Monday, July 30, 2007

Summary for week of 22 - 29 Jul

More work!!
  • Sunday, 22 Jul: Still at PD. Cheered and took pictures during the Olympic Distance race. Saw many familiar faces including, Teelee, Sassyrunner, cfred, Runner's High aka Azwar, Kimberley Yap, Jerry, Alan etc.
  • Monday, 23 Jul: Back at work. Heel hurt from the race at PD. Probably due to the shoe.
  • Tuesday, 24 Jul: In Bintan, did some gym work at the fire station.
  • Wednesday, 25 Jul: Heel still hurt, so watched the soccer match between Admin and EHD. EHD won 2-1 by the way.
  • Thursday, 26 Jul: Returned to SG, too tired to run.
  • Friday, 27 Jul: Putting my Real Run Club card courtesy of KINs to good use, bought a new pair of shoes in NB735, a lightweight cushioning trainer, at a lot of discount.
  • Saturday, 28 Jul: Did a 20km bike and 5km run at ECP, wearing my new NB735. Felt good. The cushioning is soft and the shoe is light. Best of all, it is very cheap compared to other shoes i purchased in the past year.
1 week to Adidas King of the Road. Better start running far soon, or i'll suffer again.

Summary for week of 15 - 21 July

The week i became a tri-athlete, officially.
  • Sunday, 15 Jul: Wasn't feeling well, so skipped the run at Toa Payoh stadium.
  • Monday, 16 Jul: No runs. Had family dinner, father's belated birthday.
  • Tuesday, 17 Jul: No runs. Too much work in Bintan.
  • Wednesday, 18 Jul: No runs. Still in Bintan.
  • Thursday, 19 Jul: No runs, still in Bintan.
  • Friday, 20 Jul: No runs. Returned to SG, unpacked and repacked for PD Tri.
  • Saturday, 21 Jul: PD Triathlon.
Another dream fulfilled, another chapter completed.

Port Dickson International Sprint Triathlon - 21 Jul

My first Triathlon race. I just decided to do this as soon as i bought my bike. I was really panicking in getting transportation and accommodation sorted out. It was even more panicking for me when our coach arrived at PD just after 12, meaning less than 2 hour before race begin.

Having changed into my Zoots Tritights, i headed for the bike check in/transition area and arranged my stuff. It was very tricky as the weather was not very accommodating to us. It started with light drizzle, then got heavier. I arranged my stuff in the basket provided and covered them with a tiny plastic bag which somehow i could find.

I then made my way to the swim start and realised that i have not done my body marking. So i had to run back to the transition area. The markers had a hard time writing my number and gave up after a short while. They told me to shout out my number when i run past the recorders. I then ran back to the start point.

Not the compose pre-race preparation i expected. I managed to catch a bit of the final race briefing before the YB blew the horn, signaling the start of the sprint race. I let everyone past before entering the water, walking until the sea water reaches my chest level. There were many behind me, all, like me, lacked confidence in swimming.

I stuck close to the swim rope and was glad to reach the first buoy. I think i kicked someone, and turned around to apologise. Slowly, i stroked my way to the u-turn point and saw just a few swim caps ahead of me. The rest must have completed their swim. With confidence building in me, i completed my swim but realised that i did not start my stop watch. Hopeless me.

I did a light jog to the transition area. reaching my bike, i struggled to put on my wet socks and Adidas Adistar. The last time i wore this shoe was during run session at Toa Payoh, where i fainted. I hope it brings me better luck this time round. Anyhow, no need for shades this time, and i put on my helmet before pushing my bike to the mounting line.

No cyclometer so no idea how fast or far i've cycled. I was blocked by a car just before heading into the highway. I saw many cyclists, but all on the opposite side. Alone, i cycled to the u-turn point. On the way back, a marshall on a motorbike decided to keep me company. We managed to strike up some conversation, and he told me that i was cycling at 40km/hr at one of the sections. I was a cyclist ahead of me and decided to overtake. The cyclist turned out to be Fennel and we finished the biking leg together.

Hooking up the bike, i took off my helmet and started to run. My legs were heavy now, but i tried to maintain the cadence i used for the biking leg. After a while, Fennel and me overtook some participants before i told her to leave me behind. I managed to get into my running groove just before the u-turn point. Then on i increased pace with every steps and finished the race in 1:29.

Collected my race medal and a nice looking powerbar towel. Had some Milo-peng before heading back to the race expo, deliberating on joining the Olympic Distance the next day.

Good race, i felt like the king of the world having finished the swim leg.

