We have dim sum in the morning at Fook Yuen, across the road from our hotel. Then we have laksa in the afternoon at Yee Fung, a couple of blocks down the street. Then we order takeaway pizza from Little Italy for dinner. I hope to save some for breakfast tomorrow.
In between stuffing my face, I pack my bag, unpack my bag and repack my bag to ensure that I’ll have everything I need when I need it. Also, I like packing my bag.
I’m in bed by 6PM and spend the next 7 hours tossing and turning. I’m careful not to squish the small body lying next to mine, who’s tossing and turning too, but who is otherwise dead to the world. I find some peace in watching her sleep.
“Why aren’t YOU asleep, Papa?”
“Big race tomorrow.”
“Are you afraid?”
“A little, I guess.”
“Are you excited?”
“Yeah.”
“Have you packed your bags?”
“Probably not?”
“Better get started.”
***
I fall asleep around 1AM. I’d set my Ava for 2AM and right on cue, I am awakened.
“UH NGAEH UH NGAEH FEED ME!”
“UH NGAEH UH NGAEH HOLD ME!”
“UH NGAEH PAPA ARE YOU AWAKE YET?!”
“Yes.”
“UH NGAEH OK JUST CHECKING.”
“UH NGAEEEEEEHHHHHHHHH.”
I hand her to Angela and begin prepping. A quick shower follows and by 240AM, I am ready to go.
I kiss my mum, Angela and Ava goodbye. My pick-up is at the Hyatt Regency, an 8-minute walk away. Five minutes into the walk, I realise I’ve forgotten my drop bag. I call Angela and make my way back. My mum is at the lobby waiting for me. I thank her and I’m off – again!
I arrive at the pick-up point around 3AM. Several participants are already here. It has started to rain and I find shelter under the walkway next to Burger King. I do not have to wait long as our bus is soon ready for boarding. It fills up in no time and a little after 330AM, we depart – right on schedule!
I close my eyes but whenever I open them, I find everyone else asleep, pretending to be asleep or at least, trying to. I too, pretend to sleep although my thoughts invariably drift to the challenges ahead – like, how do I eat all this pizza I’ve packed?
By 445AM however, there is no pizza left. I guess I was really hungry.
We arrive at around 515AM. I step off the bus, leave my drop bag in the designated van and make my way across a bridge. Lots of participants are already here and are gathered inside a hall. I join them and get my wristband scanned. I am now officially registered for the race.
I spend the next 45 minutes milling around. Daylight breaks but we are due for a late start. Apparently, a bus has broken down. I bump into Mezan, a friend, and we chat awhile. I lose her in the crowd which has now swelled to hundreds of participants from both the 50k and 100k categories.
We receive a preliminary briefing on our route and some safety reminders.
At around 620AM, the countdown begins.
“FIVE – FOUR – THREE – TWO – ONE!”
Part Five: The Start
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