Thursday, August 23, 2007

Desaru Pengerang Long Distance Triathlon - Sprint Race 19 Aug 07

I was in many minds about this event. Firstly, after seeing the high waves before the LD race, i was so unsure if i could survive the swim leg. That thought was further compounded by the likening of the LD swim to that of "being in a washing machine" by someone who completed the LD race. Secondly, i was not sure if my sore bum and leg due to the LD race bike ride would recover on time.

Anyhow, i got up at 6am, trying to find every excuse known to man not to take part in the race. However, i showered and got all prepared for the race nonetheless, putting on my Zoots Tri Tights and Mizuno Orange vest. After having a bar of PowerBar Triple Threat for breakfast, i packed my stuff and left for the transition area.

At transition, i arranged my stuff according to the bike + run sequence. Among the items in the transition basket were: my Ironman socks, NB735, Adidas shades, Mizuno Orange vest, Bell Black helmet, Nike White cap, Yellow PowerBar towel from PD Tri, 1 pack of powergel, 1 powergel waterbottle filled with tap water to rinse my feet with after the swim and a bottle
of 100+.

I did my customary warm ups and stretches and headed for the beach with Sassyrunner. The sea didn't look as intimidating as the day before. I put on my swim cap and googles and went into the sea for more warming ups. That didn't do any good to my confidence as the high waves made me more afraid. I started to have serious doubts about competing. I headed back to shore, thinking about important things like work, house and Ed. Don't think i want to risk my life just for a race.

Before i could think further, the MC called out all competitors to assemble and gave a short
briefing. I didn't hear any of his briefing as the worries i was having blocked my hearing. Next thing i knew, the horn sounded signaling the start of the race.

Being at the back of the pack, i walked slowly into the water. My heart was beating very quickly. Soon the water reached my neck and i had to start swimming. Most of the swimmers were already at least 10m ahead by then. I swam. The wave was still high. I continued swimming, ensuring that i kept near the lifeguards on duty.

After a while, i called out to the lifeguard on the canoe. I asked if he could follow me and he
replied "I'm the sweeper, i only follow the last swimmer'. I then replied "I'm the last swimmer" but to my surprise he replied "No, there are others behind you". I turned back, seeing some others struggling like me. The "sweeper" came near us though, and i stroked my way slowly towards the orange buoy.

Next i realised i reached the orange buoy and needed to turn right to swim parallel to the beach. Surprisingly, this part of the swim was a piece of cake. Before long, i reached the next buoy and needed to turn right towards shore.

The swim back to shore was so much harder. Each time the wave run me over, i glided forward but then felt the current pulling me back. After a while, i decided i couldn't get to shore. I was still a distance away from the tide mark at the beach when i decided to give up, calling for the lifeguard again, telling him that i can't go in. He approached and told me to pu
t my feet down. Wah laa, i could feel the sand on my feet.

Walking until the water was at my knees, i started running to the transition area. The crowd which was still at the beach turned out to be my supporters; Littletigger, Balasing, cFred, Eunice, Sotong and wife etc. Armed with cameras, they took many photos of me running towards the transition area. 500m swim completed.

Got to my bike, put on my socks, shoes, vest, helmet, shades and drank the 100+ before leaving for the mounting line. Jerry from Trifam cheered me on as i left for my ride. Heading out, i had to turn right towards the gantry before left to the side road with the steep slope. Then is a right towards the second roundabout for a loop and left at the first roundabout back to the startline.

My legs were aching from the swim and my butt from the LD ride. I overtook a lady on a mountain bike who screamed at me to wait for her. I looked forward and reached the side road, where a group of Sikh seemed to be having some sort of activity. They cheered me on as i passed. I dismounted at the bottom of the steep slope and pushed the bike to the top.

At the main road, i saw a couple up ahead. This couple was just ahead of me during the swim. I tried catching up to them or at least maintain the distance. I overtook a couple of
father and daughter/son team after the last roundabout before reaching the transition area. IMD and Sassyrunner had already finished their race, and stood by the side of the road cheering me on. 18km ride completed.

