PBIM - Back From The Dead

This was my 1st FM attempt at PBIM, last year i did the HM in a heavy monsoon rains and i suffered a very bad cramps during the race.

So it’s kind of a redemption this time around, PBIM was my 4th FM overall and 2nd attempts in Malaysia, i guess i did more races in SG rather than MYS. I was confident to secured a new PB with strings of HM sub-2 finishing lately, plus more than sufficient weekly mileage and speed works.

We arrived a day earlier, for the planned rest and enough shut eyes, last year i didn’t had enough sleep before the race. The Makanthon started as soon as we arrived in Penang.

It was raining heavily with thunderstorms at early stages of the night, i was thinking – oh here we go again and i imagined the size of blisters that will be accumulated later after running in the rains. But later that night, the rains stopped and the weather was cooling for a perfect race.

I met many familiar faces at the start line, as the Bangkok Marathon was postponed, all the Marathon runners made a bee line to APBIM.

The full marathon started at 2 a.m., i started pacing slowly and tried so hard not to follow other runners pace. The pacer note was placed on right hand for reference and i knew this would be some kind of the perfect marathon for me, the adequate trainings, null injuries carried and the perfect cooling weather. I think i started around the middle of the pack and slowly made my way to the front.

After the turn around and past the 5km marks (water station), i glanced my pacer note and was few minutes under the target. I was not tired, the body was warmed up nicely and i maintained my pace and running towards the bridge.

I was disappointed with the lacks of the route markings, Alex the Extra miler came and said hi before overtook me just the entering bridge. I passed Frank K-Swiss afterwards, he was running very fast with a bottle of Coke in his hand.

I took my 1st Power Gel at 45 mins, and nearing the middle of the bridge, i asked the runner beside me whether we passed the 10km mark as he was wearing Garmin Forerunner, he confirmed my query – great i was running few minutes under the target timing. I was ecstatic with this progress, the legs still going strong and the body felt good.

Found the 15km mark on the bridge and looked my watch – it shows 1:26 . Not too fast nor too slow, i just maintained my target pace. I saved my energy by gliding down the inclines from the middle of the bridge. I was cruising and destined to record fabulously new PB, but fate had other ideas.Around 18km, i felt a little discomfort inside my stomach. As time goes on the pains continued to grew and made me to slow down my pace. I took the 2nd Power Gel at around 19km, i think it’s under the bridge before coming up at the other side of the bridge. As i arrived at the water station No.6, i slowed down and took a cup. Now the pains was overwhelming, it felt like someone tangled my stomach into giant knots.

Now i was having problem to maintained my pace and had to slow down and could only muster a slow jog. The stomach ache was getting worst and I kept on fighting to maintained this run, but eventually i had to stop around 20km on the bridge and walked, clocked 2:04. Then all my problems came at once, suddenly felt fuzzy and dizzy, stopped at the side-line and vomited air, my body felt weak all of sudden.

After 10 mins of stopping, i tried to continue my run but only able to muster a slower jog before stopping for the 2nd and 3rd time at bridge right side - repeats vomits nothing but air. Almost collapsed when a kind heart runner stopped and helped me. He massage my back and help me to my knees and asked me to breathe deeply. Whoever you are, thank you very much for your kindness! I hope to repay your deed to other runners. I noticed that there's a medic nearby, he just stand there and looked! Can you believe this?

When i stopped and had to deal with the pains, i clearly heard few runners ran past me mocking and imitating my vomiting sound. That was totally uncalled for, typical Malaysian attitude! No empathy for others! If you don’t wanna help, just shut the hell up! I had a good mind to kick their arses, but i was too weak to do anything at the time.

Finally decided to DNF this race and walked back to start line, took off my bib and walked..very slowly. There’s no point risking my health and life, it was a long walk toward the end of the bridge. Slowly, one by one of my runners friend came passed my by and asked about conditions, thanks for your concerns dear friends.

Around 28k, i saw Alexis running slowly and awkwardly, when i asked, she said she's having heels pains, and she braving the pains to finish this marathon. When i told her my predicament and my intention to DNF, she convinced me to run with her, said that there's still 4 hours before cut off time (7 hours). Alexis is one of the multiple Sundown Ultra Marathon finisher (completed 84km & 100km), i decided to give this run one final chance, if i vomited once more that’s it – game over for me.

She said lets finished this and get our medals and finisher T, she consoled me and added that there's still many more races for PB. I put on my bib and started to jog slowly with her. I’m glad that the body felt much better now, and decided to stick to this pace till the end.

Around 30km, her friend came and i said thank you Alexis and asked her to proceed as i stopped at the porta loo, met Frank here – he’s already turning back from the u-turn at 33km. Earlier, Jamie came to me and passed GU Chomps before continue to finish his race.

When i restarted my run, i saw Ms. A and Fairul just passing the water station. They were surprised to see me there, and i decided to pace Ms. A for her sub-6 target finishing.

I cheered on to every FMV passed my way, and met Arman around 38km, he was smiling and looking good to finish his Virgin Marathon. When i looked at the watch, i calculated that it’s a 50-50 chance that we could complete this Marathon within 6 hours. So i urged Ms. A to upped the pace, and whenever she stopped for her walk breaks, i asked her to walk faster. The last 5km was torturous for her, it’s all summarized in her face, but she followed my instructions every time i asked her to keep running, and i even barred her from stopping at the last water station fearing we wouldn’t enough time. The ever so chirpy Ms. A now is very quiet running and i could hear her laboured breath, i just hoped she could bear with me till the finish line. At that point of the race, i was worried that she might passed out and i do not know CPR…not the best way to learn CPR during the race :p

A few motivational pep talk and now we are ever close to the finish line, and she was determined to finish this, at last we overtook the 6 hours pacer’s balloon few hundred meters from the finish line.

I completed the race in 5:56 (PW) and managed to get Ms. A to the finish line before 6 hours (lompat sikatak lompat). She was so happy to get her PB, in the end i was destined to be someone else pacer and quite happy to turn this Marathon from a potential DNF to another 42km finish under my belt. I am thankful that i completed this injury free, now to lick my wounds and continue on.

Two weeks from now, Singapore Marathon (my anniversary Marathon) here i come and Penang Bridge i'll see you next year, i got a score to settle with you. My finisher Tee is still in the wrapping and the last time i saw the medal was at the Hotel, i haven’t unpack yet, that’s summarized how much i cared about this Marathon – NOT! Excuse my rants..

A special congratulations to all finisher, especially the FMV – KC, Arman and others, you guys did a great job finishing the virgin Marathon. See you at the next Marathon, don’t be shy now to click that registration button :)

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