Every time when I sign up for a race, I will say my aim is "To complete not to compete"
But this year, right after every race, the question pops up "How much better would I be if I had really train for it?"
Last year's races were wonderful experiences.
Aviva IM 70.3 S'pore and Singapore Marathon were two milestones that taught me that mental toughness can get you through anything...
U just gotta dig in deep.
In fact, those experiences woke up a sleeping giant...
My NSF days weren't exactly easy, but the "Mind over Body" theory truly works...
Many times, I have to dig in so deep that I actually see stars right at the end of those runs.
But those "qigong" sessions were well worth it. =D
(Not too sure if those NSFs from my generation experience this? Right after every run, we have vapour streaming up our T-shirts [green round collar T. We do not have singlets]. If there are enough of us under a training shed, we can "smoke out" the training shed =D)
Truth be told, I always skive away from runs.
Cos the knee pain hurts and they hurts really bad.
Imagine you are less than 400m from your Start Point and the pain kicks in...
You continue with those runs but you know that you are causing more damage to those knees.
Looking back, mid foot running in NB 904 are pure bull-shit... I still get those knee cap pains.
I am glad that I invested in those Newtons...
It truly changes my opinion of running.
Yet those training runs has yet to surface...=p
Last year's most of my training are done on the bike.
This year, I have a privilege of a swim coach.
Interestingly, Coach's advice always have a great impact.
I have a teeny weeny plan... Will have to see how things pans out...
Actually seeing how Jac train has a great impact too....
I cannot fathom how a gal can just run and run and run...
Bike wise, I have a set of new wheels.
Do not have the moolah to upgrade the frame, but the change of wheels did have significant impact.
New shoes.
Although it did not equate to a better timing, I do enjoy my "runs" now.
Will it see the end-May moonlight is anybody's guess.
So is it time to see better timings for my races?
Should I be going for every race trying to achieve a certain timing?
Am quite certain that it will take the fun out of races.
But it will be an incentive for me to start some serious running.
Running means to forego JR rides...
Can I do that? Am I willing to do that?
Haiz... Choices choices choices.
Anyway, the gameplan is to do at least one IM in my lifetime.
So the most important thing to do now is to tackle the runs.
Once I can do that, I think I will be ready...
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
I Wanna Cycle Like Daddy
Shannon has mentioned to me for the umpteenth time
"I wanna cycle like daddy!!!"
Somehow it never truly register...
Till something changed it all...
Wifee was flipping through Shannon's exercise book and written on one of the pages :
"I wanna cycle like Daddy"
I was amazed!
I never did know how much Shannon and Stella has admired their daddy till now.
To all kids, Daddy and Mummy will always be their heros.
Sat down and have a talk with Shannon and realised that she is always fascinated at how fast Daddy can cycle.
"I wanna cycle like daddy!!!"
Somehow it never truly register...
Till something changed it all...
Wifee was flipping through Shannon's exercise book and written on one of the pages :
"I wanna cycle like Daddy"
I was amazed!
I never did know how much Shannon and Stella has admired their daddy till now.
To all kids, Daddy and Mummy will always be their heros.
Sat down and have a talk with Shannon and realised that she is always fascinated at how fast Daddy can cycle.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Interesting Talk
Rewind to 21st March 2010....
Coach : "Is everyone back?"
WY : "Jodan Daniel is still out there"
Coach : "Jodan Daniel?"
Keke... took Coach a while to figure out who Jodan is. =D
Coach : "Okay, let's pack up and cheer him on"
Thanks, Coach!!! I had the whole gang cheering me on...
****
Was caught off-guard when Coach asked me "Are you doing IMWA?"
I am his weakest student, yet Coach still mentioned that?
Coach analysis
Swim - No problem meeting cut-off time
Bike - You should not have any problem
Run - You really need to work on your run. You run more, you will lose weight. Once you lose weight, everything will fall into place.
Thanks, Coach!
Thanks for having so much confidence in me.
Coach : "Is everyone back?"
WY : "Jodan Daniel is still out there"
Coach : "Jodan Daniel?"
Keke... took Coach a while to figure out who Jodan is. =D
Coach : "Okay, let's pack up and cheer him on"
Thanks, Coach!!! I had the whole gang cheering me on...
****
Was caught off-guard when Coach asked me "Are you doing IMWA?"
I am his weakest student, yet Coach still mentioned that?
Coach analysis
Swim - No problem meeting cut-off time
Bike - You should not have any problem
Run - You really need to work on your run. You run more, you will lose weight. Once you lose weight, everything will fall into place.
Thanks, Coach!
Thanks for having so much confidence in me.
Friday, April 16, 2010
ANGRY!!!
I will NEVER buy anything from this LBS anymore...
First, I was overcharged to a tune of $250 for a pair of wheels.
(I took W's word that the previous shipment was marketed at a bargain price due to distributor's error...)
A fellow rider got a similar set of wheels for $250 less, a week later!!!
I complained to AC and let the matter rest.
That is till W decided to burst my blood vessels this afternoon!
****
Out on its third ride this morning, the wheels are giving me a weird bump.
As I rode along, I tried to make an analysis while spinning...
Without cranking, the bump is still present, so nothing to do with the chains...
