Last race of the year...SCMS 2011

SCMS is my last race of the year...

Nowadays, I do not really like to participate in a run only race...but there was that possible free BMW...so I decided to sign up for the 21k...wahaha...what a bimbo huh?
Actually I was also interested in the new route, in Sentosa and Universal Studios, when I first saw it last year...and since it was a similar route this year, I decided to go ahead ;)

However, this is the probably the first, and hopefully last, time I did a race even though I was clearly unwell, with some fever, the day b4...under most circumstance, that would be a clear "no" to any form of exercise, except that...that's basically how I felt on and off for the past few months...and I did get clearance, to go ahead with the run, from my nice doc, with the promise that I won't drop dead from the run...wahaha...of course, he already had me on dozens of tests and even verified through various means that my lungs, heart, kidneys and liver are at the right places...even though not necessarily in optimal condition...haha :p

Anyway, I signed up for this race in Aug 2011...b4 I started feeling unwell and had funny fevers in Sept...I initially cut down on all exercises with a couple of recovery pace activity in a week, but that didn't help...so I decided to go ahead with some more regular, easy swim, mostly < 30mins (as I was suspecting stress as a culprit and swimming was my most guaranteed method to relieve physiological effects of stress)...in fact after clearing me from any possible infection resulting in bacteria in the blood, my doc suggested I go ahead and swim everyday...haha...I like my doc!

Since then, I have been exercising (mostly swimming) 5-6 times a week...but most of the work out remains less than 30 mins (~5k runs), with an occasional more than an hour work out (~10k runs), which is pretty much what I used to do previously...haha...however recently it's more of due to the fact that work outs more than an hour long tends to leave me feeling like a wreck, regardless of how I normal I feel during the work out itself *_*

So before the race, I was prepared to go for a slower time, maybe a 2:30, and have fun at the race by dressing up as angry bird...hehe...
For the first time, I actually put in so much thought into what to wear for the race...haha...bimbo in the making :)

On the race day itself, I parked at Fort Canning and took a train to Harbourfront where our start point is...there was a very very long queue at the baggage deposit, but I managed to get that settled and quickly head towards the starting point...
It was pretty long walk!

By the time I got to the start point, my heart rate was at 151! Uh oh...and I was thinking of running the few km at HR of 140+ like I usually do when I go for a 5km run...hmmm...looks like need to change my tactics a bit...
I decided that I will run at a pace I feel comfortable while monitoring my heart rate and decide from there...so angry bird turned out to be a bit more preoccupied than expected...which probably explained why I missed so many ppl told me they saw me along the way...haha

Anyway, I decided to try to keep my HR at approximately 160 and to slow down when it hits 165...that a slightly higher HR than I would like...but what to do...at least I still feel comfortable up til HR of 160...
I definitely do not want to walk through out to keep my HR at 150, no matter how scenic it may be...I think it's more torturous to walk 21k!! :p

The part of the route in Sentosa and Universal Studios was full of bottle neck...it's always a challenge having a race in S'pore with such limited space...and it definitely doesn't help with the poor running etiquette of the runners...not keeping to the side when they walk, or worse still, walking in a row or holding hands while walking!! Oh well, I will just have to push those guys aside then :p
Otherwise, the run inside Universal was pretty interesting...quite a number of ppl queueing up to take photos with their favorite character...haha...so funny...
I would have taken photo with the autobots if I saw them...but somehow I missed them while being preoccupied :(

The route within the Sentosa was abt 10km and I spent about 70 mins in there...that's very slow for me...esp at HR of 160 :p

Anyway from there on...I continued running for another 5km...before I started half walking, half running...up and down AYE/ECP, up and down Benjamin Sheares Bridge...on and on until finally at last km...I saw a familiar face with her camera...Le Giang (the very fast cyclist and runner who thinks she is slow)!
But she missed the first time...haha...no worries, I will u-turn and try running towards u again :) Thanks for the photo!



