Event No: 38
Event Title: P100 (Putrajaya 100 Miles)
Event Type: Ultra Marathon - Road
Category: 52 Kms - Open
Event Date: 28 - 29 Nov 2015
Location: Taman Seri Empangan, Putrajaya
First, I wanted to congratulate myself for signing up and finishing this race well before the cut off time of 15 Hours in my first Ultra Marathon Event.
I never thought I can go for an Ultra in a very short span of time, I came into the world of Running in the month of March 2015 with the event "Run with Certainty" which is just a 6+ Kms Charity Run. I was fascinated of running from there on and till now I have never looked back in participating events over the weekends.
I feel proud to represent my country 'India' thru this event. I'm the only Indian participating in the event. Even though I chose the last category of the race which is 52 Kms - I still feel good about myself as taking up a good amount of distance for my first ever Ultra.
At the time of registering for the event, there was a small doubt in my mind - whether I can do that distance; as my longest distance before this event was only 25 Kms. But my mind said "No Turning Back - Just Go On", I just went thru the details of the event and chose the least distance category - 52 Kms and registered myself for the event. After registering for the event my mind was boggled and it was always in two-minds.
I was participating in most of the events (weekends) distance ranging from Fun Runs to Half Marathons, even on 28-Nov morning I have participated in SKM Fun Run in SK Bukit Cherakah; the distance was close to 6 Kms. I was representing Ultron as one of their brand ambassador for that event.
Being an expat I have very little clue about the race route, even though the route maps were provide much in advance. I studied the route maps but couldn't manage to find the right direction in few junctions; luckily the race went on in waves so there were runners to catch up with.
I reached the venue around 8:45 PM with the mandatory gear list; I was wearing my favorite Adidas Boost Shoes along with Puma Shorts and Tights. Once I went to collect my race bib, the organizing team checked the mandatory gear before providing the race kit. The process went on very smooth. Collected my race kit and as usual went to capture few selfies.
For hydration, I carried a 1 liter bottle in my backpack and a 300 ml handheld running bottle, carried 2 Power Gels and 1 Power Bar with few Vita C chew-able tablets, for visibility carried Nathan Blinker, Head Lamp and a reflective vest - OMG I never ran with these much of gear - few times in the course I felt very uncomfortable, I think I have to get used to this as I have more Ultra's coming up in December 2015 till May 2016.
Event Title: P100 (Putrajaya 100 Miles)
Event Type: Ultra Marathon - Road
Category: 52 Kms - Open
Event Date: 28 - 29 Nov 2015
Location: Taman Seri Empangan, Putrajaya
First, I wanted to congratulate myself for signing up and finishing this race well before the cut off time of 15 Hours in my first Ultra Marathon Event.
I never thought I can go for an Ultra in a very short span of time, I came into the world of Running in the month of March 2015 with the event "Run with Certainty" which is just a 6+ Kms Charity Run. I was fascinated of running from there on and till now I have never looked back in participating events over the weekends.
I feel proud to represent my country 'India' thru this event. I'm the only Indian participating in the event. Even though I chose the last category of the race which is 52 Kms - I still feel good about myself as taking up a good amount of distance for my first ever Ultra.
At the time of registering for the event, there was a small doubt in my mind - whether I can do that distance; as my longest distance before this event was only 25 Kms. But my mind said "No Turning Back - Just Go On", I just went thru the details of the event and chose the least distance category - 52 Kms and registered myself for the event. After registering for the event my mind was boggled and it was always in two-minds.
I was participating in most of the events (weekends) distance ranging from Fun Runs to Half Marathons, even on 28-Nov morning I have participated in SKM Fun Run in SK Bukit Cherakah; the distance was close to 6 Kms. I was representing Ultron as one of their brand ambassador for that event.
Being an expat I have very little clue about the race route, even though the route maps were provide much in advance. I studied the route maps but couldn't manage to find the right direction in few junctions; luckily the race went on in waves so there were runners to catch up with.
I reached the venue around 8:45 PM with the mandatory gear list; I was wearing my favorite Adidas Boost Shoes along with Puma Shorts and Tights. Once I went to collect my race bib, the organizing team checked the mandatory gear before providing the race kit. The process went on very smooth. Collected my race kit and as usual went to capture few selfies.
For hydration, I carried a 1 liter bottle in my backpack and a 300 ml handheld running bottle, carried 2 Power Gels and 1 Power Bar with few Vita C chew-able tablets, for visibility carried Nathan Blinker, Head Lamp and a reflective vest - OMG I never ran with these much of gear - few times in the course I felt very uncomfortable, I think I have to get used to this as I have more Ultra's coming up in December 2015 till May 2016.
Now coming to the most important part the flag off, just like any other race - there was briefing about the race route, rules, check points etc., the flag off started at close to 22:00 hours with 75 kms in waves of 20 runners. I was in the 5th wave for 52 Kms. Just before the start we had a wonderful group gathered in a gorgeous picture.
That's me in the 5th wave all set to start with my running, started tracking my run with two different apps - MiCoach (by Adidas) and Nike+ Running.
The route has 3 check points for 52 Kms category, Start (Taman Seri Empangan) to CP1 (Nusa Perdana) the distance between them is 10 Kms. Next is CP2 (which is actually CP1) we have to go further 5+ Kms from Nusa Perdana and take a U-Turn back to Nusa Perdana which then becomes CP2, the third one is CP3 which is at 26 Kms mark - Taman Cabaran where we have the first timing check (half way distance for 52 Kms category). From there back to CP2 --> CP1 --> Finish (Taman Seri Empangan).
