Last weekend, I participated in the Genting Trailblazer 2008 with Greg and we had fuuuunnn! We joined as a mixed team in the Adventure Category.It was my first adventure race ever and though friends who’ve participated in it before have told me that it’s one of the easier races around, I didn’t have anything else to compare it with. All I know is, the 14km of trail running (well, more of hiking and jogging) and going through the obstacle course at the end was absolutely fun!
Okay, so it might’ve been because of the pre-workout drink I took before the race which got me really hyped up. But I was literally grinning to myself and talking to my race partner and other racers throughout (well, almost) the entire trail. I talked so much rubbish that I got thirsty within the first 4km and had to steal some water from another friend’s camelbak :p
The first 3 (or was it 2?) km was on road and this was around the golf course area and while I could jog consistently on the flat and downhill paths, when the road veered uphill, I was wheezing and thinking to myself “Gawdammit! I shouldn’t have had that morning puff!”.
But I was on a roll once we got off road! Greg and I hyped ourselves up (and might’ve annoyed the shit out of other racers) by chanting “Trail running is fun! Trail running rocks!” throughout some parts of the off-road trail.
I don’t know whether or not Greg was being sarcastic, but I loved the off-road bit of the race. Whether it was the mud, the clambering about trying to avoid tripping, the steep falls, more mud or slippery trails which had me going, I have no idea.
The trail bit wasn’t all about running, but for me, it involved agility, climbing (yes, some areas were that steep!), ropeworks, sliding down (wheee!) amongst other stuff (okay, okay. I’m not very wordy at this time of the night :p).
I think another reason why I enjoyed the race was the camaraderie amongst fellow racers. I was randomly talking to other participants and while some obviously didn’t feel like talking, a lot of them were really friendly and encouraging.
I have a confession though - I had to leave my race partner behind somewhere at the 8 or 9 km point.
So Greg, here’s a public apology for running ahead. Sorry arrrr but I had to, I was on an adrenaline rush. If I had stopped, I would’ve just trudged the rest of the way :p
And I didn’t tell you this, but when an uncle saw me cheering you on, he said to me “Wah, first time I see girl cheering for boy woh”.
I wanted to tell him the truth, that I’m actually a man. But I was too busy cheering you on :p
Nevertheless, it was fun having you as a partner even though we never had a chance to train together before the race.
And you know why? Because you let me tokkok the whole way without asking me to shut up 
Wheeeee!
And what’s a blog post without pictures right? Below are some pictures courtesy of Sze Ning (she’s the one on the left in the pic below). Thanks for the pics young one!
I need to learn a new pose. No more left bicep flex after this! And look at how clean my top was before the race. I wanted to see how dirty I could get it.
Yes, I can still make faces at the camera while supposedly racing. That’s why I’m the narcissistic wedding photographer. Very the narcissistic.
Greg and I at the finishing line. We finished at 2 hours 40 mins. Target for next year sub 2 hours (or 1:30? :D)!
Bloody dirty but enjoying it! Wooooooottttt!
Can’t wait for next year’s Trailblazer event! Woooottt!
Was busy with editing pics, catching up with local photogs and friends as well as pigging out at some of my fave eateries!