And then there was Jayce (my fellow eguana and bfast buddy in hall in 2001/2, and then my early morning running buddy at Sentosa when she was working at dolphin lagoon and I was doing my PhD work at NUS ard 2005/6), who completed almost an hour ahead of me!
And it was the sprint to the finish...but alas..walking ppl in the way again...gotta push them aside b4 I get to pose in front of the official photographers...haha...



Next it was another queue to stroll on the muddy ground to collect our finisher medal and 100plus...
And then I headed towards the BMW booth where I met my tanjong beach twin, Sin Guan, who was a 4:15 pacer...had some finger food and collected their finisher pack consisting of a pair of slippers and towel :)



Then I went to collect my stuff from the baggage deposit...went back to look for LG to see if there's anyone else around...b4 we started walking back to the padang where we bumped into Craig aka Mr Courtesy (say thank you and make his day :D), who did the 42km, and his sister...after which we headed our own ways...where I slowly walked back to Fort Canning...and head home :)



Overall, I wasn't too happy with how my stamina has "deteriorated"...especially since I was still at my usual stamina the last 2 times I ran that distance, in July (Trifactor 21k run) and Sept (Mega Tri 18k, after 1k swim and 65k bike!) this year...

At least I still had my fun with angry bird...and I realized I still look good on camera regardless of how I feel...wahaha...vanity wins!
And now I can say I have participated in a 10k (2004), half marathon (2011), and full marathon (2005) for SCMS! Yippee! :)

"Why do a triathlon?"

I actually have no answer to that question when it was first posed to me this year in April.
But I think that question was the “fertilizer” given, to the triathlon “seed” I planted in myself 6 months b4 by joining the triathlon group to swim on Mondays.

I have done triathlons b4, as an individual and as a relay team member, few years back. But I have kind of stop after getting busy and not having time (or rather the motivation, since it’s all about time management) to train.

Last year, after graduating from PhD, I realized I needed some structure in my life, so I decided to plan a workout schedule to start my day, then it was swim, jog/breeze walk (I was so reluctant to run then), gym, all of which is easily accomplish within my condo area. However, a workout schedule that involves myself only is really difficult to sustain. That’s when I decided to join the Mon tri swim even though I didn’t really like the idea that it was in the evening and worse still it was all the way in the west. But at least it’s a sport that I enjoy the most.

At that point it was just enjoying the workout and company. Hearing stories of the biathlon/triathlon/ironman they accomplished, resulted in a “seed” planted in me to do an ironman again…one day. No idea when that would be…haha.
Subsequently I also started joining this same group of people to swim at Tanjong Beach on sat mornings when the tide is right. More ironman stories there.
I was also present at some races to support my friends who were racing, eg. the Aviva 70.3.

I frequently go to the library to borrow books, and one fine day I came across the triathlon section and started borrowing books from there too, inspirational stories about triathlete/ironmen, training strategies etc.

But for some reason, all those are just thoughts, I never got myself to run, I didn’t even have my bike with me (my bike was with my friend for years!).

And then one day late April this year, someone I respect very much, saw me with a book on strength training for triathlete, and casually asked me why do I do a triathlon (I believe that person had no idea that I was nowhere near doing a triathlon then, just a lot of thoughts about it). I managed to come up with some lame answer saying I think it is fun or something to that effect.

For some reason, that question actually became the question that got me to start really doing a triathlon. Subsequently, I had additional “water” and “sunlight” to add to the “fertilizing” question…haha…
A few days later, a chat with another person about his children and doing triathlon (this person knew I was pretty active in sports all the while, but wasn’t aware I haven’t really been racing recently, except for a long distance open water swim), got me to go check out races that were coming up. Then, the intention was to introduce his children to the sport and see how they might be interested to participate in it (I dun think dad had a chance to bring them to experience the atmosphere at a triathlon competition yet til now…I better keep him posted on next year’s race already..haha). By chance, that weekend, 1 May, there was a triathlon at Changi Beach Park. Knowing an uncle of mine does triathlons too, I sent him a message to ask if he were participating as I was thinking of going over to support them. The reply was “yes”, he and my 10-year-old cousin are, but my aunty, who has signed up too, has just recovered from an illness and is giving up her slot, “am I interested to take her slot?” It was a mini distance triathlon (i.e. 200m swim, 10km bike, 2.5km run).

