Sundown Ultra Marathon

I have decided to run the Sundown Ultra on 29 May 2010. I hope to do a good timing next year. Any time under 10hrs will be my target. Anything lower than that, will be a bonus. 

As of now, i will be running in VFF although i may go total barefoot for half of the race. 

218km (Run Round Singapore) footrace

Yes, believe it or not. NTU is going to organise a 218km footrace in 27-28 March 2010.  They already have my name for this event. I will provide more details when i have it.

Update: I have the route details. However, i shall not post it here yet till i have obtained certain confirmation from the organiser.

Lets Take A Walk 2009, A charity even that raised funds & awareness for Boys' Town and Raleigh Society

When you put guys like this in a 50km WALK, their qualities seem to come out of their every pore. Fortunately, this is a walking event, otherwise they could have buried me alive!

100km walk started half hour earlier. Team Vibram Five lead the 50km pack from the very beginning. Eventually we caught up with most if not all the 100km teams in front. Heavy rains must have dampened the spirit of the event. As we progress closer to 40km, we must have probably put all the 100km teams behind us. Frankly, from here on I felt no challenge. We must have pushed our self too fast.

We settled down for a well deserved Macdonald break besides International Plaza. That 5 stooges sitting outside Macdonald on the floor eating away like never been eating for years. That must be the best Macdonald outlet we ever visited. While people insides may take hours to finish their Mac meals, it took just seconds to swallow two Mac in each of us. It just melt away!

As we move forward, I have never found myself so lonely in front. Fortunately, we are a team, otherwise I wouldn't want to play on. I'd be in a cab home. So, it isn't with much aplomb and surprise that Team Vibram came in number one eventually. Nevertheless, it is a sweet finishing. And personally for me, achieving a 9hr40 in a 50km walk is truly remarkable. More so that we are in VFF barefoot. It is something that I can savour for a long time to come.

And having that STEVEN WONG with a team of young and strong athletes may look a total misfit in every sense. Hey...this is a walking event you know J I think I am coping well and there is no reason to fault me, haha.

Chris, Johnson, Kah Shin, Bernard

It is an opportunity of a life time to be amongst you bros as a team. We are of different breed. You are very much a runner and on the contrary, walking is my forte. It is totally a different sport. Nonetheless, I hope you have enjoyed this gruelling walk as much as I do. As a team, we gel well. No yakking. No hair pulling brawl and no single instant of flaring tempers. The camaraderie amongst us provide an amiable platform to integrate with hearty chats and laughter that ruled the way. Man, this is a best team I ever had! Xmas has never been so early and wonderful. Have a good rest and recovery bro!

Ahtapon, Elaine and Chin, Anne,

Many thanks to you for keeping us company on certain segment of route. Your walk with us gave us the boost that is much needed in such an endurance event. Thanks for all the pictures. Special thanks to Ahtapon who tag along with heavy bags of foods and drinks. That 30km segment that you walk with us are deeply appreciated. And aside to Elaine, how we wish that you can stay with us throughout. That way, I think sub 9 could be achievable J

Nick, Pauline,

Thanks again for the product sponsor. We were a little ambitious in doing a VFF barefoot without any prior training with it. I do agreed that it could have been much easier if we could have gradually built to embrace it. We are nonetheless proud to have achieved this hard feat. Personally I find it much easier to walk with VFF in a soaked wet environment. On top of all this, it does helps in strengthening my calf and sole.

Sok Hong,

We are proud to don Nature Valley colour. Going green as a team really boost in us a strong identity that attract attention. Importantly, it relates well with green environment, the much talk about Copenhagen summit currently. And as usual your NV bars has always been our saviour to stretch our distance. 

And to All,

And so, another endurance event has come and gone. You people has always been an inspiration and motivation that kept my lifestyle active and refreshing. For now, let's not talk about sports. Let us get back to our love ones for a good Christmas and welcome the 2010. May 2010 brings you better health, fitness and many more memorable events. On behalf of Team Vibram Five, I wish one and all a MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Steven Wong

Team Vibram Five

Standard Chartered Marathon 2009 Result

NAME:	ALEX TOH
EVENT:	Full Marathon
DATE:	December 6th, 2009
BIB/DIV:	26470 / M2529
	3h:44m:50s (gun) / 3h:37m:47s (net) Yup, it is really me and not Alex Toh. As i did not registered for the SCM, i was running under Alex Toh's name. To Alex out there, thank you. You are ranked 218 out of the entire field, 114th out of local category and 30th in your age group.

MR25 Ultra Marathon

The last event of the year. What a way to end it, by running this ultra trail event at home ground. Looking forward to this. It will be a time of celebration with friends and fellow runners.

