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

Borneo International Marathon 2014 - 42KM

May the 4th be with you

I took a long break from running after TMBT 2013. I started training for BIM2014 on mid January. Its like learning how to run all over again. I started with 2km and gradually increasing my distance until i can run 10KM comfortably. A month before the race i suffer from shin splints which slow down my training. I didn't have much training compared to last year BIM so i'm not expecting PB, my only focus is to finish the race.

Race pack collection

May, 4th 2014 - Race Day

Arrived early at the stadium and do some warm up before the race started. 

Pose with Pammie Delores at the starting line wishing each other good luck

My running plan for this year is exactly like last year and I will run with 7'30" pace average. The weather a bit warm so i need to stop at the water station since i didn't any water. The 1st 10KM was alright and as i was running towards UMS i can feel a bit tired. I checked my time at the half way point i was 10mins late than expected. Gradually i pick up my pace and by the time i get out from the UMS loop i have only a little energy left but i keep going. They didn't provide banana at the halfway point like last year instead they give out banana at turning point IP. So i took 4 banana and ate it all, i'm so hungry and take a time walking enjoying my banana. After that i continue running until the 35KM mark i started to walk. The last 7KM more walking than running. Finally i crossed the finish line with a smile at 5hr 14min, 2 min late from my previous FM.

Ooops! I did it again.. :)

TMBT 2013 - 55KM

So this year TMBT i decided to upgrade to 55KM. Experience from last year event its quite an easy course, not so much running on trail.  The race pack collection was held at Hyatt Regency Hotel and the runner for this year almost double from last year.

September,14 2013 - Race Day

We depart from Kota Kinabalu at 5.00am and arrived at the starting point at 7.00am.

Starting point at Kg. Lingkubang, Kota Belud. Flag off time is 8.00am. At KM 2 we stucked for almost 1hr due to the suspended bridge only allow 4 people crossing at a time. After the bridge we running on the paddy field before crossing a waist deep river and into a jungle trail. We make a stop at the 2nd check point to refuel and fill our hydration back.

5hrs into the race we still not reach the half way point which is totally unexpected. Its was very hot as we make our way to the top of the hill and make a pit stop at the peak for our so called lunch. The weather changed so fast, as we make our way to Miki camp it started to rain heavily. I decided to make a run to Miki camp and will waited for Caloq & Ajip at the check point. i was running down to miki camp the rain continue. When i arrived at the river before crossing to miki camp, the river was flooded and we were asked to head back uphill. 

I bump into Caloq and make our way back together to the next checkpoint where we meet up with Ajip. It took us 9hrs to make it to the 3rd CP. After refuel and gear up we continue our journey for the last 20KM. It was a cold and wet night. We make our way along the village road before going back into the jungle and slowly follow the path to the main road. We didn't have a clue how far are we in the race since our watch have died. Its a relief when we get back to the main road knowing that its not far before we reach the finish line at Perkasa Hotel but it was temporary as we were told to follow the Bundu Tuhan road to the finish line instead of the main road. We were cold, wet and hungry and kind of lost slowly we push ourself to the finish line. Finally after struggling for 16hrs, we made it to the finish line. 

It was a "Brutally Beautiful" race, we will back next year for sure.

TMBT 2013 - "Brutally Beautiful"

Borneo International Marathon 2013 - 42KM

Since 2011 i've always wanted to join this event but it always falls on my work schedule. Finally in 2013 i decided to take a leave and join this event. Its my 1st time running in BIM and it is my 1st full marathon. So far i've only ran 2 10K and 1 25K ultra and running FM for BIM i'm quite nervous. The race is scheduled May,13th but somehow it is clashed with the election. At 1st the organizer decided to start the race a bit early, 12am instead of the 3am for the FM category on the same date. A week before BIM the event was reschedule to a new date which is August,25. I was a bit disappointed and demotivated because i trained hard for the event and i'm so ready for the race. The new date for the BIM is right after Ramadan and Syawal, so training is a problem and by that time fitness level will be a concern. Anyway on the May,13 we decided to go for a run to support the event and for those who came from outside of Malaysia. Despite we don;t have support from the local authority, the race director still manage to organize the fun run and many thanks to all the volunteer some of them also set up a food and water station.

August,25 race day finally. I don't know what to expect as my fitness level probably about 60-70%. Only a few runners for the FM since the race has been postponed. I was running at average pace 7'25". Halfway mark 21km I'm still feeling fine until i reach the turning point only that i feel a bit tired. At KM30 i feel a bit pain on my right knee but i kept going and by KM35 its getting worst so i stop running and continue walking. I walk for about 1.5KM before i continue running but i still can feel the pain on my knee. So i run and walk for the last 5km. I cross the finish line at 5hr 12min what a relief, not bad for my 1st FM.