Beyond 42.195K

I admit we didn't have much experience to go beyond the distance. Both Zaini and I only did 2 two marathons each last year so we are obviously green at this long distance running craziness.

But when WaterGate 16 hours opened for registration, we didn't hesitate long to join it.  

The format of WaterGate 16 hours was simple. Just do as much distance as you can in 16 hours. A participant is entitled to be called an "event finisher" only if they completed a minimum of 50K.

Bearing that in mind, Zaini and I had a simple plan. To do 50K. No pressure. We won't allow ourselves to be pressured to aim for a fast timing. Just do 50K and have fun. Hah hah

The start of the event wasn't too promising. It rained the whole afternoon. It was still raining 30 minutes before the start. I was bracing for a cold, wet run but rain or no rain, we'd do it. Thankfully, the rain stopped before the flag-off of the first batch of runners.
Ultraman figures for participants and to the champions
Bib collection was done on event day, from 5pm to 7pm at Taman Seri Empangan where the event is also to start. We were late. We arrived at 7.30pm and promptly got our bibs and get ourselves sorted before it started.
Prepping up. Taping the feet, changing outfit and whatnots. We are almost set for a long night. :-)

Flag-off was at 8pm, in batches. We took our time to get ready and only started or run at 8.10pm. No hurry la... 
First batch flag-off

We started with a slow jog and after about 200-300m from starting, we immediately face the stairs to go up Jambatan Seri Gemilang. Yup, must climb stairs. If you wanna do a 50K, then must climb up those stairs 10 times. Fun stuff. Bwahaha

The after-rain night was cooling but I was sweating buckets. Thank goodness for the constant breeze. If it's a hot night, the run might prove to be much more difficult to finish.

The route was in loops. 2.5K from Taman Seri Empangan to Palace of Justice and back to Taman Seri Empangan to make a loop of 5K. The loop worked great for us as it wasn't far enough to get to Checkpoint 2 (CP2) from Checkpoint 1 (CP1) so adding a loop after loop didn't feel too daunting. Also, whenever other runners looped back we got company.

After our first loop, we got back to CP 1 to get our bibs checked and marked and saw friends who were there to support runners. Awwwww... 

Lingered for a few minutes to take photos and chatted with them. We'd see them again after our second and third loop before they head back home. Each time, we'd just stop and took our time to chat drink, snacked and take photos... again. (What is is with us runners and photos, ah? LOL) Thanks so much Gmi, KZ & hubby, Ejah, Rashid & Aizat!

Zaini and I started together with a jog. Which was how it was for the first 15K or so. Zaini then started to brisk walk. It was actually his plan to walk the whole 50K but he accompanied me jogging first as I told him I can't walk that much distance because the back of my knee tends to be in pain whenever I did long walks. So I proceeded to jog and maybe keep a lead for a bit. I'd waited for him at CP 1 and CP 2 before we start off again. No hurry, right?

Our pace wasn't that fast, we kept pretty much a 9.00-9.50min/km pace for the first 25K. Got to CP 1 at midnight to have supper.
 Nasi goreng / fried rice provided by the race organiser. Black coffee too. Bliss.
And a special delivery by a friend of milk coffee and some waffles too! Yummmm!

We stopped for the midnight break for more than 30minutes. Had a toilet stop and had supper too.

Didn't want to linger with sitting (and gossiping) for too long so we started off with a walk while the food was still digesting in our tummies. Cannot run la. Walk only la, after eating right?

The walking pace was of course considerably slower but we felt good. It was nice to have a "stroll" with hubby. Hubby would hi-fived passing runners coming from opposite directions and we'd get encouragements from more senior runners along the way.

Whenever we reached CP 2, we also lingered as Raimie was there "helping out". CP 1 was the social checkpoint for us and CP 2 was the "check son doing OK or not" checkpoint. LOL

After 5K of walking after our meal (total done by now = 30K), the walking pace got progressively faster. 

After 30K, I decided to change my running gear into a clean one. And yes, it felt much better after a rinse and a new dry attire on instead of wearing the sweat soaked vest throughout the run. I didn't need to change my shoes as my feet were doing OK in that red Adidas Clima Cool shoes. No blisters formed. No blue toenail either.

We were accompanied by a really nice runner for a bit until we reached CP 1 finishing our 35K and we talked and talked and talked. ^^

Yup, despite some "in silence" moments" we could still talk and joked around till we finished our run that night. And we were lucky that both of us weren't sleepy at all that night (and early morning). *^-^*

Having company while doing this helps tremendously and having a great company made it enjoyable to suffer through it together! LOL
Photo credit : Mohd Azfar
Just him being there was enough for me to continue. There were no tears. There were no tantrums. There were no cajoling needed to finish our 50K.  The last 25K, we just walk and walk.

Granted, we did it slow. It took us 10 and a half hours to finish this. But it was 10 and a half hours of time together, doing something that I used to love alone but now is shared by my family.

That said, I couldn't help remarking to Zaini that we'll be toast if we join Titi50K because the cut-off for it is 9 hours! 
To those who did WaterGate 16hours, great job! You are all awesomely inspiring!

To the race organisers and volunteers! Thank you! Food was ample. Friendly faces at each checkpoint. Neither Zaini nor I had the need to take any energy gel that night because what was provided was ample and generous.

Andddd... to those doing Titi 100/50K Ultra next month, all the best!

