Rinjani100 2018- 60K race report (Part 1)

"I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying"

RINJANI 100

The Rinjani 100 ultramarathon was by far the hardest race I have ever taken part. The 60 km category comes complete with a package of 5,324 m of elevation gain, or roughly 16 times up and down the stairs of KL tower and you have to finish in 20 hours, the official final cut-off time. The route takes you up the volcanic mountain of Rinjani – yes, volcano that spits hot lava and suffocating ash - which its last eruption was less than 2 years back in September 2016.

Many had forewarned me that it is impossible, insane and somewhat stupid to do over 5,000 m elevation gain in 60 km under such a tight cut-off time, which also includes an arduous climb to the summit of Rinjani (3,726 m a.s.l.). Many have tried, but only few have succeeded. For the past 2 years, there were only 43 finishers combined for 60 km category (2017:24 finishers, 2016:14 finishers) and 100 km category (2017:4 finishers, 2016: 1 finisher). I knew about this before I signed up for the race and bought the flight tickets, right?

TRAINING DAYS

I did and started training for every single week since January for 17 weeks till race day and logged a total distance of 758 km and elevation gain of 27,108 m which comes to an average distance of 45 km and elevation gain of 1,595 m per week. Training days were long and hard. There were ups and downs, but I’m thankful for those who came on runs, hikes and climbs with me, making it much more bearable and a little less lonely. The times I spent during training, were the times I spent away from my family. Training days required commitment, discipline and sacrifices.

TRAVELS

Along for the ride is my manager and support crew who is my wife. It was on Thursday when we landed at Lombok airport after a 3-hour flight, and another 3-hour van ride, and we finally arrived at Semb;alun (1,100 m), a village located at the slope of Mt. Rinjani. We stayed at a guesthouse about 5 minutes walking distance from the race venue. There were not many shops nearby the race venue, so food options were limited. The one where we had lunch on the first day eventually ran out of food the next day due to the unexpected high volume of customers from the RInjani100 crowd. So we had to do a little bit of walking and exploring. My advice when racing outside of the country would be to pack some canned or dried food in your suitcase in case local food couldn’t satisfy your taste buds. Rookie mistake learned.

Mt. Rinjani from the window seat. Stunning!

Mt. Rinjani from our guesthouse doorstep. Breathless!

Getting acquainted with trekking poles with a short 
hiked up Bukit Telaga in the morning of race day.

Getting a taste of the trails around Sembalun at Bukit Telaga.
That view though.

Race pack collection.

At the race briefing later that evening.

RACE DAY

The start point for 60k and 100k was in Senaru, a village 30 km away which was about an hour drive from the race venue (finish point). Shuttle buses were provided for participants around 9.00 pm and the ride was bumpy and winding. I started to feel light-headed and dizzy. My head was spinning from the ride that I had to lie down for 30 minutes when we arrived in Senaru. Definitely, it was not the start that I would’ve wanted. There were others who even threw up from the ride. Thankfully, I managed to recover quickly and started to feel better after my short rest.

Race ready faces with Malaysian comrades.

With wifey before the race.

WS 1 – SENARU RIM (2,636 m)

Distance: 11.33 km

Total distance: 11.33 km
Time spent on feet: 4:05’18”

Time spent at WS: 12’31”
Elapsed time: 4:17'49"

The flag off was at 11.30 pm from Senaru (600 m) and the route took us along 7.5 km of rain forest vegetation with some runnable sections. Once we got out of the forest and into the open section of the mountain, cold gusty winds welcomed us as we made our way across rocky and dusty hills accompanied by thousands of night stars along the way to Senaru Rim. This was by far the coldest section of the race that I had to put on a second layer of windbreaker over another windbreaker I was already wearing once I reached WS 1.

