Epic Valley ECO100 - Race Report

I never expect it to be this hard.

I bet most of the participants underestimated this race too. I mean, 2,000m+ elevation gain over 100KM run with mostly flat ground, how hard can it be, right?

Elevation graph released by organiser

Cut off table

My own chart

In the past, I learnt that elevation graph never actually reflect the level of toughness of a trail, but the Berapit/Tokun/Machang Bubuk hills were something else...

Cold, Dark, Wet, Lost.

I kind of join this race less than a month before the event when someone couldn't make it and the organiser approved the transfer, I was craving for some long distance training and some elevation training, I thought, this could be a good training... But I can't just go for a 100KM trail naively without any trail training, so I squeezed in 2 short trail training in FRIM and Wawasan to wake up some muscles needed for climbing, also to benchmark myself how much time I need to climb certain elevation gain, which may be helpful for me to make sure my cheat sheet prepared for the event is reasonable.

My cheat sheet, target 18 hours finishing

From the trainings I realise I keep losing grip descending, then I realise my Sense Ultra 2 was at its final term, it could handle some trainings, but I doubt it will last a 100KM without incidence, thus, I bought a new pair of SenseUltra 4 just the day before the race. Same breed of species with better feel and fit, it's new, so it has gotta feel better, lol!

Fast forward to race day, did the 2XU training clinic in the morning, took a short nap at home and off I started my drive to Bukit Mertajam after lunch. The weather along the normally 4 hours journey sent me a hint that this will not be an easy race, I went through a few raining zone and traffic jam and eventually arrived at the starting line SRK(C) Sg. Lembu after 5:30 hrs of driving. By then, I was a bit exhausted with light headache.

Quickily I went for bib collection and mandatory kits check to get my ribbon tied, then I got back into my car to get changed and prepare the 50KM drop bag. Bump into Edmund who also doing the same race while I was doing my changing, lol!

After all done and settled, proceed to the school hall to have dinner served by organiser, ain't great, but it is sufficient, a chicken curry with sweet potatoes would make it perfect, lol! Also managed to catch up with familiar faces from KL: Angel Tang (not running, hmm... supporter kononnya...), Teck Wei, Reyne, Elded, Uncle Chang, Edmund, YongNing Chen, Fakhrul, Rambo, Kelly Hoh, Leslie etc...

the organiser even took care of the muslim

this was my last bite before starting the race

looks good but I didn't try

Before the official flag off, there was a race briefing by Seow Kong on the terrain and cut off for each water station, good to know certain points, but too late to change anything, more like mental preparation for what's coming. Edmund kept telling me this hill jialat, that hill jialat, I was thinking, KNN, so jialat then why u join also? lol!!! JiaLat!

Cut off for each station

The race later flagged of sharp at 10PM after all photos have been taken (a must for every race!). As I wanted to make sure I stay in the top10, I need to know how many were ahead of me before they disappeared in the dark, I tried to keep up to the front pack for the start and found myself at about 7th or 8th, maintained my pace for a little longer to confirm my position and I was already at 4th position.  As the 1st 3 runners were obviously faster, I didn't want to waste energy in keeping up, thus slowed down to training pace and see if there is anyone catch up from behind to make a pack of our own.

I ran through the palm old estate alone, having the 3rd runner's blinker (quite bright actually) in sight while no sign of anyone catching up, so that was it, I didn't want to be really alone in the whole night, decided to maintain pace to follow on the blinker light for as long as I could. Soon after a few KM, we exit to main road where I slowly caught up with the 3rd runner, 1st and 2nd already no where to be seen, so I decided to follow his pace. After awhile, he suffered side stitch, I overtook and started to run alone again. Running alone without any target in front was in deed a bit boring and I need to be cautious about the surrounding more, before I reach the 1st hill of the race, some 2 guys approached from behind. Took an easy jog up the hill before I changed to 30 steps jog and 30 steps walk just to get over the hill, as the night still young and I was still very full at energy, the hill was passed pretty easy. Hit the 1st water station after coming down from the hill, I was actually happy coz I know I won't be alone with 2 runners coming along.

