Background Information
The date 06.03.2005 was an unforgettable day for me because it was my first half marathon. Here are some interesting notes before the race :-
Starting .. BANG ! WOW ! Time to run, suddenly I heard someone calling me:.. " chooiwan !" from my left side. I turn around and saw Chantelle. I was happy (feel like met a long lost friend in crowd) and told her that I was looking for her. : ) Next, I pace with her. Suddenly she told me that she not feeling well, and got stomach ache. I was worry about her but after the first water station near the "Kuan Chen" secondary girls school, she said she was feeling better. I was so happy that I can pace with her. She gave me alot of support and told me to keep a stable pace. I pace with her until near the Mid Valley, where she slowly ran a bit faster. I had run with her before, I know we are different in terms of stamina, so, I not decided to follow her pace, I kept with my own stable pace. Then as she run faster and further, I wish her in my mind:.. " Kampateh!!! Chintelle!!!" : ) I kept running forward. Suddenly I met back my friend Fai who was running a bit slow as he had injured on his right leg. We run together at a slow but constant pace. We finally reach the 5km water station where the powergel is given FREE. I quickly open it, eat it and drink some water. Someone told me powergel very "sticky" but I don?t feel it. It also taste GOOD or much better than the powerbar. ; ) After taking the powergel and water, I feel a bit "power" recharged. Then I decided to increase my pace .. a bit faster. I told Fai that I will run faster. He said ok. (but I know Fai will catch up with me later. ) I wave bye and push forward. Ai-yo..! After running a while I felt something poking me. It was the sharp powergel packet edge (a bit "tajam") in my pocket. It was really not comfortable and soon became painful too. So, I decided to "finish" it at the next water station to solve this problem : )) Then a small question came to my mind: .. should I take the gel at the 10km water station or 15km water station ? I was scared that I will run out of energy before I reach the 15km. Finally after much thinking I decided to finish my own powergel during the 10km water station. Don't want "ma fan" or problem to carry the powergel. Actually should bring a pouch to carry the gels. So, this is really learning from experience lor. : )) When I reach the Jalan Lapangan Terbang Lama, (don?t know how many km already, start blur blur..) I notice that the road is very flat. I got extra energy after taken the powergel and was enjoying running on flat ground. My pace started to be stable and I told myself.. "Hhmm.. keep this stable pace to run !" From far, I saw a "red carpet" which everybody have to step on it. I feel like playing a childhood game and quickly jump step on it. A sound like "beep bit bit.." could be heard. I think it is the "tindak balas" or music with the chip system tie on my shoe. : ) After that I saw a water station and because don't want the power gel in my pocket make me feel uncomfortable, I decide to finish it. So, this is the second time I am taking the powergel during my run. I still feel strong with lots of energy to run. I kept my stable pace and enjoy running on a highway ler? : )) First leg cramps When I almost reach the Dewan Bahasa, from afar, I could see a lot 10km slow runner already. Most of them were students or teenagers (like me..hahaha.. tak tau malu!), they all just walking in group and chit chat each other. In my mind, I wish them: .. "Good try! At least you join the run!" Faster or slower is not so important! When I saw them I got some flash back about my first long distance running (Adidas 2nd King of the road, 7km) during my form 3, years 1998. But this is another story. : ) Next came the BAD news ! Near the Dewan Bahasa building, I feel a bit of "problem" on my left leg. I feel uncomfortable and soon the pain in my left leg got worst. The pain make me slow down to a walk. I can feel the "warning alarm bell" starting to ring in my mind. I could even imagine a a cute little laughting "devil" come out and told me that.. " Ha.haha..you started cramps already ?" : ) At first I thought it is just a small problem (because during the FTAAA training run, my leg also got pain but only for few minute, after that everything went back to normal). Then I slowly walk and run until I reach Jalan Imbi. Yes ! At Jalan Imbi there was a water station and sponge station. I still feel fresh! Still got a lot of energy after taken the powergel but cant run due to leg pain. What to do ??? My leg cramps slowly became more SERIOUS when I slow walk around the star-hilla area. Not only the left leg got pain but the right leg also got PAIN now. I slowly change from running to walking. Also tried to do some simple stretching. (Don't know if it can help or not?? Don't have any idea already.. blur..) But anything also must try I start looking for some first aid people who have the deep heat cream. But sadly (T_T) there is no medical team along the road from starhill to Lot 10. During the junction at Bukit Bintang, I saw a race official who was wearing a KLIM vest, he was standing there and recording something. I ask him for any deep heat cream. But he told me he don't have any and that the first aid people was suppose to be near the KL plaza area. But I did not see any medical teams there. Maybe they were sitting down there or maybe I miss seeing them due to the pain and leg cramps. But never mind, the race official told me that if I continue run in front, there is another first aid and water station. Looking at my watch I noticed that it is only 8.35am and the HOT sun was coming up. Aiyo!.. the short distance from BB junction to Concorde hotel seems to be so HARD and LONG because of my leg cramps. Even when I run a bit when crossing the traffic light in front of the Wisma Genting juction, I feel a lot of PAIN in my leg legs !! As I walk I notice this funny NIKE booth (still have to enjoy sight seeing even while having leg cramps ?). From far I thought it was a "water fan" like some of those at the starbucks or coffee bean café. ? But when I pass under it, hmm.. nothing, just "wind blowing" nothing really special. : ). Yeah! Finally, I saw a Saint John first aid team and water station in front of Concorde hotel ( I feel like seeing an oasis in a desert !). I quickly walk there and ask for the deep heat