The date is 16 December 2007. That's exactly 1 week ago. The event - Starwalk 2007. I'm on my 5th year entering this walk after year 1996,1997, 1999 and most recently last year 2006. Reached Penang International Sports Arena (PISA) around 6am with still plenty on motorbike and car parking. I guessed I was early or there are many out there with the last min rushing attitude. Went to the toilet, then registered myself to get my first wristband and sat down by the road side of the Competition area. Saw my colleague with his gf, went over to them with greeting before taking my place again.
At around 655am, we were told to move towards the starting point which is just before the D'Piazza condo sales office. The race itself for Competition walkers then went off at 705am. There were so many of them running - that's cheating !!! For the first 2-3km, my lower legs were in pains, presumely due to lack of warm up and the cold weather. I just simply can't catch up although I'm trying my best but in the end, just watching others wearing black registered number (black for Men's Open category) passing me one by one. It was not long before my legs are no more feeling the strain and pain and I was able to go faster.
It was at the turn towards Tun Awang road when the 2nd wristband was distributed. At this moment, I'm moving considerate fast but there's still quite a few from the same category (1 fair chinese with prof walking style, 1 mat salleh and another darked built-up guy) managed to overtook me and leave me in their trails.
Another km passed and I'm reaching the slope going up. At this point, i'm getting more energize - feeling fresh, no 'chuan', legs not tired. It should be left only 3km to go. After coming down from the slope, I speeded up. I'm not sure how I fare but I managed to overtook more and more people from the same category. And by the time I crossed the finish line, I managed to catched up with all those that I've mentioned just now and overtook them. I feel good ;)
After getting my cert and lucky draw coupon, I made my way towards the drinks booth. No one was there...so empty...can drink all I want !!! Wanted to take a bath, but ended up just changing my shirt. Took my camera, snap a few pics before waiting for my colleagues. Finally there are here and I waited for them to get their drinks before we went opposite PISA for breakfast !!! After filling our stomach, everyone was spliting up to go home. Not giving any hopes by them for the lucky draw, I ended up holding 10 coupons for the lucky draw!!! After waited for my last colleague to went off, I was feeling a bit sweaty and tired. At this moment, the thoughts of going back myself are getting into me.
Then my lucky charm strikes!!! As I was sitting down in PISA still thinking of staying or going back, the announcer was reading out the winners for Men's Open category and I heard "no.44 - 204". Hey, that's my number!! as my name is read out. I'm sooo happy at that moment. They haven't set up the counter for the medal redemption and I found my other group of colleagues, so I went over to sit with them. We were sitting down waiting and finally I was able to claim my medal together with a pallas shoe from sponsor and a big towel in conjunction with Starwalk 30 anniversary. Went back to my place to sit down while continue following the lucky draws. They were drawing prize no.15 and the number hit one of the coupon I'm holding !!! I quickly stand up, went over to the prize presentation stage. One of the Panasonic manager greeted me, shake hands and had our photographs taken before passing me a Panasonic Microwave Owen !!! Haha....no more luck after that until the 5 grand prize motorbike.
But overall it was indeed a fruitful starwalk for me this year. I'm just paying rm12 for the competition category and ended up with a shoe (this one can throw away), a medal for a first time, a 30th anniversary towel and most importantly a microwave owen worth rm369. Hooray !!!!!!!!!!!! I was smiling all the way back home, carrying all those stuff with my motorbike - imagine that ! ;)
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