MARIE CHOO

Only weeks away to the biggest race of my life (to date), I have been answering this question when asked by baffled friends and strangers. Anyone who is not an ultra trail runner simply cannot comprehend why anyone in their sane mind would want to do a 100-mile foot race. Not 100km, but 100 miles which is about 161km.

To answer the question, I have to go back to how I started. Long story short, I started as a road runner in 2014, when a health scare forced me to reassess my life and embark on a fitness journey. In a span of 10 months, I went from zero to a full marathon, completing my first World Major Marathon in Tokyo. I thought if I would to suffer, I would do it in a city I love. Not a fairy tale with an enviable timing but I finished it in one piece under 6 hours. That experience made me realised that it is possible to do what I once thought was impossible.

I went on to complete a few more marathons to make sure it was not a fluke on my first attempt, by bagging two more World Major medals in Berlin and New York, and one in Gold Coast. Why and how I signed up for my first ultra trail race was a funny story. I didn't manage to get a slot to run at the London Marathon after failing to win the ballot twice, so I got angry and decided to give ultra trail race a try. Naively thinking what is 50km when I have completed several 42.195km races. I soon learnt ultra trail was a complete different ball game and was more than meets the eye.

The first ultra trail race that I signed up for was TransLantau 50km. I only had less than 3 months to train and no idea how to do so, not to mention clueless about the gear I should use. I asked some road running friends with trail running experience for advice and relied a lot on Red Dot Running Company's Jeri Chua for guidance. To my surprise, I completed the race in under 11 hours, with over 2 hours to spare before the official cut-off time. I thought I was crap then because all my running friends did it under 10 hours, but in retrospective, I think it was pretty alright for a rookie's virgin ultra trail race.

The next epic milestone for me was to double the distance and attempt my first 100km the following year at Ultra-Trail Australia. The thought of being overnight alone in the wilderness scared me a lot but I decided to do it anyway because I never like to be a prisoner of my own fears. I wanted to "go big or go home" and confronted all many fears at once - darkness, ghosts, insects, wild beasts, and the unknown. I completed my first 100km in just slightly over a day, on my feet for over 24 hours, but a good few hours before the cut-off time of 28 hours.

This race taught me the importance of having all the mandatory gear, for they saved my life and from DNF (did not finish) when the temperature dipped to almost zero at night up in the windy Blue Mountains. I was so cold that I could not stop shivering at the last checkpoint, when I still had about a good 15km to go. I put on all the mandatory clothing items to stay warm for the last leg of my race. The experience gave me new found courage and self respect. As an overachiever and a self-demanding perfectionist, I thought I was truly awesome for once in my life.

I completed another 100km race a year after, in 2019 in Hong Kong, where I was humbled by TransLantau's brutality. I was glad I didn't choose TransLantau 100 as my first 100km race. I took slightly over 30 hours, slept walk and almost fell while sleep walking. That race was tough and taught me humility, but I want to go back to do it over again till I have no more fear of it. I think that was my toughest race to date but it gave me the courage to set another epic milestone for 2020.

Most of the folks in the running community know of me as the runner who runs to raise funds for dog shelters, thanks to the numerous media features in the local magazines and the newspapers. I am just an ordinary runner; not fast, but what I lack in speed I made it up with determination and my love for dogs. I have been raising funds to support no-kill animal shelters since I became a lifestyle runner.

To date, I have raised over $70,000 since 2014, with help of supportive friends and donors, and fellow runners who decided to come on board to lend a hand to help the less fortunate paws. Every dollar counts and every act of kindness matters. We may not change the world with what we do, but we can change the world of the dogs that we decided to help.

With only 4 ultra trail races under my belt in 3 years, I will embark on my 4th year as an ultra trail runner with my first 100-mile race at Ultra-Trail Tarawera, Rotorua in New Zealand. Suffering is guaranteed but at least the pain is more bearable when I have beautiful scenery to look at.

