2012 .. For the Love of It

回首 2012

2012 has been an exciting year. A year where I continued to learn and grow. I pushed myself beyond what I thought I could in the past. I laughed. I cursed and sweared. And I cried too.

~ January ~

The year began with me training for STY which I had signed up in November last year. The race was schedule in May and it would be my first ever overseas trail race. I did not know what to expect but I carried on the usual weekend back to back long runs and the weekday shorter runs.

There was Vibram HK100 in Hong Kong. I needed to skip this as I was intending to focus on my training for STY. In the end, all my friends went for it without me. Sigh .. :s

As the HK100 race progressed, all of us watched in awe (on the actual race course and on FB for me) as Ryan Sandes from South Africa won the champion, along with it slashing the course record to a sub10 at 09:54:57. For the rest of the 36Hr cut off race, there was a very common question asked among all the runners still out in the field:

"What might Ryan be doing now?"


~ February ~

Taking photo with Mr Lai Hok Yan, HK #1 at SCHKM 2012

I did the SCHKM for the second time. My first SCHKM was in 2010. Several of my friends also went with me for the race. It was their first time doing HK so naturally a lot of them were very excited about it. Reason being they have heard good reviews about the race. Partly also because it was their first time running in colder weather. For me, it was more of a chance to meet up with my friends from HK, and of course eating the delicious HK food. I tried to go for a sub 4 again at the marathon. In the end, I fall short of target by around 11 minutes. What got me excited about this trip was the hike which Jennifer went with me the day after the marathon. HK has many trails with beautiful sceneries and Jennifer agreed to bring me to hike some parts of it when we went to River Kwai Half Marathon in Sepember 2011. Ivan was sick on that day so he could not tag along. Jennifer brought me to Maclehose section 6, 7 and 8. The weather was very foggy on that day, thus we were unable to admire the wonderful view on the top of Needle Hill.

The hiking was so tough to me as i was not prepared for the terrain. This would be a terrible weakness to me when doing the STY or even future races. Upon returning to Singapore, whenever I did my long runs to Bukit Timah, I no longer go up from the visitor centre side but from the Dairy Farm side. I needed the trails and steep steps instead of the smooth asphalt road.


~ March ~

The venue for Twilight Ultra Challenge was at East Coast Park. The race format was still the same: as many loops of 10k as possible within 16hrs. Ben was organising a new event in the later part of this year called the Craze Ultra Challenge. In order to get participants get used to running under the sun, he pushed back the starting time of TUC from 5pm to 12mn. This meant we would run through the noon time sun the next day. I was doing well all the way till 80km. My body broke down following that and I ended up walking the next 10km. I could have continued to walk another 1 loop to make it 100km. It was, however, already raining heavily. I knew my body was weak at the moment and did not wish to risk getting sick. My main priority was STY, not a 100km. I stopped after doing 9 loops.


~ April ~

This was my peak period of training for STY. Items on the mandatory gear list have been ticked off one by one. Naturally, my bank account also screamed and shrunk too. I kept telling myself to think of it as long term investment and I would be using them again for future races. It helped a little, until my credit card bill arrived. The staff at Outdoor Life at Novena Square must have gotten so sick of seeing me visiting their shop every time, looking around without buying anything.


~ May ~

Start point of STY

The big day finally arrived. I flew to Tokyo feeling nervous and anxious. That was my first time visiting Mount Fuji. The mountain was simply majestic. I met many new friends at the race, all of them more experienced than me in trail racing. Many of them were elites too. We all share a common interest that is trail running. There was never a dull moment being with them. I was able to learn a lot from all of them too. One common characteristic amongst them was they were all very humble.

The race was a totally enriching experience for me. Being my maiden overseas trail race, I hope to be able to complete. I expected it to be tough. Very tough. However, it was much more worse than I could ever, ever have imagined. Honestly, I was going to give up during the 27km Tenshiyama mountainous stretch from A8 Nishi-Fuji to A9 Motosu-ko. The slopes were really unforgiving. Endless upslopes. Endless downslopes which were twice as steep. It was a PURE NIGHTMARE ! What stopped me from giving up was in fact there were no official vehicles or aid stations along the mountainous stretch. If I wish to give up I would still need to make my way to the next aid station, or back track to the previous one. It was Harry’s encouragement to me when I finally crawled my way to A9 Motosu-ko, telling me that I had already completed the most difficult part of the race that kept me going. I went on to finish the race in 23:39.

I really learnt a lot from this trip. From nutrition, to training for a race and to race preparation like how to pack my gear, what are the additional things I need to have. All those would have took me many more races or even years to learn by myself; yet the others were more than willing to share with me. Mostly importantly, I managed to push myself beyond the comfort boundary that I had been used to. Up till now, I still can visualise myself slowly going up the steep slopes of the 27km mountainous stretch. The experiences from this race would help me greatly in TMBT in Sep in Kota Kinabalu. I believe it would continue to help me in future races too.


