The Most Beautiful Thing - TMBT 2014 50KM - Race Day

I woke up around 3.30 am and take a quick shower. After that i prepare my recovery drink and put inside my hydration pack. For breakfast i had my usual coffee , bread and a couples of banana just enough to fill my stomach. You sure don't want a full stomach before a race. A final check on my gear and i'm off to the race starting point in Kg. Lingkubang, Kota Belud. Arrived at Kg. Lingkubang around 6.00 am, thanks to Erwan for the ride. A quick photo session is a must, thanks to Nasier for the beautiful group photo.

Race Start!!...

We flag off at 7.30am a bit late from the schedule. My strategy for this year race is to get on front at the beginning of the race because i don't want to get stuck at the trail behind hundreds of runner based on last year experience and it is very time consuming. I dash from the starting line and started running at 5 min pace until the Kebayau hill section and started power walk thru the steep hill.

The 2nd part of the race is the jungle section going uphill until approx. 690m above sea level before going down to Kg. Tambutuon WS1 - KM 11. I was planning to make up lost time on the flat section but i experience side stich which stoping me from running. After the paddy and river view we enter a second jungle section i was feeling a bit tired also very hungy so i make a quick stop. I had some biscuits , banana and 1 energy gel.

It's around 9.00 am in the jungle section and i can really feel the heat from the sun. The humid jungle section makes me very tired due to dehydration, so i took a rest as Donny caught up with me. We rest for a while and after getting back energy we continues our way to Lobong-lobong -WS2. Out from the jungle to the open gravel road, i put on my sun cap and buff to protect from sunburn.

A few kilometers before Lobong-Lobong, Hana caught up with me and donny. So the three of us walk together and after 4 hours into the race we reach WS2 where i meet up with Khamis. Hana and Donny head on 1st as im enjoying the refreshing pineapple. After filling up my bottle we back on track and only a few minutes on the trail its started to rain as we reach the split point for 100K & 50K.

As we make our way from WS2 to WS3 i was getting hungry on each step i took. Its almost uphill all the way and finally we get out from the trail into the open road. All i can think of is food.. food.. food.. but as we arrived at WS3 i was disappointed because there is no food served in WS3. Luckily a lady offered us banana to fuel us for the next 5km to the next WS- Kiau Nulu where the actual food is waiting. The banana does the trick, my energy level goes up pushing me thru the 5 km for the food.

Finally WS4 real food!!... i arrived 1st and just couldn't wait for the others because i'm so hungry. A moment later Khamis arrived followed by Johnny and Lee.

The rain has stop and with another 20KM to go time to move. Another hilly section from the village road into the gravel road pass thru a tall grass over a landslide we exit to the main road. The refreshment meal at WS4 really boost my energy level, i feel unstoppable.

We started running again from the Bundu Tuhan junction all the way downhill. I was so excited because looks like we can finish under 11 hour but then we had to make our way down to WS5A- Kinasaraban not as the same route as last year. With another 4.4KM to go, together with Khamis,Johnny and Lee we push our self to the finish line try to make it under 12hrs and we did. My official finish time 11hr 20mins rank 42 in men category and 52 in overall category.

The Most Beautiful Thing - TMBT 2014 50KM - Pre Race

Carbo Loading

Just 1 week after MRU, i had another ultra TMBT with a 50KM distance. Luckily i had enough time to recover. We had a " carbo loading" session with the training gang. A perfect time to meet each other since some of us never met before.

Race Pack Collection

I wake up around 9.00 am and get my things ready for mandatory item check at the race pack collection. I arrived around 2.00 pm at Sutera Harbour and the place is already pack with runners. I meet a fellow runner from last year TMBT and also see a lot of new faces. 

Travel - Kuta, Bali

After torturing my self at Mt. Rinjani, it's time for RnR in Bali. I depart from Lombok one day after the race. A 1 hour ride from Senaru village to the jetty and another 2hr boat ride to Bali. The boat make a stop at Gili Island to pick up passenger. What a beautiful island, crystal clear water. I wish i had more time to spend here, maybe next time.

At the beginning the boat ride was very smooth and i quickly fell asleep but not for long. I felt i was lifted from my seat after the boat hit a big wave, when i open my eyes all i can see is big wave on the side of the boat. Its the beginning of a bumpy ride continues for about 1 hour in the open sea. When we getting close to the mainland the its less big wave. I arrived in bali around 4.30pm and took another 15 mins bus ride to Denayu Homestay where i will stay during my time in Bali. I was so tired from the race and the journey, i decided just to spent the night in my room. A quick walk to the convenient store to buy "maggi mee" for my dinner and im off to sleep.