WS 2 – SEMBALUN RIM (2,638 m)

Distance: 7.33 km

Total distance: 18.66 km

Time spent on feet: 3:14’20”

Time spent at WS: 20’43”

Elapsed time: 7:52’52”

After a while we got a break from the strong winds as the route took us straight down the hills into steeply rock boulders to Segara Anak lake crater (2,000 m). Throughout the race, we would passed by trekkers and several campsites for those who were making their climb to Mt. Rinjani. As the sun started to rise, the beauty of the mountain presents itself. I cannot believed my eyes of the stunning landscapes facing the lake as I made my way up the steep incline towards Sembalun Rim. Hungry and tired, I decided to take a longer break and eat before the demanding climb to the summit of Rinjani.

Making my way up to Sembalun Rim with
Segara Anak lake crater in the background.

To be continued...

SCKLM 2018 - half marathon race report

"Starting strong is good. Finishing strong is epic"

BACK TO BASIC

I realised that since I started running (full) marathons, I have gotten complacent and comfortable with running long and slow. Then I started running ultra-marathons which the pace is even slower than marathon races. You need to run efficiently but not necessarily fast. I didn’t find the need to work on my speed like running on a track and doing intervals speed workouts (I have yet to run on a track). But after another failed attempt to finish sub-5 at SCKLM last year (5:20), I knew I needed to work on my speed which I have neglected in my running. So, I decided to join half marathon category with a goal to finish sub-2. I did it once at Seremban Half Marathon 2013 which I crossed the finish line right on the dot in 1:59’59”.

TRAINING

Training has gone well building up to race day. Started training since the start of the year with average mileage of 40km per week. 10k runs on weekdays after work and longer runs over the weekends. Mixed it around with trail running and hiking to lessen the impact on joints but we all know the real reason as Kilian Jornet once said “flat is boring”.

RACE DAY : 0530 START (8/4/2018 SUN)

I was excited to be running for the first time with Boy (Mahzan) who was going to be my pacer and a frequent sub-2 finisher. Flag off was at 5.30 a.m. and straight out of the gate, we quickly settled in our stride with me leading and cutting our way through the crowd for the first 5k. Boy said we were going too fast as the adrenaline rush got the best of me, he quickly took pacing duty onwards. Pace was good. Timing was good. Legs were good. Everything was good (so far).

What is every runner’s worst nightmare during a race? Yes, taking care of business in the porta-potty. At KM12, mother nature called and I had to do exactly that. Thank goodness I was the first person to use that particular Superman-changing-room as toilet papers were still wrapped in plastic and there was no funky smell (sorry next person though J). I’d already conceded that I would not get my sub-2 finish today, so I told Boy to go ahead and get that sub-2 finish for us. I kept looking at my watch counting the seconds and minutes. I had lost seven minutes.

Grumpy stomach gone, chugged down two cups of water and off I went. I kept running a 5:30 pace and started to estimate my finishing time, it was still possible! I picked up the pace, skipped the last two water stations and in the last KM sighed a huge relieve when I spotted the 2:00 hour pacers. I crossed the finishing line with 44 seconds to spare and the biggest smile on my face. Alhamdullilah.

Always finish strong in a race because you will never know the outcome. And I’m glad I did. Congratulations to SCKLM on their 10^th anniversary marathon and all finishers. See you again next year and if you read this till the end, thank you!

With my boy, Boy.

Supporting her on her 10k run. Congrats sayang!
Maybe one day we'll run a marathon together.

Signed off 

The Magnificent Merapoh Trail 2017 - my first 100K race report

Never in my wildest dreams.

Well, as the year unfolded, I completed my first 84k and a full marathon. I registered for TMMT 100 only after I completed the 84k race in April and only started running on trails in early June after I bought the my first trail shoe (Hoka One One Challenger ATR 3). I had 2 months, 9 weekends and 61 days to prepare until the big race.

Training

The first month of training was during the fasting month of Ramadhan and the second month was during the festive raya season of Syawal. Both months posed their own challenges. Running in Ramadhan was limited to night runs on roads for mileage and two introductory trail runs at Bukit Puchong and Bukit Kiara. Then Raya came along and this was where all the bulk of the training was done in between stuffing your face in various types of traditional food and drinks served at weekend open houses.

