This ultra race is organised by the Running Guild. Ben Swee is the chief mastermind behind all the action. The race can be done over a period designated or one shot which allows you to be on the Roll of Honour of the Running Guild. This 200Km race is different from the 100 miles previously as there is a designated route and time limit to qualify for the roll of honour.
Team 1 on the move in Geylang
When done in one shot really brings you to many unexplored places in Singapore. It is also brutal in the sense that the loops and neverending roads can make one dizzy and really drained. Just when you thought there are no more hills, another one comes up. With the cut of time of 45 hours, many will be led into thinking that they have ample time but 200km is the distance of Singapore to Malacca, so you really have to think twice when you take a break or have a meal.
Pit Stop at Hougang Mac
Punggol Quick Pit Stop
Doing it one shot was not on my mind actually, but when the 160K folks started to kick the idea of doing it, I though why not just give it a try. Afterall I was thinking that 160km roll of honour was like getting a bit not that precious, a lot of folks seemed to be able to go on it since loops can be done.
Night time along Geylang
15th Jan D day
Andrew and Raymond in Katong Shopping Centre
So All decided to start on a Friday Evening, and since most of them were staying in the East, we started from Katong Shopping Centre. A place I have not been for the longest time. We had some quick dinner there, as I do not want to load too much, I just had a vegetable bao. Took some pictures and off we went. From the East we went up to North East, to Punggol, Loyang, and jetting all the way South, past Orchard Newton and to Macritchie Reservoir park where our rest point is. Was quite thrilled when I passed the Bidadari estate as I always heard about it but never really been there with the new HDB developments.
Eddie leaving in Punggol
Say good bye to Petra
Rand guiding us
Break in Jin Shan Ling, Andrew’s hometown in Bukit Panjang
At this time 6 am in the morning, it is just Andrew, Ronald , Me and Raymond the cyclist carrying most of Andrew and Ronald’s load as both of them like to run half naked. The other group is about 8-10km away from us. We took a rather fast break to wash up change and replenish, there Deric Lau a famous ultra runner was there with his bike and loads of food for us. He even got some really nice coffee for us too.
16th Jan Saturday
After a wash up, we felt refreshed, this is where Petra the superwoman joined us. We went on towards the North, to speak the truth, the torture is the Thomson Hill part where we linked all the way to Seletar and back. I had a small fall on the handicapped yellow patch as it was slippery. There were some cuts although not that bad, but I could not help to hate myself for being so careless. I guess I was getting tired and dragging myself now. When we finally got out of the loop, it was sunny and hot lunch time. We were all rather tired, but I was actually very drained out. Somehow , this run , my form is not as good as the 160km. I do not know what is the main reason, maybe lack of momentum and also I guess I am too tired of running, especially in Singapore. This point I realise that I had forgotten to pack in my watch charger line, that sounds like and omen, but luckily Ronald’s watch and mine had the same charger line so we interchangeably used it. But later on I decided to just use Strava because I did not want to trouble him. I guess maybe in future I should consider just using the phone since I will be navigating with it too.
Meeting another runner in Woodlands
We had lunch in Springleaf in the Geyland Beef Hor Fun. I had some porridge as I did not have much appetite. After that we had a small sleep in a park nearby, the Park was really quiet and not bad as I too a quick 30 min nap. We all woke up and 1:30pm and started to push on. This is where we head towards North to Woodlands, we had a good cameo time at the Admiralty park. We had dinner around 6:30pm in a coffee shop in the Woodlands industrial area. I did not eat much as usual. This time I was feeling more and more fatigue. I thought time was really pressing because I could feel the tiredness. It would be better if we had reach NTU by mid night. But we didn’t. Around 9pm Rand came to our rescue and this was where Petra left for the day. Really appreciated her help as she joined use the whole day!
Going on to Sunday morning
We ended and had a Late lunch at Menya Mushi in Star Vista
Rand paced us from Yew Tee onwards which is the North West to West. Dragging us and giving support by buying drinks and navigating. The night around Bukit Panjang and Bukit Batok area was quite bad for me, we were looping, not much of elevation but I was just too tired as the night turns on. I realise I simply cannot have 2 nights, either I do it fast or keep on the go or suffer. We were all tired, finally I suggested to Andrew and Ronald that we should have a sleep before heading to NTU. Actually I knew by then , time was already very tight. But without the rest, I know we will be worse. Luckily Andrew and Ronald had the same thinking. So we just slept by the Bukit Batok MRT station, it was really very tiring. I opened my emergency blanket and laid on it. At this point I thought maybe we should three separate our ways because I feel I might not be able to finish and I did not want to jeopardise their chance.
After the sleep it was better, but still after finish NTU, the heat came on and I was really pushing myself crawling. The form was not good. I begin to think of just crawling my own way through and not burden the two of them. But we ended up just overtaking each other and crawling our way. The heat was unbearable by 11am, we were at Jurong East then. Andrew said that at this point, we really cannot rest, I think so too. But the body is really not doing anything good. Walking is becoming dragging. As we reach West Coast, the heat was way up too high.
Dragging in the dawn at NTU
Meeting up with the rest
Andrew and Ronald are both half naked but with out any hat or shelter, both were on verge of heat stroke. Plus we still had Raymond to take care of, with the bike, it was really a bit tough. 14:00hrs we were at Clementi, we have 2 hour and 15min left, 28Km to go. There is really no way things will happen. So after talking to each other, we decided to stop the watch and phone. We ended there, it was disappointing but I felt I do not want to push for something with no results. To speak the truth I thought Andrew was the only one among us still okay to push on. Although there is some sort of sadness when I DNF this time. But I think it was right. To end it off , we decided to go for lunch in Star Vista. As we made our way there, I fell asleep on the bus many times. It was a long time since I had been like that after Army days.
Ending it off
The two of them were thinking or revenge the 200 again, but I think I cannot do it in this near time span and decided to just pace them for a part of it. I still want to see the last 28Km and feel what it is like but maybe I would need to do it alone. Some after thoughts of the race, yes, I was right there were no time to rest sleep and eat . We have to keep on the go for such long race, there is simply no luxury to enjoy the rest. Preparation to ensure equipment works well, I think really need to prioritise the main things to bring the rest are just distractions. Strategy planning is also very important especially contingency plans when things are not going well. But lastly, I feel the form and avoiding night is very important for me, I simply cannot handle without sleep.
Well till the next race, but for now I will take a step back and rest!