The registration for this Marathon distance trail race is now open. Finally a proper Marathon, road Marathon is getting kind of boring to me.
Follow the link below to register:
http://mr25.org.sg/x-country-marathon-2014/
- $50 for individuals
- $25 for MR25 members (individuals only)
- $80 for a 2-runner team
See you peeps in Temasek this June.
Starting season 2014, my shades will be officially sponsored by Optic Nerve Sunglasses.
Optic Nerve is an independent Colorado based company founded by Tom Fox and Bill Cotton more than 25 years ago.
They makes high quality / premium products at reasonable price, this is due to the fact that the company does not believe in spending silly amount of money into endorsement or advertising.
In their own words “We Fight The Man every time someone buys our shades. Too harsh? Think about it this way: We are our own man. Without a parent company taking the profits we can make more donations and support good people”.
The first thing that caught my attention to Optic Nerve was their philosophy “NO BODY OWNS US”. I think it’s brilliant, unique and forward thinking, just like me !
Another small success for me and thank you, Optic Nerve for the opportunity to represent your awesome company.
Optic Nerve’s model “Omnium PM” was named as Gear of The Year by Runner’s World back in 2012.
For full catalogue of Optic Nerve sunglasses, please refer below:
http://opticnerve.com/collection/sunglasses
Saturday on Mt. Nuang Summit with Tony, Yvonne & husband.
After 5 hours of mountain training on Saturday, running a FM distance on Sunday morning was not really a great idea. I drag Tony with me for our weekly mountain training, March is the defining month for our UTMF preparation.
Met Yvonne and her husband on Nuang Summit, congrats Yvonne – it’s was her virgin Nuang adventure, and she made it all the way to the top.
1,600m+ elevation gain and 20km of technical trail. It was a great Saturday training, all i need next is 42km run on the road.
Few months earlier, Jiki asked me to be her pacer for Malaysia Women Marathon – which i said yes, coz i need the challenge. I paced Jiki twice before this during BIM 12’ and BIM 13’, she won women full marathon category last year.
Thank you Jiki for trusting me to be your pacer again. But on Sunday morning, we’re disappointed to find out that the haze came back after it disappeared on Saturday. Damn!! as we’re about to start the MWM.
Karen Loh, the MWM’s Race Director decided to change this event into a non competitive event due to haze and safety reason. It mean there’s NO winner and NO cash prize – smart decisive decision.
Jiki and i then decided to take it easy running this as there’s no incentive to push. It was great to see many friends running MWM as Pacer and Pacee. I saw Aizat with his “Red Riding Hood” costumes, it look brilliant. Great job Aizat, I can’t wait to see the next Marathon costumes.
As we completed the first loop (21km), the haze was getting worse and more thick! I had difficulty in breathing, I had to stop and walk a bit while Jiki continued her run as nothing happened.
Kalis jerebu ini perempuan! hehe
I told Jiki that i would catch up with her later. Which at the time i found it very unlikely, I decided to stop at 21km due to the haze.
Later as i reached the next Water Station, i was thinking hard and assessing the situation. I found out that i didn't have the heart to leave my pacee running by herself.
After drinking few cups of Gatorade and recovering from the earlier DNF, i decided to continue and ran after my pacee. I ran and pushed hard, magically i found my pace back, i try keeping the pace below 6 mins/km.
I ran non stop passed all the hills and passed more and more HM runners but my pacee was nowhere to be found. For the second time time, i cursed when i reached the bloody hill entering the SUK office. No time to walk, i pushed on and run all the way up.
Finally i caught up with Jiki at 32km, she was left to walking due to cramps. She said to many hills! I persuaded her to continue running, which she nodded.
When we reached the next Water Station just few minutes after 8 am, we were told to turn left and take shortcut to the finish line.
The race was over, as the haze was worsening - the organiser decided to stop the race, superb decision from my view. But a little disappointed as it was less than 10 km to the finish line, which we’re have no problem at all to finish it.