~ June ~

Me, Fumie and Mizuna

I followed my friends for SCKLM. They did the running. I did the eating and of course the cheering. I should do this more often.

I managed to meet up with Fumie! I first met her in Phuket 2010. During that time we were running together for the final 2 - 3km and she was chasing so hard behind me. We came in together at 4:43.

This year, she did another FM in India and "unknowingly" achieved a BQ at 3:22!

(I forgot what was the name of the race. It was not one of those internationally well known races like Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon. What I did remember was the race has a 4 hr cut off!)

CW was a 5:30 pacer for SCKLM

Finally met Chooi Wan in person too! She signed up for those working traveling programmes where you work and travel at a location over a period of 6 mths. She is currently in New Zealand.












~ July ~

Setting off after our lunch break

The guys planned for a 60km run to celebrate Edmund’s 60th birthday. We ran from his house in Bukit Panjang through Novena, Macritchie Reservoir, Hougang, Punggol and ended at Eunos MRT. New friends were made. A few of them also did their first long distance run of 42km or longer. I was surprised by how well Eve and Ivy ran for the day. Potential long distance runners, maybe? Hehe .. We ended the day with a good hokkien mee dinner.

Thank goodness Edmund is only 60 years old.

London 2012 Olympic Flame Cauldron
by Chris Snowden

The London 2012 Olympic Games opened. Familiar faces like Mr Bean, Spice Girls performed at the opening ceremony. I like Daniel Craig's James Bond opening scene and the design of the Olympic Flame cauldron.

Now, I wondered why trail running was not included in the Olympics.







~ August ~

Training continues for TMBT in Kota Kinabalu.

In France, inclement weather affected the 10th edition of the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc again. Race orgnaisers were forced to make a last minute decision to revise the 168km 9600m D+ race spanning across France, Italy and Spain into a 100km with around 6000m D+ (did I get the figures correct?) passing only through France.


~ September ~

Kee Seng, Osbert, Amy, Me, Trish

I travelled to Kota Kinabalu for my second overseas trails race at TMBT. It was also my first ever overseas 100km trail race. I went together with Trish, Amy, Kee Seng and Osbert. This time I was more experienced, having learnt valuable lessons from STY. The weather was fair when the gun went off in the morning but slowly it got hotter and hotter. The route was some sort of a figure of 8. I got lost twice in the night time. The route markers were just terrible. The reflective tapes were reflective was not at all. We could only see them in the beam of our headlight when we pass by them. I made more new friends who also loved trail running as me. I went for the race just wishing to complete. I would say I was quite pleased with the results.

Start line at Macritchie Reservoir

One week after TMBT was the Craze Ultra Challenge. There were 43km, 78km, 101km and 100M categories. Edmund signed up for the 101km. I had promised to pace him if he signed up for 100km. As it was just one week after TMBT, I told him I will run with him for the second half. On Sunday morning 7am, I went to MR to send off Edmund and those taking part in the other categories. I told Edmund I would be waiting for him at the halfway point at Punggol Waterway in the afternoon. Kee Wee would pace him for the entire journey. There were a lot of other people running with Edmund too. Edmund had told me their ETA at the halfway point will be around 7.5Hrs, which means around 1430Hr.

At the 50km U turn mark at Punggol Park

I arrived at around 1400Hr. Joanne, Soon Teck, Boon Leong and Loss were also there to set up their mobile support station for Edmund. The sun was scorching hot. I knew there was a long stretch of route leading to the halfway point where there is totally no shade. I stood at the shelter and waited, eagerly hoping that the next runner that comes into sight would be him. From the expressions of every runner than turned in, you could tell the sun was just merciless. Edmund arrived at around 1515Hr. After resting for around 30 mins, we started our way for the second half.

It was encouraging to see everybody persevere through the run. One of the advantages of having others to run with you was that you can have company throughout the highs and lows of the journey. You can help to “push” each other or “pull” each other along. The race itself provided excellent support. The mobile support station of our friends was also incredible. They had stuff like cold towels, cold cut fruits, porridge, instant noodles, bread, cold towel, etc. What else can we ask for? They really did a fantastic job. Yet, I seem to sense some form of negative effect it had on Edmund and Kee Wee. As much as it was meant to help them finish the race, it also slowed them down to some extend. From what I could see, they had too long a break for too many times. Each time they rested they were treated with the good stuff like instant noodles, fruits and bread and stayed rested for a long period of time. We had good intentions of helping them, but I guessed rather it turned out to be pampering them (too much) instead. As a result, their body need to restart the engine every time they continue the run, only to stop for another long break a while later. They ended up taking a longer time than they actually could to finish the race, and this longer time on the road caused even more fatigue and sleepiness for them.

Nevertheless, it was a job well done for Edmund and Kee Wee and the rest of the people who came. A few of them also clocked the longest distance they have had ever done too. Eunice did 40km. Jasmine Chan did 70km over (74km??). Eve and Jasmine Tay did the whole 100km!!!? Not a very good move though, Eve injured herself at the end of the run.


