Alan's Space　伟伦的家

The most hiong race I ever done in my whole life and most probably the longest distance I ever going to run. The North Face 100 is not a race for the faint hearted. This is an almost 100% trail (A little bit of tarmac road at areas like Rifle Range/Zheng Hua Park etc.) ultra marathon that require teams of 2 runners to run 50km through areas like Macritchie, Rifle Range, Bukit Timah and Bukit Panjang etc with minimum support. (Runners have to bring min 2L of hydration in the form of hydration bladder or belt and the only official water point is at BKE below Bukit Panjang exit-23KM/30KM/36.5KM. ) The terrain is very uneven, slippery (thanks to the rain. I twisted my ankle a few times. If you know what I genak before, you will know that an ankle twist is disastrous for me. But my shoes gave me excellent protection.) and challenging. To make things worse, a climb up Bukit Timah hill summit after running close to 20KM (Play RPM’s toughest Mountain Climb track here…) and a 8 hours cut off time makes it harder. This is a race that I walk more than I run. I did this race with my Secondary School pal Amin and it is one hell of a race for him as well as he is not in his best condition.

Started the race at 8am at Zig-Zag Bridge. (Deja vu…Cross Country Start Point. Last time there was like 8 years ago.) Started the race well. Comfortable. Went up Lornie Road->Lornie Trail->Start Point. (4.1KM-25min) Then went to Northern Trail->Rifle Range->Durian Trail->Bukit Timah Hill Summit. (18KM) Although there is no water point at Bukit Timah Hill, the visitor centre is an unofficial 1. So I went there for a pit stop before I CLIMB up the stairs to the summit. Hit the summit at around 10:30am. Well within my game plan.

Then I ran to Belukar Track->Chestnut trail->BKE Bukit Panjang Exit. (CHECKPOINT! 100PLUS!!!!!!) After filling up water, it was a run to Jalan Kok Meng and Zheng Hua Park before hitting the same Checkpoint again. (Fill water…Drink water.) The Zheng Hua Park is a love-hate for me. Love it as I met a lot of angels there. (Not because I was dying there.) I felt so blessed. I was suffering from cramps and my kaki John offered me heat rub. I was hungry and a marshaller offered me banana. What else can I ask for? Zheng Hua Park was also a tarmac road terrain so that was good…A break from the unforgiving trail. But the ups and downs made it damn tough. It seems like never ending.

Then it was going through the same loop again to the same checkpoint. (Fill water…Drink water.) Along this stretch, I really walk a hell lot. Tried to run a bit. But see upslope sian liao. So walk really a lot with some friends. But then, a heavy downpour forces me to run faster cause I dun wanna fall sick.

From then on, it was a run back to Chestnut trail->Belukar Track->Rifle Range->Finish at Macritchie. This stretch was also tough as I run out of water with 5KM to go. So just bear with it and take it home. Finish under the cut off time of 8 hours and my time is 7:30:40. When I reach the finishing line, I was freaking tired. But finishing this race gives me great satisfaction. Cause my game plan worked and I achieved my objectives.

1st, the shoes that I choose worked for me. The TNF Hedgehog XCR worked really well. It protected my legs from the unforgiving terrain and gave me absolute trail confidence. (Thanks to the Vibram sole.) My boss and colleagues doubt my choice saying that the shoe is very hard and inflexible. Gore tex very hot etc… But I prove them so wrong. I seek protection here and I’m glad that I made the right choice. 2nd, I met my target-Finishing under the cut off timing of 8 hours and hitting every checkpoint well before their cut off time. (If I were to follow the cut off time planned by the organizer, confirm cannot finish under 8 hours.) Initially I was thinking of a sub 6/7 finish. But along the way, it seems impossible. So no choice lah. Take it easier. Come back in 1 piece under 8 can liao. =) So managed to do it. 3rd, Beat Farhan! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA. We went head to head in 4 races this year and so far I have beaten him in every single races. But nonetheless, well done bro. It is not easy for you to finish this race. 4th, Helping Amin to run better at every races. As a partner, we encouraged one another and helped each other on track and off track. I helped him with his gears and stuffs and I am happy that they worked for him. Well bro, more races to go yah!

Here’s the map:

This is another race that I will not forget… A 10KM race that is so tough to me. Broke my PB here. 48:37. This means a lot to me. Cause hitting a sub 50 min timing for 10KM (That is a benchmark for serious runners!) is always what I wanted to do and it is not easy to hit it in this race but I did it anyway. Why it is not easy? Few reasons. 1. Poor start point management. They say want to give people under 50 min a red tag so that they can be at the front of the start area. I tell them that and they give me a Blue tag. Damn! (The frustrating thing is they never ask some people and straight away give them red tag. Did they write the name elite on their forehead? I dun think so.) Cannot get into the red area and can only be in Blue area which is behind a bit. So too bad. Whoever block my way genak elbow by me and I have to cheong harder to breakaway. That cause me to overexert too much too soon. 2. The drizzle along the way make the run tough at areas like Clarke Quay. The terrain at Clarke Quay is not rain friendly. The tile flooring and rain made it a super slippery ground. Downslopes made it worse. So many people slipped and fall and I have to exercise caution and stride control to prevent that. 3. Some part of the course was narrow and can be very crowded. But thank goodness that I broke away early and there was lot more room in front. Here’s a picture showing my speed graph through the 10KM.

Ran the race with many folks of Runfanatics. Got a lot of photos as well. Post them later…HAPPY!

Another year, another AHM. This time the route is a bit different. Run up the Marina Barrage. Shiok. But the goyak tarmac road before the Marina Barrage was bad…..Suddenly soft, suddenly hard… and it is a long stretch. Tough terrain. Sianz. Good that this year they choose to end the race at Padang again. Finish the race at PB of 1:53:57 (Shave 3 sec off…hahaha!!!)