I hooked my bike at the transition, removed my helmet, put on the cap and took a sip of
water before running out. Suddenly, the ballon gantry/banner fell towards me. It missed me but blocked my path. Without thinking too hard, i rolled on my stomach over the fallen gantry and continued my run, to the laughter of onlookers. Cfred took some pictures of me heading out (later on i found out that he accidentally ran into the cable that kept the gantry up, causing the gantry to fall towards me) while IMD joined me for the run, telling me that the run is less than the indicated 3km.

I overtook a competitor before the u-turn. Feeling a slight pain on my back, i slowed down, allowing the competitor to overtook me back. Seeing my friends near the finishing line cheering me on, i sped up and finished the race in 1:24.

A weekend well spent. I have done 2 half marathons, 1 a day apart. Now, i can add this LD relay bike ride and individual sprint, also a day apart, to the list.

Swam: 0.5m
Cycled: 18km
Ran: 2km
Time: 1:24

Summary for week of 12-18 Aug 07

Was in Singapore for only 2.5 days.
  • Sunday, 12 Aug: Got up late so missed the Trifam Brick Training.
  • Monday, 13 Aug: No runs.
  • Tuesday, 14 Aug: In Bintan, no runs.
  • Wednesday, 15 Aug: Still in Bintan, did a short gym workout at FSD.
  • Thursday, 16 Aug: Still in Bintan, no runs.
  • Friday, 17 Aug: Indonesian Independence Day. Did Bintan - Tanah Merah - Home - Changi - Tanjung Belungkor in 3hrs.
  • Saturday, 18 Aug: Desaru Pengerang Long Distance International Triathlon. I did the cycling leg.
90km of cycling, my longest ever.

Desaru Pengerang Long Distance Triathlon - The Long Distance Race 18 Aug 07

Got up at 7, showered and had breakfast at the hotel's lobby. The hotel was really dirty and rundown i wonder how they fill their rooms on normal days. Had a plate filled with scrambled eggs, 2 slices of bread, a scoop of baked beans and sausages, a cup of coffee and a glass of orange juice.

I then headed down to the race expo and bought myself a saddle pouch and a handpump from the Polygon booth, knocking me back S$40. Went back to room and got ready for the race.

Put on my Elan blue bike-tights, Mizuno blue vest, NB735 and carried my Scott AFD and other stuffs to the transition area. Hooked the bike and helmet (using Ed's black Bell instead of my usual red Specialised), i arranged my Adidas shades and gloves on the dropbar. I planned to do a full transition so took off NB735 and socks before going for body marking. Our relay race number was 902.

Followed everyone to the beach for the swim start. The sea looked very rough. I started having second thoughts about competing in the sprint race the next day. Decided i had scared myself enough, i left for the hotel lobby for a pee-break.

The race started and i returned to the transition area, where many Mat-Bikerz were all dressed up, waiting for their swimmers to pass them the baton (in this case, a hairband). I then decided to abandon the full transition idea and put on NB735, black Bell, Adidas shades and gloves and waited for Eunice at near the transition entrance.

Eunice appeared right on the hour mark. Taking the hairband from her, i ran to Scott AFD and headed out to the mounting line. The route takes me left out of the hotel before U-turning about 2km away. Then will be straight out to the gantry before left to the mainroad, u-turning at the 12.5km mark. About 8-9 km before u-turning at the round-a-bout and the rest of the trip will be riding back to the startline, completing a 30km loop. LD race required us to do 3 of those loops
.

I started slow, trying not to burn out prematurely. The beautiful weather turned into a slight storm by the time i got to the mainroad. Crosswinds nearly pushed me off the road a number of times. The undulating terrain surely posed a challenge to all. My chain gave way, due to frequent meddling with the crank, somewhere along the 20km mark. I continued on with Tigger overtaking before i completed my first loop in 1:15. Slow that i was, i counted at least 13 slopes per loop.

Second loop was uneventful, other than a rider in black scolding me for blocking his way. Swore i didn't hear him calling out. My chain gave way twice during this loop. Anyhow,
someone passed me a banana, already halfway peeled, and i did a circus act balancing the bike to move forward while munching on the banana, at the start of the third lap.

