At my current level of fitness, I am not ready for a group ride.
Felt so alien on the bike and on the roads, both things I thought I know so well. =(
I know I have disappointed my JoyRiders and FOTR kakis by disappearing from the scene ever so often. Sorry, guys.
I am truly surprised that I managed to complete most of this year's races given such poor training this year.
I know my excuses are loads of bullshxx... Be it at weight loss or training.
Amazed at Rachel's dedication to running. She can run at night and in the rain. Made me looked so tiny.
****
After being thrawted by the morning showers, I went for an afternoon ride.
(Looking at NEA in the morning, I know that a thunderstorm is coming. (Turned out to be a passing thunderstorm which din lasts long)
No email from the FOTR group meant that they are out riding.)
Riding on Yishun Avenue 2, I feel so strange...
It is like my first ride on a new bike...
Turning onto Mandai Road, I cannot relate to the roads at all...
Again, it felt like my first time riding on this stretch of road.
Going downslopes, instead of feeling exhilaration,I felt anxiety.
I know I should start riding before work.
I have to start riding before work, but I just could not get myself out of bed.
I have to get back the momentum to ride before work... But it is not easy.
When I started out in 2008, it took me 1 week to get used to it.
But that time, my work was not so hectic...
One week is easy to tide over.
This time round, I cannot afford mistakes.
I dun even know if I can survive 3 days in a stretch if I ride in the mornings...
Maybe December will be a good time to test it out.
Reaching Mandai Shell, I did 2 mini loops before stopping at Mandai Shell for a break.
While resting, I can feel raindrops falling.
Quickly picked up my bike and ride home.
Reaching home, my wife exclaimed : "Just in time..."
"Huh?"
Wifey pointed out the window.
Haha, I escaped the rain by a mere few seconds. =p
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Lasik
Made a comment over brekkie...
Jodan : Time to change my spectacles
Mum : Dun waste money changing spectacles, go for Lasik! O_o
I have been wanting to do it for a while and now it seems like a good opportunity, cos my dear old spectacles is screaming for retirement now...
Anyone has any Lasik Clinics to recommend?
Thanks!!!
Jodan : Time to change my spectacles
Mum : Dun waste money changing spectacles, go for Lasik! O_o
I have been wanting to do it for a while and now it seems like a good opportunity, cos my dear old spectacles is screaming for retirement now...
Anyone has any Lasik Clinics to recommend?
Thanks!!!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Nike City 10K+ Challenge Results
Chip Timing 1:34:02
A good result.
A PB for Joanne.
Hip Hip Hooray! =)
A good result.
A PB for Joanne.
Hip Hip Hooray! =)
CEP Triathlon Compression Shorts
http://www.nomeatathlete.com/cep-compression-shorts/
http://www.theroadmultisport.com/2010/08/three-days-with-cep-compression-shorts.html
Above are the two reviews I could find with regards to CEP Compression Tights.
Remember I have always mentioned how nice it would be if we have some form of apparels that can work on the quads as well as Booster has done for my calves?
Like the words that Kia Liang like to use on my behalf =D
"Booster massages my calves" =D
Okie... Let's just say that I knew I can always rely on Booster not to let me fall victim to the cramps...
Yes, it does work wonders. =D
So if we have a similar product that will reduce/prevent cramps, I am all for it. =)
TNF100 showcases the Booster Compression Tights, but unfortunately there was no review on it.
With all the white stripes, it does look a bit tad ugly. =p
Then came Ironman Kona on the very same weekend...
As per IM Kona, I have always re-post the Official Bike Count as released by the organisers.
This year, I happened to come across the Official Apparel Count as well...
Keke... Triathletes are such "numbers" people. =D
What caught me by surprise was the number of Ironmen using CEP Compression Socks...
A brand relative unknown to Singapore, but has a huge following in other parts of the world...
I check out the brand and I made a surprise find!!!
Tell me it looks nice. ;)
http://www.cepcompression.com/
Another brand worth mentioning is CompresSport, which has quite a a substantial number of followers in Tour de Bintan.
Again, see what I have found out. =)
http://www.compressport.com.au/aQuad.html
http://fitegg.com/2010/08/compressport-q-for-quads-initial-review/
Here is a good review about CompresSport
This apparel will work well under my 2XU Long Compression Tights, as it is like a pair of socks for the quads, so the groin area will be ventilated. ;)
But the price is rather steep.
150SGD excluding delivery...
Freight charges is another SGD 30!!!
Chrissie Wellington endorses CompresSport though. =)
Oh boy... Triathlon is such an EXPENSIVE sport!!!
http://www.theroadmultisport.com/2010/08/three-days-with-cep-compression-shorts.html
Above are the two reviews I could find with regards to CEP Compression Tights.
Remember I have always mentioned how nice it would be if we have some form of apparels that can work on the quads as well as Booster has done for my calves?
Like the words that Kia Liang like to use on my behalf =D
"Booster massages my calves" =D
Okie... Let's just say that I knew I can always rely on Booster not to let me fall victim to the cramps...
Yes, it does work wonders. =D
So if we have a similar product that will reduce/prevent cramps, I am all for it. =)
TNF100 showcases the Booster Compression Tights, but unfortunately there was no review on it.
With all the white stripes, it does look a bit tad ugly. =p
Then came Ironman Kona on the very same weekend...
As per IM Kona, I have always re-post the Official Bike Count as released by the organisers.
This year, I happened to come across the Official Apparel Count as well...
Keke... Triathletes are such "numbers" people. =D
What caught me by surprise was the number of Ironmen using CEP Compression Socks...
A brand relative unknown to Singapore, but has a huge following in other parts of the world...
I check out the brand and I made a surprise find!!!
Tell me it looks nice. ;)
http://www.cepcompression.com/
Another brand worth mentioning is CompresSport, which has quite a a substantial number of followers in Tour de Bintan.
Again, see what I have found out. =)
http://www.compressport.com.au/aQuad.html
http://fitegg.com/2010/08/compressport-q-for-quads-initial-review/
Here is a good review about CompresSport
This apparel will work well under my 2XU Long Compression Tights, as it is like a pair of socks for the quads, so the groin area will be ventilated. ;)
But the price is rather steep.
150SGD excluding delivery...
Freight charges is another SGD 30!!!
Chrissie Wellington endorses CompresSport though. =)
Oh boy... Triathlon is such an EXPENSIVE sport!!!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Why I Blog?
Have been wanting to write this entry for quite a while.
Ever since a comment surfaced on a friend's blog.
Personally, I cannot recall why I decided to start blogging...
I am never good in keep a diary...
Okay... maybe I just wanna keep this blog as my long-winded training log, but somewhere along the way, a lot of personal entries surface... =p
I think it is quite amazing that I have been able to keep this blog alive for so long...
Initially when I started this blog, I hope people will read my blog.
But as we progresses, things get complicated and I am now glad that only friends are reading my blog.
The blog traffic is small, but I am very happy...
Happy that I think I know who my blog readers are...
Friends that will read and comment but never mock.
Thanks, guys!
Let's just say that things works in the strangest way...
Maybe God have plans for me. =D
When I am sure I will be a bachelor for life, Joanne came along. =)
When I thought that my circle of friends will be forever limited, I was introduced into the World of Running.
Not a moment too soon, I must add.
I joined SGRunners when it was just six months old.
Knew more friends from then when the running community was more closely knitted.
Joined JoyRiders at a time when the group is small and rides are orderly.
Today's SGRunners and JoyRiders has grown too huge too fast...
I dun crave for many friends. I am just happy with good and close friends.
I am glad to have this blog...
It chronicles my life, a life I thought will be mundane.
Sleep, eat, work, grow fat and old.
When I did my first SCSM 10km Run, Stella was a week old...
Gosh, how much has changed since then. =)
A blog that shows me that I am capable of doing sub 7 min/km run for the first three months that I started running, but the pace has deserted me ever since.
A blog that shows me how I started as a runner and eventually joined the Crazy World of Triathlons...
A blog that introduce me to friends from all walks of life that I would not have known otherwise.
A blog that reminded me that I am blessed to have a family who supported my passion in sports.
A blog that shows me how delicate friendships can be, how strong bonds can be forged.
A blog that I thought I would bored my readers to d.e.a.t.h., cos it is always the same thing.
I blog every ride I did, day after day...
A ride is a ride, right? How different can each ride be?
Yet, I can always write an "old grandma" tale about every single ride I did.
You guys are simply amazing. =p
A blog that reminded me that although crazy and risky as it might be, an Half Ironman can be completed by training only in one discipline. =p
But I am fully aware what a Full Ironman entails...
Try the same stunt, you are asking for trouble...
Let's just say that I am very aware of the situation now.
If I dun buck up and start training now, I will probably missed the cut-off time for next March's Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore.
A blog that some readers find inspirational but the author finds amusing.
About a 100+kg (0.1 tonne) triathlete splashing in the water, swaying on the bike and plodding on the tarmac... =p
A blog about a guy who wanted to lose weight for many years, but can never keep his hands off good food. A guy who always eat more than he should... Day after day...
So why I blog?
To chronicle my life, to share my ups and downs with my readers. =)
Ever since a comment surfaced on a friend's blog.
Personally, I cannot recall why I decided to start blogging...
I am never good in keep a diary...
Okay... maybe I just wanna keep this blog as my long-winded training log, but somewhere along the way, a lot of personal entries surface... =p
I think it is quite amazing that I have been able to keep this blog alive for so long...
Initially when I started this blog, I hope people will read my blog.
But as we progresses, things get complicated and I am now glad that only friends are reading my blog.
The blog traffic is small, but I am very happy...
Happy that I think I know who my blog readers are...
Friends that will read and comment but never mock.
Thanks, guys!
Let's just say that things works in the strangest way...
Maybe God have plans for me. =D
When I am sure I will be a bachelor for life, Joanne came along. =)
When I thought that my circle of friends will be forever limited, I was introduced into the World of Running.
Not a moment too soon, I must add.
I joined SGRunners when it was just six months old.
Knew more friends from then when the running community was more closely knitted.
Joined JoyRiders at a time when the group is small and rides are orderly.
Today's SGRunners and JoyRiders has grown too huge too fast...
I dun crave for many friends. I am just happy with good and close friends.
I am glad to have this blog...
It chronicles my life, a life I thought will be mundane.
Sleep, eat, work, grow fat and old.
When I did my first SCSM 10km Run, Stella was a week old...
Gosh, how much has changed since then. =)
A blog that shows me that I am capable of doing sub 7 min/km run for the first three months that I started running, but the pace has deserted me ever since.
A blog that shows me how I started as a runner and eventually joined the Crazy World of Triathlons...
A blog that introduce me to friends from all walks of life that I would not have known otherwise.
A blog that reminded me that I am blessed to have a family who supported my passion in sports.
A blog that shows me how delicate friendships can be, how strong bonds can be forged.
A blog that I thought I would bored my readers to d.e.a.t.h., cos it is always the same thing.
I blog every ride I did, day after day...
A ride is a ride, right? How different can each ride be?
Yet, I can always write an "old grandma" tale about every single ride I did.
You guys are simply amazing. =p
A blog that reminded me that although crazy and risky as it might be, an Half Ironman can be completed by training only in one discipline. =p
But I am fully aware what a Full Ironman entails...
Try the same stunt, you are asking for trouble...
Let's just say that I am very aware of the situation now.
If I dun buck up and start training now, I will probably missed the cut-off time for next March's Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore.
A blog that some readers find inspirational but the author finds amusing.
About a 100+kg (0.1 tonne) triathlete splashing in the water, swaying on the bike and plodding on the tarmac... =p
A blog about a guy who wanted to lose weight for many years, but can never keep his hands off good food. A guy who always eat more than he should... Day after day...
So why I blog?
To chronicle my life, to share my ups and downs with my readers. =)
Nike City 10K Challenge 2010
A run to remember. =)
Many thanks to my sister for making it happen. =)
Thanks, sis!!!
I have always dreamt about this day...
It has finally arrive, much early than I have expected. =)
My maiden run with Joanne. =)
It was a plan mooted two weeks ago.
I have a hard time persuading her, but I am glad I finally did. =D
*****
Onto the run. =)
Arrived at the race site @ 6:45am...
Not spotting any port-a-loos at the race site, we made our way back to Esplanade.
Lamented to my wife that it is the way the organisers always function.
If not lacking of fluids @ Aviva Ironman 70.3 and Sundown Marathon, now it is the lack of port-a-loos.
(Turned out, there are some port-a-loos "hidden" under the gallery, but still not enough to cater to 12,000 runners)
The race starts silently @ 7:15am...
Yes, another item missing from a race.
Race atmosphere!!!
No loud music blaring and we cannot even hear the starting horn sounds!!!
The run takes us through Republic Avenue and my wife mentioned that we are the last few runners.
Have to re-assure her that we won't be the last to finish ;)
Turning onto Nicoll Highway, Daniel Gan waved to me from the other side of the road.
Boy, a long time since i last saw him at races....
We have barely completed 3km when the 2nd wave front runners appeared on the other side of Nicoll Highway!
At the 4km mark, it is becoming congested...
We are hitting the back wall of the 1st wave and the 2nd wave are surging past us.
At the 6km mark, Jo ask me for the time and was surprised that we have not hit the hour mark!
At times, she is pushing the pace and I have a hard time catching up.
But I cannot tell her that, right? Just have to put on a brave face and try to work through it. =p
Turning into Crawford Street, she recognise the route that she took for the Shape Run...
I told her that this route will be used, reused and overused for most of the 10km Runs in S'pore...
At the 500m mark, a volunteer was shouting "Dun walk, keep running, dun walk dun walk , keep running".
Let's hope that everyone is ignoring her.
At the 250m mark, the security personnel are all saying "Slow down, congested Finish Point."
"Slow down, guys. You are doing great?!?!" O_0
Ran forward to take a photo of the Finish Point and lost Jo.
Luckily she shouted out to me and we cross the Finish Line together. =)
Two sentences that I find amusing after the race.
1) This is it?
2) On to the next race. =D
I can assure you that Joanne is addicted to running now. =)
Met up with the SGRunners, took some beverages and we made our way home.
Many thanks to my sister for making it happen. =)
Thanks, sis!!!
I have always dreamt about this day...
It has finally arrive, much early than I have expected. =)
My maiden run with Joanne. =)
It was a plan mooted two weeks ago.
I have a hard time persuading her, but I am glad I finally did. =D
*****
Onto the run. =)
Arrived at the race site @ 6:45am...
Not spotting any port-a-loos at the race site, we made our way back to Esplanade.
Lamented to my wife that it is the way the organisers always function.
If not lacking of fluids @ Aviva Ironman 70.3 and Sundown Marathon, now it is the lack of port-a-loos.
(Turned out, there are some port-a-loos "hidden" under the gallery, but still not enough to cater to 12,000 runners)
The race starts silently @ 7:15am...
