26th August 2012 Tri Factor Triathlon

Spooked by two consecutive events that took place last week, I decided to take a break from cycling for a month.

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Spent 1.11h completing 27km on the trainer on Saturday.

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Reaching the race site at 7:34am, I have 11 minutes to get everything setup, body marked and be at the Start Line.

I guess I am so used to setting up transition that I set it up within 3 minutes, had a chat with Richard, body marked and was at the Start Line with 3-4 minutes to spare. Lol

After observing a minute of silence, the race started.
It is a new swim course with a 60 degree swim in the south-west direction out, swim east and a 60 degree swim in the north-west direction.
With the tides coming in at a 45 degree north west direction, it was a horrible swim.
It is especially bad if you are swimming alone.
You are fighting against the current for the entire swim! The angle of the tide meant that there is no advantage at all!
The second loop is a lot better cos there was swimmers to shield you from the currents.

Onto the bike leg, I did not feel strong.
Lack of training is evident. Going down into aero position is easy, but the aerobars' angle is all wrong!
Hmm... it did not feel all that bad on the bike trainer yesterday...
With the same stem and handlebars on both bikes, it just does not make sense.
And I have set the seat too low to the extent that I felt awkward in aero position.
I probably spent 15 seconds in aero position during the bike leg.

Doing mindless loops, I have to keep checking my watch to make sure that I am not doing too many or too little loops. Not surprising that Kam Meng did extra in 2009 and Andrew Lee did extra today!

With a apparent lack of race crew, non competitors are riding on the race course with no one to chase them out.
It get frustrating when these cyclists do not try to keep to the left!!!

The turn out onto the ECP Service Road proves to be a danger spot every year.
The organisers did okay, but the competitors always try to gain a few seconds in these extreme dangerous conditions.
 A cyclist crashed into the barrier about 30m behind me.
On another loop, there was a cyclist lying on the road with blood coming out from his nose.
He could have scrapped his bike on the kerb trying to make a tight turn.
It bugged me when a cyclist shouted "On your right!" when I am making the right turn out onto the ECP Service Road.
Two kudos need mentioning.
The turn into the park at National Sailing Center was huge and a tree with overhanging branches were on the race course were trimmed nicely.
With large number of friends overtaking me during the bike leg, I know my bike timing could be pretty bad.

Onto the run leg, the legs just won't fire.
The thighs are extremely tight and I could feel Achilles tendon hurting.
First time I felt pain in my Achilles tendon... What is wrong?
The sand can be felt swimming in my shoes. Haiz...

It is good to see so many familiar faces on the run.
Sandy invited me to sit down and have a drink. Lol.
Nice to see Jacq. After what she has gone through for the past 2 years, it is amazing to see her running again.
Was surprised to see Andrew coming up from behind me. He told me he could have done an extra bike loop. Haha, that make sense now. Lol.

Ended the race feeling flat.

With more and more races popping up on the race calendar and logistics being stretched to the max resulting in lax security on the bike course, I truly wonder if I will be doing another triathlon in Singapore...
It is certainly ain't fun...

***

Overheard an interesting conversation during the race.
Dun have a clue what it meant...

Guy : I am not sexually attracted to you.
Gal : Yeah, I know. That's scary.

Me : ?!?!

18th August 2012 Cycling

Having snooze twice, I only managed to wake up at 5:50am.
With the 5am train gone, 6am train an impossibility, I decided to take the 7am train.

Had brekkie with my mum before I proceed to Punggol Islands, hoping to hop onto the train.
There were nowhere in sight, thus I rode ASG usual 30km loop, stopping to take photos along the way. Lol.

The place has really changed too much.
Western Avenue does not exist anymore and I am unable to find a way to Piccadilly.
Not sure if Sunset Grill and Pub is in Seletar anymore.

After 2 hours ride, I am happily back home. =)

17th August 2012 Cycling

Not aware that I rode out at 5:09am this morning, I did a mini time trial to Mandai Shell, hoping to catch the second train.
After about 8 riders rode past, Nick rode up alongside and we chat all the way to Mandai Shell.
Met Jason and Chek at Mandai Shell. =)

Impatient to wait for the 2nd train, I decide to rode ahead, do Ulu Pandan and join Newbies United at Newton Hawker Center for brekkie.