Front or rear? Initially I thought it was from the rear... But the more I rode, I can safely say that the bump is coming from the front...
Would spinning faster get rid of the bump? Nope...
Met Joyce along the way and told her my wheels felt funny, but I cannot figure why...
She started drafting me and the bumping is forgotten.
The peloton came along and I decided to give chase...
Racing down the slope towards Mandai Lake Road, the wheels is threatening to fall apart!!!
Decided to play safe and stop at the bus stop just before the Zoo entrance.
Did a visual check on the front wheel but find nothing amiss.
Maybe the wheels is not seated properly into the fork...
So I remove the wheels and replace them again.
Started cycling towards Mandai Shell.
By this time, the entire team has already rode past.
Did a slow ride.
The bump is still present...
Can see the entire group waiting for me at Mandai Shell.
I do not dare to ride fast.
I have already wave the white flag...
There is no way I am going to Amoy Street this morning, not even the short loop. =(
There is no way to tell them... Sorry guys...
Stopped at Mandai Shell and dismantle the wheel again.
Did an intensive visual inspection.
Feel all round the wheel and rim...
Gosh, the rim feels hot!!!
Second time, this heaty thing is happening again.
On a different set of wheels!!!
What is happening?
Could there be something wrong with the fork?
Look at the fork from all angles....
Looks okay leh...
Putting the whole bike back in place, I decided to spin slowly home.
Less than 50m later, I decided to stop....
It is very hard to continue with the omnipresence of the bump...
Is it finally time to hail a cab? This is so un-Jodan....
Decide to do the last visual inspection.
During this last visual inspection, I found a disturbing sight!
Part of the tire has come unseated!!!
(Actually this part never crossed my mind till when I am writing this!)
With the tube flowing out over the rim, I am very very very lucky not to have a burst tire.
Tube with rim contact, tube with the hot rim...
I'm flirting with disaster...
Deflat the tire and remove the tire to check.
Gosh... the beads are already flat.
What do I do now?
Decided to fit back the wheel and see how it goes.
Hmm... the tire seems to sit nicely into the wheel.
Decided to roll home...
No pedalling if necessary, just roll.
Let's hope the tire can hold till I made it home.
Else I will definitely need to fly home by Air Comfort.
While rolling home, thoughts are how W will react?
Will he change the tire for me without question?
Will he ask me to pay for a new tire?
Given the past dealings with him, I truly have no confidence in him liao.
****
W was not on the shopfloor when I went down to the LBS in the afternoon.
Show A the wheel.
He brought the tire upstairs to show W.
W came down and smile at me, without saying a word and left the shop.
A din say a word as well.
Part of the shop's display has fell, so I let A and H sort out the stuff before questioning A.
A : "We will re-align the wheel"
J : "And...?"
A : "Err...."
J : "Are you going to use back the same tire?"
A : "Err..."
J : (raised voice) "This is RIDICULOUS! If I exchange my tire with yours, will you use this?!?!
This case is so straightforward! I just got the wheel and tire recently! You know that!"
A : "Will let W come back and talk to you."
A went to the coffeeshop and went to have a long talk to W.
Jodan's thoughts : W still need advice from A? Straightforward case still need to have such a long conversation?
When W comes back, he ask me how the incident happen.
He need to explain to the distributor...
Gosh.... that is more like it...
But W, you really mess things up!
If you have told me that initially, this post will not have even surface.
Your $250 story would have been buried.
I got the tire replacement.
There is no wheel re-alignment though...
Not that I wish to stay another second in the LBS...
First, I was overcharged to a tune of $250 for a pair of wheels.
(I took W's word that the previous shipment was marketed at a bargain price due to distributor's error...)
A fellow rider got a similar set of wheels for $250 less, a week later!!!
I complained to AC and let the matter rest.
That is till W decided to burst my blood vessels this afternoon!
****
Out on its third ride this morning, the wheels are giving me a weird bump.
As I rode along, I tried to make an analysis while spinning...
Without cranking, the bump is still present, so nothing to do with the chains...
Front or rear? Initially I thought it was from the rear... But the more I rode, I can safely say that the bump is coming from the front...
Would spinning faster get rid of the bump? Nope...
Met Joyce along the way and told her my wheels felt funny, but I cannot figure why...
She started drafting me and the bumping is forgotten.
The peloton came along and I decided to give chase...
Racing down the slope towards Mandai Lake Road, the wheels is threatening to fall apart!!!
Decided to play safe and stop at the bus stop just before the Zoo entrance.
Did a visual check on the front wheel but find nothing amiss.
Maybe the wheels is not seated properly into the fork...
So I remove the wheels and replace them again.
Started cycling towards Mandai Shell.
By this time, the entire team has already rode past.
Did a slow ride.
The bump is still present...
Can see the entire group waiting for me at Mandai Shell.
I do not dare to ride fast.
I have already wave the white flag...
There is no way I am going to Amoy Street this morning, not even the short loop. =(
There is no way to tell them... Sorry guys...
Stopped at Mandai Shell and dismantle the wheel again.
Did an intensive visual inspection.
Feel all round the wheel and rim...
Gosh, the rim feels hot!!!
Second time, this heaty thing is happening again.