Yes, another item missing from a race.
Race atmosphere!!!
No loud music blaring and we cannot even hear the starting horn sounds!!!
The run takes us through Republic Avenue and my wife mentioned that we are the last few runners.
Have to re-assure her that we won't be the last to finish ;)
Turning onto Nicoll Highway, Daniel Gan waved to me from the other side of the road.
Boy, a long time since i last saw him at races....
We have barely completed 3km when the 2nd wave front runners appeared on the other side of Nicoll Highway!
At the 4km mark, it is becoming congested...
We are hitting the back wall of the 1st wave and the 2nd wave are surging past us.
At the 6km mark, Jo ask me for the time and was surprised that we have not hit the hour mark!
At times, she is pushing the pace and I have a hard time catching up.
But I cannot tell her that, right? Just have to put on a brave face and try to work through it. =p
Turning into Crawford Street, she recognise the route that she took for the Shape Run...
I told her that this route will be used, reused and overused for most of the 10km Runs in S'pore...
At the 500m mark, a volunteer was shouting "Dun walk, keep running, dun walk dun walk , keep running".
Let's hope that everyone is ignoring her.
At the 250m mark, the security personnel are all saying "Slow down, congested Finish Point."
"Slow down, guys. You are doing great?!?!" O_0
Ran forward to take a photo of the Finish Point and lost Jo.
Luckily she shouted out to me and we cross the Finish Line together. =)
Two sentences that I find amusing after the race.
1) This is it?
2) On to the next race. =D
I can assure you that Joanne is addicted to running now. =)
Met up with the SGRunners, took some beverages and we made our way home.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Daily Musings 23rd October 2010
Two things I wish to try out soon...
1) Old Mandai Loops...
2) Rifle Range Road Loops...
Keke... after what we have gone through last week, I really wish to know how these slopes will feel.
Especially the last slope @ RRR...
1) Old Mandai Loops...
2) Rifle Range Road Loops...
Keke... after what we have gone through last week, I really wish to know how these slopes will feel.
Especially the last slope @ RRR...
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Days after TdB
4 days after Bintan and I have yet to step onto the road for a run or a ride...
I have been told that since I had a good workout over the weekend, it would have been a good idea to exercise those muscles once I am back in Singapore.
Day after day, I see the perfect excuse not to run...
The Haze!
Strangely my cough got better after the trip to Bintan...
Although I still cough really badly at nights during the Bintan trip...
Must have keep my room mates awake the whole night... Sorry, guys
Maybe there is really something call the 百日咳
Cos the 100 days are about to be up... (Crossed fingers)
Is it really worth the risk to exercise while the air is so bad?
But seriously, Jodan has been a real bad boy since he joined his current company...
It broke his momentum for exercising and he just could not get it back...
Day after day, he will find excuses on why exercising is not possible.
Spending long hours in the office, working on Saturdays and Sundays.
Spending more time in the office than at home... It literally broke whatever rhythm one might have.
Exercising, one has to be consistent... And I have paid dearly this year for all my days/weeks of no exercise...
I have been told that since I had a good workout over the weekend, it would have been a good idea to exercise those muscles once I am back in Singapore.
Day after day, I see the perfect excuse not to run...
The Haze!
Strangely my cough got better after the trip to Bintan...
Although I still cough really badly at nights during the Bintan trip...
Must have keep my room mates awake the whole night... Sorry, guys
Maybe there is really something call the 百日咳
Cos the 100 days are about to be up... (Crossed fingers)
Is it really worth the risk to exercise while the air is so bad?
But seriously, Jodan has been a real bad boy since he joined his current company...
It broke his momentum for exercising and he just could not get it back...
Day after day, he will find excuses on why exercising is not possible.
Spending long hours in the office, working on Saturdays and Sundays.
Spending more time in the office than at home... It literally broke whatever rhythm one might have.
Exercising, one has to be consistent... And I have paid dearly this year for all my days/weeks of no exercise...
Monday, October 18, 2010
Tour de Bintan Stage 2 - 74km
Humbling Experience.
Learnt a crucial lesson this weekend... The HARD way...
I signed up for Tour de Bintan,thinking hoping that the undulating terrain is similar to the one that I did in Bintan Triathlon 2008.
How bad can it get, right?
There should not be any terrain that Jodan cannot handle.
As compared to Stage 1, Stage 2 was a whole lot better.
Slept a lot better than the first night.
A look at the supporters, my heart did dropped a little...
Most of the guys who broaded the bus yesterday are skipping Stage 2.
Which means that I will probably be taking the rear again. =D
We started off with the Recreation Category Group.
We weren't even out of the Nirwana Gardens Resort gates when the peloton went ahead!!!
Out the gates, we have to conquer a few gentle slopes...
We wasted precious energy by not keeping with the peloton, but it is nothing that we cannot handle. =D
Everytime, someone overtakes, we will try to get into the draft...
Gosh, we are only 5km into the ride and the fun has already begin...
A lot of drafting, overtaking once out on the main road. =D
Doing a right turn at the 6km mark means that we are going towards the town square.
No worries, nothing that we cannot handle. (Hmm... even if I cannot handle, I have to get through it somehow, right? =D)
First slope hits and I started to melt away...
I am just not able to climb slopes fast.
And once up the slope, I need to recover, but these guys just keep pushing...
It did not take long before we hit a second slope.
Haha... this looks like Rifle Range Road, where you can view the action from below cos the road is so winding...
I took comfort in seeing Michelle "walking" (the cadence is so low that it looks like walking) up the slope.
One of our strongest riders, she is literally leading the second peloton...
(Someone gotta educate me here. Can a second group of riders in a category be called a peloton too?)
Conquering the second slope, my heart rate goes into overdrive...
Time to slow the pace and recover...
Heart wrenching to see the group pull ahead, but I gotta soldier on...
It does not help to see a stout rider in normal pedals and court shoes cycling past me at this stage.
Undulating slopes towards town...
I was thinking to myself... Some riders just dun change gears much in Singapore...
We may not fare badly in Singapore cos the roads dun really warrant much gear changes...
But over here in Bintan, if you are not used to gear changing, it will be tough... Very tough...
The mile markers past by pretty fast and before I know it, we are at the town entrance.
Am I glad to see the town gates. =)
Instead of turning left towards the Town Square, we made a right turn...
That is where I saw the first two casualties...
Flats, quite possibly caused by the sharp metal gate tracks at the town entrance.
The staff from the Recreational Category Manager's van is attending to both of them)
500m on, another flat.
(Was about to throw the guy my spare tube when I recalled Michelle's incident. Sorry, mate.)
Followed by yet another stranded rider, 500m away....
Another 3km, I noted another 3 downed riders, but at least these 2 riders are carrying on the repairs by themselves, so I know that they are good.
The 1st drink station (26km) came up fairly quickly and I am sure glad for the much need break.
Haha... the lady in red came up soon after me!
The last time I see her was before the town gates...
She is really persistent... =D
There was another rider who was puffing away when I start to pull out from the drink station.
"Oxygen oxygen", he said. =D O_o
The very same guy caught me on the first slope out!!!
WPE, did he just swallowed his cigarette?
How did he catch up so fast?
Stopped at the top of the slope and took my gel.
Haha... was so happy relaxing back at the drink station that I forgot about consuming gels.
We started climbing a hill with multiple slopes.
I console myself by thinking of the downslope on the other side.
What sucks was that the downslope was steep and windy...
I spend a lot of time braking...
Argh... all the energy climbing wasted. =(
Near the end of the slope, I hit a very rough patch (cement spill?) and was lucky not to get a puncture.
A rider was not so lucky as he waited under the shades for help to come.
Somewhere along the ride, I decided to change the chainrings instead of the gears....
It is really tough trying to use small chainrings all the time.
I have to knock down at least 5 gears when I climb the next slope, really wasting energy spinning and trying to find the correct gear to engage.
At least I won't go wrong if I switch to big chainrings.
Keep the long story short, if you dun change gears, you are in for a torrid time.
Minor thigh cramps surfaced once in a while, but I am able to ride it off by spinning...
Soon we hit town and it started to get messy.
Luckily the marshallers and police appear from the shade in time during the turns and point me in the right direction.
Schools along the race route are not teaching today.
The school students lined the streets cheering us on.
As usual, I gave them my hi-fives, but this time round, it almost turned fatal.
A few kids grabbed my hand and almost dragged me down from my bike and I got slapped so many times on the hand and wrist that it actually felt numb!
While trying to regain my balance, the next group of kids almost forced me onto the central divider (with the mini humps) when they tried to come out and hi-five me while I am steering away from them. (Can't blame them, I gave hi-fives to the first group of kids, so I guess they are waiting for theirs. =( )
Just before we make a left turn out of town, there was a crowd gathering on a small hill on the right.
A kid shouted "You Can Win!"
I smiled and tried to laugh it off...
Instead I find myself overwhelmed with emotions.
What is wrong with me?
Images of my wife and kids appeared...
It took me a short while before I realised that the three simple words "You Can Win" has struck a chord...
The next hundred meters was a hard time where I tried to control my emotions while smiling to the supporters.
I must thanked the four huge road bumps which appeared on the way out of town, which knock me back to my senses.
Gotta work out the bumps, bro... No more dreaming!!!
Onto the coastal stretch we go and surprisingly, it did not turn out enjoyable.
I was unable to ride in big chainring and the thigh cramps are having a workout again. =(
My aim now is to make it to the 2nd drink station and take a rest there.
Was hitting the 47km when I see a guy straddling his bike at the side of the road.
Shouted out to him "Drinks station ahead", which he acknowledges.
Was disappointed when I hit 47km and did not see the drink station...
Argh, serves me right for cutting up the Lap Band and forgetting to bring it along today. Argh...
It was a welcome relief when I finally saw the drink station at the 49km.
Initially I thought it was a dumb idea to set the drink station 900m from the ACE point, only to realise that the peloton got mobile support and dun need to stop at the drink station. =D
After changing water bottles, the support crew got worried why I am not moving off.
Told them I am taking the opportunity to rest. =p
Took the chance to apply a generous spread of Salonpas =D
A check on my watch : 10am.
1 hour to complete 25km.
It will be tight...
The lady in red appear from the distance!
She decided to stop. Her back is killing her.
She told me the bus is coming soon. The bus had stopped to help a rider who has cramps.
As soon as the bus arrives, we shook hands and parted ways.
I have hardly completed 1km when the police escort rode alongside me.
He offered to pull me along which I politely declined. =)
Kilometers after kilometers, he keep riding alongside me.
You can hear the strain of his motorcycle while he tried to slow his bike to a crawl on a slope.
At one time, I had a police escort in front of me, 2 police escorts and no doubt the whole entourage of the ambulance, bus and support vehicle behind me...
Must be quite a scene. =D
Hit quite a number of slopes which I thought I am be forced to push the bike.
Was surprised that the momentum pushed me half way up the slopes every time.
Passed a rider who has cramps and lose the entourage.
Quite a relief I must say. =p
Less than 2km, I reached the town gates.
The Recreational Category Manager waved me ahead. Thanks, mate!
It was quite a relief when I pass the town gates.
15km Home Stretch... Nothing can stop me now. =D
Hardly 1km and the entourage caught up with me again... Sianz... =D
Came up against a slope and a guy was pushing his bike up the slope.
The police escort stopped to check on him.
He started getting on the bike while I spin downhill.
Remember there is one more big slope before we hit the road leading to the Ferry Terminal, I was glad when I saw the sign "KOM 1km".
Dutifully climbed the slope only to be met with the second sign "KOM 500m"
Stared in dismay at the second slope. =(
No way I can climb this second slope with my heart rate in overdrive.
Got off the bike and started walking up the slope.
Must be the longest 500m I have done...
While mounting the bike at KOM, The RC Manager rode up.
"Well done, mate. Just keep going.
There are 2 riders behind you.
You know the way, right?"
"Yes", I responded.
"Good luck" and RC Manager rode off.
68km down, I should have consumed 2 gels by now.
But my stomach is full of electrolytes and the only thing I feel like doing is to pass motion. =D
Not a good feeling, I must add. =p
5km to go, I got hit by cramps... BIG time...
Thoughts of my girls (The encouragement "You can win") push the pain to the back of my mind and I rode out the cramps. =)
I was overjoyed to be crossing the Nirwana gates, but I knew the challenge still lies ahead.
Cramps, the long gentle slopes towards the Finish Line. Anything can still happen.
No matter, I will push the bike across the Finish Line if I need to.
Crossed the Finish Line in a time of 3h 04m 54s =)
Stayed to watch all the Category riders start Stage 3 before proceeding back to our room for a well-deserved rest. =)
Learnt a crucial lesson this weekend... The HARD way...
I signed up for Tour de Bintan,
How bad can it get, right?
There should not be any terrain that Jodan cannot handle.
As compared to Stage 1, Stage 2 was a whole lot better.
Slept a lot better than the first night.
A look at the supporters, my heart did dropped a little...
Most of the guys who broaded the bus yesterday are skipping Stage 2.
Which means that I will probably be taking the rear again. =D
We started off with the Recreation Category Group.
We weren't even out of the Nirwana Gardens Resort gates when the peloton went ahead!!!
Out the gates, we have to conquer a few gentle slopes...
We wasted precious energy by not keeping with the peloton, but it is nothing that we cannot handle. =D
Everytime, someone overtakes, we will try to get into the draft...
Gosh, we are only 5km into the ride and the fun has already begin...
A lot of drafting, overtaking once out on the main road. =D
Doing a right turn at the 6km mark means that we are going towards the town square.
No worries, nothing that we cannot handle. (Hmm... even if I cannot handle, I have to get through it somehow, right? =D)
First slope hits and I started to melt away...
I am just not able to climb slopes fast.
And once up the slope, I need to recover, but these guys just keep pushing...
It did not take long before we hit a second slope.
Haha... this looks like Rifle Range Road, where you can view the action from below cos the road is so winding...
I took comfort in seeing Michelle "walking" (the cadence is so low that it looks like walking) up the slope.
One of our strongest riders, she is literally leading the second peloton...
(Someone gotta educate me here. Can a second group of riders in a category be called a peloton too?)
Conquering the second slope, my heart rate goes into overdrive...
Time to slow the pace and recover...
Heart wrenching to see the group pull ahead, but I gotta soldier on...
It does not help to see a stout rider in normal pedals and court shoes cycling past me at this stage.
Undulating slopes towards town...
I was thinking to myself... Some riders just dun change gears much in Singapore...
We may not fare badly in Singapore cos the roads dun really warrant much gear changes...
But over here in Bintan, if you are not used to gear changing, it will be tough... Very tough...
The mile markers past by pretty fast and before I know it, we are at the town entrance.
Am I glad to see the town gates. =)
Instead of turning left towards the Town Square, we made a right turn...
That is where I saw the first two casualties...