Just as I rode out, Gerald past me!
We rode together and I told him of my plans.
After Bukit Panjang, I realised that Nick had followed us and I dropped back to accompany him.

When I notice Gerald riding towards the Clementi Flyover, I bid Nick farewell and rode towards Ulu Pandan.

Things went according to plan and we pulled in to Newton Hawker Center just as Joyce and Daphne rolled in. ;)
After a drink, we proceed towards Cairnhill, doing a U-turn at Park Mall.
With both of us wanting to clock more mileage, we rode to Tyersall Ave and Dunearn Road.
Gerald almost got hit by a car zooming out of Plymouth Ave.
Damn these drivers for not attempting to stop while coming out of these side roads.

With Gerald needing to clock more mileage, I had company all the way to Mandai-Sembawang where he proceed to do a Mandai Loop while I peel off towards home.
Thanks, bro!

16th August 2012 Cycling

4 hours of Deep Sleep, I am prepared to roar. Lol.

Leaving the house at 5:13am, I am confident of meeting the train.

No rider in sight all the way to Mandai Shell. =(

Decided to try clocking some achievement on Strava. =p

Met a NU rider along Woodlands Road. He had a stiff neck, so he is riding at a snail's pace.
Bid him farewell after riding together for a while and tried catching the train.

It was a Solo Ride all the way to Newton Hawker Center.
Only Ore is there.
Had a chat and drink before riding home. :)

15th August 2012 Musings

With 4 hours of sleep, I have the will but not the courage to do a bike ride.
Let me condition this body to withstand the rigours of the day with 4 hours of deep sleep first.

My legs have been aching for days and I feel happy.
I decided not to put on the compression clothing so that I can feel the ache.
I guess it did help to motivate me a bit to do some exercise hopefully on a daily basis. ;)

14th August 2012 Cycling

Working the early shift, I decided to do a short ride today.

I realised that the more I contemplate doing the JR Normal Loop before joining the main group at 5am, the more de-motivated I get.
I just do not have the energy.

Leaving the house at 4:45am, I managed to reach SICC at 5.05am.
The train should be coming through the station soon, so I did a U-turn.
Just as I made my turn, I can spot the train's headlights less than 300m away.

 I have not even had the chance to reach the multiple petrol kiosks before Prata Hill before I was left staring at the tail lights. =(

After Prata Hill, Gerald called out to me!
Haha, Gerald is hard at work training for IMWA after completing Challenge Roth!!!
Chat for a bit before I got dropped by Gerald after SLE.
He got a train to catch! Lol! =D

The second train zoomed past at the Mandai slopes.
Gosh... that says a lot about my current state of fitness.
Cannot even keep up with the second train!!!
It will take a lot of hard work for me to be riding with the second train again.

Did a U-turn at Mandai Shell and rode happily home. =)

#Ireallyhopethiswonderfulfeelingwilllastforever

13th August 2012 Running

Feeling full of energy, I decided to go for a mid-day run.

#Ireallyhopethiswonderfulfeelingwilllastforever

Again, I am glad that my colleagues are not following.
I truly enjoy the me-time.

It really take a little craziness to be all dressed in black running in the hot afternoon sun.
True to my form, I tried another route back to office via Farrer Road.

In fact, it was a good decision.
There were plenty of shade and wind, as compared to Botanical Gardens which has shade but truly humid as there isn't much breeze to talk about.

11th August 2012 Cycling

A totally unexpected metric century ride! =)

Knowing how badly I remember details, I read the entire thread before leaving the house.

Riding out at 5.15am, I managed to catch the train just before they hit the Mandai-Sembawang traffic junction. =)

Pace towards Mandai Shell was fast!

Kenneth, Brian and I had a hard time keeping up and got dropped.

Pace towards Yishun Dam were a bit more bearable.

Onto Punggol Islands, I was telling Wee Liam that it seems like everyone is waiting for someone to make the move.

Greg started the move just before the bridge and I got dropped. Again. =(

Once the regroup is complete, we continue our ride.

Along Punggol Drive, there was three cars which were trying to make a pass.

I shouted out to the group, but the front pack still went in front of the vehicles. =(

"Just let the cars go!" I commented, 5 of us slowed to let the cars passed.

