Anggriawan Sugianto

Hello there, fellow traveler on this wild journey called life! Or, in my case, on this wild journey called… a very, very busy running calendar. You know those moments when life throws you a delightful curveball, and suddenly your perfectly laid plans take an unexpected, exhilarating detour? Well, grab a cup of kopi, because that's pretty much the story of how I found myself toeing the starting line of the Maybank Bali Marathon 2025.

Maybank Marathon 2025

Truth be told, the Maybank Bali Marathon wasn't initially in my grand scheme of things. My 2025 calendar was already looking a tad ambitious, some might say borderline certifiably insane. We're talking: UI Trail Race (42K marathon trail, EG 2500m, on August 3rd – more dirt, more fun!), Dieng Trail Run (60K ultra trail, EG 4000m, on August 10th – just a week after UI? Why not!), then BDG Ultra (100K ultra trail, EG 6125m, on September 13th – the big one, my debut 100K.)

Yes, a glance at that list confirms I might have a slight problem. But hey, it's a good problem, right? Then, like a refreshing breeze on a particularly sweaty training run, an Instagram campaign from Pelita Air, a medium-service airline which is always on time, swooped into my feed on July 18th. "Yuk, ikutan Maybank Marathon 2025 #KeBaliLariBarengPelita," it cheerfully announced, offering free flights and running slots.

Now, Bali, you see, holds a special place in my runner's heart. It's truly my second home for running. There's always a new story unfolding there, a new personal best waiting to be shattered. Every step on that magical island feels infused with an extra surge of energy. So, when the possibility of another run there, with the added magic carpet ride courtesy of Pelita Air, presented itself, how could I resist? Especially when I knew this particular marathon could serve as a crucial piece of my preparation.

My motivation was crystal clear, and I shared it in my campaign entry on July 24th: "Ini peak training saya buat debut lari ultra trail 100K, tiga minggu setelahnya! Momen krusial buat uji fisik dan mental. Semoga saya bisa dapat slot Marathon!" Because clearly, my schedule wasn't already ambitious enough, so adding a full marathon three weeks before my first 100K ultra felt like a perfectly logical, albeit slightly mad, decision.

And then, the Instagram Stories arrived. On August 6th, the news dropped: I got the marathon ticket and flight ticket from Pelita Air! Suddenly, the unexpected became gloriously real. My dream got wings, as I put it, to fly high.

Pernahkah Anda merenung, seberapa besar dampak satu hari dari hidup Anda dapat mengubah masa depan seseorang? Di tengah hiruk pikuk Jakarta, Kelas Inspirasi hadir sebagai gerakan nyata yang percaya pada kekuatan berbagi profesi dan inspirasi. Pada hari Selasa, 19 Agustus 2025, kami menorehkan jejak harapan di SDN Rawa Badak Utara 11, di mana puluhan relawan dari berbagai profesi meluangkan satu hari untuk menjadi inspirator bagi anak-anak. Blog post ini adalah sebuah antologi, kumpulan suara hati dan refleksi otentik dari para relawan tersebut, yang akan membawa Anda menyelami pengalaman, tantangan, pembelajaran, dan ajakan tulus mereka untuk peduli terhadap pendidikan Indonesia.

Kelas Inspirasi Jakarta 2025

Sigit Rais

Penulis

Momen Apa yang Tak Terlupakan?

Melihat binar mata anak-anak ketika kita hadir di hadapan mereka, membuat saya bertanya, 'Apa makna kehadiran kita sebagai relawan di hadapan anak-anak ini?' Lalu, mereka dengan antusias bertanya tentang siapa saya dan apa profesi saya. Mereka bersedia menerima kita, menerima cerita yang kita sampaikan, serta menerima setiap kegiatan yang kita instruksikan.

Ketika saya bertanya, 'Apa cita-cita kalian?', semua menjawab tanpa terkecuali. Ada yang ingin menjadi guru, dosen, dokter, polisi, TNI, petugas Damkar, pemain bola, YouTuber, dokter hewan, penjaga kebun binatang, peternak, bahkan Ultraman, dan sederet cita-cita lain yang tak kalah beragam. Gambaran sekelumit ini membuat saya kagum, mengingatkan saya kembali ke masa kecil, dan merasa terharu ketika mereka menatap kita dengan tatapan hormat nan rendah hati. Beberapa tampak mahir membaca cerita dengan gaya bercerita yang memukau, ada yang kreatif membuat gambar sesuai imajinasi, dan ada juga yang awalnya ragu dan malu, namun berani untuk mencoba.