On weekends, I would do LSD at Setia Alam Trail which was newly recced by Shah Alam Running Club (SARC). It has been my backyard playground ever since. Weeknights I would just do short road mileage of 10-15km to maintain fitness. I never considered myself a nature person but I know when you're running ultra marathons, other than the long distances, elevation is part of the game. So, two weeks before TMMT 100, I hiked up Mount Liang at Behrang, Perak, to get that pewai, barai, and bonk feel for the body which was needed to strengthen my body physically and mentally.  

The TMMT 100

Took the shuttle bus service provided by the organiser from Putrajaya Sentral to Merapoh about RM120 for a return trip. Arrived in the wee hours on Friday, settled down in a school dorm at SMK Merapoh which was the race site for the event and tried to get as much sleep through the night. Carbo loaded the next morning and throughout the day. Race kit collection and mandatory items checked in the afternoon at the race expo held at the school hall. A little nap in the evening before the flag-off for the 100 km category at 9 p.m. 

Mandatory items check.

With Amir, your girls favorite race director.

Never in my wildest dreams that I would toe the starting line of a 100k ultra marathon. I was nervous and excited at the same time. All the training and preparation leading up to this moment. It was time to lay everything out there. As we started off, leaving behind the commotion of the starting line and into the darkness of the night, the course took us through sections of jungle, palm oil plantation, rubber plantation and kampung roads. The first half of the course I was feeling strong, kept running and only started walking on climbs just to save some energy on the legs. 

With Acang and Faiz at the starting line before flag off. 

100 km flag off.

photo by: ActionPix Malaysia

Finally the time that I have been waiting for the entire race, the river section at KM 42. We had to wade along almost 3 km river stretch. You wouldn't want to go in alone as the still water at certain sections gave ideas of what could be lurking in it. At the time I was with Faiz, Halim, Ammar  and another runner. No other runners were in sight in front or behind us. At first it was fun, then it was as though it was going on forever as my legs were getting tired and heavy.              

I reached CP6 drop bag which was at KM60 about 6 a.m. It was held in front of a masjid so it was convenient for the muslim runners to pray Subuh. I changed into a fresh top and a dry pair of socks. Ate what I had packed in the drop bag which were chocolate bars I bought at the race booth. A long toilet break which I off loaded a ton of shit from the carbo loading I did yesterday. I had spent longer than I had planned to. I was on my way about 7 a.m where it was already day time.

By this time, there were more runners on track from the 70k and 35k categories. I started having blisters between my toes and the bottom of my feet. It was hot and sunny throughout the day. Fast forward to the last 10 km of the race which was on road all the way towards the finish line during the hottest part of the day around noon. From here on, I was running with Ecah which was aiming for a top 10 finish for 70k category (she finished with 8th place). I passed by Ammar and Halim where they were walking. Then towards the end, I saw Faiz who was ahead walking. He told me to finish together and we crossed the finish line together for our very first 100km finish.

Clearly I'm not enjoying myself.

Strong finish with Faiz as we approached the finish line.

photo by: Cik Arnab

I set a goal in the beginning of the year to run my first 100km and I did it. I had a plan and followed it step by step. The months of training, from night runs to morning runs, from roads to trails, from running solo to running together in a group. The journey to reach here has been long and hard. I wouldn't trade any of it. The journey was the whole story and finishing the race was the happy ending I sought. Big thank you to Faiz, Acang and SARC for helping me reach this goal. Last but not least, thank you to my fiance, Mira, for your love and support. Alhamdulillah.  

100 km aftermath.

With Acang and Faiz after the race. 

Elevation chart and route statistic.

Earned. Not given. 

SCKLM 2017 - breaking 5 race report

Long story short, I didn't break sub-5.

