Sundown Ultra Marathon - Madness At Its Best

The pivotal point where dreams are made of ...

Who would ever want to run 100km? Mere mortals would just shrug at that prospect in their lifetime. But not me. After getting a whiff of it in the recent Twilight Ultra Challenge (TUC), this was just too good to give it a miss. Challenge myself is what I constantly strive for. I may fail but at least I know I've given it my best shot (mind you not blindly though). Failure doesn't mean forever, pride does! So right after TUC, I gingerly clicked on the button that says 'Get Me To Hell!'. That was 3 months ago. As for my training regime, well it remains pretty much the same.

Let's have a peak on my mileage for the last 6 months to the run up.

From Jan to May, I've clocked a total of 819km. Not a not really with a monthly average of 163km. That's also because there's the TUC 100km thrown in there. An average of 40km or so per week. Don't get me wrong. Base mileage or LSD is a must no doubt. Just that I don't spend too much of my time pounding the streets anymore like I use to but to concentrate more on my upper body strength, core and cross training. I honestly think that did help me out tremendously for endurance events. Oh plus since January, I've committed myself to a running and completing a marathon a month. Some months two even. That's the only way I know to knock me off my lazy chair.

I got into Singapore late Friday evening and went to my hotel off in the Geylang area. Yeah I am a cheapo when it comes to accommodation. Then again all I wanted was a good night sleep before the big day. Backpackers to me are ok but I prefer a wee bit privacy and tranquility. Shared the room with Rayzeef whom I was amazed that he had the great BIG balls to sign up. Then again, like I've said if you don't try, you just wont know what you're capable of. A quick supper and it was lights out. I had quite a tough time dozing off with butterflies fluttering in my stomach. Has been that way for the last couple of days. The jitters have bestowed upon me. We chatted for a bit about the big day tomorrow and what to expect. Finally I did slumber off.

I think I had quite a good deep sleep. Woke up as usual around 7.30am and got cleaned up. Ray decided he wanted to snooze more and off I went for breakfast at the nearby coffee shop. The fish ball noddle that I had was rather bland, washed down with a cup of Milo. Had a bit of a walk thereafter around the area before getting back to the hotel. Did the necessary preparation including what I would be running with for the first 50km followed by the Special Needs Bag that will be placed at the 50km mark. Not long at 12pm, we checked out and went for lunch at Arab Street. Hajah Maimunah's little restaurant fed us well with mixed rice and a couple of dishes. Nothing too spicy was the order of the day. Don't want to stomach upset this time around. Something that's synonymous with me and marathons constantly lol.

We took a cab to Marina Barrage from there and the ride wasn't a long one. Cabbie didn't quite know where Marina Barrage was. Strange. He kept uttering Marina South though. Eventually we found out it's the same thing/location. Perhaps not many do come here regularly.

The barrage was an odd shaped building. Oval in shape and massive. It's also flanked by a reservoir on the side which looked pretty nice though. It has both a lower and upper deck and the starting/ending line is at the upper deck! Plenty of signage given throughout the area. No dramas at all.

Those red cones you see are the path where we will leave the barrage at the start and enter again at the very end.

A replica of the Marina Barrage made out of recycled plastic bottles. Unique. 

A view towards the sea and you can spot the many barges out there. A couple of dry docks can be seen too.

I'd like to call this 'The Long Long Bridge Walk'. This connects the barrage to the other side of the main land (east side). We exit from the barrage via this and again make our way on this long walk/run at the ending. Epic.

The upper deck of the barrage. The stage is in the foreground and the background is actually quite a sight to behold with the many iconic buildings in sight. What can you spot?

Ok, by now you would have guessed that both Ray and I arrived here plenty early! I think we got there around 2.30pm and man, we had tons of time to kill. What more than to psych ourselves up with photo opportunities aka camwhoring lah. It was a bit cloudy that time and I thought there would be a spot of rain. Nah. It was nice and sunny thereafter.

Yes please! I want to be back here on Sunday morning! Standing almighty and proud that I could finish this monster 100km.

Pretty backdrop indeed. We were not the only ones there. Plenty of others that came here for a nice little picnic or for a chance to fly their kites. It was a lovely windy day.

One of the many pretty kites taking on the blue sky. I just laid on my back watching the sky aflutter with the many colourful kites to calm me down.

From the top deck of the barrage looking down. Yup that's the ramp that we would run down from the start and then again run up to the finishing line.

Families came here to fly kites and to basically have lots of fun with mother nature. If you asked me, at this point of time it didn't look like there was a 100km event going on. Just colourful kites flying around, families gathering and having a nice picnic, dotted with children's laughter all around. Nice.

