Bukit Cinta Ultra 2016

Date: 3 Dec 2016
Location: University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur
Format: 12 Hours loop around 5k, elevation gain of 80m

Check Points in front of Dewan Tunku Canselor

I just finish an exam in the morning. Having say that it mean i lack of sleep and i don't even pack my bag yet. After exam i went back home and starting packing my bag and testing my equipment. Found my ear phone faulty so i have to go to purchase a new one. After finish the packing it is already 4:30pm. I have my quick dinner and then travel to University Malaya, and reach about 6pm.

Race start on time at 8pm. Overall it is tougher than Putrajaya 16H because of the elevation gain. It overall easy loop until I hit loop 6 where I felt very sleepy and have to stop to sleep for 30 minute.

Pushing up the hill

After wake up I continue until loop 10 where I felt the cramp on my right calf muscle. To avoid further worsen of the cramp, i start to use walk run methods.

The last 4 loops are mostly done in walking. Totally unexpected outcome. Anyway it is a good experience and below show the good and bad that i done in the race:

Goods:

1. Able to continue for 12 Hours. Able to overcome the bore. 

2. Able to eat four pieces of cake.

3. Overcome chafing and ignore it. 

4. No soreness on shoulder. Able to keep the good running upper body form.

5. Using mp3 player at start from loop 10.

6. Able to use the same shoe and sock for the whole race.

7. Only re apply vaseline at the body except for foots. 

Bads:

1. Cramp on right calf muscle, mostly due to my ignore the 1 pack ORS/ hour rule.

2. Definitely need more strength training

3. Didn't bring along water bottle in first few loops. Cramp maybe due to the earlier dehydration. Need to ensure always bring bottle even loop is short.

Watergate 16H 2016 - Race Report:

Race Detail:

Webpage: http://watergate16hr.teampacat.com/

Date: 9 -10 Jan, 2016

Start Time: 8PM

Race Format:

- Running a loop from Taman Seri Empangan to Palace Of Justice (2.5KM) and turn back to Taman Seri Empangan (5KM per loop)

- Do as far as you can in 16 hours.- To claim the finisher tshirt and medal, participant must complete a minimum distance of 50km (10 loops) within 16 hours.

- Minimal support event. Please read the entire race info.- No pacer is allowed.



Summary of Race:

I travel from KL around 4pm and reach the starting point around 5pm. Due to no parking space at the starting point, i have to look around and temporary park near the lake. After i took my goodies bag, i asked a friend to look after my supply and move the car to Putrajaya Meritime Centre, which have parking space. However it is around 1KM from the starting point.

Race start at 8pm. This is my first time running a hour based race. I start to feel bored after 10 loops. And i stop at 15 loops with the ability to continue more loops.

I felt tight on IT-Band around 8 loops but after 10 loops the tightness gone. I have a longer stop at 10 loops to rub vecelline at various location on the body. At 14 loops i feel extremely bored.  So i sit down and have some fry rice. After that i decide to test run with mp3 player and done the last round.

Overall i am not very satisfy with my result. I will run this race again next year.

Lesson Learned:

1. Forget to rub vecelline at rectum. Feel the heat around 8 loops but decide only stop at 10 loops (50KM).

2. Park your car at the Putrajaya Meritime Centre at the first place.

3. Use tupperware to store own supply instead of plastic bag. It is too messy.

4. Don't drink too much water. I drink water and coke at starting point and 100plus at turning point. I witness that most people don't consume water during turning point. I end up to have very frequent toilet break.

5. Not able to eat the gel, and not eating consistently. I maybe need to change to energy powder instead of gel.

6. Using sock that lost it elasticity cause black toe nail. It is too tight.

7. I only able to eat 1 roll of Oreo. This will be my guide for future race.

8. I should have a target distance and finish time, as target hours are too bore. Only after achieving the target distance that i will decide whether want to continue. (example: 100KM - in 12Hours)


Correctly Done:

1. Didn't change shoe and clothing.


Something New:

1. Use cup with marked level of nutrition and water. This will reduce the time for fueling.

What you expected for your first ultra!

Since i am not an elite runner, nor i am a veteran runner who have complete dozen of ultras, this will only be my point of views.

1. Everybody fall the first jump

It doesn't mean that you will definitely DNF the first time (but the DNF possibility is really really high!). It mean most of us overestimate what we can perform after the marathon distance. We may decide to run with marathon pace or easy pace but in reality you may walk for the rest of the race.

2. Food for thought....

Can you eat the same food for the whole ultra? Can you consume solid food for the whole ultra? Can you consume gel for the whole ultra? You will soon find out (some also expect to puke)

3. Are you injured?

You feel like crap. You feel like want to puke. You can’t feel your leg. You may also make a story so that you feel better after DNF. Most of the time, sleep deprive and fatigue make you think that you are injury. Stop for a while, take a deep breath, talk to the competitors pass by (if some one willing to, see point no. 6). Anyway, if you really think u r injury, better tell other competitors. Most experience runner know when it is time to stop.

4. Calling someone. Make sure they will say "Continue and Finish it!"

During one of my race I call my wife and she ask me to continue which lead me finish my race. So next time be sure to tell someone you may call during your race that, no matter what happen, encourage you to continue your journey.

5. Use your fear of dark to keep you moving.

A headlamp in the far front will keep you motivated to go after (along with dog bark from far behind!).

6.  Not all people willing to talk to you.

During this long and tiring journey, most of the people want to save some energy from even moving lips. So learn to talk to yourself during long run. These are the reason pacer allowed in some of the race. It is not because they are too arrogant to talk to you. They are also fighting to finish the race.

7. Don't over drink fluids.

You will crave for sweet water. But beware, sweet drink make you want to drink much often. If you fill your bottle with sweet drink, you may finish the whole bottle before reaching the next check points. Unless you can resist such temptation, fill your bottle with plain water!

8. Toilet, toilet, where are you?

You are in the middle between check points and you think of want to poop. 

1. hold your poop until the next check point 
2. go back to the previous check point 
3. Poop beside the road....choose wisely! 

9. Don't sit!

Relentless Forward Progress

10.  Learn from other people's experience. And contribute back!

It is good to read other’s people experience for the race, such as race reports. You will get to know what to expect, some good to have equipment, complaints, etc. Remember to contribute by writing your own reports after the race!

These are all the point for the moment. Will update the list if i have some other thought!