One of those rare moments...
Decided to go for a run after missing out on my morning bike and swim.
Settled into a pace pretty fast.
Managed to complete 4km with pushing my heart rate too high.
At my pace of 7:30min/km, I can't even catch up with an uncle pushing a bike...
Everything came undone when I chiong-ed up the slope...
Argh...
Run and walk to Bottle Tree where I took a break...
Was running back home after the break when I felt the urgency to turn back.
Haha... the last time I launch an airstrike during a run was before I joined SGRunners...
SGRunners.... a forum that left me with some good and bad memories.
The bad memories haunted me during this run...
I am curious to know the outcome...
After clearing the load, I dun seems to be able to run again...
The knees started to hurt...
I din encounter any problems during my AHM, so why now...
Could it be that my break was too long?
Did a long 4km walk to the nearest bus stop to board a bus home...
Monday, September 28, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Cycling 26th September 2009
Waking up at 5am, it is a mad rush getting out of the house at 5:30am.
Training has become a luxury...
Hume Ave and Lornie Flyover has become Everest...
Even my favourite Mandai stretch is becoming a chore.
Reached Mandai Shell with plenty of time to spare.
Chatted with Siew Yee, rather than do extra loops. =p
The group rolled in. They are on their way pretty soon...
Looks like everyone is catching the 6:40am ride?
Waited for Calvin to roll in before proceeding on the way.
Rode with the guys till some of them got caught at the Bukit Panjang traffic junction.
Chatted with Matthew till he turned right at the fire station.
It was kinda of lonely ride back to LH.
Rolled in to LH, scanned for familiar faces, seen none and I am out again...
Did even stop to take a break. =D
Spotted a group of riders wearing similar jerseys riding ahead and decided to join them.
Must be a darn new outfit, cos I have never seen them before.
Turned out to be the BnB group riders.
Can imagine the camaraderie that was built during those 320km...
Was invited to join them for the ride to F1 race site, but had to turn them down as I need to be home by 8am.
Turned back at Mandai Shell.
All in all, a good ride.
Training has become a luxury...
Hume Ave and Lornie Flyover has become Everest...
Even my favourite Mandai stretch is becoming a chore.
Reached Mandai Shell with plenty of time to spare.
Chatted with Siew Yee, rather than do extra loops. =p
The group rolled in. They are on their way pretty soon...
Looks like everyone is catching the 6:40am ride?
Waited for Calvin to roll in before proceeding on the way.
Rode with the guys till some of them got caught at the Bukit Panjang traffic junction.
Chatted with Matthew till he turned right at the fire station.
It was kinda of lonely ride back to LH.
Rolled in to LH, scanned for familiar faces, seen none and I am out again...
Did even stop to take a break. =D
Spotted a group of riders wearing similar jerseys riding ahead and decided to join them.
Must be a darn new outfit, cos I have never seen them before.
Turned out to be the BnB group riders.
Can imagine the camaraderie that was built during those 320km...
Was invited to join them for the ride to F1 race site, but had to turn them down as I need to be home by 8am.
Turned back at Mandai Shell.
All in all, a good ride.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Cycling 21st September 2009
With the need to gain back my fitness and given the limited opportunities to ride for these few weeks, I decided to try the long ride this morning.
Waking up at 2am, popping back to sleep at 4am, it was a struggle for me to get up at 5:45am to prep for the ride.
By the time I decided to roll out of the bed, it was already 6:15am!!!
It was a mad dash to LH to meet up with Adri for the ride.
The group is huge today.
Some of the hardcore riders really surprised me...
They did 150km+ at Desaru yesterday and is still present for the punishment this morning.
The pace was great today.
It was at a controlled pace all the way to Mandai Shell.
But due to the large number of riders, the group overflowed into the second lane at times...
Met up with Sandy, only to discover that Adri had rolled ahead with the front group!
Turning into Kranji, I could see the group about 400m ahead.
The gap never narrowed and I lost the group after the Neo Tiew bridge.
Hitting end of Lim Chu Kang, Chan-Kilo was waiting for us.
