running alck

This is my 2nd attempt on ultra marathon 84km. Keeping in mind which part of the route i should slow down and where is the next water point etc. Almost late for the race which started earlier this year by 1hr30mins. I cabbed down from teran merah. I was anxious that i would start late, i quickly get changed, and put my baggage. I was searching for the special needs tentage and couldnt find it. i began to ask the voluteers, and they say they dont know. Not one but asked 3-4. Guess they are really not voluteering by heart.

So as most of the runners, we knew where is the starting point. i also saw some familiar faces of last year ultra marathoner participants. Close to 7pm, the voluteer actually told us we are at the wrong start point, the start point should be at the other side; i was like wth? shouldnt u guys inform us earlier? So alot of runners dashed to the starting point and off we go.

1st 42km was alright for me, maintained pacing and came in a decent timing same as last year. So carbo loaded myself with banans, power bar, redbull and continue with my 2nd lap. I ran with a constant speed of 9km/hr and my kneecap injury started to kick in. I stopped at the 3rd km and telling myself i would just walk in a fast pace. I tried running at certain points but whenever i run, i feel the pain.  I walked at fast pace at a speed of 6km/hr and hopefully could reach before 8am.

When close to 40km, i pushed myself to the limits and running with my injured leg. As closer to the finishing point, i started to sprint, and guess what? this year they changed the route again, we have to run a big round to reach the finishing point. One wierd point i would want to emphasize. Why the first 42km, we do not need to run that big round and 2nd 42km we have to run the big round? it does not sounds logical to me? i completed with a timing of 12:59 with a 30mins setback compared to last year result.

Overall, i would say this race is a disappointment. The voluteers are not as helpful and it seems liek they are forced to voluteer. On top of that, the organizer didnt really listen to last year ultra marathoner feedback and carry on doing their own style. This would be my 2nd and last time doing ultra marathon, the reasons being the route was way too boring when you do with your 2nd attempt. Perhaps so, i might only join their full marathon as an experience.

Till then…congrats to all partipants whom have completed 84/42/10km. I will be recovering and hopefully to get back on track soon. Cheers~