There was still a couple of hours to kill till 6pm so we tried making ourselves comfy at the nearby bench to catch a couple of winks and just to calm the nerves. Things became abuzz again after 4pm where more participants started to turn up. And off we went to get prepared. Showers nozzles were set up nearby that allowed us for one final cool down and gearing up.

Ray and I nearly geared up and ready to rumble the day and night away! Photo courtesy of Ida

Familiar faces were soon seen. From left Frank, myself, Ray and Chin Ann. Just moments away from the start. Soon, we checked in our baggage and our Special Needs Bag which will be transported to the 50km pit stop. Everything went smoothly as ever, nice. I ran just with my Solomon hydration belt that would carry about 600ml of fluid along with my SPI belt to hold my gels/ORS/Nuun tablets/mobile phone.

I didn't run with my GPS watch as it won't last that 16 hours or so. Therefore, I wore my Timex Tap but it still had a mind of its own to auto tap from time to time sigh. So I took these lap times off from the official timekeeper. Uniquely, for every 10km completed, it will automatically post the times onto my FaceBook page for my friends and family to follow my progress.

10km 1:09:33. Pace 6:57
20km 2:11:50. Pace 6:36
30km 3:23:11. Pace 6:46
40km 4:48:54. Pace 7:13
50km 6:27:11. Pace 7:45
60km 8:21:18. Pace 8:21
70km 10:06:59. Pace 8:40
80km 11:42:01. Pace 8:47
90km 13:08:03. Pace 8:45
100km 14:35:04. Pace 8:45

10km 1:09:33. Pace 6:57
The race got started off at precisely 6pm. Was a warm late afternoon with the sun still up high. Slightly windy conditions for the moment but humidity high. My race strategy was to run my own pace at around 7 to 8km/h for the first 50km. And I sliced my targets to more a manageable distance of each 10km. That was my learning from TUC. This is an endurance race so you can't just go bolting off from the start. Well, not unless your name is Ahmad Lamchanak lol. We ran down the spiraling path to the ground floor of the barrage and we made our way out via the bridge I described earlier.

And off we went minutes after the flag off. Thanks to Leon for this photo.

I think overall there were about 800 or 900 participants. This was what I was told. So all of us started to run gingerly and before you know it, someone opened up my sweat glands and I got drenched in no time at all. I remember passing through condos by the lakeside. Many were out walking their doggies in the lovely evening and once in a while giving us a cheer or two. Thereafter our very first pedestrian bridge to climb over to the other side of the road and then into some lovely double storey and semi-d houses. Strange route lol but at least it wasn't that boring. Then into an underpass that was might long before getting into infamous ECP. Pretty much 10km done in 1hour 9mins which was still an ok pace for me.

20km 2:11:50. Pace 6:36

Ahh the very very familiar ECP park. You either love it or hated it. This time though I loved it though. Not sure why but the run was quite refreshing. You have the public out in full force doing their 'thang' and having a merry time. Perhaps that did help distract me for a bit. By now I can memorize what's in ECP having done this route umpteenth times now. Everything was dejavu ala TUC when I came to the East Coast Lagoon stretch. Felt a bit weird though. When we were done with ECP, it was onto the National Sailing Club which did have a couple of inclines to deal with. Also pass by the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal too and then towards the Tanah Merah golf course.

At this point 20km was gone. Pace was easy to moderate and all engines were running smooth as a baby's bottom. Yes it was humid but I made sure I did stop by the water stations at each 10km. They had cold water or 100+, and an array of snacks and tidbits too. Bananas, oranges, chocy bars, hot dogs and what nots. I only took water or 100+ and the bananas and oranges. Ignored the rest as they were a tad heavy for me. Took a gel every hour or so. Completed 20km in 2hours 11mins and pace was just alright.

30km 3:23:11. Pace 6:46
This leg brought us into the dreaded and awfully boring Changi Coast Road. Yeah the same one in Sundown Marathon were it is just parallel to the airport runway. It was bloody long and straight and mighty boring. Well, once in a while if you're lucky you'd be treated with either a plane taking off or landing. Other than that, it's horrendously long stretch to contend with. And if you surive that, you get into yet another park called Changi Beach Park.

Wasn't much drama here but it was pitch dark now. Red beacons were laid out along the route every 20 or 30 meters which were easy to spot. Else it's signs put up to indicate the direction to follow. KM markers were set up every 2km only. Junctions/traffic lights were manned perfectly with no untoward dramas with the motorists. I'd have to say Singapore drivers are a patient lot! Nice. Completed this with no dramas either. Legs were good and cooperative. No cramps at all. Stopped at the water station for a couple of minutes of resting/stretching and rehydrating. Ate a banana and had cool oranges.