That week, I just so happened to have gotten myself to run 2 loops around my condo (that’s ~2km, but I thought I was never going to do it again because it was too boring!), swimming is never an issue for me (I just swam 20km in the sea half a year b4 that…what’s 200m..haha), 10km cycling is definitely do-able, except that I do not have any bike with me then. So I replied saying that I do not mind, but will need to borrow her bike. And it was all set. Suddenly within 10 days of being asked “Why do I do triathlon?” and yet not having really done any in the past few years, or not having really trained for it (except the swim part), I was agreeing to do a triathlon that have been thinking for months but never really taking action towards it.

2 months later, I was doing a full distance triathlon (1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run).. of course my fitness level has always been pretty good, so to have moved into that distance in a short span was not difficult (or harmful to health)
Another 2 months later, I was doing a slightly longer, but funny distance triathlon (1km swim, 65km bike, 18km run…yes, a very swimmer unfriendly distance)..and managed to finish the race pretty strong, after having swam 100 laps the day before!

I have indeed come a very long way and am extremely happy with my performance. But most of all I am extremely thankful to that person for his simple, casual question of “why do a triathlon”…I doubt he knows what kind of impact his simple questions had on me..haha

I am still not sure why that question seem to have such a big impact on me. Is it because it was such an unexpected question (most people around me know I have always been active in sports..so I guess they never thought of asking me such a question) that it made me wonder hard enough that I just decided to jump into it? Is it because he is someone I respected so that question has bigger impact? Is it simply because I felt someone actually cared enough to ask such a simple question?

Whatever it is, I guess I should find the courage to thank him in person one day ;)

Charity swim 2011... the one I prepared for but didn't participate in the end...

This year's SAC charity swim has just passed over the last weekend...
Instead of toughing out in the sea, I was toughing out in a seminar at Bangi...haha...it was a great seminar with plenty of amazing speakers...but I am not writing abt that here :p

The SAC charity swim has been something I try to participate annually since I first found out about it in 2006. I can't quite remember what got me to sign up for this swim...but I believe it was an impulsive decision when presented with the challenge (at least that's how I signed up for the 20km swim last year :p)...if someone actually brought me through the distance I have to swim...I would have freaked out (that's how I felt last year while taking the boat from end point to start point of the 20k swim :p)...haha...
and like all endurance events I have participated, once u have tried it, u tend to develop some addiction to it...even though during the event u may curse yourself for signing up AGAIN!!

So this year, I signed up to swim in the dirty waters of ECP again when SAC sent out the email abt the event...

Swimming was in my life since I was very young...
I started learning to swim when I was in primary 1, joined some "competitive" training in our country club in primary 4 ("competitive" because we basically have fun and compete for the last few positions during competition...at least during my time)...got switched to focus on tennis during secondary school...and started joining the school team again when I was studying in JC in S'pore...of course, I was never a serious swimmer...but we do have a lot of fun...and in uni, we did have our winning team for IBG and IHG when I was in Kent Ridge Hall :)

In 2004, after graduating from undergrad, marathons, open water swims, biathlons and triathlons came into my life. It started of with 5k runs, then 10k, and b4 I knew it I have completed 42k marathons (yes more than one :p)...in the mean time, I also started biathlons, triathlons and even adventure races...

However, somewhere around 2006-2007, I got busy with PhD and other work, and my sporting activities got reduced until almost zero...of course, I was still walking around with my big bag a lot...so that's sufficient exercise to burn calories and keep me trim :)
For almost a year, I went without any exercise...I almost gone crazy...haha...fortunately, I managed to force myself to take time off and go for a swim one day, and the effect was amazing...there was an instant calming effect the moment I jumped into the water! Since then I have always made an effort to swim at least once a week or at the very least, once in a fortnight, unless I am sick...

It wasn't until last year (2010), after I have official graduated from PhD, that I started picking up on my exercise again...

