Finisher of Shiok! 200km Virtual Challenge Race 2020

INTRODUCTION

The Shiok! 200km Run/Walk/Hike Virtual Challenge starts from 21 Dec 2020 and ends on 31 Jan 2021. I have participated and completed this challenge. While the elites had  completed this event using 1 run, I had done so by accumulating my mileages over 11 days. 

In the post, I will shared on my additional secret ingredients, as most of my strategies were rather similar to the one I had shared previously :

INGREDIENT #1 - SETTING STRETCHED BUT REALISABLE TARGET 

In my last 100 mile virtual challenge, I managed to complete it within 2 weeks with 14 runs.

As such, I told myself that I should try something more challenging - i.e. to complete the entire event within 14 days (~14.2km daily). But in the end, I stretched my target even further and completed the challenge in 11 days with 12 runs from 21 to 31 Dec 2020. 

INGREDIENT #2 - DO LONGER MILEAGE SLOW-SLOWLY 

I considered myself as one of those runners who lack speed, endurance and the gift to recover fast. And in order to complete this challenge, my strategy was to run every run within my aerobic heart rate zone and hope that I will not experience any "burnt-out" from the runs.

While this strategies worked most of the time, I had to say that I am rather ill-discipline as I had gave chase at "rabbits" on several occasions. 

INGREDIENT #3 - MAINTAINING MY BODY WEIGHT FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE

While running slow-slowly may be a good idea, it inevitable increased the duration needed to complete the runs. Thus potentially result in more muscle/fibre tear, loss of more body fluids and other physically damage. I was very cautious and was very attentive in maintaining my body weight and consumed more food/water intake during this challenge. The outcome was that my body weight remained the same from the start till the end of the my challenge.

INGREDIENT #4 - CHOOSE A GOOD ROUTE NEAR YOUR HOUSE 

For this challenge, I had chosen Woodland Ave 12 as it is much flatter and it is approx 3 km per loop. Also, the amenities (such as toiler and water points) at Sembawang Hotspring Park aided me as I do not need need to carry excess water, and provided me with comfort whenever I need to offload some body weight in times of emergency  (errr...you know what i mean).

Toilet & Water Point @ SBW Hotspring Park  

INGREDIENT #4 - MOTIVATIONS FROM FELLOW CRAZY PEOPLE

It is true that you can run longer when you run together. Most of time, I will run past the regular 5am runners/cyclists and exchange greetings with them. And sometimes, you will meet your friends from your neighbourhood and they will run alongside with you. :)

P/S - It is quite scary when a lady runner (with make up) ran past you in the early morning... I had difficulty differentiating human and hantu...  Seriously, is there a need to make up for such an early run?

Bumped into Alex and he paced me.

CONCLUSION

Overall, I am contended to complete this event within the stipulated time. As COVID-19 SMM would probably continue in 2021 (and beyond), I hope that Running Guide would continue to organise such challenges virtually. But, I hope that they will organise a 100 km challenge after May/Jun. I hope to be re-certify myself as a Craze-Ultra Nut Runner.  

In any case, that's all folks.  It's time for me to be a couch potato until the next season starts.

See you and may you have a wonderful running year ahead!

 

Preparing for Virtual Challenge for Shiok! 200km (21 Dec 20 - 31 Jan 21)

 Reference: Shiok! 200km Virtual Challenge

After completing the inaugural 100 miles virtual challenges in Oct/Nov 20, I wilk be back for more punishments in the "Shiok! 200km Virtual Challenge" from 21 Dec 20 to 31 Jan 21. The challenge's format will remain similar as the last event (i.e. run X km in one go or accumulate X km in multiple go). 

This time round, I will use the long festive weekends to run as "long" as possible. My "stretched" plan will be as such:

Week 1

21 Dec [Mon] - 2.5 hr

22 Dec [Tue] - Rest

23 Dec [Wed] - 2.5 hr

24 Dec [Thu] - 2.5 hr

25 Dec [Fri]  - 2.5 hr

26 Dec [Sat] - Rest

27 Dec [Sun] -2.5 hr

Week 2

28 Dec [Mon] - Rest

29 Dec [Tue] - 3 hr

30 Dec [Wed] - Rest

31 Dec [Thu]  -3 hr

1 Jan [Fri] - 3 hr

2 Jan [Sat] - 3 hr

3 Jan[Sun] - 3 hr

 

In the event I am unable to clock the required mileages in the first 2 weeks, then I will be making up the distances in Week 3 and 4.

HAPPENINGS AFTER MY PREVIOUS RUNS

31 Oct - Finally found some time after go for my #52 blood donation at the Westgate Blood bank. Basically, I have to time my blood donation properly as I tend to take longer time for recovery (i.e. after 100miles virtual challenge). My next blood donation will be in mid Jan before I continue to train for my fitness test in Apr 2021.

 

22 Nov - Finally decided to replace my old tires after accumulating ~1,500km on my running shoes. Hoping that the nike infinity run flyknit can last me until the next Craze Ultra 2021.

1 to 7 Dec (14 to 21 Days) before Virtual Challenge, I participated in the OurArmyFamilyRun 5.5km, but instead of the said distance, i ran 55km within 6 runs. This will help me to better prepare for the 200km challenge.

8 to 21 Dec

Core Strengthening, "NUA", recover and waiting for the Shiok! Virtual Challenge.