For more details, visit http://www.mr25.org.sg

Vibram Five Fellas

I am excited about the upcoming event, Let's Take A Walk. Our team has been finalized and we will be in Vibram Fivefingers gear.

Let's Take A Walk

I am looking forward to this event. I missed it last year due to a Church Retreat in Batam. The plan was to do the 100km extreme walk. However, the team decided to opt for the 50km power walk as a recovery and fun event. It will be fun especially we have Christian and Johnson in the team.

Though we are taking it easy, do not count us out!

New Balance Real Run

I finished the NB 10km Real Run on Sunday at the Changi Exhibition Centre. My chip time was 50:20 and net time was 51:02. Of course, i did the event in Vibram and hydration bag. I found the race interesting as we had to tranverse through 3 types of terrain - trail 4km, sand 0.6km and finally tarmac 5.4km.

After the event, i did another 2-3km back to CP 6 and i have all the weird stares from the 10km runners who were still running. Overall, it is an event worth considering to do again.

My right eye is swollen!

My right eye went through a minor surgery yesterday to remove a blocked gland at the upper eyelid. It has been nagging for the past 3 weeks and finally made the decision to remove it totally. The surgery took about 5 minutes with LA being administered to my eye. Side effect is swollen and bruised eyed for next 1 - 2 weeks.

Additional bad news is that i do not have perfect eyesight anymore. My astigmatism is back.. Sigh.... wasted all my money on the lasik two years ago. Good news was that i have no retinal detechment although i have a few "floaters" (its normal according to my doctor).

TNF 100km Solo in Vibram

A picture of me in the Vibram KSO

Surprise Surprise and Surprise

Life is so full of surprises when lest you expect it........ Less than 2 weeks after the completion of the TNF 100km, my race calendar is once again packed with trainings (still struggling with it) and events.

In Dec, i will be replacing Kim Hong in the Standard Chartered Marathon on 5 Dec. In two weeks, i will be joining Steven, Kah Shin, Michael and possibly Nic in the 100km Extreme Walk. Six days later, i will be participating in the annual MR25 Ultramarathon on 27 Dec.

Crazy as it seems or sounds, that should complete the overall events for this year 2009.

2010?? Let's leave it as it is.......

TNF 100km Solo

I never heard of barefoot running or minimalist running when i started doing endurance events. It was in one of the recent ultra trail race (Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc) i did, it was the first time i heard of Vibram Fivefingers. They had a booth at the race expo and it did not catch my attention. Anyway, to cut the story short, i had my first DNF at UTMB in August ( i had run non-stop for 150km and was short of 16km to complete). I was in terrible pain and had cramps everywhere. My legs hurt so badly...It was in a moment of post race reflection that i came across about barefoot running and its benefits. I am not going to run in barefoot, it will be so painful, I thought to myself. I look for other alternative and that is where i come across Vibram Fivefingers. It offers almost similar effects and benefits of barefoot running and still give slight protection to your foot. I thought " why not?". I am fortunate that i know of my friend who brings in the Vibram to Singapore. I contacted him and the rest is history. Now i am a true convert and practitioner of minimalist running.

Last Saturday, i took part in the longest ultra running event in Singapore. It was the The North Face 100 Singapore, part of the TNF100 series in the world. Because of my experiences, i was selected and invited to take part in the first 100km solo event. I decided to do it using Vibram KSO. I wasn't sure if i was sane to run 100km in Vibram. To "train" for this, i had to run in actual barefoot to strengthen my feet and thicken my calluses. I ran 4 times a week about 5km every morning in barefoot for almost 1.5 month. Next, i did progressive trail runs from 10 - 30km in Vibram. All these while, friends were asking me " Are you sure you want to do this"? Some of my close buddies encouraged and supported me. I was grateful for their words of support. Race day came and i was one of the 30 participants in the field at 4am. I knew i have to start slow as this was 100km and not 10km. I had the company of my close buddy with me and we looked out for each other. In fact, i did not face any major problem for the first 20km on the trail. The problem came between 20-30km where the trail is changed to rocky trails (nothing but just rocks and rocks). Every step you took was difficult and painful. Trying to read the trail was also challenging as it was all the same. i knew this part of the route was going to pose me bigger problem when i had to complete it in the 2nd loop. I managed to survive the first 50km in 5:48hrs. However, my feet were also hurting quite badly. I decided to take an hour's break to rest my feet and was contemplating whether i should changed into my shoes (yes, i brought my shoe as a back-up plan).