On a different set of wheels!!!
What is happening?
Could there be something wrong with the fork?
Look at the fork from all angles....
Looks okay leh...
Putting the whole bike back in place, I decided to spin slowly home.
Less than 50m later, I decided to stop....
It is very hard to continue with the omnipresence of the bump...
Is it finally time to hail a cab? This is so un-Jodan....
Decide to do the last visual inspection.
During this last visual inspection, I found a disturbing sight!
Part of the tire has come unseated!!!
(Actually this part never crossed my mind till when I am writing this!)
With the tube flowing out over the rim, I am very very very lucky not to have a burst tire.
Tube with rim contact, tube with the hot rim...
I'm flirting with disaster...
Deflat the tire and remove the tire to check.
Gosh... the beads are already flat.
What do I do now?
Decided to fit back the wheel and see how it goes.
Hmm... the tire seems to sit nicely into the wheel.
Decided to roll home...
No pedalling if necessary, just roll.
Let's hope the tire can hold till I made it home.
Else I will definitely need to fly home by Air Comfort.
While rolling home, thoughts are how W will react?
Will he change the tire for me without question?
Will he ask me to pay for a new tire?
Given the past dealings with him, I truly have no confidence in him liao.
****
W was not on the shopfloor when I went down to the LBS in the afternoon.
Show A the wheel.
He brought the tire upstairs to show W.
W came down and smile at me, without saying a word and left the shop.
A din say a word as well.
Part of the shop's display has fell, so I let A and H sort out the stuff before questioning A.
A : "We will re-align the wheel"
J : "And...?"
A : "Err...."
J : "Are you going to use back the same tire?"
A : "Err..."
J : (raised voice) "This is RIDICULOUS! If I exchange my tire with yours, will you use this?!?!
This case is so straightforward! I just got the wheel and tire recently! You know that!"
A : "Will let W come back and talk to you."
A went to the coffeeshop and went to have a long talk to W.
Jodan's thoughts : W still need advice from A? Straightforward case still need to have such a long conversation?
When W comes back, he ask me how the incident happen.
He need to explain to the distributor...
Gosh.... that is more like it...
But W, you really mess things up!
If you have told me that initially, this post will not have even surface.
Your $250 story would have been buried.
I got the tire replacement.
There is no wheel re-alignment though...
Not that I wish to stay another second in the LBS...
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
OSIM Triathlon 2010
Frankly speaking, I prefer to train for races, rather than train during races.
=========================
Timing from my Garmin ForeRunner 310XT
38:22 (9:15am)
4:52
1:16:03 (9:58am)
3:23
1:23:08 (11:18am)
3:25:48
If memory serves me right, this should be a PB for me.
Quite a vast improvement, I think.
Looks like the deciding factor is my swim. =D
OSIM Triathlon 2009, Swim 1.5km - 46m 57s , T1 + Bike 40km + T2 - 1h 29m 10s, Run 10km - 1h 29m 51s, Overall 3h 45m 58s
OSIM Triathlon 2008, Swim 47m 55s Bike 1h 25m 46s Run 1h 20m 24s Finish 3h 34m 03s
On to the race report. =D
==========================
Waking up just before 8am, it looks like I am probably going to have to give OSIM Triathlon 2010 a miss.
A look out of the window...
The weather is just too good for a triathlon...
Out of the house within the next 3-5 minutes... No brekkie, just a quick bite...
This is so un-Jodan...
My major concern though is my toilet break... I have never done a race without a toilet break first. =(
What if....
Got the transition setup by 8:45am. =D
Haha, Trade secret....
I even got time to have a warm-up swim...
Haha... I enjoyed the warm-up swim more than the actual swim itself.
I learnt of the change in the swim route only hours before the race from the Trifam forum.
(Haha, I am one of those guys who never browse the race booklets. =p)
Friendly or not, I am not sure, but triathletes seems to welcome it.
Learnt from a fellow competitor, Kenneth that the organisers are forced to review the swim course after the death of a competitor last year...
Was still chatting with Daniel and Roy when the official announced "5 seconds"
What!!!
Quickly put and adjust my goggles and we are off.
While the rest are running to the shore, Daniel, Roy and I walked. =D
Once in the sea, the competitive edge took over. *Surprise*
Found a gap and swam right through it.
After a while, the kicking started. *Ouch*
Swimming along the lane rope ain't fun.
It is difficult to overtake, you get kicked and you get grabbed at the ankles (All the time)...
I tell myself, I just need to make it to the buoy and things will be fine.
Surprisingly, things does get better after the buoy.
Dun ask me why, it happens all the time.
Without doing much sighting, I swam far from the lane rope.
There goes my theory that I always tends to drift to the left.
Maybe currents played a part... Theory was tested in the pool. =p
HR is shooting through the roof.
It ain't fun when you are swimming and analysing your swim strokes during a race.
Before the second buoy, the pack is spread out nicely.
The faster swimmers are way ahead.
I am sure I am not taking up the rear, but I have no inkling where I am positioned.
There ain't many overtakers.
With the waves starting 15 minutes apart, the chances of each wave catching up with the other reduce dramatically.
Out on the second loop, there are three of us.
Two breaststrokers in front of me.
