Penang Marathon - 24 June 07

Date: 24 June 07
Venue: Penang
Event: Penang Marathon 07
Time: 3am
Distance: 42km

Managed to catch an hour of sleep before the alarm went off at 00:20hr to signal the start of the day. Somehow i screw up the evening program timing and have left myself way short of resting for the run later. I do not know the reasons for me doing it? Complacent?

It is too early to clear the bowel even though i have tired. Die lah, later don't know how, as body clock sure to react around 5-6am. Bo bian, have to push on and hope for the best.

We drove to the start point with Heeshen leading us on his scooter at 1am! Abit funny seeing him on the bike...hehe... He brought us to the small lane and zigzag from the back yard and goes as close to the start point and bypassing the road blockage.

The direction to various location isn't there and cause confusion at the event. Eg where is the baggage service? Where is the registration booth! I did read the map location before the run and roughly know the location, but on ground, it is different.

The baggage service is not free! It wasn't mentioned on the guide! Damn it, like that also charge RM$1 for their service!

I proceed to register at the pen whereby everyone(42km participate), will gathered until time is up. I was deny entry into the pen/register because i DO NOT HAVE BIB NUMBER IN THE BACK! I have never use a 2nd BIB in all my events as far as i remember. The race director told me no 2nd BIB, he has to disqualify me!!! I am not the only one, in fact we have a handful of runners that have the same situation! George, Teelee and STHP have to run back to pick up their BIB since they are staying nearby, whereas the rest do not have the luxury as we stayed far away! We have to wait for about 20 mins + before we allow entry! What a stupid organisation! No where in the world compel runners to put on 2nd BIB and small event like this have to be so strict!

Meet alot of familiar faces inside the crowd. It seems we are more interested to catch up than the race itself! Hehe....

It was a small crowd doing 42km. I managed to reach around 15 meters behind the start line. The race start off at a decent pace for me. I was trying to focus on, look like some messages, behind some of the pacesetters back and realised it writes " In Memory of Terence Leong, Penguin 6". A sense of sadness engulf. I still think of Penguin 6 when i fly over to Penang. I wonder how is he coping. There isn't any news of him since KL Marathon last year and attempt to drop him emails get no replied.

I overtake Too-belly and Too-jelly early in the run and was surprised that too-belly is blowing hard around 2-3km!

"Hey, you are blowing too hard!" Tigger
"Not enough training is like that one!" Too-Belly
"Aiyoh...going to be a painful & long run!" Tigger's thinking to himself.
Too-Belly completed slightly after 5hr. Looked total wreck at the end of the run!

The bridge looks beautiful as i approach in the quiet morning punctured with runners foot steps and some chit chat along the way. Certain part of the bridge are smelly of horrible dry fishes. It is something that i just have to take it along the stride. I overtook too kia, too kua and Cheow along the first leg of the bridge and before midpoint through the bridge, something "shitty" happened.

My tummy starts to hurt. It gets from bad to worst, sight sensation to pain and agony. It has come to a stage that i just want to jump into the sea to pai sai! The sensation will come after a few hundred meters from the beginning to the end every hundred meters. The pain will come and i have to suck my tummy, press the tummy or do whatever to suppress the pain and hope the pain will subside and go away! It didn't and get worst! i can't release(Paisai) in public on the bridge right! No choice i have to run along and hope to find a portable loo in front.

First 10km in 1:03hr, 2nd 10km in 2:09hr.

I have not experience such situation in any of the run. It is painful and i have to slow down on many occasions to wait for the pain to go away. What could be the problem? I know i didn't clear my bowel this morning before the run. But it shouldn't be so bad! I brought my own pre-race meal from Singapore and it shouldn't be a problem. Most probable it is the water or kettle that we use to boil for the cereal i consume. Anyway, i just piss that this happened during the run. No matter how you train or prepare yourself for the run. 42km is a long distance, 101 things could have happened!

Cheow overtook me as well as many fast 21km runners on the return leg on the Bridge. I was taken aback that Cheow have overtaken me and it means i have slow down alot during this period. The pain continue to come and go frequently. There is no toilet at sight and i have resign to the fact that i have to endure until i complete the entire bridge before i can find some bushes!

