The North Face 100 (25km* 26.8km) (05.10.2013)

 

The North Face 100 (25km) (13.10.2012)

The North Face 100 (50km Duo)

This is my 3rd go at this race. This race has always been the most painful race in my race calendar but it is one of those race that one die die must do dispite the pain.

Somehow the pain and adventure of running a trail race seemed very atttractive. Anyway, all the years, this has always been one of the better organised races with great post race goodies like Subway sandwiches and cookies. This year, they even brought in the Milo Van! I had countless cups of it after the race... comfort drink indeed after a hard race.

This year I fell during the race and I actually hit my face on the ground... I also scrapped my shoulder, knee and palm. Thank God I was not badly injured and could carry on with the race. There were also some good samaritans who came to render help and made sure I was ok. To top it all, I also have a blackened toe nail (not my first though) and a few blisters... See this year's race is indeed eventful and memorable...

Anyway, this year my race partner and I completed our race within seconds from one another and I came slightly after he crossed the finishing line... We completed the race about 3:13. Last year both of us completed it in 3:22. So it was a personal best for both of us...

Really looking foward to next year's race.

Anyway, my next race is tomorrow morning... RealRun 21km.... its gonna be painful....

The North Face 100 (50km Duo)

Today I must have experienced the most punishing race I have ever done. This is the first race that I suffered cramps along the way.

Although my team mate and I only participated in the 50 km Duo, which meant that both of us ran 25 km simultaneously, the route was very challenging.

Most of the races I participated were road races, this was the first trail race that I experienced. The race started from MacRitchie Reservoir and took us all the way up to Bukit Timah Hill and the U-Turn point was the summit of the hill! Climbing up the hill was sheer torture and coming down wasn't easy too. This was where I suffered cramps. I guess my legs were not used to trail running.

Both my team mate and I completed the race in high spirits! We completed the race in 3 hr 16 min. We actually came in 74th position out of 277 teams! Not too shabby at all!

I must say the another thing that impressed me of this race was the post race buffet spread. There was unlimited supply of Subway sandwiches, cookies and even fruit cocktail. Not bad at all!

Of course I cannot end this blog entry without acknowledging a gift from a dear friend (left) which made participating this race possible. It was the gift of a hydration pack. This is the first hydration pack that I have ever owned and this gift was made more special with the fact that it was a prize that my friend won from an adventure race. This was one gift money can't buy.

Next Race, RealRun 2009!