SDU Trilogy (Race of The Century–The first 50km)

"Any idiot can run a marathon,
but it takes a special kind of idiot to run an ultra." – Anonymous

 

PRE RACE

The start of the SDU race was at Marina Barrage, a unique place to hold the start and finish line of the inaugural SD Ultra 100km. As fate would have it, Yim and i ended sharing a cab from Tg. Pagar MRT to Marina Barrage with the eventual SDU winner – Ahmed Lamchanak.

Even the champ felt the jitters, as soon as we arrived at the venue around 2:30 pm, he claimed “i’m nervous, i never ran 100km before!”. I looked at Yim before we smiled to each other, we have been a nervous wreck all week long leading to the D-Day.

As we started to changed into our gears, the jitters was becoming more evident. I guess most runners that day have a big butterfly in their stomach, it’s just how you disguise your true feelings. Yim however, became more nervous as clock tick by – same as me. At one point i said to Yim that Pui San and her gang has arrived at the venue.

Me: Eh Yim, tengok tu Pui San!

Yim: Huh..siapa pengsan?

Kash was there and we laughed our ass off. I said to Yim, are you ok? How many fingers i’m holding out now? I guess the nervousness got better of him.

Then one by one, our dear runners friends arrived at the scene. There were Farid and Ida, together with the Chap Ayam contingent. Zaki Otoromen arrived with his family in tow. Shine and the others were already warming up, the camwhoring sessions took off our mind on the imminent race for a while.

The champ passed us while we’re changing into running gears, he was ready to rumble and invited us to join him at starting line. I politely declined as i’m gonna start real slow at the back. Later on at the starting line, I could not find Yim anywhere and only met him back after the race. Maybe he did took that offer from the champ after all, huh Yim?

THE RACE

(Brothers, what we do in life... echoes in eternity – Gladiators)

Gears for the SDU100 run:-

• Adidas Supernova Glide 2
• Injinji sock
• CW-X Ventilator Compression tight
• Nike dry fit top
• Camelbak Rogue 2 liters

The prize money for this inaugural Sundown Ultramarathon is a mere S$500 Cash (Singapore Dollar), a Crystal Trophy and S$600 worth of New Balance Vouchers for the winner in every category.

The runners assembled at starting line that day were running for pride, passions and the satisfaction of completing the gruelling 100km race.

You could see accomplished Marathoners, Iron Man, Tri-athletes amongst the crowd at starting line just before 6:00 pm. What ever happened after this, i really couldn't be bothered, to be here at the starting line with these fine athletes was an honour to me. I paid my dues to be here, either i finish or not really doesn’t matter, i am here, living my DREAMS. That’s all i ever wanted.

You could see most runners was nervous, it was tense and you could cut the atmosphere with a knife. Unlike past marathons, i could put up with jokes and banters, but this different. Nobody knows what it felt like running the 100km, except for the special few, such as Alex the Extramiler. Everyone was consumed with their own thought for the Dream race. Zack Yui was hyped up and seen kissing his families before the run.

Then it started at 6.00 pm sharp, the horn signalling the start blew. Runners in front moved slowly down the spiral of Marina Barrage to the ground floor towards the bridge.

I held out my hands to the sky and made a du’a to the almighty for my safety on the road, so i could come back injury free to my children. Then i kissed the photo of my kids, which hung on my neck for good luck before slowly starting the run.

Now it’s me against my demons, i’m going to slay 100 demons today, one by one. As promised, i started the run with Zack Yui – side by side. Pledge fulfilled.

10km - 1:10 mins / 7:10 pm 

The weather today was better than what we had last month at SD42, it rains in morning and then stopped at midday. It’s a bit humid, but hopefully it’s going to get cooler as night falls.

We ran from bridge into the road near the Golf course, Zack Yui was slowing down and asked me to proceed. Found Hailmi and the CAR gang, tried to follow their pace, but it was too fast for me, so i slowed down and forced myself to run a little more slower. I kept my mind focus on my run whenever runners ran passed me, let it be it’s going to be a long night.

Then i saw the first marker, 2km done. I completed the first 10km in 1:10 mins, easy! It was 14 mins under the target. The volunteers at the 1st Water station in the East Coast Park was hyper and alive, cheering and handing out cups of water and sandwiches to runners. Decided to practise Yim’s advice, stretch my legs every 10km. I topped up my Camelbak with 100plus, took a Powergel and off i went to the next water station.

20km - 8:19 pm (10-20: 1:09 mins)

My strategy was not to run the whole 100km run, that would be too mind-blowing task. I focus my mind to run 10km and to get to the next water station.

It’s beginning to get dark in the ECP, it was still humid, but thankfully we got some wind blowing in the ECP. As i continued plodding to the next WS, i could see families camping and BBQing at the beach, the ECP is now a familiar territory, just like the back on my hand. This would be the 3rd time i ran ECP in the span of 4 months. It was beginning to rains as we left the ECP, i just could imagine the blisters that i would get from the wet shoes. Fortunately it was a false alarm! It’s a dry night after all.

