Why Triathlon?

Haha... I think I am sounding more like a broken record, reminiscing my past experiences.
But I guess that is what motivates you and keep you interested. =)

At times it is truly interesting how I got involved in triathlons.

I started out running in 2007 with no intention of taking part in triathlons.

In 2005, I signed up for my first biathlon race, Singapore Biathlon 2006.
I DNF-ed SB2006 and signed up for the next 'safe' race, Singapore Marathon 2006.
I completed SM2006 and felt a sense of euphoria sweeping over me.

For almost a month, I ran on my own around Yishun.
Then I decided that I should log all my thoughts and running experiences down.
Thus TrainingStartsNow Blog was born. =)

While creating my own blog, I started wondering if any other runners could have blog down their own experiences.
Googled for Singapore Marathon 2006 blogs and out popped Kops21 blog.
It is from Kops21 blog that I got to know the SGRunners forum.

Initially, I was plainly checking the forum for information about running.
Then I thought, why not take part in some group runs too?
Got my visas to run after work and off I went to joined SGRunners @ CBD.
I can still remember my first CBD run where I have 3 sweepers running/speed-walking with me.
One is Philip, the second is JamesSoh while the third is Gentle (if I recall correctly).
Philip really brought out the spirit of "Leave no one behind".
I was overwhelmed by the support from SGRunners.

I jumped ship when Running Lab @ Novena Velocity started their Tuesday Runs which clashed with CBD Run.

It was time for NUS Biathlon 2007.
Managed to find out that Linus actually stay in Yishun and offered her a ride.
Instead, she decided to cycle there.
She suffered a fall at ECP, but the gung-ho gal continued with the race with bruises, cuts and all. I still cring at the image of her injuries after her race.

It was during that period that Roonz introduced me to road bikes.
Roonz has a Trek and is intending to upgrade to a Cervelo.
Got psycho-ed by her to get a Cervelo too. =D
Turned out to be a good move, cos I do not need to upgrade my bike for the foreseeable future.

On my very first outing with Cerv-One, I got a terrible fall which knocked 4 teeth out.
There goes my first shot at triathlons.
Was out for action for 4 months.

Did my first triathlon during November 2007 - OSIM Corporate Triathlon 2007.
Had a good outing with Aerosolcan, but that did not perk my interest in triatlons.

Then came Singapore Marathon 2007 where I signed up for the Half-Marathon.
What irks me after the race is the complaints by the SGRunners community about qualifying time, cut-off time etc.

In January 2008, I decided that it is time to get back onto Cerv-One.
But the accident has instill fear into me.
I no longer dare to ride alone.
Pluck up the courage to contact Joyce of JoyRiders and the rest is history.

Went for the first JR ride in running shoes, hydration pack and an oversized helmet.
Joyce was amused to see me. She thought I was gearing up for adventure racing.
My gear and my bike looks totally out of place.
Needless to say, I could not keep up with the group and had to ride my way back to LongHouse alone.

Decided to get Joyce to guide me during one of the rides.
She gladly obliges and stayed behind me observing my moves.
1) You need cleats - After 2 months of nagging, I bought my cycling shoes. =p
2) You need to shift gears efficiently - I tend to ride in single gear throughout the whole ride as I do not dare to lift my arms off my bullhorns. After a few months, Out goes the bullhorns, Hello Drop Handlebars.

Shifters and Cleats are an awesome combi and that really drives my interest in cycling.
Finally a sports I can excel in.

The challenge now is to keep pace with the JoyRiders main group.
It took me a year, but I finally DID it! =)

In January 2009, Kai asked me to help her with her ride.
She has just gotten a new bike and has yet to ride on the roads.
We missed the train and Viv's pipeapple tarts. =(

During our 2nd ride, Kai has improve tremendously.
She din stop pedalling throughout the whole ride.
And her gear shifting is definitely smoother.
Kudos to Kai.

Kai is my first and probably will be my last "student".

One night, I got a "special order" from Joyce.
To sweep a newbie for a weekday ride.
When I saw her cycling experience, I told Joyce that I will probably kena "sweeped" by Rynnette instead. =D

I do give pointers during rides.
Not that I am good in riding... Nah... I still have a long way to go.
But some cyclists are blatantly obvious that they are in the wrong gearing.
(Trying to drive a car at 70kmh in 2nd gear.)
I became a roving sweeper, but that did not last long.

If Kai is my last "student", Min will be my last time in a pure sweeper role.
Min wants to do the Botanic Gardens ride but having suffered a fall a week before, her will to ride is truly shaken.
Thus I offered to be her personal sweeper.
Alas, that was her very last ride with the JoyRiders.

Signed up for Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore on the very last day of registration.
Completed it and felt so happy, so relieved.
Another tick on my To-Do list.

Interesting, after the IM 70.3, I got over my phobia of lifting my hands off the handlebars.
Within two months, I learnt to drink on the move, go down on my aerobars. Actions that will definitely help me tremendously during my future triathlons.

Did Tribob Triathlon 2009.
Got to know Adri.
Interesting how a chance meeting at a car park can blossom into a friendship.

Did Trifam Sprint Triathlon 2009.
A guy standing beside me ask me if I am Jodan?
When I replied "I am", Kia Liang told me he reads my blog. =D

Next up, Tri-Factor Swim.
Got to meet one of my readers, BFG.

Haha, life is definitely getting interesting.
A simple post on SGRunners review and I gain a few friends. =)

Soon after, I took my foot of the pedal as work piles up.
Rides become a luxury.

The Ironman Dream still continues...
Hoping to do one IM before I turn 40. =)