He mentioned that the group left about 5 minutes ago.
Going ahead and waiting for the group to catch up, I stopped at the Jln Buroh traffic junction.
(Definitely not the safest place to wait for riders)
After waiting for 5 minutes and no one turned up, I decided to turn left into Jln Buroh.
Cycled past SPC going towards Shell (or so I thought), before I realised that this SPC petrol kiosk is the one that the riders always stopped for drinks.... =S
The group was rolling off, my bottles are dry, so I proceed to fill up my bottle before I wait out for Adri whom I din see in the group that left.
Sam told me that the departing group was the one that skipped Tuas.
Tuas riders will be 30-40 mins apart.
ETA ? Another 10 more minutes.
A look at my watch told me that I have grossly under-estimated my distances.
I am in the middle of nowhere and I have 2 hrs before my next appoinmentt at 11am.
Was supposed to be home by 10am!!!
Superman can do that. I can't. =S
The group rolled in around 9am..
Croc Raymond was the last rider (which I am sure isn't) to ride in, 5 mins behind.
A check with him confirmed that the last rider was a tall gal in a Cervelo....
CHAM!!!
While the group rolled off at 9:15am , I am torn.
To wait for Adri? But I do not know how lost she is.
She has never been to this part of Singapore.
Or proceed ahead...
A call and a SMS din get any reply....
Rode off reluctantly with the last 3 riders, hoping that she could catch a cab home.
Sorry, Adri... Truly sorry.
I am still pretty lost myself, as I need to find the shortest route home now.
Hit Clementi and did a reverse Clementi route home.
Haha... when time is of the essence, you literally forget the pain....
Did a race pace ride home... =D
Good ride, Everyone!
Thanks!
Waking up at 2am, popping back to sleep at 4am, it was a struggle for me to get up at 5:45am to prep for the ride.
By the time I decided to roll out of the bed, it was already 6:15am!!!
It was a mad dash to LH to meet up with Adri for the ride.
The group is huge today.
Some of the hardcore riders really surprised me...
They did 150km+ at Desaru yesterday and is still present for the punishment this morning.
The pace was great today.
It was at a controlled pace all the way to Mandai Shell.
But due to the large number of riders, the group overflowed into the second lane at times...
Met up with Sandy, only to discover that Adri had rolled ahead with the front group!
Turning into Kranji, I could see the group about 400m ahead.
The gap never narrowed and I lost the group after the Neo Tiew bridge.
Hitting end of Lim Chu Kang, Chan-Kilo was waiting for us.
He mentioned that the group left about 5 minutes ago.
Going ahead and waiting for the group to catch up, I stopped at the Jln Buroh traffic junction.
(Definitely not the safest place to wait for riders)
After waiting for 5 minutes and no one turned up, I decided to turn left into Jln Buroh.
Cycled past SPC going towards Shell (or so I thought), before I realised that this SPC petrol kiosk is the one that the riders always stopped for drinks.... =S
The group was rolling off, my bottles are dry, so I proceed to fill up my bottle before I wait out for Adri whom I din see in the group that left.
Sam told me that the departing group was the one that skipped Tuas.
Tuas riders will be 30-40 mins apart.
ETA ? Another 10 more minutes.
A look at my watch told me that I have grossly under-estimated my distances.
I am in the middle of nowhere and I have 2 hrs before my next appoinmentt at 11am.
Was supposed to be home by 10am!!!
Superman can do that. I can't. =S
The group rolled in around 9am..
Croc Raymond was the last rider (which I am sure isn't) to ride in, 5 mins behind.
A check with him confirmed that the last rider was a tall gal in a Cervelo....
CHAM!!!
While the group rolled off at 9:15am , I am torn.
To wait for Adri? But I do not know how lost she is.
She has never been to this part of Singapore.
Or proceed ahead...
A call and a SMS din get any reply....
Rode off reluctantly with the last 3 riders, hoping that she could catch a cab home.
Sorry, Adri... Truly sorry.
I am still pretty lost myself, as I need to find the shortest route home now.
Hit Clementi and did a reverse Clementi route home.