We crossed the finish line and completed 33.6km in 3:25 hours. I guess we have to redo this again next year eh Jiki?
Later in the evening, i did my second run for the day and stop upon reaching 8.6km.
Now, i can proudly say that Sunday i ran a Full Marathon distance for my 42nd birthday.
Photo by: Enaikay, just before the finish line.
Taken from Ultra 168
http://ultra168.com/2014/03/18/9-simple-trail-running-tips/
Every once in a while it’s good to reflect on some of the basic things in our sport. The inspiration for this post came after the recently held Six Foot Track Trail race here in Australia recently and over a few beers at the finish with some friends. All of us had stories to tell and words of wisdom to impart, so I thought we’d collate a few of them together, as well as add a few more to come up with nine simple, yet highly important tips for those relatively new to the sport. Again, not an exhaustive list, but what do you think – any that we should include? I’m sure there are!
#1 Be accountable, be responsible
As trail running gets more and more popular, the chances are that there will be an increasing amount of people heading out into the bush or onto the trail for the first time. The thing you soon realise when entering the world of trail and ultra running isn’t that it isn’t the buffet car experience you get from racing a road marathon or popping out for a jog around your local town. There aren’t aid stations every 3kms. There’s isn’t petrol station or servo 2kms up the road to shelter in from the rain.
You can be out there on your own and you have to be prepared for anything and everything. It’s why race directors and alike take safety so seriously, regardless of cost or whom they might annoy in the process. The rules are there for a reason, and if we don’t like them, then we can’t play the game.
#2 Be prepared… for anything
While the weather forecast may have said it would be bright and sunny, you never know if a freak storm’s going to hit. There’s no need to take the kitchen sink with you when you run, but you need to know… “If I got trapped out here for a night, would I be OK?”
So what does that mean? A waterproof jacket and emergency blanket to keep you warm and sheltered. Enough food to last you through the night – usually a couple of bars is enough.
Similarly, if it’s going to be hot, whack some sunscreen on and plan your fluid intake.
Be prepared for anything… even the pros like Kilian have been caught out before. races such as this at Northburn in NZ can literally experience four seasons in one day
#3 Respect your surroundings
As trail runners I think we’re exceptionally privileged to be able to run in some beautiful places in the world. We should keep them that way so that they can be used for future generations. Trail erosion is a real issue in some parts of the world and protecting those trails is more important than our run.
Likewise, don’t be an idiot and litter. The vast majority of us have enough common sense to realise that gel wrappers aren’t degradable. It doesn’t belong in our sport or in any walk of life for that matter.
#4 Know where to resupply and restock – mark and map
If you’re unfamiliar with a section of trail or route, make sure you look up and map out your run, knowing landmarks or resupply areas if you’re going to be out there for a number of hours. Break the run down into different sections and work out approximate distances. This is where GPS watches are worth their own value in salt – you can see how far you’ve gone and how far you might need to go to certain points along the way. It might not be 100% accurate, but it will be good enough to help you manage your run.
These things can be of use when you’re out for a while to help you understand your surroundings better
Many of us training for 100km or 100 mile races for the first time will be doing training runs that could be up to anything around 10 hours in length. You’d be hard-pressed to carry enough water and maybe food for that period of time. Either find a place to resupply yourself, or have a friend meet you at a certain point if the trail comes to or crosses a road along your way.
#5 Let someone else know where you are
Really simple, but if you’re heading out to a new piece of trail, tell someone where you’re headed and give them your number, along with how long you expect to be out there. Many trails have logbooks where you can record your name, number, route and expected time. It’s there for a reason, so sign it!
Even if you know your way around the trail, anything can happen (see above). You could fall, break a leg or get bitten by a snake even. If that’s the case and you’re gone for longer than expected, someone can be there to raise the alarm.
Here in Australia, the Blue Mountains are notorious for inexperienced runners and walkers heading off into the abyss. People have been gone for days, only to have been found wandering the bush and tens of thousands of dollars later in tax payer money spent trying to find them. A simple act such as this can help save a lot of time and effort.
