http://pmtey.multiply.com/photos/album - Tey’s album on SIM
http://www.adidas.com.sg/marathon2007/gallery/index.html - Adidas pixs
Have you ever thought of running 42.195km that is the marathon, a dream for most runners or even a lay man who dream of running this distance.
99% of the population will say ‘gila kah’, ‘crazy fella’ ‘chee sin’ , why torture yourselves but to those who run the marathon , they are the 1% who dares to take the challenge and beat the odds.
Last Sun Dec 02, in Singapore, Ngae, Eric, Siok Bee, Chong, Yee Hua, Ben, MC, Yan , Heng the seasoned marathoner join by the new kids in marathon, Siok Leng, YeohSC, Vin, Janet, Chooi Wan, Yen Erl, Ashley, Josie were ‘crazy enough’ to join for the 42.195km run.
We arrived in Singapore at 12.30pm and headed for lunch before checking into the hotel. Has a sumptuous lunch opposite the Golden Mile Complex and then walk about 10mins to the New 7th Storey Hotel. Once we have checked in, at 4.00pm all of us went to Suntex city complex to collect the bibs as the counter open for overseas runners.
At the collecting centre, met Ruztam, Jason Thiang and the PACM runners who just arrived from KL and yak about the tomorrow run.
At 5.00pm , did some shopping buying ORS, 100 plus etc for tomorrow run, however at that time when paying , hmmm didn’t think about the conversion are else I will be staving.
We had our dinner at the Bugis Village foodcourt, wow its was crowded and by 9pm we head back to the hotel. Told the runners to meet at the lobby 4.45am as the race starts at 5.30am.
4.00am got up, aiyoo, was thinking to myself why ‘torturing’ and my mind keep on telling me ‘go back to sleep’ but have to motivate myself to get ready for the run.
At 4.45am , all the runners met at the lobby and took a pix before we off to the starting point , as usual Siok Bee the first to ‘run’ whereas the rest of us strolling all the way there.
As I headed, to the starting point, met Ben, Weng, Mohan, Tey, Haze, SP, Weng’s wife, Josie, Wai Sum and some of the runners before I off to the 3hrs – 4hrs pen. Have to be kiasu ‘cos it give extra few minutes in view of 12,000 runners who are running the marathon.
I was close at the starting point and can hear the DJ counting the secs , exactly 5.30am the horn sounded, and here goes 42.1.95km and no turning back.
The 1st 10km pace I was doing at 6mins per km, and at 8km saw Kelvin boy and he overtook me and he said ‘hey coach, I feel good, can go faster’, told him that the spirit, Kelvin, keep on going up and see u at the finishing line.
15km at the ‘Durian’ dome heard Vivian called and I put my biggest smile and Yan was with me, as she was taking pixs. Hardly 400meters Mei Leng was at the side waiting for Yan to hand him the ORS, while I continue the journey.
I cross the 21km at 2hrs 20mins, however at the 34km there was a lady runner stop and crying in pain as she got cramps on her legs. The marshal (young lady) just stood there not knowing what to do … so come the ‘hero’ hahahah. Told her to relax and I held on both of her legs till she was quite ok , and its already 5mins , so I ask the young lady to hold on to her legs till the medical team arrive, then I off by 35km, saw Mohan in front of me walking .
I came from behind and ask him ‘Hey bro, why are you walking? His answer “ Got tummy upset, probably the ‘bak kut teh’ or the ‘beef rendang’ I took. Told him to drink 100plus and water but his reply was ‘Cannot, ambil, all come out’ so I decided to walk with him to the finishing line. He ask me to continue , told him no hurry, we walked will reach before 6hrs
We saw quite number of runners ‘suffering’ due to cramps and try to assist them giving them encouraging words so that they can achieve their marathon as some of them are taking part their 1st marathon. Surprisingly, Mohan said ‘it took me the 4th marathon to compete the course ‘cos the last 3 SIM, I DNF “.
At the 36th km , Mohan saw a runner whom he met at Phuket, and his name was Robin from England. I was shocked when he told me that this is his 319th marathon and he been using the same red hat, since he started to run his 1st marathon at the age of 46. Wow, I told Mohan, age is just a number, its all up to you to decide what you want to be. Just like the marathon, either you finish the race or just stop. So life is just like that, no easy path but the challenges that we need to overcome.
At 38th km saw Janet from behind, took a pix and ask her to go so that she can complete within 5 hrs, later, Yap came by and can see from her face, the agony of the pain , so to lift her spirit up, Mohan and me chat and joke with her and also she informed that Uncle Sonny not aware that she is running the full. Hmmm that will surprise Uncle sonny at the finishing line.
At 1km more to the finishing line, Mohan and Yap went ahead as I told them I waiting for the runners, then I saw Amanda , shouting to psyche up, ran with her and wow she got the adrenalin and all the way to the finishing line. Saw Uncle Sonny, ChanWK, Ben and Yee Hua 200 meteres to the finishing line and Siok B abt 100 metres.
When I cross the finishing line, it was a great feeling and the whatever pain that I have throughout the 42.195km all vanish, I raised my arms, and said YES, I DID IT,
It was an achievement for all of us because everyone completed the race and I glad that no one was injured.
Salute to all the newcomers – Siok Leng, Yeoh, Vin, Kelvin Boy, Janet, Yen Erl, Ashley, Yap, Josie, Wai Sum .
Vin, the bride to be, my hat off to you for your achievement in completing the 42.195km, frankly I was doubtful, that you would complete the race, and I believe most of us who knew you would have the same thot as me. Lady, you did us proud lah, have a good rest and see you on your wedding day (hmmm Can wear finisher T or not ,, hahahah)..
Well guys that the end of SIM ’07, after 3 months of training and all of you should give yourselves a pat on your back.
Its not easy to run the 42.195km , with the experience that you have now, look like the next one will be much easier and you have gone thru’.
Will take a ‘rest’ from running as Dec 20th I off to Mt KK and this is my 10th climb.
Have fun all…
P3 signing off
My chip time : 5:20;18mins.. hmmm next yr below 5hrs ??????
3344 664 TONY QUAY PENG KIM M MAS 5:30:11 5:31:08 12:51:27 2:20:27 2:59:33 5:21:15 5:20:18
Wah la weh… before I reach the 21km mark ie 2hr 20mins, the elite runners sudah sampai who…
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