In summary, I want to run 100 miles because I am looking forward to challenging my own limits to see how far I can go, to toughen myself up when the going gets tough, and to keep raising awareness and funds to help the less fortunate dogs in Singapore. When that is done and dusted come 9 February, I will be writing about 'How I Run A 100 Miles' as a sequel to this post. Wish me luck and send me good vibes, and perhaps you may wish to send a small donation for 'I RUN FOR RESCUE DOGS' too.

For donations to support the no-kill animal shelters, a convenient way is via my Paypal account but a small transfer fee will be charged. Alternatively, please contact me if you wish to donate via other modes such as bank transfer. You will be able to see the updates on my public Facebook album, where photos of activities and receipts of transfers will be posted as updates and for transparency.

Find out more about I RUN FOR RESCUE DOGS at www.pursuitoflivingwell.com/charity

If you are an avid runner, you might have read Born To Run by Christopher McDougall. It's the book that brought barefoot running to the attention of runners worldwide, and put the Tarahumara (a.k.a Rarámuri ) in the spotlight. As a geek, I read a lot of running literature when I first started pounding the pavement in 2014. I was fascinated with the Tarahumara's ability to run long distances wearing sandals, and without any fancy apparel nor modern inventions (the likes of gels, heart rate monitor watches, electrolyte drinks).

Before those from camp cushioned shoes start throwing sneakers at me, I would like to say that barefoot running style is not for everyone and it takes time to transition. I may not be a podiatrist nor a certified physiotherapist, but I write this from my personal experiences as a runner who had suffered from several types of injuries related to running.

I have ran and hiked in Vibrams FiveFingers shoes, as well as zero drop trail running shoes for my ultra races. I personally love the responsive feeling when my feet land on the ground. It made me more aware and mindful, and less reckless in my running style. The increased proprioception gives me a better sense of traction with the terrain beneath my soles. I would run once or twice per week in my Vibrams on road when I was recovering from my ankle sprains. My sports therapist Aldrin Ho from Ziklag Fitness advised me to walk in sandals and run barefoot as a way to regain my proprioception and to strengthen my muscles during my recovery from a sprained ankle earlier this year.

When Run Minimal offered me the chance to try out a pair of Luna Sandals OSO Winged Edition (S$169), I was truly excited to go on a test drive on trails with its founder, Fred Leow, who also happens to be a kick-ass photographer. Luna Sandals has a pedigree in ultra trail running, for it is founded by Barefoot Ted, the real life character from the book 'Born To Run' who ran (and still runs) with the Tarahumara at the famous Caballo Blanco Copper Canyon Ultra race in Urique, Mexico.

Like with any pair of new trail shoes, I always start with a hike before I attempt to run in them. I was amazed by how comfy the Luna sandals were and that there was no chafing at all. I was particularly worried about the skin between my big and second toe but no issues were encountered during the 2-hour hike with a little bit of running.

What I like about the Luna Sandals OSO Winged Edition?

• They are easy to adjust with the single strap design
• Super comfy and no chafing
• No buckle or fastening, just slip your foot in
• No fear of getting my feet wet
• Super good traction with the Vibram Megagrip soles
• Not stinky like Vibram FiveFingers shoes

What I don't like about sandals on trails?

• Insect bites on tropical trails (I was bitten by ants many times during the trial)
• No protection of my feet against cuts from sharp objects should I slip or fall

Overall, I really like the Luna sandals and would wear them for hikes or short runs on trails to get used to them. I defo won't be wearing them for ultra trail races as of now or anytime soon till I am accustomed to them. However, I do plan to wear them on my short recovery runs instead of my stinky Vibram FiveFingers. I believe running is all about having a balance and I rotate between wearing barefoot-style shoes, Under Armour road running shoes, and Salomon trail running shoes.