Flats, quite possibly caused by the sharp metal gate tracks at the town entrance.
The staff from the Recreational Category Manager's van is attending to both of them)
500m on, another flat.
(Was about to throw the guy my spare tube when I recalled Michelle's incident. Sorry, mate.)
Followed by yet another stranded rider, 500m away....
Another 3km, I noted another 3 downed riders, but at least these 2 riders are carrying on the repairs by themselves, so I know that they are good.
The 1st drink station (26km) came up fairly quickly and I am sure glad for the much need break.
Haha... the lady in red came up soon after me!
The last time I see her was before the town gates...
She is really persistent... =D
There was another rider who was puffing away when I start to pull out from the drink station.
"Oxygen oxygen", he said. =D O_o
The very same guy caught me on the first slope out!!!
WPE, did he just swallowed his cigarette?
How did he catch up so fast?
Stopped at the top of the slope and took my gel.
Haha... was so happy relaxing back at the drink station that I forgot about consuming gels.
We started climbing a hill with multiple slopes.
I console myself by thinking of the downslope on the other side.
What sucks was that the downslope was steep and windy...
I spend a lot of time braking...
Argh... all the energy climbing wasted. =(
Near the end of the slope, I hit a very rough patch (cement spill?) and was lucky not to get a puncture.
A rider was not so lucky as he waited under the shades for help to come.
Somewhere along the ride, I decided to change the chainrings instead of the gears....
It is really tough trying to use small chainrings all the time.
I have to knock down at least 5 gears when I climb the next slope, really wasting energy spinning and trying to find the correct gear to engage.
At least I won't go wrong if I switch to big chainrings.
Keep the long story short, if you dun change gears, you are in for a torrid time.
Minor thigh cramps surfaced once in a while, but I am able to ride it off by spinning...
Soon we hit town and it started to get messy.
Luckily the marshallers and police appear from the shade in time during the turns and point me in the right direction.
Schools along the race route are not teaching today.
The school students lined the streets cheering us on.
As usual, I gave them my hi-fives, but this time round, it almost turned fatal.
A few kids grabbed my hand and almost dragged me down from my bike and I got slapped so many times on the hand and wrist that it actually felt numb!
While trying to regain my balance, the next group of kids almost forced me onto the central divider (with the mini humps) when they tried to come out and hi-five me while I am steering away from them. (Can't blame them, I gave hi-fives to the first group of kids, so I guess they are waiting for theirs. =( )
Just before we make a left turn out of town, there was a crowd gathering on a small hill on the right.
A kid shouted "You Can Win!"
I smiled and tried to laugh it off...
Instead I find myself overwhelmed with emotions.
What is wrong with me?
Images of my wife and kids appeared...
It took me a short while before I realised that the three simple words "You Can Win" has struck a chord...
The next hundred meters was a hard time where I tried to control my emotions while smiling to the supporters.
I must thanked the four huge road bumps which appeared on the way out of town, which knock me back to my senses.
Gotta work out the bumps, bro... No more dreaming!!!
Onto the coastal stretch we go and surprisingly, it did not turn out enjoyable.
I was unable to ride in big chainring and the thigh cramps are having a workout again. =(
My aim now is to make it to the 2nd drink station and take a rest there.
Was hitting the 47km when I see a guy straddling his bike at the side of the road.
Shouted out to him "Drinks station ahead", which he acknowledges.
Was disappointed when I hit 47km and did not see the drink station...
Argh, serves me right for cutting up the Lap Band and forgetting to bring it along today. Argh...
It was a welcome relief when I finally saw the drink station at the 49km.
Initially I thought it was a dumb idea to set the drink station 900m from the ACE point, only to realise that the peloton got mobile support and dun need to stop at the drink station. =D
After changing water bottles, the support crew got worried why I am not moving off.
Told them I am taking the opportunity to rest. =p
Took the chance to apply a generous spread of Salonpas =D
A check on my watch : 10am.
1 hour to complete 25km.
It will be tight...
The lady in red appear from the distance!
She decided to stop. Her back is killing her.
She told me the bus is coming soon. The bus had stopped to help a rider who has cramps.
As soon as the bus arrives, we shook hands and parted ways.
I have hardly completed 1km when the police escort rode alongside me.
He offered to pull me along which I politely declined. =)
Kilometers after kilometers, he keep riding alongside me.
You can hear the strain of his motorcycle while he tried to slow his bike to a crawl on a slope.
At one time, I had a police escort in front of me, 2 police escorts and no doubt the whole entourage of the ambulance, bus and support vehicle behind me...
Must be quite a scene. =D
Hit quite a number of slopes which I thought I am be forced to push the bike.
Was surprised that the momentum pushed me half way up the slopes every time.
Passed a rider who has cramps and lose the entourage.
Quite a relief I must say. =p
Less than 2km, I reached the town gates.
The Recreational Category Manager waved me ahead. Thanks, mate!
It was quite a relief when I pass the town gates.
15km Home Stretch... Nothing can stop me now. =D
Hardly 1km and the entourage caught up with me again... Sianz... =D
Came up against a slope and a guy was pushing his bike up the slope.
The police escort stopped to check on him.
He started getting on the bike while I spin downhill.
Remember there is one more big slope before we hit the road leading to the Ferry Terminal, I was glad when I saw the sign "KOM 1km".
Dutifully climbed the slope only to be met with the second sign "KOM 500m"
Stared in dismay at the second slope. =(
No way I can climb this second slope with my heart rate in overdrive.
Got off the bike and started walking up the slope.
Must be the longest 500m I have done...
While mounting the bike at KOM, The RC Manager rode up.
"Well done, mate. Just keep going.
There are 2 riders behind you.
You know the way, right?"
"Yes", I responded.
"Good luck" and RC Manager rode off.
68km down, I should have consumed 2 gels by now.
But my stomach is full of electrolytes and the only thing I feel like doing is to pass motion. =D
Not a good feeling, I must add. =p
5km to go, I got hit by cramps... BIG time...
Thoughts of my girls (The encouragement "You can win") push the pain to the back of my mind and I rode out the cramps. =)
I was overjoyed to be crossing the Nirwana gates, but I knew the challenge still lies ahead.
Cramps, the long gentle slopes towards the Finish Line. Anything can still happen.
No matter, I will push the bike across the Finish Line if I need to.
Crossed the Finish Line in a time of 3h 04m 54s =)
Stayed to watch all the Category riders start Stage 3 before proceeding back to our room for a well-deserved rest. =)
Tour de Bintan Stage 1 - 156km
It is 5am (Indonesian Time), 6am (Singapore Time).
I have woke up every hour for the past 5 hours.
During breakfast, I can feel butterflies fluttering in my stomach...
Gosh.. just a ride and I am ultra nervous...
Maybe it is the knowledge that I have never rode such a distance before that is unsettling me...
We took a bus from Nirwana Gardens to the Town Square where the Race Start is.
Along the way, we saw a few hard cored riders riding the 15km to the Start Point. =)
First order of the day...
Check out the bike and get it under the shade.
I have heard too much stories about tires bursting under the sun to heed the advice.
****
At 9am, 55 minutes behind Category 1, we were flagged off.
Our race started with a "BANG"!!! Literally!!! =D
The race started with Michelle front tire bursting 100m from the Start Line.
Initially I thought someone just pulled a popper (those used in weddings) at us till I saw Michelle wobbling beside me.
Scenes from the rear sounds even more exciting. They see smoke coming out from the wheel.
Sean actually thought that Michelle's tire has tore apart.
Michelle become a mini-celebrity, with all the kids crowding around us. =D
As we are still at the Start Point, the official bike mechanic was nearby and proceed to assist with the tube changing.
What made me uncomfortable was that he was doing the tube changing on a sandy patch.
I must have voiced out loud enough cos he proceed to move onto the road to continue with the repairs. =p
A guy who had his tube replaced just before the Race Start joined us and we rolled off together.
The ride started out well, with all six of us staying together.
A few undulating slopes later, Michelle, Chek and the other rider pulled ahead.
Sean,BFG and I tried to stay close together, but I think I always pull off at the downslopes. =p
Too heavy , so a lot of momentum lah.. =D
We reached this slope which looks like a wall. Ok ok, I know I exaggerated.
Just a steep slope. (But it still looks like a wall to me at that stage. =))
I remember calling out "Oh Sxxx!!!" and proceed to climb the slope with my head down.
Passed Sean and mentioned "Look down look down".
(Learnt from Sean later that it may or may not be a good thing to look down and ride up the slopes.)
Psychologically, it works well for me, cos the road will look flat. =p
BFG passed me on the right during the climb. =)
With my heart rate in overdrive, I knew the game was over for me.
It will take me a while to recover from this.
I am very glad that BFG and Sean proceed ahead without me.
Thanks guys, I would have dragged you guys down.
Frankly speaking, it was a huge load off my shoulders...
I know I am going to cause you guys a lot of inconvenience during this race.
Route after the wall got more interesting...
We were faced with slopes after slopes... Undulating but unlike those that we have rode on in Singapore.
Most of the slopes require pure hard work just to climb them from the bottom.
I felt the need to drink from 20km onwards, but just could not find a nice stretch to drink on the move.
Without drinking and eating, I started to see spots at the 30km mark.
Coming up against a slope, I knew I had to stop and rest.
I can't climb that slope in this condition.
Dismounted the bike and hold onto the bike while I tried to work out the spots...
Deja vu.... I learnt from my first crash in 2007 and quickly placed the bike on the side of the road and sit down.
The support vehicle and bus appeared from the distance and the Manager came down to check on me...
I was tempted to board the bus.
Jodan : "If I board the bus, I cannot ride anymore?"
Manager : "Yes"
Ok... there is no way I am going to get on the bus.
Plus the manager is reluctant to take me too. =D
Once I felt better, I started pushing the bike up the slope.
Mounted the bike at the top of the slope and continued riding.
Slopes after slopes, I conquered.
I knew that the moment I stop to push the bike up the second slope, they may just ask me to board the bus. =D
Was so glad to reached the first water point.
Finished 1 bottle before the start of the race, downed 1.5 bottles during the first slope, I am practically running dry.
Took the opportunity to cool myself down with a beaker of iced-cold water. =D
The bus and support vehicle stopped to do a stock take and I sped off. =D
Did a right turn and we are on the Coastal Road.
Remember the guys mentioned that this is the only flat stretch of road for Stage 1.
Onto big chainring I went and it felt great.
I wish I can go on like this forever.
Overtook a guy in the Discovery Channel jersey (Jeremy) and possibly lost the bus. =D
Overtook a lady in red and the fun began...
We lapped each other a couple of times during the next few kilometers.
A couple of times, I deliberately slowed down to soak in the scenery...
Probably about 10km later, we are off the Coastal and it is time to climb slopes again.
Everytime a slope came up, the lady in red will overtake me.
Hit one more huge slope and I lost the lady in red, while pushing the bike up.
Cramps started hitting me on my calves, but Booster neutralise them. =)
Hit the second slope and cramps hit me on my right thigh.
Time to get a pair of compression tights. =D
I missed my 2XU MT1220B.
Took another breather and the bus caught up with me... Not again!!!
Which means that all the three riders that I passed on the Coastal has all been picked up?!?!?!
The bus driver came down and advised me to get on the bus.
I stubbornly refused and started pushing the bike up the slope.
Continued my journey once I passed the slope.
Once again, I started grinding up the slopes, knowing that once I dismount from the bike, the bus driver will be coming after me again.
The show continues for next few kilometers.
The guys on the bus must have started placing bets on when I will call it a day. =D
I am hitting the fourth huge slope and was all ready to start my bike pushing routine.
Several hundred meters from the base of the slope, disaster struck...
Cramps that surfaced a couple of times on my right thigh, I was able to shake it off by spinning.
But the Cramps Monster is not going to let me off easy this time.
Cramps struck on both thighs simultaneously while I am still riding on the flats.
Tried as I might, I was not able to shake it off.
I knew I cannot climb the slope in the current state. (Sounds familiar?)
I finally came to a stop at the base of the slope.
The moment I un-clipped my right shoe, I cramped hard on both legs.
I considered myself lucky that I was able to un-clip my left shoe and not toppled over.
The pain was unbearable and I stayed crouched over my bike.
The bus driver came down to check on me and again advised me to get on the bus.
I told him that I am definitely going up the bus this time but first I need to get off the bike...
I am not sure if he understood me, so I told him I need help.
The bus driver signalled to the guys on the bus and they all came down to help.
(It was on the bus that one of the riders admitted that they are trying to coax me onto the bus when they approached me, not realising that I have cramps. =D )
With the guys holding me on my left, I managed to un-straddle from the bike.
The cramps was so bad on the left thigh that I could not bend my leg...
Imagine the two guys holding onto me on the left, one guy lifting my right leg over the bike while the driver pulled the bike from under me... Must have been quite a sight. =D
We made our way up the bus and I sat down on the floor.
Most comfortable place for a guy with a straight leg. =D
63km done... End of Stage 1 for Jodan...
Not pretty, but hell of an experience... =D
*****
Once I recovered, I joined the guys on the seats and we watched the action from the bus.
The riders all boarded the bus when the bus reached them.
I guess I must have been the most persistent last rider. =D
We hit the 2nd water point and the bus did a stock take.
All the bikes were unloaded and transferred onto pick-ups.
Saw a lot of riders taking shelter in the hut across the street.
(Found out later that they were waiting for the water truck, which arrived soon after the bus. Apparently the 2nd water point has ran out of water.)
Saw BFG, Sean, Michelle and Chek riding together when we turn left into town.
The guys are all riding out of town, meaning that they are a good 25-30km ahead of me when I ended the ride!!!
We met up with the 2nd Sweeper Bus and consolidated riders.
We have more than more than enough riders to make our way back to the Start Point.
We drove back via another route and caught up with the riders with 20km to go.
The riders started noticing the bibs of the riders we passed.
First it is the Category 3, Women Category and then the Category 2 riders.
Then we notice some Category 3 riders ahead of the Category 2.
A Recreational Category Rider in Astana outfit was the only one we saw in the mix.
Then Elva... Elva? Meaning how many other Woman Category riders are ahead?
We got no idea...
(Turned out Elva had cramps and she wasn't even sure that she could complete the Stage...)
At the end point, I sat facing the Finish Line and noted the number of riders riding in.
Astana Rider came in at 2:45pm...
A few other riders rode in between 2:45pm and 3:30pm.
Between 3:30-3:40pm, the riders started streaming in, but I counted only 8 Recreational Category riders.
Recreational Category Rider 9 rode in at 3:55pm.
At 4pm, when we saw no more Recreational Category Riders riding in, I followed Albert up the coach for the bus ride back to Nirwana Gardens...
(I really cannot tell if our bikes are coming back to the Start Line or straight back to the Bike Depot.
At 4pm, with no other Recreational Category Riders riding in, it could mean that they could have been picked up along the way.
