In 2013 I signed up for what was supposed to be the first
run on the then spanking new Second Penang Bridge. As it turned out, that run was held for the
last time on the First Penang Bridge, but things turned out OK because I still
got bragging rights to running my first run in Penang for the last run on the
First Penang Bridge.
In 2014, I signed up for what would certainly be the first
run on the Second Penang Bridge. I’ve
always been irked by the unwholesome hours for the Penang Bridge runs, at the
best times to sleep. The run on the
Second Bridge was no exception, but I guess that’s the price you have to pay
for bragging rights.
I drove up the day before the run, and basked in the warmth
of friends in Penang complaining of knee, joint and other assorted pains so that
I could smugly inform them I was running the next day and enjoy the look of
incredulity of their faces. The
advantage of smugness over bragging rights is that you don’t actually need to
have done anything, just announcing your intention is enough to elicit a
response. It’s shallow and all that, but we live short lives filled with
moments of instant gratification.
