Race Report: Monster Ultra 200km
My 2nd year and really due to my running mates Amir and Ken who pulled in Manish into the group and wanted to run as a team of 4. Last year I ran alone and suddenly my Team SL members came to support me from 110km mark. This year, I went along as it is now a team of 4.
Preparation started last month with whose house to shower and rest and where else to take a change of clothes or makan. D-Day was a little nervous due to insufficient mileage clocked but the mood of the team and the crowd was there. Met a Swede-Nima at MRC who was just here for 6 weeks on working trip and decided to join the race. He is super crazy. This is the kind of Monster that Ben needs……haha.
Anyhow, Sat 6pm, we rolled off with great spirit. The 4 + 1 went off well for the 1st 15km-20km until Ken started feeling sleepy. He didn’t have much sleep cos of his dad’s condition. Tried with fast strikes and then walk for some distances to let himself stay away but his tired face still showing……along Sengkang, I gave a pack of Bios Life E to Ken which is supposed to give energy to allow Ken to last until Kallang McDonald’s. Between Amir and myself, we did notice his speed was faster even though later on, Ken said he didn’t feel much !!
Along Seletar the sand bank area, I think we lost Nima. He joined Jason Cheong as they were faster and our group just wanted to make sure we leave no one behind. Perhaps we would catch each other in Bedok or Sentosa ! Along Yio Chu Kang, we met Steven and his van of supporters…….we top up our water and headed off…..and then further up at the bus stop we met Angeline and her support team where we grabbed some tuna sandwiches……tasted delicious. ( Guru very fortunate with supportive wife !! Haha ) Boosted and with Ken getting more alert, we headed off to Kallang McDonald’s.
34km mark, we rested and enjoyed our supper. So far, our timing was great. The next stretch is to Changi and then Pasir Ris before ending up at Bedok Central for our breakfast ! The 4 of us still motivating each other and replenishing at petrol kiosks to refresh and clean up.
Approaching Bedok hawker centre, we caught up with Mata and his team. It was also there that my blisters were getting more painful ! We said our hellos and went ahead so that we could shower at my place and take our breakfast/lunch !! Amir and Ken left their barang barang at my place for shower while Manish just cleaned up. I pierced the big blister on my right small toe….ouch. Then Manish gave me his silicon plaster to sell the pierced hole so no infection…..but the pain was still there. After resting 1+, we decided to head off towards Sentosa. The weather was really hot and no sign of rain as forecasted !! Not too far, the abrasion in the thigh area made Manish to swing in to Decathlon to buy a pair of tights as his shorts was then cutting into his skin. Great…..ready to go again.
At Parkway, the hot weather made us walk more then we run and also stopping for more cold drinks. I can tell you we all spent quite a fair bit on drinks so far !! 7-11 and Cheers took a lot of our money ! Along ECP, there was some relief with the shades but still hot and we again stopped for drinks ! I lost the group at the Marina drinking/toilet stop where I rested just outside the Marina golf club when Amir said Ken and Manish went ahead while I was resting and about 500m ahead. I put on my pack and wore my shoes and came out but also lost Amir !! Thinking they must have gone forward, I headed straight up…..sighting and looking for them……I almost went into the pond as a bike came up and I didn’t look down to avoid him !! Embarassing…..must be very sleepy and groggy !! Ran until the barrage and then turned on my phone to call Amir……he said Ken and Manish were behind instead and they are now heading to the barrage !! Haha….so funny. All the panic for nothing !!
Now the focus is to reach Sentosa. Weather still not kind and holding the big smile on us……we started walking again……towards Sentosa. Along Anson Road, Remon ( colleague of Manish ) came and ran/walk with us ! Oh, I forgot to mention that passing MBS, Manish decided to buy a white umbrella to shield from the scorching ray ! So funny. This Australian ignored some curious tourists looking and pointing at the umbrella. At the gate of Sentosa, Remon had to leave and bid his welfare. ( He already left our barang in one of the lockers in Palawan Beach where we could change and shower before continuing…..so kind and helpful of Remon ! Later, he would return to pick up our barang barang again ! ) In Sentosa, we walked more and then showered and had our quick dinner before setting off again to reach Marang Trail before darkness fall on us. All still within our plan….
Approaching Bedok hawker centre, we caught up with Mata and his team. It was also there that my blisters were getting more painful ! We said our hellos and went ahead so that we could shower at my place and take our breakfast/lunch !! Amir and Ken left their barang barang at my place for shower while Manish just cleaned up. I pierced the big blister on my right small toe….ouch. Then Manish gave me his silicon plaster to sell the pierced hole so no infection…..but the pain was still there. After resting 1+, we decided to head off towards Sentosa. The weather was really hot and no sign of rain as forecasted !! Not too far, the abrasion in the thigh area made Manish to swing in to Decathlon to buy a pair of tights as his shorts was then cutting into his skin. Great…..ready to go again.
