Friday, March 16, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
OCBC Cycle 2012
OCBC Cycle is an annual cycle event in Singapore. Currently, it's in the 4th year. The 3 day event saw more than 12,000 participants this year.
On Day 1, the event started with a Criterium category where the best of the best race against each other's bike to win the coverted title and some cold hard cash of USD 12,500. Australian cycling legend Robbie McEwen wins in 2012.
For me, I participated in the Day 3 event, a 39km bike ride (The Challenge). On the same day, another category that was racing is The Super Challenge - 60km
Wow! this is one really early race. I had to wake up at 0430hr just to make it for the the flag off at 0630hrs. The team managed to reach the F1 pit at 0600hrs. We had a little warm up by walking to a very far start off point.
As my race bib is in the 'A' category, I had the honour to start in the first wave. The start off was really really well timed and organised. The transition to the start point was not crammed as I thought. KUDOS!
The first 5km of the race was within the MBS / CBD area, as it rained the night before, the floor was slippery. There was a few near miss at the exit of MBS to ECP (the area was laid with some metal flooring due to construction), but luckily the organiser managed to lay some carpet to reduce the slips.
After exiting MBS, it was free ride at ECP expressway. This is the only time that you can ride your bicycle on the expressway. The feeling was super uber fantastic when rolling down the steep slope. The speed that I recalled when rolling down was around 50km/hr. One word, SHIOK!
During the ride, I managed to find someone riding at almost the same speed as I am, I took the opporturnity to draft on the person. Thank you so much. By drafting the front person in front of you, you will have someone help block oncoming head winds for you, so that you will not exert so much energy. I took a peek at my back and saw someone else drafting me too Hahaha...
Well, during the race there were a couple of accident. I witnessed one really bad one. I predicted that, he was drafting someone so close that he fell off and injured he head. Blood was flowing down from his face. The rest is up to your imagination.
The race ended with a uphill climb on ECP going towards MBS/ Bukit Merah. That climb was really tough. Most people were struggling up (including myself). Many others just got of the bike and push the bike up. Good try everybody. Well, for me I just continued riding upwards.
I ended the race with a timing of 1hr 12min
On Day 1, the event started with a Criterium category where the best of the best race against each other's bike to win the coverted title and some cold hard cash of USD 12,500. Australian cycling legend Robbie McEwen wins in 2012.
For me, I participated in the Day 3 event, a 39km bike ride (The Challenge). On the same day, another category that was racing is The Super Challenge - 60km
Wow! this is one really early race. I had to wake up at 0430hr just to make it for the the flag off at 0630hrs. The team managed to reach the F1 pit at 0600hrs. We had a little warm up by walking to a very far start off point.
As my race bib is in the 'A' category, I had the honour to start in the first wave. The start off was really really well timed and organised. The transition to the start point was not crammed as I thought. KUDOS!
The first 5km of the race was within the MBS / CBD area, as it rained the night before, the floor was slippery. There was a few near miss at the exit of MBS to ECP (the area was laid with some metal flooring due to construction), but luckily the organiser managed to lay some carpet to reduce the slips.
After exiting MBS, it was free ride at ECP expressway. This is the only time that you can ride your bicycle on the expressway. The feeling was super uber fantastic when rolling down the steep slope. The speed that I recalled when rolling down was around 50km/hr. One word, SHIOK!
Photos from RunSociety.com
Photos from RunSociety.com
During the ride, I managed to find someone riding at almost the same speed as I am, I took the opporturnity to draft on the person. Thank you so much. By drafting the front person in front of you, you will have someone help block oncoming head winds for you, so that you will not exert so much energy. I took a peek at my back and saw someone else drafting me too Hahaha...
Well, during the race there were a couple of accident. I witnessed one really bad one. I predicted that, he was drafting someone so close that he fell off and injured he head. Blood was flowing down from his face. The rest is up to your imagination.
The race ended with a uphill climb on ECP going towards MBS/ Bukit Merah. That climb was really tough. Most people were struggling up (including myself). Many others just got of the bike and push the bike up. Good try everybody. Well, for me I just continued riding upwards.
I ended the race with a timing of 1hr 12min
Struggle back up to the Expressway
Finishing Line
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Singapore Biathlon 2012
This is my first ever Singapore Biathlon event. From the event website, it is said to be the largest and most competitive biathlon in southeast asia. The event is organised by SAFRA and Singapore Navy
The event distance is a 1.5km swim followed by a 10km run.
Like all other event, I had to wake up really early for this. Left the house at 6am. My wave was at 8am while Shah's wave is at 7.30am. Heard from Shah that last year start was better. Not so early.
When we arrived at East Coast Park, the sky was still dark. When the first wave started, the sky has brighten up a little. Singapore Biathlon is a little different from most race in terms of logisitics. You will only get your Bib and your goodie bag on the event day. Which means you would need to go really early to settle down. But nevertheless, it can be done.
Once I got my bib, i quickly went to have my marking done. It was really fast. Well done guys!
Arranged my stuff that i think will allow me to be the fastest.
