TUC 2011 (Virgin Ultra Marathon)

Twilight Ultra Challenge was never on my running agenda, but Zaki Otoromen convinced me to team up with him for our TEAM RBU at TUC. He even registered and paid my fees before i had the chance to change my mind.

Imagine my horror when few weeks ago he goes mental and decided to retired from all running events, which left me high and dry for TUC. The event is more significant to him, i'm just there to support him and run the min Ultra distance without injuring myself in the process plus having fun running the UMV.

Thankfully friends rallied and persuaded him to reconsider his decision as all the fees (flight, hotel, race fees) have been paid for. Zack should thanks KA for this as he was very determine to persuade “that mental runner” back to “pangkal jalan”.

It was nice to see many familiar faces at ECP, the Malaysian contingent consist more than 20 runners for TUC.

At 5.00 pm the races started with a nice weather, not too hot and not too humid. Seems all runners were having bunch of fun, especially with Mohan Maniac antics :) The organization of the event was fantastic, with water station/aid station located at every 2.5 km plus the volunteers were superb bunch of peeps, stayed all the way till 16 hours were up.

I was pacing with Zaki Otoromen at the beginning of the race, he was doing about 9/mins. When he arrived at 7.5km check point he asked me to run at my own pace (happy pace), so i left him running with KA, i have no doubt Zaki will do great for TUC since he had great preps and few 50km plus LSDs under his belt.

This is my very 1st Ultra marathon race and logically my mind set on doing 50km and injury free as i had bunch of races registered for the future. And i'm still traumatized by my PF injury last year, so getting an injury is not on my agenda. I was excited with the sight of all the these great runners and some of these peeps you only knew by names and reputations, so i get to know some of them, getting tips and most importantly connecting with new friends.

The first 30k was tough, as the night came down the humidity goes up plus at some stretch of ECP it was total darkness and you need to be in your best to fight the fatigue and sleepiness.

I felt dizzy and light headed on completing 30km, i stopped, rest, had few drinks and bananas before continuing. Another 10km later, i was struggling i keep my pace and started walking as i felt lethargic, never had this experience before.

As i completed 40km, i retrieved my mat from the baggage collection and had 30 mins nap to refresh my body. Then i remembered that i had only consumed bananas and i haven't touch any of my powergels, a rookie mistake! Not enough fuel for the body intake.

After the nap and change of vest, i took a powergel and dried foods before continuing the run, said to myself i'm gonna walk first to warm up for the run plus i got a nasty blister on my toe. Then a groups of runners came besides me and asked me to join them run, it was Mohan Maniac playing the pied piper, Dr. Puisan and co, i joined them for steady pace run which lift my spirit like magic, the possibility of getting another 10k now seems possible. Now i got my running pace back and did everything not to stop as i'm afraid i gonna loose the good running pace.

I saw Kash pacing with Zaki at the other side of the road, my spirit soared! Thanks Kash for pacing Zaki, i'm sure you lift his spirit up as he considered you as his running idol, special thanks from me for the Kedai Runcit Kash, the iced-cold Vanilla Coke was heaven sent.

While Mohan and co waiting for Winnie at the 2.5 aid station, i continued my run and catching up Alexis and later Karen Loh, i held back my tears as i saw Karen run in terrible way, i reduce my pace and ran a bit with her before she urged me continued my pace, found out she was in pains from PF injury and the chaffing from the running skirt, but she soldiered on till morning completing 82km, Karen you're my hero :)

Then i paced with Nyoman (bib no.4), he was such a strong runner and went all the way achieving 100km. I reached my milestone 50k with loud shout at the finishing line, 50k its nothing for season Ultra Marathoner, but as a newbie with only 1 FM and few HM its everything to me, my 1st 50km, 1st Ultra Marathon event/distance :)

My legs stills feel light after that and i swore the compression tight did its job well, i was good for another 20k as i felt fresh and the legs were working fine.

Karen and Nyoman invited me for another 10k loops which i declined as i was contemplating not to get injury, believe me that wasn’t an easy decision to make (pursue of glory or risk an injury). I'm content and happy with my first 50k, i believe in Evolution rather than Revolution, i'm happy that completed my expectation and not anyone else! Most importantly, i broke the mental barrier! SD100 seems so possible now :)

My 5th medal for the year, one big mother of all Medals, very appropriate for an Ultra Finisher Medal.

