Island Ocean Marathon, Langkawi Part 2

Thanks to Vivien Tay for the photo. At the last 1.5km of the run. 

Waking up early morning and have to be at the starting point before 4am. The marathon starts at 4.30am. There are about 1,000 runners and a lot of Singapore runners came for this event. This event should be called an ultramarathon as we have to run more than 42.195km as the organiser has planned an extra 1km of running on the beach of Pantai Cenang. Most runners are more at the relaxed pace in the beginning. There will always be a competitive spirit among many of them chasing for their PB (personal best).

Thanks to Vivien Tay for the group photo before the run.

I started at the far back as usual and joining the crowd. There is a fireworks at the start. Running on the road and already there is a slope not far from the start. After a short distance, we are required to take a left turn and running an extra 1km on the beach. That's when the route gets a bit dark at times. Fortunately, I have brought a clip-on flashlight used by ultramarathoners which Andrew has loaned me. One lady actually trip and fall on the beach as there was a stone on the beach.

After that it was back to road running again to the Langkawi airport. This is another dark stretch of roads. The consolation is due to the darkness you can see the bright stars in the skies. Have not been seeing that for quite a while living in the city. This is one run that I have not bothered to look at the pace from start right to the end. I have only looked at the distance and time. Totally disregarding the pace ! It is a run for fun and not for PB. If I take longer to finish my race I get more value for my marathon registration fee.

Then it was running on the road along the beach which is the most cooling part of the run with the sea breeze.  However, without mobile toilets, it is pretty inconvenient for the ladies. The guys just dart off on the side of the road in the dark. At the 18km mark, the sky starts to get bright and time for a photo shoot. I have carried my mobile phone in my spibelt so as to take photos along the course. The amazing part is I actually did some photo editing and immediately upload to Facebook during the race. It is live reporting of the event during the run.

The rolling hills actually started from 18km up to 35km. I lost count the number of hills that I ran.  I think probably five in total just for this stretch. These hills are definitely not my friend. And it showed my lack of training on hills at this point of the race. End up with lots of walking up the slopes and then running down. One of the water stations offer big bananas and the surprise is the coconut at the 29km. And I was telling one young couple, at a marathon the race actually starts at 30km. That's when you know whether your body will hold up. Also at the 25km distance marker, there is a message on it that said "You entered a marathon with hills ? You Idiot." Kind of rubbing it in. Calling us an idiot.

Coconuts at 29km

But it is really a tough route. That's where the first time marathoners may really start to walk at this point and right to the end. I heard some first timers finishes at more than 8 to 10 hours for this run. I am really not surprised. My personal opinion is this marathon is not for first timer, or even second timer like me. We are still trying to tune our body to run a marathon and rolling hills are definitely too tough at this time. It would be ideal for those who has run a few marathons and looking for more unique experiences.

The hills are over !

At the highest point of 35km, a volunteer was telling us this is the highest point of the course and the rest will be flat. I was telling him, " Torture over is it ? ". We actually drive past this part of the course the day before and I was already telling myself to walk the slopes and run down if I have to. There is actually another slope at the end of the course before you reach the finishing point. Coming down the slopes at 36km, the only thing in my mind is walk and walk. I am just running out of momentum to run with the scorching sun at that time of the day.  That's when Andrew and Jun Liang appear in the vehicle which we rented. There were probably wondering where I am after so long. But they keep seeing my posting on Facebook and the last one was at the 35km. So Andrew accompany me to run/walk about 3km and at 39km water station, we have Coke which I was dying for at this point with the blistering heat !

Struggling at the last 1.5km of the run. Did you notice the ice cream on my right hand?

For the last 2km, I just dig deep and run the all the way with Jun Liang accompanying me. I just realised it is so nice to have running companion when the marathon gets tough. Three of us run to finished line and both of them run it twice since they have already completed theirs. Finishing with a time of 6:37 and my moving time is 6:01. So almost 36 minutes on water stations, taking photos and facebooking.

Running to the finishing line. My 2nd marathon completed.

On our way to the ferry, there are still participants on the route. We actually wind-down our windows and clap for them. It is already more than 9 hours and they are still not quitting. We later find out that the last participant came in at 11:40 hours. A never give up attitude. That's the spirit of the marathon !

Double thumbs up for finishing 

I was telling Andrew when I was struggling at the last 5 km, I told him "Don't worry ! I will finish it." The mental toughness coming at the right moment. On our way back to Kuala Kedah on the ferry, we met a group of runners from Penang going back. A few of them was first timers and took more than 10 hours to complete the race due to lack of training. There is one guy who run it for his wife's birthday. He carried a banner "Running for XXXX. Happy birthday." He told us he cramped 3 times along the course and was given medication to ease the cramp. The volunteer ask him "Do you want to take the car ?". He says "No. I have to finish it." He finish it in more than 8 hours. What a touching moment ! Probably bringing his wife to tears.