Sesungguhnya, anak-anak itu adalah cerminan dari diri kita: kita yang selalu berusaha, mencoba, dan menjalani hari dengan sebaik-baiknya. Semula saya kira, kita datang dan mengajar untuk mereka, memberi inspirasi kepada mereka. Rupanya yang terjadi adalah kita, yang memang seharusnya tidak boleh berhenti belajar, yang justru mendapatkan inspirasi dari ketulusan anak-anak itu.

Bagaimana Kelas Inspirasi Mengubah Cara Pandangmu?

Dalam Kelas Inspirasi Jakarta, saya ikut serta sebagai inspirator yang memperkenalkan profesi sebagai seorang penulis. Saya kisahkan kepada anak-anak bahwa apa yang selama ini saya kerjakan berkaitan juga dengan kehidupan sehari-hari mereka, seperti saat saya menulis buku pelajaran sekolah—yang mereka baca setiap hari di sekolah—buku cerita, dan tulisan lainnya.

Saya yakin bahwa selain pengetahuan akademis, anak-anak juga membutuhkan contoh nyata dan inspirasi dari berbagai profesi. Saya belajar bahwa kehadiran saya, meskipun hanya sebentar, semoga dapat memberi dorongan bagi mereka untuk terus bermimpi dan semangat mengejar cita-cita. Dari pengalaman ini, saya semakin menyadari bahwa peran saya di masyarakat tidak berhenti pada pekerjaan sehari-hari, melainkan juga bagaimana saya bisa membagikan cerita dan motivasi untuk masa depan generasi berikutnya. Sebab, anak-anak membutuhkan role model yang nyata terkait profesi, yang mungkin tidak dekat dengan keseharian mereka di sekolah ataupun di rumah.

Apa Pesanmu untuk Calon Relawan?

Pendidikan anak Indonesia itu tanggung jawab bersama, termasuk kita, orang-orang yang sudah bekerja dan menggeluti bidang profesional masing-masing. Hal yang ingin saya sampaikan untuk para calon relawan adalah: 'Datanglah, bagikan sepenggal kisah perjalananmu, dan lihat bagaimana binar mata anak-anak yang menemukan mimpi baru.'

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My rational brain often questions my decisions at 2 AM. Especially when I'm voluntarily running up a mountain in 11°C weather, having just put my legs through the wringer a mere seven days prior. But then, there's the call of the trails, a whisper that promises profound conversations with myself, a kind of madness that makes perfect sense to a runner's soul. And that, my friends, is the story of my Dieng Trail Run 2025.

Dieng Trail Run 2025

From Scorching Heat to Misty Heights

Just a week before Dieng, I found myself battling a completely different beast: the UI Trail Race. Forty-two kilometers, 2500m+ of elevation gain, under an intensely scorching sun. My body screamed, my mind argued, and every single step was an exercise in pure mental toughness and patience. 

I learned something crucial that day, a truth that would echo just a week later: resilience isn't pure adaptability. Sometimes it's shivering cold in the dark, sometimes sheer determination to keep moving under a scorching sun. My legs, still humming (or perhaps groaning quietly) from Sentul, were barely recalibrating for what Dieng had in store. The contrast was already a character in this unfolding drama.

A Masterclass in Beautiful Chaos

There's a certain kind of madness that pulls us back to the starting line, isn't there? For me, it's an enduring, slightly masochistic love affair with running, a relentless pursuit of new challenges, and perhaps, a quiet curiosity about how much more my body and mind can endure before they send a strongly worded letter of resignation. This year, the BTN Jakarta International Marathon (JAKIM) 2025 became my next great dance partner – a chance to tackle the vibrant, pulsating heart of my own city.

