flyingtutu-blog

[flyingtutu-blog]

Top of the #lantaupeak Too tired that my headlamp was falling off 😂😂😂 #moontrekker2017 43k

[flyingtutu-blog]

A casual ultra - Moontrekker 2017

When I think of ultra marathons, it always occurs to me that those races are full of agonies, struggles and inhumanities that only people who are either superhuman or out of their mind will sign up. But here I am, right at the start line of the Moontrekker 2017 race in Hong Kong. My first ultra marathon race at night. Or better yet, my first ultra race ever.

The 43km trail awaits me, in the peaceful Lantau, which starts from Mui Wo, heading south to Chi Ma Wan, passing by Pak Kung Au and Ngong Ping, and eventually taking me to the summit of Lantau Peak at 934m.

I imagined so many times that my legs were crying to stop after the first 30km had taken tolls on me. Quite nervous before the race, I wasn’t sure if I could hold up 10 straight hours for such a challenge. I even doubted why did I sign up for this to start with. Nonetheless, after what has been done is done, the last thought about this was just to enjoy it.

I teamed up with my trail buddy Wenfeng. We were cruising through the first two checkpoints. There was this one training night that the rain was pouring, wind blowing so hard that we both cried for quitting after 20k. Not this time. I felt strong after 20k at checkpoint 2. It took me under 3 hours and 30 minutes, which was ahead of my race plan of 4 hours. I even had a thought for a moment that I could finish under 8 hours (which proved to be dead wrong later). Met up with a friend who was a volunteer at CP2, I grabbed some water and shot off.

Next section was the South Lantau Trail. It was a rather technical trail, with uneven hard rocks along the road. The trail was narrow. After we merged with the 30k runners, people started to go pass us fast. I tried to keep my spirit up. As I started to get a bit tired and my feet start to hurt, I slowed down. But I didn’t stop. With so many people lined up on the trail, it was a big encouragement just to keep up with them. Once I reached CP 3, I treated my feet with the spray (learned from the Kyoto marathon), took some painkillers and hit the road again.

Strangely enough I felt like I was getting my energies back again. From Pak Kung Au to Ngong Ping, I didn’t even noticed the ascent like I did in my training before I reached to the last CP. It took me 7 hours and 40 minutes. I knew I wasn’t going to beat 8 hours for sure but was quite certain that I could finish the race.

Here lies the biggest ascent ahead of me - the Lantau Peak. As one of my personal favorites in Hong Kong, I wasn’t sure if my legs at this time would vote for the same. I had to do it anyway. With runners around me, we were all heading to the same summit. I saw people struggling now. Some literally crawling their way up. Some panting so hard that they needed to stop by the trail and catch their breath. But no one quit trying. I tried to pull my body up using poles. Even my arms got tired. I didn’t slow down. I refused to quit. So many occasions I’ve been to Lantau Peak, it was never this calm in my heart. The serenity was all around me. At 4am in the morning, I went shooting for the stars.

After the summit I stayed for maybe 5 minutes. Wind was blowing crazy and it was getting cold. So I started descending. My legs were a bit shaky by then so I tried to stay focused and watch my landing. Arrived at the base safely, there started a long stretch of downslope on the road that I was able to run all of it. I was surprised that I could still run! Then it didn’t take too long for me to reach to the beach. Walked some more, then ran some more. I had this strange feeling that my body felt fresh when I approached the finishing line, that I could go for another 50k.

But this was the end, for now. 9:34:04. Almost 30 minutes earlier than I initially planned. More importantly, there was no pain, only joy.

I started to get why people racing ultras. It brings the best of you, the best of humanity in the longest stretch. And you get to become a better person afterwards.

I am sure this won’t be my last ultra race. Although a year ago I told my friends to hold me down if they ever hear me talking about racing it. Now I’ve changed my mind. It was not an experience full of pain. On the contrary, I learned my way to enjoy it. Thank you Moontrekker!

Special thanks to Wenfeng, Jean, and Ji who all took part in this race with me.