Lesson Learnt the Hard Way

Reached Queensbay at roughly 1am in the morning. There’s already lots of people there. Some of them are sleeping on the alleys like beggars. Hehe… Some are waiting in Coffee Bean and Starbucks. Me and my housemate found a good spot in Coffee Bean to rest and met a few secondary school friends too. Most of them are participating in the Fun Run though (Orange T-Shirt ones). Let’s have a few peeks on the surroundings before the run starts at 4.30am.

This is me obviously… =P

This is my coursemate+housemate, Beng Cheun…

This is me sleeping while he sneak-shot me…

This is him being sneak-shot when he was sleeping… (Revenge is taken! Haha…)

At about 3.45am, we went to register and took the yellow band and waited along with other participants in the open space given. As you can see, a lot are participating in the Half Marathon event. Most of them are students from secondary schools in Penang and other states I suppose.

When the run started at 4.30am, Cheun and I were squeezed like jelly among the crowd we were pushed around like we’re running from a disaster or something. LOL! We managed to get to a constant running pace and breathing after the crowd got loosens up a bit. First 5km was a piece of cake as I applied the analgesic cream beforehand to withstand the pain I was having since yesterday. The medicines couldn’t cure my muscle aches completely but it certainly is better than previously. There was this refreshment station on the way that gives out power bars which I regretted of not taking one which I will explain why later on (Suspends a bit first… Hehe…). After that there were sponging areas where I couldn’t help myself but to squeeze them all over my body to refresh myself from the pain that is building on my right leg. I managed to finish the forward route of the whole Penang Bridge, withstanding the building ache on my leg even after applying the gel all over it. When I pass over the toll and U-turn back down the Penang Bridge with an orange band given as the second checkpoint of the route, the pain in my right leg started to get unbearable. It was already 6am and I told my housemate to go ahead first instead of waiting for me because I know my leg’s limit is approaching. He has longer legs and lighter body which is an advantage that shouldn’t be wasted upon me. After striving so hard, I finally stopped and collapsed at the midst of the Bridge, it’s just before the tall sharp towers where the route gradually slants upwards. My right leg was seriously out of control even though I have the stamina to continue. This is apparently the first time my legs are not in par with my stamina. I tried to run but my legs were acting like they’re not mine. I was tempted to forget the pain and just keep going since there’s only 10km left. But I decided not to when I thought about how my dad regretted for his past experience in going over the limits. Therefore after a few minutes of rest, I decided to walk slightly faster but my left ankle’s past injury is beginning to hurt already. With both legs aching like hell (I really mean it!), I almost really went to seek for the help of the first-aiders to send me back to base. But instead, I told myself, even though I can’t run, I still must at least walk to the finishing line. By then, the time is already 7.30am if I’m not mistaken. By just walking, it is totally impossible to finish the remaining 10km with just half an hour. But I didn’t give up, I still continue on my journey as the sun rises and burn my hair. Haha… It's not just it, my stomach was so hungry that I feel so weak and almost fainted because of the pain and hunger together! (This is where I regretted so badly of not taking the power bar ealier... =.=) Under desperate circumstances, I asked a first-aider whether is there any light food for me to munch on or not. She offered a sweet at first and just before I continue, she stopped me and sacrifce her breakfast muffin for me. How kind and generous this girl is but too bad I didn't get to know her name as I flee off as soon as possible in hope to make it back in time. Even though I’ve walked really fast, it’s still slower than other participants that were walking pass me one by one as they have slightly longer legs. How bad I wish I have a pair of longer legs at that moment. Sighs…

At about 8am, I know I’m very near to the finishing line already. There’s still about 5km ahead and it was then, my legs suddenly just broke down and I fell. I almost cried of how useless am I for the first time in my life that I actually couldn’t finish a marathon in time just because of one stupid mistake made during my training that ruined my legs. But I still got up and pull myself up to continue on walking. By that time, my toes are really aching very badly as if something is poking from beneath (Some of my toes were actually bleeding when I check on them after I got back to my house). Then the most tempting moment actually happened, an ambulance was passing by at a moderate speed and I wanted to shout so badly for it to stop and take me back. But I didn’t, I kept on dragging and dragging until it was 8.30am, I finally reached the finishing line. I took 4 hours instead of 3.5 hours to finish it and I was actually kinda amazed that I took just another half an hour more to complete the marathon by just walking. But when I approach the finishing line, the Marshall had already stopped giving out certificates which I find it really weird. It was stated in the manual clearly that those who didn’t finish within the time constraints will not be given a finishing medal but there’ll be a certificate of participation given to everyone. But the Marshall just ignored us and some of the runners are getting furious and upset about it. One of them even jot down the Marshall's name and planned to lodge a complain at him and the organizers. I barely have the strength to fight for my rights and just leave the scene without anything. But I’m glad my housemate got a medal. He finished the run exactly at 8am which was 3.5 hours. So lucky of him and I was relieved that I didn’t hold him back to be with me behind.

After that, I went back home and dropped dead on my bed after some breakfast. I feel so sorry to my dad especially for not being able to at least get a finishing medal because our family has the marathon blood running through our veins. Somehow his stamina and strength are inherited by me and my siblings as well but I broke my own first history of not finishing a marathon in time. A lesson that I’ve learnt through a very hard way indeed. But at least, I heed his warning and controlled myself from being over the limits and end up like him. I’ll surely try harder in the future to fulfill his dreams of being able to participate in the Iron Man event. (Somehow it feels so far away from me… Wakaka…). Next time, I must really prepare and train for at least 2 months ahead before participating in any marathons or races instead of just using one week and end up like a loser that is not forgivable! I must be stronger and always be the strongest to make my family and friends proud and honored! Go go GO! Maclen!