Part 1 is about the trip and the Saturday in Ipoh. Part 2 will cover the race itself.
Sunday was the Ipoh half marathon. I ran this race and it taught me a lesson of sorts although I had to run a hard 21 km race to learn it.
Saturday - the Trip to Ipoh
The "Captain" Ronnie had made all the car pool arrangements a few days before Saturday. Me and Kenny was to travel in CM's car. Ronnie, Rachel and Ah Loong in Jason's car. Kenny and Ah Loong would be running their first half marathon.
I took the commuter train from Klang to KL Sentral and met Kenny. We waited for CM in front of Starbucks cafe. While waiting, I received a call from Jason who said he had arrived at KL Sentral. But where was he ? I took off to find his car but I couldn't find him. I decided to walk to Starbucks where I met Kenny and CM. We planned to drive around to look for Jason but then CM saw Jason. He had parked his car on the road opposite us but it was hidden by a low concrete wall. Together we set off to Ronnie's flat and reached his place at about 12.20 pm.
We greeted Rachel's mother outside the flat and then sat down to inspect a box filled with his medals. Had orange juice and talked for ahile. Then we set off to pick up Ah Loong at a bus stop.
It rained very heavily throughout the journey. At about 2.30 pm, we stopped at Tapah R & R area where Ronnie's group had waited for us. We had lunch and lingered for a while, time was running short and we still had 1 more hour to Ipoh.
Saturday - Bib Collection at Ipoh
We took the junction to Ipoh Utara where by mutual agreement, I was assigned as the Navigator. Despite my vague recollection of the route to the Ipoh Council building where the bibs were issued, we eventually ended at up the council.
By now, the rain had become a downpour and we rushed inside to seek shelter under the tents. Since most of us had registered on line, we had to get the receipts from the "IT system"@database located in portacabin. A group of of about 1 dozen runners formed a disorganised queue to hand over our identification cards, registration printouts and verbal shouting of names. Ronnie did not get his registered 10 km race and ended up with a 21 km receipt. I was hoping to register for the 10 km instead of the 21 km but a sign read "Cat H sold out". That was it for me ; I had to run 21 km despite inadequate training over the past six weeks and knee injury.
By now, of a group of hapless Thai runners (10 persons) were gathered wondering how they were going to get their bibs. I wanted to help them out out my feelings of kinship as a fellow runner (the cute girls in the group did not influence this desire , if you believe me) but alas none of them spoke English. An official took one of the passports and went into the portacabin. He emerged a few minutes later but failed to make himself understood to the Thai runners. An English speaking Thai runner came along to sort this out.
One hour later at 5.30 pm, we finally managed to get bibs for everyone as we huddled under the tents against the rain and strong winds. We were finally finished with the mess of collecting the bibs and it was a mess, we proceeded to Syuen hotel to check in.
After we had all checked in, Tey@Ultraman. came down to meet us. He was the going to the Ipoh Foodie for us and it appears later to many others to guide us for the pleasures of Ipoh cuisine. He introduced us to a group of 20 runners from Singapore, SAFRA.
Saturday - Night Food Attack
At 7.00 pm, we walked out to the streets with Tey as the guide. Ipoh is famous for its Chines food but I could not eat the dishes as they were non Halal. Ah Loong volunteered to keep me company for dinners. We ended at a in South Indian restaurant , Syambu. All I can say, is Indian food is not one of Ipoh's highlights. I finished of a basic meal of rice, fish and overcooked and limp vegetables. Ah Loong had roti canai telur. Surely this is not enough for him to run 21 km the next morning ?
It was not. We walked around until we came to street wit Chinese food stalls. Ah Loong had rice porridge and Air Batu Campur (ABC) and myself, ABC. There were also other runners at the food stalls.
The rest of the night ,Ah Loong and I stayed in the hotel room. Yong dropped by 9.45 pm to collect the bibs which I had taken for him.
Lights out at 10.30 pm.
11.30 pm - phone rings , it was Ronnie asking about tomorrow's return trip travel arrangements.
Peace and quiet after that.
Part 2 : Race report coming up in 1 or 2 days......
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