Solojogger: MR25 Cross Country Ultra Marathon 2011.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

MR25 Cross Country Ultra Marathon 2011.

2nd time doing this.
The difference from last year was there was 3 weeks of recovery from SCMS while there was only 2 weeks of recovery as the last Sunday of the year was Christmas.
And I was sick on Monday due to diarrhea and slight fever.

The rules are simple, run as many laps (approx 10.2km) as possible in MacRitchie within the 12 hours (from 7am to 7pm).
Complete the minimum of 5 laps and you get a 2XU vest and finisher certificate.

Went to bed at around 0115 hrs. Set alarm clock to 0515 hrs giving myself just 4 hours of sleep.

The night before, i did a few preparation and pack the below.
1) 5 power gels
2) 1 bar of boost (cut into 3 pieces for easy eating)
3) short
4) towel
5) sunglasses
6) deep heat rub
7) toilet paper
8) money, ezlink card
9) slippers
10) fuel belt with 1 bottle.
11) Shower gel and shampoo.

Left home at around 0600 hrs and walk to take bus 156. Missed the bus and i have a feeling that i will be late.
When the next bus arrived, it was 0624 hrs and the race start time is 0700 hrs.
Took a nap in the bus. At Bishan station, saw more than 10 buses on standby as MRT will only start operation on 1000 hrs due to the recent breakdown.

By the time i alight at the bus stop, it was 0659 hrs and the race has started and i saw all the runners running off.
Proceed to cross the overhead bridge and reach Macritchie Amenties centre. This time round, no support table from Punggol runners.
So i placed my bag in one corner, took a dump at the toilet. By the time my garmin acquired the satellite, it was 0713 hrs.

Same strategy, walk up slope and jog down slope if possible. Do as many rounds as possible, if the going is too tough, just dropped off.
Will consume 1 power gel at the u turn point. After every loop, will eat my boost chocolate.
As there was support from CBD runners, managed to eat grape and hydralite.

First loop was very bad, on the way back, could not run as i need to take a dump again.
Planned to dropped off if on my second loop, i experience the same thing.
Luckily, till the end of the race, the experience did not come back.

On the second lap, my top of the left foot start to pain and it never went away and i have to endure the pain for the subsequent 3 more rounds.
The pain is so bad that on the fifth lap, it was just walking and walking all the way.

On and off, the rain came. But it start to pour really heavy just before the u turn point on the final lap.
What an experience jogging in such heavy rain. The rain was heavier than the last 2km of NUS run.
Did not find shelter and proceed to brisk walk back. The rain reduced to a drizzle just after i left the trail and i managed to take some photos.

After completion, queue up to collect the finisher cert and 2XU finisher vest.
Just like last year, only ate after i completed the 5 laps. Ate the beehoon, with sausage and fish cake.
Took a bath, called my wife to pick me up and proceed to Mother house. Only left Macritchie at around 1815 hrs.

From facebook Timothy Ng.

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