40km 4:48:54. Pace 7:13
Right, this is where things began to get a bit tougher for me. Trying to get to the 40km mark began to show signs of fatigue. No thanks to the high humidity and the still of the night. The end point was the Pasir Ris Park. This was the start of what I like to call 'counting the concrete drain covers'. Yup, was running a lot on the side of the street where the drain covers were. At some point I was just counting how many covers there were lol. That's just to distract the tiredness and fatigue away from me. It was running in the concrete jungle after all. Nothing to interesting here along this path that I can remember though. Finally I got into the 40km pit stop. Rested and ate a bit and filled up my bottle. I made it a point to stretch at each 10km which did help. My pace were a bit slower now for this last leg but still alright.

I carried the banana from the start of 30km but didn't eat it along the way lol. It was perhaps just being my companion or rather I just couldn't stomach anything that time.

50km 6:27:11. Pace 7:45
Ok, the pain starts now trying to get to 50. I think the 50 to 70 mark were the toughest for me but once I got through to 70 it was a tad better. Legs were getting heavier but thankfully no signs of cramps yet. How heavy? As if they were made of steel. Come what may, I just had to drag them steel legs through, step by step. In the dead of the night, there were still quite a few runners in front and at the back but nary a word uttered. Each with their own internal battle, trying to ward and fight off the internal demons. All I could hear was the sounds of heavy breathing and the scampering of the shoes against the concrete.

The end game is to make it to the Bedok Reservoir where the big 50km mark is and where we will get to our Special Needs Bag. We were running through the back of some apartments, going though some narrow pathway, through a pedestrian bridge again and back into the open streets.

I can't remember if I caught up with Paul and Paul caught up with me halfway through the 40 to 50km mark. Nevertheless I was glad. Ignore the 52km sign, it was actually at 48km (the reverse side). Paul helped pull me through with minimal walking as these legs of mine were protesting heavily. And the mind was going haywire too. When we got into the Bedok Reservoir, the path was made of stones and pebbles which were kinda hurtful for my vibrams.

What seemed like an eternity but we reached the BIG 50km mark! As we approach the pit stop, my special needs bag were handed promptly to me. Brilliant! Time to restock my gels and ORS onto my SPI belt. Rested for a longer bit where Paul and I reevaluated the big question of how to proceed on. Everything hurt at this point of time. Couldn't stomach the hot dog or anything heavy but I did have a small cup of tomato soup which was heaven sent! Also attacked the bananas and cold oranges, as well as the cold water and 100+.

It's now 6hours 27mins after 50km. Halfway there and another half to go. Sounds simple right? I wish it was. The mind protested not to have any more of the hurt and pain. I just had to swipe that away and move on. Mind over matter now and it's showing who's the real boss here. Else, it's the demise of you. I had a change of my top which was a blessing. No more wet top. Changed my 'tudung' too lol cause it was wet. Was here for about 10mins and I decided to push on. Couldn't find Paul anywhere so I just scoot off by myself. 50 more babeh was ringing in my mind. That's all I cared for at that precise moment. Pace for this last leg was 7:45 which I considered was still very well on target (9 or below would suit me fine).

60km 8:21:18. Pace 8:21
Like I've said before, the 50 to 70 mark was the hardest for me and my target was still to get to the 70 mark within 10 hours (just like what I accomplished in TUC). The return route was just a reverse of the way we came. So now it's making our way back via Tampines to Pasir Ris Park. Oh yeah, that reminds me seeing the huge blue Ikea building along the way here. But there's no time to shop now!

Fresh change of wardrobe does wonders to your mind and soul.

This part of the leg was tougher. Legs were heavier than usual and I had to stop regularly for some quick stretches to keep the cramps at bay. Every time I squat time to stretch, some volunteer on a bike will come by asking if I am ok lol. I just smile at them and signal that I am good. Runners were getting scarce in the dead of the night. After all it is now 2.30am in the morning where the good souls of the world would be nicely tucked into their warm bed. And me? Still waddling in the dead of the night, trying not to get my emotions get the best of me and just soldier on. You can't stop and give up. Should you do, then it's probably game over.

I ditched my MP3 player around the 30km mark cause I got bored of it. Listening to the dead of the night was a better alternative instead. I read somewhere to keep the cramps at bay, one has to breathe deep to ensure we don't max up our VO2. From the start, I kept reminding myself to breath deep. Deep inhale and quick exhale. So far, it worked well without cramps in sight. So back to running the usual route of the back of some apartment, some narrow paths, through a pedestrian bridge and finally into the 60km pit stop. Thank goodness! 8 hours 21 mins now, pace 8:21. Getting slower now.

