OCBC Cycle 2013

Feel disgusted by the reflection in the mirror.
Really need to do something about it.

***
Given a partial reimbursement by my company, I decided to take part in this year's OCBC Cycle.
Got to the race site at 0555hr, but was held up so far back from the Start Line that I could not see where it is nor even hear the blaring music if any.

Not even sure if the race starts on time, but by the time I crossed the Start Line, it was 0635hr.
With the huge crowd and knowing that cyclists will just switch lanes without looking, I was very cautious when overtaking before I hit ECP.

Cycling up Benjamin Sheares Bridge, there were already a few cyclists pushing their bikes up.
When I reached peak, the front group was already returning!!!
"Bikes coming, bikes coming!" I shouted. (Cos some cyclists has crossed the cones onto the oncoming lanes)
Got a "Thank You" gesture from one of the young cyclists.

Going down Benjamin Sheares Bridge was fun and hairy.
I keep applying brakes going down as the roads were crowded and I am not sure of the handling skills of the cyclists in front of me.
I missed the Kuantan downslope where I could freewheel down the slope without braking.

Was really disappointed to see stretches of ECP being split into two. Incoming and Outgoing.
Haiz.... It is unlike the full 4-laned ECP I used to ride along 2 years ago (or was it 3).

Between Fort Road and Marine Parade, we had the full 4 lanes and I went full throttle on the road shoulder.
The joy was short-lived.
We were back to 2-laned roads after a short 2km.

I truly did not enjoy the entire stretch to Xilin Ave.
Feel cheated of my additional 2 lanes.
I guess the lack of company played a huge part too.

Along East Coast Park Service Road, the rain came out thick and fast!
I see a couple of cyclists slowing down to put on rain jackets. They came prepared!
I entered the Aid Station to grab a bottle of 100-Plus.
I was very confused to see the sign showing 42km Turn Right for Lap 2.
Exiting East Coast Park Service Road onto ECP, the rain was gone!
Nice shower indeed.

Along Car Park E2, we gotta turn into ECP Service Road again. :/
Before exiting Fort Road, I see the Lap 2 sign!
I am truly confused. Given that I make the Xilin U-turn at 22km, I do not truly see the need to do a possible 4km loop, but I went nonetheless.
Smacked right into the Community Ride cyclists!
Onto the 4-laned expressway, I was thrilled cycling on the shoulder again.
Turning back onto the ECP Service Road was a superb hairy one laned hairpin turn!
Planned to do a 3 loop but give up the thought when I saw the timing stands at the U-turn point.
I do not plan to DQ-ed.

Cycling up Benjamin Sheares Bridge, hordes of cyclists were either pushing their bikes or waiting for their friends along the incline.
Some were even enjoying the scenery and taking pictures. Lol.
On the opposite downslope, the marshalls were assisting a girl who has fallen off her bike and bleeding from the lips. Ouch...
100m behind her, a little girl (is she even allowed onto this stretch of the cycling route) and her mum were speeding down.
"Slow Down, Slow Down" was all I could say.
No sound is good news I guess.

Reached the Finish Line clocking 42.94km in 1:40h.
Disappointed, but given my current fitness... What can I say...

Meet up with other cyclists from my company and gathered for a few photos before I proceed to walk around to look for familiar faces.
Finding none, I decided to cycle home.

3km from home,  the rain came and I reached home throughly drenched.
Had a quick nap and wake up refreshed to continue my day. ;)

25th April 2013 Musings

I keep throwing away good riding days and still feel lethargic after more sleep.
Motivation is really not there.
Not even the threat of failing Kuantan again is enough to push me out of the house.
What is wrong with me!!!

I need another DREAM to accomplish... But what will that be???

13th April 2013 Cycling

Joined FOTR for a ride.
Managed to keep up with the group along Neo Tiew, a good ride for me.
Was not able to stay on the pace during Lim Chu Kang.

I started to cough... Maybe due to the haze?
Turn left onto Old Choa Chu Kang Road, Mike and Ek Guan slowed down for me numerous time.
Climbing the slope outside GSB, I started hyperventaliting!!!
Mucus formed blocking my nostrils, my throat started seizing it.
It is scary.

Along Bukit Batok Road, I tried getting Mike and Ek Guan to go ahead without me, but they insisted silently on staying with me. Thanks, guys!

I really could not keep up even at the snail pace we are going, thus I got them to go ahead at Mandai Road while I rest at the bus stop.
Have enough mucus to fill up two tissue papers! Eeks...
Mucus which I would have wipe away easily during a race but somehow not able to do so during a leisure ride. Hmm....

