At 12:15 a.m. the phone rang. We thought we have overslept. The alarm was set to ring at 4:30 a.m., a time we have got used to waking up for races, only this time we were going to Klang to pick up my parents-in-law for our trip to Bangkok.
It was Mee Peng’s uncle who reported there was a major event happening in Bangkok. Disbelieving I log into the Internet. CNN and BBC reported at 10:30 p.m. the Thai army had moved 14 tanks to surround the Government office. Thaksin had declared a state of emergency. I tried going to the Thai newspapers: The Bangkok Post and The Nation but both were inaccessible. Apparently, their local CNN, BBC and Internet access were blocked.
I went back to sleep. At 4:30 a.m. the alarm clock rang. I log into the Internet again looking for updates. A coup had taken place and martial law was declared. At that point, the situation was unclear if Thaksin’s administration was staging any military counter-coup. There was an element of unknown.
After evaluating the risk, I decided to cancel the trip. I went back to sleep again but was interrupted by calls and SMSes from relatives and friends who were concerned about our whereabouts and safety. I also cancelled my 2-week leave and went back to work the next day.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Mizuno 10km and Terry Fox Run 2006
Wore the silky smooth orange Mizuno T-shirt and by 7a.m I was out of the house. Got off at the National Monument and immediately took a leak next to a big tree. It is now a habit, no need to queue or frantic search for the official bowl. Ecological exchange with the tree, I supply the nutrients in exchange for the oxygen, naturally.
Met Choi, TM Wong, William, Karen and her father. Could not find Jamie and Newton.
While we were chatting, the race started. It was very packed. A middle age runner tripped and fell flat on the ground but luckily he was not injured. The first few minutes of the start are usually the most accident-prone.
Pinup incentive
It’s one of my favorite routes and a repeat of the NB 15km run minus the loop. Route familiarity help, as I know what was ahead. I step a notch faster coming down the gradual Mahameru downhill. U-turn to Kementarian Pertanian and from here I was trailing this group of runners lead by a perfectly shaped and well-tanned lady runner. In fact she has the body of a swimsuit pinup supermodel.
I kept up from behind as I felt I did not have the speed to overtake them. After Tugu Peringatan, it was the nice downhill, all the way. I could see Supermodel and gang have increased pace and soon lost sight of them at the final left turn to Padang Merbok.
Super striding
I thought I have max out but to my own embarrassment and disbelief I had reserves to do a sprint. I lengthened my strides and overtook more than 10 runners including Supermodel to the finish. It was my strongest last 200 meters ending ever. I clocked 1:05:04.
After taking the traditional group photos with the Pacemakers group, Choi, TM Wong and Karen, we walked to Lake Gardens for the Terry Fox Run. Met Ryan who was helping Captain Ronnie to record race results.
Terry Fox Run
While walking to the boathouse, we saw ex-F1 driver, Alex Yoong donned the Terry Fox T-shirt. He seems oblivious to our stares. There must be thousands of participants wearing the white T-shirt with a large number coming from foreign expatriates. Families came in roller blades, bicycles, tricycles, pram, wheelchair, scooter etc.
My bright Orange Mizuno T-shirt stood out in a sea of Whites. A Caucasian obviously found I was not “compliant” came up to me and said assertively “GET OFF THAT T-SHIRT Its about to start!”.
Saya mau makan nasi lemak puas-puas...
We were looking if any of the tents sold T-shirts before going back to the car to get my wallet. When we found it, we sigh with the thought of rushing back to the Bird-park where the car was parked. Luckily Mee Peng bumped into her office colleague who loan us RM50. San Franscisco sponsored the coffee, curry puffs and muffins were simply delicious.
I walked in the entire 3.5km procession. Met Mee Peng who ran, at the end point. We were presented with the Terry Fox certificate. After reading the contents my eyes welled as I now understand what Terry Fox Foundation means to people who had cancer.
Terry Fox said....