I am very glad that i have complete the bridge and looking around for toilet or good conceal bushes! After 2 hours of enduring the pain, i just couldn't care more and dash into the backyard of someone premises and release of the pain that have been torturing me!

What a relief when the tension is cleared! Emotionally i am pissed at fighting with tummy ache for the last couple of hours. Taking advantage of the penned up frustration, i decide to open up my stride and push from somewhere near 27.5km point just before Powerbar distribute the powergel. I reached 27.5km in 3:03hr.

The road after Bridge is a demoralising flat and very long as well. I keep thinking of the traffic light infront will be the U-Turn point but it turn out wrong! In the dark, how to know how far there is left to go before U-Turn! It was make worse when the other side of the road, runners are making the return trip! I saw IMD, Teelee, Fennel, Yee Hua, Kayano and Wee and it gives a false impression that the U-turn is just round the corner.

I overtaken Cheow again somewhere nearby 30km. I reached 30km in 3:19hr. From there onwards i have a pacer which we leapfrog each other. He is very fast at this stage of the run, but he is doing run/walk. Whereas i just keep my pace and continue to chase after those that i recognise on the road. The pacer did not last more than 4km with me. He faded away.

Fortunately there is another runner that have just bid farewell to his running kaki and decide to push forward on his own around 34km mark. This guy must be feeling strong and i decide to draft behind and tailed. He realise this and open the pace. Boy, i have a hard time catching up, so i just leave a small gap and tailed him. After 2km later, i overtook him as he tired himself up. Keke...i stressed him too much...(paisah!). I feel strong and continue to chase everyone on sight! Overtook Kayano, jio him to follow, he just ask me to continue. Follow by one chinese gentleman(G).

"Come, going to finish soon" Tigger
"I also know, but my knee can't take it" G
"Before the distance complete, my knee gone already"G

I continue to push on, overtook Heeshen, Mohan and his super red lady friend. Last 1km to go whereby the 10km and 22.3km runners merge with the 42km runners! Traffic jam! KNS! No choice have to zig zag and weave through the crowd, it get more crowded when we reach USM. Where is Yee Hua! I have been chasing after her since around 30km! Saw her on the last stretch into the stadium. One final burst, i sprint towards the end with 2 steps behind her crossing the finishing line. According to my watch 4:34:51 hr. Just 1 min shy of my PB. Too slow in the front, too much ground to cover in the end.

There is no excuse, i have to learn from it and move on.

Split time:

10km - 1:03 hr
20km - 2:09hr
30km - 3:19hr
42km - 4:34hr

====================================================================

It is a disappointing run, worsen due to various reasons cause by the organising of the event:

1) Why is there a need for 2 BIBS! I don't care where IAFF or whatever F@#& states it. If World Class Marathon event like NEW YORK or even small frys like Singapore and KL event don't enforce it, why are you pushing so hard for it!

2) Isotonic drink is H2O mixed with water! Taste horrible and available only after 20km++!

3) Lack of portable toilets! I don't see any throughout the race! At least not visible to me! I am not blind when i have a bad tummy ache! I only manage to see a few that belongs to the construction firms!

4) Where is the water points at the end of the race! It is totally not visible! The last thing a runner finished a race is to use a compass and map to find a water point! A cup of water is provided as you take your finishing medal.

5) Where is there a need to charge for baggage service!

6) No proper crowd control at USM. Runners get confuse where is the end point. Crowd standing in the path chit chatting!

7) No proper making on the distance especially near the end.

8) Bib collection is a mess! Though i am not there, my friend that collect for me, have lots of saliva spitting experience!

9) Lights! At certain stretch we are pratically run long stretch in darkness!

Post Marathon report

It is going to take a while to get Penang FR posted. I have so much things in hand currently that it is going to take time to update it.

I know some of us are anxious what happen in Penang for me. At this moment, i will appreciate a little bit patient and wait for FR.

I am tired of repeating, especially it isn't something i wish to remember for too long.

