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. :)

Comments

  1. wow..that early in the morning! Congrats for making it, Lina! Well done!

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    1. thanks.

      Saw plenty of nigt owls going back after clubbing when we go out.

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    2. hehehehe, when you went out?? so you are also a night owl going clubbing?? :p

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    3. You don't know I very good girl ah? I mana tau go clubbing one.LOL

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  2. Yay!! You made it finally! I reckon you must be very satisfied with the achievement~

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    1. Run started at 3 am? Gosh, I was still snoring in my dreamland.

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    2. Achievement? Not so much. I didn't push that much.

      But I was happy to get the experience and meeting people + watching full marathoners. :)

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    3. Yes congrats Gaddis petai ..
      U must be very happy

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    4. You remember I posted about a banana man running in KL Marathon in June? He was there today. Wish I had a petai costume. ;)

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    5. there's never an achievement lah, there will only be more and more run that this Mak Rempit want to go for.. there's no limit and no boundary!!

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    6. Aim for the sky... And have fun doing it even if I might end up falling flat doing it. :-D

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  3. Did you, ahem first to get the excited hormone flow in? SP mentioned you need those session for the extra umh! Kakaka!!

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    1. Actually, I once mentioned that it was David Coulthard that said sex made him fast.

      How to ahem in hotel room? Where to put that son of mine. I'm not staying at a nice room like Pullman. xD

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    2. Lol... U should try out mah..
      Who knows you be like speedy gonzales

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    3. If I try, I'll let you know the outcome eh? kakaka

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  4. You were having a great run, still can chit chat with other runners in between. For me, I'll certainly gasping for air :p

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    1. Haiyoh, I ran slow slow only. Plus chit-chat made me forget the distance.

      Actually, the few KMs that I ran with Nannoor was the fastest KM I did. We ran faster that time. ^^

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    2. Talking? Angin pun tak ade..

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    3. Hahaha... Talk, less suffer woh. ;)

      I actually ran faster while chit-chatting with Nannoor. Imagine that. ;p

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    4. yalah, running can make friends, actually anything you do you can make friends also.. just like blogging, you make lots of hamsap friends!! :D

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    5. yes yes yes... Anything also can make friends... And it's fun meeting (physically or virtually) likeminded people. Right? :-)

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  5. Congrats...but better go and get that ankle checked!!! X-ray!!! And you can consult some traditional doctors too - Chinese or Malay - they may have some traditional treatments that are very effective, better than western.

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    1. Checked already. Just a bad case of plantar fasciitis. I'm prone to it but just that I aggravate it further two weeks ago and it took longer to heal.

      Thanks though STP. ^^

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  6. So glad to know you make it for the Penang Bridge run. I was surprised to know it though.

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    1. Last minute decision.

      But habis a lot of $$$ to come here. LOL

      Anyways, how's the ping pong tournament?

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    2. last minute decision lagi more excited right?? everything spontaneous..

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    3. Spontaneous is fun, but running a race without proper preparation can turn fun into no fun...

      last minute decide, nasib baik still can find hotel room... :)

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  7. Congratz Kak Lina for finishing your HM strong and injury free... Your strong tenacity n determination inspired me even more... Kudos!

    Erkk I was waving at U and Zaini right when I was running under the flyover, right? I still could recognise your iconic pink cap... Hehee

    Now must rest a lot since I was walking like Mr Crab... Must go for a massage soon... Huhu...

    The FM route was truly a mental tormenting... It's totally a different level than doing 21k... The last 12km felt like forever! My lack of trainings n mileage really affected my running... T,,T

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    1. Yup, you waved to the correct couple. And we waved to the correct you. hehehe

      Congrats on your first FM!!!! Bravo!

      When is the next one? ^^

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    2. Hahaha... Luckily I was right instantly waving... Didnt expect to see u guys up there.. Amik berkat sat.. Thanx for your support Kak Lina...

      2nd FM, BIM Insya Allah, must train super duper hard, 30km LSDs r mandatory, totally... C ya in Borneo then Kak Lina.... By that time your Petai suit shud siap already... LOL

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    3. We parked ourselves there to lookout for you lah... Nasib baik nampak and very lucky you actually looked up that time. :-)

      See ya at BIM! Ada 5 months to train. Aim for PB there...:-)

      p.s. You going to Newton? Dragonback?

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    4. Yeahhh... 5 months to train super hard, despite lots of travel Coti2 ASEAN next year... LOL... Hopefully i`ll prep up and trained well by then...

      Yup, cant afford to miss Newton 25k Run n Dragonback... It will be my 1st Half Ultra run too... hehe...I would like to slay all those dragon hills... Muahhaaha...