First there was the 20k charity swim I was training for...so I swam on my own in various pools, on certain days, swam with Trevor (organizer of the charity swiim) at NYP, and on Sun with the charity swimmers at UWCSEA...
Then in oct, there was that move to my current place which has a 50m pool...yippee!
Somewhere in dec, I started to join the Mon tri swim at Buona vista pool...then not long later, I joined the Tanjong beach swim on Sat...

...and since May this year, I have been swimming very regularly, at least 3-5 times a week...and with the influence of those crazy ironmen/triathletes I swim with, bike and run is also part of my training...although still not as frequent as swimming :p

As a result of all these training, plus some technical tips from various experienced swimmers such as Amos Tan, Matthew Wong, Dion Gan etc...I found that my swim has improved beyond my previous personal best...I was looking forward to my best swim in this year's 10km charity swim...but alas an important meeting clashed with the charity swim date. It was probably to save me the agony of making the decision to swim, with an unknown cause low grade fever lingering around...that initially worried me, is more of annoying me now :p

But that said, I am still very happy to have seen significant improvement in my swim times during the various preparatory events I participated in...
(1) Trifactor 3k swim... 62 mins
(2) Port Dickson triathlon (<1.5k swim)... 25 mins
(3) NUS splashdown (5k swim)... 102 mins
(4) Mega tri (1k swim)... 18 mins
(5) Charity swim time trial (1.5k x 4 sets, <2-3mins rest in between)... 29:04, 30:13, 29:25 (cheated with paddles :P), 25:35 (cheated with fins!)

It is definitely disappointing to not be able to participate in the charity swim after so much preparation and to know I have improved so much this year...but like I tell my friends when they have to skip an event (usually due to injury), there are many many many more races in the future ;)

I look forward to more open water swims, biathlons and triathlons in 2012!

Below are links to some of my previous charity swims...and also photos put up my SAC for this year's swim

2011 10k swim photos.. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Student-Advisory-Centre-SAC/174213012636176?ref=tn_tinyman

2010 Tioman 20km swim... http://penguinowner.blogspot.com/2010/11/charity-swim-tioman-2010.html
2008 ECP 10km swim... http://penguinowner.blogspot.com/2008/11/marathon-charity-swim.html
2006 ECP 10km swim... http://penguinowner.blogspot.com/2006/06/marathon-charity-swim.html

Mega Tri...and NUS splashdown 2011

The mega tri was my third and last triathlon for 2011. It was also the longest distance I have completed, although it’s not in the typical triathlon/ironman distance. It was a very last minute sign up…haha…the race was on 11th September, and I signed up on 2nd September! I was not planning to do that race, however, after the disappointment of having to miss the Trifactor triathlon due to work commitment, I decided to sign up for that since it was the last triathlon that I could participate in (I would be away for the Desaru tri on 24th Sept too).

The day b4 the triathlon I had a 3-hr swimathon event at NUS (NUS splashdown). I have participated in that event 3 times and place top 3 twice :) This time, with my swim improving after all the Mon tri and Sat Tanjong Beach swim, I was aiming to swim close to 170 laps in 3 hrs. However, it didn’t turn out that way. I was unwell from Saturday (after I signed up for the Mega tri on Friday!) with some non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, headache and fever (most doctors would not agree I have a fever though, since it was less than the magical 37.5C :p)
As I was not clear whether I have an infection, or it’s just a physiological response from some significantly stressful situation I experienced in the week, I decided to go ahead with the events, but with careful monitoring of my heart rate and prepared to stop early if there was any sign of “wrong” feeling.
I was swimming at a very comfortable pace and I found my heart rate to be pretty consistent at ~140. However, I was surprise to find that I completed the first 50 laps in slightly under 50 minutes. As I went on, I was thinking about the triathlon the next day, and decided that I will try to aim for 100 laps (the minimum number of laps we were supposed to swim) in as close to 100mins as possible and stop a couple laps later... just in case I miscounted the laps and I could use those extra laps as warm down ;) I also figured I could swim more during the Safra Swim for Hope, where we will have 7 hrs to swim!
As it turned out I completed the 100 laps in just under 102mins with a quick water break every 20-30 laps. I was definitely very happy with the timing especially since I still felt strong at the end of the swim. The only problem was my nose was congested the rest of the day as I go about my usual business :p

Fortunately after an early night’s sleep, the next morning I woke up feeling pretty good, and temperature was normal (my penguin normal :p). I headed off to Changi Beach Park at 7am to get prepared and catch the boys b4 they were flagged off. The sky was rather gloomy then.
After I set up my bike and stuff at the transition area, I immediately went to the swim start area to look for the boys who were doing the long distance event (2km swim, 95km bike, 27km) . Yay…I saw the Hui Koon aka Pro, Robert aka Ironchef, Desmond, and Enrico, and Richard was there earlier than me to help us take photos!