70km 10:06:59. Pace 8:40
Getting to 70 was touch. Pace was much slower and had quite a few brisk walks. Everything hurt badly now. Your quads and calves were very tight. My shoulders began to ache badly. And I still have 40km to go. Every now and then I would glance at my phone looking at the wonderful messages my friends have left me on FaceBook. That kept me going too as I know I wanted this badly. So long these legs are still attached to this god damn body, I will continue on even if I have to crawl. At this point I brought along sponges from the last station to start wiping me down every now and then. And also to clean my feet as the salt that's formed on my feet has a tendency to cause chafing on my feet using vibrams.

Oh heck at some point I was singing to myself to keep me amused. So if you were running nearby me and heard that awful singing, suck it up! It was a long way and all of us had different ways to tune out from the pain, so to speak. The route were getting a bit familiar now having done it once and each step gets you much closer to the big goal. I ran and walked like a zombie, pre-programmed without fail. With every km marker I see, I would congratulate myself for making this far and that gave me a boost somewhat.

I hated it when I see a marker ending with '2' or '4' but loved the marker when it ended with a '6' or '8' :D. Such were the tricks that I have created to keep me going and going.  And before you know it, I have managed to haul my butt to the 70km pit stop! But I was slightly behind now at 10hour 6mins with a pace of 8:40 there was evidently getting slower and slower.

80km 11:42:01. Pace 8:47
After the hydration and refilling of my bottle, with some stretches I was off. Only had bananas and oranges as usual and drank plenty. At this point I had to go to the loo which was indeed a good sign. Mind you it wasn't the big job but just the small one. I kept psyching myself it's only 30 more and you can do it. The END is bloody near!

But oops, it was now onto Changi Beach park and then back into the dreaded Changi Coast Road! Oh no! Once I reached this long long long stretch, it was pure torture! I kept looking for the next 2km marker and I think there was one missing here. It was flat and long, And no matter how much I waddled, it didn't seem to end at all. An eternity it was as if time just stood still and the end just seems to stretch further and further.

I could have kissed the ground when I finally saw the 78km marker! With this great determination I shuffled non stop for the next 2km to the 80km pit stop. In my mind, I was rejoicing cause I only 20 more km to complete! I have been on the roads for close to 12 hours now covering 80km with the last pace at 8:47. Yes, it's getting slower but more importantly I was still able to run or walk keeping to the 9m/km pace.

90km 13:08:03. Pace 8:45
Ahhh ... ECP again and how I love thee ECP! Well for this once I guess haha. I remember giving myself a quick smile cause the end is near. I know without a doubt. If I can keep going on like this, the end is all mine. Daylight was breaking soon. The distraction for me was to look at the campers along the park. At times I could see the adults and children all asleep nicely in a row. Some teenagers were still wide awake chatting about and keeping themselves amused. Once in a while there's the cooling breeze that envelopes you and reminds you just how precious life is and can be.

Somewhere here, a lady stopped me and asked if I needed anything. I said I wanted a cold icy Coke please as I had this craving for a while now. She said, not a problem and one was whisked out promptly for me. She and her team were supporting the runners and I guess they were from a Singapore running club. Good jobs supporting the ultra runners for the whole night! Before I bid thank you and good bye, I was handed a god sent 'asam boi' ice popsicle. The ones I remember having when I was a child running about with not a care in the world. As I sucked on the posicle, the saltiness and sourish taste jolted me wide awake as I continued on my final journey.

Knowing that the end was nearer, I swore I kept at a much consistent pace now without resorting to walking. I did pass quite a number of runners who have now walked more than they could run. Towards the tail end of ECP, the park came alive with many Sunday morning runners taking on the running path as well as cyclists. Many cheered me on with support. Yes, they were strangers to me but when they took a look at my bib, they knew I had battled the whole night pounding the never ending 100km. Words of encouragement such as 'Good job', 'Keep it going', 'The end is near now' left me wringing out a smile as much as I can and tears started to well up in my eyes. Such was the feeling and emotions that enveloped me at those very moments. And it gave me new found strength to continue on strong.

Finally, 90km completed after 13 hours and 8mins with a pace of 8:45. I had been a quite a consistent pace for the last 30km and I was amazed by that reflecting back. This last water station was the best. Everyone urged me on for the final 10. The volunteers were there for the whole night but they were a bunch with never ending high spirits, never know if tiredness at all. I felt euphoric! I felt new found energy from the deepness within me! Where did it come from? I don't know and I don't care. I rest for only a few minutes, and rehydrated well and off I went for my final stretch! I have never felt any happier!