I woke up around 6.30am and the breakfast already served outside my door, french toast, fries, fruit and a cup coffee just enough to start my day. After breakfast i take a shower and get ready to explore the famous Kuta. I get out from my room around 8.00 am and the sun already up and shining brightly, perfect weather but 1st let me apply some sun block. On my way out, i ask the hotel staff direction to the beach and the owner suggest i use motorbike. I choose to walk as my recovery and the beach not that far from the hotel, about 5 minutes  walk. I never been to a surfing beach before, i was surprised and amazed to see the big wave. I stood at the beach about 10mins looking at the waves with the cool breeze brushing thru my face. After that i walk along the beach until i reach the very end and after that start venture into the market, street and the mall. I spent almost 4 hour walking exploring the city by the beach and stop at a restaurant for my lunch. On my way back to my hotel, i stop at another mall and suddenly i'm lost. I couldn't find my way back to the hotel. I spent almost 1 hour walking back and forth just to find my way to the hotel. A man approached me and asked if i'm lost and offer me a ride back to the hotel, but i refused and he started to asking me if i'm looking for an escort girl. After that i leave him and quickly find my way back to the hotel.

I'm a bit tired from the walk so i took a quick nap which end up with a deep sleep. I woke up around 5.00 pm so got a little more time to get ready and head to beach to watch the sunset. I rent a motorbike that evening so that i can get to the beach faster. As i arrived at the beach, the sun already at the horizon and about 30sec later the sun is gone.

As the sun is down the sky become dark, I took a quick tour around to see how the streets look at night. I hop on onto my motorbike, with my go pro in front to capture the scene. It took me a while to get used to the traffic, because its very crowded and vehicle coming in all 4 corner. The street light up and the party start early makes the night very alive. After the quick tour, one stop i have to make and its a must is the Hard Rock Bali. I bought a HR t-shirt and had a dinner at the HR cafe while waiting for a fellow CS ( Couchsurfing) member her name is Ema. So she came, we greet each other and start talking. She is a fun person and very friendly. She invited another CS Francesco that she hosted to join us then we move to another location to eat "Kuew Teow".

We spent a couple hours talking over dinner, sharing and learning from each other. It was fun to hang out with them, as Ema had to work and Francesco have to depart early we called it a night. I take a another tour as im heading back to the hotel and guess what, i'm lost again. Thanks to the GPS i manage to find my way in the darkness. 

The next morning, i head out early to the market to buy some souvenirs before leaving Bali. The hotel owner was so kind to send me to the airport with his motorbike. 

I wish i had more time to explore Bali, i will be back for sure.Good bye Bali... Until next time...

Mt. Rinjani Ultra - 52KM

Day 1 -  

I arrived 1 day before the race in Lombok and its a long way drive from the airport to Senaru and it took about 4 hours. Im staying at Achita Homestay and it is nearby the starting point of the race. I had my 1st night sleeping with bed bugs, it was terrible. all over the bed was full with it and i have to sleep on the floor in a sleeping bag. Lesson learned, always checked your bed for bed bugs.

Bed bugs heaven BLACK LISTED

Day 2 - Race Pack Collection

The only place mentioned in the email for race pack collection was in Senaru and no exact location. So at 9 am, i started walking to find this place. Luckily meet a few people that lead me to correct place for the race pack collection. It was already full of people, the place was very crowded plus it is a restaurant where the people from the lodge were eating. The organizer should find a proper place to accommodate all the runner, such as building a tent. I saw a big space in front of the tourism information center and they should do it there. After almost 1 hour waiting in the line, i get my race pack which contain bib number, event vest and timing chip. After a quick lunch i slept for 4 hours before the race. I had my dinner around 7pm and do a final check for the mandatory equipment.

Day 3 - 00:00 hrs Race day

I arrived at the starting point at 11.30PM and the starting line was packed. You can see many of them is non-runner and all the runner is standing at the side. After the opening ceremony with a dance performance, we are flag off at 12 am. I ran as fast as i can to be in front of the pack. I reach the 1st check point in 1hr 15min which is 15min faster than i expected. The route from WS1 to W2 is quite challenging, we have to ascend 1000m with a sandy/dusty trail. It was a very suffocating journey since i didn't bring my buff. I reach the WS2 in 3hrs 30min and from WS2 to WS3 is a 3km very steep downhill to the lake took me about 30min. We begin to climb another 600m to WS4 Pelawangan Sembalun which took me about 2hrs and i got lost 2 times. I manage to reach the WS4 just before sunrise. 

The view was just amazing, you can see the sun coming out from the cloud. So i sat for a while and chatting with a girl from Germany. While watching the sunrise, i refuel my stomach with a cracker and a gardenia bun before final push to the summit.

The sun is finally up, i started walking to the summit which is closer than it looks from the WS4. About 5.8KM from the WS4. From the start it is a bit struggle to walk up the volcano ash because you will keep sliding down. It is very frustrating 2 step in front and you will slide 1 step back. The real challenge is 1km from the summit, its a loose gravel surface which makes walking without a trekking pole is almost impossible and i end up walking with my feet and hand for some distance. Finally i reach the summit just before the cut off time and its worth a climb. The view from the summit is beautiful. I stay at the summit about 20min to take some picture and rest a bit.