The way up to Port Dickson

My second trip to Port Dickson in 3 months. Could still remember running in the storm during PD Half and driving the way back on NL's car. Anyhow, got up very early and headed for Lavender Bus Terminal, courtesy of my dad, to meet Tri_Jon and gang. I barely know anyone from my bus and was happy to see Fennel, SV and Divey. Unfortunately, they will be going on a different bus.I made myself useful helping Peter and Jon load up the bikes on the bus. It is really innovative how they use the seats as a bike stand. Forgot to take pictures though. Meet new friends in Whelan, who will also be my roomie at Selesa Hotel, Amy, Kim, Peter, Colin etc.

Bus left for Tuas slightly after 7. Cleared immigration at both ends and i started to sleep. The journey took longer than i expected, even TIC the rest and toilet breaks. Anyhow, we reached PD just after 12, meaning less than 2 hours to report, collect race kit, get myself ready for the race, check in bike etc. Wonder how the race will be. Well, guess i will know in 2 hrs time.

Summary for week of 8 to 14 July

Too much travels...
  • Sunday, 8 Jul: Trifam Sprint Trial. Cycled home with Joe aka Beckham after the race, via Still Road, Hougang Ave 3, 2, 10 and 8. Rushed to attend NL's sister's wedding, which reminded me that i need to finalise mine soon.
  • Monday, 9 Jul: Meeting at work. Too much to clear.
  • Tuesday, 10 Jul: In Bintan, had to fight fire so no time for training.
  • Wednesday, 11 Jul: Returned to SG late, too late for training.
  • Thursday, 12 Jul: Got up very early to catch the first Garuda flight to Jakarta. Upon arrival, i heard that the EU sent out an advisory against traveling via Indonesian flights due to safety issues. Busy day with meetings.
  • Friday, 13 Jul: Returned to SG. All these traveling made me sick, literally. I was down with fever.
  • Saturday, 14 Jul: Overslept when i should have been up at 430am to join Trifam riders for morning ride.
No exercise, just travels.

Monday, July 09, 2007

TRIFAM Sprint Race - 8 July 2007

I only joined Trifam a week ago and Jerry suggested i take up this challenge, to provide me with experience in swimming in the sea. So, as always, i registered first and then worked out what to do and how to do. I had never swam 750m out at sea and never cycled competitively.

Got up at 5am, showered and packed my stuff. Put on my newly acquired Zoot Mesh Trifit tights and Mizuno white/orange vest. Applied some lubricants at abrasion prone areas before leaving my dad's house at 6am. Thanks to my dad who then drove me to my new apartment
to collect my bike, before dropping me off at the race venue, NSRCC Sea Sports Centre.

When i arrived, only the fellas from the Bike Boutique was around. As the sun rose, more people arrived, Gentle, Paul and Jerry. The only person from Trifam i knew was Gentle, though i also knew that Gugugaga and Hedgehog will also take part. I made myself useful by helping the committee set up for the race. When my help was no longer required, i snapped some photos before Joseph the CSM called for everyone to register for the race.

I registered, paid and was given number 26, and went for body marking where number 26 was written with thick black marker pen on my 2 arms and thighs. I then followed the crowd to place my
bike and stuffs at the bike stand.

Having done all the necessary, i waited for CSM Joseph to give a briefing and collected a bright colored swim cap for easy identification. Just before 0800hrs, we were all ushered to the startpoint, a ramp to the sea. I stayed at the back of the group, so as not to get kicked and not to get in the way of the fast swimmers.

The horn blew, and off we went. I had no confidence in finishing the swim leg and so did a slow start. However, that may not be slow enough as i got nervous upon approaching the first buoy. I realised that i might drown if i don't quit. Luckily, the safety swimmer was just nearby and he helped to calm me down. I rested by holding on to the buoy for about 10 seconds before continuing on. My race then was from one buoy to another. I rested for another 10 seconds upon reaching the 2nd buoy, with the safety swimmer encouraging me continuously. From then onwards, i managed to gather my courage and continued my slow breaststrokes, maintaining momentum and regular breathing. Before i knew it, i reached the u-turn point.

I focussed on the end point on the swim back, and slowly stroked my way to it. I realised that every other swimmer had finished their swim but continued on, knowing that this is not my race with them, but myself. My goggles were already fogging up by now and i realised that i've been focusing on the wrong point all the while when the safety swimmer told me to turn a little to the left. I then powered on and finished the swim, to the applause and good wishes of Joseph and Gentle. (I think they were worried that i may drown... hell, i was worried that i might drown). Someone then opened the tap and hosed me down with fresh water before i jogged towards the transition area.

