Last year, I took part in the 3km Buddy Run at the Live Great Run in November 2014. Although it was fun to dress up, the short distance was actually quite… boring and unchallenging. For me, anyway. So after that, I promised myself that I would only join the longer distance runs to challenge myself.
This year, Great Eastern organised the Live Great Run earlier in the year. They organised two runs: the first in Penang in April, and the second in Kuala Lumpur in May. There were two categories offered: the 5km Colour My Heart Run, which was their version of the Color Run, and the 12km competitive run.
I was actually torn between the two; I wanted to play with coloured powders again, but at the same time I wanted the 12km challenge. I posed the question to my run buddy Farah, who promptly said that she wanted the 12km challenge. So… that was my mind made up for me. I didn’t want to do the colour run by myself – it is very sad and lonely to play with coloured powders by yourself!
The Live Great Run offered delivery for race packs, which made it easier for me so I didn’t have to go and collect the race packs all the way in KL.
The only problem with the race pack was that it included an expired voucher which was useable only in Penang. It felt as if the sponsors/organisers wanted to get rid of these extra vouchers and slipped them into the race packs. Personally, I felt that they should have omitted these vouchers altogether; I wouldn’t complain about a voucher I didn’t know I was entitled to. I did write an email to express my disappointment, to which the organiser promptly replied with an apology. Lest you think all I did was complain, I did commend them on organising such a big event and the otherwise very full goodie bag.
RUN DAY 24 MAY 2015
I arrived at the venue almost in time for the flag-off. Actually I wanted to use the washroom, but the lines were so long that I gave up.
Farah and Adiah were already at the Start – quite near the front, actually. Red-faced and full of apologies, I had to elbow my way to the front to join them. They wanted to be near the front so that their ranking would look better on paper; I don’t blame them, because I would have done the same!!! It was my own fault that I was tardy.
Farah had shared with us a warning which she found online, posted by the Live Great Run organisers:
We wondered what the hurdles were… we were not looking forward to doing any obstacles or challenges on a long 12km run!
I was really hoping that it would be a straightforward run as I was not looking forward to doing any kind of games like in the Rimbayu #Runwithme.
Halfway through the run, we found out what the challenge was…
A very steep hill!!!
I think my jaw would have literally dropped to the ground if it could.
Most of the runners just walked up the hill. Some tried jogging or running up, but they gave up before they even reached the halfway point.
Thankfully, that was the only “killer” part of the route. The rest of the route had its ups and downs, but none as bad as that steep section.
Ribbons also seem to be the favourite method of checkpoints used in runs nowadays.
This was quite a slow run for me – I finished 11.9km in 1h42m. I seem to be sliding backwards!
The organisers combined the 5km colour run and 12km long distance run at the finish, forcing the runners to merge at the end. The finish seemed to be a bit messy as well, as we had some difficulty getting onto the field where the other activities (such as the stage performances and games) were going on.
I was trying to avoid getting dirty, but because we were merging, some of the coloured powders on the runners who took part in the Colour My Heart Run got onto my clothes. I don’t blame them, but I did wish that the organisers had at least separated us so that getting coloured was optional.
MY POOR CAR
I had parked my car along Jalan Parlimen which led to Padang Merbok, and it turned out to be on the route which the Colour My Heart Run participants were on. I know they were merely having fun, but…
THEY POURED COLOURED POWDERS ALL OVER THE CARS!!!
My poor, poor car.
I had difficulty getting into the car without getting the powder all over my hands or my clothes. Fortunately I had newspapers which I could line my car seat with so I didn’t dirty my car. I wasn’t prepared to get dirty as I had been aiming for the competitive non-colour run, so I didn’t have old towels or spare clothes to change into.
Needless to say, I had to send my car in for a professional wash to remove all the coloured stains.
Overall though, Great Eastern as always, did a great job in the organisation of the run. Keep up the great work, and keep living great!
RACE CERTIFICATE
On a final note, when I got my e-certificate, I must say, I am sufficiently impressed.
This is the first time I’ve received an e-certificate with a photo of me! The organisers actually matched the participants to their bib number for their e-certificate!
This shot must have been taken as I was approaching the Finish line. Goodness knows I look pretty horrible here. But still. I am very impressed.
