“Keep on doing what you love to do. When you do what you love, eventually love will find its way to you” – Quoted from Hilwan blog
After running the 10km Rakan Muda Run in the morning, i took the midnight bus to SG from TBS-BTS (Terminal Bersepadu Tasik Selatan). I had hoped that i could get some rest on the bus before running the MR25 Ultra Marathon the next morning, i didn’t booked a Hotel – decided to sleep on the bus.
Unfortunately for me the sleeping part did not really happened as the bus arrived at Lavender street at 4 a.m. – 2 hours early!
I took a taxi and gone straight to Mac Ritchie Park and arrived at 4:30 am, way before any runners nor organiser arrived.
It’s was a drama getting to the park, as my bad luck continued. Unfortunately, I took a Cab with a PRC driver, whom speak little English and does not know the way to Mac Ritchie park! Instead, he handed me the book map of SG and asked me to show him the Mac Ritchie Park in the map. What? Come on! I have high expectation of SG Cab drivers before this! This utterly nonsense, i had to call Kash at 4:00 am and plead her to direct the cabbie to the Mac Ritchie Park! Thanks a million Kash, if it weren’t for you i might be circling around SG with the uncle Cabbie PRC….duh
I rested a bit at the park bench before performing my Subuh prayer there, runners started arriving by the numbers as the clock ticked by. This was my 1st MR25 run and with the lack of proper rest and sleep deprived, my strategy of running my Virgin MR25 on this lovely Sunday morning was to take it real easy and try to complete the minimum 5 loops (51km).
The run started at 7:00 am with 300 lucky runners (limited runners), good job with organizer banning the transfer of bibs. Only qualified and legally registered runners are given the coveted finisher vest.
What no medal? Yes no medal, we crazy ultra runners was running for the 2XU vest only, plus some pride and bragging rights. There were strong numbers of Malaysian runners that came to run MR25, which i could describe as too familiar with the word – ULTRA.
I started running with front pack just to get some mileage before everyone started overtaking me, i forgot how painful it was running this trail with the loose stones and hard sharp rock scattered all over since the last TNF.
I swore i never came back to Mac Ritchie Park right after completing TNF, but look at me now…
After 1 loop i remembered back all the TNF Hell in details, thankfully the weather was kind to us, cooling and light drizzles somewhere along the run. Oh thanks to MM Clifford for collecting my bib and good luck for his HK100 Ultra Marathon, he told me that his recent 100km TMBT was only “an exercise” for his HK adventure. I just stared at him, too numb to response to this insanely macho statement...
Kash came to support us runners
Two slow loops completed without any problem, just plain hungry coz did not have breakfast before the run. The Mushroom cafe at the park was not open before we started the race, so i was depending solely on Mars Bar and Powergel to fuel my run. Really bad strategy…
It was great a race running with Ultra Maniacs buddies such as Nyoman, Superman Yimster, Frank, Jeff, Poh Chye, Uncle Oliver, Yip, Sam, Mohan the Kenyaporean, plus other super duper athletes.
Unlike the 10km Rakan Muda run yesterday, i felt at ease running Ultra distance which allowed me to run at my “happy pace”. It’s too demanding for me running shorter distances with the huffing and puffing just to keep hold on to the fast pace.
With Frank at the half way point (the turn around)
It was around 11:30 am and i just completed my 3rd loops, great timing as lunch was served in boxes. Decided to stop and ate with Frank as i was famished, did a PB eating that wonderful rice:)
After our meal, it was just another 2 loops to complete the minimum 51km, Frank and I walked the first few km due to our full belly, after few clicks i decided to run slowly as Frank decided to continue walking.
Nearing the end of the fourth loops, Mohan caught up with me; i was slowing down nearing to a walking pace. But as always, when running with Mohan it’s like he’s blowing magic aura out of his whistle, all of a sudden i gained back my proper running pace and i learnt something from Mohan that day. How to run trail properly and how to run efficiently on those sharp hard rocks, thanks Mohan. Every time i learnt something new from Mohan the Marathon Guru.
MR25 was a great experience, as fellow runners encouraged each other as we passed by in the trails, just like TUC. As i was about to complete the 5th loops, the sky opened up and it rains heavily, cool heavy showers great for the runners soul. Completed 51km in 8:26 , showered and changed into dry clothes before making my way to back KL, via JB (midnight bus).
More than 24 hours of non-stop running and travelling is a good start to train for multi-days Ultra Marathon eh? Sounds like Sabah adventure running will be high on my agenda list next year.
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