Pace to Loyang Shell was fabulous, greatly helped by the traffic lights. ;p

After topping up my drinks, I bid farewell to the group and rode back towards Punggol.

Called home and my wife assured me that I could ride longer.

Decided to go exploring. =p

Rode the entire Park Connector Network in the North-East! Lol!

I was surprised that I can keep an average speed of 25kmh as the sun is keeping the residents away.

I was very lucky to miss the walkathon crowd which would have meant a lot of threading through human traffic.

Stopped at Jalan Kayu for brekkie before proceeding home. =)

10th August 2012 Cycling

Out of the house at 5:14am, I am pretty sure I will be able to catch the NU train. ;)

Just as I reached the Sembawang-Mandai traffic junction, the NU train zoomed past.
I managed to overtake the last 2 riders during the climb and start setting my sight on the lone rider.

Hmm... she looks a lot like Viv, but it is a rarity for her to be doing weekday rides now.
Past the rider before Old Mandai Road, it is Viv!
Called out to Viv and she returned my greetings.

Stopped at the Old Mandai Road traffic junction.
Was surprised that 'Viv' turned out to be Evie!!! =P
It is kinda weird to find Evie getting dropped!

After talking to Evie for a bit and find her getting pretty distracted, I decided to let her draft me all the way to Mandai Shell. ;)

Caught Joyce at Mandai Hill Camp and we proceed to Mandai Shell together.
Joyce got the group to break into two.
Evie and I stayed in group two.

At the Jalan Anak Bukit traffic junction, Joyce realised that her shifter cable has snapped!
Haha, she will be riding a fixie all the way to Newton Hawker Center.
I rode alongside Joyce and we dictate the pace to NHC. ;p

All of us has a nice introduction and hearty chat before we parted company. =)

9th August 2012 Cycling

After turning off 2 sets of alarms and going back to sleep, I am thrilled that I manage to ride this morning! =)

Hitting out at 5:15am, I reached Mandai Shell at 5:37am.
I really do not have a clue if I had missed the train.

Knowing that the train dun stop here, I continue on my way hoping that the train will catch up. =p

Rode all the way to Lim Chu Kang Road and only 2 riders past me.
Hmm... where are all the riders?
Truly weird that not many ppl are out cycling on such a nice morning.

Reach SPC Jalan Buroh at 6:38am.
Hmm... The guys probably completed their pit stop and rode off.
Did a check with the cashiers, no riders has stopped by yet.
Hmm...

Spotted Gynis and Maya riding past.
(It did not occurred to me that they had followed the train and peel off till I read the afternoon FB post!)
Rode off at 7:00am, I was truly surprised to see them along West Coast Highway given their head start.
Hehe, they are probably going for their usual hill training. =)
Was surprised when they peeled off at West Coast McD!

It hits me hard to realised that the train will have to do 40kmh to reach SPC Jln Buroh at 6:30am.
WPE, my mathematics failed BIG time.
With the train behind me, I have some time to spare.
Will proceed to do some hill climbs.
Something that I have longed to do, but never had the chance.
Why? Cos everytime I reach Pepys Road, the train has completed their climbs!!!
Yes, that is how slow I am!!!

I was surprised to hit Pepys Road first!
I must have missed Morse Road.
Oh well, let me finish this climb before I ride back to Morse Road.
Hmm... the climb is not as scary as the guys mentioned.
Feels a lot like Rifle Range Road, except the climb is longer.
Took my first gel at The Peak.

Gosh, my descent is definitely slower than the climb.
My rear brakes are screeching insanely, thus I relied on my front brakes the entire way down.
My left calf is aching like mad just pressing down on the pedal.
Hope I dun cramp up!!!
I never once released the brakes till I was on the straight stretch before the entrance.

Cycling back the way I came, I decided to stop at the SPC station to ask for directions.
I was acutely aware that I did not see Morse Road nor the church.

The pump assistant mentioned that I was in the wrong place!
This is Pasir Panjang! Mount Faber is further up the road!
Thanked the kind samaritan and joined up with the group which just rode past me.
Turned out to be Dave Lem and Michael Yong's group!!!
Long time no see, bros! =)

They are doing Mount Faber.
Cool! I have company!
Again, I braked all the way during the descent.
Left calf almost seized up due to the longer ride down.
The guys must have been amused how a beefy rider is being pulled down so slowly by gravity.

