ORDINARY PEOPLE BEING EXTRAORDINARY

I watched the 2014 Official Race Video from their website so many times and thinking what to expect. I knew the course will be hard with concrete roads, hills, stairs, and mountains. I decided to enter the ballot and test my luck since the race is in high demands.

On September 26, I checked the computer and received an email confirmation to Vibram Hong Kong 100 Ultra Trail Race. I was jumping up and down. In the meantime, I knew I have to train more and spending more time on my legs for HK100 preparation. At the same time, I told my friends and colleague that I will run HK100 even if I have to quit my job in order to make the trip to Hong Kong in January. This will be my first ever ultra-race, and it will be in my hometown, Hong Kong.

Fast forward to the week of January 12, I arrived to Hong Kong from Vancouver, Canada. One of my luggage was filled with trail running gears, nutrients, and trail running shoes. My heart was filled with excitement since I haven’t been on any Hong Kong trails in my entire life, even though I was born in Hong Kong.

January 17, 2015 – 4:00am: I woke up, showered, and ate a light breakfast. I took a taxi from Tuen Mun to Pak Tam Chung. Arrived at the Starting Point around 7:00am. Lots of people already arrived at the Starting Point. Official Volunteers helped me dropped off my two drop bags. Did some stretching near the Start Point and anticipate 8:00am start time.  The weather was cool, but perfect for trail running.

Checking-in Facebook and Instagram at 7:55am and anticipate I will finish around 16-20 hours. At 7:59am, we did the countdown, 5…4…3…2…1…, off we go.

From the Start to Support Point (East Dam – 11km), majority of the trail/road is flat. I told myself, this is nothing and very easy. Speed isn’t that great as there are lots of people and it’s impossible to pass anyone at that point. Also, there are still 90+km to go, I took it easy and enjoy the trail. Arrived at Support Point, I was blown away with the food preparation and cheers from volunteers. Never seen this kind of treatment during a trail or marathon race. I have to give them 100 out of 100 for their time and efforts. I filled my water bottles and off to CP1 (Ham Tin – 21km).  Between Support Point and CP1, there is Sai Wan Shan – 314m mountain climb. Lots of stairs and hills, but hiked it with no issues – still feeling very good. I even have the time to WeChat my brother saying the course is easy.

Arrived at CP1 (Ham Tim) feeling very good. Had some bananas and oranges. I was surprised that some volunteers even peeled the orange skin for us. REALLY?!? I thought only my parents will do that for me. Took a break for few minutes and resume my race. From CP1 to CP4, the trail is up and down. One thing I don’t expect is STAIRS, and A LOT of STAIRS. I didn’t expect that much at all. I did my training mostly on hills and flat roads, therefore, my legs starting to take beatings from amount of stairs going up and down. Views are excellent between CP1 (Han Tim), CP2 (Wong Shek), CP3 (Hoi Ha), and CP4 (Yung Shue O). Seriously, beaches and mountain views are so good that I don’t even realized that I’m in Hong Kong. Totally shocked by those views. Also, the trail cut through small villages along the way. Cheer by locals and volunteers, time goes by very fast. In the meantime, I got to share my life and running experience with other runners. There are lots of runners from Japan, Spain, France, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and China.

Leaving CP4 (Yung Shue O – 45km), I knew I have to face my first challenge – Kai Kung Shan (399m climb). Oh my, this climb is getting difficult for me, while I have already spent 8 hours on my legs already. Step by step, finally reached the top of Kai Kung Shan. Going down Kai Kung Shan is a nightmare for me. My thighs and legs are hurting from going down the stairs. I was complained why there are so much stairs. Complain, complain, and complain as I ran down those stairs since it’s less painful than walking down.

Finally I reached CP5 (Kei Ling Ha – 52km), major Check Point and half way point of the race. I picked up my drop bag, and refilling my supplies. I was feeling tired and torn at that point already. I was regretting about not bringing my trekking poles with me. Note: This Check Point is filled with temptation to quit the race. There are taxi and bus stops nearby. There are so much temptations to quit and take the ride home. While I am having a Cup Noodle and Coke from volunteers, thought of quitting is getting stronger and stronger. Since I told family, friends, and colleagues about running HK 100 back in Vancouver, I knew I have to complete the race regardless. Quitting is NOT an option for me, especially I am at the half way point. Also, I knew my 16-20 hours goal is not going to happen, then I revised my goal to finish within 24 hours – aiming for Bronze Trophy. I took 35 minutes break, off I go again, but this time it’s in the dark.

Leaving CP5 (Kei Ling Ha), it is getting dark. I got my headlamp on and start my climb to Ma On Shan (580m climb). Like I said before, it’s all stairs climbing. I put my head down and focus one step at a time. Each time I looked up, I felt depressed since I can’t see the end of the stairs. I told myself, I should have trained myself on stairs back in Vancouver. During the hike to the Ma On Shan, I was sweating like crazy. I knew from CP5 to CP6, the distance is 13km. I have to conserve my water supply and energy. Also, from CP5 to CP7, I have to climb three major mountains (Ma On Shan – 580m, Tate’s Cairn – 577m, Beacon Hill – 457m).

