Yesterday was the day whereby an ordinary man takes on an extra-ordinary task, the attempt at an ultra-marathon 84km. Below is the story of the process of what happened and how was the run.
It was 1859, I was at the starting point at Changi Point, the MC count down and 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Off and we go. Prior to the run, I just drank a can of red bull, hoping it will give me the extra boost for the run. When I approach the 2km mark, I saw my cousin riding bicycle with her boyfriend like wth hah.
The air feels tense and heavy, I ran at the pace of 10-12km/hr for the first 40 minutes, I guess I was overestimating myself, leg numbness and stitches sets in, I wonder if its the redbull that I just took that caused the stitch, I began to slow down, walk a little as I'll need to conserve the energy for the rest of the 70+km. I tried to run everytime I gained momentum, but the stitches got me now and then.
The stiches was just the tip of the iceberg, we ran past changi stretch to east coast park and there we made a turn, the first overhead bridge, I am begining to feel the tightness on my tighs, not enough stretching? Press on, Calvin caught up to me and we headed to cheers to get ourselves some stuffs lol. I asked him if theres counterpain but holyshit, he said that sundown do not provides counterpain. Shirong will understand the pain of running without counterpain. We met this indian uncle name mohandas, hes a very energetic old man that goes around to all the aid stations and take photos with the helpers and crapping with them, i salute him for doing all that when I am already to be in pain.
Reaching 30+km mark, I am already in pain and soreness, my tighs are tight, my foot are sore, luckily there is 1 station with counterpain and i had a motivation, there was this pretty girl running along me and I tried to follow her pace lol. But eventually I think she gave up running and I had to abandon her as I need to ensure I can finish the course in time before the cut off of 15 hrs. Argg why, I was still hoping if we can run together for the rest of the distance, maybe i'll like to get to know her, hahaha.
37km mark, my soles are crying, I had to sit down and rest to massage and stretch, time spent, 5 minutes. And after which was a run/jog session till the end of the first 42km.
First round finished, 5 hours and 55 minutes, not too shabby and i sat at the pit stop for 10 minutes to rest and recharge energy by eating the bananas they provided. By this time, many had fallen, with a number of people pulling out from the attempt of the second round. But I had a goal, I had a vision, I had a dream of wearing the 84km finisher shirt.
So i pressed on, I was hoping to walked the whole of 2nd loop of 42km, walking at a pace of 5-6km/hr keeping track that I do not exceed 12mins per km.
I walked 10km (52km) my legs are crying again and i had to take a rest. After the rest I met this lady name trish, we talked a bit and kept each other company, but eventually she thought my walking pace was too fast and she told me to go ahead first.
In the 2nd round of 42km, every single step hurts like hell, my sole hurts, my tigh hurts, it was sheer endurance test. I walked and walked and at around 13-14km mark, I came across this group of 5-10 runners that ran passed me. It was mohandas and terrence, mohan being the energetic indian uncle, they kindly invited anyone along the way to finish the race together, I guess this is what you call, no man runs alone. Trish was in the group too. It was great running with them, chat a little, took some photos and they provided the mental boost for me to keep going at 6km/hr, we did short jogs like 250m and walked 500-600m. I think if I had stick with walking, I'll be dropping till 4-5km/hr by now and with their push, I managed to stick with 6km/hr until the 27km (69km) mark.
By 27km (69km) mark, I cant follow their pace anymore, I had to rest, it was another 5mins rest and the rest of the journey was alone, kinda. Theres this english man that I tried to follow. He was walking real fast. I had to jog to catch up to him, and when I start walking, I'll slowly lose him.
By the second 35km (77km) mark, I cannot summon the strength to run anymore, I walked at the speed of ~4km/hr all the way. There was only 1 thing on my mind. Finish it! Closing the finish line, I saw the familiar landmark that I first came across, I was like holy shit finishing! But the route was slightly different from the first time we came in, we need to run an additional of 300-400m or so in a loop form. For the last 100m, I summoned whatever I got and ran, cross the finish line, 84km in 14 hrs and 18minutes!
I was exhilarated, I went on to collect my medal and my finisher T, it was one of the few moments in my life where I am really so proud and happy that tears almost uncontrolably roll down my eyes. I had experienced hell and survive, the mental and physical torment was all overcomed through sheer determination and brute strength.
And like some of the aid station helpers go, go ultra-man! Will I join a 2nd time? lol..... I have no idea, I thought experience hell once was enough lol.
