Female runners are minorities in the running community. Female ultra runners are rarity and akin to special gems. For this edition of meet our runners, we are paying special attention to one of our most outstanding female “Garang Runner”, Wai Thing.  She has been a prominent figure in the ultramarathon running scene, leaving trails behind from Singapore to many harsh trail routes overseas. If there is a trail, there will be a way, and Wai Thing will be there to do this distance. Noteworthy fact, Wai Thing happens to also be one of the winners for MR25 best performing athlete for year 2018. Let’s run down the timeline and understand more about her thoughts towards running…You will be inspired to grind those grueling trails and digging for dirt onto your shoes.

When did you first pick up running and what inspired you to do so?
I was introduced to competitive running back when I was still a student. The fun and excitement of being a school track and field athlete has since inspired me to keep participating in this sport.

How long have you been running? What keeps you motivated?
After graduating from school, I completely stopped running for more than 20 years when I started working and have my own family. The long working hours and the duties of looking after my family have taken priority over my time for running. I only started tentatively going back to my runs around year 2013, when my children got older and became more independent. Naturally, I was sluggish in the beginning. But the subsequent improvements in my fitness motivated me to keep on running.

How did you come to know about MacRitchie runners?
I learnt about the MR25 Running Club when I first participated in the MR25 Ultra Marathon event in December 2014. I liked it so much such that earnestly look forward to taking part in it every year since then. Joining the club was a natural decision, especially so after sister Evelyn Chong explained and convinced me on the benefits of being a member of the most successful longest surviving running club in Singapore.

You seem to be huge fan of ultramarathon races. Why ultramarathon races?Ultramarathons are more than simply a test of physical fitness. The long hours of pain and suffering ultimately challenges one’s mental and emotional resolve. I often have to dig deep into myself and even sometimes question my own sanity. However, the thrill of completing an ultramarathon race is indescribable. The emotions after the completion of an ultra, somehow justifies all the pain endured along the way.

Which ultramarathon race was the most memorable or the toughest that you have felt? Talk about what happened and how you managed to overcome it and complete the race.
The Bataan Death March 160km (BDM160) ultramarathon was my most memorable and the toughest race that I have done so far. Prior to it, I have done a 100km distance only once, and it was barely a month before this race. After about 110km, the consequences of my insufficient experience and training showed. I started suffering from acid-reflux as my digestive system had become unstable. I vomited a few times and I couldn’t eat nor drink anything. I also started having hallucinations due to lack of sleep. I had to sleep for more than a few minutes on the roadside before I could gather my senses again. Thankfully, my support was able to bring me warm drinks and plain bread which helped stabilize my stomach again. I immensely struggled to complete this race but I’m so glad that I didn’t give
up.

What’s the major difference between ultramarathons in Singapore and overseas race?

The differences are mainly on the terrains, the elevations and the running environment that are not readily available in Singapore. Overseas races may include highways, country  roads, plantations, mountains, rocks, boulders, caves, rivers, bushes and forests. The feeling of being in a strange unfamiliar environment adds to the sense of adventure

How is your weekly running schedule like?
I usually try to do at least one easy 10km run on a weekday and a long run of about 10km to 20km during weekends. This is the hardest part for me as I honestly do not have much spare time to train. Thus, I do not have a fixed running schedule.

Tell us a running fun fact of yourself that not many people would know.
Something that many people wouldn’t know, or wouldn’t expect, about me is that I do not have a training plan. I actually use most of my weekend races as my training and clock mileage if I’m preparing for a certain ultra. My fun mantra is: Do Not Over-Train, Run Happy.

What is your upcoming race? And name us the race of your dreams.

My next coming event is the Pong Yeang 100k, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I’m very excited for this race. But I expect this to be a tough one for me as this is my first 100km mountain race. I really don’t have sufficient experience nor training in running a mountain trail race, especially of this distance, so it will be a new challenge in exploring my limits. My dream race is the UTMB. It is a distant dream for now but I do hope that one day, I’d be qualified to
participate, and ultimately complete the UTMB.