Living in a fast-paced society means we are generally obsessed with speed, especially when it comes to running.  If I can get a dollar for every “I am not fast enough” type of post that I saw on social media after the Singapore marathon weekend, I would have enough money to buy myself a few pairs of trail running shoes for the new year. Completing 42.195km is no easy feat to begin with, but yet I see many runners beating themselves up for not achieving a PB or a better time. I really wish for some runners to celebrate their courage to toe the start line, as well as their amazing grit and determination when they crossed the finish line. 

Becoming an ultra trail runner has taught me to slow down and appreciate the beauty that nature has to offer. Even though at times it wasn’t by choice when confronted by daunting elevated terrains or when sheer distance and fatigue reduce my physical body to a crawl. That was when I learnt about shinrin-yoku, literally translated into the Japanese language as “forest bathing”.

The true spirit of shinrin-yoku is to immerse oneself in nature by disconnecting from the city life and unplugging from technology and digital devices. However, I very much prefer to capture some of the sights using my phone cam while I am hiking to immortalise those amazing sightings to share with others. I hope the pictures will be able to inspire some to head outdoors and seek their own dose of connection with nature.

Being in nature keeps us grounded and revitalises our soul. Studies have proved that when we breathe in the phytoncides produced by the plants, it can give a boost to our immune system and help to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and improve our mood.

The next time you head to the nature reserve or park, instead of running, why not take a hike and seek out a connection with nature through your senses. Listen to the sounds of the forests, smell the scents on the trails, enjoy the visual beauty around you, and touch the plants.

What better way to celebrate the bicentennial of Singapore than getting 200 runners together for a charitable cause? Relay Majulah is a ground-up initiative where 200 runners will run a collective distance of 2,000km for over 200 hours spanning 8 days (2–10 November 2019).  It aims to unite runners from all walks of life to run as a relay team to raise funds for President’s Challenge and support its 67 charities across different platforms.

The President's Challenge is an annual community outreach and fundraising campaign for charities selected every year by the President's Office. It is a call to all Singaporeans in doing their part as it aims to be a movement supported by kindness and generosity to create a more caring and inclusive society. Initiated by former President S R Nathan back in the year 2000, the Challenge represents the coming together of Singaporeans to help the less fortunate. In 2012, under the leadership of former President Tony Tan Keng Yam, it was expanded beyond  fundraising to include volunteerism and social entrepreneurship.

Many know of me as The Dog Alchemist, a fashion and luxury marketing professional turned dog behaviourist and trainer who runs ultra trail race to raise awarness and funds in aid of some no-kill dog shelters in Singapore.

I started the I RUN FOR RESCUE DOGS initiative back in 2015 because I wanted run for a cause that is close to my heart and to advocate responsible dog ownership and animal welfare. I have managed to raise over $80,000 since then and also gotten a small group of runners to join me two years ago and they raised a total of over $30,000.

I have never been a runner up till five years ago. I suffered a health scare that served as a wake-up call for me to take care of myself. I decided to embark on my fitness journey to take charge of my life. I went from not being able to run 2km to completing a full marathon of 42.195km in 10 months' time, to then venture into trail running and doing races of 50km, 100km and soon 100 miles in Tarawera, New Zealand, this coming February.

As a Singaporean who is proud to call Singapore my home, I am very honoured to be part of Relay Majulah. For once, I am running not just for the woofies but for humanity, specifically for the less fortunate Singaporeans who need our support and compassion. All donations are tax deductible and the minimum donation amount is $10.

If you wish to support Relay Majulah, you can help by making a donation or share the donation link to create awareness and garner donations. Together, we can make our Little Red Dot a better place for our less fortunate fellow countrymen. 

April marked my third year as a runner of some enthusiasm, and is a year of progress for me. I have always declared myself as a slow runner and was struggling to even break sub-30 minutes for 5km for the past two years. I had long resigned myself to fate as one of those who failed to win the genetics lottery to be a good runner.