Some where between WS1-2

WS1&2 - (The Warm Up)
I didn't need much water replenishment, thus I took off earlier than them. The next 12km was totally flat (for trail run), it was pretty easy and comfortable to maintain endurance pace, I can tell the 2 were following behind but yet to come close. By the time I reach water station, I started to feel abit hungry, watermelon looks the most appealing to me, grab a few to munch and off I go. WS2 to WS3 was full of surprises as out in the open paddy field, came many yellow lights flying from my left crossing the path in front of me, they were a bunch of buffaloes!!! They ran along side on my right for some hundred metres before they cross my path again !!! I was thinking if this goes on for the entire section, I don't know when I will eventually get knocked down by them if I am ahead of them. Luckily the volunteers in motorbike came and keep them at where they are on the side of the paddy field, phew... I also realise, any dark patch on the ground, never ever step on them, they are soft in texture, u won't like them, lol!

WS3(29KM) - (The Cruise)

I hit WS3 almost back to back with 4th runner, this is where I 1st time seeing the runners in front still resting at the station and came the 5th runner who was eventually the 1st runner up who led the race most of the time. From WS3 to WS4 I was then accompanied by the 4th runner who was from France, we chat a little before he decided to drop his pace and that was the last time I saw him during the race. I cruised on until WS4, bump into the 2nd and 3rd position guys, I took off shortly after they left and found myself lost at a junction before leading up to the 1st big climb of the race: The Berapit Hill. 

WS4 (40KM) - (The Beginning of Nightmare)

I decided to take thing easy on this hill as it was the 1st of the 3 hills in the mid section of the race. Whack my 1st pack of 2nd Surge to get some caffeine into my body then I started to walk my pace up the hill and soon after some 200M climb, I found myself at a dead end where people stop for drink or bbq, definitely not a place I should be. So I back track until I saw a headlamp coming, I thought he would be the 4th runner, but he appeared to be 1 of the 2 guys ahead just now. Good news is I am now not alone, bad news is, if he is lost, then we are lost now!!! We moved back and forth the surrounding and couldn't find any marker that lead us else where, then came another runner, he was the other runner I met just now too!!! In other words, apart from the leading runner who was local and managed to cross this section, we all stuck here and lost in the dark with no marker to lead. 

At the end, with the expertise of the one of them (the HK guy who eventually won this race), we managed to find another track leaving this zone and head uphill again. Soon, we got lost again at another section but we managed to get out from it faster this time. At the 2nd climb of this hill, I lost the HK guy and the other guy failed to keep up, I was back to alone again. Rain came, the route became slippery and with solo head lamp, it became challenging to spot marker on my own while trying to make sure I don't trip and fall on steep descent. Then it was a series of steep down hills, getting lost some where a resting area for hiker where no other path was found, ended up at a tail of a small stream, washed my hands off muds and tracked back for another way. These went on for like forever...down down down down.... and the headlamp had lasted more than 6 hours, the light went dimmer and dimmer...

WS5 (50KM) - (The Start of 2nd hill in the dark)

By the time I finished the 1st half in 6:40 HRS, my GPS clocked 54.5KM, not a good sign but it was good enough. Collected my drop back, get rid of my windbreaker and 1st headlamp, replenished my raisin and prepared my bottle with 2 packs of Hammer Recoverite, I soon realised the complete silence surround me, I raised my head and I saw everyone stopped and looking at me (or my doing). It was very awkward, may be it was the volunteers' 1st experience in ultra race at 50KM check point, they wanted to see what kind of weirdo would do a 100KM in the middle of the night, but it was my 1st time being watched like that too, lol!!!

Finished my VSOY drink and a pack of Gardenia bread, at least some real food in the tummy now. I was ready to move, then I realise some pain coming from around my waist, I lifted my shirt and I saw chaffing on both sides of my waist, this was definitely unusual for me, but I guess the wet condition plus the constant movement going up and down hill have caused my pant to rub against my skin. Asked for plaster but was told the ambulance has it and it was located further down the road out of the check point. Didn't bother much with that, thus make my move out towards the next hill. 

Based the experience in 1st hill, I needed to re-assess my time planned for the coming 2 hills, I figured that I may take longer than planned but I have buffer time of about 40mins from my previous flat run, I just need to be realistic with my pace and take it easy, in other words, I walk, just make sure I get through the next 2 hills 1st. To be honest, I actually thought I could finish the race in 16 hours, comfortably.

