The North Face Outdoor Challenge 2017

Since I can't join the Spartan Super in July due to clashing with work schedule, I have been in a low mood for OCR. My Trifecta for 2017 gone case, because even I willing to do the Super oversea, still the date clashing. Since then I have been just joining running event, not much OCR race for me.

Then I decided to do a race on my birthday to celebrate the hitting of THREE! Lol~ This is an easy mission as nowadays many races on weekend for you to choose. There were 2 major races on my mind - TNF Outdoor Challenge and Malaysia Marathon (FM). After some drama dilemma discussion with my bro, I decided to go for TNF! I started all races because of OCR, it would be more meaningful to do it as a celebration.

My bro Vkey has been in hibernate mode since Cultra, he wanted to make sure his full recovery before joining races. So this will be another race I am going as lone range. There's not much different other than thinking someone actually running the course together. The TOGETHER means on the same course at the same time but not side by side together. He stay at the starting line to wait for me.

Race Day

We did not join TNF 2016 version because it was at Tadom Base which a place that we have terrible experiences.So I have no idea how was the obstacles like for TNF, everything like a surprise for me. I am curious too the find out where can those obstacles build and running in cyberjaya.

The flag off delay slightly but it was smooth. I sprint like rocket from starting line as my bro was taking video, just for show. A lot of fast trail runners were joining this race, they ran really fast at the beginning and after the first 2 obstacles, they totally out of our sight.

The starting, running towards first obstacles [Photo credit: Jesselyn Pang, Inspired Trail Runners]

I just can not tahan those people blocking the way just to take photo. They squeeze thru and pushing you, fine, if you are so pro to go over the obstacles fast. But they just wanted to get a good spot to take photo! What the heck?! And it was Elite-wave. Please act like an elite even if you're not!

There's not much of photo to show during the race, no photographer along the route, and I did not carry my Gopro along this time. Obstacles were good and the most memorable one is the "pond/lake crossing". My legs was sink deep to knee height every step i take during the crossing. Then a gentlemen passby me and said:"Let's crawl, it is faster." I tried, it was better than walking, so I just crawling and alternate with backstroke sometimes to prevent myself to get suck into the mud. I think that was quite energy draining.

The route brought us to construction site, and there's some part even huge trucks were speeding pass us. Felt unsafe to run on that part of road, not fun at all, because I was expecting more trails. After I gave up the Trifecta, I slack in my body weight training, and this has reflect on my performance. I failed all those obstacles requires pure upper body strength, punishment it is. Self-reflection, do not steer away from your root and to keep balance training.

Got to know my position at the middle of route from a volunteer - No10. I always will put myself a more further position to motivate me to overtake. At that points, there's not other female participant around me, neither front nor back. I have to keep running from whoever from behind and tell myself to at least overtake 1 person in front of me even thought I not sure my distance between the front person. There're not obstacles at the last few KMs, just running on open boring road, run and run and run. Finally, I saw a female participant in front, keep my steady pace and slowly overtake her at the water station.

When I am close to the Park&Ride, I knew I am close to finishing line. Saw my bro was there waiting for me, taking video! He told me that just 1 more obstacle to go. Then I saw the obstacle, the type that I hate the most! A huge slides, that I saw from FB earlier on, and I totally forget about it. I have the slight acrophobia and tachophobia, just FYI I do not ride roller coaster in theme park as long as I remember. I tried to get up to the top, but I just couldn't sit and slide down from it. At the end, I did the penalty for this. >.< And it cost me 1 rank dropped! Of course, I got nag by Vkey because of this.

Cheering from my bro and Ang KS [Photo credit: Tania Wee]

Post race

I have earned myself some birthday presents - great memory, nice medal, and blister! Lol~ Because of this blister I crippled for a week. Nonetheless, after this race it refuel my passion towards OCR! Also thanks to my bro accompany me and waiting for me.

My kind of birthday celebration

OCR friend - Don Wong

All the participants were entitle medal, finisher T (elite wave), fruits and lunch pack. It was nice when you see your favorite food after race. Besides, thank you so much for the consideration for Vegetarian option. Not much races taking care of this.