Interview with Jamie Pang

I was featured in a blog’s interview with Jamie Pang, which i shared personal stories about my back-to-back experiences running Marathons and Ultra.

I hope you can benefits some of the information regarding running Marathons/Ultra.

Runner Profile: Razif Yahya

It’s been awhile since my last Runner Profile interview [past interviews here]. I’d always wanted to shoot some questions over to Razif, especially after his October exploits of back to back ultras and marathons. He’s one of the most unassuming man machine I know yet there’s more than meets the eye. I’m fully aware that it takes steely determination to not only finish distances beyond comprehension of “normal” people but to do these distances back to back. I was therefore, curious as to how he started out as a runner, how he manages pain and what he has to say to beginners. So without further ado, let’s hear it from the horse’s mouth shall we?

Jamie: How did you get into running and at what stage did those few tentative steps develop into something as monstrous as 100-milers?
Razif: I am always a runner, ever since school days. In addition, I represented my school for Cross Country events when I was a kid. Then life happened, graduated from University, got a job, married and running took a long hibernation. I restarted running seriously and entering event in 2009, it was a 5km Dukethon run that started it all. After completing my maiden Full Marathon at Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2010, I felt that needed more challenging event to test my limits. Endurance race and Ultra Marathon was something that I felt really at home, it given me serenity and calmness.

JP: For the many marathons and ultras that you’ve undertaken, which was the one that truly stood out and why?
R: It’s a toss between the Berlin Marathon and CrazeUltramarathon. But the 100 Miles Craze Ultramarathon organised by Ben Swee really stood out and special to me.

Completing 100km Solo. TNF Thailand 2012.

I think I met my match with the 100 Milers race; it was tough not only due to the crazy distances, but the Singapore’s oven hot weather during that event really tested my limits! There are too many times during the race that DNF was constantly on my mind. Imagine we started running on Saturday morning and end on a hot Sunday afternoon; that was two days of crazy heat wave running under the Sun.

I was glad to have the supports from friends and the mental strength to persevere and overcome all the challenges, thus made history as one of three Malaysian that completed the first and the longest single stage footrace in Southeast Asia.

Completing his first 100 Miles race in 31 hours 48 minutes. Craze Ultramarathon 2012.(Singapore).

JP: Is there any special training that you do when preparing for the ultras?
R: Yes. I follow religiously the 100 Miles / 100km Training Plan, which I obtained from Nancy Shura-Dervin (UltraLadies Running Club in USA). Website

Completing his first Marathon major. The Berlin Marathon 2012. PB at 3:53 . A week after completing the 100 Miles race.

JP: Many are taking up running these days and an increasing number are looking at your experiences (and those of other ultra runners) as catalysts to jump into marathons and ultra distances. What advice would you give to this set of runners?
R: My advice is to take slow and listen to your body; I’m stern believer in evolution rather than revolution. If you get injured, stay away from running and heal first. It always pays off in the end to be smart. Don’t compare your progression with other runners as our bodies react differently; we are somehow unique in our own way.

When you feel the 10km run is easy, then upgrade to Half Marathon. If Half Marathon is no longer a challenge, then it’s time for your first Full Marathon. And if somehow you feel the Full Marathon does not define your limits, then by all means go for the Ultramarathon (I suggest 50km as the first Ultra race as I did at Twilight Ultra Challenge 2011). I trained about a year before running my first Full Marathon at SCMS 2010 and at least six months preparing for my first 100km race, and I never looked back since. I’m a believer in a firm foundation and the old fashion way of hard work.

At the recent BSN Putrajaya Night Marathon 2012. Finished 11th, Men Jr. Veteran Category

JP: 17-19 hours is a long time to be spent doing a single thing. When tackling your long races, what strategy do you employ to pull you through the long periods of monotony?
R: My strategy is to break the distances into small pieces; normally I break it into 10km or the next check point. It’s too mind blowing for me to thinks that I need to run 100 miles/100km at start of the race, I never do that coz it will always screw up your mental strength. Some people listen to iPod when they get bored while running the Ultra, I prefer to meditate and Zikr while running whenever it gets too tough or bored. Zikr and meditation always got me through the long night of running Ultra, whenever I run through the trails, woods or under the stars, I always feel closer to nature and God.

JP: Any tips on how to deal with pain when running really long distances?
R: I’m blessed with high tolerance to physical pain, I guess I’m the King of Pain when it comes to running Ultras. I welcome the pain as it makes me feel that I’m alive. The best tip is to start the race injury free (it would really help during those long days and nights).

JP: If there’s a single piece of gear that you can’t do without, what would that be?
R: My smart phone.

JP: Which races would you consider to be your bucket list?
R: The North Face100 Asia-Pacific series (Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Taiwan, Japan (UTMF), China, Australia). I completed 100km this year at TNF100 Thailand and TNF100 Singapore. Next would be TNF Philipines2013, I hope to complete the TNF Gland Slam before I turn 45.

JP: Nasi ayam (chicken rice) or Mee Goreng (fried noodles)? Please share your favorite eatery!
R: Nasi Ayam of course. The best Nasi Ayam is at KotaTinggi, Johor – Nasi Ayam Basir. Nowadays, I settled for MONROD Nasi Ayam atSection 13, Laman Seri, Shah Alam as the next best thing.

JP: Will there be a day when an ultra no longer feels challenging to you? And should that day come, what will we most likely see you undertaking?
R: Running Ultras will always be my thing, but I might try different thing in near future. I just bought a road bike few months ago and I been thinking about registering for a competitive swimming class nearby my home. But I couldn’t find the time with my crazy Ultra trainings since beginning of the year. Now that the Ultra season is over for this year (for me), I have time to do other things. Yes, doing Triathlon will be on my wish list, soon I hope.

JP:  Where can one go to follow your adventures?
R: I have a blog [link] which I documented all my running adventures.