But 1st let me take a #SELFIE

We crawl together to the summit, thanks for the support guys. i don't know if i can make it to the summit alone.

Running down on those loose gravel is so much fun than climbing up. I bet you can ski or snowboard your way down from the summit if you have one. I take my time going down, take a couple of picture and just enjoy the view. I was out off water by the time i came down from the summit and when i arrived at WS4 there is no water and food available. So, i waited for the water for almost 2 hrs and then i decided to go down to the next water station to look for water. Its is very frustrating when i arrived at WS6 there is not enough water. So i decided to drop out from the race instead of finishing the race without any water. We need to walk another 2h 30m to the pick up point after drop out, luckily its only downhill all the way. Its a very tough race course after all, will i be back next year?.. will see about that.

1hr ride back to Senaru

My running watch

Nike Sportband + Shoes pod

When I started running, i bought my 1st running watch Nike Sportband. It is a basic running watch with a sensor. Its a good watch for a beginner, you can track and upload your running activities at Nike+ website. The strap is made of rubber and the watch is rechargeable using USB connection and its also waterproof. Its functioning good on the road and flat course but not very accurate on a hilly course.

Nike GPS watch 

I bought Nike GPS watch by end 2012 as i need more advance watch for my training and race. The GPS is powered by Tom Tom. I have to wait 6 month for this watch available in Malaysia. Since its a GPS watch so you can see your current pace and its more accurate plus it has altimeter which important when you're running from low to high altitude or vice versa. I like everything about this watch but the downside of it is the battery life. Maximum battery life with GPS is 8hrs when fully charged which is not suitable for long race. Its very demotivated when you cannot tell the distances during a race and you cannot plan you run. This happened to me during last TMBT, i lost track of my distance which drag me into 16hrs to finish the 55KM.

SUUNTO Ambit 2

My latest running watch, i've been eyeing for this watch for quite sometime. After watching a lot of review for this watch i decided to buy it. I choose the black edition cause it looks more rugged and stylish. It is a multi-sport watch from running,hiking,swimming,cardio,cycling and also can be use for navigation. A complete watch i would say. The GPS link connection is very fast and the battery life maximum 50hrs with GPS (60s Interval). I would recommend this watch if you're running long distance race.

Educity Sundown Marathon Johor - 21KM

Since i'm unable to make it for the Sundown Singapore, i go for the Sundown Malaysia. This is my 2nd attempt to get Sub-2hr HM and to break my PB. I arrived on friday in Johor, grab a cab to meet my sister in JB.

After lunch i dropped her at the office and begin my challenge to find this Medini Mall to collect my pack. Its my 1st time driving in Johor and thanks to the GPS i manage to find the place without any problem. 

Race Pack Collection at Medini Mall

Legoland Malaysia

June, 21 2014 - Race Day

Race day!... i was determined to break the PB i set in Kuching. Flag off time is 8.00pm, i can the heat already. I plan to stick with the pacer all the way this time to avoid over use of my energy like what i did in Kuching. So off we go, the night is very humid and we are running on the asphalt road. You can really feel the heat and at 5KM i've already sweating like i'm running 10KM. I stop at every water station to hydrate and cool down my body. The heat really give much effect on my running since i'm running in long tights. Half way point, the pacer was way ahead of me but i still can see them by the time i reach 15KM i don't see the pacer anymore and i'm far from breaking the Sub-2hrs. So my focus is just to finish the race.

Even though i didn't manage to break my PB it still finish in good time 2hr 13min. I hope to break the PB on the next race PNM and SCKLM and i will.

The Spring Live Active Run 2014 - 21KM

Its my 1st official half marathon race. This is one of the HM race i've register in my hunt for a sub 2hrs PB. I arrived in Kuching 1 day early from the event for race pack collection at The Spring. Im staying at the Citadines Hotel&Apartment since it close to the Spring, a comfy, spacious and clean hotel at a reasonable price.

Race Pack Collection tHe Spring

A colorful event running vest

June,15 2014 - Race Day

The plan here is to run with the 2hrs pacer. I was expecting a flat race course and the course is of course not that flat, a few up hill and down hill. So i'm running with the 2hrs pacer for the 1st 10KM but there since there is to many people running behind the pacer i decide to run in front. I was so focus running until i didn't realize that i was running faster than the pacer and they were a bit far behind so i run on my own pace. Just 4KM before the finish line there is 2 hill which slowing me down, i didn't realize how slow i am until the 2 hrs pacer outrun me. I was struggling to keep up with the pacer since my energy level at very low point. The last 2KM i can see i still can make the Sub-2hrs so i ran as fast as i can , in the end i was 47sec too late. Overall i'm satisfied with my time and its a PB to break. 

I bump into Coach Cornelius & Hana Sue at the finish line

A quick tour around Kuching