MR25 Ultramarathon

On the final day of 2006, I chose to take part in MR25 Ultramarathon. So being so stupid, I had to wake up at 5:15am and get ready. Luckily, my dad was willing to send me there so I could make it on time. So this is my first time I am taking part in a MR25 organised activity. And because this run is so short, I could not jio any friends to run with me because it will be too easy for all of them.

Reached macritchie at an amazing time of 6:25am and I went to shit. I take that as a calling because everytime before I enter a run, I would need to shit, and now it has become an SOP. After that, went to register at the table outside the toilet. After about 10mins, many people started flooding the area, did not expect so many people to be interested. Nonetheless, it was fun being among the crowds where everyone was very enthusiastic about this "fun" run.

The race started at 7:00am sharp. Being the slow runner, I decided to let others to the front while I started later. At first, my mind was set to take the run slow pace, more of a enjoyable thing. However, running through the route for the first lap made me realised that the route has countless number of upslopes and the downslopes aint down. It was more of a vertical marathon at some part of the route than a running one.

Lap 1:

I started out at the back-pack and entered into a comfortable running pace. I tried to keep up with runners in front so as to make sure I do not get lost along the way. For the first 30mins, things were looking good. I feel good, the air is fresh and the route is quite bearable. First, we started out from the toilets and run towards the canal then we turn left and started a slight ascent to some fitness corner. We were trudging along the reservoir for about 4mins then we hit the trail. At first, I thought the trail was going to be like the 5k route macritchie route where its almost all flat. However, the slopes come and go. The first three slopes were ok but when the 4th slope come, IT WAS THE @*#^*&#$*&. Ok after the slope was a nice downslope, but due to the insane rain conditions, the trail was wet and slightly muddy and I had to ensure I do not slip and fall. Just when you thought the hills are over, another one comes devouring you. I had to suck it in and just continue running. Then I reached the SICC golf clubhouse(i think) where there is a steep downslope to the left followed by a mild descend on the road to the first water point(about 37mins). I did not take water as I made myself a promise not to take water too early. Following the 1st water point, I am sure you are getting the hang of it, another upslope and it was for about 200m UPUPUP to the PUB fenced up area. I ran at the side of the fence for about 20m and the trail part starts again. Now is the stairs part. For now, the stairs and path were negative gradient. It would be good to gain some lost time here but the continous motion of having to stop and go down the stairs just makes it difficult. This goes on for about 250m and its back onto the trail and MORE upslopes. You get the idea, its upslopes all the way. I cant remember what happens next but I know it consists of more upslopes and upslopes and upslopes. Its not an easy place to run. I guarantee you if you train that route every week, your leg muzzles will be OMGODLIKE. Slopes are not slopes anymore when you have ran this route, this is the route that defines and upslope. After all the insane upslopes, I can still picture them , you would still need to finish it off with the 5k route upslope to the road and then its normal all the way back to the toilet and that concludes 1 round of 10.5km-----> HIDDEN MEANING.

2nd lap:

I started my 2nd lap after taking 2 sips of 100plus at the main water point. Thinking that I would be able to accomplish more, I decided to take it a little slower. However, at 1:37, I started to feel abit of stitch and I was battling it out with the gods I know and myself. While at it, I came to this nature tree top trail where the start of it was another MOTHER GOD UPSLOPE and then it occured to me that I never ran pass there before. Seeing no one around me, I was shocked for a moment. Luckily, 2 runners from the thailand running club breeze by and I followed them back to the route(luckily only a few steps up the slope off course). By the end of the negative gradient downward sloping stairs, I gave up and started walking. You know how addictive this can be, once you stop running, its the end and it really is. After that , whenver I wanted to start running again, I could not and would always be tempted to stop. Not to mention that stopping does not make me feel better. Basically I walked through the 2nd half of my 2nd lap until I hit lornie road and then made it back to the starting point. The road down lornie road was more like a deal I made with myself that if I am able to run all the way there, I would call it day.

After reaching the start point, I had 1 banana, 1 raisin bread and 4 cups of 100plus. I sat down and the food and the feeling was just heavenly. Although I did not manage to complete the 52km that I set out to do, I know that I have become stronger and would definitely take part in it next year, hopefully able to complete the 52km.

By the way, I saw jeanette wang there, with her pink ironman cap. She is quite tall and looks very toned up and strong. After my 2nd lap, I made it a point to ensure I get to see her in real life before I leave. She does look very fit, you got to hand it to her, she is the yougest qualifier to take part in Ford World Championship Ironman in Kona, Hawaii. There is this thing about the people in this field, you will never know until you become one of them.

Kent

You know you tried, but you did not achieve what you want
you might feel that it is alright because you tried
truth is you know that you should have achieved more