Running On Penang Bridge

I didn't sign up for the Penang Bridge International Marathon when it opened for registration. One - it's in Penang and both my boys showed complete disinterest of visiting the island. Second - I'm wary of joining what is billed to be the biggest marathon in Malaysia. Reading the previous year's report about the race didn't help either. 

But somehow, we went to Penang and I ran on Penang Bridge. It was this post that made me excited to do the half-marathon there, after all; and only two weeks after doing CICM Responsible Care Run and with a foot that I can barely walk with. Crazy much? Yeah, well... I never said I'm sane or rational. heh heh

So the drama started two weeks before with me downing 4 different medicines just so I can walk. I actually had seriously considered to DNS this race too (I already DNS World Diabetes Fun Run last week) but then, I made a commitment to run with this bib and I also already paid for my hotel.

Taping the foot with KT Tape helped a lot. Thank goodness RSH at Mines stocked them up! Blardy expensive but what to do? No point whining to Zaini. He told me - no excuses. Either I don't run or I stop whining about whatever timing I do for the run. Yeah, another abysmal timing for a half-marathon. No matter. I had fun.

Minutes before the flag-off for Women. 

I chose to start way at the back and was among the last runners out for half-marathon. I usually don't really mind starting at the back but man, kinda regretting the decision to do it at PBIM. There were walkers hogging up the two lanes barely 200m from the start line! You ladies are supposed to do 21K and you were already walking????

Anyway, the huge half-marathon crowd kinda dictated my pace. Can't really zig-zag to pass people. Way too crowded and it'll take too much effort. Plus, it was way too hot! No wind/breeze even on the bridge, until perhaps after we got downhill and I actually wished for rain. No rain despite the weather forecast of rain at 4am.

There were water stations and first aid station at like every 2KM so hydration wasn't an issue though I do have issues with the organisers giving of a 500ml water bottle instead of pouring them in cups. Way too much wastage.

Trouble cropped up at KM10 when I felt a stabbing pain in my foot. Where are the first aid station when I need them? Was hoping to get it sprayed but from the KM12 onwards, all the first aid stations only had ice. Though kudos to the volunteers (St John Ambulance) for their diligence in helping out runners. I stopped at all the stations but didn't get the ice packs. I guess I kinda waste time there. I only got my foot sprayed at KM18 or so.

It was around KM11 that I saw Millie and at around KM13 that I met Nannoor. We chit-chatted a bit and ran together for a few KMs too. It was nice to have someone pacing me. ^^

The last 2KM of the route saw a huge crowd choking up the street so I ran with the crowd. Same case on the bridge, on the inclines so unless you are a particularly fast runner; you get sucked into the slow moving crowd too. All I can say - padan muka me! Kakaka

I slowed down significantly (slower than my already slow run) at the final stretch to look for Zaini. Must look for hubby. Must have photos taken by him. Slow down. Wave wave here and there. Screw sub2:40 run! Muahaha

As you can see, it was still dark when I finished the run. We started at 3.15am. I made Zaini woke up at 1.00am to send me over to the race site. *love him*

We didn't head straight to the hotel after the run and instead lingered at the race site, watching full marathoners arriving. 

 A sub5:15 marathoner had a cramp and Zaini came to his aid. It was after Zaini helped that the volunteers realised that the runner needed help and came running to help. Not wanting to find fault with them as they were helpful, but they were too pre-occupied looking at 10K runners.  Some of them should be stationed to watch out for full marathoners. Actually, they need to put more supporters too for the full marathoners instead of everyone cheering for the 10K runners at this roundabout. These people had done 42K! Cheer lah lebih sikit for them.

We waited around, clapping and hooting to all full marathoners that passed until this guy came along. Yeah, we waited for Neoh. ^^ He's looking good considering that he not only did a full marathon but he only flew over to Penang the night before, which meant he flew, he arrived and he ran! Wow.

The full marathoners may have a dedicated finish line for them, but just look at the crowd that they had to contend with before arriving to the last 500m to finish. Super duper damn crowded. And when Zaini took this photo, 6:00hours pacers had just passed by.

My finisher medal. I'm going to be a good girl and have only 1 race for December. A 25K run littered with hills. hohoho

All in all, it was a good race. The organiser efforts to cater to runners' needs was commendable. A bunch of thank yous to the volunteers who lost sleep this weekend for us. Their support were awesome!

Penang and Penang people - thank you for your hospitality. :)