~ October ~

Before the start of the 25km at the zig zag bridge

I did the TNF again. I did not sign up but ran the 25km with the NB fellows. I guess I had got tired of running Asrama after doing the 50km for 3 years.

I ran with Ivy for the race. It was her debut TNF (or rather debut trail race) and also her first time venturing out of MR. The 25km started at 8am in the morning. As she needed to rush off to work in the afternoon, I asked what time she needs to be back.





The conversation went something like this:

Ivy: hmmm .. 1130am will be good.
Me: ok .. (in my heart: wah! 3hr 30min!)
Ivy: 1115am will be even better.
Me: eerrm .. ok .. we try (in my heart: oh no! 3hr 15min!)

The trail in MR was packed with runners we had to slow down at several points. I tried to take the side of the trail to cut to the front and Ivy followed. The route brought us to Rifle Range Road, Durain Loop, Dairy Farm, Belukar Trail, back onto Rifle Range Road and finally back into MR. Ivy was able to keep a good pace for a long stretch of the route, with some walking here and there. Some parts she seemed to struggle a little as she had not ran there before. We made it back in 3hr 12mins. Not bad for someone’s first 25km trail race and also the first time out of MR. We also came back before 1115Hr. Haha ..

I remembered telling Ivy after the race she did a good job and had ran hard. She replied “Well, I definitely ran much harder than you!” Errm .. :p

The NB people at scape organised a 50km run. The run seem to be organised by those inspired by Edmund who did the 100km (he was idolised by the Scape runners after the race, hahaha ☺). It was a good idea, letting more people experience running long distances, but the only bad thing was it falls the day immediately after TNF. Not really sure who planned the date. I was told the run was planned by Edmund and me. Hmmm .. Strange, why am I not awake ah?

We started from Novena Scape and went down to Singapore River, Esplanade, Floating Platform, Marina Barrage, Fort Road, East Coast Park. We had lunch at ECP food center. Edmund introduced me to this Roxy Laksa. It just tasted wonderful! I left early from ECP while they continued their way into the night, clocking 50km when they hit back to Scape. Well done to everybody! They ended the night with a well-deserved steamboat buffet.

There was something that turned me off though. That night after the run, some of them went onto FB and openly proclaimed that they were now ultrarunners. Sigh .. if you wanted fame and recognition or was trying to prove something .. do not come into long distance running .. its not for you.

Love the mountains!

There was a long weekend in October so I flew over to Hong Kong and asked Bernie to bring me to the trails. I knew training in Singapore would most probably be insufficient. Hong Kong has several very beautiful, and challenging, trails for us to train. On Day 1, Bernie brought me to Maclehose Section 3, 4 and 5 stretching from Pak Tam Au to Tai Po Road, somewhere around Sham Shui Po. On Day 2, we went to Lantau Trail. I was totally (totally!) drained at the end of each day but I really enjoyed myself. Love the mountains they have. :)




~ December ~

Sunrise at Angkor Wat

My last race of the year was Angkor Wat International Half Marathon. Along with SCSM, macau and Shanghai, they always fall on the first weekend of December. We were talking about it since March. In the end, Joanne, Soon Teck and me went together. The race has a very scenic route. We took a day to tour the major temples before the race itself. They have very interesting history behind them. I especially remember the temples being converted from Hindu to Buddhist and vice versa when there is a change of king of the country. Having done the temple tour before the race, when we ran passed the temples we were able to identify them. There were also many small children lining up at the side of the route to cheer for us and to high five with us. The place has very nice food too and we also had our fun searching for a good massage place. We also visited the silk farm and the floating village on Tonle Sap river, the largest fresh water lake in South East Asia. One bad point was the weather was scotching hot. :p Thanks to Joanne and Soon Teck for the wonderful company during the trip.

With the delicious food
By Alex Tai

There was a gathering on Christmas Day at Edmund's mom's house. She cooks superb laksa. Really superb. There was a spread of other good food too. Some of us were even keen to learn a skill or two from her.

Christmas dinner
By Alex Tai

Following that, we went to Brian's place for the gift exchange and dinner. There was this affirmation session where everybody was supposed to write something good (and only good things) about a person. Each of us wrote about Joanne as her birthday was just around the corner. I am not that good with words so I just wrote something short while the rest was like going on 滔滔不绝. :p

It was definitely a very meaningful session seeing everybody giving credit to others for the things that they did no matter how small, or simply for being the person that they were. I should join them more often if I could, because the cake and cookies baked by Alex and the muffins by Roons were very, very delicious. Kekeke .. :)

Continuous Forward Motion
By Eve Woo

MR25 was always on the last weekend of the year. Many of the runners would run it as a closing for the year. As many loops of 10.5km in 12 hours as you can but with at least 5 loops. This year, many of the NB runners were running it for the first time. It was nice to see them training together every weekend at MR pushing and encouraging each other along. May this run be a new experience for them. Kee Wee, Eve, Neo and Desmond did 7 loops! Hope all of them enjoyed the race and would take up more long distances in the future.