I stood there at the starting line, perhaps a little too confident in my pre-race crowd analysis, thinking I had this whole "city marathon" thing figured out. Oh, the sweet innocence of a runner before the gun goes off. It's a familiar story, really; we plan, we prepare, and then life (or 42.195 kilometers of it) decides to throw a party of its own, usually without consulting our meticulously crafted itineraries.

BTN JAKIM 2025

Sweat, Strategy, and Smart Recovery

Barely a sigh of relief after the epic Semarang Mountain Race – a beastly 50K ultra trail with a lung-busting 3500m elevation gain back on April 13th – I knew I needed to pivot. Fast. My body, still humming with the echoes of mountain paths, needed a smart transition. So, like any self-respecting tech enthusiast with a penchant for pain, I turned to AI. Yes, my personal 11-week marathon training plan, starting April 14th, was meticulously crafted by an artificial coach, all aimed at a lofty 3:52:00 finish for JAKIM, a crisp 5:30/km average pace.

My weeks quickly found a rhythm, a strategic dance of pavement and gym floor: Tuesday brought 10-12K at an easy pace, a chance for the legs to remember how to move without fighting gravity. Wednesday was the sharp, breathless sting of interval runs, building speed and grit. Thursday, the delightful soreness of strength training, reminding me that a runner needs more than just legs. Friday, a focused tempo run to practice holding that race-day pace, and then, the grand finale, Sunday's long run, always at least 21K, sometimes pushing much further.

The entire 11-week block was a meticulously planned crescendo: Week 1, a much-needed recovery to mourn the mountains. Then, weeks of building base and increasing intensity, followed by a peak mileage phase (hello, 30-32K long run on Week 8!) with a clever supercompensation dip on Week 5 to keep the body guessing and growing. Every stride, every pace, calculated by the venerable Jack Daniel's VDOT method – because apparently, even running has its own sophisticated cocktail of numbers. My weekly mileage consistently topped 50K, a testament to the idea that sometimes, you just have to show up and put in the work, even when your inner voice is bargaining for a nap.

You know, there’s something about mountains. They just stand there, silently calling our names, promising adventure, breathtaking views, and… well, a whole lot of sweat and pain. As a runner, especially one who keeps finding himself tackling ultra trails, I’ve often asked myself, "Why do I do these things? Ngapain siiih… mending tidur!! 😴" Honestly, who needs to stumble through a forest at 2 AM, seeing only a tiny circle of light from a headlamp, when a warm bed is calling?

Semarang Mountain Race 2025

But then I remember. That feeling when you push past what you thought was your limit. The incredible quiet of the pre-dawn trails. The wild, untamed beauty. And the simple truth that 100K training (or any serious training, for that matter) doesn’t happen on the couch. So, we embrace the "suck," we chase those distant peaks, and we sign up for races like the Semarang Mountain Race.

For me, the Semarang Mountain Race 50K wasn't just another dot on the calendar. It was my 5th ultra trail race and my second venture into the enigmatic, rock-and-root-filled world of night ultras, right after the epic CTC 80K. It’s an adventure that promises stunning natural trails, enchanting forests, and those gloriously "sadistic" inclines that make you question all your life choices – but in a good way, I promise!

Even Lunacy Needs a Plan

Now, some folks just run. They go with the flow, feel the vibe, and conquer the mountain with pure heart. And I admire that! But for me, with a tech background and a brain that loves a good puzzle, I can’t help but get a little… strategic. Especially with the experience of those previous ultras under my belt. So, for my SMR 50K, I decided to try something different, something a bit Anggriawan-style: I used AI to craft my race strategy.

Di tengah gemuruh Jakarta, saat mentari mulai mengintip dari balik gedung-gedung pencakar langit, ada momen magis setiap pagi ketika aroma kopi pagi dari warung-warung kecil berpadu dengan lantunan adzan subuh dari masjid yang melintasi udara. Ini adalah gambaran nyata keberagaman agama yang harmoni: sebuah simfoni kehidupan yang menjadi bagian dari sehari-hari di negeri ini. Seolah tanpa kita sadari, setiap hari kita adalah saksi dari sebuah perjalanan spiritual dan sosial yang rumit namun penuh warna.