I tried to overtake them but they ended up catching up with me using breaststroke!
Fall right behind the second swimmer and decided to draft him.
For about 50m, I drafted.
The first swimmer started pulling away.
Decided to kick up a gear and draft the first swimmer.
Problem with drafting is that you are forced to swim in the exact direction where the drafter is headed.
Although we are swimming breaststroke, Swimmer #1 headed seawards after the first buoy.
For the next 100m, we were swimming beside each other.
Swimming to his left, I can sight him every time I come up to breathe.
This is just so wrong... If I cannot overtake him, I am literally wasting my energy.
Fall right behind him and draft him.
At times, he will swim away from the lane ropes.
I just follow suit.
Round the second buoy.
My ankles got slapped.
Haha... ex-Swimmer #2 is probably doing what I am doing. =D
We must have been a sight from the shore. =D
I am shamelessly drafting.
But there is no rule against drafting in the water.
I am just making use what is available to me and using it to my advantage.
Keke... every time a canoe or powerboat passes by, I am expecting the official to shout "No drafting allowed!"
Luckily the warning never came. =p
50m from shore, Swimmer #1 make a dash for shore and I followed suit.
Managed to out-sprint Swimmer #1 by a body length. =p
The legs never felt so fresh as I ran from shore to transition area.
A look at the transition area coming off the bridge, I was left disappointed.
My row is half empty...
Running into my row, my heart soar slightly.
Most of the bikes from my wave are still there!!!
The other half row belongs to the earlier wave.
This is so unreal...
Again I took my own sweet time in T1.
5 minutes of it. =D
During the 5 minutes, T1 started swarming with my fellow competitors.
More than half of the competitors made it in and out of T1 before I picked up my bike. O_o
Out on the bike leg, I was surprised that the route is fairly manageable.
Managed to get up to normal spinning mode even before I hit CP F2!
The 100-Plus in the AeroDrink tasted yucky.
Luckily I had Accelerade in my rear bottles.
I felt truly spent after 1 loop.
How to survive the next 3 bike loops and the run???
Climbing the slope just after CP F2 was easy.
It's the wheels!!! =D
Somehow I felt that I really let the wheels down.
It has so much to provide, but I have nothing to give.
Can only blame myself for not training for the race.
Not that I have much chance to. O_o
Tried to drink from the AeroDrink only to find that the AeroDrink has come loose.
As in really loose that it almost touch the front wheel.
Gosh... this is going to be a liability.
Planned and threw away the AeroDrink where I can retrieve it later. ;-)
The bike seems to gain a little more speed without the AeroDrink!
Gosh...
End of the second loop, I am feeling hungry, so I decided to have my third gel intake.
Anyway, I always have extra gels on my bike... Or so I thought.
Imagine my surprise when I open my bento bag to find my three extra gels missing!!!
Argh... I have stow the gels away in the fridge when I clean my bike a few days ago...
What do I do now? I definitely need 1 gel on the run leg.
I am not sure if there is any gel given out during the run.
With PowerGel, I am quite sure that the PowerZone will be there.
But with the new sponsor - GU Gels, I prefer not to take the risk.
I decided to forego the urge to consume the gel.
The bike leg is getting boring and I have 20km more to go.
Hmm.... do I ever want to do an Ironman?
That is 180km of pure cycling...
That is purely mental....
Went down on aerobars on the straight towards National Sailing Club (NSC).
I finally get the aerobar settings right.
That is the fun part about CS, you can adjust its length and angle till you find a suitable position.
Unfortunately, I was not able to stay in the position for long.
It definitely require training to stay in aero position for long periods of time.
Did not see many familiar faces.
Hmm... seems like a lot of kakis are passing on this race.
A look into the sky...Where are the clouds?!?!
Not a single cloud in sight!!!
Saturday's downpour seems to have squeeze out every single drop of rain.
Was glad when the bike leg is finally over...
Haha... for once, I din really enjoy cycling that much...
Changing into my Newtons, I was surprised that I am able to run straight from my bike slot. =D
This race is getting interesting.
Less than a km into the run, side stitch attacked.
Argh... could it be the lack of gel consumption during the bike?
Forced to walk. Every time I wanted to run, the stitch re-surfaced. Sianz...
Saw Corinne ahead. Walk up to her and persuade her to walk with me.
She prefer to walk at her own pace though.
Proceed to do a run-walk till the 2.5km U-turn point.
Just after the U-turn, decided to draft an ang-moh. =p
Spotted Jac doing her run and shouted out to her. =)
Took her a while to recognise me.
She shouted her encouragement even though I am 30m away. Thanks, Jac!
Had wanted to draft another runner later in the run, but he scorn at me. Oops...
Kenneth happens to run past and I got his permission to draft him.
200m is all that I can sustain. Thanks, Ken!
Had my 3rd gel at the end of the 1st loop.
Surprisingly, the lack of gels did not come to haunt me.
(Dun forget, I din have much of a brekkie to start with!)
I guess that is why we are known as endurance athletes.
You just manage to find ways of overcoming odds. ;-)
Water points was abundant.
What was interesting is that they have a lot of sprinklers this year too.
For once, I am asking for water throughout the race.
The 100-Plus is just too gassy...
