1st Race in 2014 - Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon

Just noted that I have not been writing anything since December 2012.

As the title goes, SCHKM 2014 where I traveled to Hong Kong with my wife and the youngest boy. Also it was my maiden flight on Malaysia Airlines A380 on flight MH72. I was on the same flight with Alvin Yap and wife, Dannie Choong and Carrie, CK Chong and partner and also Wayne Way.

Touched down at about 1:00pm and supposedly to meet up with Lionel Lee but he left with Dannie upon bumping into him. Proceeded straight to Hostel and checked in. Nothing to shout about as its a budget stay of HK$500 a night.

KG Garden Guest House, TST

After checking in, went over to Victoria Park for the REPC. My bib was no where to be located and declared lost and a new one was immediately printed for me, though it was a 45 minutes wait. There was nothing much left at the collection place as its the final hour for collection.

Shortly when I met up with Winnie Wong, a local HK L&F colleague to pick up my Company running tee, only got to know that they have actually collected my running kits on behalf and that was why my bib was no way to be located. 

Fast forward to next morning. Woke up at 4:30am as we agreed to meet up at 5:00am to deposit our luggage. Starting line was about 200m away from where I am staying. 

It was a cold morning, temperature was around 9C during the start time. It was not a good run for me. Really underestimated the weather as both my hand and fingers were numb up to about km 30. In between, my shoe lace loosen 3 times and only the 3rd time I managed to tie it properly as my fingers were not under my control because of the cold. Cannot remember much about the route, just that passed at least 3 bridges and the west harbour to cross over to HK Island towards the last few km.

Cramp strikes again from km 28 onward, where almost every alternate medic station I would apply the analgesic lotion, hopefully can do away the cramp and both my quadriceps. However, it was not really helping. Almost walked through the whole Western Harbour which is about 2km long. Finally crossed the finishing line at 5:33:05 which I had high hope of finishing this run at 4:45 initially.

After crossing the finishing line and upon collected my dry clothing, bumped into KK Yum and Evelyn Ang, as usual cannot escape from camwhoring. However, the usual crowd like YK and K1 already left the event place as the weather was not friendly to stay any longer.

From there I crossed over to Regal Hotel which as about 400m away where L&F HK had a ballroom for all its employees. Food and drinks were served. Additional goody bag was given to all participated employees.