Nuang Jungle Marathon 2016 - The Half Marathon Nuang Summit
I think I need to skip the various entry that I missed for this one. Cause it will worth the skip.
First, let's savour the moment.
First Nuang Summit. First mountain trail, 2nd top 3 position, within this year alone. Another trail position. And last one, one of the sweetest. The kwailo (Michael) who secured no. 2 position from men's HM, asked if we can run together sometime, right before he headed home.
So, before any of the details slide, screw the chronological order of the prior race. Nuang HM is coming in first.
I must thank the Almighty for making our paths crossed with my new neighbour. She contacted me for some other reason. How to maintain running throughout pregnancy. But instead of that we found our trail running common interest, and suggested me to join this event. It's a dream come true for me. Been begging people to bring me for more than a year (of course I never really, diligently looked for us. As I have my family to manage as well), but to no avail. And then, there came this. What an opportunity. 2 stones in one throw. Both needs can be checked. So I signed this up long ago. Before the Putrajaya Night Marathon was even out I think.
So, I had other trail opportunities prior to that. That should serve some kind of training and conditioning. Compressport only came much later. But lucky enough it didn't clash and I got to participate in both. Trails are more priority this year.
There was not that much communication on the homepage, nor the facebook page. But the information given is very detail enough to make it a very reliable event to join in. I was familiar with last year's runner and winner as well. As she had one of top position in Kemensah. So I know, this should be a good race.
Fast forward to race day, the race pack collection didn't happen in time. It was only ready during race day. But information was given on the checkpoints and route direction, for whoever wants to study. I paid more attention on checkpoints and whats been given out. It looked sufficient enough for me not to bring a whole loads of things. My rations went just a bit overboard. So it was not too bad. better be safe than sorry. The only bad thing was I had assumed that there would be isotonic like Compressport. I had only bring half a bottle and it was finished before we even reach the peak.
My neighbor wanted to reach early. Fine, as we don't know what can happen. So we left our home 2.5 hours before race starts. We had Subuh in the Petronas in Hulu Langat and we still had a lot of time to spare. We could even park quite close to the starting line and didn't have to actually use the shuttle service.
The venue was decent and nice. There was a decent toilet. Decent enough for me to even shower in it. Yup, I came more prepared this time with complete set of attire change. There were dogs. They say they're owned by the organisers. Which was fine with me, as long as they don't try to be friendly with me.
The race started on time. I was as usual, at the back pack. It started off with some uphills. So few front runners stormed off running. I didn't want to be too ambitious by running as well. But I got bored of walking and decide to just run a little bit, and had to leave my neighbour and her friend. They may catch up later I thought. I was very sure there were a lot of female runner upfront. Especially the kwailos.
After that, it got into a very narrow, bushy path. I don't think it was the normal Nuang path, as it was very bushy and less visited. It then led to another narrow, near the ledge, with a lot of fallen trees, upward roots, which made the path very hard to maneuver. I had to really watch my footings, and my head. I knocked on I don't know, bamboo or tree branch quite some amount of time. Lucky nothing poked me in the eye. Lucky I didn't fall face down (I did stumbled but alhamdulillah, managed to still balance myself out). It then led to a wider trail. And I thought that will be it, until it got back into the woods again, and we need to maneuver ourselves through the river. There were countless times of river criss crossings. And I knew well enough after various trail event, not to avoid the water. Just jump straight at it. And it was even the wiser. It was less slippery and movement was faster. But I was never good at it. There was another lady, which I overtook before, overtook few of us at this river phase. I was around 3 other men, and the girl just took us over, and left us altogether. So I tried to tag along the remaining guys then . Their pace was slightly beyond my comfort pace, but I had to keep up, in order to make sure that I would always have someone around.
Finally the river criss crossing phase was over and we reached the end of the balak trail (I guess), which was the first checkpoint and they served water and bananas. I grabbed some bananas, finished one, didn't refill the water and went into the woods again. At that time, there were only 2 other guys. 1 other guys was behind. So I tried to catch up with them again. It was about almost 2km until it reaches Kem Lolo. And I was not that far from them still. From Lolo it started to get very difficult, never ending, steep and tiring. My hammies started to tighten. I lost the earlier 2 guys. I had to let them go, it was starting to get too much for me. And there was another kwailo at the back. So as long as I had someone, I'm all good. I was with him quite sometime until I lost him as well. I started to see other people up front, so I thought it was ok to just proceed on. I wasn't thinking about securing a good position still. It was all about, keeping up with people. It was then that I think, some people might have just given up. It might be too much for my neighbour to take. That's what I thought. And that's how tough it felt that time. I don't think even my hubs could handle it. I was huffing and puffing. There was no amount of running possible. That's how steep it was. But the good part was, the path was rather straight forward. There might be no way you could get lost there. It felt much safer in terms of companionship compared to the compressport. And it was like that until Kem Pacat. And it felt like a big accomplishment when I did.