I did the middle distance event (1km swim, 65km bike, 18km… swimmer unfriendly distance :p) which started later, so I had a chance to cheer the boys at least for the first lap of the 2 x 1km loop. After that it was my turn to get ready. As usual, I was planning a “swim fast, bike slow, run slow” race. So when we started, I was quick to enter the water and swam on the further out away from the pack. I have found this strategy to be more efficient even though it is a longer route, as I spend less time swimming over, under other ppl or kicking ppl who try to pull my legs.
I completed my swim in a very respectable time of 18:14 (mean = 25:51; median 28:30; 1st out of 9 who completed), but took my own sweet time at T1, having a drink, putting on socks, cycling shoes, race belt, cycling gloves, shades and helmet…haha…spent 3:04 in there, before I was out cycling... Luckily din bring any make up along, otherwise may spend more time in there :p




The bike route was 4 loops along Changi Coast Road, with a short detour into Aviation Road, each loop about 16 km. It was very flat route, where I barely changed my gears. Drafting was not allowed in triathlons but it still happens…haha…I was impressed that the organizer actually has officials on motorbike going around to spread out any drafting pack.
I think I was at my 3rd loop, when it started pouring. I was so cold…brrrr….but it was quite nice riding in the rain ;)
Although I did not think my bike time was very slow based on my current standard, my bike time of 2:32:35 (mean = 2:23:31; median 2:22:20) was the slowest in my age group! Haha…looks like all those in my category are cyclist :p
Then it’s back to T2 to unload my stuff, change shoes and go for the last bit of the tri…took my own sweet time again, spending 2:54 there :p




After I got out of T2, I realized I forgot to remove my cycling gloves…fortunately this tri suit has pockets big enough for me to stuff them. Then off I go jogging slowly along the 9km run route x 2. We were supposed to run from Changi Beach Park all the way to the Changi boardwalk and back. Somehow we had to pass my some hawker center and that made me really really hungry! Fortunately, we had water/isotonic drinks, sponge with iced water, power gel and bananas along the way.
It was a pretty slow run as I was keeping my heart rate below 150, and I walked quite a bit as my ITB was getting tight especially during the 2nd loop. However, surprisingly my run time of 2:08:48 (mean = 2:13:33; median = 2:15:14; 4th out of 9) is faster than average.
I also had plenty of photos taken here, as our friends, Richard, Le Giang, Vijay, Sanae and Wilson, who did not participate in this race, were coincidentally stationed at different locations. Being the vain penguin, I automatically break into a smile or pose, whenever I see anyone with a camera. Their presence, together with the cheering of other competing friends, kept me smiling most of the run route :)





Overall, I completed the race in a time of 5:05:31 (mean = 5:09:52; median 5:13:44; 4th out of 9), which made me a very happy penguin! I definitely can improve a lot more in my bike and run, but I have gone a long way since the beginning of this year :D

Time to take a break and figure out what’s wrong with me…until the next race...

Port Dickson triathlon 2011

It was just in May I did my first triathlon after a long break from races (that involves more than just swimming).

Today I embarked on my first Olympic distance triathlon… this is what happens when I spend too much time with people who do triathlons and even ironman races.

Getting to Port Dickson itself was already pretty exciting. We were supposed to depart on Sat morning, but I just arrived from Penang late that morning, and had a seminar to attend in the afternoon, b4 I could make my way down to Port Dickson. Fortunately for me, Robert, our Ironchef, was driving down and was planning to depart in the afternoon. He was nice enough to wait for me, and picked me up from town.
Before I left for Penang, Desmond has kindly helped me take my bike, so that it can be take the bus to Port Dickson with the other crazy friends of mine.

