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!