We bumped into the earlier 2 guys at Pacat. I had a quick banana and water refill and made my way straight up. There were more of us when we started off from Pacat, but it got lesser and lesser. One of the earlier guys were down, leaving only with 1 last guy from the earlier river crossing. But I made company with 1 other new guy. He was never that chatty, but he kind of suggested that I use hands to climb up, and that broke the ice. Towards Kem Pengasih, it was all rocky and steep again. But it felt somewhat easier since you managed to reduce the load off from the legs, and put some on your upper body. But you need to be extra careful this time. After Pengasih, it started to get downward, before it had to climb upwards towards the summit. This was where I've been receiving constant update that I was one of the earliest lady, the first malay lady, been getting encouragement from other hikers, so much feedback. I was fourth, and I don't think I could catch up with the 3rd person. But I cruised along still until we bumped into the lady with the 3rd position. She was already on the way down, when we haven't even got up. Once we reached the summit, the feeling was priceless. I had finally reached there. My dream was checked. Had a quick banana, didn't refill water (which I should have by right) and asked the guys to start make the way down as well. He already indicated that he could be the pacer, since I would have the chance to get the podium, and there was no chance of good position for him.
And I must say that following his steps had helped me a lot. I did fall 4 times on the bum and the funny thing was, they've been keeping count. The roots, the slippery soil, the logs all are contributors to the fall. And it was his footsteps that have guided me to go faster since I was much faster with the river crossings than I had on the way up.
We then led to the first checkpoint. And what a relief that was. Had a quick water melon and left. The route back is different than the way in, where we just had to go straight. This is where the balak trail is I guess. It was a good 5 km based on my estimation. I didn't even refill my water, which was quitea mistake as I had finished it up not long after. We met tho brother who had overtaken us. He advised us to just walk, and it would be a good 1 hour to reach the finishing. And that took the pressure off a bit. I walked whenever uphill, and ran on downhills. We saw the 3rd lady again now. The pacer guy suggested that, if I had it in me, I should just go ahead and try to overtake her. Nope. Didn't think I would make the cut. But I cruised along still, utilising whatever energy that I had. Didn't particularly push more than I should cause I know it would still be a long way to go. But I caught up with her in the end. Which was quite a surprise. And she just didn't push back. I did encourage her when I passed by, but she seemed to just didn't have the motivation. I even had to leave my guy as well. And went ahead on my own.
The balak trail, despite looking just like an off-road, is still a trail, You still need to balance yourself well among the rocks. The day started to get hotter and. But it finally reached the end. And as usual, I pushed myself faster up to the end. And it was done. I secured the 2nd podium for this year. Alhamdulillah.
I deserve no credit of course. I was not fast. There were less participants. And I have been protected by the Almighty well. There were a lot of instances where I could have suffered from real injury, but I was saved from it. Alhamdulillah. Grateful for every single thing that happen that day. Except that, hubs got more than usual. It's time to make amends. I especially love my trail experience this year. They have all been nothing but good. But I think I need to get back on my road speed next year. At least it jives a bit better with my family requirement mayb.
Nuang Jungle Marathon 2016
Date: 13 November 2016
Venue: Gunung Nuang, Hulu Langat
Distance: 20 km
Position: 3
Official Time: 5:32: hrs
Personal Time: 5:32:32 hrs
Pace: 17:08
First, let's savour the moment.
First Nuang Summit. First mountain trail, 2nd top 3 position, within this year alone. Another trail position. And last one, one of the sweetest. The kwailo (Michael) who secured no. 2 position from men's HM, asked if we can run together sometime, right before he headed home.
So, before any of the details slide, screw the chronological order of the prior race. Nuang HM is coming in first.
