Sundown Ultramarathon 2011 – and running it for charity

Salam and greetings everybody ! A ‘little’ something to share here. I will be doing the Sundown Ultramarathon 2011 in Singapore next month, a road event covering a short distance of 100km. :p All this primarily because Ironman Langkawi didn’t happen this year and I just couldn’t wait for it to happen, and hence registering a few biggies for the first half of this year, among them the Kenyir Lake International Triathlon, Sabah Adventure Challenge and the Sundown Ultra !

Preparation

I have been preparing for this event over 4 months now. Cross training here and there as I had the Sabah Adventure Challenge. I know I am not over training, and have been busy ‘running’ here and there for work. I have my small group of buddies joining me for my long runs. Weekdays a bit crampy but still have to do what I gotta do. I just wish I could get more sports massage ! The months leading to this event is anything but laid back. But still manage a short excursion to Kuching for a course a couple weeks back, where I went to the Santubong Bridge to view one of the most beautiful sunset ever.

Coming back to the ultra prep, I have been extra careful to ensure I don’t bust my plantar fascia, knee, back, calves, hamstrings ! Nothing is more valuable than these God-gifted assets.Not forgetting the heart and mind as well !

The race

THE event is happening on the 25th June 2011,6pm, starting at the Marina Barrage. And ending some 16hours later on the following day. I got to know that the cut off has been extended to 18hours, making it less challenging for those who really trained well for this. Nonetheless, it will still be another test to my mind and body.

I have my gears all set, except that I need to buy a replacement pair for my ever faithful trainers ‘Brooks Ghost’, the white-green one. The route, unlike the 84km Sundown last year will cover 1 big loop. Yeap, 50km out, and 50km in. The U-turn point will be in Bedok. Among the areas the ultra runners will pass during the run are; Marina Bay Golf Course, East Coast Lagoon, the Changi Airport (in case anybody needs a quick exit ! heheh), Changi Beach Park, Pasir Race Park and Tampines Ave 10.

I cannot foresee from my desk , or  even the comfy office chair where I am sitting as I type these words how many hours will it take me to finish the 100km. Like my first (and ONLY so far) Ironman event, I did not target how many hours will I take to finish the race, or how long will I take to cover the 180km bike leg, but I finished the race with a very decent and encouraging timing 13hrs 42mins. But..with running, it is a different game. It’s purely legs. Well literally. So, no targeting as to how many hours I will take to do this ultra event. However, I just want to run smart , considering also the other aspects i.e. nutrition , hydration etc. I know I should not be excited the first 30km. I have trained to run slower these couple of months and learn to really pace myself so that I could last the hours on the tarmac.

Powerbar

I owe it to this sports nutrition brand for supporting me all these while starting from 2009 when I was part of the Powerbar Team Elite together with the likes of Razani Husain, Hafiz Wong (Wong Ah Thiam), Stephanie Chok and Ong Wei Xiang. For the Sundown Ultramarathon 2011, I am happy that Powerbar is supporting me, and sponsoring Powerbar products.

My thanks to Encik Shahrulniza Othman from Powerbar for trusting me to carry your brand, this time for an event outside Malaysia. Credits also to Encik Khamal Basha from Totalfield for the support ! If any of you folks need some bars, gels or endurance/recovery drinks, sports apparel, or even some Musashi, head on to Totalfield. Their store is located in Bandar Tasik Seri Permaisuri, Cheras. You can also look them up on Facebook under the name ‘Totalfield’. For your information, Totalfield is the official supplier of Powerbar products here in Malaysia.

To Japan, With Love

No, I am not going to Japan. The only time was way back in 1990-something stopping over at Narita on my way back from the States. I will be running my maiden ultra 100km for charity. The charity is dedicated to the victims of the Japan tsunami and earthquake, in assisting the rebuilding of their lives and the 2 prefectures severely affected – Miyagi and Fukushima.

The idea of this charity event is to have individuals like you and everyone else to step forward and pledge for any desired distance that I will be running at the Sundown Ultramarathon, starting from 1 meter which is worth RM50 of charity donation. If you pledge 4 meters, that simple equates to RM200 for the fund.

Partners – The Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) is my official NGO partner for this charity event. They have endorsed and also authorized the program enabling individuals and corporate companies to contribute to this cause. (yes, tax exemption if your company donates). For corporate companies, the minimum pledge is 1km. Credits to Puan Suhana from MRCS  for your help and assistance !

Pacesetters, Footloose (Pacesetters) and Totalfield are also partnering up with me for this event. (Thank You guys!).

What are you waiting for ?

To contribute to this cause :

You can download the 2 files below to know more details, to register as a pledger and contribute ! Do read through the procedures of how you can donate. I am online (during working hours). Look for missjewelz at at the Meebo chat box on the right bar. Green means she is available for chat.

So again, there is nothing for you and I to lose if we lend a helping hand to our brothers and sisters in Japan. Sharing is caring, that’s the whole idea of sharing this good intention with you, and I hope you will share this intention with your family and friends so that they also can come forward. If you wish to have the sponsorship form for your company, or want to take a look at the authorization letter from MRCS,  feel free to contact me ! My team is working on a website dedicated to this cause. Yes, still under construction. Will announce it here at missjewelz once its up. 

I thank you for you kindness ! God Bless.

Download these files :-

TO JAPAN WITH LOVE_- Charity Program Overview

Individual  Sponsorship Form

For corporate sponsorship form, kindly email me at kilausuria[ @ ] gmail [.] com