Will they be dropped at the Finish Line or be driven straight back to Nirwana Gardens, no one knows...)
Washed up and went for the Awards Dinner before we turned in for the night.
I have woke up every hour for the past 5 hours.
During breakfast, I can feel butterflies fluttering in my stomach...
Gosh.. just a ride and I am ultra nervous...
Maybe it is the knowledge that I have never rode such a distance before that is unsettling me...
We took a bus from Nirwana Gardens to the Town Square where the Race Start is.
Along the way, we saw a few hard cored riders riding the 15km to the Start Point. =)
First order of the day...
Check out the bike and get it under the shade.
I have heard too much stories about tires bursting under the sun to heed the advice.
****
At 9am, 55 minutes behind Category 1, we were flagged off.
Our race started with a "BANG"!!! Literally!!! =D
The race started with Michelle front tire bursting 100m from the Start Line.
Initially I thought someone just pulled a popper (those used in weddings) at us till I saw Michelle wobbling beside me.
Scenes from the rear sounds even more exciting. They see smoke coming out from the wheel.
Sean actually thought that Michelle's tire has tore apart.
Michelle become a mini-celebrity, with all the kids crowding around us. =D
As we are still at the Start Point, the official bike mechanic was nearby and proceed to assist with the tube changing.
What made me uncomfortable was that he was doing the tube changing on a sandy patch.
I must have voiced out loud enough cos he proceed to move onto the road to continue with the repairs. =p
A guy who had his tube replaced just before the Race Start joined us and we rolled off together.
The ride started out well, with all six of us staying together.
A few undulating slopes later, Michelle, Chek and the other rider pulled ahead.
Sean,BFG and I tried to stay close together, but I think I always pull off at the downslopes. =p
Too heavy , so a lot of momentum lah.. =D
We reached this slope which looks like a wall. Ok ok, I know I exaggerated.
Just a steep slope. (But it still looks like a wall to me at that stage. =))
I remember calling out "Oh Sxxx!!!" and proceed to climb the slope with my head down.
Passed Sean and mentioned "Look down look down".
(Learnt from Sean later that it may or may not be a good thing to look down and ride up the slopes.)
Psychologically, it works well for me, cos the road will look flat. =p
BFG passed me on the right during the climb. =)
With my heart rate in overdrive, I knew the game was over for me.
It will take me a while to recover from this.
I am very glad that BFG and Sean proceed ahead without me.
Thanks guys, I would have dragged you guys down.
Frankly speaking, it was a huge load off my shoulders...
I know I am going to cause you guys a lot of inconvenience during this race.
Route after the wall got more interesting...
We were faced with slopes after slopes... Undulating but unlike those that we have rode on in Singapore.
Most of the slopes require pure hard work just to climb them from the bottom.
I felt the need to drink from 20km onwards, but just could not find a nice stretch to drink on the move.
Without drinking and eating, I started to see spots at the 30km mark.
Coming up against a slope, I knew I had to stop and rest.
I can't climb that slope in this condition.
Dismounted the bike and hold onto the bike while I tried to work out the spots...
Deja vu.... I learnt from my first crash in 2007 and quickly placed the bike on the side of the road and sit down.
The support vehicle and bus appeared from the distance and the Manager came down to check on me...
I was tempted to board the bus.
Jodan : "If I board the bus, I cannot ride anymore?"
Manager : "Yes"
Ok... there is no way I am going to get on the bus.
Plus the manager is reluctant to take me too. =D
Once I felt better, I started pushing the bike up the slope.
Mounted the bike at the top of the slope and continued riding.
Slopes after slopes, I conquered.
I knew that the moment I stop to push the bike up the second slope, they may just ask me to board the bus. =D
Was so glad to reached the first water point.
Finished 1 bottle before the start of the race, downed 1.5 bottles during the first slope, I am practically running dry.
Took the opportunity to cool myself down with a beaker of iced-cold water. =D
The bus and support vehicle stopped to do a stock take and I sped off. =D
Did a right turn and we are on the Coastal Road.
Remember the guys mentioned that this is the only flat stretch of road for Stage 1.
Onto big chainring I went and it felt great.
I wish I can go on like this forever.
Overtook a guy in the Discovery Channel jersey (Jeremy) and possibly lost the bus. =D
Overtook a lady in red and the fun began...
We lapped each other a couple of times during the next few kilometers.
A couple of times, I deliberately slowed down to soak in the scenery...
Probably about 10km later, we are off the Coastal and it is time to climb slopes again.
Everytime a slope came up, the lady in red will overtake me.
Hit one more huge slope and I lost the lady in red, while pushing the bike up.
Cramps started hitting me on my calves, but Booster neutralise them. =)
Hit the second slope and cramps hit me on my right thigh.
Time to get a pair of compression tights. =D
I missed my 2XU MT1220B.
Took another breather and the bus caught up with me... Not again!!!
Which means that all the three riders that I passed on the Coastal has all been picked up?!?!?!
The bus driver came down and advised me to get on the bus.
I stubbornly refused and started pushing the bike up the slope.
Continued my journey once I passed the slope.
Once again, I started grinding up the slopes, knowing that once I dismount from the bike, the bus driver will be coming after me again.
The show continues for next few kilometers.
The guys on the bus must have started placing bets on when I will call it a day. =D
I am hitting the fourth huge slope and was all ready to start my bike pushing routine.
Several hundred meters from the base of the slope, disaster struck...
Cramps that surfaced a couple of times on my right thigh, I was able to shake it off by spinning.
But the Cramps Monster is not going to let me off easy this time.
Cramps struck on both thighs simultaneously while I am still riding on the flats.
Tried as I might, I was not able to shake it off.
I knew I cannot climb the slope in the current state. (Sounds familiar?)
I finally came to a stop at the base of the slope.
The moment I un-clipped my right shoe, I cramped hard on both legs.
I considered myself lucky that I was able to un-clip my left shoe and not toppled over.
The pain was unbearable and I stayed crouched over my bike.
The bus driver came down to check on me and again advised me to get on the bus.
I told him that I am definitely going up the bus this time but first I need to get off the bike...
I am not sure if he understood me, so I told him I need help.
The bus driver signalled to the guys on the bus and they all came down to help.
(It was on the bus that one of the riders admitted that they are trying to coax me onto the bus when they approached me, not realising that I have cramps. =D )
With the guys holding me on my left, I managed to un-straddle from the bike.
The cramps was so bad on the left thigh that I could not bend my leg...
Imagine the two guys holding onto me on the left, one guy lifting my right leg over the bike while the driver pulled the bike from under me... Must have been quite a sight. =D
We made our way up the bus and I sat down on the floor.
Most comfortable place for a guy with a straight leg. =D
63km done... End of Stage 1 for Jodan...
Not pretty, but hell of an experience... =D
*****
Once I recovered, I joined the guys on the seats and we watched the action from the bus.
The riders all boarded the bus when the bus reached them.
I guess I must have been the most persistent last rider. =D
We hit the 2nd water point and the bus did a stock take.
All the bikes were unloaded and transferred onto pick-ups.
Saw a lot of riders taking shelter in the hut across the street.
(Found out later that they were waiting for the water truck, which arrived soon after the bus. Apparently the 2nd water point has ran out of water.)
Saw BFG, Sean, Michelle and Chek riding together when we turn left into town.
The guys are all riding out of town, meaning that they are a good 25-30km ahead of me when I ended the ride!!!
We met up with the 2nd Sweeper Bus and consolidated riders.
We have more than more than enough riders to make our way back to the Start Point.
We drove back via another route and caught up with the riders with 20km to go.
The riders started noticing the bibs of the riders we passed.
First it is the Category 3, Women Category and then the Category 2 riders.
Then we notice some Category 3 riders ahead of the Category 2.
A Recreational Category Rider in Astana outfit was the only one we saw in the mix.
Then Elva... Elva? Meaning how many other Woman Category riders are ahead?
We got no idea...
(Turned out Elva had cramps and she wasn't even sure that she could complete the Stage...)
At the end point, I sat facing the Finish Line and noted the number of riders riding in.
Astana Rider came in at 2:45pm...
A few other riders rode in between 2:45pm and 3:30pm.
Between 3:30-3:40pm, the riders started streaming in, but I counted only 8 Recreational Category riders.
Recreational Category Rider 9 rode in at 3:55pm.
At 4pm, when we saw no more Recreational Category Riders riding in, I followed Albert up the coach for the bus ride back to Nirwana Gardens...
(I really cannot tell if our bikes are coming back to the Start Line or straight back to the Bike Depot.
At 4pm, with no other Recreational Category Riders riding in, it could mean that they could have been picked up along the way.
Will they be dropped at the Finish Line or be driven straight back to Nirwana Gardens, no one knows...)
Washed up and went for the Awards Dinner before we turned in for the night.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Cost Comparison for Triathlon Distances
Extracted from Tri Life Musings
It looks better for those who read distances in kilometers.
******
Now that I've become much more budget minded, especially in trying to make my dollar stretch when it comes to triathlon expenses, I've decided to see what the comparison is for the different races in terms of cost per mile. All entry fees are based on averages and approximation. Particular Ironman race fees differ.
Sprint
.5 mile swim (0.75km)
15 mile bike (20km Bike)
3 mile run (5km Run)
18.5 miles (25.75km)
Cost
$80 average
$4.32/mi ($3.11/km)
Olympic
1 mile swim (1.5km Swim)
25 mile bike (40km Bike)
6 mile run (10km Run)
32 miles (51.5km)
Cost
$140 average
$4.37/mi ($2.72/km)
(The difference in calculation for Sprint and Olympic Distances is that in the States, the Bike Distance is 15 and 25 miles respectively, while locally we have 20km and 40km.)
Half Ironman
1.2 mile swim (1.9km Swim)
56 mile bike (90km Bike)
13.1 mile run (21.1km Run)
70.1 miles (113km)
$225 (as of late 2010)
$3.20/mi ($1.99/km)
Ironman
2.4 mile swim (3.8km Swim)
112 mile bike (180km Bike)
26.2 mile run (42.195km Run)
140.6 miles (226km)
$575 (as of late 2010)
$4.08/mi ($2.54/km)
I'm surprised that the best bang for your buck is actually a half Ironman when breaking it down mile by mile. No matter the calculation, an Ironman by man book is worth every penny simply because it takes an entire day to complete and has the potential to be so meaningful for every participant to cross the finish line.
It looks better for those who read distances in kilometers.
******
Now that I've become much more budget minded, especially in trying to make my dollar stretch when it comes to triathlon expenses, I've decided to see what the comparison is for the different races in terms of cost per mile. All entry fees are based on averages and approximation. Particular Ironman race fees differ.
Sprint
.5 mile swim (0.75km)
15 mile bike (20km Bike)
3 mile run (5km Run)
18.5 miles (25.75km)
Cost
$80 average
$4.32/mi ($3.11/km)
Olympic
1 mile swim (1.5km Swim)
25 mile bike (40km Bike)
6 mile run (10km Run)
32 miles (51.5km)
Cost
$140 average
$4.37/mi ($2.72/km)
(The difference in calculation for Sprint and Olympic Distances is that in the States, the Bike Distance is 15 and 25 miles respectively, while locally we have 20km and 40km.)
Half Ironman
1.2 mile swim (1.9km Swim)
56 mile bike (90km Bike)
13.1 mile run (21.1km Run)
70.1 miles (113km)
$225 (as of late 2010)
$3.20/mi ($1.99/km)
Ironman
2.4 mile swim (3.8km Swim)
112 mile bike (180km Bike)
26.2 mile run (42.195km Run)
140.6 miles (226km)
$575 (as of late 2010)
$4.08/mi ($2.54/km)
I'm surprised that the best bang for your buck is actually a half Ironman when breaking it down mile by mile. No matter the calculation, an Ironman by man book is worth every penny simply because it takes an entire day to complete and has the potential to be so meaningful for every participant to cross the finish line.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Kona Apparel Count 2010
Newton made a big jump to 2nd place this year.
And I am surprised to see a lot more Newton Runners in Singapore this year as compared to the past 2 years.
Compression Socks! CEP, a totally un-heard brand in Singapore has been making waves in Kona for a few years now.
Compression Calf Sleeves! Another un-familiar brand in Singapore Compress Sports.
Again, the preferred choice in Kona over the past few years.
2010
====
Footwear:
Asics: 464
Newton: 204
Saucony: 198
K-Swiss: 167
Brooks: 162
Nike: 115
Mizuno: 99
Zoot: 84
Adidas: 77
New Balance: 56
Avia: 29
Scott: 14
Pearl Izumi: 10
Puma: 7
Other: 1
Compression Socks:
CEP: 115
SLS-3: 16
2XU: 17
Zoot: 15
Herzog: 8
Beaker Concept: 4
HCP: 2
Craft: 1
Compress Sport: 1
Saucony: 1
Other: 11
Compression Calf Sleeves
Compress Sport: 63
2XU: 58
CEP: 22
Booster: 15
Zoot: 10
Skins: 8
Zensah: 5
DeSoto: 4
SLS-3: 3
LG: 3
Herzog: 2
Zigfaris: 2
Orca: 1
Other: 9
2009
====
Footwear
Asics 449
Saucony 169
Nike 159
Newton 146
Mizuno 118
Brooks 111
Zoot 101
Adidas 85
K Swiss 70
New Balance 61
Avia 27
Puma 10
Scott 10
Pearl 5
Other 17
Compression Socks
CEP 131
2XU 42
Zoot 29
SLS3 15
Booster 11
other* 32
Compression Calf Sleeves
2XU 45
Compresport 40
Zoot 17
Skins 9
Zensah 8
CEP 5
other* 25
And I am surprised to see a lot more Newton Runners in Singapore this year as compared to the past 2 years.
Compression Socks! CEP, a totally un-heard brand in Singapore has been making waves in Kona for a few years now.
Compression Calf Sleeves! Another un-familiar brand in Singapore Compress Sports.
Again, the preferred choice in Kona over the past few years.
2010
====
Footwear:
Asics: 464
Newton: 204
Saucony: 198
K-Swiss: 167
Brooks: 162
Nike: 115
Mizuno: 99
Zoot: 84
Adidas: 77
New Balance: 56
Avia: 29
Scott: 14
Pearl Izumi: 10
Puma: 7
Other: 1
Compression Socks:
CEP: 115
SLS-3: 16
2XU: 17
Zoot: 15
Herzog: 8
Beaker Concept: 4
HCP: 2
Craft: 1
Compress Sport: 1
Saucony: 1
Other: 11
Compression Calf Sleeves
Compress Sport: 63
2XU: 58
CEP: 22
Booster: 15
Zoot: 10
Skins: 8
Zensah: 5
DeSoto: 4
SLS-3: 3
LG: 3
Herzog: 2
Zigfaris: 2
Orca: 1
Other: 9
2009
====
Footwear
Asics 449
Saucony 169
Nike 159
Newton 146
Mizuno 118
Brooks 111
Zoot 101
Adidas 85
K Swiss 70
New Balance 61
Avia 27
Puma 10
Scott 10
Pearl 5
Other 17
Compression Socks
CEP 131
2XU 42
Zoot 29
SLS3 15
Booster 11
other* 32
Compression Calf Sleeves
2XU 45
Compresport 40
Zoot 17
Skins 9
Zensah 8
CEP 5
other* 25
Monday, October 11, 2010
Ironman Kona 2010
My fourth straight year catching the event 'Live'.