While the guys turned back towards West Coast Road, I continued on towards Changi Village hoping to catch the group there and have brekkie together.

Met Electronic Kang along Shenton Way and have a nice chat till he peeled off towards Guillemard Road.

Spotted YellowFish David and Ser Luck along East Coast.
Had my second gel, topped up my water at Car Park F2 before proceeding on.

Strangely, I am seeing huge amount of riders doing the reverse route today. Why?

Reached Changi Village at 9:46am. Did not realised there are so many coffeeshop in the vicinity!
Did not spot any of the group at any of the coffeeshop...
Hmm....
A check on FB and I got a shock!
I mis-read the distance.
It is 106km, not 130km!!!
My calculation has been wrong again!!!
106km meant a <4 hrs="hrs" p="p" ride="ride">The guys would have reached here before 9am, had brekkie and would have been long gone by then! =(

As it would look embarrassing for a solo rider to have brekkie alone in an area jam packed with cyclists, I decided to have my brekkie at Pasir Ris.

Saw a huge group of Entro Riders along Pasir Ris.
While waiting at opposite ends of the traffic junction outside Downtown East, I spotted a IMWA gal in the Entro group.
Wearing my IM jersey, we were both trying to figure out who the other party is? =)
We returned a smile and continue on our way.

Stopped at Elias Mall for brekkie before continuing on my way home.
While riding along Pasir Ris Dr 12, it hit upon me that I could try to see if I can ride thru Pasir Ris Farmway home!
Ahh... I vividly remember that there is a bridge spanning across Lorong Halus...
Reached Lorong Halus Wetlands and ride through Punggol Park and Punggol Islands on my way home! =)

First Pepys Climb, First Morse Climb, First Round Island Ride of 2012, Scenic Last 20km Ride Home. Simply Awesome Ride! ;D

4th August 2012 Musings

After 2 days of riding, I was not able to beat the alarm clock on Thursday.
I could have, except that my 5 minute snooze become 90 minutes!

Friday, working the morning shift meant I have to wake up an hour early if I wanna ride.
I tried my best. =p

Had this tenderness in my lower back.
Felt it on Friday evening and my body reminded me about it moments ago when I was preparing to ride!
I wanna try, but I recall Sam's issue when he rode without a 100% back.
Enforced break. Lol...
As if I need another reminder, two sneezes is enough to settle the issue.

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I shall take it as a compliment, right? =D

It is like 11 out of 10 could not believe that I CAN DO THIS! =D

When Gerald and I were talking to Richard on Wednesday morning, he thought we were talking about Busselton Half!

This is like the nth time this year that friends ask if I was talking about 70.3. =D

The funny thing about this is that the more you dun wish to talk about it, the more it will crept into conversations.
But I guess that is what triathletes does when they meet for the first time?
Yeah, SC. I could not believe that 9 months later, I am still talking about it. =S

1st August 2012 Cycling

Starting out at 5:10am, I managed to catch the Newbies United train along the Mandai-Sembawang traffic junction.
Followed the nicely paced group all the way to Mandai Shell.
The red-jerseyed rider is still doing his stuff, riding out of formation.
I noticed that he is not using his brakes and thus when the speed slowed down, he will shift outwards.
Haiz...

Out of Mandai Shell, things went out of control!
The ride leaders are going at 36kmh!
The riders behind have a tough time catching up.
Then the group did the infamous bicycle dancing similar to what I have heard at Ipoh.
I have given them the benefit of the doubt, now I experiencing first hand how chaotic these riders can be.
Haiz...

Richard had some issues and pulled over to the side of the road.
When I realised that he may be needing help, I went over to take a look.
Turned out his handlebars is loose.
After fixing up the handlebars, we proceed on the ride.
Caught Gerald and Freddie along the way. =)

Along Bukit Timah Road, Gerald was drafting a steel cyclist and I followed suit.
Decided to cruise near a red traffic light and I lost the group!
Gosh, slow down once and they are gone forever! =S

Finally caught up with Gerald and Richard at Newton Hawker Center.
Had a drink before proceeding home via Gymkhana Road. =D