Short story long, SCKLM came at the perfect time before we welcomed Ramadhan a week later. So, it’s time to go all out and break the world record for full marathon and become a national icon, or if you’re not feeling it, just set a new personal best will do. Well, I was doing great and running all the way until I hit the wall at KM30 and couldn't attempt to run 50 meters before cramps attacked on my quads. Right at that moment, I knew breaking 5 was not for that day as I watched in despair the sub-5 pacers and their giant balloons slowly disappeared in the distance. I did however set a new PB for SCKLM at 5:20 against 5:44 in 2014. No sweat we will go again next year! I wasn’t really bummed with my result because I'm training and preparing for a bigger event. This August, I’m about to embark on the biggest journey of my life, my first 100k ultra marathon, at The Magnificent Merapoh Trail. I've been transitioning to trail running over the past two months, Ramadhan and the following festive month of Raya. So I had to take a crash course in trail running by running with the guys from Shah Alam Running Club (SARC). I got to learn a lot from nutrition to proper techniques, and clocked more mileage compare to if I was to train alone. With that said, I’m going to end this post with an African proverb:

“If you want to run fast, run alone; if you want to run far, run together”

With Mira after the race.

Route 68 Challenge 2017 - 84K race report

Pain is temporary, but pride is forever 

Where do I start? That's the question I ask myself every beginning of the year. Went through a list of running events for this year and had my eyes set on Route 68 again. I've done the 50k distance last year and had a blast, so I wanted to try a longer distance. They changed the 70 km distance to 84 km and I was down with it. They also added a new distance of 100 miles. That's a totally different ball game altogether. We are not going there. 

TRAINING

Running season starts as soon as you start training. I prepared for 3 months (January-99km, February-103km, March-120km). Stuck to my running schedules, tried to watch what I eat, lesser time spent at the gym and stopped all physical contact sports like football and futsal. I only did 3 LSD run of 20km each in the last month before the race. Boy, I wished I had done more earlier but quite satisfied with my overall training. Thank you to Zahid and Faiz for the 2 out of 3 LSD runs. It's always a great time running with your peers.  

RACE DAY:  2200 START (15/4/17 SAT)

First race of the year and the longest run I'm about to embark, I expected to be there early to calm down those butterflies in my stomach and do all the necessary warm up stretches. But in reality, I arrived 10 minutes before the flag off, dropped my bags at the drop-off counter, and went on my way 5 minutes after the flag off as the last runner. After running alone in the dark for 10 minutes, I finally caught up with the back end runners and only did my stretches at the first water station at KM5.

This was the first time I ran through the night, so I took a 2-hour nap during the day. Grabbed a Subway sandwich for dinner 8pm which again I wished I had it earlier as I was burping and feeling gassy up from digestion until wee hours of the morning. Route 68 has the simplest route for a running event which is basically a u-turn after you have reached the far end of a relatively straight road. You will constantly see people on the running back and forth. 

I reached KM42 u-turn at 4:37 am in 6 hours 30 minutes. The water station was held at Bentong rest house. Here they served hot food and drinks, and runners can resupply or change gears from their own bags deposited earlier at the starting line. In my drop-off bag I had a pair of shoes, socks, shirt, cap, wet tissues and a bar of Sneakers. I ate my snack, drank hot coffee and ate fruits that was served. I didn't take the Maggi noodles they had and the fried rice tray had finished even before I arrived.



At 5:00 am I was back on the road with 9 hours to spare before the cut-off time at 2:00 pm. I was feeling confident with myself but I knew the hardest part has yet to come because it would be an uphill battle all the way to KM67 water station at Genting Sempah. Stopped for Subuh prayer at KM49 water station. The sun's rays started beaming down at 8:00 am and it's going to be a really hot day ahead.

0600 Sunday morning 

MIND GAMES



I could no longer run for the second half of the race due to fatigue. My feet hurt with every step I took. It hurts even more when I stopped to sit at water stations, and became even harder to get back on my feet and be on my way. I settled with fast walk covering about 5km in an hour. So, I started being calculative and knew if I maintain this pace plus taking shorter breaks of 5-8 minutes at water stations I can still cross the finish line just before the cut-off time.