2 cups of water... Half a cup for the body, 1.5 cups for the head. =D
My head "drank" more water than me. =D
When I walk, I can sense my heel-to-toe transition, but I cannot feel them.
The other thing I love about the Newtons is that the top is open mesh and the shoes does not hold much water, thus pouring water over the head does not really soak up the shoes. ;-)
Noticed a chap in Newton Black Cap who kept overtaking me.
Each time when I ran past him, I went "It is you again. =p"
Ended up chatting with him for the last leg of the run.
(Haha... met him after the race. Turned out to be Dax, the cyclist the Royal Emergency Services was dispatched to rescue almost a year ago.)
http://trainingstartsnow.blogspot.com/2009/05/cycling-2nd-may-2009.html
With 3.5km to go, the watch reads 2:53...
I will need to reach the U turn point, before 3:00 to have any chance of a PB.
Tried as I might, I can only manage a run-walk.
Reached the 7.5km mark in 2:59hr...
Hmm... the chance is there...
It will leave it up to fate. =)
Turning left towards East Coast Hawker Center, I started running.
I only hope that I can sustain the pace till the Finish Line.
100m from the end, the heart goes into overdrive, but I just keep pushing.
Imagine my elation when I saw the clock read 3:25h when I crossed the Finish Line.
Keke... this has gotta be a PB. =)
Not too sure how the times add up.
Will have to wait till I download the data to analyse. ;-)
Spent time after the race reviewing the sole of my Newtons. =D
More wear and tear on the front on the actuators, wear and tear starting to show on the heel.
Conclusion?
With a lot lesser training this year, I got a PB.
How?
Overall race time has improved purely on my swim for my races.
At times, BreastStroke may not necessary be slower than freestyle, but it really takes a lot out of your legs.
I managed to achieve the same timing as Singapore Biathlon although my second loop is done purely using BreastStroke.
Bottom line? Having a swim coach really helps.
Bike and Run leg timing remains largely the same.
My bike output is definitely worse than any other races...
So I attribute the consistent timing to technology... my wheels.
If only I have train harder, I am certain the bike timing will improve by minutes.
I felt that my runs have improved but timing for the past 3 races of the year shows that it has actually worsen.
The plus point of all the runs?
I got NO knee pain!!! =D
And the fact that I enjoy every run is more than enough incentive for me to continue racing. =)
Major regret of the day?
Leaving out the calf guards which I had bring along cos I din see other competitors using them.
Calf guards were aplenty @ Aviva IM 70.3 S'pore, but I din see any when I proceed to Start Point.
I am certain that I would have shave more seconds if I had my calf guards on.
=========================
Timing from my Garmin ForeRunner 310XT
38:22 (9:15am)
4:52
1:16:03 (9:58am)
3:23
1:23:08 (11:18am)
3:25:48
If memory serves me right, this should be a PB for me.
Quite a vast improvement, I think.
Looks like the deciding factor is my swim. =D
OSIM Triathlon 2009, Swim 1.5km - 46m 57s , T1 + Bike 40km + T2 - 1h 29m 10s, Run 10km - 1h 29m 51s, Overall 3h 45m 58s
OSIM Triathlon 2008, Swim 47m 55s Bike 1h 25m 46s Run 1h 20m 24s Finish 3h 34m 03s
On to the race report. =D
==========================
Waking up just before 8am, it looks like I am probably going to have to give OSIM Triathlon 2010 a miss.
A look out of the window...
The weather is just too good for a triathlon...
Out of the house within the next 3-5 minutes... No brekkie, just a quick bite...
This is so un-Jodan...
My major concern though is my toilet break... I have never done a race without a toilet break first. =(
What if....
Got the transition setup by 8:45am. =D
Haha, Trade secret....
I even got time to have a warm-up swim...
Haha... I enjoyed the warm-up swim more than the actual swim itself.
I learnt of the change in the swim route only hours before the race from the Trifam forum.
(Haha, I am one of those guys who never browse the race booklets. =p)
Friendly or not, I am not sure, but triathletes seems to welcome it.
Learnt from a fellow competitor, Kenneth that the organisers are forced to review the swim course after the death of a competitor last year...
Was still chatting with Daniel and Roy when the official announced "5 seconds"
What!!!
Quickly put and adjust my goggles and we are off.
While the rest are running to the shore, Daniel, Roy and I walked. =D
Once in the sea, the competitive edge took over. *Surprise*
Found a gap and swam right through it.
After a while, the kicking started. *Ouch*
Swimming along the lane rope ain't fun.
It is difficult to overtake, you get kicked and you get grabbed at the ankles (All the time)...
I tell myself, I just need to make it to the buoy and things will be fine.
Surprisingly, things does get better after the buoy.
Dun ask me why, it happens all the time.
Without doing much sighting, I swam far from the lane rope.
There goes my theory that I always tends to drift to the left.
Maybe currents played a part... Theory was tested in the pool. =p
HR is shooting through the roof.
It ain't fun when you are swimming and analysing your swim strokes during a race.
Before the second buoy, the pack is spread out nicely.
The faster swimmers are way ahead.
I am sure I am not taking up the rear, but I have no inkling where I am positioned.