While talk is easy, the moment I left the WS5, the cold wind send chills to my spine and I regretted for leaving the windbreaker behind. With new headlamp, suddenly the road got brighter, I walked down the road and made the turn to 2nd hill, saw the next water station (Tokun B which is same location at Tokun), but I need to complete my 2nd hill loop before come back here. The 2nd hill started off quite easy with some stairs and later entering into the woods which was already wet by the rain, I took my easy time step by step for this supposedly 5KM route (ended with 6KM somehow) to slowly finish my Recoverite drinks. As the 2nd hill would have 2 ascents and 2 descents, I just focus on getting through the 1st climb and make sure I don't exert myself. 

Sleepiness kick in at this time, probably because my heart rate was not high enough when pace was too easy, I had to push my climb to wake the body up with higher heart rate. At some point when the distance went beyond 5KM with no sign of returning to the Tokun B water station, I started to question if I may be taking the wrong way to the 3rd hill instead, anyhow, that question at least kept my mind occupied in the whole emptiness of darkness and jungle cries... Lucky me, I made it out after 6KM, so I was on the right track. The chaffing at my waist had gotten in my way by now, I had to nurse it with plaster and at this time, the sky started to get brighter, it was around 6:30am.

WS6 (55KM) - (The Donkey Kong Hill)

I kept the headlamp on as it still helped to detect reflective markers. The climb at 3rd hill reminds me of the Donkey Kong game where I move up the hills from left to right and right to left, all the way up, all the way... Now I remembered why Edmund kept saying Jia Lat, coz it was really Jia lat... I kept looking at the watch to see the elevation gain reading up, that was the only comforting info, as long as it kept increasing, I am happy.

Coming down the 3rd hill I noticed my feet didn't feel right, it was painful with every step, I immediately suspect it could be overnight soaking in wet, the feet had got wrinkled and pushed against each other, and may some mud/sand gone in the shoes causing blister too. But I strive on, continue to descent hoping to see the next water station at the bottom of the hill. I was wrong. At the bottom of the 3rd hill was a kampung, following the road leaving the kampung was long and lots of turning, from this point, there was a cyclist started leading my way. It helped a bit as I don't have to focus on looking for marker. I just focus on completing the remaining miles to get to water station 7, it just seemed harder and further than I thought some how, after looking at the cheat sheet, I realised the next stop was about 3KM away. Exiting to the main road, it was still a very long way (few km) till the next station. Once I reach there, it was about 11hrs into the race, I was the 3rd person arrived there and the volunteers showed great enthusiasm, but I was tired. 

WS7 (67KM) - (The Escorts)

I didn't want to spend too much time there, it was supposed to be 67KM by now but my watch showed 73KM, way above the distance, I have another 35KM to cover in flat route and another hill towards the end. If I stay too long, I may not even want to get up to continue, I rather to ponder about that question along the next 10KM to water station 8. The moment I left for the WS8 I was still alright, after 1km into running, the pain on both feet came back, they are not going away, I had to change to 200metres jog, 50 metres walk, when I felt better, maybe a 400metres jog with a 100 metres walk. I kept playing with these random combination of jogging walking to cover km by km. But the event videographer came along in vehicle to capture my suffering, so I had to pretend jogging again, lol!!! As I entered into kampung road again, my escorts had grown from 3 cyclists to another motorbike, and later another 2 motorbikes. At some point, I felt like doing a small business behind the tree but because they were waiting, I let go that idea. But I did it anyway at the end, lol!

Dude, give me a break, I wanted to walk la....

WS8 (77KM) - (The longest 11KM)

So our convoy exit to main road again, went up fly over bridge with heavy traffic before finally arrived at water station 8 located in a stadium. I lost my appetite here, only asked for ice cold water and isotonic drink, clear my shoes from sand, took some photos with the passionate volunteers before I took off for the next 11KM to WS9. Exiting WS9 was an housing area with shop lots where the local having the weekend breakfast also cheered for me, I felt very motivated, but the feet are giving up on me, every step was a torture. Despite having so many escorts, I only managed 2KM of running then switched back to walking.