I've never felt so much pain from running before. I started to doubt myself. I was like this distance ain't for me. I should've stick to normal marathon. This is insane! Then, I started saying to myself "pain is temporary, pain is temporary, pain is temporary but pride is forever". I started making promises - if I finish this, I can retire Route 68 and no need to come back next year, and I'm going to take two day MC tomorrow (I ended up taking only one day MC). Few words of encouragement from runners and also volunteers really helped me came out from that dark place, self doubt and pressure I unnecessarily put on myself.



THE LAST PUSH

Came out the hardest section of the race which felt like eternity, I was badly beaten physically and mentally. It was hot and I had chafes in all the wrong places. I could barely put up a smile. I was not having it anymore. Finally, reached the KM67 Genting Sempah water station around 10:30 am with average pace of 13'40" per km with less than 4 hours to go before the cut-off time. I was running against time. The section that I was looking forward to in the entire race was the final stretch towards the finish line which was a 15km descent. I was optimistic and tried to run but to no avail.



About 1:40 pm on my last legs, I crossed the finish line. What a feeling it was. I just completed my longest run ever. I was happy, grateful and utterly exhausted. Congrats to all the runners out there that weekend. Thank you to all runners who ran and walked with me, encouraged, pushed and cheered me on along the way. Thank you to all the great volunteers for your energy and support. Lastly, thank you to Mira for being patient, supportive and helpful from the start to the end of the race. I would have ended up in the medical tent if it wasn't for you.



So, what's next? On to the next challenge!

Crossing the finish line

Officially retired from Route 68 Challenge 

Crew love

 Signed off

SCKLM 2016 - full marathon race report

This is my second and the last marathon for the year. Let's just say, the kid got his ass handed to him but finish none the less. However this is not the reason why I'm hanging up my running shoes already. At the beginning of the year, the aim was to enter only two marathons. So, I guess my running season is done and dusted in August =) 

Training

In June during the fasting month of Ramadan, I only managed to get a 10 km run in and that was it. Then in July, I managed to put in a total of 91 km run with the furthest distance being 15 km. I would usually put in more mileage for my training but I had been busy with work for the past month. When I registered for the marathon back in March, I aimed for a sub-5 finish. After my training, I lowered my expectation to a sub-6 finish. I knew that I was under prepared for something that needed a lot of preparation. 

Race day

The flag-off was at 4 a.m. Stopped for subuh prayer at KM15 where they had a prayer station set up for Muslim runners. I was running with a hydration bag which I carried my camera phone, cash, i.d, electrolyte gels and pills, and a kain pelikat (which I didn't know was provided). You can tell I wasn't aiming to break the world record time for a marathon that day. Runners aiming for PB's or just want to run fast and light would only rely on water stations to re-hydrate.



At KM30 I started feeling cramps hitting my quads especially on the descends. I had to occasionally stop, stretch and massage in order to continue running, but could only run a couple hundred meters before the cramps started kicking in again. From KM35 when the route took us to a couple more ascends, my quads just gave out and I knew sub-6 finish would eluded me this time. I ended up walking from KM38 until the last 500 meters towards the finish line. With what was little to nothing left in the tank and the cheers from the crowd, I tried to run through the cramps with a smile on my face crossing the finish line.



Thank you to everyone who came out to show support, from the volunteers to the supporters cheering, setting up their own water stations and snapping photos of runners. Appreciate it! Nothing much to say here, see you guys next year. Keep running!

I eventually lost sight of the 6:00 hour pacer lead by Mr. Choi.

Let's just say, all these fishes and I still can't find Dori.

At KM40 where I decided to take a nap.

With Zahid at the finish line. 
Let's just say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

With Nasrul at the finish line. His first marathon.
Welcome to the club. Congrats!

I may be slow, but I'm still lapping everybody on the couch =P