There ain't many overtakers.
With the waves starting 15 minutes apart, the chances of each wave catching up with the other reduce dramatically.
Out on the second loop, there are three of us.
Two breaststrokers in front of me.
I tried to overtake them but they ended up catching up with me using breaststroke!
Fall right behind the second swimmer and decided to draft him.
For about 50m, I drafted.
The first swimmer started pulling away.
Decided to kick up a gear and draft the first swimmer.
Problem with drafting is that you are forced to swim in the exact direction where the drafter is headed.
Although we are swimming breaststroke, Swimmer #1 headed seawards after the first buoy.
For the next 100m, we were swimming beside each other.
Swimming to his left, I can sight him every time I come up to breathe.
This is just so wrong... If I cannot overtake him, I am literally wasting my energy.
Fall right behind him and draft him.
At times, he will swim away from the lane ropes.
I just follow suit.
Round the second buoy.
My ankles got slapped.
Haha... ex-Swimmer #2 is probably doing what I am doing. =D
We must have been a sight from the shore. =D
I am shamelessly drafting.
But there is no rule against drafting in the water.
I am just making use what is available to me and using it to my advantage.
Keke... every time a canoe or powerboat passes by, I am expecting the official to shout "No drafting allowed!"
Luckily the warning never came. =p
50m from shore, Swimmer #1 make a dash for shore and I followed suit.
Managed to out-sprint Swimmer #1 by a body length. =p
The legs never felt so fresh as I ran from shore to transition area.
A look at the transition area coming off the bridge, I was left disappointed.
My row is half empty...
Running into my row, my heart soar slightly.
Most of the bikes from my wave are still there!!!
The other half row belongs to the earlier wave.
This is so unreal...
Again I took my own sweet time in T1.
5 minutes of it. =D
During the 5 minutes, T1 started swarming with my fellow competitors.
More than half of the competitors made it in and out of T1 before I picked up my bike. O_o
Out on the bike leg, I was surprised that the route is fairly manageable.
Managed to get up to normal spinning mode even before I hit CP F2!
The 100-Plus in the AeroDrink tasted yucky.
Luckily I had Accelerade in my rear bottles.
I felt truly spent after 1 loop.
How to survive the next 3 bike loops and the run???
Climbing the slope just after CP F2 was easy.
It's the wheels!!! =D
Somehow I felt that I really let the wheels down.
It has so much to provide, but I have nothing to give.
Can only blame myself for not training for the race.
Not that I have much chance to. O_o
Tried to drink from the AeroDrink only to find that the AeroDrink has come loose.
As in really loose that it almost touch the front wheel.
Gosh... this is going to be a liability.
Planned and threw away the AeroDrink where I can retrieve it later. ;-)
The bike seems to gain a little more speed without the AeroDrink!
Gosh...
End of the second loop, I am feeling hungry, so I decided to have my third gel intake.
Anyway, I always have extra gels on my bike... Or so I thought.
Imagine my surprise when I open my bento bag to find my three extra gels missing!!!
Argh... I have stow the gels away in the fridge when I clean my bike a few days ago...
What do I do now? I definitely need 1 gel on the run leg.
I am not sure if there is any gel given out during the run.
With PowerGel, I am quite sure that the PowerZone will be there.
But with the new sponsor - GU Gels, I prefer not to take the risk.
I decided to forego the urge to consume the gel.
The bike leg is getting boring and I have 20km more to go.
Hmm.... do I ever want to do an Ironman?
That is 180km of pure cycling...
That is purely mental....
Went down on aerobars on the straight towards National Sailing Club (NSC).
I finally get the aerobar settings right.
That is the fun part about CS, you can adjust its length and angle till you find a suitable position.
Unfortunately, I was not able to stay in the position for long.
It definitely require training to stay in aero position for long periods of time.
Did not see many familiar faces.
Hmm... seems like a lot of kakis are passing on this race.
A look into the sky...Where are the clouds?!?!
Not a single cloud in sight!!!
Saturday's downpour seems to have squeeze out every single drop of rain.
Was glad when the bike leg is finally over...
Haha... for once, I din really enjoy cycling that much...
Changing into my Newtons, I was surprised that I am able to run straight from my bike slot. =D
This race is getting interesting.
Less than a km into the run, side stitch attacked.
Argh... could it be the lack of gel consumption during the bike?
Forced to walk. Every time I wanted to run, the stitch re-surfaced. Sianz...
Saw Corinne ahead. Walk up to her and persuade her to walk with me.
She prefer to walk at her own pace though.
Proceed to do a run-walk till the 2.5km U-turn point.
Just after the U-turn, decided to draft an ang-moh. =p
Spotted Jac doing her run and shouted out to her. =)
Took her a while to recognise me.
She shouted her encouragement even though I am 30m away. Thanks, Jac!
Had wanted to draft another runner later in the run, but he scorn at me. Oops...
Kenneth happens to run past and I got his permission to draft him.
200m is all that I can sustain. Thanks, Ken!
Had my 3rd gel at the end of the 1st loop.
Surprisingly, the lack of gels did not come to haunt me.
(Dun forget, I din have much of a brekkie to start with!)
I guess that is why we are known as endurance athletes.
