKKKKKKKK!!! Reminded myself "Cehhh.. toksah dok perasan lagi dah!!!"
The end of conversation.... I left with my biggest & loudest laugh... HAHAHAHAHA...

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. Around 5.00pm, crossed via the ferry & headed to Bertam @ Kepala Batas to meet my beloved don "Juan". 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 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 as many as I could. I ran as fast 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 full marathon runners. At one point, I saw Raihan, the Singapore guy, called his name & he waved back. I knew he couldn't hear me as he had his MP3 plugged to his ears.

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. Again I saw & passed by Raihan but I don't remember the distance marking point, called his name but he couldn't hear me.. 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 and last but not least, went over to Bertam @ Kepala Batas via the ferry to meet my don "Juan" before going back to KL. 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...

:)