It's my 7th marathon and 2nd for Penang Bridge. I wanted to take part this year, as it's the 1st edition on the 2nd bridge. My aim was to do better than last year which was 7:30. However, I didn't had time for the mileage workout due to speech contest, work and travelling.
Nevertheless, anything lower than 6 hours would be decent. This year, the race started at 1:30am. It's the earliest ever race that I have competed. I tried to sleep early, but somehow, due to the anxiety, I couldn't sleep.
I went to the place at 11.30pm, as I didn't want to miss the shuttle bus. When I reach the place, I feel hungry and there were no power bar available (I mean for free). So I took white curry me, which was sold for RM2. I didn't drink the gravy, else, I would have been running to toilet during the race.
I started with my colleague, Wan Hamidi and as we came in late into the starting lane, we were at least 200M from the starting point. That took us 2 minutes to get to the starting line. Thereafter, we had to squeeze in between people, which also took time. I completed 1st km in 6:30, which is considered slow for beginning stage.
Our initial aim was to go before the 4:30 pacer and maintain the pace.There after, within the next 3km, we manage to overtake the 4:30 pacer, and kept ahead of them. I could also breath better, as the number of runners were lesser at that pace. I was on right pace and maintained the momentum.
The road was flat, except for the beginning and slight slope at the middle point, after reaching the mainland. My timing at 25km was 2:30, thus I was confident of finishing the race within 4:30 or even earlier. The lighting along the bridge was good and bright. Unlike the 1st bridge, here we could see the runners at opposite side. I was at 10km, and I could see the Kenyans at opposite side.
At every 10km, there was checkpoint, so that our timing will be clocked, which was also the indicator for the distance. Furthermore, I realise that 2nd bridge has 2 tolls, which is something for people to double consider before taking it.
At 21km (half way point) everything seems alright and going on well. Even at 25km, I could feel tired but not lethargic or painfull, thus I still could run. The real disaster started after 30km, where my right knee started aching. I continued with it, till I reach the 35km, where both my knee started aching. I had to stretch every 500M, but the pain was still there. I could only jog and do big walk, because I couldn't run anymore.
To make it worse, there were only 2 medical station with spray. The rest with only ice. Damn, they had atleast 10 personnel at every medical station, but only had ambulance and ice..
It was a repeat of 2013 PBIM, but this round, only at last 7km. Nevertheless, I didn't give up. Partially I was also distracted with 21km runners, whom joined half way. Luckily 10km started later, else, it will be like another Thaipusam festival.
I saw the 4:30pacers overtook me and I told myself, just focus on the finishing. I saw the arch which had color lights and knew, I was at last 4km. So I tried to walk faster like big walk and jog at certain point. After the toll, I pushed myself, as it was only less than 1km, and there I finished.
As for the run, I enjoyed the route, flat, cooling, adequate space to run for marathoners, except for the last 10km (where half marathon joined us and slowed the pace).
But for the organising, it was a TOTAL screwed up event. I didn't expect this for an international event. here are my dissatisfaction:
1. Power gel only given at 1 station. Bun was given at certain station, which is not appropriate during the race.
2. No muscle spray.
3. No power bar for pre-race. We had to buy it.
4. No distance markers. Luckily, I had my GPS watch, which was almost dying.
5. only 2 or 3 sponge stations
6. Finisher T was the same as last year, except change of color. Atleast, change the design, like KLM
7. The finishing area and baggage areas were muddy and water stuck here and there
8. There were no signage to get out after receiving goddie bag
9. The finishing are was dark with inadequate lightings
10. No muscle cream or gel during pre- and post race
11. Worse thing, people were fighting to get into the shuttle bus. 1st time in my life.
The list of dissatisfaction goes on, but I already knew, it's a screwed up event.
Anyway, for next year, I'm still contemplating after all this hiccups. The management had apologized publicly via Facebook. Let's see if I'm still in the mood to run next year.
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