Haha... when time is of the essence, you literally forget the pain....
Did a race pace ride home... =D
Good ride, Everyone!
Thanks!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Cycling 19th September 2009
Rushed down to LH...
Gotta clock the miles.
The group rode by.
It happened so fast, I dun even recall where I made the U-turn.
Had to be somewhere between LongHouse and Sin Ming Drive.
Again, I climbed Prata Hill quickly.
Christina and Stefano must be shaking their heads looking at this crazy climber.
Today, the entire pack overtook me after Prata Hill.
Hello... today is Saturday... this cannot be true!!!
I am catching fireflies again.
On a Saturday? That gotta be a first. =D
I am dead beat and we are only 3km into the ride.
Reached Mandai Shell and the group is gone.
Other than the Pinoy Brothers, only a handful of riders are there.
Peihua, Calvin, Jeslynda and Wilson rode in soon after.
Right at the turn into Woodlands Road, Joo Mong had a flat.
After passing him my spare tube, I had second thoughts...
This is his seven flat in as many weeks...
Another case to note, I am running low on spare tubes.
I am giving away more spare tubes than I am using....
Haiz.....
Sometimes I should really stop being a good Samaritan.
What really irks me at times is seeing riders who spends thousands of dollars on their bike but is too stingy to buy spare tubes.
(There is this competitor who has a flat during Tri-Factor Triathlon. Immediately, he whipped out his Pit Stop and started shouting out for spare tubes??? A Pit Stop is only good for one tube, if any of you have any doubt. Derek Too was the good Samaritan who gave him the spare tube.)
I guess this is uniquely Singapore.
The same had to go for Singapore drivers...
They can buy the biggest cars on the road, but will lament at the ERP, parking, fuel prices etc.
Not rushing for the 7am ride, we took a slow ride back to Longhouse.
Managed to see more things cos of the brighter daylight and the slow pace.
Had my brekkie before proceeding home.
Gotta clock the miles.
The group rode by.
It happened so fast, I dun even recall where I made the U-turn.
Had to be somewhere between LongHouse and Sin Ming Drive.
Again, I climbed Prata Hill quickly.
Christina and Stefano must be shaking their heads looking at this crazy climber.
Today, the entire pack overtook me after Prata Hill.
Hello... today is Saturday... this cannot be true!!!
I am catching fireflies again.
On a Saturday? That gotta be a first. =D
I am dead beat and we are only 3km into the ride.
Reached Mandai Shell and the group is gone.
Other than the Pinoy Brothers, only a handful of riders are there.
Peihua, Calvin, Jeslynda and Wilson rode in soon after.
Right at the turn into Woodlands Road, Joo Mong had a flat.
After passing him my spare tube, I had second thoughts...
This is his seven flat in as many weeks...
Another case to note, I am running low on spare tubes.
I am giving away more spare tubes than I am using....
Haiz.....
Sometimes I should really stop being a good Samaritan.
What really irks me at times is seeing riders who spends thousands of dollars on their bike but is too stingy to buy spare tubes.
(There is this competitor who has a flat during Tri-Factor Triathlon. Immediately, he whipped out his Pit Stop and started shouting out for spare tubes??? A Pit Stop is only good for one tube, if any of you have any doubt. Derek Too was the good Samaritan who gave him the spare tube.)
I guess this is uniquely Singapore.
The same had to go for Singapore drivers...
They can buy the biggest cars on the road, but will lament at the ERP, parking, fuel prices etc.
Not rushing for the 7am ride, we took a slow ride back to Longhouse.
Managed to see more things cos of the brighter daylight and the slow pace.
Had my brekkie before proceeding home.
Cycling 18th September 2009
Lamenting on the lack of fitness is enough motivation for me to make my way to Longhouse today.
Just as I was crossing the streets into LH, the group rode out so I hang on and rode with the front pack.
Climbing Prata Hill always seems much easier now, but I buang right after the climb.
Most of the riders overtook me after Prata Hill with the rest of the riders doing so after Sembawang slopes.
By the time we reached Old Mandai Road exit, the fireflies were far ahead.
