Ha...any second from now, lizard lovers are definitely going to feed me to the crocs!

*THIS IS 100% UN-PHOTOSHOPPED!* How did my sister manage to snap such a picture??!?!

Sunday, Sept 18

Now, THIS is the entry that deserves a lot of time and space. Here's why.

Run was scheduled to start at 7.00AM.

And guess what happened at 7.00AM?

*T-SHIRT AND BIB NUMBER COLLECTION*

Two days before the run, Mum and I drove down to Sg Siput not once but TWICE to collect the shirt and bib - only to leave empty handed because the "orang in-charge" was not present/collection postponed. Seriously, this will be my first "How do Malays do things wan ah?"

So the run started at 8.30AM. It was raining 90% of the time. Running in the rain was an experience though - especially with the 'tahan berak' state i was in.

I did not do well - and that was expected. After all, my training was sucky and I was all worn out from the string of activities days before the run. But anyway, I did beat my previous timing for the Ipoh Half Marathon (July 3, 2005) by about 1:30 minutes.

How did those women finish in 43 minutes??!?! I can only manage at least a ONE HOUR to complete a 10km.

Why am I asking this? Oh yea. Because I never had any coaching, formal training, or any groupee training. So now, who can sponsor this gal who needs proper training?

Back to what I really wanted to say:

YOu see, the form for the run clearly stated in black and white that the top ten runners will get prizes in the form of money.

But, all those who won were made to wait FOUR HOURS at the place before it was finally given to them. But what did they get?

*HALF THE AMOUNT PROMISED ON A CEK TUNAI*

WHAT is CEK TUNAI?? "Pay to the order of... tunai..." Bukan sudah lapuk ka, cek tunai?

So everyone had to get their checks rewritten! Not to mention even more waiting...

..and waiting...

and waiting..

...and somehow, the malay guy in charge managed to run away to the carpark to have a chatty 'discussion' with his 4 sidekicks. Soon after, unsatisfied runners had to join them to hurry things up. So..(I can sing a tune for this line now!) "How do Malays do things wan ah?"

more waiting....

and waiting...

Tempers were raised. Fists were clenched. Shouting. Pushing a poor old pakcik who was only doing his job in helping out..

...and the 'people who owe us our earned money' ran off again to the trees.. (were they thinking they could get away if they got closer to the fence? Go figure)

more waiting...

and more waiting..

then guess what happened? THE MAYBANK CHECKBOOK FINISHED!

the poor young man (an indian, NOT malay THANK GOD!) offered to use his personal check book and wrote the remaining checks.

jangan harap la, if that person in charge of the checkbook was a malay.

disgrace.

this is by far the stupidest and lamest organizing committee for a run.

dang it i just hate HATE HATE (ABHORS the word!!!)the 'lazy-saya tak kisah-tunggu lama sikit ya-saya orang melayu kamu jangan buat bising-saya suka malas' look on those malay men who were in charge of this mess.

this is when i wish i could say the *f* word with ease.

but then i remember,

i am a polite mild-mannered and good-natured young lady,

who love doggies and running,

and cannot burst into flaming tempers,

because everyone says its not good

for young ladies like me to get angry, masam, or mad.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAH!

so guess what i did while waiting?

I sashayed here and there and talked to people and took pictures and stayed cool.

And that's how i met the Brooks Runner Club coach and members. Yay. A potential running groupie to join after i return from US. AT LAST.

¶ 3:29 AM