Thanks to all volunters, organizers, Ben Swee, Runners, supporters/bandits/pacers Kash, Selly Selina, Wari etc. Bruder Zaki Otoromen you did exceptionally great, 90km is mind blowing distance for me, SD100 watch out for Zaki!!. You guys are all my heroes :)

Those completed the 100k and more, you're guys are insane lot and will inspires more and more insane Ultra wannabe in the future. Like Otoromen Yim said, doing an Ultra is addictive, plus with excellent management of the event, i definitely coming back for TUC 2012 to settle an unfinished business, join me will you?

Bareno Run 2011 (6th HM)

Latest:

Official Bareno Run Results 2011

Gun Time - 02:09:05 | Chip Time - 02:06:04 (PB)

Position : 283/815 Men Open Category

I was taking it easy with this run, i considered it as another LSD run, normally i would be lining up in front of starting line for the chase of the limited medals. I did a quick survey on running route by car the day before the race and found out the extends of the killer hills..damn. Only 600 medals allocated for in 21k category A (Men Open), i guess with my weakness  running up the hills; the chance of winning one of the medal would be out of my reach.

My guess was that i would complete my 6th HM around 2:30

So i ran at a comfortable pace, didn't even bother to put on the Nike+ on my iPod or Sport Trackers on my Nokia phone, even though i brought them with me. So for the first time ever since i entered running events, i ran without knowing my running pace (even my LSD was not complete without these devices), my analog watch was the only guideline on the running duration. 

This time i just ran with my heart and running free, a fun run.

The Bareno Run was the 1st big running event of the year, so you would have most the local running community at the starting line plus few overseas celebrity runners such as Mohan Maniac. I started running with Yim, KA, Puisan, Ijam, MJ and just before entering the highway i overtook KR Ramlan. I needed to take a leak badly, soon after the race started at 5:30 am, so i increased my pace and race towards the PETRONAS Station beside the Highway, overtook few familiars faces including KA before spending about 5 minutes at the loo. Started running again and overtook Saiful Azam for the second time near the route coming back to the stadium. Passed the Polka-Dot Runner Ms. Nana here before posing for Tey’s camera.

I reached the first daunting killer hills and took deep breathe before attacked it with conviction, overtook KR Ramlan for the second time here, my pace slowed down tremendously but i kept on running till i reached the top. I felt my leg was burning then, turn right and was introduced to the second killer hill at Jln Senang, Tmn Gembira...damn it was pitch black at this area. Saiful catch up with me at the start of the second hill, he was very strong running up those hills and left me to fend the hill by myself. Made it to the top and took a ribbon there before chasing Saiful downhill, i just let gravity took effect and give my heart much needed rest. Overtook KA here and give him shout out before catching up with Saiful before the U-turn and we paced together afterwards.

We catch up with Fazly after the U turn around KM13, he must started the race fast and furious with the Kenyans. I told Saiful to surprised him by running besides him, he was pleasantly surprised to see us, keep it bro you’re doing great.

I collected the SIS Gel and tucked it away in my SPI Belt as i don’t intend to try new gel, plus i did brought my Power Gel, so i would be in good supply of energy for the second half of the HM.

We catch up with Izuan around KM15 just before turning right into Bukit Komanwel where the 10k runners merge with 21k runners. Met a first time HM runner (Zul) during the run and he decided to tag along with our group (me, Saiful and Izuan). Too bad Deo the Cheetah decided to ditched this run, else it would be great pacing with him, just like the old days…he he

At the final hill at Jln 1/155b, i asked Saiful to be our our pacer attacking the final hill, he left us in his smoke running up the hill, which are like a kryptonite for me. Too fast for me to catch up with his pace, so i let it go…Note to myself, need to spend more time on hills training.

I told Zul to pushed the final 1km, we overtook several runners and i completed the run at 381 placing, as i did not record my timing, i guess i have a new PB, might be under 2:10 - need to wait for the official results. I was surprised that i managed to get the limited medals as it was a fun run for me. The finisher Tee is a good keepsake for the HM race. Overall the organization of Bareno Run 2011 was superb, including the race pack pick up day. Congrats Marathon Shop, keep up the good work James and co.

This is my first race using the compression tight and it worked wonders for me as i didn't tire and keep running up those hills all the way to the finish line.

After the event, the Chap Ayam Runners held a simple birthday celebration for its members born on the months of Jan, Feb and March – me included. Unhopeful PB is just the perfect birthday gift to me.

CAR Birthday bash – some of the birthday runners