the day started in pitch black, with the wind howling through the lift shafts as i prepared my carb and protein loaded breakfast and layered up. at the top of the peak it was very cool and other more competent hikers sporting hiking sticks and fancy gear were stretching and warming up. when we started it was almost as if we were in mong kok or causeway bay, shuffling along with the hoards of people. not ones to enjoy the crowds (there were over 3000 participants!!), we weaved our way through the chatter and walking sticks to find some space and avoid getting stuck in the backlog!
the sun joined us and it started getting rather warm as we briskly walked on. time passed with lots of random conversations and laughs and we continued on down the stony and paved paths. the scenery was indeed beautiful, with blue skies and plenty of greeny - hk is a beautiful place, we just need to take the time to notice it. after some much needed toilet breaks and re-strapping, we fueled up at the support stations with bananas and liquids and made it through to the 25km mark in little under 4 hours.
team mulberry lite started around 12:30 and throughout the hike we were trying to figure out where each other were and how to try catch up. but then came the grueling part with a monotonous flat that seemed to go on for hours and the ridiculous never-ending steps going up... nurofen and powerbar gels helped us get through this part. and for some overzealous reason we decided it would be a good idea to run the last 5km. however that was short lived for about 500m, when we quickly sobered up and decided perhaps to leave it to the last 2km and a light jog if anything.
at about 2km from the end we caught up to team mulberry lite who were happily plodding along :D it was a lovely way to end the long day catching up and crossing the finish line together. well, once the finish line was in sight, the competitive side of our team made us sprint the last few meters, clocking in at 15:34. we managed to complete the hike in about 9hours, and we'll have to wait for the official times, not too bad for a first long hike. the fastest time for the 50km was 3 hr 41 min 22 sec!! that's intense.
great job to both mulberry and mulberry lite teams, such awesome troopers and there were lots of smiles even at the end!!
the sun joined us and it started getting rather warm as we briskly walked on. time passed with lots of random conversations and laughs and we continued on down the stony and paved paths. the scenery was indeed beautiful, with blue skies and plenty of greeny - hk is a beautiful place, we just need to take the time to notice it. after some much needed toilet breaks and re-strapping, we fueled up at the support stations with bananas and liquids and made it through to the 25km mark in little under 4 hours.
at about 2km from the end we caught up to team mulberry lite who were happily plodding along :D it was a lovely way to end the long day catching up and crossing the finish line together. well, once the finish line was in sight, the competitive side of our team made us sprint the last few meters, clocking in at 15:34. we managed to complete the hike in about 9hours, and we'll have to wait for the official times, not too bad for a first long hike. the fastest time for the 50km was 3 hr 41 min 22 sec!! that's intense.
great job to both mulberry and mulberry lite teams, such awesome troopers and there were lots of smiles even at the end!!
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