There is always a possibility of taking shortcuts, and cut short the distance between CP1 and CP2 but none of the runners deviated from their ethics (that's why we call ourselves as runners with integrity).
I have only one thing in my mind, which is to go in a steady pace till the first half of the race - 26 Kms mark, I have reached the mark in 4:34:40 which is way less than my normal pace. I haven't tried to run hard and rush for the finish. I stopped at CP3 for about 40 minutes to relax and refresh my body and to charge my mobile n headphones (love music while running).
Once, my body is relaxed n refreshed started my way back to the finish line, on my way back I have not passed by any runners till the CP2 checkpoint, in one of the intersection I was about to take a wrong route, but one of the runner who has dropped out of the race guided me in the right direction. While reaching back to CP2, near Air Sukan Komplex "Rany Tan - Photographer" was waiting for the runners to capture their beautiful memories, thanks to Mr. Rany Tan for the wonderful pictures even at that odd hours in the night.
Reached CP2 and went further till we have to make a u-turn back to CP1, but this time no one around near the u-turn place; went there saw the board and turned back to CP1. By the time I reached CP1 it was almost 6:45 AM in the morning. Waited there for few minutes refreshed myself with ice washing my face and massaging my calves and shins. Had few pieces of watermelon along with water & dates (nicely organized by the team at every check point); there was always plenty of them and no shortage of items in the checkpoints.
The final lap CP1 to Finish line is almost 10 Kms, really tired running, walking, jogging all thru the night covering a distance of a full marathon. I felt crazy and the timing for the last 10 Kms was the worse recording till now in my running diary. I met three other runners with whom I covered around 6 Kms distance and once I'm near to Putra Square increased my pace and moved ahead of them to cover the final 4 Kms.
Finally I was about 1 Km far from the finish line, suffered from severe cramps in both the legs, but I kept moving on and once I was able to see the finish line (500 meters ahead) I started to run towards it, people welcomed me with applause when I just crossed the finish line. I was in mixed feelings - heart was in tears and mind was in joy n filled with happiness. I felt myself proud to finish my first ultra event in about 10:47:17 of time.
I thank the organizers for the wonderful route, guidance, markings at major intersections, detailed route map and arranging all the necessary things at every check point, they really deserve a big applause, Kudos to you guys.
If ever I get a chance I'll definitely participate in this event in 2016 and will try to take up the next challenge may be 75 Kms or 100 Kms.
See you guys again in Water Gate 16 Hours Event in 2016.
The route has 3 check points for 52 Kms category, Start (Taman Seri Empangan) to CP1 (Nusa Perdana) the distance between them is 10 Kms. Next is CP2 (which is actually CP1) we have to go further 5+ Kms from Nusa Perdana and take a U-Turn back to Nusa Perdana which then becomes CP2, the third one is CP3 which is at 26 Kms mark - Taman Cabaran where we have the first timing check (half way distance for 52 Kms category). From there back to CP2 --> CP1 --> Finish (Taman Seri Empangan).
There is always a possibility of taking shortcuts, and cut short the distance between CP1 and CP2 but none of the runners deviated from their ethics (that's why we call ourselves as runners with integrity).
I have only one thing in my mind, which is to go in a steady pace till the first half of the race - 26 Kms mark, I have reached the mark in 4:34:40 which is way less than my normal pace. I haven't tried to run hard and rush for the finish. I stopped at CP3 for about 40 minutes to relax and refresh my body and to charge my mobile n headphones (love music while running).
Once, my body is relaxed n refreshed started my way back to the finish line, on my way back I have not passed by any runners till the CP2 checkpoint, in one of the intersection I was about to take a wrong route, but one of the runner who has dropped out of the race guided me in the right direction. While reaching back to CP2, near Air Sukan Komplex "Rany Tan - Photographer" was waiting for the runners to capture their beautiful memories, thanks to Mr. Rany Tan for the wonderful pictures even at that odd hours in the night.
Reached CP2 and went further till we have to make a u-turn back to CP1, but this time no one around near the u-turn place; went there saw the board and turned back to CP1. By the time I reached CP1 it was almost 6:45 AM in the morning. Waited there for few minutes refreshed myself with ice washing my face and massaging my calves and shins. Had few pieces of watermelon along with water & dates (nicely organized by the team at every check point); there was always plenty of them and no shortage of items in the checkpoints.
The final lap CP1 to Finish line is almost 10 Kms, really tired running, walking, jogging all thru the night covering a distance of a full marathon. I felt crazy and the timing for the last 10 Kms was the worse recording till now in my running diary. I met three other runners with whom I covered around 6 Kms distance and once I'm near to Putra Square increased my pace and moved ahead of them to cover the final 4 Kms.
Finally I was about 1 Km far from the finish line, suffered from severe cramps in both the legs, but I kept moving on and once I was able to see the finish line (500 meters ahead) I started to run towards it, people welcomed me with applause when I just crossed the finish line. I was in mixed feelings - heart was in tears and mind was in joy n filled with happiness. I felt myself proud to finish my first ultra event in about 10:47:17 of time.
I thank the organizers for the wonderful route, guidance, markings at major intersections, detailed route map and arranging all the necessary things at every check point, they really deserve a big applause, Kudos to you guys.
If ever I get a chance I'll definitely participate in this event in 2016 and will try to take up the next challenge may be 75 Kms or 100 Kms.
See you guys again in Water Gate 16 Hours Event in 2016.