(Why the photo looks so Macritchie Reservoir ah?)

I did not sign up for MR25 as I was already in the tapering phase of training for HK100. I would not be doing up to 50km for a single session. I had planned to run with them for a section of the race but in the end could not turn up for the event. Some of my friends would know why. I thought some other things were just more important. It was, after all, just running.


展望 2013

Looking forward to 2013, similarly to 2012, I will be doing a small number of races. I find it better to train hard and go run a race. Its more fulfilling, I learn more through the process. The training also makes me (seem to) suffer a little lesser.

Finally, I had signed up for HK100 in January. The race was getting so popular it was closed in 3 days after registration open in November.

There is of course, THE race in April. Those friends of mine will know which race I am talking about. I was so anxious to sign up for it I sat in front of my laptop waiting and staring at the website during my working hours 10 mins before registration starts. I shall not speak too much about it here.

I am still looking for a race for the second half the year. Or maybe I should go for a backpacking trip.

Some friends had offered their help to support me for the race without me asking them. I really want to thank them. It will be a very good opportunity for them to take part in the race, without running it. Being out there in the field, they will be able to experience what the runners go through. See for themselves how the runners put themselves through the grueling course to complete it. From there they will have their own stories to tell. Maybe, I hope they may even want to try running one themselves in time to come. However, the weather will be cold and hours long. As much as I wish for a friend to be there as a support crew, I also do not wish to see them suffer out in the course waiting for me. However, they are the first people that will come to my mind if I require support for a race. I had travelled with them before and I know they are able to tolerate me and my odd, sometimes demanding, character.

Thank you New Balance for the wonderful support rendered these few years. Very happy to have been part of the family. Let's use what you have given to me to other even more deserving runners to encourage them to achieve greater goals. :)

Speaking about character, I had heard people told me before that I do look proud to others. Oops .. well .. I cannot do anything much about it. Haha .. :)

Thank you everybody for a wonderful 2012 and to another exciting new year 2013 ahead.

In 2013 we run mountains. Again!! :)

From Petzl Sport

Appreciate more.

Be more thankful.

Run safe.

Good health to all, always! :)

cheers@@!
~ jacky ~

The Dark Knight Trilogy - Epic Retrospective

A Fine Line Trailer

A Fine Line official trailer. from Summits of My Life on Vimeo.

约定

还记得当天旅馆的门牌
还留住笑著离开的神态
当天整个城市 那样轻快
沿路一起走半哩长街
还记得街灯照出一脸黄
还燃亮那份微温的便档
剪影的你轮廓太好看
凝住眼泪才敢细看
忘掉天地 彷佛也想不起自己
仍未忘相约看漫天黄叶远飞
就算会与你分离 凄绝的戏
要决心忘记我便记不起
明日天地 只恐怕认不出自己
仍未忘跟你约定假如没有死
就算你壮阔胸膛 不敌天气
两鬓斑白都可认得你
还记得当天吉他的和弦
还明白每段旋律的伏线
当天街角流过你声线
沿路旅程如歌褪变
就算你壮阔胸膛 不敌天气
两鬓斑白都可认得你

Mount Fuji

From Petzl Sports

Lets race at Mount Fuji again .. :)

石桥

人來人往

朋友已走　剛升職的你　舉杯到凌晨還未夠　用盡心機拉我手
纏在我頸背後　說你男友有事忙是借口　說到終於飲醉酒

情侶會走　剛失戀的你　哭乾眼淚前來自首　寂寞因此牽我手
除下了他手信後　我已得到你沒有　但你我至少往後　成為了蜜友

閉起雙眼你最掛念誰　眼睛張開身邊竟是誰
感激車站裡尚有月台　能讓我們滿足到落淚
擁不擁有也會記住誰　快不快樂留在身體裡
愛若能夠永不失去　何以你今天竟想找尋伴侶

誰也會走　剛相戀的你　先知我們原來未夠　借故鬆開我的手
藏在貼紙相背後　我這苦心開過沒有　但試過散心旅遊　如何答沒有

閉起雙眼我最掛念誰　眼睛張開身邊竟是誰
感激車站裡尚有月台　曾讓我們滿足到落淚
擁不擁有也會記住誰　快不快樂有天總過去
愛若為了永不失去　誰勉強娛樂過誰

愛若難以放進手裡　何不將這雙手放進心裡

時間會走　剛失戀的我　開始與旁人攜著手　但甚麼可以擁有
纏在那頸背後　最美麗長髮未留在我手

SKYFALL

We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

Ulysses, Lord Alfred Tennyson



Poem recited by M in Skyfall

The North Face 100 Singapore 2012

This is Ivy's very first time venturing out of MR and her first trail race of 25km. She did a wonderful timing of 3hr 12min!

Did the 25km with friends.

Why do we fall?

From "Batman Begins".

Brewerks

Craze Ultra 2012

Did the second half of the 100km with Edmund.

The Most Beautiful Thing 2012 Day 5

We had breakfast at the roti canai shop again. Our flight was in the afternoon.

