It was a HARD race to run on Sat night, but it was well worth it when our team came in 2nd in the Marathon relay event. Thanks to my team mates John Chow, Ong Wei Xiang and also our captain, Ronnie See who gave me a real big lead over the 3rd team, that I have the chance to take some breather when I found out after 40 odd mins of run, I still have a long way to go (details later).
I was car pooling with Ronnie yesterday. I waited for him in front of Sri Putramas Condo. I had to run there (warm up) on a hot afternoon just to get there. It's about 10 mins run to the location. Well it wasn't the running that is making me tired but the sorching sun that's killing me.
We took the MEX Highway and had to take a few turns before finding our way to P1 (parking) next to Dell Cyberjaya. Even that we weren't sure if we were at the right place until we asked the people waiting there. We got the confirmation and so, we waited for the bus. I had a chat with a Englishman, David. He is doing the marathon event. he has done quite a lot of internation marathon. Im not too sure how he did last night. He was telling me that he's time has been going from one personal worst time to another due to the humid weather in this region. He loves trial running and he was looking foward to finishing it and head home to catch Spurs playing. Yeah, a Tottenham Hotspurs fan. he guessed I was either an Manchester United or a Liverpool fan. Haha...pretty obvious for Malaysian I think.
The bus came and it took us to the starting/finishing line site. We met up with the rest of our team mates, John and Wei Xiang. We took another bus to our respective stations. I brought with me a bottle of water and a choc bar to munch. Hey, I'm (and the rest of the last leg runners) gona have to wait for at least 2 hours before they arrive. I had the pleasure to meet one of the Kakithon runners, Wong. Found out he ran a sub-17 mins for his Towerthon a week ago. Wow, that's way faster than my PB time. He also did Putrajaya Half Marathon in 1h 31m. Oh no...I'm up against a young and fast runner. I just keep my fingers crossed that our team will be way ahead of their team by the time it reaches my turn to run.
We gave the support to the marathon runners who passed by, with Richard and Don were way in front from everybody else. Of course, relay runners passed by too. Wei Xiang was in good position when he passed but far from the leading runner, Casey, but way ahead of the 3rd team. Whew! I think Ronnie will be good enough to maintain that distance.
Naresh was came first and passed his chip to Murali. 4-5 mins later, Ronnie came. I quickly put my straps (timing chip) on and head off. It was kind of scary running in the dark at some places with no one leading the way. I wasn't so sure of the route and was a little worried that I went off course. Of course, there were signage at certain areas but there were junctions where there were no signs of marshalls nor signage. There was also a point where I had to cross a busy road (downhill somemore) to make a right turn at the traffic lights. There were police handling the traffic at the junction but I would feel safer if they can stop the car before the traffic lights!
After about 35 mins of run, I thought of pushing the pace a little bit since I was aiming for about 42-45 mins finishing time. But I don't see the finishing line on sight, kept asking some of the runners who were on the opposite side of the road doing their 21km, but no one seems to be able to give me an answer. Then I saw Raymond on the bike and he told me I still have 4km to go! What?!! I was a little worried about my stamina now and the thought of the 3rd team's runner overtaking me kept going through my mind.
It took a while before I could see the finishing line and the crowds lining up for the 10k start. Seeing the finishing line, I went faster as I don't want to get pipped near the end by someone and also in front of the crowds. Malulah : )) Kept checking my back for 'runners in pursuit" and realised there were none. But then again, it's so dark, so I didn't want to take the risk, so I maintained the pace till the finishing line. The truth is, I was feeling awful as I have not been training much and to run those extra miles than originally planned, it was tough going.
We had to wait till 11pm for the prize presentation. I saw a lot of new faces getting into the podium and I'm sure they are delighted with their wins. In between the waiting time, I got to meet a couple of my old friends. Jasmine who was my ex-colleague in MBF, came with her husband who ran the 10k. She was supposed to run too, but wasn't feeling well. From what I've learned from her, she has been doing quite a few runs already. I remembered taking her to one of Pacesetters breakfast run in FRIM many, many years ago. Then I saw Debbie, who is my unimate in Otago. Met her once or twice in runs, but haven't seen her since. Well, I am glad that both are into running now!
I think our prize was only presented sometime around 11.30pm. Everybody was happy eventhough the long wait until......................
From left : Wei Xiang, John Chow, Ronnie See & Me
Until they found out what's in their bag................................
Our prize... 1-mth Celebrity Fitness pass, shavers, supplements, batteries, torch lights??!
I think a lot of winners felt cheated as in the registration form, the winners are supposed to receive Cash Vouchers "AND" Products. Casey was complaining after the presentation but I didnt know what he was talking about, as I haven't looked into my bag. Only when I reached home that I opened up my bag, but even then, I was like, ok, that was it. The next morning when I logged into facebook, then I knew about the prizes as Ronnie did the registration for me. I don't think I will be as disappointed as the marathon runners. I'm sure 10k / half marathon runners will feel disappointed too, but to prepare for a longer distances, the effort that has been put into training and race and to receive a reward like this, unimaginable! I know some of you may say that not everyone runs for a podium finish. Yes, that is true, but you have to understand the training for those who wants to get to the podium, they are probably training twice as hard. Well, I heard Bee Hoon, one of the womens veteran winner called Energizer but was given an answer of "what you see in your bag, is what you get!" (Well that wasn't the real statement, but something similiar lah).
Well not going to comment too much as it has already been circulating in Energizer Night Race Facebook fan page.
Overall, the run was quite ok except for certain things which I think they need to improve on:
There were certain junctions which were confusing - I didn't know whether to turn or not at certain junctions. There were signage, but I don't think it's enough or clear enough. There was a point nearing a traffic light where I had to make a right turn over a downhill stretch. Police were only standing at the traffic light and runners will only be visible to them when there are really near the traffic lights.
No distance markers - I guess I missed this one as I was told there were, but I didnt see it it at all and that is not only coming from me. So, I guess they need to put a proper signage which is visibily clear to everyone! (Even to motorist!)
No cones along the roads - this could have avoid certain people going the wrong way and also for the safety of the runners.
Anyway, there are others, e.g. the wrong t-shirt sizing, the long queue for the goodie bags, the marshalls and the registration (gathering) of the relay runners - as we need to hop on a bus to ferry us to our station. I am sure there are hiccups in every events but some of it has been going on in other events which I thought by now, they should know what to do. Hope they can improve on it.
For full results, pls click here. I wonder who has the photo of me and my teamates posing with Mr. Energizer after the presentation??! I sure like to have one of the copy.
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