#6 Have the right gear
While trail and ultra runners like to run light and be ‘minimal’ with their gear, there are a few essentials you should take if you plan on being out there for a number of hours:
Those are what I’d regard as the barest minimum for a four-hour plus run. There are of course many other items you may choose to take, depending upon your terrain and the weather, but it comes down ultimately again to being responsible and accountable.
#7 Have a decent pair of shoes
There’s nothing worse than having a pair of running shoes on that don’t match the terrain you’re running. Whether they’re minimal or maximal, know that if you’re running in technical terrain you’re going to need something pretty robust with plenty of grip and enough to keep your tootsies from getting all busted up.
Similarly, running on loose leaf terrain will need you to have something with a bit of grip on it too – the same goes for if it’s wet. There’s no fun sliding around in a pair of Asics Kayano’s on some rough and wet trail – it will make your entire run a bit of a nightmare. Trust me, I know what it’s like wading ankle-deep in mud with a pair of Nike Free 3.0s on!
#8 Watch out for wildlife
This probably applies more to some of the ‘wilder’ countries out there, including our own here in Australia. The fact is that we’re venturing into territory inhabited by the likes of snakes, spiders, bears and mountain lions (if you’re lucky!).
The basic rule I use when I’m running on my own particularly is that I should expect to see certain creatures, even if I know it’s highly unlikely as is the case of seeing snakes on the trail here in Australia. If I go into my runs with this attitude then it’s not a huge surprise if I do see one, plus I’m expecting it too.
Carrying simple first aid, plus a snake bite bandage is a must here in Australia. If you can, run with a buddy, but always make sure you have the basics to get you through the first few hours, should anything untoward happen. You don’t want to end up like this idiot on the trail here at Western States!
#9 Have fun
If you’re not having fun, then what’s the point? Putting a simple smile on your face even helps to keep you positive throughout, so make sure you enjoy it.
Registration is now open for 28th Mt. Kinabalu International Climbathon 2014.
Click here to register.
Starting from 2013, the race course is divided into two categories. One need to qualify to enter the Summit Race.
Registration Fees for Adventure Race Course:-
Category:-
Race Date: 18-19 October 2014
Closing date : 10th October 2014
40 years on and Ultra-Distance Trail running has become a global sport complete with professional teams and athletes, yet it has managed to maintain that original pioneering spirit. Every weekend thousands of people toe the line ready to explore their limits, in body and mind.
"The Original" recounts Gordy Ainsleigh's original run and explores of the growth of Ultra-Distance trail running.
Join us for the first of its kind In-City Forest Run!
PEKA Malaysia’s annual “Save Our Rainforest Race” is back and it’s happening right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
Register now and participate on this coming 29th March 2014 at Hutan Simpan Sg Besi, Kuala Lumpur.
A symbol to race against time, this 10km race is aimed to replant and create awareness on the importance of conserving our rainforest.
Take part in our cause and be part of a 2 person team race for just RM80 per person.
Fee includes breakfast, lunch, T-shirt, race kit and a tree for each team.
Register now! Seats are limited, registration closes on 15th March 2014
To check out what happened in Save Our Rainforest Race 2013 Click Here
See Nature, See Life.
See You There !
Register here.
PROGRAM DETAILS (29 March 2014, Saturday)
7.00am – Registration & Refreshment / T-shirt & Tree Sapling Collection
8.00am – Doa Recital, Race Briefing, Safety Briefing, Aerobics / Warm Up
9.00am – #SORR2014 FLAG OFF
1.00pm – FINISH LINE, Lunch
1.30pm – Closing Keynote, Prize Giving, Photo Session, Press Conference
2.30pm – End
My friend, Keith at Ultra Marathon Running Store (UMRS) is offering a wide range of Hoka One One shoes at his online store.
Fast delivery and great service at UMRS, you won’t be disappointed.
For Hokas lovers click link here to view these babies (the Hokas Shoes) http://www.ultramarathonrunningstore.com/Hoka-One-One-Shoes-s/1935.html