I was not ready to give up without trying. I put back my Vibram and decided to continue. The next 20km was even harder than i ever thought. I had to improvise my strategy. I had to run on flat surfaces and downhills while did a walk up hilly trails. Finally, the nightmare came again at the 70km mark (the rockiest trail). Forced with a hard decision, i opted to do a power walk for the entire 10km of this trail. I knew it would affect my overall timing. However, my aim was to complete the 100km event. Thankfully, i persevered and completed the 10km in about 1:30hrs. By this time, my right feet seem to have a blister forming. i got it bandaged by a medic. I was feeling horrible as the heat was intense at that part of the day. An message from my cell phone came and it read " Bernard is still in the race and he is going to be the first Singaporean to run 100km in barefoot". That message lifted up my spirit. All of sudden, i was fired up and thanked the volunteers. I got up from my feet and continue my run. Every ounce of energy seemed to come back and i was running again for the last 20km. What made sweeter, was the fact that family and kids were going to be there. As the distance became shorter and shorter, i was running even faster. At the last 2.5km, i was running at a 5.43min/km pace. Finally, i saw the finishing line and saw my kids waving at me. I held my son's hand and we ran into the finish line together. Happy and tired i was! Nevertheless, proud that i have earned the right to be the first to do an 100km trail event in minimalist style.

Check this out. This is the 2nd day after my 100km, i am not feeling any injury / muscle aching on any part of my legs. My calves felt sore the next day after the race. Right now, the soreness has disappear. i am truly surprised and this event has just proven the benefit on barefoot running.

Aren't they lovely and gorgeous?

Taken during the recent wedding of Dawn and Yijun

My Race Bib Number - 4D this Sat?

Here is my Race Bib Number for the 100km solo........

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Saturday Trail Route

Garmin Connect -
Activity Details for
TNF Route

Shared via AddThis

Our Saturday Trail Route

This is going to be our Sat trail route. Thanks to Bro Ron. Chief navigator and map plotter. I am looking forward to doing the entire route. Few occassions we have did half of each sections. Now we are putting the pieces together... Did i say that Kah Shin and myself are "trying" to do a 50km distance????

Huarache Sandals are finally here

Yes, the sandals are finally here. Thanks to my friend, Barefoot Ted who customize them for me. Can't wait to test them out... But before that, better apply some hypogel.

Mind Australia Alpine Challenge

A training event for UTMB 2010?

Imagine doing 4 marathons in 48 hours, that is the challenge you could face if you decide to enter the Mind Alpine Challenge. The third 100 mile (160Km) Mind Alpine Challenge Ultra Marathon, incorporating the Elmtree Corporate and Team Challenge and the Alpine Skyrun is set to be run over 20 – 22 March in the Alpine National Park. Taking in over 6,000 metres of climb and 6,000 metres of descent, this event is set to become the classic 100 miler mountain trail run in Australia and will test runners and walkers to the limit.

Set in the spectacular high country of north eastern Victoria the event takes in; Mt Feathertop, Mt Hotham, The Fainters, Spione Kopje, Mt Nelse and Victoria’s highest mountain, Mt Bogong – some of the best high country in Australia, and some of the hardest and most exposed.

In 2006, four experienced runners attempted to run the course but were stopped by unseasonal snow.  Running in pairs, two runners pulled out at Mt Nelse after taking 17.5 hours to complete 60km and two other runners turned back at 3am in calf deep snow and white out conditions on the approach to Mt Bogong. In 2007 the run was cancelled due to bushfires and it was only in 2008, that the course was completed with three runners completing the distance in 42 hours in perfect conditions. Records tumbled in 2009 with a new men’s record of 32.45 hours and a new record of 36 hours for the first female finisher in the event.

In 2010 the event has been further developed with the addition of a team endurance category as well as the team relay and solo categories. The course has been changed to include the summit of Mt Hotham and a new 100km distance has been added allowing participants who might struggle with the 100Mile / 160 km distance to still complete a challenging course. With the removal of the mandatory overnight stop, records for both runners and walkers are set to tumble even further.

If you’re looking for something different, if you want a fantastic run or some real power walking, great scenery, unpredictable weather and to push yourself to the limits, whilst raising money to support people not as fortunate as yourself, the Mind Alpine Challenge is for you. This is a mutual support event, it is not a race in the traditional sense. For safety reasons participants must offer assistance to others in distress and relay participants must compete in teams of 2. Participants are responsible for their own safety and assume full liability for their participation.