Arrived at the second water station, which was located after the ECP. Took me 1:09 mins, and got negative splits here, better slow down a bit. 29 mins under the target time. Didn’t top up my Camelbak as it’s still had plenty of 100plus, ate some raisins, oranges and buns here. Decided to skipped taking the Powergel here as i was still full. Stretched those legs and proceed to the next water station, body felt good – no problem so far.

30 km- 9:42 pm (20-30: 1:23 mins)

I started to tire around 22 km marks, this was the road nearby Changi Airport. It was flat, long and boring route. I started to have my 1st walk break here, i thought to myself i better some runners as my pacer to get through boring route. I started to follow this girl which put some tributes to Andrew Voon at the back of her water bag. This runner might be from Sabah, when we chatted it turned out i was right. Judy said that there were four runners from Sabah running the Ultra, her stories AV took my mind off runnings, the legs seems to be in auto pilot mode. But then she started to walk for a breather, few meters afterwards i follow suit.

Then i hooked and paced with this three guys, who were talking and cracking jokes between themselves. One of them had this sticker at the back that says something like “Go Asree Go”. Turn out they are Singaporean runners, and they were doing quite a fast pace, i loike. Few km after i paced them, they decided to walk and have a breather. Damn, i just was getting comfortable running with their pace. I then ran alone, it’s so freaking boring and lonely to keep up running at this pace.

Fortunately, i ran into one Kash’s friend when we about to enter the Changi Beach park. Mas turn out to be a strong runner despite enduring a painful knees pain, she said it was her previous injuries from playing Futsal. Despites that injury, i’m having problem keeping up with her pace.

I’m sure glad that i met a familiar face, seen Farid Ellias was walking and asked him to run and pace me. Then we bumped into Miss Julie, she was running alone. Earlier when i felt tired, i tried Deo’s deviant teaching (ajaran sesat Deo). He said that if you felt tired, just push on to a faster pace. Amazingly, i worked! Whenever i felt tired, i just ran faster, the tiredness disappeared. Thanks Deo!

I’m so glad that we reached the 3rd water station which was located at 30km mark, as i was beginning to tire, i took a Power gel and did the rituals (toilet break, muscle sprays, top up Camelbak every 20km, cold sponge bath). Still doing great, 30 mins under target time. I spend quite sometime at the water station in order for me to recover, felt like just the LSD in PoJ, ran 10km – have a break – continue next 10k.

40km - 11:27 pm (30-40: 1:45)

I ran and pace with Farid, Mas and Julie here. This is where my problem beginning to start, i felt dizzy whenever i walk, but i had to walk as i was sleepy. My eyes beginning to glued together, it’s hard to open my eyes now, but i soldiered on. I told them i need some shut eye at 50km before continued my run, i just worried i might woke up at 7 am. Julie said no problem, i just need to run 10km in a hour. (Amboi, muka berkerut-kerut pun sempat lagi buat lawak tu!).

Met Ahmed Lamchanak around 35km marks, he was on his way going back to win it. That was freakin fast for someone who was nervous earlier.

Finally reached the 40km mark, i felt like to lay down a sleep a while at the water station, but thought that 50km Station was a better choice.

Beginning to slow down at this part of the race, took me 1:45 mins to reached to 40km mark (total time 5:27 mins), still 9 mins under target time.

50km - 1:17 am (40-50: 1:50)

I was beginning to have serious problem here, Farid and the rest have long gone. I was walking most of the early 5km, in a staggering and dizziness was becoming worst. At some point, i sat down at roadside for few minutes, too dizzy to continue. This was before the IKEA pedestrian cross, DNF was looming around me there!

I took a long look at my kids photo hung around my neck before deciding to get up and walk. After the pedestrian bridge, it was a bit downhill or flat, i can’t remember as i was fighting the dizziness and sleepiness at the time. I ran a bit the walk before continue run-walk routine, few meters in front there were supporters for SAFRA runners, and they were cheering loudly to every runner. Someone gave me a cold popsicles, rose syrup flavoured. I can’t remembered if i thanked the guy, i just took it and sucked that popsicles like there’s no tomorrow! I felt a better due to the ice shock therapy, then i began to ran slowly.

Pui San came out of nowhere and said hi! Thankfully, Asree came passing by and asked me to pace with him. I began to ran faster and i need to reached the 50km mark quickly for some much needed R & R.  As we about to turn into the Bedok reservoir, i saw Sam E already making his way back, followed by Hailmi. Around 48km, i saw Yim already turning back and he looked consistent.

It was the longest 2km in my life, come on i need my sleep, where is this damn Aid Station. As we about to reached the 50km Station, i finally caught up Farid and Mas, they beginning to slow down.

When we finally reached the 50km mark, i said to Farid that i need to sleep this off before i could continue. Farid took 5 mins to rest and ate some food before continue running, by then i was fast asleep at the provided runners rest area. I took 1:50 mins for this portion of 10k run, 17 mins over the target time.

TBC