Daily Life: New Timing for Ultra 101K

A cool weather combine with good support at CPs lead to a better timing for 2017 Craze Ultra 101K. Now my timing is 17hrs 14mins 38 secs which is 37mins faster vs 2016 edition run.

Equipment: I starting to run in Hoka one one Arhai which is more of a stability shoe which is comfortable when running long distance. I did have a change of socks at CP5 due to running in the run from CP4 to CP5 during noon time.

Though its a light rain but the socks are wet and when the sunlight came out later around 3pm, the shoe is able to be dry after that.

Nutrition: I had a cup of yoghurt before i left home with the usual multi-grain bread with peanut butter. Along the way I am drinking my hammer nutrition drink though it did have some side-effect which after a while I have to take water to reduce the air. At each CP I take coke, isotonic drink but no bread. the longan drink at each station also helps in providing sugar. Along CP2 to CP3 I went to have a packet of soya bean milk at Sembawang MRT cheers while during the return journey I had a cup of yoghurt. The yoghurt I think cause much air inside the stomach so i started walking instead to clear up.

During the run I had my 2L hydration bag which i top up on friday night while I carry 2 500ML bottles with me which i top up with plain water (iced) or isotonic drink. that way my 2L is my reserved water supply which i can take during periods of heat. It prove to be a correct way as I was moving faster as a result.

Weather: Its was a pleasing run all the way till 12.30pm which it rained. The sun came out around 3pm on my return trip out of CP5 which I saw rest of the runners going towards CP5. I know I am in good distance so I took my time from CP5 to CP4 due to the weather. It cause me my timing but I am still happy with the performance though I can do much better. Coming back under 17 hrs will be the next target n i know I still have a long way to meet the 14hrs cut-off for 101K if i want to clear 100 miles in 2018 at KL route 68 run.

Enter into a new timing for Ultra

2016 could well be the time my ultra timing goes from 24-21hrs to 18hrs. I just got my PB for Craze Ultra 2016 with a timing of 17hrs 51mins for 101K. I can see why the timing will increase.

Its due to the improve running form with stronger core n good planing of the pace to go for to ensure a planned completion time. I was supposed to be running the group leader pacer for 1.20hr group at the POSB kid dash 10K but when i reach home n rest, its 3am on Sunday morning guess my alarm clock did not ring so when i woke up at 6.15am, the pacer group already entered the pen n I am no longer needed. Thankfully the 50min pacing was called off so with enough pacers to move around.

I did screw up big time for this POSB kids dash 10K. But back to the craze ultra. I continued doing HIIT after my diet program ended in Feb 2016 with a strong emphasis on the core. I also had a rice-less diet as much as I can. It did help to reduce my cabo intake.

The weather for craze ultra continue to be sunny in the morning of Sept 3 n the weather did not stop in the night where the temp still remains high. its not easy running in the heat but since my training was in hot sun and i was wearing a black long sleeve running shirt, the heat is trapped inside allowing my body temp to be maintain in a constant temp through i need to drink enough fluid at each station. I also carry one full hydration bag (2L) with 1 750ML plastic bottle to act as secondary water/coke/isotonic. I avoid using the plastic cups except for the lychee drink. I also drunk 1 bottle of coconut water at CP5 on top of the instant oat with coffee mix. It kept me awake all throughout since i was faster, i don't have any issues with the night. I did took around 2hrs to each CP0-3. I will need to plan my food intake at CP3. the seafood stall is calling me for next year edition.

Daily Life: Post Craze Ultra 2014 results n insights

Sept 20-21 for the past year has been a interesting since its during this time I took part in the second edition of the Craze Ultra 101K solo back in 2013. The same date on 2014 still see me taking part in the 101K solo.

The difference is Sept 21 is on Sunday instead of on Sat so when I complete the race, it is on my birthday. It gives me the extra push to attempt to finish it strong and finish strong did i do it. I did not know the 2013 results so cannot compare but I completed my 2014 edition 1 hr before 6am on Sept 21 which is not bad considering the whole of Aug-Sept I am running every weekend (except for yellow ribbon where I was sick with flu).

Craze Ultra 2014 edition also sees the first time rain in the morning of Sept 21 where it makes it more difficult to run especially at the end from CP1-> MR. Since my diary for 2013 does not comes with any craze ultra timing, I think its only fair to attempt to start document from 2014 onwards and see if my results remains the same, improve or degrade.