Taking into account that Friday rides are not as demanding as Thursday, that explains how bad my fitness was. =D
I was practically riding alone from Old Mandai Road to Mandai Shell without spotting anyone ahead...
Reached Mandai Shell and the group started tearing down the streets again. =D
Din even have time for a water break...
Just under the KJE flyover, I was able to overtake the group who stopped during the red lights.
Hehe...sometimes it does helps to be a slow rider and the traffic lights changed in your favour. =D
6 riders in the front pack.
4 in CWX jerseys, while Rynn and I stood out in our JR jerseys. =D
By the time we hit the Rail Mall, only about 10 of us were left.
Most of the other riders must have been caught at the various traffic lights.
Caught up with Rynn before we split at the Clementi Flyover.
Along Bukit Timah Road, I went into sprint mode.
Managed to maintain 40kmh for 1km...
Aiyoh, I wasn't even halfway to the Eng Neo traffic light.
Again, I can sense and see another rider's in my draft.
It no longer surprised me... I just hope that I can draft other riders at 40kmh though. =d
Highlight to the rider that I am going straight towards Novena and was surprised the rider followed.
Turned out that Mike stayed at the Novena area. =D
After saying our byes, I proceed to U-turn at Newton and made my way home. =D
Just as I was crossing the streets into LH, the group rode out so I hang on and rode with the front pack.
Climbing Prata Hill always seems much easier now, but I buang right after the climb.
Most of the riders overtook me after Prata Hill with the rest of the riders doing so after Sembawang slopes.
By the time we reached Old Mandai Road exit, the fireflies were far ahead.
Taking into account that Friday rides are not as demanding as Thursday, that explains how bad my fitness was. =D
I was practically riding alone from Old Mandai Road to Mandai Shell without spotting anyone ahead...
Reached Mandai Shell and the group started tearing down the streets again. =D
Din even have time for a water break...
Just under the KJE flyover, I was able to overtake the group who stopped during the red lights.
Hehe...sometimes it does helps to be a slow rider and the traffic lights changed in your favour. =D
6 riders in the front pack.
4 in CWX jerseys, while Rynn and I stood out in our JR jerseys. =D
By the time we hit the Rail Mall, only about 10 of us were left.
Most of the other riders must have been caught at the various traffic lights.
Caught up with Rynn before we split at the Clementi Flyover.
Along Bukit Timah Road, I went into sprint mode.
Managed to maintain 40kmh for 1km...
Aiyoh, I wasn't even halfway to the Eng Neo traffic light.
Again, I can sense and see another rider's in my draft.
It no longer surprised me... I just hope that I can draft other riders at 40kmh though. =d
Highlight to the rider that I am going straight towards Novena and was surprised the rider followed.
Turned out that Mike stayed at the Novena area. =D
After saying our byes, I proceed to U-turn at Newton and made my way home. =D
Tri Factor Triathlon Results
Swim 1.5km - 44m 41s 345/381 (90.55%)
T1 + Bike 36km + T2 - 1h 19m 24s 190/381 (49.9%)
Run 10km - 1h 23m 58s 367/381 (96.3%)
Overall - 3h 28m 02s 337/381 (88.5%)
337 out of 381 Tri-Factor Triathlon 2009 Olympic Distance Open Male Finishers
Haha.... the time spent in transition still sucks... Close to 9 mins. =D
T1 + Bike 36km + T2 - 1h 19m 24s 190/381 (49.9%)
Run 10km - 1h 23m 58s 367/381 (96.3%)
Overall - 3h 28m 02s 337/381 (88.5%)
337 out of 381 Tri-Factor Triathlon 2009 Olympic Distance Open Male Finishers
Haha.... the time spent in transition still sucks... Close to 9 mins. =D
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Cycling 17th September 2009
Things that I forget...
Pump road tires
Went back to pump
Helmet
Went back to get...
Shades
Went back to retrieve
Water bottles
Sure buang, so die die have to go back and get....
Imagine how many times I had to make my way home...
Rear blinkers....
Heck lah.... Use one of my front lights as rear blinker lor....