Tri-Jon told me before the race that there is a steep slope just before we hit the main road. I went real slow up that slope on the first 2 laps, but for the third, i decided to dismount and push the bike up that slope. Many riders behind me did the same, including this other relay "brudder", who i paced throughout the last lap. Didn't catch his name, though we constantly overtook each other, waving as we passed.

Turning back at the last roundabout, i must have cycled for about 2km before seeing IMD, Sotong, Balasing and Roonz. At the last 3km, i started to feel tightness on my left thigh. The road was rather empty by then and i could cycle for a distance without meeting anyone on either direction. Afraid that i could get cramps, bearing in mind there wasn't anybody else nearby that could hear even if i screamed, i decided to slow down everytime i feel the cramp nearing. Thankfully, i hit the intersection where i needed to turn left towards the startline.

Within a few minutes, i was already back at the transition, where Fennel was all geared up to start her running leg. I passed her the hairband, and she started running. My cycling time was 3:54, well within my aim of 4hrs. I then led my bike to my transition area, hooked it up, and continued walking, so afraid that the cramp will set in. I went up to the Milo van, and took 2 cups. Milo never tasted so good before.

I then joined Charmane and Eunice at the Bike Boutique tent, to give out ice to the runners and tucking some inside my tights. Fennel, being the good runner that she is, finished her race within 1:50.

Excellent race this event, though i must say again that unless i do the main event, i will always feel like a second class citizen. Therefore, i will do the individual LD event next year, but first, the sprint race the next day.

Cycling Distance: 90km
Cycling Time: 3:54

Ferry hopping: Bintan - Singapore - Desaru

Wanted to take leave but 17 August is the Independence Day for Indonesia and as a "PR" there, it was compulsory for all else like me to be present for the Big Day observation ceremony. Rest of the guys were probably on their way to Desaru while i sat watching the red and white flag being raised.

Anyhow, having obtained permission to skip the night activities, i left for Singapore while the sun was still high. Cabbie at TMFT tried to con me by informing that a surcharge will be imposed on the trip. I told him to cut the crap, having taken taxis for 5 years from the same spot without having to pay any surcharge. So i took the next cab, who also tried to con me with the same surcharge crap at first but changed his mind once i started speaking Singlish.

I was home half an hour later and immediately gathered my pre-packed stuff and bike. Got my father to send me to Changi Ferry Terminal via his cab (no issue of surcharge this time), stopped by Changi Village to ta pao some food. Its amazing how lacking in creativity the hawkers are; 1 sells Nasi Lemak, everyone sells Nasi Lemak. One sells Nasi Ayam Penyet, everyone sells Nasi Ayam Penyet. I got myself 1 pack of Nasi Lemak with extra chicken wing, 2 fried popiah swimming with chilli sauce and 2 goreng pisang.

Reached Changi Ferry Terminal and immediately checked in. While waiting for ICA to start working, i had my feast. Cleared immigration and was on the ferry within minutes. Met some guys who went to PD with me a few weeks ago but can't remember their names.

Ferry left for a 30mins journey to Tanjung Belungkor, passing by the unnatural-looking Pulau Tekong most of the way. On arrival, cleared immigration and surrendered my bike to a transport coordinator from Golden Beach Resort. He then ushered me to a Pajero and after loading 3 other persons with me in the post-20 year old jeep, the driver started heading towards Desaru.

My last and probably only previous trip to Desaru was with SL and BT, on a study trip at the nearby fruit plantation a few years ago. Other than the fruits and the dirty hotel, i couldn't remember anything else about Desaru.

We stopped by a Petronas station to get supplies before continuing to the hotel. My worst fears came true when i saw where we were stopping; that same dirty hotel. Called IMD and Balasing and was told to head up to the briefing room. Uncle Chan was giving his briefing about the LD race. He must have been a comedian in his younger days as the crowd were laughing throughout the briefing.