“I’m not doing my run to become rich or famous. To me, being famous is not the idea of the run. The only important part is finding a cure for cancer. Don’t forget that. I’m no different from any of you- I’m no better, no worse. You are cheering and clapping for me but if you have given $1, then you are part of the Marathon of Hope. Even if I don’t finish, we need others to continue. It’s got to keep going without me”
It was a meaningful day. It was not a day about racing. It was a day about hope. Terry Fox made
my day.
Met Choi, TM Wong, William, Karen and her father. Could not find Jamie and Newton.
While we were chatting, the race started. It was very packed. A middle age runner tripped and fell flat on the ground but luckily he was not injured. The first few minutes of the start are usually the most accident-prone.
Pinup incentive
It’s one of my favorite routes and a repeat of the NB 15km run minus the loop. Route familiarity help, as I know what was ahead. I step a notch faster coming down the gradual Mahameru downhill. U-turn to Kementarian Pertanian and from here I was trailing this group of runners lead by a perfectly shaped and well-tanned lady runner. In fact she has the body of a swimsuit pinup supermodel.
I kept up from behind as I felt I did not have the speed to overtake them. After Tugu Peringatan, it was the nice downhill, all the way. I could see Supermodel and gang have increased pace and soon lost sight of them at the final left turn to Padang Merbok.
Super striding
I thought I have max out but to my own embarrassment and disbelief I had reserves to do a sprint. I lengthened my strides and overtook more than 10 runners including Supermodel to the finish. It was my strongest last 200 meters ending ever. I clocked 1:05:04.
After taking the traditional group photos with the Pacemakers group, Choi, TM Wong and Karen, we walked to Lake Gardens for the Terry Fox Run. Met Ryan who was helping Captain Ronnie to record race results.
Terry Fox Run
While walking to the boathouse, we saw ex-F1 driver, Alex Yoong donned the Terry Fox T-shirt. He seems oblivious to our stares. There must be thousands of participants wearing the white T-shirt with a large number coming from foreign expatriates. Families came in roller blades, bicycles, tricycles, pram, wheelchair, scooter etc.
My bright Orange Mizuno T-shirt stood out in a sea of Whites. A Caucasian obviously found I was not “compliant” came up to me and said assertively “GET OFF THAT T-SHIRT Its about to start!”.
Saya mau makan nasi lemak puas-puas...
We were looking if any of the tents sold T-shirts before going back to the car to get my wallet. When we found it, we sigh with the thought of rushing back to the Bird-park where the car was parked. Luckily Mee Peng bumped into her office colleague who loan us RM50. San Franscisco sponsored the coffee, curry puffs and muffins were simply delicious.
I walked in the entire 3.5km procession. Met Mee Peng who ran, at the end point. We were presented with the Terry Fox certificate. After reading the contents my eyes welled as I now understand what Terry Fox Foundation means to people who had cancer.
Terry Fox said....
“I’m not doing my run to become rich or famous. To me, being famous is not the idea of the run. The only important part is finding a cure for cancer. Don’t forget that. I’m no different from any of you- I’m no better, no worse. You are cheering and clapping for me but if you have given $1, then you are part of the Marathon of Hope. Even if I don’t finish, we need others to continue. It’s got to keep going without me”
It was a meaningful day. It was not a day about racing. It was a day about hope. Terry Fox made
my day.Sunday, September 10, 2006
Putrajaya Half Marathon 2006
I will be expecting the sun to glow; a twisty route and the many steel bridges gleam with pride as I perform my 24,000 strides. I had a relatively longer than expected pre-race night sleep, 6 hours.
Wrong venue
Arrive at the site where I parked last year but was surprised the area was dark with no activities. As we walked towards the bridge, an official told us the venue is further up, at least 1 km away. I began to panic and ran back to my car. Later, Mee Peng relayed to me many runners were caught unaware of the change of venue. A car stopped to offer a runner who had begun running, a ride.
After unsuccessfully locating the carpark, no thanks to poor signboards, I stop in front of half a dozen policemen who were chatting amongst themselves, to ask for directions. Mee Peng took over the wheel, as we knew I would not have time to park. Walk briskly towards the barricade and within seconds, the run started!