"This is no longer a training" I kept telling myself, this is even beyond racing, I was stretching myself far more than what I have planned for. After short while the road then turn into trail with sandy rocky path, this was where the motorbike and cyclists escorts left me, they had done more than they needed to for me, and I was also relieved because I could just walked without feeling the pressure of being waited the whole time. Yet, 2 of motorbikes came back for me (was it 3 bikes? arghh! can't remember anyway), they said the no.4 runner was not announced leaving the hills yet, but I knew they were concerned about letting me alone, except this time they tailed me from behind instead of leading.

The route was pretty straight forward as there was only one way in along the new route opened into the estate, I can see the river on my left and on the other side of the river was the similar path and there were MARKERS!!! in other words, some where down the road I needed to make a U-turn (I did recall seeing some route like this at race briefing..), the further I run down this path, the more I need to run back later!!! Soon, I saw a cross over in the middle of the river, so I made the turn without checking because the mind already set for a U-turn route, one of the motorbike rider called me and said I should continue straight because he saw the markers ahead too, now I am confused. He went ahead to help to confirm the route while I walked back, I saw the red ribbon to block the crossover bridge on the ground, which means, this path was supposed to be closed but somehow it was cut. In all honesty, I carried on with the original route until we exit to another main road, just when I thought this was really the time to make the U-turn, I was called again that there was red mark on the road that says I should run along the tar road not U-turn, it puzzled me quite a bit but so far the markers had been correct.

Though I was a bit frustrated with both times of U-turn cancelled, lol! I decided to deal with my feet 1st, for the 1st time in the race, I remove my socks to check the condition of my feet, I realised my feet were in bad shape with full of wrinkles, funny idea came so I decided to take a break trying to use the heat on the tar road to dry up my feet and the socks. It was quite a funny to see me walking back and forth along the road to get more heat on to my feet, lol!!! Then come another bike and he mentioned the 4th runner was now on his way leaving the last water station, I went "what??!! I thought you guys said he was not even out from the hills?" lol! Should I be happy or not ? Someone was a few KM away from me and probably going to overtake me since I had turned into walking pace.

The feet looked like this

Somehow I needed to do something about it, so I decided not to wear my socks and went bare with my shoes, surprisingly I felt comfy for awhile (or may be the threat from 4th runner motivated me too, lol!). Not long after running along the tar road, I turned into trail again, which eventually joined back to where the opposite side of the river where I saw markers. Not long after I ran into this opposite route, I finally saw the 4th runner at the opposite side running with good pace, he was not whom I expect to see, but I think he was one of the 2 runners behind me before WS1. With his pace, I estimated that by the time I reached next water station he would have caught up with me, that somehow propelled me to turn walking into jogging but I didn't last long because running without socks and sand going into the shoes did cause other problem like blister on the toes and other parts of the feet.

So I took my 2nd break on this section, started to walk after I met Seow Kong in a 4WD blocking a junction so that runners don't accidentally exit the route, time for lunch I told myself so I took out my Gardenia bread to munch while taking another guess when will Mr. No.4 come catch me at this pace. After I was done with lunch and another pack of gel, I put my socks back on and continue to walk jog  until I exit to main road again where another motorbike marshal was waiting. He then lead me to the next entrance into trail where the water station was just another 1KM+ away.

between WS8 to WS9 under noon sun where I made wrong turn all the time

WS9 (88KM) - (The Dialogue)

I had come this far, I knew I was going to finish this race nevertheless, but may be the finishing timing will be around 17 hours with my kind of walk/jog. Refilled with iced water and iced isotonic, I was ready for a hot section at noon. This was also the section I expected the 4th runner to catch up and overtake me, it was on the open road the entire time for 1st half, straight and long until a junction where I was directed back into trail and this was when the heavy down pour started after I crossed the main road into the trail. It was very cold and my shoes getting wet again, that means my feet are soaking in water again too. I can't be bothered at this point but to continue to walk, soon enough, the 4th runner finally came and overtook me (hurray!!! that ended my forever guessing, lol!). Not long after, the men champion for 50KM category came along and overtook me too, one hell of a fast guy to be able to run this fast after that 2 starting hills and 40KM+ of running...My feet were killing me and the weather was killing me too, I started to talk to myself as 3rd person: "u can do this, 3km to go, less than 10km to go, u have done this before, u don't quit, u don't quit, inch by inch, step by step, don't give in, don't give up, remember the miles leading u to now, u don't quit, 8km to go, 2km to water station, it's only rain, u have been through worse in the night, conquer your feet, conquer your weakness..." I spoke to myself with all possible sentences I could find and remember, until I reached WS10...