Met Eunice, my team swimmer, and we headed towards the registration booth. I registered my team name as Euhan, back when i thought I could do the bike and run legs. Decided against it and Fennel asked if she could join as runner. So i guess my team name will be Euhanli (EUnice-RaiHAN-AiLI). Also registered for the sprint before remembering that i had totally forgotten about my bike. In panic, i saw my bike and thought that the Bike Boutique stall was the bike collection centre. Grace from TBB went into blur mode when i told her that i wanted to collect my bike. IMD clarified the situation.

We then went back to hotel, then to dinner where i had a special beef burger (note: not beef burger special, difference lies in the kind of egg served) and lots of mosquito bites. Went back to hotel and prepared for my 2 races.

Fennel arrived later on. By then,i was on my way to dreamland. Next day is race day.

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Summary for week of 5-11 Aug 07

Started with a long run, ending with a long ride.
  • Sunday, 5 Aug: Adidas King of the Road.
  • Monday, 6 Aug: Collected bike from Chapter2cycle after returning from Bintan. Rode the 5km back home.
  • Tuesday, 7 Aug: CBD Run.
  • Wednesday, 8 Aug: Day trip to Bintan. Comtemplated on going to KL for the weekend's PJ Half Marathon.
  • Thursday, 9 Aug: Happy National Day Singapore. Got up late for the bike ride so slacked all day. Called Hotel Noble and was told that they are full for the weekend. So PJ plan off.
  • Friday, 10 Aug: Took leave to slack.
  • Saturday, 11 Aug: With Desaru Long Distance Triathlon looming, i decided to join Teelee for a morning ride. Had goreng pisang at JB after that.
Good training week. 1 week to go to Desaru LD Tri.

Saturday morning ride - 11 Aug 07

I've been itching for a ride ever since i collected my bike from Chapter2cycle. Ned did a great job in servicing the bike, changing the not-comfortable-at-all bull-horn and aerobar handle to just plain ol' dropbar with Shimano 105 STI set courtesy of Hedgehog. I also fixed Cateye Astrale 8 Cyclometer with Cadence. After spending National Day and Friday slacking, I was relieved when Saturday morning came.

Got up at 530am, showered and put on my Elan Blue bike tights, Adidas Adistar Orange tee, socks and NB105. I carried my bike down and put on my helmet, cycled out to the bus stop at St 51 to meet Teelee. Managed to buy a bottle of H2O before starting the ride at 0640hrs.

The plan was to cycle 60km, doing a Hougang to Mandai and back. We cycled at a steady 25-27km/hr until we reached Thomson Rd/Casuarina via Ang Mo Kio Ave 5. Turning right to Thomson Rd, we managed to catch sight of Freddie, Dreamrunner, DO and Cheow running along the Animiles route. The undulating hills of Thomson Road varied my speed from as slow as 20km/hr on the climb to excess of 40km/hr during the descend. We arrived at the junction of Mandai Rd with Astrale 8 showing the distance covered being 8km.

We then cycled past the entrance to Mandai Executive Golf Course and headed for Upper Pierce Reservoir. Then was the downhill road towards the Zoo, where i could have reached a max of 50km/hr had it not been for a truck driving too close for comfort. We arrive at the KJE Mandai flyover and cycled past the Police Tactical Training Camp. It was then a right turn into Woodlands Road.

The heavy vehicles plying the route after that made me pay more attention to the traffic than the road names. Next i realised was passing by Sungei Buloh Mangrove area. Teelee then mentioned to me about going via an alternative route, which he was not sure of. I was enjoying the ride so i agreed.

We cycled on and came towards Neo Tiew area, where my chain came off the crank for the first time. Luckily there wasn't any breaks and i was back riding after realigning the chain. We cycled the curvy Neo Tiew area, passing by farms after farms. After a while, i saw a sign displaying Sungei Kadut camp. I then realised that i am at Lim Chu Kang area. We passed by the Armour Camp, Cemetaries, Civil Defence Academy and NTU before entering Jurong West neighbourhood.

Taking a bus from Jurong West back to Hougang would normally take me about 1.5hrs. Cycling was a different story. As Teelee was unsure of the route, i took the lead, cycling along Corporation Rd until we reached the flyover separating Jurong West, East and Bukit Batok. We entered Bukit Batok, passing by Millenia Institute and Bukit Batok Interchange/MRT. It was then a left turn further on and we made a pit stop at a Shell station at Old Jurong Road.