Some fellas helped me put on my gear and i ran out with the bike for the biking leg. I cycled slowly towards Coastal Road, and went faster as i got under the canopies. There were many cyclists at coastal, but none of them were my fellow competitors. One appeared soon after, but on the opposite side of the road. I experimented with the gears and aerobars before reaching the u-turn point, knowing that i was still last. I had no cyclometer on the bike and i forgot to press the lap function on my Polar during transition but i felt the return trip was faster. I reached the transition area and realised that competitors like Hedgehog and Jonathan had not only arrived, but completed their race.

I put the bike on the rack, took off the helmet and put on the cap and ran straight out for the running leg. I had no idea where the route will bring me to. More runners were on the opposite side, powering to the finish point. I continued on and saw the waterpoint just up ahead. I stopped where a little fella gave me 2 cups of gatorade. After Changi Sea Sports Club, i saw Jerry who was marshalling. I realised that there was a lady competitor up ahead. I tried slowly to get to her but caught up with 2 young competitors instead, who was 12 and 13 years old. I got them to continue running, following my slow pace, while constantly trying to chase the lady runner.

I stopped for another gulp of gatorade before running slowly towards the finishing line. I received some encouragement from other cyclists. I then saw the roof of NSRCC's main building and increased my pace before finishing the race in 1:49hrs.

My only surprise was that i completed the swim leg. Good training this sprint trial. Thanks to Trifam committee for organising this race. A special mention goes out to the safety swimmer who helped me so much. I was so shacked after the swim that i didn't even asked for his name. Owe you 1 bottle of 100plus bro.

Next race, Port Dickson Sprint Tri. First, better to get more swim done.

Distance:-
Swim: 0.75km
Bike: 20km
Run: 5km
Time: 1:49hrs
Shoe: NB 1060

Summary for the week of 1 - 7 July

The week i started my overseas posting.
  • Sunday, 1 July: MILK Run.
  • Monday, 2 July: On leave, lepak. No runs but went to Tiong Hin to buy rear and front blinkers for my bike.
  • Tuesday, 3 July: Was in Bintan. Did some gym work and a short run.
  • Wednesday, 4 July: Still in Bintan, wanted to swim at Nirwana Beach Club after work but my buddies decided to practice their swings at Bintan Lagoon Range, in preparation for the company's golf challenge.
  • Thursday, 5 July: Came home, too tired to run.
  • Friday, 6 July: No runs.
  • Saturday, 7 July: Got up late for morning ride, it was raining anyway. Watched over-the-top action movie, Die Hard 4.0 before catching up with SGRunners at their 2nd year anniversary.

Monday, July 02, 2007

Mainly I Love Kids Run - 1 July 2007

1st July was supposed to be Ipoh International Run for me but the less than exciting route of Ipoh Centennial Run in May made me change my mind. So when Ed told me she has registered for MILK Run, i did the same.

Arrived at race location at 1445hrs. Changed into my race attire and met TLR who kindly offered his car as baggage counter. Left for startpoint where i met Runwitme and FBB. I realised that i was not wearing my Polar. Good excuse to slack??

Before long, the emcee and DPM flagged us off. I started the race slow, not just because of the crowded route, hot weather but also because i remember last year's disastrous run when i tired out after just a few km.

Weather was hot, though not as last year, but hot nevertheless. Bad decision to run past first waterpoint at Riverside point without drinking. Ran past Central, Boat Quay before u-turning at Fullerton bridge hoping for a waterstation. Continued running past Empress place and thankfully there was a waterpoint before Clarke Quay. Started second loop after Clarke Quay and continued running slowly, as slow as Marathon pace. No idea on finishing time but had 2 100plus and a banana while waiting for Ed, who ran the 4km Community Run with her best friend.

Distance: 8.4km
Shoe: Asics Cumulus (Not comfortable this shoe)

Summary for week of 24 to 30 June

Another marathon completed.
  • Sunday, 24 June: Penang Bridge International Marathon.
  • Monday, 25 June: Zombied at work after a 11hr bus ride back to SG.
  • Tuesday, 26 June: CBD Run.
  • Wednesday, 27 June: Brick training.
  • Thursday, 28 June: Travel day, no runs.
  • Friday, 29 June: Engagement day.
  • Saturday, 30 June: No training. Cancelled morning ride. Watched last football match at Kallang Stadium. Singapore gave too much respect to Viduka and Kewell and lost 3-0 to Australia.
Good training week. Next race at PD Tri, 21 July.