WS10 (95KM) - (Final climb)

Reaching WS10 and I no longer felt tired, the goal become just complete the final hill and home run. It was less than 300 metres climb ONLY, I knew I have done this before and I will be able to do this regardless, one step at a time, good that it was steep enough so I don't have to take many steps to get elevation gain, it won't make any difference on my pace even if it was a flatter route, I was already walking anyway. Kept counting down the elevation gain needed to get before the downhill, 280, 250, 220, 200, 180, 160, 140, I kept speaking to myself again with what Al Pacino spoke in Any Given Sunday (if you haven't watched, at least go youtube and watch that speech he gave): "Inch by inch, play by play, until we're finished, we are in hell right now, believe me...." got easier when I reached half of the gain I needed to get. Half way there I kept telling myself, less than half, 100 metres to go, 80, 60... then comes the downhill. It's all over, I know I can nail this and it is just a matter time, even if I just walk, I will make it back within 17 hours. The rain somehow stopped, coming down the hill cutting through extra length in the wood were killing my feet, but I was already counting down on the distance, 3km to go, 2km to go, it got easier as I exit the trail into the main road again...

Towards Finishing line
Seeing the familiar road leading towards finishing allowed me to relax and took an easy pace to walk, the end was near and I checked my watch, I was doing better than I thought at the final hill, getting myself a very well ahead of 17hrs finishing, timing was not the matter anymore, I had a new learning about myself, that matters. As I saw the banners of ECO100 approached after the slight climb on the road, the music was drawing near, I could smell the finishing line  (ya, smell, this is what 100KM do to u...). I made that final turn and make a small jog towards to finishing line...

This, means pain inside...

Must gaya a bit a finishing

Winners:

The 100KM winner, from HK

Mr.No.4, The guy who overtook me at final 10KM, LOL!

Local guy who got 1st runner up.

50KM men champion who overtook me too at final 10KM

Notice the middle section of the hill at 45KM zone....

Did a lousy final 26KM at 9th place for that segment

Clearer look of the blisters when scars are formed

u can't see the blisters clearly

Can u see the blisters on both feet ? U can, but u can't differentiate.

The shoes did well for the race, hardly any major damage, but notice some parts of the sole got ripe open, need to check with supplier on warranty, it is not supposed to damage in this way:

Note:
Kudos to Seow Kong and Allan Lee on organising this almost perfect event, the route was torturing but it was great, the water stations were excellently managed by the IPK students, the road marshals did a great job and the Bukit Mertajam cyclists touched my heart with their escorts. Thumbs up for everyone and congrats to those who completed

Photo credits: Seanworld marathon, Leslie Ho, Angel Tang, CH Goon, Kelly Hoh, Hansen Chua

King of Sg. Lembing - Race Report

I missed King of Bukit Larut when I was travelling oversea, then I missed King of Kemensah Trail too. King of Sg. Lembing came into picture when someone can't make it and transfer of entry was approved by the organizer. That time I was doing some really boring flat training and I wanted to add something different into the month of August, a light trail with some elevation may fit just nicely for that purpose.

Route map and elevation graph for 50KM

At glance on the elevation graph for this race, it doesn't look that tough, the climb at the 44km mark is probably obvious to most people that it will be the toughest of all. But having run some other ultra trails before, I know those tiny ups-downs on the elevation graph are probably going to make it tough for many, a lot of interference to pacing and engagement of muscles. But I like them, running too much on the flats makes me want to do some elevation runs, rolling hills are probably going to meet that need.

I would be telling lie if I say I don't want to win this race, just like every athlete at Olympics, but that doesn't mean I think I can win, to be realistic, I think to finish Top 10 men overall would be a win for myself, after all, I need to set a target to the run. Looking at the cut off time of 9 hours, I put a comfortable 7 hours finishing time, with a possibility of getting to 6 hours if the weather is good and the trail is not as hard as I expect.

So, come the day before race, decided to drive instead of following people's car so that my return to KL can be decided myself, by the time I reach Sg. Lembing it was already evening. Had dinner with the groups and saw many many many familiars faces came for this event, feels more like a carnival than a race, lol!