Out along Mandai Road, I realised that I forgot
1) Halo Headband
2) Bike Pump
3) Bento box
No wonder my bike felt so light when I got out of the house. =D
Travelling along Yishun Ave 2, I am wondering if I will be late for the ride.
It turns out to be... Perfect timing... =D
I caught the group right at the junction again.
Once again I ride at the rear, trying to suck the second last rider's wheel.
It only lasted as long as the slope.
I lost the group after the slope.
The gap just got wider and wider.
Irregular rides has really robbed me of my fitness...
By the time I reach Mandai Hill Camp, I can only catch a glimpse of some rear blinkers in the horizon!!!
Almost crashed just before Mandai Shell when a rider cooling down u-turned back right across my lane.
Right after I rolled in, Joyce did a headcount and we rolled off again. =/
Time to rely on my drinking skill on the move...
While most of the riders turned towards Kranji, about 8 of us rode along Woodlands.
It was a steady ride all the way to Hume Ave where I ran out of breath conquering the slope.
Win already lor... first slope and I peng san already.
Deja vu....
The group started pedalling further and further away...
Turning into Bukit Timah Road, the group has disappeared...
Oh my my my... time to buck up and go for more rides...
Lightning flashes across the sky once again.
A weather forecast check this morning has indicated that rain will come only in the late morning...
Soon a drizzle approaches.
Took the short loop through Lornie Road.
Do not wish to get caught up in the thunderstorm as experienced recently.
By the time I hit Sembawang Road, the drizzle has passed...
Had plans to do a short Old Mandai Road loop, but shelved the plan.
Got home, cleaned my bike before chionging to work. =D
Pump road tires
Went back to pump
Helmet
Went back to get...
Shades
Went back to retrieve
Water bottles
Sure buang, so die die have to go back and get....
Imagine how many times I had to make my way home...
Rear blinkers....
Heck lah.... Use one of my front lights as rear blinker lor....
Out along Mandai Road, I realised that I forgot
1) Halo Headband
2) Bike Pump
3) Bento box
No wonder my bike felt so light when I got out of the house. =D
Travelling along Yishun Ave 2, I am wondering if I will be late for the ride.
It turns out to be... Perfect timing... =D
I caught the group right at the junction again.
Once again I ride at the rear, trying to suck the second last rider's wheel.
It only lasted as long as the slope.
I lost the group after the slope.
The gap just got wider and wider.
Irregular rides has really robbed me of my fitness...
By the time I reach Mandai Hill Camp, I can only catch a glimpse of some rear blinkers in the horizon!!!
Almost crashed just before Mandai Shell when a rider cooling down u-turned back right across my lane.
Right after I rolled in, Joyce did a headcount and we rolled off again. =/
Time to rely on my drinking skill on the move...
While most of the riders turned towards Kranji, about 8 of us rode along Woodlands.
It was a steady ride all the way to Hume Ave where I ran out of breath conquering the slope.
Win already lor... first slope and I peng san already.
Deja vu....
The group started pedalling further and further away...
Turning into Bukit Timah Road, the group has disappeared...
Oh my my my... time to buck up and go for more rides...
Lightning flashes across the sky once again.
A weather forecast check this morning has indicated that rain will come only in the late morning...
Soon a drizzle approaches.
Took the short loop through Lornie Road.
Do not wish to get caught up in the thunderstorm as experienced recently.
By the time I hit Sembawang Road, the drizzle has passed...
Had plans to do a short Old Mandai Road loop, but shelved the plan.
Got home, cleaned my bike before chionging to work. =D
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Tri Factor Triathlon
Having ride once for the past two weeks, I am certain I will suffer BIG time...
Woke up at 4am, I did everything slowly and time flies...
6am... I finally open my race pack and prep for the race.
Could it be a case of race overdoze... I can't be bothered to prep for races till the last minute.
Out of the house by 6:30am, I flew to the race site.
It was still very early (7:10am) when I get my race gear all laid out.
Met Edwin, Benjamin, Marcus, Croc Raymond, Kah Han and Winnie.