100km 14:35:04. Pace 8:45
It was broad daylight now and I had my sunnies on. First time wearing these babies lol. At around 8am, the sun was already high up and shining bright. I counted down each and every 2km, based on the markers. The first 2km markers at 92km was done in a jiffy and with much gusto. Then it was 94km done. Yes, those are familiar territories I am in including the initial long pedestrian bridge which we had to pass through. And then into the double storey houses and semi-Ds. Yes, it's getting close and I can just feel it.

Very few of us can be seen now. Mostly I was running alone or managing to pass more runners who were just walking. Yup I can now see the so called lake. The barrage should just be up ahead. The marker read 98 but that last 2km was the longest run of my life. It seemed like an eternity before I could even spot the linking bridge to the barrage. Such torture I tell ya! Soon the barrage looked bigger and bigger. I could hear from far the emcee calling out the names of those who have completed, including a familiar name Victor Loh who had just completed!

My heart were pounding faster and faster! This is it I kept telling myself. What I had hoped and wished for is finally here! Emotions were like a washing machine on super speed, going round and round and there's just no words to describe them. Honest.

Thanks Shasha for this brilliant picture. That's me making my way through the bloody long bridge linking to the Marina Barrage. I am coming home!

As I enter the barrage complex, I could hear the claps and cheers all around me. The atmosphere was just out of this world. One final hurdle was to run up the ramp for another 100m to reach the finishing line. I ran strong up the ramp. Whatever tiredness or hurt just melted away there and then.

My defining moment just up the ramp which had a grassy path. Thanks Key Power International for this brilliant capture. Every time I stare at this photo, my emotions goes into turbulence mode and wells up automatically. Nothing is indeed impossible

Another lovely photo by Key Power International. Just moments away from the finishing line.

The winning shot for me. 100km and after 14 hours and 35mins I cross the finishing line with full of triumph and victory! Thanks to Leon You for this wonderful finishing photo. The emotions on my face pretty much sums up the whole journey.

Thanks Leon again for the brilliant capture. When you cross the line, the emcee proudly announces your name and country as well as your timing. And you get to really cross the finishing tape held for you specially. Felt like a king that time.

And immediately, you are presented with the finishing medal as well as a towel wrapped around you. A big boulder was lifted off my shoulders that very moment. That was how I felt that time. The journey has finally completed for me after the blood, sweat and tears over 14 god damn hours.

After that it was chillax time. We were escorted off to a cordoned area where a buffet of food was prepared specially for us ultra runners. I caught up with friends who have finished or arriving at that time. Congratulations went out all around when one by one crossed the all important finishing line.

Needless to say ... my precious hard earned medal! :)

And that my friends, brings to a close of my epic and emotional journey. If you were to ask me the million dollar question as to would I do it again? Yes :). After all I've done it twice now but I will be more selective in the future. I have to say this again, I'm afraid and some may now want to hear this. The original cut off time was 16 hours, and I stuck to my word to finish it within the 16 hours. And I have.

That's my official time in the Sundown Ultramarathon Hall of Fame 2011. Sliced off over 40mins from my PB in TUC. Sundown was much tougher. I'd say at least 30% tougher compared to TUC. It was a tough journey leading to the actual race with all the training preparation. You just can't discount the training part which one will need to commit to.

Let's look at what I consumed over the 100km, for hydration and refueling.
1. 6 gels only. I relied on bananas as much as I could and where I could. Oranges. Took a cup of tomato soup. I think that's about it.
2. ORS sachets about 7 of them (for my bottle)
3. Nuun tables about 7 of them (for my bottle)
4. Cliff Shot Bloks (electrolyte chews) of six pieces throughout the whole duration when needed

That's all. I know it's not much but I can't really eat much after the initial 50km. Having said that, I did not face any cramping throughout the journey. Tense muscles yes, plenty and made sure I do lots of stretching at regular intervals or when the need arises. It helps.

Thanks going out to the running fraternity with the likes of Karen, Kak June, KA, Shine, Frank, Jamie, Zack Yui, Kash, Deo, Syah, Ian, Ray, Juliana, Paul Lee, Pui San, RBUs, Chap Ayam Runners and many many more whom I've not mentioned here. You know who you are! I've learned lots from you guys and always being there and believing in myself. You guys rock!

I'm happy I finished 100km injury free and running just with my vibrams. Not many can or will do that but I have and I'm darn proud of achieving the impossible! Till the next 100km lol!