      Now it`s time to recovery and rest well, coz i`ll be facing the rolling killer hills in Malakoff... Die lar if lack of hill training... hehee

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  8. Congratulation on the Half Marathon! And thanks for the nice photo :)
    I reach home around 5pm and collapsed on bed after dinner @ 7pm, after 26 hours without sleep. Will consider a bus trip next year :P

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    1. You're making another touch n go trip for the marathon? Wow.

      Congrats on another full marathon. You have my respect! :-)

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    2. This round even without the hotel... lucky the race have a shower area to take bath after the run. Else I will need to take bath in Jusco toilet :P

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    3. Next year you're welcome to use our bathroom. :-D

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  9. The crowds on the bridge has always been my fear for this race but well done. Will definitely be doing next years run on the new bridge :D

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    1. and I hope to get to runs full on the new bridge too! :-)

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  10. Congratulations again Lina!! Thank you for saying hi to me. Masa tu semangat baru je naik balik..it was good that you passed me (and Hanim, before you). I was already thinking "aah screw PB" :P

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    1. I agak2 it must be you judging from your tudung. Nasib baik tak salah orang. :-)

      Yeah, by the time I said hi tu, I was like- screw it lah... Lari je. Yg penting, habis. Meeting you n nannoor really perked me up. So, thanks. :-)

      You did great! :-)

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  11. haiyoh Mak Rempit ni, with an injured leg still want to run?? so agree with Zaini lah, it's either you don't do it, or else don't complain~~ :D

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    1. aiyooo.. You also like him, takde kesian me! How to manja???? :-D

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  12. i also saw lots of facebook updates about this run lah.. basically they all go to Penang for this run, and then to take photo around the place with lots of wall painting..

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    1. I want to look for those wall paintings too. Saw a few but didn't take any photo. Cannot walk around too much, son wasn't happy - the weather was too HOT!O.O

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  13. this marathon i not much interest lah, i thought you are going to post about the makanthon today?? hahaha.. have you found all the jeruk-jeruk??

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    1. tomorrow makanthon post... If I do get around posting it... Hehe.

      Jeruk.. Mesti la.

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  14. But ... but ... shouldn't you stay in bed or at least on your butt with a foot like that?! Grab a good book and some chocolate (or Zaini) (grin) and stop running! No? ^^

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    1. If you must know, I got a whole bag of kit-kat to power me on... and grabbed Zaini afterwards too. heh heh

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  15. really there is a "learning" to be had from your post.

    Before knowing your blog i thought run marathon means just run la...

    rupa rupa underneath it all there is a whole load of complicated issues.

    salute you la...leg pain and yet can go on till km18...

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    1. It is actually quite simple. Put on shoes and run. But if course, we love drama and when you have thousands if people doing the same thing, banyak drama lagi la... :-D

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  16. congrats to u kak lina!
    and thanks for running with me eventho for a mere 2km, then i surrender, cannot keep up with u. (how come u say u were slow??)
    to be honest, i was actually waiting the time for you to 'potong' me.. and when u did, i said, AHAH!! there you are. :P
    will need to train a lot harder lepas ni. i'm dissapointed with my finishing. teruk! huhuuhu

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    1. I should have stayed on with you....:-D

      Funny, I was looking out for you. Got this one girl who wore similar style as you but I figured it wasn't you as you would be wearing your Ghost 5. Hahahah... Gelap2 pun boleh check out people's shoes. Wakaka

      Anyway, you did good apa. Congrats and good job.

      BTW, ada buat LSD + hill trenen to prepare for Newton? I'm thinking of either doing sets on the incline at P4 near the Jambatan Seri Gemilang or nail Turin PICC sometimes during the weekend. :-D

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    2. ahahaha. now my kasut is my signature. hihihihi.
      okay kak, i'm in for your hill training plan. but hopefully not this weekend la ye.

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    3. my plan is, hills once a week. Rolling hills leh buat kat Presint Diplomatik kot. Nak follow Tristupe's hill training style n incorporate it into my LSDs. :-)

      Ada 5 weeks to Newton! ^_~

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    4. yeah.. bila sebut rolling hills mmg i terbayang precinct diplomatik, got stairs some more. so LSD with hills once a week kan? :)

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  17. Yup,klu nk buat rolling hill training, mmg kat situ the best for us. Then lepas lari leh lepak mamak + shopping kat Mydin. Wakaka

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  18. A ah. Masa ni I belum join GC, but saw many What would later be known as GC members there ;)

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    1. OOoooooo I lagila tak kenal sesapa.

      Kenal GC members pun in 2013. ^^

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