My race neighbour today is Roy, the winner of Hong Kah Endurance Challenge. =)
Nice meeting you again, mate. =)
Got questioned by the official about my the Road ID... =S
The race started exactly at 7:45am.
The race is heating up very fast.
After the first buoy, the weak swimmers were all left behind.
I was uncomfortable with the 5-minutes interval between waves and I was proven right.
Having survived the first round of kicking, I got one huge kick fest when the second wave overtook me.
Completed the first lap in 21mins.
Second swim lap...
I lost count of the number of waves that overtook me.
I just know that whenever part of an entire wave tries to overtake me, it become a kick fest.
Some swimmers are pure idiots. I am swimming beside the ropes and they insist on overtaking on the left when there is already not much space left.
Witness a breast stroker who was leading his wave. Impressive...
In fact, there was quite a number of very strong breast strokers today.
Completed the second lap in a total time of 44 mins.
Running to the transition point, I find it a wonderful relief that there is no overhead bridge to pass.
Insistent on not doing another horrendous transition timing, I stuff the entire Performance Bar and try to swallow it.
Roy looked at me in digust. =p
Together with Roy, we made our way out onto the East Coast Service Road to start our bike leg.
But I was no match for him. He reached the Service Road 20m ahead of me. =D
I targeted to keep pace with Roy. But I only managed as far the U-turn point at the National Sailing Center where I lost sight of him.
Learnt a few things during the bike leg...
One... it no longer matter which hand reach for the aerobars first. The fear of crashing must have played tricks on me. The fear is missing during the race
Two... retrieving and putting bottles from either the seat tube or the rear hydration system din prove a problem. During OSIM, I slowed to almost a standstill retrieving the bottle from the rear.... Again fear must have been at work.
Three... it actually helps a lot to ride half the race in aerobars and the other half upright.
Can someone confirmed this? We are using different sets of leg muscles riding in the two different positions.
It is thrilling to do sharp turns where you are 45 degree from the horizontal. =D
The sense of defying gravity and hope that the ground dun chew you up... =p
I managed to go Single Speed all the way. =D
My full water bottle Weight is adding much more weight than I hope.
1 AeroDrink, 3 water bottle provided me with approx 3liters of water for the whole journey.
Tried opening a Cough Drop with my teeth.
It worked perfectly previously, but I failed big time today.
Recalled Kam Meng mentioned that he had his meals on aerobars, so I decided to try it out.
Haha... cool stuff...
Essentially, both hands are free to truly have a meal. =D
Forced myself to stay aero while on the straights...
Got my first photo in aero position. Thanks, Fu Ling.
Nothing glamourous, just cheap thrill.
(U can kaypoh and check it out in FB. =D )
Made it back to transition point, lamenting that this triathlon is harder than OSIM triathlon for the simple fact that the crazy Desaru LD triathletes are taking part in this race too. =D
Off for my hardest part of the triathlon.
The legs felt weird today.
Never had this sensation before.
Must have been trying too hard to run after the bike, something which I had never really done before. =D
Turning out from the hawker center, I grimaced when I could not spot the water station in the far distance...
Cham.... the stomach is growling....
It was till we turning into the rear of the beach resort that I spotted the first water point.
Happily ate my gel and downed 2 cups of water. =D
Turning out from the resort, I was surprised when the U-turn point came up pretty fast.
Kudos to Tri-Factor for re-arranging the swim, bike and run legs so as not to make it look like another OSIM triathlon.
I gotta say that most of us enjoyed this race more than OSIM triathlon.
Making the U-turn with me were Edwin and Kah Han.
Oh boy, these two chaps are really fast....
Never mind, just 7.5km more to go. =D
Going for my second loop, Raphael caught up with me and he stopped by to chat before running off again. =D
Not wanting to suffer the same fate as OSIM triathlon, I dutifully took my 2nd gel at the water point before plodding on. =D
With less than a km to go, Kam Meng caught up.
He was so frustrated with his timing that he decided to walk with me for the rest of the journey.
I din realise that he is on his first run loop. =p
The poor chap has miscalculated his bike loops and went for 1 extra lap!
