Limping Marathon Runner

It was that four slices of bread with cheese was what held me together through the race. Thanks for the ride, Aerosolcan. He gave IMD and me a ride to the race venue, where we had our extra bags with us. There are a few of us that will be hopping onto a bus heading to KL after Safra Biathlon. We collected our race packs and had our bodies marked by volunteers. I have not idea why did the volunteer mark my number across my knees. When we deposited our bags, the first wave went off. I met Richard there as well.

As I laid out my stuff in the transition area, Sam walked over and we chatted briefly. Walking around to the holding area for flag off, I saw some familiar faces like Eddie, Ken, Jeremy, Alvo and Meteor (as pompom girl), Kops21 and Menmoch. Now... Menmoch is one guy that we have not seen for a long time! Glad to see him appearing at races again. The rest of the folks like Roonz, Tiwazz, Charlotte and Angelica came to cheer. Shobido, the Ironwoman, made her guest appearance! YueMin (hope I got the spelling correct) came too! But, I did not see her around after the race. I met BillyTay for the first time too. Belonging to the last wave, Cheow12, Sam, Eddie, SV, Kops21 and I were ushered into the holding area. Cheow12 said, 'Slacker, make sure you don't idle.'

One loud blast from the horn, everyone splashed into the sea. As with every year, I was the sweeper, covering the last position. Breast strokers kicking all around. Zig zaggers swam like the whole sea was theirs. Occasionally, I changed with freestyle to breast stroke whenever my path got blocked. By the last 800m, I broke free from the crowd and I caught up with the slower swimmers of the previous wave. Battling the current from left to right, I had a little struggle at my last 300m to shore. Once I got out of the water, I heard a shout, "Bala!" Sea water in ear. Sorry, I did not notice who it was. Yay! 36mins for the swim. But, I would think the current at the first part of the swim contributed to my speed. I took my time in the transition area to change (for about 5mins) before I started my run. Just 100m out of the transition area, I witnessed a guy clutching to his calf muscle before collapsing to the ground. I ran forward to help him in stretching his calf muscle to relieve him from the pain and agony. Not long after that, a friendly bystander offered to help and asked me to carry on with my race. Thanks! I carried on with my run, greeted by Cheow12 ahead. 'Slacker!', he shouted across the other side of the road. Shh.... everyone knows I'm slacking already! I just kept on going, keeping my legs in motion. I had to constantly remind myself not to speed off since I have another battle of 42km tomorrow. At the 3.5km mark, SxuanJing was there cheering all the participants, just like every year. I waved and called out to her. I passed Patrick around the 4.5km mark to see him walking along the road. I cheered him on, asking him to start a slow jog again. He shoo-ed me to go ahead instead. Ha! Terence caught up with me and we chatted for a short distance before he picked up some speed. I passed Kops21 and had Terence in my sight till the finishing line. Nearing the finishing line, a group of my pals shouted my name from the left. Wow! That was really encouraging to see my friends cheering for me. I crossed the line with a 55mins for my 10km run. It was a 36mins - 1.5km Swim, 5mins - Transition and 55mins - 10km Run

I went to look for my friends where I joined them to cheer other athletes / competitors. I was surprised to see that SV just started his run. I guess he had a tough battle for his swim. 30mins into cheering, some of them suggested that we should look for SV. IMD went ahead. 10mins after he left, Terence and I went running in the same direction looking for SV. Around 2km down the road, I asked one of the event staff on SV's position and found that he was closing in. Spotting Cokiee on his green Cervelo, he was clearing the way for SV as IMD, Terence and I escorted him back. We were joined by Roonz and SxuanJing at the last 1km mark. Finally, SV crossed the finishing line with a group of runners behind him! What a moment!

We took group photographs before some of them left for the hawker nearby, while the rest of us showered. Since time was running a little short, Roonz, SV, IMD and I flagged a cab to head towards Golden Mile for our bus to KL. We took a quick bite before meeting TeeLee and boarding the bus together at 3pm. BillyTay and Tricia (his girlfriend) took the same bus with us, since they are doing the KL Marathon too. Nearing 9pm, we reached KL to find the rest of the party (who are doing the KL Marathon as well), had already taken their dinner and turning in for the night soon. Hence, the four of us (minus Roonz, since she wanted to sleep soon) went to take our dinner. Too bad, the Rainbow Sago dessert store was closed. After our Maggi Mee Goreng dinner, we got back to our hotel, showered and sleep after preparing the gears for tomorrow's marathon.