The Vibram® Hong Kong 100 (19-20 Jan 2013) (2)

The Vibram Hong Kong 100 was a race I’d never forget. 

Working towards Race Day was tough.  My weekends were filled with back-to-back long runs.  I also conditioned myself by lifting weights at the gym and consciously adjusted my training to avoid sustaining running-related injuries.

This is my first attempt at an ultra-distance trail race.  My aim was to finish the race.

I wore a running t-shirt under a base layer and CWX compression tights.  The race started at 8am and the temperature was surprisingly warmer than I thought it would be.  I packed some food, a warm running jacket and shell pants which I would pick up at 50km.

I realised I had no problems going up the slopes and steps, but was perhaps overly cautious descending the slopes.  While I overtook many on the upslope and flat sections, many thundered past me down the slopes. 

Wung Yew amiably ran with me during the race, and kept a good pace for the first 50km.  We reached CP5 in 9:54:57.  We had a quick meal, put on our jackets and headlamp and off we went. 

Alber and PS had warned us that the distance between CP5 – 6  was the longest stretch and to be mentally prepared for it be a mentally daunting portion.  Somehow we cleared that stretch, but between CP6-8, I kept dozing off while walking and even had to take short naps along the way.  I figured that it would be better to waste a little time resting, than to push on and fall down!  Wung Yew also needed to rest because his knees were starting to hurt.    

Looking up at Needle Hill at CP8 in the dark is quite an experience.  All we saw was the  silhoutte of a hill and a steady stream of headlamps lining the trail, bobbing and moving upwards.  We hunkered down, whipped out our sticks and started climbing.  Surprisingly, the climb was not too bad.  But I think Wung Yew felt the pain in his knees acutely during the steep descent because he was limping badly.   After that, it was a steep descent to CP9.

We took a short rest at CP9, before making our way to conquer the last portion of the race.   It was uphill all the way, very cold and windy.  By then, Wung Yew had stopped running and could only walk briskly because the pain in his knees was very bad.

While jogging down the last portion of the race, I saw Winnie and KC running towards me!  I thought I was hallucinating, but I was very happy to see them on the last stretch!  Winnie ran the last 400metres with me and I sprinted to the end.

I completed the race in 25hr 21min while Wung Yew took 25hr 25min.  Although we  didn’t get a trophy for coming in under 24 hours, but its the memory of a race that we completed together which makes it meaningful.

Ultra Trail Race (1) Sold out! – The Vibram® Hong Kong 100 Ultra Trail Race

The race slots for the Vibram® Hong Kong 100 Ultra Trail Race sold out in a matter of days! 

It’s hardly surprising since the participants would comprise mostly experienced runners are back attempt the race again to better their previous performance, or first-timers (like me) who would like to experience an ultra trail race with cut-off times. 

Took a huge risk. I booked a flight home immediately after the race.  This means I’d need to complete the race in good time (and sans injury) in order to not miss my flight! 

Am I apprehensive about the race? You bet. 

What am I apprehensive about?  Well, here are a few things for starters:

1. Running in the cold and in the dark with no sleep -> a first for me (I’m not army trained!)
2. Eating while exhausted – if you’ve seen my previous Ironman posts, eating is a huge problem for me.
3. Reaching the next check point after the cut-off time.

But yeah, I’ll do my best. 🙂