After dinner, proceed to pack for race, this event allows a drop bag for 50KM runners at 30KM checkpoint, although it is not really necessary, but it showed that the organizer arrange this to help the new joiners into ultra trails, in a way encouraging more runners to challenge themselves into this category. While I may not necessary need it, I thought since it is provided, I might as well make use of it by putting some luxury items like 2 units of VSoy 250ml and a spared hydration bottle with my recovery drink. And we all went to bed quite early on that night. It was a cooling night to sleep in with rains in the middle of the night, that means a wet trail later...

Woke up around 5am (also because of the noise from rooms next door when others woke up early too), get the necessary business done and pack my bags into my car, then we proceed to starting line.

Can u see me? of course u can't...

Photo before start

The race flag off at 7am and immediately I can see the fast legs like Munintaran, Ewegene and a few other runners ahead of the crowd, as it is still on tar road, I tried to keep up with the front pack and maintain my pace whether or not I got overtaken by others. The route brought us through cemetery area and soon we hit the 1st climb shown in the elevation graph. It was a shock to my running since I have not been running uphills in my training, change to smaller strike and increase the cadence abit to keep up with the front pack, able to overtake 1-2 runners who went too fast and slow down significantly. We reached the 1st water station at the end of the climb but too soon for anyone to stop for water. As Ewegene was recovering from his ITB, can see that he is not pushing and being careful on any downhill, that allowed me to keep up with him on uphill and slightly ahead of him going down hills.

There were not much changes in positions at this point except a AngMo passed us at fast pace (later I got to know that his name is Fin West, a strong finisher in this year's SAC), I tried to keep up for a while and finally decided that this move is going to kill me at the end, so I dropped my pace and stick back with Ewegene. The route was continuosly rolling hills, good for runners with good uphill torque, another 2 runners passed us but I didn't bother to chase, staying in a position of roughly 8-9 is within the target and it was too early to spend too much energy. As expected, everyone skipped water station at 5km as well.

Very fast AngMo aka Fin West

After crossing river I decided to take a pee since there was hardly anyone close to me from behind, we had left the rest of the pack quite far behind, give or take 2-3mins gap. Then I started to chase from this point, maintaining at the pace of 5:30-5:45 min each km was good enough for me without have to push too hard, and slowly closing in the gap with Ewegene and another Indian guy who are very fast at uphill. By the time I hit water station at 10km, I was back with Ewegene and later there was downhill stretch at 11km, I started to catch up with the Indian guy in front. And this went on for the next 6-7km until we hit the U-turn point together.

For the 1st time, I refill some water here and collected some "black color" juice specially prepared by organizer, and I was told it was coffee, since it was just coffee so I don't mind some new stuff on the way out. This was the biggest regret I had in the race, the coffee sucks, I am never a coffee lover anyway (still, the coffee, my god, sucks...), it is not up to me to judge, I have to discard the coffee immediately.

The chase went on again, I can tell he was getting tired because it got easier to keep up with him and at some point, I think I am using him to maintain my pace and thanks to the movie "To The Fore", I even think he was my dometique, except, having run too close behind a runner risk not able to see the route clearly, especially on trail. After U-turn I got to see the rest of the pack for the 1st time, with most of the expected runners just slightly behind like Yimster, Jeff, CP Tan, and the others who were also not far away like Seow Kong, Raymond, Jun Chan etc. And Fujii Loh was leading the women category way ahead of the rest of the ladies...-.-!

While hi5-ing with the rest on the return trip to 5km check point, I continued to tail the Indian guy, this went on until 23km when he started to slow down more and we also passed another chinese guy who was ahead earlier. I passed them both at the same time and went ahead alone, for the 1st time in the race, I am running alone and by the time I hit 25km water station, another runner leading the men open category was sitting on the floor and the volunteer was attending to him, some injuries I supposed.

So, 25km, mid point check, before U-turn, I knew the leading guy in blue shirt was way ahead of the rest, like 2km of me, and Munintaran was slightly behind together with this guy sitting on the floor, that means he is now the 2nd leader; then the Fin was behind them, he must be 3rd by now, and I just overtook the 4th, 5th and 6th (I was 7th at U-turn), that made me the 4th runner on the course, this was already a surprise to me. But like any ultra races, the real race only begin in the 2nd half.

This is definitely after U-turn...