I loaded my bottle cage with a new bottle of H2O and also bought a can of Red Bull, as well as a bottle of mineral water to take my powergel with. We continued our ride, heading towards Toh Yi area and then down Jalan Anak Bukit before turning left to Dunearn Rd. I had a pee-break and then continued cycling until we reached the flyover of Adam Rd Food Centre where we turned left towards Lornie Rd.

Lornie Rd was busy with traffic. I was delighted when we reached Macritchie Reservoir/Andrew Rd area. We continued on along Thomson Rd and then opted for the gradual incline at Old Thomson Rd.

By then, we had covered 60km. As i had an appointment at 1130hrs, we decided to call it a day, cycling along Yio Chu Kang Rd towards Hougang. Teelee continued on to his house at Ave 1 while i did an extra loop of my block to make the distance 70km.

Great ride on a lovely morning. Certainly beats the dull and demoralising Coastal Road.

Distance: 70km

Thursday, August 09, 2007

CBD Run - 7 Aug 07

My first CBD run, after a long while. Left office wearing my Mizuno white vest and black shorts. Arrived at the startpoint, seeing Tiwazz, Tigger, Tao, ST, YankeeII, Sxuanjing. Jamesoh and Charlotte joined later. Put on my NB735, with USK-filled Nathan pouch on my waist.

After a short briefing on the route, Tigger started the run. The plan was to run along Shenton Way towards Esplanade before turning right to Marina Promenade. Upon reaching the bridge above Marina Bay, we are to do 4 sets of 1km intervals at our own pace, ending at the bridge above Kallang River.

Charlotte was leading most of the way in the first part and we were joined halfway by aerosolcan. I started fast, trying to warm up and perspire as much as possible. We took a 2 minute breather before starting the first set. I started fast but soon tire out, finishing in 5:05. Subsequent timings are as follows:
  • Set 1: 5:05
  • Set 2: 5:25
  • Set 3: 5:45
  • Set 4: 5:35
We then walked and jogged back to the startpoint. May have been a work out too much for my leg still recovering from King of the Road, but feeling the amount of perspiration on my body after the run made me feel good. I still feel unfit though.

Distance: 8km
Shoe: NB735

Adidas King of the Road, Bandar Sunway - 5 Aug 07

Got up at 0500hrs and showered. Applied Neat Cream to abrasion prone areas and plastered nipples. Put on my SGRunners vest, Adidas black shorts, Adidas cap, Nathan pouch with USK , Creative MP3 player and a pack of powergel, socks and NB735 before heading out to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman to wait for Yeehua and her super red Kenari. Had a pack of Triple Threat Powerbar and 2 capsules of Amino Acid while waiting.

Yeehua arrived and drove us to Bandar Sunway, which was already packed with runners by the time we arrived. Met Runwitme at the overhead bridge on my way to the reporting line. Entered the reporting area after a pee break and was issued with a pink ribbon. Did my routine stretches and warm ups and saw Kimberley Yap and other Malaysian runners.

Dr Sammy Velu flagged off the race just after the area was blackened out courtesy of a power failure. With Creative playing Robbie Williams' "Let me entertain you", I did a slow jog and looked out for a nice place to pee. I stopped at the side of the road after coming out of the underpass for a pee-break. Continuing the run, i saw Runwitme again and picked up speed to get level with Divey, who was wearing a Safra running vest. I saw Karen, the powerbar girl, and chatted for a while.

The first drink station appeared after 5km and i took the chance to replenish lost fluid. It was a surprise that the drink station served 100plus, though semi-chilled. I continued my run and before long, saw the first group of elites on the opposite side of the highway. Soon, more familiar looking runners appeared, consisting of Bose, then Charles, then Yeehua, then Ronnie, then Renohtaram and finally Karen.