A short but fun trip.

Congrats again to everybody.

The Most Beautiful Thing 2012 Day 4

I had not seen a single red flag or tape for some time now. As I did not see any junctions, I thought maybe they placed it further ahead. I continued going upslope until I came to this big T junction. It was the main road. I searched for the flags or taps on both sides but could not find any. At them moment I realised I am lost.

Nothing much I could do except to back track. Halfway back, I met Ford and another runner who were making the same way up. They asked if I had lost my way. I explained to them I had gone to a T junction and could not find any flags or tapes. They suggested to go back to the junction to take a look. I chose to follow them, thinking MAYBE we were on the correct path afterall. *cross fingers*

When we reached the junction, we searched around again but we still could not find anything. Fortunately for us, one of the 4W land rovers of the organisers drove passed at this moment and told us we had missed the right turn. So we had to make our way back down. The three of us backtracked down and managed to find the turn that we had missed. The red flags placed there were simply not placed obvious enough. By going up and down the slope trying to find my way, I guessed I had done around extra 5km.

The three of us sticked together and continued running and walking. Its lesser than 10km to go. We were near the finish line! Guess what, we got lost again! This time we hit the main road again and we even landed right in front of Strawberry hotel! One of the runners phoned the organisers and they told us we had missed the right turn (a right turn again) and so we backtracked along the path where we came from. Luckily this time it was not far off and we were quickly back on track again. The red flags and tapes were again not placed obvious enough for the runners to locate them.

W12 (around 95km) was somewhere beyond the right turn. End point was near!

Leaving W12, we had to go pass some farmland again. It was going downslope and it was quite steep. We came to the main road and turned right and headed towards the town where the finish line was. We had to take another right turn out of the main road and continue the remaining 2km back to the finish line.

I finished the race in 20:22. My first overseas 100km. :)

Photo from Rabani Ayub (Facebook)

I was so so so famished  and so tired when I finished the race. I quickly had some rice and went to sleep on the mats that were provided.

Amy returned shortly after I woke up. The two of us took the same transport back to Mega D'Aru at around 9am. When the van drove out, we saw Trish turning into the finish line. I slept throughout the journey. Totally knocked out from the run.

When I reached the hotel, I took a  much needed good shower and went out for some more food. I was so hungry!











After the food, it was time for some more sleep.

Zzzzz ..


All of us who went together managed to complete the run. Amy even won #3 for the women's category. Jeri got #2. Congrats to all!!

This was dinner for the night. A very nice bak kut teh in town area beside the Oldtown Coffee.

This was just round 1. We had a second round of the same bak kut teh. Followed by dessert. Hahaha .. :)

Lessons learnt from the race:

1) Using 2 headlights together at night was really useful. The headlight I wore on the head was switched to long beam aiming further ahead to illuminate where I was running. The second headlight, I tied it to the strap of my hydration bag, was switched to wide beam pointing to the ground in front of me. In this way, I could have a clear view of where I was running and where I was going to step on. Sure beats just using a single headlight.

2) In such long distance races, we were bound to run together with some other people for some stretch of distance, when our pace just "matches" each other. There were some whom I had ran with in the race but I did not know their names (like the guy from Sabah who ran 3 - 4 km with me from 50km onwards). Next time I should try to ask for their names and where they were from.

3) Shit happens. When Jeri heard I got lost twice, she said if I had not got lost, I would have gotten a faster timing. Then she added on: "Oh, but this is trail running." I knew I could have gotten a faster timing but I was not upset about it. I just felt relieved to be able to find the way back into the race route. Remember, things could have turned out much worse!

4) Stopping in the tracks to admire the things around me. It is really worthwhile, and do not think too much about the time spent doing so.

5) Respect nature. Need I elaborate more?? :)

The Most Beautiful Thing 2012 Day 3

The few of us staying at the same hotel arranged for transport to bring us to the start point at Kundasang at 0630Hr.

On the way to Kundasang. On the left was Mount Kinabalu. It was just a short ride down the main road.

When we arrived at Kundasang, it was a already hive of activities. People were busy depositing their luggages and bag drops into the different vans. It would have helped if the vans were marked which category they were for.


I am wearing:

- 2XU long sleeve compression
- 2XU compression long tights
- Inov-8 Roclite 295 trail shoes

Another shot with the doctor. :)

A few of us from Singapore. :)

Behind us was Mount Kinabalu.

We were asked to go down to the field below. That would be our start line.

All 25k, 50k and 100k would start together at the same time.

That would be we would need to go up that slope when the gun goes .. :p

All ready.

I learnt this trick from Seow Kong at Mount Fuji. With this chart, not only did I segmentise the race into 10km, I could easily further segmentise them into smaller sections. I could know when is the end of the upslope or downslope and just aim for it, instead of aiming for the next 10k interval.

This was a very useful tool and it really hepled.

The race was scheduled to start at 0730Hr. We were waiting at the back when suddenly everybody just started running. There were no airhorn or any indication the race had started. So I guessed we just had to follow along. :p

Here we go!! :)

The happy face of Osbert.