Here comes the problem, I am a better chaser than a leader in a race, having no one in front and no one behind, I started to get complacent, suddenly the tiny pain in the muscles and soreness become an issue and I allowed myself to walk up every climb and jog even though the next 5km is more down hills than up. I reckon that the 3 runners ahead are probably going to be far ahead, I just focus on waiting for the rest to come closer before I start running again, and I have in mind that who may appear from behind anytime soon..

It didn't happen.

Approaching 30KM check point

And before I know it, I was already at the 30KM water station after a climb, where my lovely wife enjoying her shake leg moment waiting for me.:P This is where I get my drop bag (if u consider a plastic bag with one bottle and 250ml drinks as one) and get some update on how far was the other 3 runners ahead. This is when I got to know that Fin is from men open category and he was just slightly ahead of me by few minutes (always take this kind of info with pitch of salts, few minutes sometimes means much longer). I was already ahead of my target placing at this point, chasing may risk exhausting myself too soon and injury since I was not doing much trails.

Cikgu Mat who led at least 30KM of the race

Munintaran, 2nd Leader at 30KM

"Rob Krar" who led the men open most of the time

The duo that I passed around 23km

My pacer from 11-23KM

Abang Yimster

Ewegene Tan

CP Tan

The 3 musketeers

Must pose abit at water station

Photo with my supporter!!!

Leaving W6 (30KM)

Sorry babe, got to go...

I left the water station after finishing a pack of 250ml VSoy, a few pieces of water melon and changing my bottle (polluted with coffee) with the one supposedly containing my recovery drink (supposedly, yes). Taking a short walk into the short trail before hitting the tar road from that point onwards. My tummy was not feeling well with sudden influx of vsoy, 100 plus and water melon, but it was manageable, all I needed to do was, TO WALK, to let them settle in. Then I realised the recovery drink that I prepared, I FORGOT to put in the powder !!!! so I basically got myself another full bottle of WATER!!! Immediately I discard half the drink I carry with me.

Walk Jog Walk Jog for the next 3-4km of rolling road, still no sight of anyone coming from behind, I guess they were really taking their time to enjoy at 30KM point. The weather started to get hot, luckily the road into the kampung area provided some shades and I was not in the hurry to chase, every uphill was managed with walking. At some point the crews drove passed with a photo/videographer sitting at the back, I had to pretend running abit for the show, but why did they stop at the top of the climb for me that I had to run up? -.-!

At the end of the another rolling hills on the road, I reached the supposedly 38KM point marked with 40KM, 2nd surprise of the day, I saw Munintaran was just leaving the water station!!! and for reason I cannot understand, all runners had to run in a 400m loop to come back to the water station before continuing the journey, I met Fin on my way into the loop. I didn't expect to see him too. In other words, while I took my easy time to walk and jog, they either did that too or they slowed down too.

As the saying goes: "If you can see it, you can take it". I suddenly think, there is a chance that I can win this race with remaining 10km to go. That somehow gave me some booster to stop walking and start jogging, as I left the water station, there was still no sight of anyone coming to this point, in other words, I should really abandon the idea of waiting for anyone to catch up...

Leaving the rural area, I entered the main road where there was no cover from the sun, good news is I have proper hydration throughout the race so far, the heat was felt on the skin but not in the body, I took out the arm sleeves and put them on to prevent sun burn. Though I think I could possibly chase the 2 runners in front, I must also understand running on the road are probably their strength and after all they were faster on flat route, I still don't get any sight of them even until the main gate of Sg. Lembing where we enter the starting point of the Panorama Hill stairs. 

The steps reminded me of the Translantau stairs, but it was manageable, as I know the climb is only 200 metres+, it won't take very long with this kind of steep ascent. Very soon I spotted a runner in front of me, initially I thought he was one of the early finisher of 10/21km category who came visit the hill, but later I realise he didn't look like taking an easy trip, I decided to use him as benchmark, everytime he stopped to catch breath, I forward 20 steps, when I finally overtook him, I got to know he was the race leader at the very beginning!

If he is here, that means, the other 2 won't be very far ahead! Suddenly I have additional boost to walk the stairs faster and faster, then I managed to catch up with Munintaran who seemed to struggle abit with this stretch, I passed him and hit the end of the stairs to the junction where I bump into Rob Krar (Fin West gave me the feeling of Rob Krar) again! As he came from the left, means he obviously took the wrong way, I let him lead the way to the right to compensate his lost time in exploring the left and save my time from guessing. Both of us reach the Panorama hill check point together and made the U-turn trip to descent and I let him lead since coming down is more advantage for the runner in front. 