I reached the u-turn point soon after, and approached the drink station. I was surprised not to find plain ice-water as i planned to take my pack of powergel then. So i grabbed 2 cups of 100plus and continued the run, seeing Amanda, Runwitme and Ham approaching from the opposite side.

The second 10km was rather boring and i felt very tired. Feet weren't hurting, just that i felt lazy. I began to wonder if i have lost the ability to run long distance, not forgetting the fact that my last run beyond 5km was Penang Bridge Marathon, more than a month ago. I shoo-ed away the negative thought, and decided to enjoy the music on my Creative, which was playing U2's "It's a beautiful day".

Divey caught up with me and i decided to follow her pace. After a while she told me not to wait for her, and i told her that i thought she was waiting for me. We continued running together for a while until we reached the last waterpoint, about 3km to the finishing line. The time was already 2:00 by now, and i knew that i will not be breaking any records.

Elvis was singing "A little less conversation" as i approached the last km, leading to the underground tunnel. Saw some photographers including Tey at the end of the tunnel. The upslope and final stretch towards the finishing line seemed a daunting distance but Holly Valance was telling me "It's all in the mind". I decided to increase my pace and finished the run in 2:11.

The official at the finishing line did not hand out a medal to me so i guessed they ran out of it. Had a few gulps of Milo and 100plus while looking for Ronnie, Charles, Yeehua and Ham. Saw them before seeing Amanda heading towards the aid station. I caught up and was told that she fell at the start, getting scratches at the knee and palm, and yet she completed the run. Amazing. We left a while later.

Honestly, i felt unfit and unprepared. This time a year ago, i was averaging 35-40km a week. This year, i can barely get half of that. Have i bitten more than i could chew? Have i become complacent? Perhaps i have. I have long knew that i just don't have the natural fitness and thus need to train hard. Well at least i acknowledge that, and hopefully that will spur me to rectify things.

Distance: 21.1km (on paper)
Shoe: NB735
Time: 2:11

Summary for week of 29 July to 4 Aug 07

Running season's here again!!
  • Sunday, 29 July: Volunteered at OSIM Singapore Triathlon Olympic Distance races. Was offered a role at VIP tents but requested for transition area marshall instead. Located at the overhead bridge where athletes crosses over from swimming to biking and from biking to running, i was at the thick of the action. Good point as the transition area was a mud bath. Pity those who take great pain to clean their bikes. Together with my buddy Iceman, also an SGRunner, we directed athletes up and down the bridge. Must say that less the relay cyclists, everyone of the competitors passed by my point. The elite triathletes were inspirational, while it was great to see others like Jerry, Peter, Jon, Alan etc from Trifam, as well as SGRunners like IMD, Sotong, Roonz, Littletigger etc.
  • Monday, 30 July: Busy at work, no training.
  • Tuesday, 31 July: At Bintan, plan for gym workout was shelved due to a departmental celebration.
  • Wednesday, 1 Aug: Did shoulders, back, abs and legs workout at FSD gym before running a 2.4km just for the heck of it. Beginning to love the NB735; the cushioning's really soft.
  • Thursday, 2 Aug: New Community Development Manager reported for work. Did some orientation for him before i returned to Singapore. Got home and cycled to Chapter 2 Cycle at Ang Mo Kio, where Ned recommended some work my bike needed to be put through. In detail, i will be changing to Richey dropbar with STI set donated by Hedgehog, change a new pair of brakepads for rear brakes and service the whole bike. Hope my bike will look normal after this. Had the pleasure of meeting Mr Ironman himself, Dr Siong from SGrunners. After handing over the bike to Ned, i did a 5km run back home before meeting Ed for late dinner.
  • Friday, 3 Aug: Cleared paperwork in preparation for ISO renewal audit. Packed for KL trip.
  • Saturday 4 Aug: Together with Ronnie, Ham and Charles, left for KL for the Adidas King of the Road. Collected my racebibs from Runwitme at Sunway Pyramid before having lunch at Tony Romas. Must admit that the Bountiful Beef Ribs were uber delicious. Nuah-ed at KLCC after checking in at Hotel Noble and had Maggi Goreng for dinner before retiring just before 2200hrs.
August is going to be a busy month.