These four years, the Men's Champions are dominated by Aussies.
2007 : Chris McCormack
2008 : Craig Alexander
2009 : Craig Alexander
2010 : Chris McCormack
I caught bits of the action throughout the whole night.
When I sit down in the morning to watch the finale, it was 10 miles into the marathon.
Men's Leaderboard @ run mile 10
Position Athlete Name Differential
1 Chris Lieto
2 Chris McCormack :48
3 Marino Vanhoenacker 3:33
4 Andreas Raelert 4:04
5 Maik Twelsiek 4:34
6 Raynard Tissink 5:27
7 Timo Bracht 7:21
8 Norman Stadler 7:32
9 Faris Al-Sultan 7:40
10 Michael Weiss 8:29
11 Craig Alexander 10:10
One look at the LeaderBoard, it is not hard to tell that if Crowie wanna win the race, he got to run one helluva marathon.
My bet are on Andreas Raelert, given the Raelert Brothers amazing performances @ the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 races.
(In Ironman, we have the Raelert Brothers.
In Cycling, we have the Schleck Brothers.
In Motor Racing, we have the Schumacher Brothers.
It seems like Sports run in the family.)
Chris Lieto just does not have it in his running legs to win the Championship.
When I started watching IM Kona, the Championship is always decided by who can turn in the fastest run time.
So if anyone wanna have a shot at Crowie, they must beat him at his own game.
And the run splits truly surprised me this year.
Pete Jacobs 2:41:05
Crowie 2:41:59
Macca 2:43:31
Raelert 2:44:25
Vanhoenacker 2:46:45.
Lieto 3:06:00
Macca arrives at this year's IM Kona like a long forgotten champion.
Guess some of us have already got used to his trash talking which produced no results.
This year, Macca let his legs do the talking.
Well done, Macca!!!
At the 23rd-24th mile, Macca and Andreas is running alongside each other..
Haha... everytime this scene comes on screen, we are reminded Mark Allen and Dave Scott. =D
(Same words were uttered when Craig runs alongside Lieto (if I got the runner correct) last year. =D)
In a moment of brillance or foolishness, Macca sprinted away from Andreas.
Haha... the commentators are interested to know what Macca said to Andreas before he blasted off.
Really kudos to Macca for holding out and winning the race.
What went wrong for Crowie?
I won't be surprised if Crowie jump ship this year.
Orbea just dun producing winning bikes...
Or maybe the stolen bike encounter really affected his performance this year?
The strange thing? They re-fit Crowie with a 54" bike as opposed to his 51" bike which he has been using for the past few years.
I ride a 54", so it is hard for me to imagine a 1.8m tall triathlete riding a 51".
I tried Roonz 51" before, it feels small!!!
Anyway, if you look at Crowie's bike, it is an eyesore...
Crowie’s Orbea Triathlon Bike
A drilled hole here, another drilled hole there on the carbon frame.
Some electrical tape here, more electrical tape there.
Poor Crowie...
Onto the Women...
An hour before the race starts, it was announced that Chrissie has pulled out of the race due to illness!!!
The game is now on to find the pretender to the crown.
Caroline Steffen (Winner of 2010 Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore)
Julie Dibens
Sandra Wallenhorst
Yvonne van Vlerken
are all contenders, but my money is on Mirinda Carfrae.
And she does not disappoint. =)
Again, the bike is a puzzle.
She was fitted with a 51" bike and this year they re-fitted her with a Cannondale Slice 47".
Rinny (5' 2") and Crowie (5' 11") both riding 51" Bike... It is a strange world out there!!!
As the fastest woman on the run, Rinny is really the woman to beat.
Clocking a sub-9 hr timing, the fourth timing in the history of Ironman Kona is just the icing for the cake for the diminutive dynamo.
Well done, Rinny!
These four years, the Men's Champions are dominated by Aussies.
2007 : Chris McCormack
2008 : Craig Alexander
2009 : Craig Alexander
2010 : Chris McCormack
I caught bits of the action throughout the whole night.
When I sit down in the morning to watch the finale, it was 10 miles into the marathon.
Men's Leaderboard @ run mile 10
Position Athlete Name Differential
1 Chris Lieto
2 Chris McCormack :48
3 Marino Vanhoenacker 3:33
4 Andreas Raelert 4:04
5 Maik Twelsiek 4:34
6 Raynard Tissink 5:27
7 Timo Bracht 7:21
8 Norman Stadler 7:32
9 Faris Al-Sultan 7:40
10 Michael Weiss 8:29
11 Craig Alexander 10:10
One look at the LeaderBoard, it is not hard to tell that if Crowie wanna win the race, he got to run one helluva marathon.
My bet are on Andreas Raelert, given the Raelert Brothers amazing performances @ the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 races.
(In Ironman, we have the Raelert Brothers.
In Cycling, we have the Schleck Brothers.
In Motor Racing, we have the Schumacher Brothers.
It seems like Sports run in the family.)
Chris Lieto just does not have it in his running legs to win the Championship.
When I started watching IM Kona, the Championship is always decided by who can turn in the fastest run time.
So if anyone wanna have a shot at Crowie, they must beat him at his own game.
And the run splits truly surprised me this year.
Pete Jacobs 2:41:05
Crowie 2:41:59
Macca 2:43:31
Raelert 2:44:25
Vanhoenacker 2:46:45.
Lieto 3:06:00
Macca arrives at this year's IM Kona like a long forgotten champion.
Guess some of us have already got used to his trash talking which produced no results.
This year, Macca let his legs do the talking.
Well done, Macca!!!
At the 23rd-24th mile, Macca and Andreas is running alongside each other..
Haha... everytime this scene comes on screen, we are reminded Mark Allen and Dave Scott. =D
(Same words were uttered when Craig runs alongside Lieto (if I got the runner correct) last year. =D)
In a moment of brillance or foolishness, Macca sprinted away from Andreas.
Haha... the commentators are interested to know what Macca said to Andreas before he blasted off.
Really kudos to Macca for holding out and winning the race.
What went wrong for Crowie?
I won't be surprised if Crowie jump ship this year.
Orbea just dun producing winning bikes...
Or maybe the stolen bike encounter really affected his performance this year?
The strange thing? They re-fit Crowie with a 54" bike as opposed to his 51" bike which he has been using for the past few years.
I ride a 54", so it is hard for me to imagine a 1.8m tall triathlete riding a 51".
I tried Roonz 51" before, it feels small!!!
Anyway, if you look at Crowie's bike, it is an eyesore...
Crowie’s Orbea Triathlon Bike
A drilled hole here, another drilled hole there on the carbon frame.
Some electrical tape here, more electrical tape there.
Poor Crowie...
Onto the Women...
An hour before the race starts, it was announced that Chrissie has pulled out of the race due to illness!!!
The game is now on to find the pretender to the crown.
Caroline Steffen (Winner of 2010 Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore)
Julie Dibens
Sandra Wallenhorst
Yvonne van Vlerken
are all contenders, but my money is on Mirinda Carfrae.
And she does not disappoint. =)
Again, the bike is a puzzle.
She was fitted with a 51" bike and this year they re-fitted her with a Cannondale Slice 47".
Rinny (5' 2") and Crowie (5' 11") both riding 51" Bike... It is a strange world out there!!!
As the fastest woman on the run, Rinny is really the woman to beat.
Clocking a sub-9 hr timing, the fourth timing in the history of Ironman Kona is just the icing for the cake for the diminutive dynamo.
Well done, Rinny!
Route March
Haha... Travelling back in time again.
Realised that I always talked about it, but never blog about it.
Loyang Way or Lok Yang Way, it does not matter. It is a start of an arduous journey.
These are the 2 places where we usually starts our Route March training.
Route Marches are like rites of passage for infantry soldiers to mark significant milestones during their NSF days.
24km to mark our POP (Passing Out Parade), 40km to mark our ROD (Run Out Date).
It is always interesting how we prep ourselves for routes marches.
Petroleum Jelly, Bicycle Tights, Two pairs of socks, Plastic Bags...
It is always fun to see the raised eyebrows of the cashiers when a bunch of soldiers cleared the shelves of Petroleum Jelly. =D
So this is how it looks like...
Lots of Petroleum Jelly everywhere that may cause abrasion.
Bicycle tights.
2 pairs of socks, followed by plastic bags.
The 2 pairs of socks that I wore regularly for races now is a test and proven formula that I had done more than a decade ago.
One of our training marches brought us through Nicoll Drive.
Gosh... the long straight stretch can really demoralise everyone.
The only action we saw are the huge number of cars parked in between the trees of which is now the Park Connector. =D
The most embarrassing scenario we came across is the march from CarPark F3 towards East Coast Park towards East Coast Hawker Center.
Again, huge number of cars lined the one way road.
You can see the cars immediately trying to get out of the way...
Only the front few cars were lucky...
The rest of the cars were devoured by an entire battalion of soldiers in the middle of the night...
Talking about being at the wrong place at the wrong time...
And who would have imagine a whole battalion descending on you at 4am in the morning. =D
The actual Route March starts from our camp and ends at Division HQ.
It is then that I knew that the distance covered is the entire length of the PIE!!!
Gosh, a marathon distance is the length of our country.
My company was assigned as the lead company, I was assigned as the Flag Bearer.
The pace was so quick that it felt like a forced march.
Being the flag bearer, I was not constrained by pace of marching within a contingent..
When we reached the checkpoint, the company was punished as the entire company was not able to keep up the pace being set out by my Platoon Commander.
The hardest part of the punishment is that I was not being punished as I was still holding onto the flag at that time.
So much for the "One for All, All for One" thinking.
Surprisingly, no one spoke of the punishment...
It is like all forgotten after we completed the Route March...
Along Tuas, I still remember walking along a six-lane road with my eyes closed for 200m.
Can still distinctively remember walking under the ERP gantry.
Haha... the ERP gantry was still in their testing phase at that time.
First few checkpoints was difficult.
The entire company has to walk in files.
As the night drags on, we become dis-organised.
The company march is still intact, but we have a few renegade soldiers.
Monkey see, monkey do.
When I saw my company mate doing a forced march pace forward, I followed suit.
With everyone draped in Battle Gear, it is not easy for commanders to figure out who is who.
It became so much easier to run than to walk...
I ended up being the second soldier to reach last few checkpoints.
At the very last checkpoint, four of the fastest soldiers to check in was penalised to be the Battalion Medic Team.
Saddled with a stretcher, we were forced to walk behind the entire battalion...
What a bummer...
As the story goes, we were the last few to enter Division HQ...
But the scene that I witness for the last few kilometers were amazing...
Ever seen Black Hawk Down? How the soldiers react when the stadium is in sight?
That is how the battalion is reacting when the camp came into view...
Orderliness is non-existent.
Everyone is sprinting to the Finish...
The fun part is watching the Company Medical Teams running with "injured" solders on the stretchers towards the Finish...
The Route March ended on a high...
No one felt the weariness although we have walked the entire night...
Amazing... Simply Amazing...
Post Route March was the hardest part of the entire Route March...
Everything becomes slow-mo...
The most cruel part? The few of us who ran are fine...
The rest has abrasions, blistered and sore muscles...
Booking in on Sunday night, everyone is lamenting on how they missed the drinking and the clubbing simply because walking is a chore.
Even dating is confined to the four walls of the cosy home.
*-*-*
The fun part about army is that when you reach such stage of exhaustion, somehow you always manage to find ounces of energy from within to push you through missions.
I still can remember to this day the army biscuit tasting like butter cookie. It felt like the best biscuit I had ever tasted.
The canteen water tasting like honey...
I was not able to replicate that day any more...
Army biscuits simply taste awful. Water is just water. =D
Realised that I always talked about it, but never blog about it.
Loyang Way or Lok Yang Way, it does not matter. It is a start of an arduous journey.
These are the 2 places where we usually starts our Route March training.
Route Marches are like rites of passage for infantry soldiers to mark significant milestones during their NSF days.
24km to mark our POP (Passing Out Parade), 40km to mark our ROD (Run Out Date).
It is always interesting how we prep ourselves for routes marches.
Petroleum Jelly, Bicycle Tights, Two pairs of socks, Plastic Bags...
It is always fun to see the raised eyebrows of the cashiers when a bunch of soldiers cleared the shelves of Petroleum Jelly. =D
So this is how it looks like...
Lots of Petroleum Jelly everywhere that may cause abrasion.
Bicycle tights.
2 pairs of socks, followed by plastic bags.
The 2 pairs of socks that I wore regularly for races now is a test and proven formula that I had done more than a decade ago.
One of our training marches brought us through Nicoll Drive.
Gosh... the long straight stretch can really demoralise everyone.
The only action we saw are the huge number of cars parked in between the trees of which is now the Park Connector. =D
The most embarrassing scenario we came across is the march from CarPark F3 towards East Coast Park towards East Coast Hawker Center.
Again, huge number of cars lined the one way road.
You can see the cars immediately trying to get out of the way...
Only the front few cars were lucky...
The rest of the cars were devoured by an entire battalion of soldiers in the middle of the night...
Talking about being at the wrong place at the wrong time...
And who would have imagine a whole battalion descending on you at 4am in the morning. =D
The actual Route March starts from our camp and ends at Division HQ.
It is then that I knew that the distance covered is the entire length of the PIE!!!
Gosh, a marathon distance is the length of our country.
My company was assigned as the lead company, I was assigned as the Flag Bearer.
The pace was so quick that it felt like a forced march.
Being the flag bearer, I was not constrained by pace of marching within a contingent..
When we reached the checkpoint, the company was punished as the entire company was not able to keep up the pace being set out by my Platoon Commander.
The hardest part of the punishment is that I was not being punished as I was still holding onto the flag at that time.
So much for the "One for All, All for One" thinking.
Surprisingly, no one spoke of the punishment...
It is like all forgotten after we completed the Route March...
Along Tuas, I still remember walking along a six-lane road with my eyes closed for 200m.
Can still distinctively remember walking under the ERP gantry.
Haha... the ERP gantry was still in their testing phase at that time.
First few checkpoints was difficult.
The entire company has to walk in files.
As the night drags on, we become dis-organised.
The company march is still intact, but we have a few renegade soldiers.
Monkey see, monkey do.
When I saw my company mate doing a forced march pace forward, I followed suit.