(Many riders clocked 36km, thinking they were 1 lap short.)
Nonetheless, Kam Meng did a 3:06 to finish the race!!!
Racing towards the finish line, I was hoping to complete the race in less than 3:28 as the seconds ticked down.
Sadly this was not to be and I only got myself to blame for walking too much. =D
Went over to the JR booth for some photos before scrambling home when I noticed the looming clouds overhead.
Aviva, here I come. =D
Woke up at 4am, I did everything slowly and time flies...
6am... I finally open my race pack and prep for the race.
Could it be a case of race overdoze... I can't be bothered to prep for races till the last minute.
Out of the house by 6:30am, I flew to the race site.
It was still very early (7:10am) when I get my race gear all laid out.
Met Edwin, Benjamin, Marcus, Croc Raymond, Kah Han and Winnie.
My race neighbour today is Roy, the winner of Hong Kah Endurance Challenge. =)
Nice meeting you again, mate. =)
Got questioned by the official about my the Road ID... =S
The race started exactly at 7:45am.
The race is heating up very fast.
After the first buoy, the weak swimmers were all left behind.
I was uncomfortable with the 5-minutes interval between waves and I was proven right.
Having survived the first round of kicking, I got one huge kick fest when the second wave overtook me.
Completed the first lap in 21mins.
Second swim lap...
I lost count of the number of waves that overtook me.
I just know that whenever part of an entire wave tries to overtake me, it become a kick fest.
Some swimmers are pure idiots. I am swimming beside the ropes and they insist on overtaking on the left when there is already not much space left.
Witness a breast stroker who was leading his wave. Impressive...
In fact, there was quite a number of very strong breast strokers today.
Completed the second lap in a total time of 44 mins.
Running to the transition point, I find it a wonderful relief that there is no overhead bridge to pass.
Insistent on not doing another horrendous transition timing, I stuff the entire Performance Bar and try to swallow it.
Roy looked at me in digust. =p
Together with Roy, we made our way out onto the East Coast Service Road to start our bike leg.
But I was no match for him. He reached the Service Road 20m ahead of me. =D
I targeted to keep pace with Roy. But I only managed as far the U-turn point at the National Sailing Center where I lost sight of him.
Learnt a few things during the bike leg...
One... it no longer matter which hand reach for the aerobars first. The fear of crashing must have played tricks on me. The fear is missing during the race
Two... retrieving and putting bottles from either the seat tube or the rear hydration system din prove a problem. During OSIM, I slowed to almost a standstill retrieving the bottle from the rear.... Again fear must have been at work.
Three... it actually helps a lot to ride half the race in aerobars and the other half upright.
Can someone confirmed this? We are using different sets of leg muscles riding in the two different positions.
It is thrilling to do sharp turns where you are 45 degree from the horizontal. =D
The sense of defying gravity and hope that the ground dun chew you up... =p
I managed to go Single Speed all the way. =D
My full water bottle Weight is adding much more weight than I hope.
1 AeroDrink, 3 water bottle provided me with approx 3liters of water for the whole journey.
Tried opening a Cough Drop with my teeth.
It worked perfectly previously, but I failed big time today.
Recalled Kam Meng mentioned that he had his meals on aerobars, so I decided to try it out.
Haha... cool stuff...
Essentially, both hands are free to truly have a meal. =D
Forced myself to stay aero while on the straights...
Got my first photo in aero position. Thanks, Fu Ling.
Nothing glamourous, just cheap thrill.
(U can kaypoh and check it out in FB. =D )
Made it back to transition point, lamenting that this triathlon is harder than OSIM triathlon for the simple fact that the crazy Desaru LD triathletes are taking part in this race too. =D
Off for my hardest part of the triathlon.
The legs felt weird today.
Never had this sensation before.
Must have been trying too hard to run after the bike, something which I had never really done before. =D
Turning out from the hawker center, I grimaced when I could not spot the water station in the far distance...
Cham.... the stomach is growling....
It was till we turning into the rear of the beach resort that I spotted the first water point.