However, everything changed when I met Choo Ling Er (@lingultragal), Ironman age group world champion and four-time Kona bound athlete while working out at TripleFit. I have always been inspired by Ling’s achievements and comeback story, and I was thrilled when she offered to give me a personal sharing session on how to be a better, faster and more efficient runner.

At the sharing session, she showed me some dynamic warm-up moves, shared with me on how to achieve an efficient running posture, and tips on how to be a better runner. Practising what she had taught me, I managed to run sub-30minutes for 5km and sub-60 minutes for 10km after just two weeks!

Here are some key tips that I picked up that helped me to run faster and better:

• Warming up is essential as it can enhance performance. Pre-run dynamic stretching moves such as butt kicks, walking lunges, leg swings (front and sideways), hamstring sweep, and skipping will help in increasing range of motion, mobility, flexibility and dynamic strength. A warm engine will give you better horsepower for your run.

• Running form is crucial in helping achieve efficiency and reducing injuries. I was skeptical when Ling told me I would be able to shave off at least a few seconds from my pace time by simply making small adjustments to my arm swing and foot landing. Low and behold, my timing improved immediately at the run right after the session, and I almost broke  30 minutes for 5km. All it took was some small but conscious adjustments to my running form, such as swinging my arms backwards instead of trying to push them forward.

• Nutrition and hydration are important, and the fueling process is not limited to just during the training sessions. Pre-training and recovery are equally important. Ling introduced me to Pure Sports Nutrition, a range of high quality sports nutrition products with no artificial ingredients or coloring. Having adequate nutrition and hydration before, during and after a run do make a different to performance and recovery.

• Cross training is important to build stamina, endurance and prevent injuries. Swimming and biking, alongside strength training do help in making one a faster and better runner.

I finally mustered up enough courage and ditched all my excuses this year to sign up for the Spartan Race. I used to hate getting muddy and dirty, but trail running has changed me. As a Spartan rookie, I opted for the Sprint category, the shortest course with 5km+ run and about 20+ obstacles.

Thankfully, for what I lack in athletic talent, I make up with having some kickass athletes as my friends. I asked my fit pal Natalie Dau for help, for there’s no better person than her because she is one of Asia’s top elite Spartan racers, and the only female to represent Singapore in the Spartan Elite World Championship in Tahoe. Not only did she offered me some invaluable advice, she also pulled some strings for me to have private access to Fitness Protocol and meet David Devito, Founder of Singapore’s first obstacle course gym and Undisputed Fat Loss Guru.

Here are some key tips I picked up from both of them:

• It’s about technique, not just brute strength.
  
  A good way to start is to read about the obstacles on the Spartan website and then watch some tutorial videos on YouTube to get some idea on how to do rope climb, throw the spear, and scale the wall.

• Practice makes perfect.
  
  I think that a good place to practice is at the Fitness Protocol, the undisputed best obstacle course gym in Singapore. If you want to be Spartan ready, you could sign up for the Obstacle Technique Training Fundamentals course to learn how to tackle the obstacles.

• Having the right gear makes a difference.
  
  Natalie advised me to wear long tights (protect the legs while crawling and climbing), tank top (weather’s hot so try to keep cool, especially if you are a non-elite starting at mid day!), gloves (to protect the hands and to get a bit of extra grip), and good trail shoes (the traction on the soles do make a difference).

• Don’t forget sun protection and hydration.
  
  Most of us will start in the late morning or during midday when the sun is blazing hot, so do remember to slap on the sunscreen and hydrate yourself at all the water points.

• Pace yourself and have fun.
  
  Even though it is only about 5km of running, there are still over 20 obstacles to conquer under the unforgiving temperature and humidity. Approach it as an endurance athlete running a marathon and pace yourself. Pause for a moment before starting each obstacle, strategise the best way to approach it, and then tackle it mindfully.

The Spartan Race will take place on 6th May and I will be back with the race review. Wish me luck. Aroo!