With everyone draped in Battle Gear, it is not easy for commanders to figure out who is who.
It became so much easier to run than to walk...
I ended up being the second soldier to reach last few checkpoints.
At the very last checkpoint, four of the fastest soldiers to check in was penalised to be the Battalion Medic Team.
Saddled with a stretcher, we were forced to walk behind the entire battalion...
What a bummer...
As the story goes, we were the last few to enter Division HQ...
But the scene that I witness for the last few kilometers were amazing...
Ever seen Black Hawk Down? How the soldiers react when the stadium is in sight?
That is how the battalion is reacting when the camp came into view...
Orderliness is non-existent.
Everyone is sprinting to the Finish...
The fun part is watching the Company Medical Teams running with "injured" solders on the stretchers towards the Finish...
The Route March ended on a high...
No one felt the weariness although we have walked the entire night...
Amazing... Simply Amazing...
Post Route March was the hardest part of the entire Route March...
Everything becomes slow-mo...
The most cruel part? The few of us who ran are fine...
The rest has abrasions, blistered and sore muscles...
Booking in on Sunday night, everyone is lamenting on how they missed the drinking and the clubbing simply because walking is a chore.
Even dating is confined to the four walls of the cosy home.
*-*-*
The fun part about army is that when you reach such stage of exhaustion, somehow you always manage to find ounces of energy from within to push you through missions.
I still can remember to this day the army biscuit tasting like butter cookie. It felt like the best biscuit I had ever tasted.
The canteen water tasting like honey...
I was not able to replicate that day any more...
Army biscuits simply taste awful. Water is just water. =D
Sunday, October 10, 2010
An Eventful Week
Celebrating Jonelle's Full Month was an opportunity for the army friends to meet.
Most of us had attended Remedial Training before and all of us are kinda sad that it is gone ever since we enter the Military Reserve.
Interestingly, all of us become more active after we MR-ed, simply cos we know that we will get hit by all kind of illness and diseases if we do not try to keep fit in the long run.
Kudos to all!!!
*-*-*
While playing at the water slide, I noted that Shannon is always looking to grab hold onto me whenever she reach the end of the slide...
I realise that Shannon is growing up now... It is time to slowly let go off the safety net.
At the end of the day, it is good to know that Shannon is able to play the water slide by herself. =)
Most of us had attended Remedial Training before and all of us are kinda sad that it is gone ever since we enter the Military Reserve.
Interestingly, all of us become more active after we MR-ed, simply cos we know that we will get hit by all kind of illness and diseases if we do not try to keep fit in the long run.
Kudos to all!!!
*-*-*
While playing at the water slide, I noted that Shannon is always looking to grab hold onto me whenever she reach the end of the slide...
I realise that Shannon is growing up now... It is time to slowly let go off the safety net.
At the end of the day, it is good to know that Shannon is able to play the water slide by herself. =)
Kona Saddle Count 2010
Fi'zi:k still dominates, but ISM must have done something right with their 2010 range of saddles to see the increase in Kona. =)
Saddle Count 2010
Fi'zi:k: 508
Selle Italia: 347
ISM: 201
Specialized: 173
San Marco: 87
OE Spec'd: 70
Terry: 68
Cobb: 67
Profile Design: 44
SMP: 38
Prologo: 37
Bontrager: 35
Serfas: 27
WTB: 7
Forte: 6
Koobi: 5
Vision: 2
Pro: 2
Saddle Count 2009
Fi’zi:k – 477
Selle Italia – 383
Specialized – 167
OE Spec’d Saddles – 131
San Marco – 130
ISM – 119
Terry – 74
Profile Design – 57
Bontrager – 51
Cobb – 36
SMP – 33
Serfas – 22
Prologo – 10
Koobi – 9
FSA – 6
Forte – 6
Velo – 4
Saddle Count 2008
Fizik – 458
Selle Italia – 398
Specialized – 146
Selle San Marco – 136
Terry – 105
ISM – 78
Profile – 72
Bontrager – 40
Serfas – 38
SMP – 34
Saddle Count 2010
Fi'zi:k: 508
Selle Italia: 347
ISM: 201
Specialized: 173
San Marco: 87
OE Spec'd: 70
Terry: 68
Cobb: 67
Profile Design: 44
SMP: 38
Prologo: 37
Bontrager: 35
Serfas: 27
WTB: 7
Forte: 6
Koobi: 5
Vision: 2
Pro: 2
Saddle Count 2009
Fi’zi:k – 477
Selle Italia – 383
Specialized – 167
OE Spec’d Saddles – 131
San Marco – 130
ISM – 119
Terry – 74
Profile Design – 57
Bontrager – 51
Cobb – 36
SMP – 33
Serfas – 22
Prologo – 10
Koobi – 9
FSA – 6
Forte – 6
Velo – 4
Saddle Count 2008
Fizik – 458
Selle Italia – 398
Specialized – 146
Selle San Marco – 136
Terry – 105
ISM – 78
Profile – 72
Bontrager – 40
Serfas – 38
SMP – 34
Kona Bike Count 2010
No surprise who is the winner yet again...
Consolidated total of 2nd place to 5th place winner : 415
What surprised me is that with the introduction of Trek Speed Concept this year, it din make much difference to the standings. =(
Cervelo: 468
Specialized: 113
Trek: 108
Scott: 98
Felt: 96
Orbea: 82
Kuota: 77
Cannondale: 72
QR: 62
Argon: 58
Giant: 52
Look: 48
Kestrel: 46
Guru: 40
Ceepo: 28
Pinarello: 18
Isaac: 18
Stevens: 17
Ridley: 16
Litespeed: 14
Colnago: 11
Storck: 11
PlanetX: 11
Fuji: 10
Blue: 9
BMC: 9
Jamis: 7
Beyond Fabrications: 7
Cube: 7
Focus: 6
Parlee: 6
Willier: 6
Griffen: 5
Elite: 5
Canyon: 4
Aegis: 4
Seven: 4
Time: 3
Javlin: 3
Serotta: 3
Linskey: 3
De Rosa: 2
BH: 2
Principia: 2
Louis Garneau: 1
Valdora: 1
Teschner: 1
Lemond: 1
Wave: 1
Softride: 1
Cheetah: 1
Consolidated total of 2nd place to 5th place winner : 415
What surprised me is that with the introduction of Trek Speed Concept this year, it din make much difference to the standings. =(
Cervelo: 468
Specialized: 113
Trek: 108
Scott: 98
Felt: 96
Orbea: 82
Kuota: 77
Cannondale: 72
QR: 62
Argon: 58
Giant: 52
Look: 48
Kestrel: 46
Guru: 40
Ceepo: 28
Pinarello: 18
Isaac: 18
Stevens: 17
Ridley: 16
Litespeed: 14
Colnago: 11
Storck: 11
PlanetX: 11
Fuji: 10
Blue: 9
BMC: 9
Jamis: 7
Beyond Fabrications: 7
Cube: 7
Focus: 6
Parlee: 6
Willier: 6
Griffen: 5
Elite: 5
Canyon: 4
Aegis: 4
Seven: 4
Time: 3
Javlin: 3
Serotta: 3
Linskey: 3
De Rosa: 2
BH: 2
Principia: 2
Louis Garneau: 1
Valdora: 1
Teschner: 1
Lemond: 1
Wave: 1
Softride: 1
Cheetah: 1
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Cycling 9th October 2010
Knowing that FOTR will be doing Mandai Loops, I rode along Mandai hoping to catch FOTR in the midst.
Today will be Big ChainRing Day...
Quite okay, I must say...
But way short of mileage for TdB...
Gosh... what am I doing?
Rode till Mandai Shell but din see the group.
SMSed BFG and realised that it rained in the East...
Gosh, roads in the North is as dry as a bone.
Really could not tell that there were rain.
Good thing is that the rain has stopped...
At least the TNF 100 runners has one less condition to worry about.
Riding back towards Sembawang, I caught one (if not the first) TNF 100km Solo Runner.
Saw a second runner, Yong and shouted out to him. =)
Decided to ride to MacRitchie Reservoir (MR) to check out on the brave TNF100 runners.
On the way to MR, I caught a Volkswagen Camper Van being used as a wedding car.
Nice!
Reached there to find only volunteers...
50km Duo runners have to arrived, which made me puzzled.
The usual kiasu runners are nowhere in sight.
Went riding around the area and came back just in time to catch the 50km Duo runners about to start off.
Only then did I realised that the 100km Duo runners has started off earlier at 7am.
Aiyah... would have came earlier if I had known.
Managed to wish some of the runners before they started off their arduous journey.
Tried to catch more action by cycling to Island Club Road only to find out that the road is private property and that cyclists are not allowed. Haiz..
Did a slow ride home...
Good discovery of the day : I have finally run-in my saddle!!! Hooray! And not a moment too soon. Just in time for Tour de Bintan. =)
Today will be Big ChainRing Day...
Quite okay, I must say...
But way short of mileage for TdB...
Gosh... what am I doing?
Rode till Mandai Shell but din see the group.
SMSed BFG and realised that it rained in the East...
Gosh, roads in the North is as dry as a bone.
Really could not tell that there were rain.
Good thing is that the rain has stopped...
At least the TNF 100 runners has one less condition to worry about.
Riding back towards Sembawang, I caught one (if not the first) TNF 100km Solo Runner.
Saw a second runner, Yong and shouted out to him. =)
Decided to ride to MacRitchie Reservoir (MR) to check out on the brave TNF100 runners.
On the way to MR, I caught a Volkswagen Camper Van being used as a wedding car.
Nice!
Reached there to find only volunteers...
50km Duo runners have to arrived, which made me puzzled.
The usual kiasu runners are nowhere in sight.
Went riding around the area and came back just in time to catch the 50km Duo runners about to start off.
Only then did I realised that the 100km Duo runners has started off earlier at 7am.
Aiyah... would have came earlier if I had known.
Managed to wish some of the runners before they started off their arduous journey.
Tried to catch more action by cycling to Island Club Road only to find out that the road is private property and that cyclists are not allowed. Haiz..
Did a slow ride home...
Good discovery of the day : I have finally run-in my saddle!!! Hooray! And not a moment too soon. Just in time for Tour de Bintan. =)
Friday, October 8, 2010
What Makes a Triathlete...
Sometimes I wonder how each and every one of us enter the World of Triathlons...
Like a career path, it is a passage that we took...
There is swimming, running, cycling, adventure racing, mountain climbing, snow boarding, scuba diving, wake boarding... The list goes on...
All of these are individual sports, so why triathlon?
For me... I guess it started the day I knew I am posted to the Military Reserves...
Without the "forced" running during Remedial Training, my life looks bleak...
I foresee myself facing coronary heart disease during old age...
I started swimming and going to the gym...
Since SAFRA Mount Faber is a stone throw away, while not use it?
It must be a sign too, as the SAFRA ClubHouse is newly open.
Signed up for Sheares Bridge Run (now called Singapore Bay Run) 6km with a colleague and we completed the run...
6km means we start from Marina Bay and turned off Sheares Bridge Run @ Suntec City.
I was in awe at the mass of 10km and 21km runners chugging up Sheares Bridge.
I am praying that one day I will be able to climb the same expressway as they do...
How I ended up signing up for Singapore Biathlon is a complete mystery...
I know I can complete 1.5km, but I have never done a 10km run before...
I remember telling myself... What the heck... Just sign up and see how it goes...
Anyway, it is just $18...
I did all this secretly... None of my colleagues knew anything about it.
At least it won't be so malu if I failed...
Then come the tricky part...
The swim trial...
I thought it was easy... I take an hour plus to do 40 laps...
How tough can 30 laps in 40 minutes be...
As Singaporeans, sure have some slack...
What I forget is that the race is organised by the Navy...
In the Armed Forces, rules are rules.
Slowed by 1 second also considered fail...
I took me 3 tries to pass my swim trial...
During the race... I got jelly fish sting and DNF-ed...
Coupled with a Colonel passing on during the race, my mum was adamant that I quit racing.
How I ended up signing up for SCSM 10km is another mystery...
I remember the feeling that overwhelmed me when I stand at the Start Line with the other runners...
"THIS IS IT. THERE IS NO TURNING BACK..."
After so many DNSes over the past few years... I am finally trodding the Start Line.
Completing the race.. finding out about SGRunners...
The rest is history...
Then came First Tri Club...
I guess it all boils down to timing...
It was the first and last First Tri Club that was organised by TAS.
I have done 1.5km Swim before, 10km Run...
Why not add another element to the equation?
An element that is not unfamiliar to me...
I have always been comfortable on bikes...
20km should not pose too much of a problem...
Unfortunately, I DNS-ed my first triathlon due to injury...
Another opportunity arises, OSIM Corporate Triathlon...
Aaron accompany me during the race and I was glad that I completed the race...
Bintan Triathlon...
My first Olympic Distance Triathlon and my first overseas race...
Why OD?
I guess we are always pushing the envelope, trying to see how far we can push ourselves...
I am the last few to complete the race, faltering during the run...
But it definitely feels good to complete...
Next attempt? Aviva Ironman Singapore 70.3 2008?
The registration date came and past and I did not have the courage to click on the "Submit" button...
Haha... I think one of the toughest part of any race is the mouse click...
Thanks to Singapore F1...
I did not have to wait long before Aviva Ironman Singapore 70.3 2009 swing by....
I know I am ready...
But there is no way of telling unless you take the path into the unknown...
1.9km Swim... That is 38 laps of the pool...Check
90km Bike ... 3 x JoyRiders Mandai Route... This is the tricky one...
I remember myself almost 'dying' during my first century ride...
It ain't a pretty sight...
21km Run... My weakest discipline...
Strategy? Do a "fast" Swim and Bike Leg...
Save all the additional time for the run...
The strategy worked...
I am hooked...
Why Ironman?
Cos we always wanna push the envelope...
Just to see how far we can go...
Will I be able to do it?
Only time will tell...
Like a career path, it is a passage that we took...
There is swimming, running, cycling, adventure racing, mountain climbing, snow boarding, scuba diving, wake boarding... The list goes on...
All of these are individual sports, so why triathlon?
For me... I guess it started the day I knew I am posted to the Military Reserves...
Without the "forced" running during Remedial Training, my life looks bleak...
I foresee myself facing coronary heart disease during old age...
I started swimming and going to the gym...
Since SAFRA Mount Faber is a stone throw away, while not use it?
It must be a sign too, as the SAFRA ClubHouse is newly open.
Signed up for Sheares Bridge Run (now called Singapore Bay Run) 6km with a colleague and we completed the run...
6km means we start from Marina Bay and turned off Sheares Bridge Run @ Suntec City.
I was in awe at the mass of 10km and 21km runners chugging up Sheares Bridge.
I am praying that one day I will be able to climb the same expressway as they do...
How I ended up signing up for Singapore Biathlon is a complete mystery...
