Malakoff Penang 17k 2013 Race Report

In every race that I participate in, surely there are some kind of hiccups along the way. Without that, I think I wouldn’t have much to write about. So I guess it’s a good thing in a way. =P On the 17^th Sunday morning, my plan was to get Jason picked me up with his bike from my house as parking would be a scarce at Esplanade. My race starts at 7am so I told him to pick me up at 6.30am. At 6.33am he called me and told me he was outside my house, I went out and I was wondering where he was hiding. Mana budak tu? Bayang pun tak nampak. I called him ask him where he was, he said he was at my apartment. Holy cow, I was at my grandma’s house that morning. I told him sorry sorry sorry for not informing him that I was staying at my grandma’s house. So I asked him to meet me at Esplanade. He was supposed to run in the 7k as a ‘ghost runner’ but I think he was too lazy to do so!

I quickly drove my car to the race venue. Reach around 6.47am and met up with Chiat Fong aka Captain. As we made our way to the starting point, Jason called and we met up and chat a lil before the flag off. We were released at 7am sharp. 2,500 strong participants took part in the 6^th Malakoff edition and this was my first. The route: Esplanade - Gurney – Straits Quay – Gurney – Esplanade = 17km. Since these are major roads, I really kesian those road users on that Sunday. So sorry for the wait.

Captain, Neoh and myself were together for the first 8k, captain was the pace setter and sometimes he was going so fast that I had to accelerate and catch up with him. Being the pace setter is never an easy thing; for me especially. My run strategy is always to mark a person, stick to the person right next to him/her and follow till I feel comfortable enough to overtake him/her and repeat step 1 again. It always works for me, and by doing this I actually feel less tired. 

Captain, I and Neoh

Once we got at the checkpoint, I felt I could go at a faster pace, so I signaled to Captain and Neoh that I was ready to “tekan minyak” but I know I have to be careful because we were only at Straits Quay and the sun is starting to rise. I left them and tried sticking to another faster runner but there was a gap, there were no one in between with a pace which I could follow comfortably. Either they are too slow or they are too fast. So I had to run on my own till somewhere around Sunrise Tower. I was starting to regret my ‘breakaway’.  Anyhow, I manage to find a target with a really good pace, a man probably in his 40s looking good in his 2xu tights and tri top. I tried following him along Gurney drive but I lost him not long after. For me, this part of the race is the hardest. There were no trees or shades, you could feel the sun burning your skin (and I was wearing ALL BLACK!). Saw a Malay chap took off his shirt and I was tempted as well but I did not. I persevered. I wanted to stop running and just walk a little but I told my body, no. Keep running. Motivating me with quotes like, “When your body is too tired to run, run with your heart, etc” those kinda stuff and it helped. 

Photo by Radin =)

 Getting into Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah was the most pleasurable moment in that race, the big old familiar trees providing massive coverage of shades and knowing that I’m about 5k to the finishing line. Here I paced a Chinese man, skinny but he is quite fast. Ran ran ran till we passed KPMG, I over took him and tagged an ‘Ang Moh’. Running besides him makes me feel really tiny. He was running at a good pace too. At this point, my body is pretty numb to any tiredness I have in my legs. I ran with him till the finish line and we did a sprint together as we approach 100meters mark. Of course he beat me and overtook me. He deserves it because he was doing the work for me. For me, the race is about finding your ‘Inner Circle’, the people who will push you, motivate you and inspire you to do better. I believe I’ve achieve all that in 1 hour and 29 minutes. =)

Captain and I after the race

I have to applaud the organizers for doing an excellent job in this race. Water station were well placed, we had 100 plus and Gatorade. =) Now I’m hooked to Gatorade. (I’m drinking one as I’m writing this post) They were being partnered with great sponsors as well, such as PowerBar, Nestle and a few others. Their inner circle paid off. There were some volunteers who set up water station for runners at strategic locations. Some were cheering and motivating runners. These are the things that make sports beautiful. I will definitely be there again next year.

Jason and I

Finisher

As I collect my medal and goodie bag at the end of the race. I saw Jason waiting for me outside the barricade. He was telling me how fast the first runner finishes. By the way his name is Ruburn Kummar, finished first with a blistering time of 57 minutes and 37 seconds. They also gave all finishers ice-cream, nasi lemak and a bottle of Gatorade. I gave Jason the ice-cream and nasi lemak because I was just too tired to eat. As I made my way back to my car, I met Neoh on the way, Paris (his gf) was looking for some isotonic drink, I offered them my Gatorade and went back home empty handed.  I’m blessed to be a blessing. =) Thank God for the beautiful race. 