Comments

  1. wow, running 50km and for 10.5 hours!! this is indeed a very far-to-be-reached thing for me!! if i were going to do this, i guess not even 5km i've already collapsed and needed to be sent home some 50km away.. and 10.5 hours, i think the only thing that i can do for 10.5 hours is, and only is, SLEEPING!! muahaha~~ :D

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    1. i really salute your determination to achieve this run beyond the 42.195km, so this is considered an ultra-marathon (or whatever terms or jargon the running people use).. so this was the first time, and i am very sure there will be a second time, and then more.. because i believe you are going for better, or at least if not, you are more used to this distance and can go further and faster.. :)

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    2. i guess one of the biggest motivation to make you continue and complete the whole 50km is the company of your Pak Kura-kura, doing it all together throughout the distance.. ah, how nice and loving and sweet huh?? :)

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    3. Aiyoh, if do alone sure mental. Got ENcik Kura-Kura as company then the run would be better. ;)

      Wish I can sleep for 10 hours. Either hunger pangs or the need to go toilet would always hinder me from doing a sleep marathon! LOL

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    4. Suddenly I have this gila determination to try walking 50km someday. I need to find the route from my house and walk till 50km away, otherwise I would jump into taxi and patah balik rumah. Maybe I should try the treadmill in the gym since I could cycle 30km already....


      Remember, anay is not a young man anymore although I pretend to be one. LOL

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    5. dei, 30km on bike not the same as 30kmon foot. *buli Anay*

      Go enter the Putrajaya 12 hour walk la Anay. Let's have a party there ;-)

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    6. No way 12 hours!!! Anay cries like baby! Kwa..kwa.kwa...kwa

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    7. Jom la Anay. We camp there. No need walk the whole 12 hours what. 10 hours enough la. Hahaha

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  2. Well done Sis Lina n Zaini for hitting the 50k mark... Another awesome achievement and wonderful milestone in 2014 for you guys... Glad to be a volunteer and part of your glory history... ;D

    U guys were doing great yesterday! No pressure at all, just shuffling and took all the sweet time... Well done! Ultrawoman n Ultraman on your belt already... Now it's time for a celebration for both of you ;D

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    Replies
    1. Yela, dah tau tak power we all just shuffle along la. :P

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    2. Wah ini Mak Glam so humble one... Looking forward to see more of you n Zaini having your quality time together in the next Ultra event? ;D

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  3. Replies
    1. Hello Ultra-Vonsie heh heh

      Jangan marah :-P

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  4. Look like I missed a great race experience and you guys had lots of fun! Hope to join the next edition.

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    Replies
    1. I hope there'll be a next edition too. :-)

      Well, you have one coming soon, Neoh. All the best!

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    2. Thinking of the Titi50, I am now worry on those very long inclines and descending. The flat Putrajaya midnight run definitely better.

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    3. Yeah, Titi would be tougher. And it doesn't loop, right?

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    4. Thru and flo route, and the Bukit Hantu is right at the start/end... :P

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  5. Mak oi...50K...I wanna pengsan lor. The T & C seems relax ah...16hrs and no pressure to speed up unless own initiative

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    Replies
    1. Yup, that's why it wasn't "too daunting" for us to join it.

      And it's good for newbies who wishes to join ultra running to join n train :-)

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    2. I heard 50K and my knees started to wobble itself. I cannot do that la but I am determined to try. Walking up mountain steps could be tougher so I think flat roads should be safer but not 50K!!! Muahahahaha

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    3. So... Apa tunggu lagi?

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  6. I thought bib collection usually a few days before. The organiser not worried about the rush of people going to collect at the race ka?

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    Replies
    1. The participants were not in thousands, Meow so no worried.

      And actually, ok also to collect on race day. Save petrol of going to the same venue twice :-P

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    2. Long before running races got popular, turning up and pay on the spot is the forgotten legacy of ultra races :) with a touch of community feeling. Unlike the scenario nowadays where most race slots are snapped up in hours.

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    3. I hope there are more events that go back to basics instead of going for hype. More on running and less on frills.

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  7. climb stairs.??? a run wor...not climb wor...LOL....ni like English mind games....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. but it was kinda interesting...

      Different ways to make us suffer. LOL

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  8. got makan and coffee delivery...you are one darn popular lady la :p Good friends you have there :)

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    Replies
    1. Aiyoh, they came to support everyone la, not only me :-P

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  9. " him being there was enough for me to continue" sweet......bet he knows it .


    ahem ahem...sure or not Titi 100/50K Ultra tarak join? Closing date already? maybe got people that cant make it and have extra bib :p

    alamak...what i merapu here....spamming here pulak...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. no la, Titi 50K would be hard. Some more road in hutan. Takut hantu! Muahaha

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  10. Replies
    1. Semlm byk dengar motivation tu. Tengs Boss ;-)

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  11. Eh! I love your pants! If really merah, then you look like Ultra Man! The pattern is modern yet sporty.

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    Replies
    1. Seluar Jepun mari.

      Must buy new pair this year.;-)

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  12. This will be called "torture" to me LOL!!

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  13. But I guess if you do it with company it's not so bad, if alone, how ah? Will die or not? LOL!

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    Replies
    1. Aiyoh, no need to die la. If you train and can get used to it, why must die one? :-P

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  14. Wow!! Took 10 and a half hours to complete! I have walked all day before during my travels but I'm not sure I have walked 50K! :)

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    Replies
    1. Try and wear pedometer next time & count your steps. ;-)

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  15. good job kak lina and abg zaini!! the ultra couple. saluteeeeeee!!!!

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    Replies
    1. Shhhh... Baru 50k je. miahaha

      Thanks nno.

      Congrats to Ib too! :-)

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  16. For such a long time I didn't get to see ultraman figures, I used to have one when I was young but now don't know where it goes already!!! (Even though can see it everyday from your profile picture, but this one is way more bigger)

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    Replies
    1. Did you notice the three bigger figures are the same one as my profile? ;)

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    2. It looks like the same, need to use enlarge photo to see it!!! =]

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