You just manage to find ways of overcoming odds. ;-)
Water points was abundant.
What was interesting is that they have a lot of sprinklers this year too.
For once, I am asking for water throughout the race.
The 100-Plus is just too gassy...
2 cups of water... Half a cup for the body, 1.5 cups for the head. =D
My head "drank" more water than me. =D
When I walk, I can sense my heel-to-toe transition, but I cannot feel them.
The other thing I love about the Newtons is that the top is open mesh and the shoes does not hold much water, thus pouring water over the head does not really soak up the shoes. ;-)
Noticed a chap in Newton Black Cap who kept overtaking me.
Each time when I ran past him, I went "It is you again. =p"
Ended up chatting with him for the last leg of the run.
(Haha... met him after the race. Turned out to be Dax, the cyclist the Royal Emergency Services was dispatched to rescue almost a year ago.)
http://trainingstartsnow.blogspot.com/2009/05/cycling-2nd-may-2009.html
With 3.5km to go, the watch reads 2:53...
I will need to reach the U turn point, before 3:00 to have any chance of a PB.
Tried as I might, I can only manage a run-walk.
Reached the 7.5km mark in 2:59hr...
Hmm... the chance is there...
It will leave it up to fate. =)
Turning left towards East Coast Hawker Center, I started running.
I only hope that I can sustain the pace till the Finish Line.
100m from the end, the heart goes into overdrive, but I just keep pushing.
Imagine my elation when I saw the clock read 3:25h when I crossed the Finish Line.
Keke... this has gotta be a PB. =)
Not too sure how the times add up.
Will have to wait till I download the data to analyse. ;-)
Spent time after the race reviewing the sole of my Newtons. =D
More wear and tear on the front on the actuators, wear and tear starting to show on the heel.
Conclusion?
With a lot lesser training this year, I got a PB.
How?
Overall race time has improved purely on my swim for my races.
At times, BreastStroke may not necessary be slower than freestyle, but it really takes a lot out of your legs.
I managed to achieve the same timing as Singapore Biathlon although my second loop is done purely using BreastStroke.
Bottom line? Having a swim coach really helps.
Bike and Run leg timing remains largely the same.
My bike output is definitely worse than any other races...
So I attribute the consistent timing to technology... my wheels.
If only I have train harder, I am certain the bike timing will improve by minutes.
I felt that my runs have improved but timing for the past 3 races of the year shows that it has actually worsen.
The plus point of all the runs?
I got NO knee pain!!! =D
And the fact that I enjoy every run is more than enough incentive for me to continue racing. =)
Major regret of the day?
Leaving out the calf guards which I had bring along cos I din see other competitors using them.
Calf guards were aplenty @ Aviva IM 70.3 S'pore, but I din see any when I proceed to Start Point.
I am certain that I would have shave more seconds if I had my calf guards on.
Monday, April 12, 2010
OSIM Triathlon 2010 Official Results
Swim : 38m 46s (99/145, 68.28%)
T1+Bike+T2 : 1h 24m 40s (85/145, 58.62%)
Run : 1 h 22m 30s (132/145, 91.03%)
Overall Gun Timing : 3h 25m 55s
Age Group Olympic Distance Male Triathlon Finishers
Group Placement : 121 / 145 (83.45%)
Although I have a better overall timing, my standings in both my swim and bike dropped.
What does it actually means, I have yet to figure out...
T1+Bike+T2 : 1h 24m 40s (85/145, 58.62%)
Run : 1 h 22m 30s (132/145, 91.03%)
Overall Gun Timing : 3h 25m 55s
Age Group Olympic Distance Male Triathlon Finishers
Group Placement : 121 / 145 (83.45%)
Although I have a better overall timing, my standings in both my swim and bike dropped.
What does it actually means, I have yet to figure out...
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Coaxing the Engine
It has been a wonderful 2 weeks for me.
It seems like a burden was lifted off the shoulders after Aviva IM 70.3 S'pore.
Swimming, Biking and Running has been a pleasure sport! =D
Swimming
========
Purely focusing on my weaker side, I am able to swim with far less effort than before.
Longer distance without the breathlessness I used to encounter after 100m.
Unfortunately, I am unable to use this advantage in the Open Water Swims.
I totally quashed the notion that Jodan is unable to do > 100m using freestyle.
#10, Coach decided to let everyone have a tough swim.
50m BreastStroke followed by 50m FreeStyle.
It surprised everyone (including Coach, I think) when Peter and I led the field by half a pool length after 50m!
#11, Coach decided to do the tough swim again.
This week, I am in the Advanced Class with far better swimmers in all 4 lanes.
After 50m BreastStroke, Coach's instructions become very specific... "Do not let anyone overtake you".
I have hell of a 50m Freestyle and I now understand why breaststoke/freestyle combi is labelled a tough swim.
The shin/calves are screaming murder...
The two classes brought out something very interesting.
Each and everyone of us had a lot of swimming to improve on.
Even Coach goes for swimming lessons twice weekly!
I am very sure that my strokes, my body rotation, my kicking has plenty to improve on.
But that will take time...
Till then, I am pretty happy with my present swim time. =)
Cycling
=======
Changing a new pair of racing wheels taught me that the wheels does make a difference!