Hard earned Finisher's Medal of IOM

A video that summarises the Island Ocean Marathon in Langkawi

IOM is a hilly course but well organised event with fireworks at the start, energy gels, bananas, coconuts, Gatorade, Revive, Coke, Red Bull and ice-cream along the course. This marathon is not a race but an event to be with friends or meet new friends and enjoy the scenic view of Langkawi.

Island Ocean Marathon, Langkawi Part 1

Sunrise at Langkawi. Photo taken at 22km of the marathon.

This my first trip going with a group of runners for a run. And my conclusion after the trip is "It is fun". Runners understand each other running jargon and jokes. We also know that what we need to eat before a run and the rest and sleep that we required. The Island Ocean Marathon (IOM), Langkawi is the first marathon on the island of Langkawi organised by The Marathon Shop. The other marathon organised by The Marathon Shop is the River Jungle Marathon(RJM) which was actually offer as a combo series. Two marathons at a cheaper price.

Eventually I decided to only run the IOM which is in Apri but skip RJM in September as I will be in overseas in September and I wanted to run the new bridge of the Penang Bridge International Marathon in November. Trying to limit myself to two full marathons in a year for the time being.

We departed to Kuala Kedah on early Saturday morning and have a detour to Sungai Petani for breakfast. On arriving at Kuala Kedah, we met quite a few runners from Penang also taking the same ferry to Langkawi. A few of them is wearing the Malakoff Run t-shirt which is absolutely striking in colour. There are 7 of us in the group and we managed to rent a 7 seater vehicle. We have wanted to make this trip to be a "makanthon"(eating feast), "minumthon"(drinking feast), "chocolatethon"(buying lots of chocloates which Langkawi is famous for imported chocolates) and finally a marathon.

We have our lunch at a Italian restaurant in Kuah town, and what to runners eat for carbo-loading? Spaghetti and pizza, of course. And I just realised that runners can really eat. No dieting for us. After lunch, we started buying chocolates and drinking some imported beers which is extremely cheap selling at only RM3 per bottle. We can't be drinking at night so now is the time just to drink some imported beers and headed to our hotel. However, we are split into 3 hotels. Andrew and me was supposed to be staying at the TM Resort, Langkawi which is only about 1 km from the starting point at the Resorts World, Langkawi (formerly known as Awana Porta Malai, Langkawi).

Resorts World, Langkawi

The resort only has only 16 rooms and we have booked through Agoda more than 3 months ago. Unfortunately, the management has really screwed up our booking and our room has been given to somebody else. At that moment, we are damn tired and wanting to rest. We wasted two hours and at the end we just give up, cancel the booking and requested for a refund. So we are left with no place to stay and extreme tiredness !

Fortunately, Andrew has a friend who has booked Holiday Villa at Pantai Tengah which is very near to TM Resort and his friend's roommate cancel his trip and he is staying alone. So he called him and we managed to check into his room by just having an extra bed. Holiday Villa at Pantai Tengah, is a much better hotel. In addition, we also got a free upgrade to a RM520 room. A blessing in disguise !

Holiday Villa, Langkawi

After checking in we are just too tired to enjoy the hotel. We just took a shower and go for a short nap. Later we took a trip to visit the starting point of the race at Resorts World, Langkawi. Then it is dinner time at Pantai Cenang. The runners are really a group well connected people. Within a short time, a big group of us are gathered at this chinese restaurant in Pantai Cenang. 4 tables of runners of which two tables are from Penang. Unfortunately, no drinking session because of the run tomorrow.

At the starting point of the event

There is no time limit for this event and this event should not be called a race. No finishing time and no timing chip. The organiser mentioned that they will wait until the last runner complete the race if that person doesn't give up and continue with the race. So timing is not critical in this event but more for fun, the company of runners and friends and the scenic view of Langkawi. This kind of set the atmosphere of the event where you are not running for a PB (personal best). So a number of FMVs (Full Marathon Virgins) actually registered since it doesn't has a cut-off  time. How wrong they are when they run this marathon ! The route is definitely not for first timer !

To be continued ....The actual day of the marathon...

Bling Obsession

Bling, Bling, Bling

Do runners enter a race just because of the bling (medal)? Or the bling plays an important part in deciding which race you want to participate?