1) Bib
2)Socks
3)Shoes
Why socks? I prefer comfort than blisters =)
Swim
As mentioned above, there is a 1.5km swim. The swim area is near bedok jetty (left side of the jetty). When the horn was sounded, most participants ran into the sea... for me i prefer to stay at the back and slowly catch up with the rest. The current for the morning was from our right to left (with Bedok jetty on our right) Upon starting the first 200m, you will be able to see people being swept from right to left and some of them out of the swim area. By the first bouy, there was a convergence influx of human. Haha. Most people struggled to avoid one another. After turning at the first bouy, the swim was easier as the current was in our advantange. In no time, we would have completed at least a 800m swim. The next few hundred meters was one difficult swim for me. This time we are going up against the current. The swim seems to like go on and on. I thought i could do a bit faster for my swim but this is something beyond anyone's control.
I managed to complete the swim in 41:23min. I'm slower by 6 min than the usual 35 odd min.
Transistion
As usual, a quick run up to transisiton point. Found my area in a jiffy. I put on my bib, socks then shoes. Took my bottle and off i went. Took 1:16min here. I think i can shave of somemore time if i skip the socks and use quick release for my shoes.
Run
This has got to be the most hilarious run i ever been too. As i went out the "RUN OUT", I saw a piece of paper on the floor. The closer I went it turns out the be blue with a number 5 on it. Out of curiosity, I picked it up. Guess what? A $50 note! At the moment, the volunteer was just standing beside it and did not realised that the $50 was there. Well my run buddy for the Singapore Biathlon was a $50 note; not too bad i would say :). Singapore Biathlon was sponsored. Hehe. - SHAME OF ME!
The run was pretty managedable as I've been running at ECP rather often so not too bad. Was a flat course so it was easy. Instead of the normal route towards the Ski 360, it was towards NSRCC. I always find this route is so demoralising. But thanks to the big trees, there was plenty of shade.
Completed the run in 57:28mins
Overall Review
Total Time: 1:40:06
Position: 508 / 1220 (41%)
The event distance is a 1.5km swim followed by a 10km run.
Like all other event, I had to wake up really early for this. Left the house at 6am. My wave was at 8am while Shah's wave is at 7.30am. Heard from Shah that last year start was better. Not so early.
When we arrived at East Coast Park, the sky was still dark. When the first wave started, the sky has brighten up a little. Singapore Biathlon is a little different from most race in terms of logisitics. You will only get your Bib and your goodie bag on the event day. Which means you would need to go really early to settle down. But nevertheless, it can be done.
Once I got my bib, i quickly went to have my marking done. It was really fast. Well done guys!
Arranged my stuff that i think will allow me to be the fastest.
1) Bib
2)Socks
3)Shoes
Why socks? I prefer comfort than blisters =)
Swim
As mentioned above, there is a 1.5km swim. The swim area is near bedok jetty (left side of the jetty). When the horn was sounded, most participants ran into the sea... for me i prefer to stay at the back and slowly catch up with the rest. The current for the morning was from our right to left (with Bedok jetty on our right) Upon starting the first 200m, you will be able to see people being swept from right to left and some of them out of the swim area. By the first bouy, there was a convergence influx of human. Haha. Most people struggled to avoid one another. After turning at the first bouy, the swim was easier as the current was in our advantange. In no time, we would have completed at least a 800m swim. The next few hundred meters was one difficult swim for me. This time we are going up against the current. The swim seems to like go on and on. I thought i could do a bit faster for my swim but this is something beyond anyone's control.
I managed to complete the swim in 41:23min. I'm slower by 6 min than the usual 35 odd min.
Transistion
As usual, a quick run up to transisiton point. Found my area in a jiffy. I put on my bib, socks then shoes. Took my bottle and off i went. Took 1:16min here. I think i can shave of somemore time if i skip the socks and use quick release for my shoes.
Run
This has got to be the most hilarious run i ever been too. As i went out the "RUN OUT", I saw a piece of paper on the floor. The closer I went it turns out the be blue with a number 5 on it. Out of curiosity, I picked it up. Guess what? A $50 note! At the moment, the volunteer was just standing beside it and did not realised that the $50 was there. Well my run buddy for the Singapore Biathlon was a $50 note; not too bad i would say :). Singapore Biathlon was sponsored. Hehe. - SHAME OF ME!
Singapore Biathlon Run Route 2012
Not the best shot of me but is the only decent photo i have
The run was pretty managedable as I've been running at ECP rather often so not too bad. Was a flat course so it was easy. Instead of the normal route towards the Ski 360, it was towards NSRCC. I always find this route is so demoralising. But thanks to the big trees, there was plenty of shade.
Completed the run in 57:28mins
Overall Review
- Hydration point was fantastic. One thing I like about it, is that they used bottled H2O drinks rather than powdered form formula. It is so much more hygenic than how 100 Plus does it.
- Sufficient marshallers and First Aid tents (Well what do you expect, it's the navy)
- Well managed event
Total Time: 1:40:06
Position: 508 / 1220 (41%)
Thursday, March 1, 2012
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