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%)
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