SMART Tunnel Run Race 11 March 2007 - Report

Two weeks ago I quietly and secretly registered for the SMART Tunnel Run. I didn't tell anyone expect one person (he is not a Pacemaker runner) as I really wasn't too sure if I would go ahead to run on the day of the race (today). The distance was quite daunting (16 km) and in my current state of fitness, I doubted my ability to be able to run the entire distance. I was quite sure I would be able to run at least 5 km but beyond that either my stamina or my knee would fail.

After collecting my race bibs on Friday when I had to walk 4 km to and from the Central Market to the Wisma OCM, I thought I would decide on Saturday night if I would go or not to the run. The decision was made for the moment I held the bibs in my hands, I knew I would be there on Sunday morning. I have not run any race in a year and I missed running races a lot. I decided not to wear the Pacemaker vest as I didn't think it would look good for the Pacemaker group if I end up walking most of the course. So I wore last year's Great Eastern 30k vest.

I arrived a bit too early at the car park (6.15am) and walked to the white coloured tents. There was not much to do so I made myself comfortable in one of the plastic chairs. I met Ronnie and Rachel near the start line a few minutes before 7.30 am. It was announced that the race distance is 13.3 km instead of 16km. A bonus for me.

The men's open category was "shot" off a bit later than 7.30 am. It was announced the race start would be broadcasted live on TV. I guess only when there are VIPs present, in this case, the Prime Minister can we expect some TV coverage. Running is a low profile sports in the media here although the local town/city councils are the organiser for many races in Malaysia. I am not one to gripe about these matters but the only politician that has ever run a marathon is the honourable Datuk Shahrir Samad and he is not exactly a typical Malaysian politician. I guess the rest of the herd, plays golf.

But back to the start for my category. The start was delayed again for about 10 minutes. I am not sure what time it started but I sure ran quite slowly when it did. From the start, it was about 400m to the main road. I was trying very hard to keep a slow pace until I reached the tunnel section (6 km long). This is where the men will be separated from the boys ha-ha!.

I was running quite well in the tunnel until 26 min. 30 seconds when the stifling heat and humidity caught up with me. BTW, the tunnel is surprisingly small although there are two vehicle lanes in it. I guess you don't notice the small size unless you are foolish enough to run in one. My first walk break came just after 26 min. 30 seconds.

I restarted my run after walking for about 100m with an Indian man who had stopped running for one year due to an accident. Later he told me he had been hospitalised for 3 weeks from dengue fever He had just checked out 2 weeks ago and now he is running in a fairly challenging conditions.

After running through the tunnel for about 35 minutes, I came to the open road. I saw Tai, a regular Pacesetter runners and fellow enthusiast running towards an ambulance. What was he up to ? He managed to get a bottle of water from the ambulance guys. He drank some and kindly passed the bottle to me. I took some water and passed the half full bottle to the Indian guy. He drank some and poured some over his head. Then he passed the quarter full bottle to the other side of the road barrier to another runner. If you are wondering why this is happening, the first drink station ran out of water. They never learn do they ?

It was pretty much downhill for me from there on - I mostly walked my way through the tunnel on the way back. I tried to run at short bursts a few times but just I just did not have the endurance to keep going at a sustained pace.

Near the tunnel exit, I met Run wit Me. After I went out of the tunnel, there was only about one km to the finish line. This is where I made a last ditch effort to grab the 100 medals on offer. I sped through the tired runners/walkers and overtook a few of the Category C participants. But alas, the 100 medals were gone by the time I crossed the finishing line in 1 hour 33 min. 15 seconds. Out of this, I probably spent about 15 to 20 minutes of walking.

After the race, I did not come across the rest of the Pacemaker Group except for PM3 and Adam.

Now know the current state of my fitness to run distances longer than 5 km. There is a lot of training ahead of me to run farther and I have to do it within the constraints of my injury.

See you guys in a future race!.