Race Day

We were up as early as 530am. Breakfast is served from 6am onwards. We were among the few early birds who were up so early. Boat-uncle has been waiting for us since 630am - he told us afterwards when we met. We had a hearthy breakfast as we needed all the carbs, protein and energy we could ever have. We were given a banana each from the kind chef :)

I was having small butterfiles in my stomach on my way there. But the wind against my face somehow blew those uneasiness away. I enjoyed the boat-ride till we reached the race pit.

We ran 2X around the field and did some more warm ups to get started 30minutes before flag off time. The track was pretty straight-forward as explained but we learnt the hard way that it is not as easy as mentioned.

There were altogether about 3 main tasks in the race: 1st leg: Run for 2km until the foot of the jungle.
2nd leg: tracking into the jungle. In this leg there are many other challenges such as climbing, going down-hill, passing river and more. And mind you, this challenge is in a virgin-jungle. There is no track or trail. Red-white plastic ribbons were tied around trees as landmarks to follow. If one loses track of any one of these, for sure you will be lost and there were at least 20 over people who were lost on the race day.


Thankfully Sumi and I stuck through it together. We met a few of them along the way at times when we needed some help i.e. when we were totally clue-less, not able to find the next marker or to get over a huge boulder. But we were alone most of the way. We were not aware of what lay ahead of us. There could've been snakes / monkeys or even tigers for the matter but this is a case when ignorance is bliss. What we didn't know didn't hurt. We climbed up tree roots, wen over a river full of rocks, stopping by for a drink, climbed over huge boulders with no foot-holds to step on. And we thought the worst is over... Until we arrived at the 5th checkpoint! I couldn't see flat ground anymore - where we were supposed to continue and the marshalls at this pit stop told us that the next leg of the journey is to climb all the way where your knee will come up to your chin!

That totally put me off. We or at least I was not prepared for a climb as such. My feet by then was already aching very badly as I put too much stress on my feet whilst climbing downhil earlier. My Nike shoes were made for running not climbing and they were not particularly helpful in my up and downhill attempts.

We sat for a while, and I analysed myself honestly from all perspective. (Bad)
1. My mind was willing but my feet was really weak.
2. I knew that I will get myself bruised and hurt since my feet was pressing against my shoe front and was aching.
3. Time then was already close to 1pm. The sun was high up my head and I was very dehydrated. My rate of dehydration was faster due to the loss of energy along the way.
4. The next pitstop for water station is at least another 5 km. I didn't have proper tools to carry my water bottle. And since the next leg is climbing all the way, i will need to use all 4 limbs and no space for water bottle!
(Good)
1. I MIGHT be able to finish the race & receive a certificate BUT I MIGHT be too hurt or bruised or worst - DEAD to take it
2. Bragging rights - Won the first ever race in my life but again I MIGHT not be alive to brag about it

Having gone through all the pros and cons, I decided to call it quits. I and Sumi walked down another route - a road that led us to the Berjaya Resort grounds again.

On the way we were given a ride by one of those managers who was on his way to pick up some food for his workers. We picked our bags, chatted with the organizers for a bit and then left. This' not the end. Initially our plan was to stay back for the night of Dinner and Prize Giving where the Sultan will be present together with the media etc. Since we didn't complete the race, and it was still early then, Sumi suggested to walk back instead of taking a boat ride to Paya beach. Now that we knew how the tracks connect to the beach.

I agreed without realising that the way to Paya also had some climbing to do, which meant going back into the jungle. I was cursing and swearing that Sumi made me go through the jungle all over again despite my deteriorating feet condition.

However, I was relieved at the end of the journey when we arrived at Paya beach in no time. She saved us both RM40 each per boat trip! The money which we used later on for a decent meal.