This would be my first overseas 100km race. I knew my previous strategy of 1.5hr for every 10km would not work in trails. I knew it before going for Mount Fuji and it was proved there and then. Depending on the technicality of the trail, the pace may decrease to a walking pace.

I approached this race with a new strategy. Using my feelings to guide me. Not going to force myself to keep to a certain pace. Not sure whether this would work but its worth a try. (I really hope it works!)

Nutrition wise, it would be mainly based on Hammer Perpeteum Solids mixed with bak kwa at different distances. I also have Hammer Perpeteum powder for 30k, 50k and 70k. Similarly, the bread was also for 30k, 50k and 70k. There was also a tube of NUUN with me.

I would also try to apply the lessons I learnt from Mount Fuji. I believed those are very valuable and we should always learn from past races. Be it the good or the bad.

The start was easy. Running downhill through the town. Probably just to let us warm up our muscles.

Until we saw this. This photo could not show it clearly, but we were able to see runners turning left up the slope. The game had began.

This was the first steep slope that greeted us at 1km into the race.

We came down the down on the left and came up this steep slope.

This was the view on our right as we ascended the slope.

Still climbing up.

The first few km was the race was going through tarmac. I just took it easy and took photos along the way.

We were treated to a view of mountains that spread across the land as we ran.

Amy and Trish.

I met Yim from Malaysia. After doing this TMBT, he would fly to Singapore the next weekend to attempt the Craze Ultra 100Mile!

Running into the wild .. :)

One of the many village kids that we ran passed.

Mount Kinabalu was always in our view when we ran the first half. Until it seems like no matter where we ran, we were still in the same spot. Hahaha .. :)

Coming up from W1 at 10km. We would make a loop and return to this aid station at 27km, which would become W3.

I popped a NUUN tablet into my Raidlight water bottle at W1 after topping it up. I closed the bottle cap while the tablet was still fizzling inside the water. A moment later when I was going up the slope, I tried to open the valve to take a sip of the yummy lemon flavoured electrolyte drink. Little that I know, the moment I pulled open the valve a jet of water shot out of the bottle. The tablet had been fizzling in the bottle and creating an air pressure inside forcing the water through the small hose the moment the valve was opened. (sounds scientific)

I had thought the water inside should be alright after the first burst. However, when I tried to take a small sip again just a short while later, the water in the bottle was forced out in a small jet again. It seem to be caused by the shaking of the water inside as I ran.

Lesson learnt:

- let the tablet finish fizzling before closing the bottle.
- Regularly open the bottle to relief the air pressure in the bottle.

Walking up the slope.

We ran passed a row of pine trees. All the while the weather has been kind to us.

This was the junction where the 25k runners would split away from 50k/100k runners.

The first thing that came to us after the split was this upslope.

We entered a cabbage farm. Never had I seen so many cabbages together in my life.

Workers packing the cabbages. Each bag must have weighed a ton!

Running up the farmland. All this while, the weather was slowly getting hotter and hotter. Yet I did not really notice it as I was all the while focusing on this beautiful views.

They also had a digital camera .. :)

This was the front of the house of the family of the photo above. This spot was used by them to pack the cabbages.

Each time we ran passed such a patch of cabbages, we would scare off the many flies that were feasting on those cabbage leaves.

As I ran, I also tried to keep a look out for the guys behind me to ensure whey were following the right path. At the same time, I kept scanning ahead for the runners in front of me in order to know where they were heading.

Beautiful and green. :)

W2 at 18km.

Mount Kinabalu watching over us as we ran.

The time now was around 1030Hr.

I like the smiles on their faces. They have much lesser than us, yet they seem so much happier.

One of the small streams we had to cross. We came down the slope on the other side, stepped over the rocks and landed on this side where I took the photo.

Another group work workers packing cabbages.

Each bag was stuff with cabbages to the max. I am sure I am unable to lift it up by myself.

There were several gates like this we had to cross. We were reminded again and again to close the gate after crossing it so that the animals could not escape. We were not allowed to climb over it either.

Although the sky was casted, I still got slightly darker.

From around 23km onwards, it was generally going downslope all the way to around 36km. It was now a test of our downslope techniques and how well our quads could handle it.

Its still a long road ahead.

We came to W3, which was also W1, at 27km. I quickly topped up my bottle with water and poured my pre packed Hammer perpeteum into it and continued my way.

The road dotted with runners. At this time, the sun got stronger and stronger as we ran.

Beautiful landscape.

We had to be careful on where we step as the level portion of the route was actually quite narrow.

This was my food for 30km. The lower atmospheric pressure over here (higher altitude) caused the packaging to bloat.

It was now 1200Hr. We were now under the mercy of the sun.

Hey hey hey .. !! .. don't go .. lets take a photo .. !! .. :)

We came down the slope to another village ..

where this group of kids sat by the side and cheered for every one of us passing by.

The route condition was mostly gravel. We had to be always on the alert of our footing in case we step on any loose ground and sprain our ankles.