Brought Shadow for his morning walk after I got back. He made a new friend. =)

Project Save Orange Episode 6

I start searching for Schnauzers at pet shops around Penang. Most shops don't have them except Poodles and Shih Tzus, which are the more common ones. I was thinking of an addition while waiting for Orange to return, probably get a male one and when Orange returns, a bf is there waiting for her. Like a welcome home gift for her, she's quite a horny dog.

And with another Schnauzer, it could help reduce my misery of missing her and all. Or a distraction to keep me sane. I do tell them that I lost Orange, a 6 years old medium size Schnauzer. During my search, this particular pet shop told me that one of her friend found a Schnauzer wondering around Macallister Road. That was a good news for me and my heart started pouding harder and faster. Could this be Orange? Macallister Road is just around Kinta Lane and it is highly probable that it is Orange.

The girl told me that she will contact her friend and return my call asap. I really pray and hope they got Orange, so I move on in life and stop searching high and low for her. I've given up going the the police station as they are always busy. Too busy for my 'Missing Dog' case. It's on my own now.

Would like to thank those who have supported me and encourage me continuosly. I know it's just a dog to many, but it's more to me. Many thanks also to those who help distribute the flyers. I will try repay the kindness upon my life.

Let's continue praying and believing.

Project Save Orange Episode 5

I took leave today, that means I have 5 full days to continue the search and investigation on Orange's disappearance. My mum and uncle concluded that Orange got 'raptured' because there is no way Orange could have left the place. My take is, the thief must be extremely skillful and may have bribe the patient to say nothing about it or someone from Sentral hotel took Orange, but the management cover up by stating they saw nothing on the CCTV to protect their reputation.

I started searching online for Schnauzer in Malaysia's and Penang's website, particular those that are for sale. It's unlikely that X would sell a 6 years old Schnauzer on the web but there is a possibility. I got nothing, only puppies and those around 1-2years old until I found a list of breeders/pet owners. One particularly stood out from the rest because he claimed he only breed Schnauzers due to the space constraint but have plans to breed bigger size dogs in the future. I started to dig more about X and found that the address he registed with the web is about 5KM from my home. It is not that far and if he is a breeder, he might have spotted Orange for his own benefit. Orange is a pure Schnauzer with a cert, meaning you can trace the lineage back to her great grandparents or even more. She is valuable for a breeder.

I got out in the middle of the night and try searching for that particular building and found that place. But it doesn't look like a place used for dog breeding. I called the next morning, but he did not pick up his phone. I texted him saying I'm interested to purchase a puppy from him, still no reply. Later in the afternoon when I called him again, his phone was turn off. Mum tried calling him, and she couldn't get through as well. We then went to the place again, we spoke to a human there and found out that X do breed and sell dogs but he do not live there, X is the human's nephew and gave us some tips on where to find him.

We are hoping to find Orange there! Fingers crossed. I suspect X because I think he was paniced or scared to pick up the call and immediately turn off the phone. He may have our missing Orange flyer and our contact numbers are there. He may have recognised our numbers and quickly disappear. Another funny thing is why would he register an address which he do not live in?

Project Save Orange Episode 4

I don’t know how helpful is it to make a police report but that’s the only way to get a third party to view Sentral’s hotel CCTV. They claimed that they don’t see Orange walking past their CCTV but their testimony has some truth in it (can’t review it due to privacy purposes), so I am 51% convinced with their answers. 

So the problem now is how did Orange get out from the house? If it’s not the back lane and not the front door, where else? I’ve searched every single hole in the house and there is no sign of Orange. That’s why I need the police to intervene; they have the expertise, skills and resources to track her.  Many friends laughed at my decision for making a police report and doubt that the police force would be any of help since it’s getting closer to Raya and it’s just a dog. On top of that, I have problems looking for the Inspector as he is always not around. I really don’t know what to do d. Help!

Waiting for the Sarjan which I've never seen before till today

Last night I went to the suspect’s house, she is no longer the suspect but I just need to clarify certain facts with her. I remembered her saying she saw someone coming out from the house. I went there and I could see that she is not happy to see my face. She said rudely, “I’m having my dinner. What do you want?” I replied, “I know you’re not the suspect, but I just wanna clarify is this the woman that left the house (showing her the pic from my iPhone)?” She said she didn’t see her face clearly, the lady wasn’t carrying any bag out of the house and there weren’t any sign of Orange. I left.