I always thought that pushing the engine to the limit, you can squeeze every ounce out of the bike...
How wrong can I be...
The wheels have pushed me through boundaries that I do not know exist...
Last Sunday, I felt that I had failed my wheels. =D
Pushing the engine to its limit, the wheels feels like it has even more to give...
Hmm... now I firmly believe that a carbon bike will do me wonders.
If only I have the financial capability to own one =(
Running
=======
Did a 2.5km run last Sunday.
Again, it taught me something...
Out and back route along Changi Beach.
Went out at a comfortable pace.
My only worry is how long I can sustain the pace.
Reached the U-turn point at CP6.
Pace started to slow a little when I see how far I am from the End Point...
I just wish that I can hold on to the pace for the return leg.
With 200m to go, I start to push a little harder and was surprised that I have plenty of reserve in the tank.
Surprise #1 : 6:14min/km pace. Been a long time since I clocked such a pace
Surprise #2 : Stayed in mid-foot/fore-foot strike throughout the run in my NB904.
Pre-Newtons, I cannot say that I am running a pure mid-foot strike. The knee pain is always present. I must have unknowingly switched to heel strike more often than not.
Newton Days, even when I am tired, I can feel myself landing on the actuators...
Every long run has caused blisters on the sole of the foot, but that is better than knee pain.
Black toenails is a permanent thing now... I cannot get rid of it, just have to live with it.
You win some, you lose some.
During Aviva IM 70.3 S'pore, I wore Newtons and tried to walk in mid-foot as much as possible.
Photos taken shown that I did heel strike.
The strange thing is that I do not feel the heel to toe transition anytime during the race.
A check on the shoes shows very little wear and tear on the heels...
Anyway, that is an investigation for another place another time.
Non-Newton Days, actually only 1 so far...
I am pleasantly surprised at the outcome. And I like it. =)
Conclusion : I have so much to improve on in all 3 disciplines... =D
It seems like a burden was lifted off the shoulders after Aviva IM 70.3 S'pore.
Swimming, Biking and Running has been a pleasure sport! =D
Swimming
========
Purely focusing on my weaker side, I am able to swim with far less effort than before.
Longer distance without the breathlessness I used to encounter after 100m.
Unfortunately, I am unable to use this advantage in the Open Water Swims.
I totally quashed the notion that Jodan is unable to do > 100m using freestyle.
#10, Coach decided to let everyone have a tough swim.
50m BreastStroke followed by 50m FreeStyle.
It surprised everyone (including Coach, I think) when Peter and I led the field by half a pool length after 50m!
#11, Coach decided to do the tough swim again.
This week, I am in the Advanced Class with far better swimmers in all 4 lanes.
After 50m BreastStroke, Coach's instructions become very specific... "Do not let anyone overtake you".
I have hell of a 50m Freestyle and I now understand why breaststoke/freestyle combi is labelled a tough swim.
The shin/calves are screaming murder...
The two classes brought out something very interesting.
Each and everyone of us had a lot of swimming to improve on.
Even Coach goes for swimming lessons twice weekly!
I am very sure that my strokes, my body rotation, my kicking has plenty to improve on.
But that will take time...
Till then, I am pretty happy with my present swim time. =)
Cycling
=======
Changing a new pair of racing wheels taught me that the wheels does make a difference!
I always thought that pushing the engine to the limit, you can squeeze every ounce out of the bike...
How wrong can I be...
The wheels have pushed me through boundaries that I do not know exist...
Last Sunday, I felt that I had failed my wheels. =D
Pushing the engine to its limit, the wheels feels like it has even more to give...
Hmm... now I firmly believe that a carbon bike will do me wonders.
If only I have the financial capability to own one =(
Running
=======
Did a 2.5km run last Sunday.
Again, it taught me something...
Out and back route along Changi Beach.
Went out at a comfortable pace.
My only worry is how long I can sustain the pace.
Reached the U-turn point at CP6.
Pace started to slow a little when I see how far I am from the End Point...
I just wish that I can hold on to the pace for the return leg.
With 200m to go, I start to push a little harder and was surprised that I have plenty of reserve in the tank.
Surprise #1 : 6:14min/km pace. Been a long time since I clocked such a pace
Surprise #2 : Stayed in mid-foot/fore-foot strike throughout the run in my NB904.
Pre-Newtons, I cannot say that I am running a pure mid-foot strike. The knee pain is always present. I must have unknowingly switched to heel strike more often than not.
Newton Days, even when I am tired, I can feel myself landing on the actuators...
Every long run has caused blisters on the sole of the foot, but that is better than knee pain.
Black toenails is a permanent thing now... I cannot get rid of it, just have to live with it.
You win some, you lose some.
During Aviva IM 70.3 S'pore, I wore Newtons and tried to walk in mid-foot as much as possible.
Photos taken shown that I did heel strike.
The strange thing is that I do not feel the heel to toe transition anytime during the race.
A check on the shoes shows very little wear and tear on the heels...
Anyway, that is an investigation for another place another time.
Non-Newton Days, actually only 1 so far...
I am pleasantly surprised at the outcome. And I like it. =)
Conclusion : I have so much to improve on in all 3 disciplines... =D
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