I know I can complete 1.5km, but I have never done a 10km run before...
I remember telling myself... What the heck... Just sign up and see how it goes...
Anyway, it is just $18...
I did all this secretly... None of my colleagues knew anything about it.
At least it won't be so malu if I failed...
Then come the tricky part...
The swim trial...
I thought it was easy... I take an hour plus to do 40 laps...
How tough can 30 laps in 40 minutes be...
As Singaporeans, sure have some slack...
What I forget is that the race is organised by the Navy...
In the Armed Forces, rules are rules.
Slowed by 1 second also considered fail...
I took me 3 tries to pass my swim trial...
During the race... I got jelly fish sting and DNF-ed...
Coupled with a Colonel passing on during the race, my mum was adamant that I quit racing.
How I ended up signing up for SCSM 10km is another mystery...
I remember the feeling that overwhelmed me when I stand at the Start Line with the other runners...
"THIS IS IT. THERE IS NO TURNING BACK..."
After so many DNSes over the past few years... I am finally trodding the Start Line.
Completing the race.. finding out about SGRunners...
The rest is history...
Then came First Tri Club...
I guess it all boils down to timing...
It was the first and last First Tri Club that was organised by TAS.
I have done 1.5km Swim before, 10km Run...
Why not add another element to the equation?
An element that is not unfamiliar to me...
I have always been comfortable on bikes...
20km should not pose too much of a problem...
Unfortunately, I DNS-ed my first triathlon due to injury...
Another opportunity arises, OSIM Corporate Triathlon...
Aaron accompany me during the race and I was glad that I completed the race...
Bintan Triathlon...
My first Olympic Distance Triathlon and my first overseas race...
Why OD?
I guess we are always pushing the envelope, trying to see how far we can push ourselves...
I am the last few to complete the race, faltering during the run...
But it definitely feels good to complete...
Next attempt? Aviva Ironman Singapore 70.3 2008?
The registration date came and past and I did not have the courage to click on the "Submit" button...
Haha... I think one of the toughest part of any race is the mouse click...
Thanks to Singapore F1...
I did not have to wait long before Aviva Ironman Singapore 70.3 2009 swing by....
I know I am ready...
But there is no way of telling unless you take the path into the unknown...
1.9km Swim... That is 38 laps of the pool...Check
90km Bike ... 3 x JoyRiders Mandai Route... This is the tricky one...
I remember myself almost 'dying' during my first century ride...
It ain't a pretty sight...
21km Run... My weakest discipline...
Strategy? Do a "fast" Swim and Bike Leg...
Save all the additional time for the run...
The strategy worked...
I am hooked...
Why Ironman?
Cos we always wanna push the envelope...
Just to see how far we can go...
Will I be able to do it?
Only time will tell...
Running 7th October 2010
AK14, you almost killed me today...
What used to be my favourite pair of shoes is now giving me nothing but grief...
If you know the feeling of running in a pair of SAF boots, this is it.
AK14, you are no longer a part of my race strategy.
You will be part of my training package. ;)
Guys, remember how fast we used toflyrun in IPPT cos we are saddled with the SAF No. 4 day in day out?
Maybe, just maybe if I train in AK14, I may be able to perform better during races. =D
The run starts off the same way it does on Tuesday.
Think the cool non-humid weather helps plenty.
After many years of running, I find it amusing that I finally find the need to do a stationary jog while waiting for the traffic lights to change and not just because everyone else is doing it. =D
I am just a lazy bum... Hate to find new routes, thus it is always Yishun Ring Road for me...
The distance is neither too short nor too long...
And if I need to add some distances, it will be a lap round Yishun Park, as simple as that. Else it is Simpang Kiri Park Connector for me.
One day when I picked up the courage, I will try Ulu Sembawang Park Connector.
The cough is still present but the heart rate is down...
Think the heart rate played the most crucial role in the whole running cycle.
I can manage the run without stopping.
It is always a victory for me if I can past Roonz place without stopping. =D
That's slightly more than 2.4km. =)
Today the shuffling starts early...
Just past NorthView Secondary School.
Another interesting observation... Shuffling is so much easier than walking. =D
Pace is not fast, but it shave at least a minute off every 1 km of walking.
Just past the 5km mark, I ended up walking...
The next 400m must have been the longest and hardest walk I have endured for quite a while...
I was unusually glad when the HDB flats peek around the corner of the hills. =D
What dun kill you makes you stronger...
AK14, I shall wear you for my training runs from now on.
What used to be my favourite pair of shoes is now giving me nothing but grief...
If you know the feeling of running in a pair of SAF boots, this is it.
AK14, you are no longer a part of my race strategy.
You will be part of my training package. ;)
Guys, remember how fast we used to
Maybe, just maybe if I train in AK14, I may be able to perform better during races. =D
The run starts off the same way it does on Tuesday.
Think the cool non-humid weather helps plenty.
After many years of running, I find it amusing that I finally find the need to do a stationary jog while waiting for the traffic lights to change and not just because everyone else is doing it. =D
I am just a lazy bum... Hate to find new routes, thus it is always Yishun Ring Road for me...
The distance is neither too short nor too long...
And if I need to add some distances, it will be a lap round Yishun Park, as simple as that. Else it is Simpang Kiri Park Connector for me.
One day when I picked up the courage, I will try Ulu Sembawang Park Connector.
The cough is still present but the heart rate is down...
Think the heart rate played the most crucial role in the whole running cycle.
I can manage the run without stopping.
It is always a victory for me if I can past Roonz place without stopping. =D
That's slightly more than 2.4km. =)
Today the shuffling starts early...
Just past NorthView Secondary School.
Another interesting observation... Shuffling is so much easier than walking. =D
Pace is not fast, but it shave at least a minute off every 1 km of walking.
Just past the 5km mark, I ended up walking...
The next 400m must have been the longest and hardest walk I have endured for quite a while...
I was unusually glad when the HDB flats peek around the corner of the hills. =D
What dun kill you makes you stronger...
AK14, I shall wear you for my training runs from now on.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Tri-Factor Triathlon Swim
Must say this is the first race involving Open Water Swim that I have done since I upgraded the firmware to 2.90.
Gotta say that I am impressed with the swim correction codes that Garmin has done.
Given that the watch din see much of the sky during the race, although I tried some wierd swim strokes to allow it to do so, =D I must say that the distance is pretty spot on...
I used to get 4km for my swim, be it a 1.5km Swim or a 1.9km swim...
For a watch that cannot read signals underwater and be able to hit 1.34km, I am good. ;)
9m 23s is probably the amount of time that the watch has a view of the sky =D
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Running 5th October 2010
Gosh... Cannot remember the last time I did a training run...
Anyone can refresh me? Cannot even find the last entry myself on my own blog...
Kinda sad... Yeah? =D
Good news to report...
I din walk throughout the entire run... So un-Jodan =D
Distance 5.66km
Time 45m 24s
Pace 8m 01s
Things I discover during this run...
Definitely a mid-foot runner now... Pleasantly surprised with the transformation, despite the lack of running...
Newtons shoes? Or cos I am omni-conscious about my strides throughout the run?
Today, I used NB904. =)
Always good to have a fall-back plan...
My plan is to do a 3 minutes run, 3 minutes walk if I ever resorted to walking. =)
Finally understood the need to run on the spot while waiting to cross the traffic light... (Yes, I always come to a dead stop while waiting)
I dun bounce as high as Ryan Hall...
Although I do bounce a lot...
Thus the fear that I may just hit the shelter roof is true...
Cos we do bounce during runs...
Kena tunnel vision during the run...
Haha... it is so tiring to turn around and observe the surroundings. =D
My strides are pathetic...
But as long as I keep running, I am good. =)
Finally know what a shuffle feels like...
Finally feel my ITB =D
Haha... first time I ever get troubled by my ITB. =D
My ITB is my excuse to cut short my run =D
Live to run another day. =d
Anyone can refresh me? Cannot even find the last entry myself on my own blog...
Kinda sad... Yeah? =D
Good news to report...
I din walk throughout the entire run... So un-Jodan =D
Distance 5.66km
Time 45m 24s
Pace 8m 01s
Things I discover during this run...
Definitely a mid-foot runner now... Pleasantly surprised with the transformation, despite the lack of running...
Newtons shoes? Or cos I am omni-conscious about my strides throughout the run?
Today, I used NB904. =)
Always good to have a fall-back plan...
My plan is to do a 3 minutes run, 3 minutes walk if I ever resorted to walking. =)
Finally understood the need to run on the spot while waiting to cross the traffic light... (Yes, I always come to a dead stop while waiting)
I dun bounce as high as Ryan Hall...
Although I do bounce a lot...
Thus the fear that I may just hit the shelter roof is true...
Cos we do bounce during runs...
Kena tunnel vision during the run...
Haha... it is so tiring to turn around and observe the surroundings. =D
My strides are pathetic...
But as long as I keep running, I am good. =)
Finally know what a shuffle feels like...
Finally feel my ITB =D
Haha... first time I ever get troubled by my ITB. =D
My ITB is my excuse to cut short my run =D
Live to run another day. =d
Races 2011
Now that we are down to a recreational ride and a race for 2010, it is time for me to chart my races for 2011.
Yellow Ribbon Prison Run
Singapore Biathlon
Aviva Ironman Singapore 70.3
Tri-Factor Swim
Tri-Factor Bike
Tri-Factor Run
Tri-Factor Triathlon
OSIM Triathlon
Army Half Marathon
Singapore Marathon / IMWA 2011
Shape Run
GE Women's 10k
Gosh... Looks like still a lot of races....
Really need to curtail...
Yellow Ribbon Prison Run
Singapore Biathlon
Aviva Ironman Singapore 70.3
Tri-Factor Swim
Tri-Factor Bike
Tri-Factor Run
Tri-Factor Triathlon
OSIM Triathlon
Army Half Marathon
Singapore Marathon / IMWA 2011
Shape Run
GE Women's 10k
Gosh... Looks like still a lot of races....
Really need to curtail...
Tri-Factor Triathlon Results
(Britney Spear's Song "Opps! I Did It Again" playing in the background) =D
YES!!! I Did It Again...
Swim - 00:52:03
Bike - 01:26:01
Run - 01:25:14
Finish - 03:43:16.90
Another record to forget... =D
Okie... the only other personal record worse than this is my first Olympic Distance Triathlon in Bintan... which happens to be my Personal Best at that time, cos it is my first Olympic Distance Triathlon Race. =D
Let's just say that if we did the full 40km Bike Leg, it will definitely be a Personal Worst. =D
Sounds like I am so proud in chalking PW after PW this year. =D
Nah... to be able to survive such races with my current work schedules, I think I did okay...
Looking back at the year gone by, it definitely seems incredible for me to survive these races.
How I survived OCBC Cycle...
How I survived YellowFish Open Water Swim...
How I survived Army Half Marathon...
Looking at the results, I do have something to be proud of!
My Run Time is shorter than my Bike Time!!! =D
For this I definitely have to thank my pacer.
Thanks, Raphael! =D
YES!!! I Did It Again...
Swim - 00:52:03
Bike - 01:26:01
Run - 01:25:14
Finish - 03:43:16.90
Another record to forget... =D
Okie... the only other personal record worse than this is my first Olympic Distance Triathlon in Bintan... which happens to be my Personal Best at that time, cos it is my first Olympic Distance Triathlon Race. =D
Let's just say that if we did the full 40km Bike Leg, it will definitely be a Personal Worst. =D
Sounds like I am so proud in chalking PW after PW this year. =D
Nah... to be able to survive such races with my current work schedules, I think I did okay...
Looking back at the year gone by, it definitely seems incredible for me to survive these races.
How I survived OCBC Cycle...
How I survived YellowFish Open Water Swim...
How I survived Army Half Marathon...
Looking at the results, I do have something to be proud of!
My Run Time is shorter than my Bike Time!!! =D
For this I definitely have to thank my pacer.
Thanks, Raphael! =D
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Tri-Factor Triathlon
Woke up at 4am.
It is raining heavily!
Looks like I am not fated to complete any Tri-Factor Race this year! 无缘!!!
Took my brekkie, read the papers.
The rain does not seems to let up.
Tempted to go back to sleep...
But hey... I dun pay money to sleep leh.
I pay money to race. =D
Alamak, forgotten that I can check the Rain Animation.
I have been out of action too long to remember to check for such updates. =(
Did a check and it looks promising... Passing showers only and we are in the midst of a thunderstorm at the moment.
Decide to wait out the rain.
At 6:30, the rain became a drizzle.
Okie... Time to finally pack...
Haha, yeah... It is a regular fixture now.
Packing only starts an hour or two before the race.
How cool is that. =D
One thing is for sure.
As long as you go through the drill of checking what you need during and after the race, it does not really matter when you pack.
Keyword : Just dun panic...
Was surprised to see CarPark F3 almost empty...
Dun tell me few people turned up for the race!
Cannot be leh... Triathletes are siao one...
As witnessed during one of last year's triathlon race where the race site is almost full despite a drizzle...
Reached Race Site @ 7:50am.
Race Starts @ 7:45am...
How cool is that...
Learnt from my race neighbour, Desmond Goh that the race has been delayed for 30 minutes. =d
Joined the HP personalised queue to get my body marking. =p
Raphael helped me fend off volunteers and officials who tried to kick me out of the queue.
Thanks, mate!!!
Proceed to the Swim Start together.
Took a few pictures with Team Kilat.
Proceed to check out the race course...
WPE... Not a pretty sight...
Race Organisers are concerned, no doubt...
Race was not issued an all-green till the very last minute...
Feel sleepy waiting for the race to start...
Yawnz...
MP Teo Ser Luck and the new HP MD Kelly Tan flagged off the race. =)
The Swim Start was surreal...
I think I can survive this...
Freestyle seems effortless...
The left turn at the buoy brings up another story!
The waves keep pushing me into the lane rope.
Resorted to do breaststroke.
Every single time I do freestyle, I crashed into the lane rope.
Be it 1m, 2m or 5m away...
Breaststroke is slow when u try to cut the waves, but I do not have a choice. =(
Turning towards the shore, the condition did not improve.
I was sent crashing into the lane rope time and again.
When is the ordeal going to end???
Near the end of the first lap, I observed that everyone is running towards tranistion.
Sheez.... this is bad... really bad... I am the last man standing for my wave...
This sux... It sux BIG time...
Running onto shore, I realised that everyone was forced to run through the timing mat before turning left...
Haha... tunnel vision... Opps...
Now I dun feel so bad... =D
The second lap, the waves seems to have gotten bigger...
Drinking salt water becomes a normal occurrence...
Hmm... today's salt water dun taste that bad leh...
And it seems to soothe the throat...
Eureka? I found the remedy to my cough?
Second lap is a battle of the waves...
The swim out just never seems to end and I am drifting further and further away from
the buoy...
Feeling sleepy again...