Before they amended this report, the officer wrote, 'Anjing jenis Schnauzer yang berwarna OREN telah hilang'.

Don’t tell me Orange just disappeared into thin air. I’ve decided to reward the person who brings Orange back to me. I’m thinking probably RM500 cash. I don’t mind spending a little to get myself out of this misery, if the person is holding Orange because of money. I’ll give you what you want. But if you’re keeping Orange for your own selfish reasons, I won’t give you a single cent but a piece of my mind when I find you. I will decide for myself which category you’re in.

 

Someone wrote ‘Paid 1,000’ on one of my flyer. I don’t know how serious this person is but I wrote back, ‘Call me first’. With this kinda English, who can that person be? I’m getting frustrated with each passing day.

Project Save Orange Episode 3

A week has passed and I’ve yet to conclude how Orange actually left the premise. Hotel Sentral’s management has yet to call me and inform me regarding their findings from the CCTV footage. I am tired of walking up to their lobby and bugging the Assistant Operations Executive and Manager but that’s the only thing I can do.

This week is a hectic week for me, every night I would distribute flyers in a designated area with volunteers that I wouldn’t expect to help me. First that responded to my distress call was Eileen Teh Hui Ping. On 5^th August 2012, just a day after Orange went missing, she asked whether I have looked around the neighborhood and even give me some tips on how to trace a missing dog. We chatted after church and she offered to come to my place to try search for Orange in the afternoon. I un-shamefully accepted the offer with arms wide open. =)

Help Us Spread The Word

It was around 4.00PM when she came to my house, the sun was up high and hot. Asked whether she needs an umbrella, she said no. Wow, so macho even I can’t withstand the heat and even brought an umbrella along. We went around searching for Orange, stepped in a groomer, a few convenient stalls and shops. She passed the flyer out and asked whether they have seen this dog. One of the shop owners told us that he understands how we feel because he has dogs as well. He said when one of their dogs died, his wife “hao ka sien ka gu aneh” (cried like a cow), I found that kinda hilarious and he was really comical. 

We walked into the alleys and she called Orange name moderately soft. I find that really cute. Lol. She is really helpful, kind hearted and encouraging to me. Not only did she help me once, but the following Wednesday, we went around her housing area distributing flyers. I will be forever grateful to your act of kindness towards Orange and I. It was a great time catching up and talking to you too. 

The second person was John Jonathan Leong, a busy father and a busy manager in an optical shop who was willing to sacrifice his Saturday afternoon for me. We went to Queensbay Mall at about 3pm, we first stopped at Absolute Fitness to pass some flyers to a friend who was working out there. We distribute the flyers to random people that walked pass us and sad to say probably 50% of them would receive our flyers, the rest would just walk pass us ignoring us or rejecting it. But what can I say? Yet John gave his best. After 15minutes or so, I told him the distribution of flyers is too slow and we’re wasting our time, let’s just go to the car park and leave in on the windscreen. He agreed but only to join me later. 

As his approach the multi storey level car park, he was marked by the guard and was told to retrieve back those flyers he had given out. He collected all of them and left to the outdoor car park which was out in the blazing sun. He was in jeans! Imagine how terribly hot he would feel in the sun, putting flyers on as many cars as possible. I could see his sweat all over his face and shirt. A man that keeps his promise he is and I’m very thankful for a patient senior like him, always listening to my endless complains and always giving me the right advice and words to carry on with life.   

Last but not least for the week was Eong Shing. She plays Floorball for my club and she is one of the few people that msg me asking about Orange’s updates, etc. She asked whether I need help and since she’s staying in an area which I have not distribute flyers at yet, I accepted her offer. We left her home at about 9.00PM and the terrain in that area was hilly. I remembered finishing our assignment with my shirt soaking wet like I’ve just finished a session of Floorball training. I remembered commenting about Shing in the player of the month column that she is a very ‘kuai’ girl. The obedient type that would listen to her parents advice and love her family. I still think she is. 

I asked her, why she bothered helping since she is not a pet lover. She answered, “I know how it feels like to lose someone you love.” I was stunned for a moment. She added that she was afraid of dogs, cats, insects and probably anything else that move, yet she still chose to help and walked through those hilly sections. I have to say I am really moved by your ‘courage’ to overcome those dogs that come charging when you put the flyers in the mailbox. I am really thankful for the kind deed and for listening to my life stories. It was a nice chat with you.

Thank you Cui Lin for designing the amazing flyers. Approximately 3,000 pieces went out this week.

