MR Ultra 84km

Ecstatic to come in 2nd for the annual year-end MR ultramarathon. Surpassed my previous record of 7 rounds to complete 8 loops in good timing. :)))

The MR ultra-marathon was a 12h race where runners attempted as many rounds of the 10.5km route from 7am - 7pm, each round averaging less than 2h. Alber and I were 23min late for the run, no thanks to an overdose of xmas-y gatherings. Felt a little gan-cheong and we tried to go at a steady pace. By the 2nd loop, we caught up with some friends. It was the first time we managed to run together and keep in pace, for a good 42km. Mighty pleased with the effort. We ran together for half of the 5th round and split up. The timing looked good and I felt like there was sufficient time to aim for 8 rounds if I could maintain the pace.

So my routine went something like this - Ran without stopping for the first 3 rounds. Then run 1 lap, toilet & food break 4-5min, start next lap. My aim was to cap each round at 1:30h (incl break). It started drizzling slightly on the 4th & 5th round, with thunder rumbling in the distance. The past days saw heavy downpours in the late afternoons. Likewise the forecast for today. The weather on the run thus far had been cool with a slight overcast, shady & breezy. I was praying so so very hard for it not to rain. In exchange for continued good weather, my promise was to complete 7-8 loops. Miraculously, the weather held up and we even had a glimmer of sunshine around 4pm.

I told myself running 5 rounds was the minimum. The race was just starting now, go on! I was still feeling ok on the 6th round, managed to run fairly strong, even though I was already walking up the slopes to save my legs. But the fatigue in the legs really set in on the 7th round. That was when I could feel the back of knees tightening and locking up. For once I ran without my water bottle and relied purely on the water points. I was so worried that they would pack up before I was done, and kept asking them not to 'close shop' yet. I met Rima on the 7th round and she said, "It's mind over matter now, go another loop."

The guys were still waiting at the end point when I reached. Results update, 5th if I stopped, 2nd if I ran. But it was not about the win. I did not start the run with a podium aim. It was a personal challenge to complete 84km in the trail. Friends would know that I never go into a trail with expectations. I only modify my goals along the way, depending on how I felt during the run. You have to feel at ease and as one with the nature in order to run well, go with the flow. Looking at the watch every minute is stressful and wrecks the running rhythm. Skipping on the rocks was a good fun distraction, daring to run downslopes when others held back, and shuffling on the grass even though there was a tarmac road. Those were just some of the joys of trail runs.

The 8th round was pure mental perseverance. I felt like my legs had reached their limit - I could not imagine 100k of trail. There was a certain high knowing that it was the last loop, I just had to endure and force through this. I remembered my promise for good weather and there was no way I would give up and forfeit all my effort in the day. The organizers had informed the volunteers at the water station that I was the last runner because they were looking out for me. Oops, felt bad they had to wait. The light opening at the end of the trail exit was the sweetest sight ever, there was just a little stretch of 3-4min tarmac to the finishing point. Alber was waiting near the carpark end, took photos and ran with me to the end. :) It was pure happiness to finish that distance. I honestly did not think I could run that well on the roads (flashback to Sundown 84). Love love love the trails! :)

Net timing (official minus 23min)
1lap - 1:11h
2lap - 1:10h
3lap - 1:14h
4lap - 1:31h (2 toilet breaks) -- 42km 5:08h (half a powergel)
5lap - 1:29h -- 52.5km 6:37h (faster than TNF race!) (half a powergel)
6lap - 1:32h (quarter of Gardenia focaccia bread, tks Jack!, half a powergel)
7lap - 1:36h (half of my turkey sandwich, iced-milo, orange juice, thanks Alber!, half a powergel)
8lap - 1:31h (mouthfuls of sandwich, milo)
Grand total - 11:18:30h yoohoo!! 2nd prize women

Could barely walk and climb the stairs to my room after the race. It was worse coming down. Gosh, guess I would have to hobble for a few days.