Mid Year Report 2009

It's time for the mid-year report.

First and foremost, there are a few people I would like to thank.

My family is definitely top on the list.
Thanks for allowing me to train and take part in races.
Thanks for your never-ending support.
You made it extra special by being there at the Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore Finish Line. =)

Thanks to Joyce, Tekko and Eugene.
You are my mentors.
Giving me advice and encouragement throughout these two years.

Special thanks has to be extended to Shutehelup and SupCon.
Although I was determined to sign up for Aviva Ironman Singapore 70.3, your words are what woke me up.

Raihan's words "One cannot excel in all three disciplines in a triathlon" is the advice that I gave to my fellow triathletes who is uncertain if they can complete a triathlon.

Two world class examples would be Chrissie Wellington and Craig Alexander, both current Ironman World Champions.

Chrissie is a swimmer, but she is never tops when it comes to the 3.8km swim. But her bike and run leg is what is excel in.

Craig? He does not excel in his swim and bike.
But if you wanna beat him, you better make sure that you have a size-able lead going into your run and pray hard that he left his afterburners at home.
Ask Chris Lieto and you will know why.
Read this => http://www.slowtwitch.com/Features/The_Alexander_-_Lieto_Duel_869.html

So if you are undecided, sign up and train hard for it.
If you can do each discipline individually, there is no reason why you cannot complete Ironman 70.3.

Ok, on with the mid year report.

2009 marks a fine sporting calendar year for Singapore. We had a bumper crop of sporting events in the first half of the year.
With Aviva IM 70.3 S'pore moved forward to March to avoid any Formula1 inconvenience, it is a wonderful timing for me.

The year started with MR25 Progressive Run 10km.
(If things worked out, I should be following the whole series and get myself a T-shirt while working towards my first Full marathon.
But things dun always work out as planned. Most of the Progressive Runs get overlapped by other races.)
Took a wrong route and was lucky that other non-racing runners guided me along the correct path. Thanks, guys.
Reach base to find that the organisers has already packed up and left. =D
So much for my introduction to MR Progressive Runs. =D

Next Run is the inaugural Safari Zoo Run.
I have not been to the Zoo for a very long time, thus I wasn't aware that the first part of the run was done in the Night Safari.
Thought the organisers keep the animals away, in case we frighten the animals. =D
Stacy kept me company for most part of the run. Thanks, Stacy. =)

First race of the year, Tribob Sprint Aquathlon.
I missed last year's race, but given the good feedback, I was keen to find out.
Had a good race.
Submitted my first and last SGRunners Race Report. =D
(Dunno how to write in a report format. I still prefer my own candid and very personal style. =p )

Next up, Newton Active Run.
No real reason for signing up...
Just felt that last year's Punggol Run was nice, so wanted to do it again.
Alas, the route was changed this year to SengKang...
Nonetheless, it was still a good run. =)
Maybe I will sign up as bike marshall next year. =D

Singapore Biathlon is next.
This is an annual event that I will not missed.
It was the first multi-sports event that I signed up and kick start my passion in triathlons. =)
Had a good race.
Timing was worse than last year.
But it does not really matter.
This is my training for the real event of the year.

4th race in four consecutive weeks.
TriBob Sprint Duathlon.
This race is part of the Singapore Sprint Series and is held in my own backyard.
With the promise of better cycling experience, I was keen to find out. =D
I was not disappointed.
They closed an entire stretch of road, so we have 1.5 lanes to cycle either way. =)
Right after the event, I promptly signed up for Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore.

2 days before HIM, I did my first Clementi loop to experience the race route.
Wow... it was a wonderful experience.
I am excited to see how race day will progress.
My family promised to wait for me at the Finish Line, making me more excited to complete the race.

Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore.
My BIGGEST race ever...
I have kept calmed my nerves since Friday...
All the training has been completed.
Now is just a matter of finishing the race within the cut-off time.
When I stand at the Start Line, I did not have the usual pre-race jitters.
Pretty scary stuff. The BIGGEST race of my life and I am not nervous at all?
The race got underway...
Had a great swim. Was able to draft two swimmers during the second lap. =D
Completed the swim in less than an hour... Within target time. =D

In transition, I had two GU gels and a 750ml of Accelerade before commencing on my bike leg.
Darn... my cyclometer is missing, most probably stolen...
I will be riding blind for the race...
Ride was good...except that I carried a 3L of water in the hydration pack during the whole race. =/
I din feel the need to drink much during the race.
Probably the Accelerade and the cloudy weather surpress the urge.
Just treat it as training lor... Who knows I may be able to clock a better bike time next year. =D

Another grouse for the bike leg is that my front deraileur come loose at the start of the 3rd lap.
I was forced to ride in my small chain ring with my front deraileur clink-clanking on my gears throughout the 30km!!!
I count myself lucky that I still have some leg power to climb the slopes on the small chain rings. =D

Completed the Bike Leg within 3:30 hrs. Again within target time.
That gives me 4 hours to complete my half-marathon. =D
Barring any major issues, I should be able to complete the race within the cut-off time. =D
Completed the run in 3:30hrs...
Completed the race looking very fresh, according to wifey. =D
Celebrate the completion at Carls Jr before proceeding home.

12th April 2009 TriFam Sprint Triathlon.
Why did I sign up for the race?
Cos it is cheap. =D
And it looks like a whole bunch of JoyRiders are taking part.
Started the swim and saw the YellowFishes zooming ahead.
Managed to catch a few fishes during the bike leg, but still finished the race at the rear after being overtaken by scores of runners...=D

19th April 2009 TriBob Sprint Triathlon.
The last race of the Tribob Sprint Series.
Again I missed last year's race, so I am very keen to see how good this race really is. =D
Did a sub-20min for 750m swim, which I suspected is shorter than that.
After a long run to the transition point, I was dismayed to find my cyclometer missing yet again.
2 missing cyclometers in a space of 6 weeks!!! Haiz...
Cycled blind again...
Was pleased to clock a first-ever >30kmh official timing during a Bike Leg of a race. =D

26th April 2009 Raw Duathlon
Inaugural Duathlon organised by Hi-Velocity.
Raw means basic.... No medal, no race certificate.
But most of us finished the race with a wealth of experience.
The race was conducted at Aviation Road where it is no tree cover.
The first 10km Run was bearable...
40km Bike was fun.
The last 10km was the real test.
The sun was up and it was a cloudless day.
All of us are at the sun's mercy.
Daniel Gan decided to call it a day after completing 2km...
Wise move.
He has more than 9 years of racing under his belt, when it is time to quit, one has to be brave and smart enough to quit.
Lin was 500m from the Finish Line when she collapsed due to severe cramps.
I find myself lucky that I manage to complete the race without any major issues.

3rd May 2009 Tri Factor Swim
The first of a 4-part series organised by Orange Room.
The 3km swim was conducted at Tanjong Beach, Sentosa.
The swim was conducted during low tide, so some of the swimmers who were tempted to walk 50-100m to the turning point...=D
A first for most swimmers who get swim in very shallow waters.

30th May 2009 Adidas SunDown Night Marathon
My very first marathon.
Again, I was very calm when I stand at the Start Line...
Started the race running at a pretty good pace, but started to slow after 1km.
Manage to run for about 8km before I started walking.
Downside of the race was the terrible first few water stations during the race.
The water stations was too small to accommodate too many runners.
The rest of the race was a challenge.
One to keep awake.
Two to complete the distance.
There was a shortcut during one stage of the marathon, but I could not bring myself to do it.
No way I could live with the truth if I ever done it.
Complete the race in 9 hours without any major issues. =)

14th June 2009 Tri Factor Bike
2nd Race of the Tri-Factor Series.
60km Pure Cycling.
Looking forward to the race, but with no target set.
Just wanna see how hard I can push myself for 60km.
Starting out at 38kmh, the speed dropped to 36kmh...
36kmh...I hope I can sustain this speed for the entire race.
Less than a few kilometers, the pace dropped further.
Speed fluctuate between 30-33kmh.
I should have strategise... draft all the way and not try to take the lead at all.
Complete the race with an average speed of 32kmh.
Should have been glad with the timing, but somehow I beat myself up for that.

21st June 2009 National Runway Cycling
First time I am doing this event.
But it shall be the last time as well.
The first lap is nice, but subsequent laps where we merged with the rollerbladers, the route is simply horrendous.

Oh well... I did not finish the mid-year on a high note.
Anyway, this is my mid-year report.
Hope you have a good time reading it. =)