Still Recovering..

Been a while since I updated this blog...I know this posting is a little late since it was about my run in Energizer.

After weeks and weeks of rest due to injury on my foot, I thought I should give the Energizer Night Run since I've already paid so much for it. Besides, it's held on Sepang F1 track.it's not everyday you get a chance in running on a F1 track. I've already been there for F1, rode on the track on a two-wheeler, without the engine. So running on it will be something new to me. I drove to Ray's house and car pooled with him, Michelle and also Bobby. All of us running the half marathon except for Michelle who is doing the 11km. 

Upon reaching Sepang, we saw quite a huge turnout for the event. I think a lot of people are quite excited for the event as it will be a different experience running on a F1 track. As we entered the car park, we were getting ready the money to pay the attendant and we thought RM5 would pretty much cover the parking fees (actually we were free parkings). However, we got a shock of our life when the guy said "Sepuluh Ringgit". What the F$%#??!! We came from so far away to run this event, we not only got charged so much on the registration fee, but getting charged at this exuberant parking fee is just absurd!

Next up, runners had to go through a small tunnel to reach the starting line. Then we weren't sure where to pick up our headlight or leave our bags. Come to think of it, there wasn't sign to tell us where to go.

I had to go back out to leave my bag at the baggage area. Got another shocker looking at the queue. There was no way I would be in time to reach the starting line in time. Then the queue started moving, but that was when I saw some volunteers giving out stickers with numbers. You are supposed to stick your own but everyone was beating queue to get to the baggage area and to my surprise, runners are allowed to go into baggage area. Only a few volunteers and there were no labeled numbering to stack the bags. They will have a tough time finding bags later for sure when everyone comes back to collect it. I tried hard to remember where they left my bag.

Next was the starting line. Nothing different from every other races. Runners gathered in the wide open track waiting for the flag off. What comes as a shock when the race started. The crowd were directed to a smaller lane to allow the runners to go through the running mat to record the timing chips. It causes massive human traffic and everyone had to walk pass the start line out to the open track.

One minute into the run, my foot is in pain. Anyway, I thought it would get better after I'm warmed up. But it wasn't to be. We were led out of the track to the road before coming back to track at around 8km. I dragged on at a slow pace and it got slower when when we came back to the track. Soon from a slow jog, it came to almost a halt. Started walking, grabbed a drink and kept on walking. I saw the finishing line but for half marathoners, there's still another lap to go. I made a decision to stop as I didn't want to risk making my injury worse.

I saw a long wait for the goodie bag and wasn't to keen to queue, then I was told by Houn that was for the 10km runners. The goodie bag collection for half marathoners is beside it.

To my surprise, the goodies weren't in the bag yet. It was only packed when runners asked for it. It didn't take long before the crowds got bigger and rowdier until a point where some impatient people took matters into their own hands and grabbed the bag and threw it out to the crowds.

Soon the police had to be called in to disperse the crowd. Some didn't get their goodie bag nor medal. Many felt disappointed. Anyway, I couldn't care less about it as I was more disappointed that my foot didn't recover well enough and I've probably made it worse running the race. I hurried to get my backpack from the luggage area, luckily there weren't that many people yet. Got my bags and waited for the rest of the guys.

It came as a big news about the poor organising of the race. Organiser was heavily criticized in the facebook page and the papers. What comes as news few days after was that Energizer will be refunding the registration fees. Check out the link. It's a nice gesture from them but the wounds probably to deep to heal.

Haven't run since Energizer Night Race, some improvement on the foot but still feeling discomfort at times. I'll try not to run till I feel I can and I think it's going to take a long time to recover. I'm already forced into wearing a cushion slipper at home to help me recover faster. Hopefully can recover in time for the second half of the year. At least get some training going. Next year would be my aim to race fit again.