So on Sat afternoon, a chef and a penguin was zooming on the Malaysia’s North-South highway towards Port Dickson. We reached there just in time for me to join the rest for dinner, while Rob went to check out the race route. He is more serious. I am just going to figure out the route as I race *_*



That night, after hanging out and chatting in one of the rooms, we went back to our room, got our bikes and gears ready, and slept immediately.

The next morning, my roommate, Teryn aka Dino, and I (yes..a penguin and a dinosaur stayed in the same room) just refused to wake up until almost 6am…haha…race starts at 7am.
Anyway, we are fast. So after washing up and changing into our trisuits, had the bfast we brought along, we immediately brought our bikes and stuff to the transition area.
It was pretty crowded by then, and there were long queues for body-marking.

We put our stuff at our designated area, got our body marked, then headed towards the beach. So many people were there doing their warm ups…but the tide was sooooo low, we had to run out at least 100m or more b4 it was deep enough to swim. Darn… not fair to the swimmers…we are going to swim less than 1.5km :p



Anyway, the guys started first, so we were hoping the tide will be higher by the time we start off....haha…fat hope :p
The moment we were flagged off…everybody was running, and running, and running for a while b4 we started swimming…I think that was the point where my heart rate was highest throughout the swim leg...the water was very calm so it was like swimming in a pool with a lot more people around. It was a simple L-shape swim x 1 lap. As expected my swim time was pretty fast @ 26:38 (mean = 33:32; median = 32:24; 8th out of 64) though 6 mins slower than the fastest :p I am still very happy to as fast as the Dino :)




Next step is to get to the transition area, put on my running shoe (I wasn’t using clipless pedals), shades, helmet, race belt, have a drink and off to “bike out”.
Many triathletes like to participate in Port Dickson triathlon because the bike leg is just one 40km loop (instead of multiple loop routes the Singapore races offer). The route had some slopes but they were manageable. However, it definitely wasn’t helpful to be using regular platform pedals :p My bike leg was pretty slow @ 1:26:17 (mean = 1:24:47; median = 1:21:33, 43rd out of 64), but I am still happy to have completed it. It means I have more room for improvement next year ;)



After the bike leg, I just needed to remove my helmet and put back the bike (no need to change shoes..haha) and off I go to “run out” for my 10km run. On the way out, I saw Sanae with the camera. Had time to smile to the camera and continue running. Actually I was smiling at all the cameras that were aimed at me :p



Apparently, this year’s run route was different from previous year’s. Since this is my first PD, it doesn’t matter to me…haha… but most of us did not really like the new run route as a third of it was running on sand/trail. However, I was happy that it was shorter than 10km…haha :p
My run was pretty slow too @ 53:43 for about 8.5km (mean = 55:42; median = 54:10; 30th out of 64), but it’s better than the average and I actually still had the strength to sprint and overtake a few people near the end point…haha :)

Overall, I completed the race in 2:49:14 (mean = ?; median = 2:50:14; 29th out of 64). There’s definitely plenty of room for improvement here, but I am extremely happy to have completed my first OD tri, feeling strong ;)

Until the next race…

Sprint series triathlon (mini distance) 2011

My first triathlon of the year...the last (and, if I’m not mistaken, only) one was 6 years ago!!

How did I end up doing this triathlon was quite interesting...

I started training with the Mon tri swim bunch at Buona Vista some time in December or January this year...and subsequently Tanjong Beach swim...I have been swimming regularly b4 this but decided swimming with others is more motivating as I still frequently find that I m dragging myself to swim even with a 50m pool at my condo…
Anyway, with so much influence from these ppl, a couple months back, I started considering doing a triathlon again before I embark on my Ironman dream :)

4 days before the event, a Thur, I was at NUS and decided to drop by a very nice Prof’s room to have a chat with him…somehow our chat ended up with his kids participating in some kids triathlon event as they regularly run with him, and occasionally swim and cycle too. I suggested he bring his kids to go watch some triathlon especially those with kids event. So I told him I will go find out what are the events coming up that he can bring them to.

