My First Ultra Marathon 101km Completion

Monday, 5 September 2016


Sources:

1 - Craze Ultra https://www.facebook.com/CrazeUltra?fref=ts

2 - Tony Ton Ton Fun Shots https://www.facebook.com/TTTfunshots/
3 - Running Shots SG - https://www.facebook.com/runningshots.sg/
4 - Running Shiok - https://www.facebook.com/runningshiok/
5 - Kiko Sports Shots - https://www.facebook.com/KikoSportsShots/
6 - Mr Foo Yat Sun https://www.facebook.com/foo.yatsun


Note : This blog post comprises photographs, videos and text log.

BACKGROUND

I attempted Craze Ultra 101km category last year but quitted at the 65km mark. In my post run review, I attributed my failure to inadequate training, and the painful blisters during the event. It was rather disappointing and humiliating as that was my first DNF in an official event. I promised myself to challenge the same category again - for the sake of  regaining my honor.

It is never a simple task for one to train for such endurance events. Especially so when I needed to juggle between work, personal commitment, family commitment too. 

My longest training mileage was a back-to-back run (25+30km). With limited trainings, I devised a simple plan that utilised my strength (walking). According to my "walkathon" pace norm, I anticipated that I would be able to complete the event within 25 hours.

RACE DAY

On 3 September 2016, I embarked on my journey to slay the 101km monster.

Mr and Mrs Run the Town arrived at the start point at about 6:45am. 15 mins before the flag-off of the 100milers were flagged off. I was flagged off at 7:05am, the first wave for the 101km runners.

AT START POINT

Before the event, a default photo welfie for Mr and Mrs Run the Town :)
At MacRitchie Start Point

Photo Credits to Craze Ultra Website
Flag Off the 101km Wave 1
Photo Credits to Tony Ton Ton Fun Shots
Running along the upslopes at Thomson Area
Photo Credits to Foo Yat Sun
Arriving at CP 1
AT CHECKPOINT 1

Met Jerry Lam, it's his 2nd time attempting 101km category
Video Captured at CP1 (12km)

Photo Credits to Running Shots (Sotong)
From CP 1 to CP 2.
Photo Credits to Running Shots (Sotong)
From CP 1 to CP 2
AT CHECKPOINT 2

Volunteers Welcoming Us to CP 2
Refueling Stations at CP 2
Video Captured at CP2 (21.5km)

AT CHECKPOINT 3

Hot Weather - Resting at CP3
Video Captured at CP3 (30km)

AT CHECKPOINT 4

Met Joseph Chan, an unofficial patrol, after SAFRA Yishun
Video Captured at CP4 (37km)

On my way from CP 4 to CP 5 - An unofficial life-saver waterpoint by Fugitive Run Road and Missy Sam

AT CHECKPOINT 5

Video Captured at CP5 (50.5km)

Photo Credits to Kiko Sports Shots
Fast Walk towards CP5
Photo Credits to Kiko Sports Shot
Filling my Water Bag with ice @ CP5
Photo Credits to Running Shiok
Consuming my lunch at CP5
Closed Up Photo of my lunch
Met another friend at CP 5
AT CHECKPOINT 4B

Photo Credits to Kiko Sports Shot
Leaving CP5
Video Captured at CP4B (62km)

Gummy Bear as Dinner

After Sembawang MRT station,  I felt a burning sensation on my left calf. After some light stretching, the sensation did not subside. Fearful of developing a cramp at such an early stage, I decided to take a break at Admiralty MRT station. I attempted massage on my left calf but the burning sensation remained. After some time, I decided to proceed on with my journey.

AT CHECKPOINT 3B

Video Captured at CP3B (71km)

AT CHECKPOINT 2B

Video Captured at CP2B (79.5km)

I am no night owl. I got really sleepy and restless after the Woodland checkpoint. By then, I was literally dozing off and sleep-walking. I felt so drained and ended up finding a spot at a HDB void deck to sleep before continuing my journey.

I vaguely remember my friend (Joel) kept 'ka-jiao-ing' me during that period and I kept shooing him despite his persistency.




After regaining some energy from the nap, I continued my journey. To my surprise, I was ambushed by Joel! I wondered how many hours he had camped at this location before ambush me...What a friend and Bro! He brought me coconut water and chocolates. I was very touched by his actions. Not long after, I bided farewell to him and went on with my journey.


AFTER CHECKPOINT 2B

No more live videos from this point as it was really late at night and pitch dark... Actually, the real reason why there were no more live feeds - because I was too tired to film anymore! For the rest of the journey, I was literally a mindless zombie that was walking/crawling towards the end point.

At about 3:30am, I finally arrived the End Point. The race director congratulated me for a job well done and also took a finisher photo. 

Photo Credits to Craze Ultra Website
My Completion Photo
Finisher Medal, Gold Medal and my Running BIB
Craze Ultra 2016 (101km) - Finisher Tee
Craze Ultra 2016 - Event Tee

AFTER THOUGHTS

Overall, I have enjoyed the entire event. The journey was filled with lots of self-discovery and fun.

My plan to walk a 101km was a successful one. My timing was 2.5 hour faster than I had planned for. And my performance was the 50% percentile for the 2016 Craze Ultra 101km event (I am number 74 out of 150).

Upon self-reflection, I realised that my calorie intakes were insufficient to gain back what I had expended (i.e. Eating only half a cup of instant noodle at CP5 as lunch + taking "gummy bears" as dinner). Perhaps this explains the exhaustion and cramps that I was experiencing during the night.

Would I participate in another ultramarathon? My mind says Yes! But my body says otherwise....seriously, I need to think about it before I can decide. It is going to be another long term commitment should I decide on a next attempt.  

Celebrating my 101km success with FAST FOOD

TECHNICAL DATA












Strategies to Complete My Craze Ultra 101km (2016)

Friday, 2 September 2016

Tomorow's strategy for my 101km event is gonna be a real simple one. I.E. to say that I will aim for 2 hr completion for the first 5 x 10km. Subsequently, I will aim for 3hr completion for the remaining 5 x 10km. Any time savings will be used as an extended rest (sleep and eat).

If the plan works, I should be back at the 25th hour (i.e. 4 Sep 0800am).
  1. SP   to CP1 - 2hr (7 to 9am)
  2. CP1 to CP2 - 2hr (9am to 11am)
  3. CP2 to CP3 - 2hr (11am to 1pm)
  4. CP3 to CP4 - 2hr (1pm to 3pm)
  5. CP4 to CP5 - 2hr (3pm to 5pm)
  6. CP5 to CP4 - 3hr (5pm to 8pm)
  7. CP4 to CP3 - 3hr (8pm to 11pm)
  8. CP3 to CP2 - 3hr (11pm to 2am)
  9. CP2 to CP1 - 3hr (2am to 5am)
  10. CP1 to EP   - 3hr (5am to 8am)






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