And he dusted me in less than 30 seconds... I couldn;t see him anymore as he sprinted down the stairs while I struggled with coming down the stairs after losing touch on running down stairs...Met the rest of the runners again on the way down and they weren't actually very far behind. 

At the end of the down hill, I was directed to the left where another road hill awaits, I was surprised to see Fin sitting on the road side, he was not feeling well, I spent some water on him to cool his body down (hopefully) and proceed to slowly climb the hill. For the 1st time, I was leading the race.

2-3km later I was back to the town at a very big junction, no marker, no marshal, I know turning right is to the finishing line and I know we had to loop the town before finishing, so I guess this could be the right way, I took out my phone trying to call the RD anyway to confirm. Before I decided to hang up, Fin caught up with me and told me this is the right way, so both of us traveled together head to the town. Finishing line was ahead, it felt weird with such under-distanced but it didn't matter anyway, and whether I finished 1st or 2nd, it didn't matter too coz I know he struggled more than I do at this point.

As we crossed the finishing line, the RD came charging at us and shouted that wrong way and we had to loop another 5km using the left route at that junction to cross hanging bridge and come back the other side of the town... For that split seconds I had that fury surged, but good thing about running boring flats, unlike running trails, it trained your patience and keep you at zen, for long hours it tame your beast mode, I was able to keep calm and made the choice the return to the right route.

On my way out, I bumped into Cikgu Mat (the 1st runner I overtook at the stairs) and signal him to the other way. Having run out of water and unsure when is the next water supply, it was hard to run fast to catch up the lost time every though I was not very tired, resort to walk-jog mode with Cikgu under the noon sun. Luckily there was a water stop 2km down the route, the water came on time, solved my thirst and cool my body down, after refill I was able to continue to run again. Cross the hanging bridge and I was on the return trip back to the town. Then again, running alone I was complacent again, slowed down, walk-jog till the next surprise water station again, lol!

Angel Tang was like an angel there, I tried to get some coke in but too much of gas I had to spit them out, it is not working. Angel told me I was 2nd runner passing, then only I realise Munintaran was already ahead when we took the wrong turn, it didn't matter much anyway. Left this last station and I was already on the way back to familiar route and hit the main road of the town and crossed the finishing line, again, with a timing of 5:33 hrs.

Finally crossing the finishing line

Need to pretend suffering abit

Photo with the legends and elites

Photo with Jerome

Photo with Jerome and 2 Tan sisters

All winners of 50KM category

This is really awkward...

Announced the King and Queen of Sg. Lembing, but, crown ler?

The after story:

The race report is just my personal story of what I saw, felt and did during the race, it may not represent the race itself, like for me there was no shortage on water stations but it may be for other slower runners.

The route for Sg. Lembing was surprisingly very run-able and for runners venturing into ultra trail, this is probably the most gentle route you can find, though the organizer can always improve the support further with additional fruits like banana and oranges. I would prefer to get more trail route than the road hills.

Rolling hills are good route for me as it allows some rest on the different muscles used in both up n down hills respectively, the course is wide enough for big group to run together.

Though the cut off at 30km check point at 5hrs and total cut off at 9hrs may sound challenging to some runners, runners must understand what they sign up for and most importantly train for it. If it doesn;t challenge you, it doesn't change you, and ultra trail races often don't get very accurate distance, with some personal deviation from the route, you probably won't get the right distance, thus always expect to run extra 1-2km to next water station. Always prepare for the worst to happen like extreme weather and running out of water earlier than planned, this is where u can do something about during training.

Before you complaint the Panorama hill is killing you and start cursing the organizer, take a look at the profile below for Translantau100K where the 1st 20KM aimed to eliminate runners unfit for the course and at 2nd half another 2 hills to further reduce the number of runners on the route. Pay some attention to the time for slowest runner to meet the cut off, yes, it is done in the middle of the night if you are just meeting the cut off.

Whether you completed within your target time, cut off or not, time to move on to next race and train for it. :)

The full results:

http://kosl.teampacat.com/p/blog-page.html