Other than that, it was still running downslope where I just let my body be "pulled" down by gravity.

The climb started again at around 36km. W4 was further up. It was also the end point of the 25km route.

1249Hr. Weather was very hot by this time. It was a long climb up.

W4 at 38km. The 25km'ers were done. We were not even halfway through!

This table was for the 25km'ers to collect their medal and sign in.

This was for 50km'ers and 100km'ers. We also had a gear check here.

I took a 5 mins rest in the hall, drinking some water while taking a break from the midday sun.

I still felt alright at this point, besides feeling very thirsty from the heat. Good to go.

Coming out from W4, we went further uphill before coming to a town. There was a road we had to cross. I stood at the road side for some 5 mins waiting for traffic to clear but the cars kept coming. Not wishing to stay there for too long, I dashed across the road the moment I saw a small gap in the traffic.

I managed to catch up with Thomas and another 2 runners. We came to this stream where we tried to cool ourselves down.

There was a chinese saying: 久旱逢甘露 .. (seeing water after a long drought). Nothing could describe our joy better when we saw the stream.

The sun was merciless. The vegetation reflected the heat from the ground onto us made it worse.

This was around 41km. From here to W5 at around 45km, it would be upslope all the way. It was hands pressing onto knees, treading our way step by step up the slopes while cursing and swearing at the same time.

Further up, I met Amy and Yim.

"Why the fuck am I here?!!", I exclaimed as I got beside them.

Yim heard me and replied: "Its too late to ask that now."

Hahaha .. We knew we would be suffering yet we still came for it. :)

I tried to play a mental trick to myself. I kept reminding myself of the A8 - A9 stretch of STY. Thinking of that, the terrain that I was going through now seemed a little easier. :)

The slopes were difficult but the view was nice. :)

The runners got more and more spread out as we ran. Quite a fair bit of the route I was running alone.

Leaving W5 (around 45km) at 1447Hr, almost 7hr 17min into the race.

Pacing was alright. :)

Sunburnt from the running. Could wait to reach W6 at 50km.

W6 was in a town. It would be the finish line of the 50km'ers. For those doing 100km, we would go out for a different loop of 50km and return here again.

It was in a school compound. The time was around 1515Hr in the afternoon.

I reached 50km in 07:41.

Our drop bags were placed in this small hall.

One of the podium winners of the 50km.













The only people whom I recognised when I entered was Jeri and Ford. They were taking a rest and getting ready for the second half of the race.

There was food (rice, fried vegetables and fried eggs) available. I quickly located my drop bag (we were supposed to find it ourselves among the many many drop bags) and started replenishing my supplies. I did not eat the food they were serving but had the bread which I brought along. There were cold water and isotonic water available so I made sure I drank sufficiently.

After I was done with the replenishing, I took stock of my body. No feeling of blisters yet, and hopefully none. No feeling of pain anywhere. There was the normal muscle fatigue and tiredness. Other than that, it was good to go.

I left W6 at around 1545Hr. I had spent around 30mins resting here.

In the second half, there would be 2 major upslopes. The first at around 56km, the second at 65km. From 50km, we would follow this gravel road downslope all the way to the former.

Not wishing to drain myself of too much energy, I again just let gravity work its magic on me.

The beginning of the first major upslope. The top of the slope was at around 58km.

Out came my trekking poles. It was a slow and steady walk up.

It was steep, but thankfully it was not technical. :p

Turned back and took a photo of the way I came up.

W7 was at 60km. Took me around 10hrs to cover 60km.

It was around 1730Hr in the evening now. The sun would set in around an hours time. W8 was at 65km at the bottom of the valley. I wanted to cover more ground before the sun sets so I did not rest for long over here.

I wanted to reach W8 when there was still light.

Just as I left W7, there was this "mmmiieeeehhh" sound that came from our side. I turned left and right and what did i see?!

The grin on the face said it all. "Look at all those clowns running pass here."

Hahaha .. :)

It was a race against time for light.

W8 was located in the village at the bottom of the valley.

Time was 1743Hr. Around 45 mins more of light to utilise for me.

Reaching soon!!!

I'm here! Arrived at around 1810Hr. However, I still need to run into the village to get to W8.

At W8 at around 1830Hr.

I took out my headlights and red blinking lights and secured one headlight to the front of my hydration bag and the red blinking light to the back. It gets darker and darker as I tried to prepare myself for the night.

Now, lets hope the reflective tape, which the organisers CLAIMED were reflective, was really so!

Last year the tape were not reflective, and a lot of runners lost their way in the night due to that.

By the time I set off from W8, it was already dark.

The second major upslope of the second 50km starts here. There were two other runners who went off ahead of me around 5 - 10 mins. I wonder if I could catch up with them.

My worry of the reflective was true as I shined my headlight onto it. They were not reflective. They could only be seen when we passed by them. Being so thin (and they had irregular length), it was quite hard to spot them from far. Luckily the red flags were bigger so they were easier to be seen, not that the red flags were reflective though.

