Between CCU, Sundown & Wedding

I am mesmerised, battered and wasted all in the same day. Things were in place as we concluded another weekend warrior episode. The somber moments, the suspense, the cheers of happiness, the agony, the courage and last but not least, the tiring and fatigue Monday.

As I left for my hometown on Thursday afternoon, I've decided to bail out from Sundown for family priorities. Dad was still in CCU when I arrived at the hospital that evening. The gloomy moment just touched me and seeing him lying on the bed, depressed and helpless was heartbreaking. With my borther's wedding coming at the same weekend, I knew that dad is fighting to be strong and praying hard he could join. I was half wasted that night from the travel and other wedding chores.

Friday morning, dad was so determined and had his final say to go home despite doctor's advise. The discussion was one sided, I had to understand his feelings of being a father at whatever the risks may come. Mom agreed. Dad was glad from the look of his expression and excitement. Welcome home. However, I kept on monitoring his condition at home throughout the day and he was still weak but glad to be with the family and relatives for the wedding.

Saturday morning, sister and me went shopping for dad's rest chair. He needed one especially when he can't really survive the mild chest pain now and then during the night's sleep. That was when I asked my sister the gold question, "Is it OK for you if I go to Singapore?". With a bit more comfort words and logic thoughts, I was smiling from ear to ear for the remaining hours. Of course I had a word with wifey the night before about it.

The wedding reception at bride's place was felt like forever as I kept on counting the hours. Dark clouds and thunder thomping made this restless heart even more discomforting. My good news going to Sundown was well spread by now when I received a message from Nik. We were planning to drive in together with Det and Alwin. Both of them arrived at my place a bit later and we fetched Nik for Singapore at almost 5.00 p.m. I was a bit curious at Nik's hidden agenda at the first place. He was restless about reaching the starting line before flag-off. He even got dressed in the car along the journey. All I can thought of, he planned to run with Kash with Shaqi's 42km bib, but not throughout the 84km! Crazy feat but it was simply courageous. I'm wordless to describe it.

Fortunately the journey was well navigated and it took us about half an hour with smooth traffic across CIQ and reach the venue at merely a few minutes before ultra flag-off. Nik dashed off to collect his bib from Kash's brother, Azam while the rest of us parked and hurried ourselves to the starting line. We met Hailmi, Zaki and the rest of Chap Ayam Runners and they were totally glad to see us - talking about seeing familiar faces in peoples' land. Then we went looking for the ultramoms. Just slightly ahead towards the starting gantry with tiny nervous looks. They can only wave hands with the loud drums and emcee speach. A few hundreds I guess, chasing their glories.

The rest of the Sundowners took refuge at a chosen spot behind the stage. Syah was desperately looking for a time for a nap, he looked groggy. Yim, Det, Ijam, Ziff, Nadia, Alwin, Zaki killed time chatting away until the next flag-off time for half sundowners at 9.00 p.m. and full sundowners at 11.59 p.m. A little bit later, Det, Alwin, Zaki and me decided to look for dinner. We took the shuttle bus to Pasir Ris and caught by surprised by the longest queue to board the bust back to Changi. Had a quick bite and desperately caught a taxi back to Changi just in time to be ready for half marathon flag-off. There was only Alwin and me and couldn't find Ijam, Yim and Ziff among the huge crowd. Took us almost 5 minutes to cross the gantry.

It was my first time participating in Sundown and running in Lion City. The crowd was totally huge. For the next 5 km, I can only zig-zagged through it, struggling to maintain a good pace. It was a bit warm exiting the Exhibition Centre but cooling as we head towards the first u-turn. Only after 10th km Alwin and me managed for a breather when we overtook hundreds and hundreds. The road was flat as a pancake and straight as an arrow. The thundering sound of jet engines along the route kept us entertained. I only managed a few peeks at Cathay Pacific and a few other airline logos that I have no idea of.

The running crowd was as bored as a dead person, nothing like running a race in KL where we have runners shouting jokes around, familiar faces and friendly marshalls. These guys were like being paid to take the task. Ain't they supposed to enjoy the run? Weird though. The marshalls were so full of excitement compared to the runners. At 16th km I decided to push the pace where running space was a bit more ample. Took the chance to clock pace calculation at every kilometre. It was an average of 6.19 until the last 2 km when I was already feeling bored. That one took me 7.00 min/km. Met Hailmi and Zaki at km19 exchanging supporting words as they almost completed the first loop of 42km. I can't stand the remaining stale air and boredom at the last kilometre which I decided to just gave the final dash till the finish line. Emcee was shouting my name! That is rare - appreciate it though. One could not felt better and feeling appreciated.

I don't know whether it was a PB or not cause I lost count of my half marathon attempt. However, the run was great despite some pains in the legs here and there - that's what I get for pushing it. The clunking medal collection and bananas and hydrations were smooth. Met the rest of the guys at the spot and more kill time chats and watching Marathon Movie on the big screen. At 11.59 p.m., it was Syah, Det, Nadia and Zaki to take the stage for full marathon flag-off. I was too battered to escort them to the starting line as I just sat there and wave them the final wish. The next hour, Alwin, Ziff and me spend chatting about more running stories and get to know more about each other. Truthfully, that was the longest chat with Ziff despite the few times we met before. The first ultramarathoner crossed the finish line at the 6th hour. Amazing!

Alwin and me hit the shower and were rewarded with a soothing warm one. I kept it flowing as if it was therapeutic enough to nurse those sore muscles. I was limping as if I just completed a full marathon distance. Perhaps that was the outcome from no run on weekdays and battered self from travelling and less rest. Drove out to towards Pasir Ris for some solid food at a Shell station and slept in the car for the remaining hours at the carpark, though cramping stiff legs on and under the dashboard was a bit tricky at times. We woke up at 6.20 a.m. assuming the full sundowners had crossed the finish line. Progressively they arrived but I missed Ian when he decided to leave early. All full sundowners completed awesomely. Congrats guys. Gathered some infos about our ultra friends but we couldn't stay till the end of the story since I had to rush back to JB for the wedding and Det and Alwins' bus. Met KA and Kak Jenab at the spot and chatted for awhile.

With some poor navigation from fatigue minds, we managed to reach Woodlands and crossed the Causeway just in time for the bus schedule. I continued home for the wedding hiding my tired self and expecting a flu coming from the sore throat. By the time the wedding was over, I had to crash myself for a nap before the next challenge - the drive back to KL. It took me 8 hours, not because of long weekend traffic chaos but simply due plain fatigue. I stopped for an hour of sleep at every rest area. Arrived home just in time for wifey to send daughter to school for her exam. Phew! I will never attempt this again.