MR 25km Recce

I have done 28km(Flat) couple of weeks back, last week 20km(MR). Am i ready for 25km(MR) this weekend(Saturday) I think i should be ok. If i didnt try, i wont know. If i dont join this recce group, i wont be able to know the route.

When i first did my first MR 20km a few weeks back, i find the route tough. I have to struggle to complete, but i did learned how to tackle and complete the course subsequently. This 25km route is going to be tougher, but i believe i will conquer it in the days to come, most probably i going to struggle for this time round. Hope not.

I reached MR around 6:33am and the rest of the runners are arriving one by one. Quite a turnout, as some of them are there for the 20km run as well. Alvo(recee leader), DO, Dreamrunner, runalone, teelee, ronnie, bug, cookie, meteor, philip, cherryrunner, cfred84, realrunner, Craig, Taz, Yeeshen(k2), Ronnie(k2) & 2 SAFRA runners.

We troops off at 7:03am after briefing from our recee leader. Shortly after starting off, i realised that i didnt put on my left knee guard. No choice just have to run without it, anyway i have a spare inside the pocket, let see how it long it can withold before i require to put in on. It was an okay pace for the first part to the SICC road. We didnt have much rest as we continue our journey up the couple of long slopes. The gap start to open up after the climb as we make our way along the edge of the golf course. Cfred was running with me as i brief him on the route again. We have a good run together. We reach Lower Pierce toilet and have our first break point.

We proceed towards the air-con route(it wasn't cold for the past 1 week), as the weather have changed. We make our way towards 20km U-Turn point. Shortly we met realrunner on his return trip. By then i guess he is at least 1 km in front of us. I reached the U-Turn point with cfred and still feeling ok.

We shortly proceed back to Lower Pierce toilet with cfred as we chit chat along the way in a slow pace. When we reached the toilet, the front group are ready to go. We didn't take a break and proceed with them onwards. Last time, i ran with them, i can feel the strain when i finished the green portion. This time round, i can feel the strain as well. I guess i need my "water break" when it is due, or else i gonna get it later.

I am still feeling ok as we proceed onto the path where the 25km split from 20km. cfred has wisely proceed with 20km route, while i venture into the wilderness and follow the 25km group. It a tough choice(hard run), but i need to know the route.

The route is a cross country road, mud and grass, mechiam like in the army days back in the green. The terrian was undulating, up and down. Cross over pipeline, climb on your hands, slipping and get your hands dirty with mud. Aiyoh...i should be in Army uniform leh, not in running attire leh... Anyway i was running in the back of the group, saw bug and ronnie slightly in front, walking back the slopes. My weak mind starting to show images ..... wow ... still a long way to go leh...and everybody is feeling the strain now, how am i going to finish it? I have to walk leow lah...and conserve whatever is left in the tank to finish the distance. Finally overcome the cross terrains and back on road. Was pretty glad, but again the mud is playing with me....how much longer to the U-Turn point...It is suppose to be 2.5km one way and 2.5km back. It is like an awful long time i have detour since the split point.

I was tired, i guess i have to do walk/run till the end. I have no doubt that i can finish, just the matter of time only. I saw realrunner making the return path, all drenched. It must be tough for him too. Seeing him give me the morale booster that the U-turn point is somewhere in front. Soon DO, Dream, runalone, Teelee and Alvo are making the return path. Not long i saw the U-turn point, just in front of myself is Bug and Ronnie. Taz and Craig is slightly behind. After U-turn, i saw bug walking and i joined him walking. Haha...i slack lah...just want to take an easy way out. After a short distance, i proceed to move on. I did walk/run, taking my time. Soon Bug catch up with me. We decide to walk together, as he is not feeling well. I suggest we take a shortcut at the hilltop trail, which i saw on the way out. We took the short cut back to the normal running route. Instead of going towards the end, Bug needs water supply at Ranger station, so we make our way 1km towards it. I drank alot of water there as well as topping up the water bottles.

We meet Taz and Craig after we left Ranger Station as they overtook us. After the landslide area, i left Bug behind as i abit rush of time as i need to meet the rest of my Mount KK teamates in Campers Corner. I feel bad leaving Bug behind, but no choice. I feel good after that long walk. I overtook Taz and Craig near the golf area as i believe Craig have developed cramps. Slow and steadily i completed the run at 3:12hrs over 24km i guess(since i took a short cut).

It was a tough run, but nevertheless i like it.

I didnt stay long at the end, as i need to rush back to bath.