I struggled through the entire stretch of Mandai Road, obviously through the lack of fitness... =(

21st April 2013 MetaSprint Triathlon

Garmin played me out this morning, so I shall have to rely on the official results. :-/

Total Time - 02:07:16
Swim - 00:24:59
Bike - 00:44:12
Run - 00:50:32

+++

As age progresses, your race starts later.
I have to stop looking at the wrong category when I browse through the Race Briefing. O_o

Wore a black wrist band for the race.

The whole area is in a mess.
There was no indication how to get to the transition area.
Everyone is asking the same question and the officials and security cannot seems to be bothered.
I ended up shouting at the security who pointed northwards to me after he ignored my "Excuse Me" for at least 10 times.
It was a huge loop to transition, and a whole loop back to the Swim Start.
If that is not enough, all of us learnt later that the race course is just as messy around the transition area.
It does not help that the transition map was not in the Race Briefing Notes at all!!!

Race start on time at 9:30am.
Swimming out to the first buoy is easy. I am skeptical.
Turning the buoy, my fear was right!
The current helping us for the first 250m is now working against us.
If that is not bad enough, the last 250m, swimming freestyle diagonally brings us hitting the lane rope than breaststroke.
I got to be realistic now. Without much training, I got overtaken by numerous swimmers. I just cannot hold my own.

Onto the bike, it is pretty much the same thing.
I got overtaken by cyclists who I could have passed easily 2 years ago.

I walked a lot on the run and finished the Tri Series happily.
Happy that despite the messy area, the organisation is still great.

I have already signed up for the 2014 Series. \o_o/

7th April 2013 Musings

My body has never taken well to quirky weather.
Needless to say, the recent weather conditions has ravaged my body.
Hoping to get well soon and hope to get the show on the road.

****

A couple of shout-outs and I finally got a response that both of us are comfortable with.

Instead of focusing on March events that depends heavily on the weather conditions. We decided to make plans for an event giving us a 14 month window.

Good for both of us who are starting out with zero base.

What has triggered the 'passion' again, u might ask?
I won't call this passion but as a way of keep my weight in check.
Seeing my weight propel to 112kg is a rude wake up call.
I have not even see 11x before I start exercising!

If I wanna attribute it to the CNY snacks, I dun think it is fair.
The amount of CNY snacks taken has been decreasing over the years. No reason for a 10kg gain.

The diet? You guys know I have never been a fan of dieting.
But I must admit that over the past half year, I got pretty careless with my lunch and this has since been rectified.

I guess the alarm bells did not sound loud due to the fact that I am still able to fit into my working pants.
But instead of the belt buckle pointing East, it is pointing South-East! (I shall cease elaborating. U get the picture. )

Tried on the only long-sleeved cycling jersey that I owned, I realised I could not even fit into the arm sleeves. :(
Tri-shorts rolling off your paunch is another horrific experience.

I do missed the camaraderie that was forged in 2011, all of us with the purpose of taking part in our virgin race.
Having done that, most of us started making up for the lost time to our families in 2012.

With a huge group of friends doing IMWA this year, I find that it is good for me to piggyback on their training to train for the March event but I am really worried that most of them are over-zealous in their goals.
I fear for them and I fear for myself.

With the clock ticking, let's us see what happens in June.

5th April 2012 Musings

Wanted to start April on a fresh page, but alas it has all come to nought.

Monday was a good morning to ride, but I always try to defer riding on Monday and that was exactly what I did! :(

Tuesday to Thursday, the weather and haze got the better of me and my body is too sore to even contemplate cycling. :(

Should have taken a good advice by YP. Plan to train everyday, cos things will always crop up.
Very true.

*****

Bought a bike for Shannon and tried to teach her to ride.
Being a parent, I guess you always like to be cautious.
Suggested to my wife about getting a helmet, elbow guards and knee guards for her.
Guess I was being over-protective.

I still remember vividly when this kid falls from his bike in the CC when I was in Primary School.
This incident effectively ended any effort for me to learn to cycle as my mum cannot bear to see me getting hurt.

After our 'O' Levels, my primary school class had a gathering.
I was the only guy who din know how to cycle and was assigned for Bag Duty.
Luckily for me, my classmate KeZhong always believe that we all should have a chance to learn cycling and spend the next 2 hours coaching me.

I got my mum to thank for sending me to Swim Class and KeZhong for teaching me to cycle.
Without them, I would have had the chance to take part in triathlons, much less an Ironman!