I remember many years ago (probably more than 25 years ago) when I first entered my first half marathon, we only have a certificate. Unfortunately, I have lost the certificate when I shifted house about 20 years ago. Didn't realise it was that significant to me then. No bling, no finisher T or even sports drinks. Sports drinks was not even invented. So we only have water and only water. I think we do have a running vest. No energy gels. No fancy food. And of course, no BLING ! I would have kept the bling if we have one. After the first half marathon, I stop running for months. Not the toughness of the race but the torture of the training then. Running in the morning almost every day for a few months. And long run on Sunday, where I ran from Esplanade to Botanical Gardens and back. The marvel of it is I didn't even carry a water bottle. No knowledge of fueling and hydration but just craziness of running. And that scare me after the first race. Unfortunately, I can't even remember my finishing time now.

So my half marathon at PBIM in 2011 becomes a fresh start. The truth is this half marathon at PBIM is even tougher than my first 25 years ago. Still ignorant about hydration and fueling and I just ran the race after training on a treadmill most of the time. 25 years later and I was 49 then, the body can really feel the strain and the speed is a real slog (slow jog).

Personally, I prefer to choose more unique races and if they are more well organised. The bling is just the reward of the race. And the certificate I usually lose them very soon. But they are runners who hanged up their Xmas tree with their running medals. With the medals, finisher T, running vest, sport drinks, food and other goodies the registration fee of the race will definitely increase. Currently, I saw some comments where the runners are not happy because the organiser change the design of the medal. Some of the comments are pretty nasty. It is not easy to organise a race, the moving parts of the race is much more than we can anticipate. The organisers are usually runners who has passion in the sport  and would like other runners to experience this passion too. Let's not give the organiser a hard time, the important thing is we enjoy the race !

Dreadmill Running

Treadmill Running

Currently, I have find it getting more and more difficult to run on a treadmill. My longest run is a 5 km. And even that I find it a "dread". After doing outdoor running for slightly more than a year, I finally realised it is great to run outdoor. The weather, the runners, the wind, the birds singing, the sun, the rain, the greenery, the flowers, etc really makes me come alive. I have problem running 5km even with music blaring in my ears. The outdoor running start to feel like a therapy and the treadmill running becomes "dreadmill running". I am still using the treadmill for speed training so that I can hold that pace consistently for a long period. And of course, for hill training, using the incline. I do that once a week and that is the maximum number of times I can stand it. I used to be able run a half marathon distance, i.e. 21km on  a treadmill for 2.5 hours. After that, the treadmill just breakdown.

I started off treadmill running by watching TV and you really go at a snail pace when you are watching TV. Once you pick up speed, it is quite difficult to concentrate on the TV. Then I have to rely on my music to get me through the treadmill session. But, running is for the great outdoor whether in the sun or in the rain. Regardless of the weather, just run !

Just Shut Up and Run

Just Shut Up and Run.

I just saw a joke recently. A man walks into a room full of fit guys that are strangers. Can he tell who has completed an Ironman? He doesn't have to. The Ironman guy will tell him. Do this apply to also marathoners? Where we have been considered crazy maniacs that wake up very early in the morning to run in the dark, in the rain and even in the hot sun. I just did my 30km. My last long run before tapering for Island Ocean Marathon, Langkawi. It was supposed to be 32km but the hot weather for these two weeks is just unbearable. At the end, I can only endure a 30km run and a few shades darker when I finished.

The last week when I did my 25km, a Malay guy saw me running in the hot sun and told me "Kuat"(strong, in Malay). This is what I called a one word encouragement. So endurance athlete considered super humans? Of course, we are just an average Joe but we just persevere and complete the distances laid down by the program. But after a 30km run on Saturday, my calf is still feeling the strain. The feeling is like I just completed a marathon. The pain, the heat, the mental strength and the soreness are all there. The only difference I could recover much quickly compared to my 30km long run in my first marathon. But really who cares that you have gone through the agony and joy of running marathon?  For a casual runner doing 3 -5 km is already great to them. For marathoners, 3 - 5km, my weekday run is double that distance. A casual runner won't bothered about fueling, distance markers, hydration, GPS watches, energy gels, running gear, chafing, blisters, black toe nails, LSD and so..on....so the list goes on. Running jargon that is so alien to them.

I have slowly learned that don't tell unless you are asked. But when we asked we just talk like we are running a marathon. Most people are probably bored when you tell them. But a lot of people have also bored us with their conversation on the neighbour's gossip, their dogs, their religion or even the best durians. So what is wrong if we let them have a taste of their own medicine and bored them with running. And when we tell them we plan our races for a whole year and holidays are scheduled not to be in conflict with our race days, they will be thinking that some companies don't even do a yearly plan and we have a yearly running calendar.

Running can be an obsession. Actually not only running. Anything can be an obsession. Some people are just obsessed with work. They work ,work ,work. So we run, run, run. When I was looking at the races and decide which one to participate, I have to really not get carried with races and more races. It will take away just the fun of running. But seriously, I think we runners Just have to Shut Up and Run ! And deal with this thing called the obsession of running.