At Parkway, the hot weather made us walk more then we run and also stopping for more cold drinks. I can tell you we all spent quite a fair bit on drinks so far !! 7-11 and Cheers took a lot of our money ! Along ECP, there was some relief with the shades but still hot and we again stopped for drinks ! I lost the group at the Marina drinking/toilet stop where I rested just outside the Marina golf club when Amir said Ken and Manish went ahead while I was resting and about 500m ahead. I put on my pack and wore my shoes and came out but also lost Amir !! Thinking they must have gone forward, I headed straight up…..sighting and looking for them……I almost went into the pond as a bike came up and I didn’t look down to avoid him !! Embarassing…..must be very sleepy and groggy !! Ran until the barrage and then turned on my phone to call Amir……he said Ken and Manish were behind instead and they are now heading to the barrage !! Haha….so funny. All the panic for nothing !!
Now the focus is to reach Sentosa. Weather still not kind and holding the big smile on us……we started walking again……towards Sentosa. Along Anson Road, Remon ( colleague of Manish ) came and ran/walk with us ! Oh, I forgot to mention that passing MBS, Manish decided to buy a white umbrella to shield from the scorching ray ! So funny. This Australian ignored some curious tourists looking and pointing at the umbrella. At the gate of Sentosa, Remon had to leave and bid his welfare. ( He already left our barang in one of the lockers in Palawan Beach where we could change and shower before continuing…..so kind and helpful of Remon ! Later, he would return to pick up our barang barang again ! ) In Sentosa, we walked more and then showered and had our quick dinner before setting off again to reach Marang Trail before darkness fall on us. All still within our plan….
Passing Haw Par Villa, Manish felt his hamstring pulling and every step was agonizing….we slowed down and rested and walked and stop again until Manish decided to call it a day for himself. The muscle rub and then salt all didn’t help. He didn’t want to slow us and indicated that at least he made it to 120km mark…..longest distance that he ever covered. Acknowledging his courage and strength, we bid farewell and moved on. We have another 14km to Ken’s place as we intend to have a icebath for our feet and rest 2 hours before continuing again. The last 14km was really punishing……my feet just didn’t want to run much and even walking was starting to be painful.
Passing Haw Par Villa, Manish felt his hamstring pulling and every step was agonizing….we slowed down and rested and walked and stop again until Manish decided to call it a day for himself. The muscle rub and then salt all didn’t help. He didn’t want to slow us and indicated that at least he made it to 120km mark…..longest distance that he ever covered. Acknowledging his courage and strength, we bid farewell and moved on. We have another 14km to Ken’s place as we intend to have a icebath for our feet and rest 2 hours before continuing again. The last 14km was really punishing……my feet just didn’t want to run much and even walking was starting to be painful.
Along Chinese Garden MRT, we met Steven’s van and his team including another runner with his bike supporter. Slowly we walked to Ken’s place and buying our supper and bags of ice from 7-11. Ken’s mum and younger brother were so helpful…..we had longan/lyechee besides our dinner and shower. Then after soaking our feet, we quickly took a nap….nice comfortable pillow provided by Ken.
Soon, it was 2am….we dragged ourselves up and started preparing again….wrapping our toes and powdered up……then we took on NTU. Still within our planned timing……we then went towards Bukit Batok/Commonwealth/Clementi/Ulu Pandan/Buona Vista. It was rather boring run but here Amir was leading with his walk and jog momentum…..I really had a tough time catching up with him and Ken. Lucky we had stops at petrol kiosks to refuel and allowed me to catch my breath !! We took turns buying the drinks and it was really perfect. At Holland V mrt, Amir had a little rash that he had to mend…..Ken and I just took our rest before attacking NUS and South Buona Vista……the final hills in this stretch.
Breakfast was backing at PSA Building around 10.30am. We rested and replenish before continuing our remaining 46km. The morning sun was not relenting either…..walked and jog momentum continued. We still had 7 hours to cover the remaining 30km. Walk/run each 10km in 2 hours would allow us to complete within cut-off. So with the shearing heat and our determination to finish this Monster event, we pushed on. Along Holland Road, Ben was waiting for us. We took a group selfie and noting that we had only 14km to go, we happily jog forward including with the slight inclines…….All was fine until we hit 6th Avenue. Amir started running down and the two of us followed. The speed was not slow and aided with the downslope, our speed was really fast……..and all the way until we hit the traffic light, we slowed to a stop. We were tired. Muscles all fired up and aches creeped in…..we had to stop at 7-11 to replenish. It was over done….our muscles could not fire up any more. We decided to walk the remaining 10km with short burst of runs…….And still replenishing 2 more times before we reach Thomson Road. Along Thomson Road, Guru Sng with wife Angie drove and stop by to give us Aloevera Apple juice !! So relief and thankful. Guru completed his race and still come out to support us !! Very touched.
The final 3km was really enjoyable. We discussed when we would regroup for our dinner and story sharing……and how we started our Monster’s events !! I guess Amir will have to run with Manish next year and even with Ken. I need to take a break. Old man can’t follow-up…….really tiring. Haha. So together with our hands joined, we cross the finish line in 47hrs32mins !! 28 mins remaining………whew.
Thank you to all supporters, camera men, vehicle support teams, fellow runners who encouraged us and finally the organizer Ben for letting us suffer and become another Monster Slayer in 2017.