Sebagai seseorang yang rutin bergabung dalam perayaan ini, saya sering teringat akan percakapan dengan teman-teman Muslim tentang identitas keagamaan dan tradisi. Dari perbincangan ringan tentang puasa hingga refleksi mendalam saat menghadiri perayaan Idulfitri bersama kerabat, semua pengalaman ini membentuk pemahaman saya tentang spektrum keberagamaan di Indonesia. Saya juga terlibat dalam pengembangan aplikasi mobile yang ditujukan untuk umat Muslim, sebuah pengalaman yang semakin memperdalam rasa saling menghargai dan memperkuat kolaborasi antaragama.

Namun, kita harus bertanya, bagaimana kita dapat memahami dan memelihara keberagaman yang kita alami ini? Dengan berpegang teguh pada kasih, seperti yang diajarkan oleh Tuhan, saya mengajak kita semua untuk menjelajahi spektrum keberagamaan dari fundamentalis hingga universalisme. Sebuah spektrum yang menuntut kita tidak hanya mendengarkan, tetapi juga belajar. Lebih penting lagi, kita harus mencoba melampaui batasan sempit menuju kesatuan yang lebih besar. Perlu diingat, dunia ini kompleks.

Bhinneka Tunggal Ika

Coast to Coast Ultra Night Trail. The name alone sends chills down my spine. I even analyze all data to look at past races to understand this beast. This is my story. It wasn't perfect, not even close. At times, I felt like I was just a regular person who joined the army by mistake. But that's ultra running, right? It's a wild mix of strong will, pain, and choices you might regret, all set in Yogyakarta's hidden beauty. This experience will give me stories to tell for years to come, each one a song of survival.

CTC Ultra 80K

My race prep was not good. Other runners ate lots of carbs and dreamed of winning. I was fighting a cold. I drank ginger tea, a local remedy. I even got a vitamin shot, my first one ever! I was so scared of getting sicker. Running an ultra while sick is not smart. Still, I had no excuses. Even though my body felt like it was at war, I knew I had to try. Ultra running is a mind game as much as a foot race. I was determined to finish, to push through the pain and find the finish line.

Section 1: Start To Queen South (0-6.8Km)

It was four in the afternoon. A traditional dance started. The dancer moved with such grace and power. The music made the air feel even colder, even in the warm sun. Then, we ran forward, a group of hopeful, maybe crazy, runners. Sand flew as we ran on Parangtritis beach. What a start! The sun was hot, and I kept chewing on Degirol. It took me about 18 minutes to reach the first checkpoint at Queen South. I was around 60th place. Not bad, since I felt like I was breathing through a tiny straw while being hit by sand. Not many people quit here. Maybe we were too stubborn to quit so soon. Maybe we didn't know what was coming. I just hoped my ginger tea would stay down. It did not, alas.

Section 2: Queen South To Alas Curukboto (6.8Km - 13.3Km)

Leaving Queen South, I felt a little bit hopeful. Maybe, just maybe, I could do this! The next 6.5 kilometers to Alas Curukboto were tough. There were climbs, drops, and slippery roots. It took me about one hour and 18 minutes. I stayed around 54th place. Eleven runners quit in this section. I knew why. Good times, indeed...I said with gritted teeth, each step a battle against the terrain.

Section 3: Alas Curukboto To Palgading (13.3Km - 18.8Km)

I escaped the jungle, or so I thought. The next part, 5.5km to Palgading, was not easy, but at least I could see where I was going. Rolling hills and open fields gave me a break from the jungle. I reached Palgading in about one hour and seven minutes. I moved up to around 50th place. Maybe the bugs slowed down the others. Two runners quit here. They were tough. Or maybe they knew what was coming next. I started to feel good, enjoying the views.

Section 4: Palgading To Omah Pojok (18.8Km - 26Km)

From Palgading to Omah Pojok, the course was another 7.2 kilometers. The sun was starting to set, making long shadows on the fields. This part is a blur, to be honest. I remember gentle hills and feeling like the night would be very long. Omah Pojok was the first COP, and we had to get there before 11 PM. I got there in about one hour and 29 minutes. I was still around 47th place. Eight more runners quit here. The long distance was hard, I guess. I was very hungry, but I only got a small piece of egg on rice and some noodle soup. I kept going, running on desperation.