When I got home to check, I found out there was one coming up that Sun at Changi Beach Park...and various Trifactor events in the coming few months…so I informed him about it and decided to sms my uncle to see if he and his family are participating in that event (haha…I din know they are so active too until this year)...as I was thinking of going over as a supporter…
Instead he asked me if I wanted to take my aunt’s slot since she just recovered from an illness and was planning to skip the event. Fortunately she was doing the mini distance, and had a bike to lend to me…so I said ok! How impulsive heh :P At that point I din even have any plans to sign up for any triathlon this year yet…since I haven’t run in years and my bike was still with a fren (for the past 3-4 years)! But I figured…250m swim, 10km bike, 2.5km run…can’t be that hard right? :P

On that day itself…although I arrived pretty early (8am; when my wave starts at 950am, and my uncle’s one starts at 850am, my little cousin’s one 1020am), I din check where exactly is the start point, other than knowing it’s at Changi Beach Park…so when I saw some participant parking some 2-3km away from the start point…I blur-ly decided to park there too…the difference was...they were cycling to the start point…I was walking!!!

I walked and walked and walked until finally I found the start point…haha…just before my uncle’s wave started!! At least I can cheer him on too…together with my little cousin, Samuel :) After my uncle came out from the swimming leg, we tried to catch him at the transition area for a photo before bike out…but he was too fast!! Or the spectators route was too long…hehe…so we decided to wait at the u-turn area for his 2nd loop…by 930am, he was not back yet, so I decided that I need to get my race kit and go to the transition area to check out the bike (for the first time!)…haha…it’s always more exciting to do things at the last minute :P

Luckily all I needed to do was shift the seat height, get all the bibs/stickers pinned/stucked, take off my shoes and clothes, put on the champion chip, swim cap, goggles (it has prescibed lense, otherwise I will be "blind")…and run barefooted to the swim start :)

At 950am, our wave started...as usual, I swim further away from the line so that I dun have to fight with everyone else…it was just a 125m swim out and u-turn back…by the time I reach the u-turn point…I had this feeling I am the fastest swimmer (since I was participating on behalf of someone else, I was wondering whether to slow down or just go ahead and be the first swimmer since it’s unlikely I am going to keep up in the cycling and running leg and end up top 3)…I just went on swimming hard…when I got out of the water, my aunt told me I was the first…heh…timing was 5:05

After that, it’s off to the transition area…run run run…get to my bike…as usual, took my time to put on my singlet, cap, helmet…hmm…shall not use shades this time…not very sunny…finally, shoes…and off I go!! Took a total of 2:51 for transition 1…haha
My fastest speed on the flat roads of Changi Coast Road was only 30km/h and I can’t even maintain that :P I think my average was only 20-25km/h…even though my heart rate was maintained at 150-160! Oops…
Got overtaken by quite a number of ppl here…and later I found out I was still the 11th fastest cyclist out of 29 participants…with a timing 29:51…not too bad for someone who has not cycled for years :P and I think the bike speedometer recorded a distance of more than 10km :P

After that it’s back to the transition area, put back the bike, remove helmet…not using cleats so no need to change shoes…and off I go…but I was so dead already…my heart rate was 170-175…the highest I have seen…although theoretically my max heart rate is 190 :P

I ended up walking/slow jogging the first 500m or so to get my heart rate to a more manageable rate of 140+ before I start running at a heart rate of 160-165 again…at the water point, I walked again to enjoy my sip of isotonic drink…haha…I am a super slacker!! :P

Again I got overtaken by more ppl…and in the end my run time was 8th fastest…from behind!! 17:22 for 2.5km…thinking of the 10min 2.4km I used to do in JC…hmm…no comments...

Anyway, overall my placing was 9th for the female (16-39yo) category…in hokkien I would say…bey hiam :) But gotta start training on the bike and run liao…especially since I have gotten back my bike! :)

Now which should be my next tri…Trifactor or should I go for PD too?? Sprint or Olympic distance?

Proof of slacking can be found here