I must thank the Almighty for making our paths crossed with my new neighbour. She contacted me for some other reason. How to maintain running throughout pregnancy. But instead of that we found our trail running common interest, and suggested me to join this event. It's a dream come true for me. Been begging people to bring me for more than a year (of course I never really, diligently looked for us. As I have my family to manage as well), but to no avail. And then, there came this. What an opportunity. 2 stones in one throw. Both needs can be checked. So I signed this up long ago. Before the Putrajaya Night Marathon was even out I think.
So, I had other trail opportunities prior to that. That should serve some kind of training and conditioning. Compressport only came much later. But lucky enough it didn't clash and I got to participate in both. Trails are more priority this year.
There was not that much communication on the homepage, nor the facebook page. But the information given is very detail enough to make it a very reliable event to join in. I was familiar with last year's runner and winner as well. As she had one of top position in Kemensah. So I know, this should be a good race.
Fast forward to race day, the race pack collection didn't happen in time. It was only ready during race day. But information was given on the checkpoints and route direction, for whoever wants to study. I paid more attention on checkpoints and whats been given out. It looked sufficient enough for me not to bring a whole loads of things. My rations went just a bit overboard. So it was not too bad. better be safe than sorry. The only bad thing was I had assumed that there would be isotonic like Compressport. I had only bring half a bottle and it was finished before we even reach the peak.
 |
| Tried to be more prepared this time |
My neighbor wanted to reach early. Fine, as we don't know what can happen. So we left our home 2.5 hours before race starts. We had Subuh in the Petronas in Hulu Langat and we still had a lot of time to spare. We could even park quite close to the starting line and didn't have to actually use the shuttle service.
 |
| Pitch black when we reach |
The venue was decent and nice. There was a decent toilet. Decent enough for me to even shower in it. Yup, I came more prepared this time with complete set of attire change. There were dogs. They say they're owned by the organisers. Which was fine with me, as long as they don't try to be friendly with me.
 |
| Quite decent toilet |
 |
| The first jungle entry point |
 |
| Very steep, sharp and long ascend |
 |
| Supposed to have the only Nuang view back there |
And I must say that following his steps had helped me a lot. I did fall 4 times on the bum and the funny thing was, they've been keeping count. The roots, the slippery soil, the logs all are contributors to the fall. And it was his footsteps that have guided me to go faster since I was much faster with the river crossings than I had on the way up.
We then led to the first checkpoint. And what a relief that was. Had a quick water melon and left. The route back is different than the way in, where we just had to go straight. This is where the balak trail is I guess. It was a good 5 km based on my estimation. I didn't even refill my water, which was quitea mistake as I had finished it up not long after. We met tho brother who had overtaken us. He advised us to just walk, and it would be a good 1 hour to reach the finishing. And that took the pressure off a bit. I walked whenever uphill, and ran on downhills. We saw the 3rd lady again now. The pacer guy suggested that, if I had it in me, I should just go ahead and try to overtake her. Nope. Didn't think I would make the cut. But I cruised along still, utilising whatever energy that I had. Didn't particularly push more than I should cause I know it would still be a long way to go. But I caught up with her in the end. Which was quite a surprise. And she just didn't push back. I did encourage her when I passed by, but she seemed to just didn't have the motivation. I even had to leave my guy as well. And went ahead on my own.
The balak trail, despite looking just like an off-road, is still a trail, You still need to balance yourself well among the rocks. The day started to get hotter and. But it finally reached the end. And as usual, I pushed myself faster up to the end. And it was done. I secured the 2nd podium for this year. Alhamdulillah.
 |
| The never ending, about 5km trail |
I deserve no credit of course. I was not fast. There were less participants. And I have been protected by the Almighty well. There were a lot of instances where I could have suffered from real injury, but I was saved from it. Alhamdulillah. Grateful for every single thing that happen that day. Except that, hubs got more than usual. It's time to make amends. I especially love my trail experience this year. They have all been nothing but good. But I think I need to get back on my road speed next year. At least it jives a bit better with my family requirement mayb.
 |
| Totally in dirt bottom up. Cap, face, everywhere |
 |
| Took about 3 days to fully recover. Even the arms were having soreness. Couldn't even lift the handbrake |
Nuang Jungle Marathon 2016
Date: 13 November 2016
Venue: Gunung Nuang, Hulu Langat
Distance: 20 km
Position: 3
Official Time: 5:32: hrs
Personal Time: 5:32:32 hrs
Pace: 17:08
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