WPE, what is happening to me?
I had my eight hours of sleep before the race leh...
Swimming towards the second buoy, it is clear that everyone is struggling...
We are swimming pretty much in the same pack...
Struggled to cross over the rope tying down the second buoy...
Keep tumbling back to the wrong end...
Gosh, I am really battered and weary....
There is no way I can do a 3.8km swim...
The Dream has gone bust again. =(
Hmm... the pink goggles has overtook me once again.
Where did he appear from?
This is probably the fifth or sixth time I saw him on my right...
Further up, a guy on my right is swimming like a submarine...
He seems to be cruising through the water!!!
WPE, how does he do that?!?!?!
After 30m, I thought I better stop to observe...
Chey... he is doing breaststroke...
Talk about timing and speed... =D
He is swimming alongside me all the time...
His pace and mine matched up, so everytime I turn right to breathe, his blue cap is just bobbing on the water...
The take is quite amusing, you guys gotta experience it. =D
Swim ended and I walked to the Transition Area...
Too weary to run...
Time taken : 51 minutes...
Been quite some time since I breached 50 mins for a swim...
Did a do-able T1... Objective is to keep everything out of the mud...
While picking up the bike , saw Chek.
He has his cycling shoes clipped to his bike... So pro. =D
Carry the bike and cycling shoes to the road before putting them on..
Experience has told me that running with cycling shoes in the mud is a tiring affair.
Not only the shoes get stuck, you ran slower.
Mud gets into the cleats, thus the pedals and make everything slippery.
The drainage hole for our tri-shoes only make matters worse, introducing "tons" of mud into the shoes...
You will feel your feet kena custom-molded to your shoes. =D
The shoes get heavier, the legs get heavier... If u get my drift...
Tried to go aero during the straight towards the Sailing Center...
Different feeling from Fi:zik but the butt is hurting...
Sleepy on the bike... not a good thing...
Start to feel hungry on the second lap...
Quickly gulped down a gel...
Ahh... feel much better...
Third and fourth lap past without incident.
I am tapping up the gears without tapping down...
Interesting...
Hmm... Sarah Ng keep overtaking me on the straight towards the Sailing Center...
Fourth time in succession.
She looks like a sponsored athlete, with her name Sarah on her tri-suit.
Anyone knows who she is?
Tan Yen Yen overtook me on her Pinarello...
Ironic... the lady who fronted the company that sponsored today's race is no longer with the company.
(Understood that Kelly is an athlete herself, so the sponsorship may continue...)
Had my 2nd gel during the fourth lap...
I sure am hungry today...
Lap Five... Shouted at a volunteer to get his bike off the race course!!!
Stopping to help a downed rider is fine, but do you really need to park ur bike diagonally on the concrete path!!!
The route is wide no doubt, but ur bike park on the bike course still proves dangerous!!!
300m away, a few of us shouted at a photographer who was strolling across the path immediate at the right turn beside the Skate Park while checking the photos in his camera!!!
He could have easily brought down a couple of riders.
Blind spot, right turn and all...
WPE, where are the volunteers manning these crossing points???
(Found out later that due to the thunderstorm, only half the volunteers turned up)
Riding towards CarPark F2, the stomach is screaming hunger again...
Something sure ain't right...
Too little training turns up a huge appetite during races?
No wonder I crashed during Army Half Marathon...
So much for any nutrition plan... All out the window...
Gulped down the last gel I had for the Bike Leg...
This is getting gross...
If I need 3 gels on the Bike Leg, I probably need 2 for the Run...
Eeeks...
Was wondering why I din see Sean or Jonathan during the Bike Leg at all...
Ninja racing?
Last lap turns out to be frustrating...
The kids are flooding the lanes..
"Right" "Keep left" fall on deaf ears for those kids on road bikes...
Haiz... how comes these kids always learn to ride road bikes without learning to observe traffic rules.
A really bad idea to run a Kids' race together with an Adult's race.
If the kids get hit, the parents will blame the racers when it is purely the kids who are at fault.
Dropped the bike, ensure that all my stuff are secured from the mud in T1 before jogging out for the Run Leg.
The MC for the race :
"Another triathlete has decided to do it the smart way... Triathlete 131! =D"
With my feet full of mud, I put on my socks and running shoes...
Wah...can feel the full effect of the actuators...
Long time on run on Newtons... Probably a bad idea...
Shld have used NB904...
I walked while drinking after the first water point.
From behind, I heard a "Ai ya ya ya ya..." and got a friendly push in the back. =D
Haha... it's Trudy! Thanks, Trudy. =D
Birdman Derrick overtook me on the run and I drafted him for about 500m...
"Overtake me if you must", he said.
"I'm good. Thanks! The pace is just right!". Thanks, Derek.
Just before I crossed the timing mat for the end of my first Run Leg, Chek overtook me.
This guy is speedy!
While enjoying the scenery at the Water Ski Park, Raphael came from behind me and said "Dun let the Barefoot Runner over take you. =)"
He promptly walked with me and "forced" me to go on a 5-min run with him. =D
Just pass the 3 minute mark, we reached the slope and I started walking.
On the walk break, Sean overtook us and prompted us to run. =D
Sorry, bro... I run, sure ponchet one. =p
Next time, perhaps?
Wah... Sean is wearing Reebok ZigTech...
How's the shoes, bro?
Raphael is very prompt with his timing...
He has decided to downgrade our pace to 3 mins run, 3 mins walk. Thanks, bro.
He is learning from SunBird's Azhar during Team FatBird's Run.
"Cannot discipline oneself, so must pay money to learn" he said.
Keke... looks like I am leeching a lesson here. =p
A few times during the run, I asked if we can walk. A firm "NO".
When Raphael mentioned that his blisters is hurting, I tried to "chao keng" and request to stop, to no avail...
3 minutes run, 3 minutes walk was how we completed our run.
We finished the race together.
Raphael tried to let me run ahead, but I won't let him...
Hey, you have paced me so far, there is no pride in finishing ahead of you...
While he proceed to join Team Kilat for lunch, I left for home.
Thanks, Raphael!
It is raining heavily!
Looks like I am not fated to complete any Tri-Factor Race this year! 无缘!!!
Took my brekkie, read the papers.
The rain does not seems to let up.
Tempted to go back to sleep...
But hey... I dun pay money to sleep leh.
I pay money to race. =D
Alamak, forgotten that I can check the Rain Animation.
I have been out of action too long to remember to check for such updates. =(
Did a check and it looks promising... Passing showers only and we are in the midst of a thunderstorm at the moment.
Decide to wait out the rain.
At 6:30, the rain became a drizzle.
Okie... Time to finally pack...
Haha, yeah... It is a regular fixture now.
Packing only starts an hour or two before the race.
How cool is that. =D
One thing is for sure.
As long as you go through the drill of checking what you need during and after the race, it does not really matter when you pack.
Keyword : Just dun panic...
Was surprised to see CarPark F3 almost empty...
Dun tell me few people turned up for the race!
Cannot be leh... Triathletes are siao one...
As witnessed during one of last year's triathlon race where the race site is almost full despite a drizzle...
Reached Race Site @ 7:50am.
Race Starts @ 7:45am...
How cool is that...
Learnt from my race neighbour, Desmond Goh that the race has been delayed for 30 minutes. =d
Joined the HP personalised queue to get my body marking. =p
Raphael helped me fend off volunteers and officials who tried to kick me out of the queue.
Thanks, mate!!!
Proceed to the Swim Start together.
Took a few pictures with Team Kilat.
Proceed to check out the race course...
WPE... Not a pretty sight...
Race Organisers are concerned, no doubt...
Race was not issued an all-green till the very last minute...
Feel sleepy waiting for the race to start...
Yawnz...
MP Teo Ser Luck and the new HP MD Kelly Tan flagged off the race. =)
The Swim Start was surreal...
I think I can survive this...
Freestyle seems effortless...
The left turn at the buoy brings up another story!
The waves keep pushing me into the lane rope.
Resorted to do breaststroke.
Every single time I do freestyle, I crashed into the lane rope.
Be it 1m, 2m or 5m away...
Breaststroke is slow when u try to cut the waves, but I do not have a choice. =(
Turning towards the shore, the condition did not improve.
I was sent crashing into the lane rope time and again.
When is the ordeal going to end???
Near the end of the first lap, I observed that everyone is running towards tranistion.
Sheez.... this is bad... really bad... I am the last man standing for my wave...
This sux... It sux BIG time...
Running onto shore, I realised that everyone was forced to run through the timing mat before turning left...
Haha... tunnel vision... Opps...
Now I dun feel so bad... =D
The second lap, the waves seems to have gotten bigger...
Drinking salt water becomes a normal occurrence...
Hmm... today's salt water dun taste that bad leh...
And it seems to soothe the throat...
Eureka? I found the remedy to my cough?
Second lap is a battle of the waves...
The swim out just never seems to end and I am drifting further and further away from
the buoy...
Feeling sleepy again...
WPE, what is happening to me?
I had my eight hours of sleep before the race leh...
Swimming towards the second buoy, it is clear that everyone is struggling...
We are swimming pretty much in the same pack...
Struggled to cross over the rope tying down the second buoy...
Keep tumbling back to the wrong end...
Gosh, I am really battered and weary....
There is no way I can do a 3.8km swim...
The Dream has gone bust again. =(
Hmm... the pink goggles has overtook me once again.
Where did he appear from?
This is probably the fifth or sixth time I saw him on my right...
Further up, a guy on my right is swimming like a submarine...
He seems to be cruising through the water!!!
WPE, how does he do that?!?!?!
After 30m, I thought I better stop to observe...
Chey... he is doing breaststroke...
Talk about timing and speed... =D
He is swimming alongside me all the time...
His pace and mine matched up, so everytime I turn right to breathe, his blue cap is just bobbing on the water...
The take is quite amusing, you guys gotta experience it. =D
Swim ended and I walked to the Transition Area...
Too weary to run...
Time taken : 51 minutes...
Been quite some time since I breached 50 mins for a swim...
Did a do-able T1... Objective is to keep everything out of the mud...
While picking up the bike , saw Chek.
He has his cycling shoes clipped to his bike... So pro. =D
Carry the bike and cycling shoes to the road before putting them on..
Experience has told me that running with cycling shoes in the mud is a tiring affair.
Not only the shoes get stuck, you ran slower.
Mud gets into the cleats, thus the pedals and make everything slippery.
The drainage hole for our tri-shoes only make matters worse, introducing "tons" of mud into the shoes...
You will feel your feet kena custom-molded to your shoes. =D
The shoes get heavier, the legs get heavier... If u get my drift...
Tried to go aero during the straight towards the Sailing Center...
Different feeling from Fi:zik but the butt is hurting...
Sleepy on the bike... not a good thing...
Start to feel hungry on the second lap...
Quickly gulped down a gel...
Ahh... feel much better...
Third and fourth lap past without incident.
I am tapping up the gears without tapping down...
Interesting...
Hmm... Sarah Ng keep overtaking me on the straight towards the Sailing Center...
Fourth time in succession.
She looks like a sponsored athlete, with her name Sarah on her tri-suit.
Anyone knows who she is?
Tan Yen Yen overtook me on her Pinarello...
Ironic... the lady who fronted the company that sponsored today's race is no longer with the company.
(Understood that Kelly is an athlete herself, so the sponsorship may continue...)
Had my 2nd gel during the fourth lap...
I sure am hungry today...
Lap Five... Shouted at a volunteer to get his bike off the race course!!!
Stopping to help a downed rider is fine, but do you really need to park ur bike diagonally on the concrete path!!!
The route is wide no doubt, but ur bike park on the bike course still proves dangerous!!!
300m away, a few of us shouted at a photographer who was strolling across the path immediate at the right turn beside the Skate Park while checking the photos in his camera!!!
He could have easily brought down a couple of riders.
Blind spot, right turn and all...
WPE, where are the volunteers manning these crossing points???
(Found out later that due to the thunderstorm, only half the volunteers turned up)
Riding towards CarPark F2, the stomach is screaming hunger again...
Something sure ain't right...
Too little training turns up a huge appetite during races?
No wonder I crashed during Army Half Marathon...
So much for any nutrition plan... All out the window...
Gulped down the last gel I had for the Bike Leg...
This is getting gross...
If I need 3 gels on the Bike Leg, I probably need 2 for the Run...
Eeeks...
Was wondering why I din see Sean or Jonathan during the Bike Leg at all...
Ninja racing?
Last lap turns out to be frustrating...
The kids are flooding the lanes..
"Right" "Keep left" fall on deaf ears for those kids on road bikes...
Haiz... how comes these kids always learn to ride road bikes without learning to observe traffic rules.
A really bad idea to run a Kids' race together with an Adult's race.
If the kids get hit, the parents will blame the racers when it is purely the kids who are at fault.
Dropped the bike, ensure that all my stuff are secured from the mud in T1 before jogging out for the Run Leg.
The MC for the race :
"Another triathlete has decided to do it the smart way... Triathlete 131! =D"
With my feet full of mud, I put on my socks and running shoes...
Wah...can feel the full effect of the actuators...
Long time on run on Newtons... Probably a bad idea...
Shld have used NB904...
I walked while drinking after the first water point.
From behind, I heard a "Ai ya ya ya ya..." and got a friendly push in the back. =D
Haha... it's Trudy! Thanks, Trudy. =D
Birdman Derrick overtook me on the run and I drafted him for about 500m...
"Overtake me if you must", he said.
"I'm good. Thanks! The pace is just right!". Thanks, Derek.
Just before I crossed the timing mat for the end of my first Run Leg, Chek overtook me.
This guy is speedy!
While enjoying the scenery at the Water Ski Park, Raphael came from behind me and said "Dun let the Barefoot Runner over take you. =)"
He promptly walked with me and "forced" me to go on a 5-min run with him. =D
Just pass the 3 minute mark, we reached the slope and I started walking.
On the walk break, Sean overtook us and prompted us to run. =D
Sorry, bro... I run, sure ponchet one. =p
Next time, perhaps?
Wah... Sean is wearing Reebok ZigTech...
How's the shoes, bro?
Raphael is very prompt with his timing...
He has decided to downgrade our pace to 3 mins run, 3 mins walk. Thanks, bro.
He is learning from SunBird's Azhar during Team FatBird's Run.
"Cannot discipline oneself, so must pay money to learn" he said.
Keke... looks like I am leeching a lesson here. =p
A few times during the run, I asked if we can walk. A firm "NO".
When Raphael mentioned that his blisters is hurting, I tried to "chao keng" and request to stop, to no avail...
3 minutes run, 3 minutes walk was how we completed our run.
We finished the race together.
Raphael tried to let me run ahead, but I won't let him...
Hey, you have paced me so far, there is no pride in finishing ahead of you...
While he proceed to join Team Kilat for lunch, I left for home.
Thanks, Raphael!
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