Penang 25 June 07

Heavy rain outside when i woke up at 6:30am. I look out of the window into the sea and saw the rains coming down. A sigh of relieve that this weather is a day late!

Legs and body are feeling abit tight, but definitely don't feel like post marathon. Rather disappointed, I have so much left in the tank after the run! What to do? Sigh...

Went down to the hotel gym at 7am. The gym equipments are similar to the gym next to the office. It is well kept as well. Understand this is a 5 STAR hotel in Penang! I think i should expect such quality.

I have a 20 mins bike ride. It is suppose to be a recovery bike ride. I wasn't feeling that bad. It was a normal bike ride at the end. Continue with some weights and stretching. It was a good session.

Went across to the restaurant nearby the hotel where we patronise on Saturday despite the drizzling. It is a simple meal, but we enjoy it. Nice ambient and a sense of calmness in the early morning.

Have to skip the trip down to look for Sister's Cha Kway Teow as we are running abit thin on time.

Reach airport around 11am. Return the rented car and settle the summon with the rented company. We got a ticket for parking without "coupon" at kee loi si. I couldn't believe my ears when i heard from the counter staff that the summon cost RM$1!! Haha...

We meet Wee at the counter at Airasia. He is an interesting character. Sweetheart call him "gangster". Every "unlucky" thing also happen to him! Haha...damn interesting listen to his story!

Try the cha kway teow at the airport. No choice didn't try it yet in Penang. What an ironic, if we left Penang without trying it right! The quality isn't that good though, but at least i had taken it.

Johore Bahru

It was raining back in Senai Airport! Wee dropped his wallet in the airplane and have to go back to retrieve it! True to his "unlucky" nature, this thing happen to him! It was so funny seeing his "mummy wrap" luggage coming out from the conveyor belt!

Send Wee, IMD and too kar to causeway, before heading towards Holiday Plaza to get a massage. We get to try the aroma massage. It was a gentle session compare to Thai massage. Given the circumstance of our body conditions, it is not advisable to try the hard one!

Dinner was at our usual Korean Restaurant. I did a count, there are a total of 23 types of appetizer. Hehe...a fattening meal again! Have to control myself until next time!

Finally reach home around 9pm. A good trip as a whole. Hopefully i didn't put on too much weight! keke.

Penang 24 June 07

Didn't have an opportunity to catch a wink as i was on the Internet. :(

Went for brunch at nearby bak kut teh shop. There are quit a few bak kut teh shops nearby the hotel. We choose the shop that was supported by Cai Lan(Food Guru from HK*thanks tiwazz*). How can be it be right? Well, if it is a typical shop, the quality should be good, but with Cai Lan "approval", the standard is weak! Since expectations have went up!

Ba Ku Teh

To me the Bak Kut Teh shop is so-so nia. Nothing need to be excited. After makan we drove over to Kek Lo Si. Too Kua have a hard time climbing the staircase! Haha....bai seh...i didn't expect his conditional to be so bad! It was a hot day and the perspiration dripped non-stop throughout the trip!

WTF! Get con!


It has been a long time since i visited Kek Lo Si! Didn't realised that car is able to climb all the way to the Quan Yi statue! Poor Too Kua was ouch and complaining along the way. Furthermore we have took the wrong path on several occasions during the climb too! Haha...


There are many renovations going on at the temple currently and make it abit messy. We tried the monorail to the foot of the Quan Yi statue. I found myself very tired at the temple, maybe sleepiness have crept in!


After finished the visit to the temple, we went across to the Asam Laksa stall at the foot of the temple and have the BEST Asam Laksa in Penang! The last time i ate at his stall was 4-5 years ago and didn't really fancy it. This time round, the laksa taste so GOOD! I am able to appreciate the food!



Asam Laksa


Went over to Jln Macalister road to try out Sisters's Cha Kuay Teow. When we reach there, the shop have closed for the day! Damn it, so we proceed to get some tao sa pia from the famous shop a few unit down the road.

Head over to Plaza Gurney to continue the shopping that we have leftover yesterday. I was getting more sleepy and almost doze off a few times while at the Plaza. What do you expect when i have so little sleep yesterday and have just finished the run a few hours back! Energy is waning, without resting, with calories reloading, make it even more tempting to doze off.