There were lights coming from some houses a distance away. I wonder if they people inside could see my headlights moving up the slope.

This slope was tougher then the first slope at 56km. The route was more rough, there were more rocks. I had to keep focusing on spotting the red flags or reflective tapes as I made my way up the slope. Every now and then I turned back and hoped to see other runners making their way up behind me. There were none. When there was a high chance of you losing your way, it would be a better choice to go as a group.

This second climb was also higher. Not able to see far ahead, I tried to walk fast up the slope but it was tough. Recalling something which Tony (my roommate during STY) told me:

"Sometimes you just have to stop in your tracks and admire the things around you."

I stopped in the middle of the track, switched off my headlights, and tilted my head up. My goodness! The sight was to die for! I had never ever seen so many stars in the sky in my life. It was so so so beautiful!!

The trail ended at a highway and we ended up on the highway. I was now running on flat road. All along I was hoping to spot the red blinking lights of the 2 runners who went ahead of me, or any other runners for that matter. I turned back several times wishing to see other runners catching up.

The highway was in the middle of the mountain. There were some cars who drove passed us as we ran.  Other than my own headlights, there were no lamp posts. On the left was a steep upslope, on the right was a steep downslope. Beside me there was nobody else. I was thinking in my mind, if any of the vehicles were to stop, and the people inside were to come and rob us and throw us down the slope. Nobody would have noticed it.

I was getting more and more tired. The effects of the long distance had slowly creeped onto me. I was like shuffling my feet now, just to move forward. I kept running until finally I caught up with some runners at around 70km. I met Jeri among them. Ford was slightly ahead. From 70km onwards, it was downslope all the way till W9 at 74km.

Arrived at W9 at around 2025Hr.

From W9, it was upslope all the way to W10 at around 81km. I was running alone again.

The route brought us though more villages. Each house that we ran passed, the dogs would bark as us. Some would ran out to the side of the road and continue barking but none of them chased ofter us. Some made the action of chasing after us, only to stop a short distance after.

The route to W10 seemed like forever. We just kept running and running. I felt so relieved when I finally reached W10. It was a small hall by the side of the road. I topped up my water and moved on again.

W11 was at around 88km. I ran passed some more housed and got barked at by even more dogs until I seemed to have gotten immune to it. Just as long as they did not chase after me would be fine. :p I learnt to anticipate the barking too. Their eyes reflected light from my headlights and were bright like stars in the sky. Each time I saw pairs of eyes in front of me, I guessed it was a dog and it would start barking soon. If I could, I would stay away from them.

At around 86km, it got a little windy. I felt some water droplets on my face. I looked up and the sky was covered with red clouds. Moments later, it started raining heavily. There was a waterproof jacket in my hydration bag but I was nowhere near any shelter. If I were to stop to take out the jacket, I would still end up drenched. Since W11 was just around 2km down the road (or rather, up the slope), I just carried on. Lets hope this rain would not be like the heavy storm the night before.

Luckily, the rain changed to a small drizzle a short while later and eventually stopped. By this time, I was in a village slowly approaching W11 which was a small hall next to the road.

I left W11 determined to finish the remaining 12km as soon as I could. 12km to go!!

I continued going upslope, cutting through the village. There was this stretch where my headlight shone onto a pair of eyes that reflected brightly back at me. It seemed bigger than those eyes of a dog. As I go nearer, it did not seem to move and just sat quietly by the side of the road. I noticed it had a big body frame and I was wondering what kind of dog was it?!! I kept staring at it as I slowly walked passed, ready to sprint off the moment it jumped at me. Then I realised it was a cow .. sigh .. too fatigued from all the running.

A few turns later, as I turned upslope around a bend, there were (worse!) more than 10 pairs of eyes reflecting the light from my headlight. This time, they eyes were moving around. Seems like dogs! Standing in the middle of the road! As I inched forward, my thoughts were racing in my mind. Turn back? No, this seems the correct route. How to get pass them? Strangely, they were not barking at me. When I got nearer and I saw they were actually sheeps. Sigh .. I need to stop scaring myself. I saw there was a small grass patch at the side of the road so I detoured around them and continued my way.

We were going up along an asphalt road but it was steep. I was going up the slope halfway when a car stopped by and the driver offered to drive me up. It was really hard to resist him. He was kind enough to offer a ride but I knew I should not accept him. So I just smiled back and say no to him. (bang my head against the tree!!)

From W11 onwards, I am not sure why but the number of "reflective" tape had decreased. The red flags were also more irregularly placed now. In 2011 when the race started its first run, the organiser was known not to place many markers along the stretch of a long route. Their rational was that since there was no junction, so its just one way therefore there was no need for any markers. However, they might not had realised the fact that as runners, even when running on a one way route, runners would still require markers to be regularly placed along the route so that they knew they were on the correct track and they had not missed any junctions. With this understanding, when I was moving along this long route where I could not see any red flags or tape, I thought they were using their 2011 rational again.

So I just kept moving forward.