I would like to thank to rest who help in a way or another, special thanks to Sam, Nic, Bryan Teoh, Jason Chew, Cheok Teng, Alwyn Wan and to those that I’ve missed out. And also for those who has shared the picture. A big thank you! When we find back Orange, I’m gonna throw a big party and invite all of you to celebrate. We are getting there. 

Orange: Thanks for trying to save me. I am still waiting.

Project Save Orange Episode 2

After getting the suspect’s address, my uncle (the dentist), Sam, Cheok Teng and I headed to the suspect’s home with high hopes. We even joked about how we would play around with the suspect if we found Orange there. But did it turn out according to plan? The answer was NO but at least I have answers from her and I got a chance to listen her side of the story.

She admitted she was there on 4.8.2012 Saturday with her mother BUT she claimed she have never seen Orange before. Another lady that was outside the house walking suspiciously was her niece; she did not come into the house at all, she claimed. She was waiting outside because she just finished her interview with one of the travel agent at Lorong Selamat. She added that she saw someone coming out from the house (I have yet to determine this person) but did not see any dog at all. Her story is pretty consistent with my uncle’s but only from a different perspective. 

When I was about to enter the suspect's home with the hope of hearing Orange's bark.

My uncle did most of the talking and I just listen quietly there until she kept denying and repeating her statement till I can’t take it anymore, so I told her directly, “You are the one who stole Orange, give her back to us. It’s you; it’s you, no one else in the house except you.” She was furious when I told her that, she retaliates and said, “How could you suspect me? You have no evidence. You can go report to the police if you want to. You know where I’m staying. I work long hours and I have to come back home to take care of my old mother, do you think I have time to watch over a dog? We have a no pet policy in this apartment too and I’ve never seen your dog!” I just sat there quietly and I knew she was speaking the truth, I don’t see any body language of a liar. I then told her I’m sorry and I am just desperate to find her back. She said she understands and she would contact us if she comes across Orange.

Walked out of the house feeling ‘nui kah hong’, now what? Sam and Cheok Teng even asked the neighbors on any sighting of Orange but it wasn’t fruitful. To be honest, her home doesn’t look like she keep animals as there wasn’t any pet’s bowl, food, fur or smell. I’m gonna let this go temporary till we have stronger evidence. But I’m 70% convinced she is innocent.

Got back home and I start putting my thinking and investigative cap on, the time frame where Orange went missing was between 8.20AM and 10.30AM. My mum last saw her at 8.20AM and she was discovered missing at 10.30AM. The suspect came in at 10.05AM but they deny seeing Orange at that point of time, no one left through the front door, so now my focus is on the back door. Maybe Orange wasn’t kidnap, maybe someone is the house was careless and left the back door opened. I shall find out soon.

My mother and I went to the back lane last night to try look for Orange again, we discovered 3 more CCTVs at the back lane and the best thing was, it was at the far end of each corner, that means it doesn’t matter whether Orange turn left or right, all will be captured. I really hope I don’t see her escaping by her own. If that really happens, it would be our mistake.

Oh yea, please help this poor owner locate Bubble too, I spoke to her last night and she told me, her husband and herself still can’t get over the lost of Bubble and she suspect Bubble was stolen. She even went to advertise it in The Star. She was found missing somewhere in May at Island Glades, do keep an open eye for Bubble as well. Many thanks.

Missing Bubble

Project Save Orange Episode 1

My Report

Timeline: 4.8.2012 (Saturday) approximately 10am.
Suspects: 

The patient (suspect A's mother)
Suspect A (A skinny lady in her late 40s)
Suspect B (Driver? mayb)
Suspect C (Random lady)

Suspect B and C might be the same person

Victim: Orange the middle size grey Schnauzer
Motor vehicle used : Type of SUV i.e Avanza
People in the house: Uncle (Dentist), aunty and grandma.

When all this happen, my aunt and grandma were behind the house, at the kitchen or toilet doing their daily chores. Unfortunately, there was no one else in the house except for them. My uncle recalled that when he was dealing with the PATIENT, SUSPECT A was reading the newspaper and lifting the newspaper up high just right outside of the treatment room. He thought it was weird but he didn't pay much attention to it because at the point of time, he did not suspect anything. Few seconds later, he heard the sound of the brown wooden door being opened; he thought it was one of our family members going in and out of the house. Here we assumed that SUSPECT B went into the house and lure Orange out. Orange is a friendly dog and she would run out as soon as she sees an opening. My uncle continued checking the PATIENT ignoring the sound of the wooden door.