After 2 hours, we decide to come back to Hotel for a rest. I took a short nap, before we headed out again for dinner. We have seafood dinner. It wasn't anything special, but enough to get satisfy the stomach.


Seafood dinner


I have been eyeing a crepe house for a while since i have arrived in Penang. On the way back to hotel we continue our makan spree there. Crepe with strawberry, mango, kiwi and a scope of vanilla ice-cream....Yummy....Pan cake with peppermint ice-cream is just as good. Maybe it is because i have not taken ice-cream for quite some time and find it good. The speed of delivery is something that need improving!

Leg wasn't as bad as expected, though can feel some tightness in the evening.

It has been a long and interesting day. Tired, very tired.

Post Marathon Workout

Wasn't feel too bad after the run. Have experience worst.

No limping, no body aching! Seems too good to be true! Just like a typical 30km training run!

Came back to hotel and head straight to the pool. Intend to do some swimming for recovery. Unfortunately the water was pretty cold and i have a problem with the contact lens! It is frustrating, make worst that water get into my watch! I have changed the battery on Friday and the person didn't put the part back properly. Sigh!

I did about 10 mins on the swim and continue with stretching on the 25 meter pool side. I didn't feel much aching on the legs, so didn't really care about this. Take a look of the other hotel facilities, and try out their Wet and Dry jacuzzi. hehe....jump in and out many times....Also try out the dry sauna! Quite fun.

Penang Marathon Result

In memory of Terence Leong, Penguin 6, the unsung hero.

4:34:51 completed.

show time

About an hour of sleep, don't even know have or not!

What to do? The show have to go on!

counting down

5 hrs to the start of the run and i haven't sleep yet!

Damn it! First time race start so early and i haven't properly adjust my timing based on that. Sigh.:(

Shall learn from this and analysis it later when i have the time.

I should give an update around 8am if everything goes according to plan. Don't intend to face the sun during the run tomorrow! lol

Penang 23 June 07

I have arrived in Penang. Taking a flight from Senai airport. It was a hot experience in Senai airport. The aircon is not working and the whole place is like an oven - Hot and stuffy! It remind me of Bangkok trip a earlier this month.

Meet up with a lot of too-family folks as well as IMD and Yee Hua, Catwomen, her friends and some other runners from Red Hawk and MR25 folks as well in the airport.

An hour on the flight and we have touch ground on Penang airport. Airasia airplane is not as good as Tigeriarways in term of the quality of the plane itself. Seats are narrower, the noise level is louder, and the brake of the plane doesn't see to need some fine tuning.

Meet heeshen at the airport. We collect our Bib numbers and stuff from him. Thanks Heeshen. Save us a trip, especially ME! Well, somehow i am register as a female runner! Heeshen was complain about his confrontation with the staff at the registration to get my "sex" changed!

Francis, sweetheart and myself are staying at Evergreen Laurel Hotel, which is different from the rest. We rent a car at the airport, as we deem it will be more convenient that way rather than getting a cab each time.

We following the rest of the too to their hotel(Krystal Suites) in Bayan Baru for check in before we head towards our lunch. No idea where is the place though, we follow them to Jln Macalister/Jln Murma area where there is a food court, like the one at Zion Road.

The food was pretty good, or maybe we are hungry and the food taste good. One outstanding feature of the food is that the fried oyster is very tasty. Normally i take a few of the oysters, i would have tired of it, but the stall that selling this give us so much oysters that i think i consume at least 10 of them and still not being turn off by it! That is very strange indeed.

We split after that as we head towards different way. The rooms are not really when we reached the hotel around 2:30pm. We took a walk down Gurney drive and sit at an open air restaurant for our cup of coffee and leisure chit chat.

Our rooms are facing the sea! Haha...that is the best view room i ever stayed in a hotel! Alas, the water isn't that good and no water sports are available within sight.

Dinner is simple pasta and pizza at Plaza Gurney. Meet Tekko there, he will be doing 21km tomorrow. Couldn't finish the shopping today as due to lack of time. Tomorrow will come back again.