Arrived at Check Point 6 (Gilwell Camp – 65km), I was exhausted. Physically, I am done. I have never hiked this far in my entire life. I have never trained more than 65km. Every step that I took from that point, it will be a new experience to me. Due to massive amount of stairs, my thighs are hurting. I put some Tiger Balm on my legs and resume my race. Did I still complained about those stairs at this point? Oh yes, I still complained. I am just too exhausted to express it out, but inside my heart, I still complained like crazy. I have been consuming instant noodles, bananas, energy gels, and energy bars for the past 30km and my stomach starting to have some issues. I can’t even run because every step that I took, I want to vomit. Therefore, I can only walk at a slow pace. At the same time, I can’t consume anymore liquid or food. This is a sign saying my body wants to “reset” itself. I intentionally put my fingers into my throat to cause myself to vomit, which I vomited three times in less than 100 meters. Afterward, I felt good and start running again. Can’t you believe it? Your body is capable to do amazing things.

Along the way, I do enjoy the Hong Kong night view. This is my first time hiking up the mountain at night. I have seen so many photos of Hong Kong night views, but never in real life. I stopped for 5 minutes and enjoyed the breathtaking night views of Hong Kong.

Arrived at Check Point 7 (Beacon Hill – 73km), I was welcomed by a group of Boy Scouts. I clearly remembered a Boy Scout dancing and jumping up and down at the entrance of the Check Point. Inside this Check Point, the organizer built a bonfire in the middle of the camp. Also, they provided us with blankets and food. Since we are up on Beacon Hill, the place is very windy and cold. I wrapped myself with a blanket and drinking hot chocolate. Exhaustion and sleepiness started to kick in. It is VERY difficult to stand up and resume my race. I told myself to leave immediately because once your muscles cool down, it will be very hard to keep going. At this point, my stomach is fine but I can’t consume anymore energy gels or drinks. I refilled my bottles with water and hot tea. Filling up my bottle with hot tea at this Check Point is the best choice I ever made, it keeps my hands and body warm for the next 6km. I would strongly suggest to leave the Check Point with other runners since it is scary to run alone at night.

Arrived at Check Point 8 (Shing Mun Dam – 83km), although is a smaller Check Point, but they have enough supplies to refill your needs. I arrived at this Check Point feeling hungry. I am taking my chances to eat a bowl of cup noodles. First Aid Attendances are nice enough to let me sit on their chairs. I asked questions on how to ease my stomach pains and vomit feeling while eating my cup noodles very slowly since I can barely lift my hand at this point. Those First Aid Attendances are very informative and takes my mind from the pain. I checked my Elevation Profit and I can see three biggest climbs ahead of me – Needle Hill, Grassy Hill, and Tai Mo Shan.

Needle Hill is one of the steepest climb of the race. It is even harder when your body hiked 83km already. This is when your mental toughness kicks in. You realized you have ran so far to this point, the last three hills will not stop you. Once you gain momentum, even at a slow pace, it is not that difficult to climb. Going down from the peak of Needle Hill and Grassy Hill is very dangerous at night. I would strong suggest to take it slow and take one step at a time. Loose rocks are everywhere and you can’t afford to have an injury at this point of the race.

Arrived at Check Point 9 (Lead Mine Pass – 90km), there is only 10km left in the race. There is only Tai Mo Shan separated from the Check Point to Finish Line. Although the elevation is quite high, but it is not that difficult to hike up.

I was amazed that my body is not tired. I am more energetic than the past 25km. My excitement to the Finish Line started to kick-in. Although it is very foggy and windy at the top of Tai Mo Shan, I enjoyed every second of it. As you reached the top of Tai Mo Shan, the trail will turn into a concrete road. I checked my watch and realized it is 23 hours already. Since my revised target is finished less than 24 hours, there’s not much time to relax. Once I passed the Weather Station at the peak, I ran the past 5km downhill. Last 5km downhill is a self-reflection of the past 95km that I ran. There are lots of pains and frustrations, but at the same time, lots of happiness as well. 

Spending hours on mountains does take more mental strength than physical strength. Your body is telling you to quit while your mental strength is pushing you to keep going. One negative thought will totally take you out of the race at this point. This is the race to test your mental strength – no doubt about it. During that time, I thought about every moment and every person I met in my life. This is the perfect time to reflect myself on what I did in the past and my future plans.

Hearing my name from the announcer and crossing that Finish Line is unbelievable. I can’t believe my body is capable doing much distance. 
What's next?!? Squamish 50/50 in August 2015 .... here I come. I am sure I'll back for another HK 100 in 2016 (if I am lucky enough to register)!

Gear that I used during HK 100:

• Black Diamond Storm Headlamp
• Oakley Frogskins Sunglasses
• Garmin Forerunner 310XT
• Ultimate Direction SJ Ultra Vest 2.0
• Salomon S-Lab Exo Twinskin Short
• Injinji Toesocks
• Hoka One One Huaka 
• Nike Running Gloves
• Nike Windbreaker
• Tailwind Nutrition - Endurance Fuel
• PocketFuel Energy Packs