Happily ate my gel and downed 2 cups of water. =D
Turning out from the resort, I was surprised when the U-turn point came up pretty fast.
Kudos to Tri-Factor for re-arranging the swim, bike and run legs so as not to make it look like another OSIM triathlon.
I gotta say that most of us enjoyed this race more than OSIM triathlon.
Making the U-turn with me were Edwin and Kah Han.
Oh boy, these two chaps are really fast....
Never mind, just 7.5km more to go. =D
Going for my second loop, Raphael caught up with me and he stopped by to chat before running off again. =D
Not wanting to suffer the same fate as OSIM triathlon, I dutifully took my 2nd gel at the water point before plodding on. =D
With less than a km to go, Kam Meng caught up.
He was so frustrated with his timing that he decided to walk with me for the rest of the journey.
I din realise that he is on his first run loop. =p
The poor chap has miscalculated his bike loops and went for 1 extra lap!
(Many riders clocked 36km, thinking they were 1 lap short.)
Nonetheless, Kam Meng did a 3:06 to finish the race!!!
Racing towards the finish line, I was hoping to complete the race in less than 3:28 as the seconds ticked down.
Sadly this was not to be and I only got myself to blame for walking too much. =D
Went over to the JR booth for some photos before scrambling home when I noticed the looming clouds overhead.
Aviva, here I come. =D
Cycling 4th September 2009
After hearing many accounts on how I lead the pack, it is about time Jodan recounts how he struggled to stay within sight of
the second last rider. =D
Waking up early, I am still adamant about cycling this morning.
The fire is just not there anymore.
Decided to change into cycling gear.
Ahh... the MT1118b felt good.
I guess I need to change into gear before I feel the groove. =D
Just as I cross the Sembawang-Yishun junction, the train sped past.
Taking up the rear, Kam Meng commented "Perfect timing!"
Haha... I gotta agree.
Can't ask for more... =D
Haha... I managed to tag with the group all the way to Mandai Shell.
Keke... but I took a huge discount. I din do Prata Hill nor Sembawang Hills. =p
Judging by the pace we are doing, I have serious doubts that Relax Friday will be back...
Riding rear, we lost the front and middle pack when they crossed the Bukit Panjang junction.
When the light turns green, I am surprised how badly I am faring today.
I am keeping pace with the rear pack, but only just.
They left me biting the dust the moment we hit Clementi...
I am struggling to keep the second last rider in sight.
Going up West Coast flyover, I tell myself to enjoy myself.
Reaching Fuji Xerox Towers, I am surprised to find only a handful of riders there.
The rest probably left early.
While the rest of the gang goes to the Juice Bar, I am left to ride alone back home.
Siew Yee caught up with me.
Staying in Sembawang, I had company all the way home. =)
Thanks, Siew Yee.
the second last rider. =D
Waking up early, I am still adamant about cycling this morning.
The fire is just not there anymore.
Decided to change into cycling gear.
Ahh... the MT1118b felt good.
I guess I need to change into gear before I feel the groove. =D
Just as I cross the Sembawang-Yishun junction, the train sped past.
Taking up the rear, Kam Meng commented "Perfect timing!"
Haha... I gotta agree.
Can't ask for more... =D
Haha... I managed to tag with the group all the way to Mandai Shell.
Keke... but I took a huge discount. I din do Prata Hill nor Sembawang Hills. =p
Judging by the pace we are doing, I have serious doubts that Relax Friday will be back...
Riding rear, we lost the front and middle pack when they crossed the Bukit Panjang junction.
When the light turns green, I am surprised how badly I am faring today.
I am keeping pace with the rear pack, but only just.
They left me biting the dust the moment we hit Clementi...
I am struggling to keep the second last rider in sight.
Going up West Coast flyover, I tell myself to enjoy myself.
Reaching Fuji Xerox Towers, I am surprised to find only a handful of riders there.
The rest probably left early.
While the rest of the gang goes to the Juice Bar, I am left to ride alone back home.
Siew Yee caught up with me.
Staying in Sembawang, I had company all the way home. =)
Thanks, Siew Yee.
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