At km-1, I saw Choi from the sidewalk snapping pictures. Called him and later he caught up where we paced together for a few minutes before he took off. The early morning weather was cloudy hence we were spared the scorching sun.
Km-10
I was surprised at my pace. I hit the 10km milestone in sub-60 minutes. Have I improved so much? My mind began to wander….
Km-19?
Approaching Dataran Putra I was excited when I saw a signboard that says 39 kms. My stopwatch showed 2:01:16. Breaking my last year’s record was imminent. I looked straight ahead and could see the distant “finishing line”. Then I was caught by the unexpected, runners had to make a loop around the finishing line! The last km (I max out already) became the last 3 kms! This explains my “perceived” improvement. The last water station had an amusing signboard that says 41 kms. 200 meters to finish but I couldn’t see the finishing line. I started walking.
The Walk
My calves began to tighten. I could feel my muscles seizing anytime. After making a final right turn, I finally saw the finishing line. Choi was waving to me with his camera to move to the left. I pick up a limping run and smiled for the lens. Thanks to Choi for being the cameraman from start to finish.
I finish in 2:27:06. I believe this year’s route is longer. Mee Peng finished her 7km run in 55th position in 48 mins. She received her first ever medal. Both our bibs were numbered "001".
The Corrupt
I bought a large 94gm Deep Heat analgesic tube for RM10 – a real bargain. We wanted to drink more water but the stock seems to be depleting. What surprised me was the officials were “selling” the 6-pack sponsored can drinks openly for RM5 when it should be distributed free. Some runners were carting away cartons of bottled water. I saw a pickup truck loading at least 7 boxes and counting. Are they here to run or open a mini-market?
Overall, we were happy with the spacious new location, more than sufficient water stations and good weather. We will be back next year.
Wrong venue
Arrive at the site where I parked last year but was surprised the area was dark with no activities. As we walked towards the bridge, an official told us the venue is further up, at least 1 km away. I began to panic and ran back to my car. Later, Mee Peng relayed to me many runners were caught unaware of the change of venue. A car stopped to offer a runner who had begun running, a ride.
After unsuccessfully locating the carpark, no thanks to poor signboards, I stop in front of half a dozen policemen who were chatting amongst themselves, to ask for directions. Mee Peng took over the wheel, as we knew I would not have time to park. Walk briskly towards the barricade and within seconds, the run started!
At km-1, I saw Choi from the sidewalk snapping pictures. Called him and later he caught up where we paced together for a few minutes before he took off. The early morning weather was cloudy hence we were spared the scorching sun.
Km-10
I was surprised at my pace. I hit the 10km milestone in sub-60 minutes. Have I improved so much? My mind began to wander….
Km-19?
Approaching Dataran Putra I was excited when I saw a signboard that says 39 kms. My stopwatch showed 2:01:16. Breaking my last year’s record was imminent. I looked straight ahead and could see the distant “finishing line”. Then I was caught by the unexpected, runners had to make a loop around the finishing line! The last km (I max out already) became the last 3 kms! This explains my “perceived” improvement. The last water station had an amusing signboard that says 41 kms. 200 meters to finish but I couldn’t see the finishing line. I started walking.
The Walk
My calves began to tighten. I could feel my muscles seizing anytime. After making a final right turn, I finally saw the finishing line. Choi was waving to me with his camera to move to the left. I pick up a limping run and smiled for the lens. Thanks to Choi for being the cameraman from start to finish.
I finish in 2:27:06. I believe this year’s route is longer. Mee Peng finished her 7km run in 55th position in 48 mins. She received her first ever medal. Both our bibs were numbered "001".
The Corrupt
I bought a large 94gm Deep Heat analgesic tube for RM10 – a real bargain. We wanted to drink more water but the stock seems to be depleting. What surprised me was the officials were “selling” the 6-pack sponsored can drinks openly for RM5 when it should be distributed free. Some runners were carting away cartons of bottled water. I saw a pickup truck loading at least 7 boxes and counting. Are they here to run or open a mini-market?
Overall, we were happy with the spacious new location, more than sufficient water stations and good weather. We will be back next year.
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