Treatment Room

"Suspect A" lifting newspaper up high to block my uncle's view

Wooden door to access my house, Orange is behind this wooden door

Behind the wooden door, Orange should be somewhere here when Suspect B came in

When the PATIENT came in together with SUSPECT A, my uncle could see that the PATIENT needed assistance to walk because her legs were weak or something. So he asked, "Only you came with your mother? Can you carry her out/in by yourself?" SUSPECT A just smiled without saying much. My uncle felt this lady was weird. After fixing the PATIENT'S dentures, they all left. My uncle push the entrance door for them and asked where is their car, as he was was being nice to his customers making sure SUSPECT A have enough strength to carry the PATIENT to the car.  SUSPECT A answered, "Our car is just right down the road". If you knew your mother has difficulty walking, what is the logic or parking a car somewhere far away when you could let her wait and drive the car to the entrance OR the driver could just drive up to our house. They all left.

The Entrance door

My mother got back from her and realized Orange was missing. She alerted my uncle about it and he quickly ran out and asked around the neighbors on any sighting of Orange. He saw another lady, SUSPECT C walking up and down the streets of Kinta Lane. He spoke loudly about how we would feel sad and cry if we found out that Orange is missing because my uncle used to have a dog as well and he understands perfectly the bond and love between a dog and humans. Suspect C then was being picked up by the same car where the PATIENT and SUSPECT B were on. My uncle was in disbelief!!! Why would the SUV turn back a second round to pick another lady who has nothing to do the PATIENT  and suspect B.

After we discuss and talked about it, this must be a planned kidnap case as they were here a few days earlier before treatment. You need 2 appointments for making a dentures. My uncle claimed this patient was a new customer. My question is the motive of the kidnappers. They just want a dog? They wanna sell the dog and earn some cash? They want a cute dog? They have another Schnauzer and they wanna breed them? What? Why?

Questions that I'm going to ask my uncle:
1. How many times you heard the door open?
2. Who was the driver? SUSPECT A? or someone else?
3. What type of SUV and colour?

Workdone:
1. I've contacted and emailed SPCA about it.
2. Went to pet shops around town, tanjung bungah to give out the flyers.
3. Printed and pasted more than 150 A4 printouts around the city. Town to Tanjung Bungah, Batu Lanchang and Jelutong. (Areas to cover greenlane, island glades, farlim, air itam)
4. Printed 1/4 of an A4 size to put at car's windscreen around town. 100 went out today.
5. Thru Facebook and Instagram.
6. To distribute small flyers in malls during weekends.

 I’ve scouted around Kinta Lane yesterday and found out there were 3 CCTVs. All I needed to see was the SUSPECTS type of motor vehicle, colour and if there is any chance of  the SUSPECTS’s footage in the recordings. I went to all and tried asking for help but none was fruitful.

#CCTV1 – Can see clearly MV that passed the road, but memory is up to two days only. Data for 4.8.2012 was deleted due to small hard disk memory.

#CCTV2 – Owner claims their CCTV is not working well and the angle of the video is towards their gate only. Anything that happens on the street is not visible.

#CCTV3 – Large powerful CCTV, owner claims that their angel is towards their gate only and don’t sound willing to help. Asked me to just buy another new dog. But I guess I will try again later, that is my biggest shot because that CCTV is the closest to my home.  

If you ask me why am I doing so much for a dog, come on, it’s just a dog, you could get a Schnauzer in almost any pet shop in Penang.

My answer would be, I treat her as one of our family member and I truly love her. I am not a father yet, but the way I treat her is like a father treating his little princess with TLCs. The feeling for me it’s the same when a parent lost their child. Do you think they would sit down and do nothing about it? They will go all out to try getting them back no matter what it takes and cost. There are not many things in life I would fight this hard for, but Orange will be one of them because I know she loves me too. And it’s not fair for someone to walk right into your house and take something that does not belong to them.

When they say, dogs are men’s best friend, the writer knows exactly why he wrote that because they are ever loyal and faithful to their master no matter how hard or how much you scold them, no matter how little time you spend with them, no matter how little you play with them, no matter how much you hit them or abuse them, they will still come to you and lick your face when you come back home not holding the past like humans do. Orange, we miss you a lot and we’re coming for you.

Please let me know if there is anything I can do. I appreciate any comment/questions/feedback and ideas. Thank you.

One of my last few pictures of Orange. And yes, she accompanies me to sleep. Every nite, after settling my stuff downstairs, I will go up to my bedroom and sleep. Orange will follow me up and sleep at her favorite spot once she sees me on my bed.