cream. They gave me some "oily lotion" (which did not look like regular deep heat stuff but maybe another competitor brand). : )) I quickly "sapu" and massage some of this lotion on both legs. Next, feeling thirsty, I tried to get a drink but they told me that the water was finish already. What ! How can ?? : (( Suddenly .. I saw a runner who FELL down and was given a "massage" by the first aid people. I hope my leg will be OK after applying the oily lotion, so, I continue my slow run (because still got energy) down the road. Soon after that I met a lady runner and I chat with her, (sadly I forgot to ask for her name), she told me that she was also running her first half marathon. She share with me her water bottle which contain only 10% water left. She asked me to finish it because of my leg cramps (or was it my "suffering" look??. : )) I feel "pai se" or shy and I just drink 5% of the water then she finish the rest. She told me only 6km to go, so don't give up! She told me to "add oil" or (kar yao..) then she disappear down the road.. running faster lor.. : ) THANKS a lot to her! I now can continue my walking plus running a bit. But still got cramps Ahhh..yahhhh! The cheap oily lotion got no effect on my legs. What to do but continue walking down the road. Leg seriously cramp .. BIG PAIN After crossing the traffic lights from Concorde hotel and before reaching Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, the most UNFORGETTABLE experience for me is SUDDENLY my leg very "TIGHT like someone squeezeing it", I shout out "AHH!!?" almost use bad words and hold my left leg in TOTAL PAIN! ! : ( This time I really can't walk at all! I definitely feel the leg PAIN and the "MUSCLE PULL" inside. A lot people passing by but they just look at me without offering any help! I also did not "kacau" or disturb them, I just stop there resting and holding my leg in pain. I did some self DIY massage, I hope it can help a bit. So bloody PAIN!! My "suffering" face really shows almost got tears running out! Aiya? I think I must look so funny because as one of the 10km (young girl) runner pass by, she stops and ask me if am I OK? I look at her, and can feel her concern but doubt she can help. I just smile at her and told her that I am OK (really?? no kidding ?) Then ask her continue her run. In my mind at that moment was praying for some Saint John uniform peoples, race officials, first aid van ? .. to appears now! I don't know but like MAGIC some medical team suddenly appeared. They told me about 5 minutes walk, a bit more down the road and there will be a first aid station was there. As I sit on the road side, three of the first aid helpers using an ice cube started "massaging" my legs. They also give me an ice cube to massage myself. I was a bit blur/dizzy already, I was scared that they will send me back to the finishing line by car. I look at one of the first aid helper (she was an indian lady), and I told her that I want to continue my run! She said it is ok! : ).. aiyo..i was really worried about "Did Not Finish" DNF : )) FORGET PAIN .. Continue running After the ice cube session, I quickly "sapu" spread some deep heat cream again and continue my run. (Thanks a lot to those three first aid people!). . : ( Soon I feel like want to give up because I don't think I can't finish within the qualifying time. Never mind, I told myself as this is only my first time, at least must complete the race!. Still got another half marathon race to run. Then I just continue with a walk and a slow jog (still have energy). I walk 5 minutes and then run 1 minute (NEW reverse -Galloway style , my own creation, or does it really exist?? Ha.ha. : )) But the pain came again when I tried to run. So, I totally gave up on running, just walk lar.. few km more only.. : ) Meet up with new friend: .. Mei-Jyn When I was walking near the Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman road (near Sogo), my leg is got better.. less pain. At least not serious cramps and pain like previously. The leg cramps is really a TERRIBLE experience to me. : ) Suddenly I saw a first aid van driving pass by me, I think maybe they still worry about me?? After that the van disappear already, haha.. Thanks a lot for their help! THANKS! Next, I slowly start my NEW reverse-Galloway style (haha..sounds good!), run 1 minute and walk 5 minutes. Suddenly a girl who wearing a red colour running vest ran pass me and cheer me on .., "Come on.. run, the finishing line is nearby!" After chatting with her, I found out her name is Mei Jyn. When i told her my name is chooiwan. She said.."Ohh.. you are the girl who is pacing with Penguin-6" Aiyo..!! How can she know??? (*~*)?? I really don't know her at all. Just met her with another girl this morning near the toilet there. : ) Anyway, I am happy that I can pace with her, she was not running fast like Chantelle but a good consistent pace. So, I decided to jog with her. Cramps again ! So, as we make a U-Turn at the check point to take the Pink-colour ribbon, suddenly my leg cramp again! I have to stop and look for the first aids peoples again (aiyo.. it is like meeting long lost friends again ..haha). They gave me some pink colour cream (I think its deep heat also kua..), then I massage it again on my leg and continue my "walk". Then I notice Mei Jyn had gone in front of me a bit. So, I decide to catch up with her. When I catch up with her, I look at my watch, the time was: 9.05am. Finishing line There is only 10 minutes more to complete the race for the women category qualifying time. With some HOPE in my mind, I ask Mei Jyn,.. "Do you think we can finish within the qualifying time ?" Mei Jyn smiles and said:.." SURE we can!" She point out that the finishing line was just in front, we already can see Dataran Merdeka in front. : ) SO, to look good, I ask her can we do a slow jog and cross the finishing line together. During the final run, I told myself.. plz..plz.. no more seriously cramps, plz.. Oh..YEAH!! Finally I cross the finishing line with Mei Jyn!! I was so HAPPY, I get my finisher medal!! (My first 21k medal and so pretty !! : )) Big Thank Q to Mei Jyn for pacing with me during the last 1 or 2 km run to the finish line!   from left: Tan Chee Wee, Tan Khee Meng, Terence Leong & daughter, chooiwan,Mei Jym, Uncle Fai, Wong, KC Leong _____________________________ ＊转载自Malaysian TRI Penguin |
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