Reflections

I realised a lot of us wrote about our race experience but few of us wrote about how we got there.

I could have wrote about Year 2011 training, but decided to share everything with you. ;)

The Year was 2006. I signed up for SCSM 10k on a whim.
Completed the race with Runner's High.

Did a search online about Runners in Singapore chanced upon Tigger's blog.
Found out about SGRunners.com.
Got a know a lot of runners.
Went for group runs after work.

2008 I joined Joyriders.
With a road bike, MTB helmet, MTB pedals, T-shirt, running shorts, running shoes and a hydration pack, I introduced myself to Joyce.
She looked on in amusement and asked "You are going Adventure Racing?"
Nonetheless, she took me under her wings and with her guidance, my cycling improved tremendously.

One thing lead to another and I dip my toes into triathlons.

Having missed the first two editions of Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore, I plucked up my courage and signed up for March 2009 Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore a week before the race!

Come Race Day, I was surprised when I did not feel any anxiety.
Hmm... 4 months of cycling has come down to this.
Ohh... Cycling was the only exercise I did for 4 months prior to SHIM.
So if you asked me if it is possible to complete a Half Ironman training on solely one discipline, the answer is Yes, but do not expect a good timing.
I complete the race in 8:05h. There was no elation when I crossed the Finish Line.
My only thought is "I completed yet another training day."

Completing a major milestone, I start out on a Journey of Discovery.
For a 105kg Clydesdale, I can offer you a lot of perspective about what is possible about training.
I ran a marathon in lightweight trainers.
I switched from a heel striker to a mid foot runner.

Signed up for Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore 2010.
Completed the race and improved my timing by 3 minutes.
8:02h x 2 = 16:04h, right?
I have more than 1 hour to spare if I sign up for an Ironman.
If only things were that simple.

By December 2010, I have completed 2 3km Open Water Swim, completed 3 historic Metric Century Rides and 3 Full Marathons.

Game Plan for 15 December 2010?
IMWA Registration for the past 3 years closed during August 2007, July 2008 and May 2009.
I shall wait till 1st January 2011 to decide.
Logging in to Facebook on 15 December 2010 @ 8:30am, the first post I saw was Kristal "83% Full!"
"You gotta to be kidding me", I thought.
4 minutes later, it was 85% Full.
Sheesh, there goes my 2 weeks revised to 3 days signing up grand plan.
I quickly call up the Registration Page and fill in all the necessary information.
Then came the most difficult part of any race.
My mouse pointer hovered over the "Confirm" button for several excruciating long minutes fighting my inner demons before I committed myself to the craziest race of my life.

The race was sold out in 4 hours.
Within the next few weeks, I came to know that a lot of my friends have signed up for the race too!!!

BFG, Sean, YP, Ivan, Chris, Michelle, Kristal, Kia Liang, Andrew, Brian, GiaYee, Donna, Daniel, Gerald, Ewin and many more.

Many important lessons were learnt in the early months of 2011.
Cycling were the most memorable ones.
Two prior 100km rides where I suffered severe abdomen pains during the ride (Found out in 2011 that it is due to the lack of core muscle strength which is required for long distance cycling) and one 124km ride where I literally passed out for the next 3 hours when reaching home after DNF-ing NTU Bike Rally (whose route happened to pass by my house) were all I had on my resume.
First Desaru Ride was 135km. I had no idea how I would fare.
Not surprisngly, fatigue sets in around the 90km mark.
For the ride home, I had the reassuring hand of Eugene who literally pushes me up every single slope.

Souvenirs hunters are advised to purchase your items early.

Examine and tighten any possible bolts and screws on your equipment.

Do not be to adventurous with your food intake before the race.

Go easy on your training.

We arrived on Wednesday afternoon.

On Thursday, we did our first swim.
Honestly speaking, a few of us feel like giving up the race right there and then.
Even with the wetsuit on, your hands and feet went numb with seconds.
We are simply not used to the weather condition.
Went really easy on our swim. 400m-800m.

On Friday, the water was choppy and we went for a dip.
The cold water did not affect us as much as it does on Thursday.

On Saturday, we got really comfortable with the water.

We did 40km ride just to get a feel of the bike condition.
We drive through the entire 60km bike loop to know what we are up against.

Burnout is very true during training.
You are not used to the mileage clocked.
And within six months, the swim, bike and run mileage just accelerate north!

Loneliness is your friend.
You trained to live with Mr Lonely.
Non-drafting discipline happened during group rides.
You are alone with your thoughts for the swim and bike leg during the Ironman Race.

I have friends who took seasickness pills before the race.
Yes, you can get seasick while swimming.

Out of the water, I dedicated my swim to all those who are tracking and supporting me.
"Hi there, I finally got myself onto the scorecard! I will 'try' to complete all the blanks within the next 15 hours!"

In the transition tent, the volunteers swarmed at you and bombarded you with questions.
I am truly not used to be the center of attention. =D
Two volunteers stripped off my wetsuit with a quick pull.

Having been briefed by friends who did Ironman Zurich, I understand that it was fine to change in the transition tent. I was relieved to see that they split up the male and female transition area.
What I was not ready for was to see a high school female student volunteer.
I struggled for a while but decided that I am not going to wear a pair of wet tri-shorts for my bike leg.
The distance is just too intimidating to feel uncomfortable right at the start.

Out onto the bike route, I was surprised that I manage to start off the bike leg on a good spin.
Making a right turn out of town, I am awed and impressed by the professional attitude of the competitors overtaking me immediately after the turn.
Luke Mckenzie and a string of pro athletes were right behind me where I slowed down tremendously to make the right turn, yet there were not a single shout during the interval!
What is so unreal about the little episode?
1. I am riding with the pros! Quick, name me another race where amateurs can race together with the pros.
2. Unlike IM 70.3 and other shorter distance triathlons where shouts and snares at slower competitors were common, I heard none during the race!

Reaching the end of my bike leg, I overheard on the P.A. system that Luke McKenzie just completed the race in 10th place.
Time check on the Official Timer : 9:08h.
Hehe, I managed to complete my bike leg before they reset the Official Timer to Age Grouper Clock.

Dismounting the bike, a bike catcher was there to handle my bike.
Hehe, 2 seconds worth of feeling like a pro. =D

1:48h Swim
6:48h Bike

I completed Part 2 of the Play in less than 9 hours.
Approx 12 minutes for T1, Estimated 12 minutes for T2.
That gives me 8 hours to complete the marathon.
Given my Marathon Personal Best is 8:12h, I am sure that I will beat the clock.
It ain't over till it is over.
3:38h for IM70.3 2011 == 7:16h for IM 2011?
Yes, I was thinking that extrapolating the results help. =p
Who was I kidding? What do I have to lose by hoping. ;P
That is where my military training kicks in.
If I can out-run guys in clean fatigues during SOC, I am absolutely positive that I CAN DO THIS! I WILL DO THIS!
This race is turning into a very mental game.
70% Mental 30% Physical.

Was there a sliver of doubt that I am not going to complete the race within 17 hours?
Sliver? You gotta kidding me.
The load is enough to crush me.
But I won't let it defeat me.

My thoughts during the race?
I am well and truly humbled by all the Ironman Finishers who have crossed the Finish Line before me. I have finally understood the arduous journey travelled just to make it to the Finish Line.

Collecting my orange wrist band, I get myself ready for the happiest 200m of my race!
Making a right turn, the path feels so magical!
The IM carpet to the Finish Line, the awesome crowd, the brightly lit route, the whole scene literally took my breath away.
From deep within, I found energy to make the run home.