The event offers a range of challenges over the 100ml/ 160km or 100km distances:

• Endurance Challenge – individual runners who complete their chosen course in under 48 hours 
• Corporate and Team Challenges - running in teams of 2 or 4 or more, teams aim to complete their chosen distance walking or running in under 48 hours
• Relay Challenge – travelling in pairs, up to 8 runners/walkers in a relay team attempt to complete the course in less than 48 hours

This is an arduous course with 6 major climbs that take a cumulative toll. The event takes place in an exposed Alpine environment that can be subject to sudden and severe changes in weather. Hot sunny days as well as rain, fog, high winds, sleet and snow can occur during March. This is not a run to be taken lightly, hypothermia is a serious risk as is the potential for getting lost, and participants must be prepared for any weather conditions.

The Mind Alpine Challenge should only be attempted by experienced trail runners / walkers with good navigation experience. As a minimum, endurance runners attempting the course must have successfully completed at least one organized trail ultra marathon or 8 hour+ rogaine in the previous 6 months, and walkers must have extensive bush walking experience. Relay team members must have experience in running/walking trails and all participants must have experience in walking / running in cold climate conditions and navigating at night and in adverse conditions.

Sunday Run 04 Oct 2009

Always looking forward to a good run. Today is the day. We did the TNF route to Chestnut and divert to Track 15 via Zhenghua Park. We stopped at end of Durian Loop where Steven met us with drinks and banana.Me playing the "Devil's Advocate" persuaded them to join me for breakfast. We ended up in killiney. Come next week, we are doing longer distance. For now, let's take a break!

TNF 30km progessive run

TNF organised the 3rd series of the progressive run clinics on 26 Sept. Started at Rifle Range Car Park at 8am. The turnout was large and met a couple of my running friends. It was good to see my buddy, Kah Shin back from Swiss. We were to tag along with Jeanette. We got ourselves in the 3rd group and started our way twds Bukit Timah Summit.

I was in Vibram KSO and i had a couple of friends enquiring about the sandals. Like the previous 15km run, i started slow and steady in the KSO. Grip was there while i was going up the summit. Time to test it downhill in the trail. I was surprised that the KSO was able to hold on the rocks / gravels while going downhill. I did not slow down specifically even though i was in KSO. KSO passed my assessment in downhill.

Next was to see how well i am able to cope 30km in KSO. By the time i hit 20km mark, my calves were feeling and my achilles were feeling tight. I knew my barefoot training has not reached its form yet. I was seeing how far i can go. Can i complete the full 30km in KSO? I was glad to see Christian at the northern route of Macritchie. He walked with me a while and we chatted.  Next i saw Kenneth and Laura. They were the "sweepers" for the 20km run.

We hit the Rifle Range Link Road (Near ST Engineering) and i was glad that i had a few kms left with the last durian loop. Finished the run in 3:33hrs with Vibram KSO.

Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc

Two of my favourite shots at the recent Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc, with my buddies. We will be sharing with our friends and families on our recent experiences at Steven's place tomorrow night.

SingTel Singapore Grand Prix

With much excitment and anticipation, i will be heading down to catch the F1 practice session  tonight. Planning began few months back... hopefully the event will live up to its name! We will see...

Had a nice run this morning in barefoot. Will be bringing the Vibram to office tomorrow.

Vibram FiveFingers KSO

I have heard of Vibram Fivefingers for some time. However, it has not occurred to me to try it. It was only during the race fair at Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc, Kah Shin and myself came across Vibram again. It was a casual chat that both of us would try the Vibram when there was an opportunity.

Opportunity did come when we learn that Nicholas is distributing it in Singapore. Went to try out the Vibram in Feder Sports and ended up buying an KSO.

With so much ethusiasim, i decided to put the KSO in the 15km "rockiest trail" in Macritichie the next day. Thankfully, i have been doing a few barefoot runs for the past few days and my feet did not feel awkard when i put on the Vibram. The first few kms were done conservatively and slowly to allow the feet to work in well with KSO. After the end of the 4km northern route, i decided to go on quicker pace towards Rifle Range. At this time, the trail are beginning to get more rocky and it was a good chance to test the KSO. At the end of the trail near Rifle Range Link Road, both my legs were still feeling perfectly fine ( i was expecting slight soreness but it did not happen). I decided to put KSO in a different terrain - road. As expected, it was easier and smoother when it was done over the tarmac. No doubt about it.

I was surprised that all the while, my running pace (in KSO) was somehow no different from my usual running pace (in running shoe). KSO also allows me to continue running in the same style as barefoot running. Besides, the toes pockets were certainly helpful against rocks, roots etc. At the end of the session, only my calves had a great workout.

More runs (longer distances) are going to be done in the next few weeks and i am definitely going to be seen wearing my KSO. A few of my friends have already been enquiring about the "toe sandals" i wore!

Back after a long break from Blogging

Decided to revive back my blog after a hietus long break.... Hopefully i will write more posts in days to come