ULTRA MARATHON ON 25 DECEMBER 2005 – PART 2

Fourteen interesting points to share on the ultra marathon on 25 December 2005:

1. I covered the entire 73.5 km with my MP3 player on for almost twelve hours. The battery inside the MP3 player was Energizer. I discovered that after the 12th hour the battery level remained at 50% level. It is therefore recommended to use Energizer battery as it can last longer.

2. I consumed plum powder drink in a very concentrated form. Initially, before the race day, I used a big spoon to scoop the plum powder into two water bottles (500 ml) and mix it water. The effect of the plum powder was really great. At the end of the 73.5 km, my calf muscles and legs still had not cramped at all. The only pain I encounter was on my knees and ankles due to running on uneven trail route with rocks. Plum powder can only be effective under cooling weather condition.

3. The cooling weather condition caused by the rain on the race day really helped me as I did not feel much effect of dehydration.

4. The MP3 player really motivated me to run as it prevented me from getting bored as a result of running 73.5 km.

5. This was the first time I ran more than the distance of 42.195 km. Before that, I had walked for 12 hours covering 56 k +.

6. Running in MacRitchie Reservoir can be considered quite challenging to those who used to run on tar roads. More than 90% of the route comprises jungle trail with uneven surface. The uneven surface covered with rocks can increase the chances of injuring the knees and ankles if you are not used to running under such condition. Approximately less than 10% of the route comprises tar road, pavement and rubberised track. There are more than 14 undulating hills along the route. The longest hill stretch is the first 3 km of the route with the 20 to 30 degrees of steepness.

7. The ultra marathon runners were required to run in anti-clockwise direction along the reservoir. The winner of the ultra-marathon completed 9 laps (equivalent to 94.5 km). Most of the runners completed 7 laps (equivalent to 73.5 km) and 8 laps (equivalent to 84 km).

8. No medals were provided for the run. Only the certificate of participation and t-shirt were given after the run. The entry fee was S$5 for non-members and free for members of the MR 25 running club. Although no medals were provided, the joy of running this ultra marathon is the finisher certificate of participation. Runners were required to complete a minimum of 5 laps (52.5 km) to qualify for the certificate of participation.

9. Ultra marathon is not about speed. It is about endurance running. If you are running ultra marathon with the way you used to run a full marathon, you will not be able to run a far distance. You need to hydrate your self to replace the energy lost and to prevent dehydration.

10. Refreshment stations were provided after the 3 km mark and at the finishing of the lap.

11. For those runners who like to attempt to run an ultra marathon, it is advisable that you gain sufficient experience in the full marathon before running an ultra marathon.

12. There were no paramedics along the route for the ultra marathon. According to the organiser, the hospital is located nearby the MacRitchie Reservoir. If you are running the ultra marathon, you are expected to know how to take care of yourself i.e. you must have your own deep heat rub or counter pain medicine.

13. The day after running the ultra marathon, I felt pain on my knees and ankles. My leg muscles were very sore. I felt the pain especially when walking up or down from the staircase.

14. At the point of writing I am still recovering from my left ankle pain. I can run short distance without experiencing pain on my ankles. I only encounter pain on my left ankle when doing stretching.

2 January 2006