New Hope Starts When The Sun Rises

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Bintan Triathlon 2012

I did my first ever Olympic Distance Triathlon in Bintan. Well not the best place for beginners but it was a well worth it one for me. I've learnt to enjoy the race and have fun with it. I experienced many things I never knew I could in the past. Take cycling, for example; I couldn't last the distance while cycling in Pulau Ubin.

Race Briefing

Well, the OD race started with a heavy downpour when it was race time. The sea was churned up and choppy. You can see everyone running into shelter and anticipate what's going to happen next. Soon the rain began pouring even more heavy with thunder and lightning. You can see all the althetes are very cold and some were shivering. You can see all the kids supporters cheering on daddy and mummy. There were many guesses what's going to happen next. Some said that they will replace the swim for a run while we thought they will cancel the event and give us free entry or some discount next year. Metasports officials came over and said we will start at 2.15pm and as fast and heavy as the storm came, it went away by 2.15pm.

Check out the transistion with filled with ankle deep water

Very cold water - after the rain

We went to the transistion area to do a final check and to my shocking horror, all my stuff were submerged under the rain water. The flood was ankle deep. Hpmh! that was so encouraging and motivated! (yeah like real >.<) I quickly stacked all my shoes up and off to the swim start point. (note to self: Time to get a plastic container with cover)

Swim Start

The swim start point was HUGE! Probably 1.5 of a MRT cabin, which was fantastic. Enough for people to choose where they are most comfortable. As the horn sounded, everyone was running to the sea. As I was not a strong swimmer, I stayed at the back. Already predetermined which stroke I wanna use; breaststroke. The swim was fantastic. The water was warm (probably due to the rain, as cold water sinks) and still very very clear. You can see the sea bed even out in the deep. How cool can that be, if only it did not rain! I will be way much clearer. I took 36:02mins for the swim. Comparing to the trifactor swim at 45mins plus, this was faster by 9mins. This is my average time for a 1.5km swim.

Swimming - Checked!

Reaching the SWIM IN, I proceed to transition. Erm, I was "caught" taking my own sweet time in T1 by Andrew. I was putting on my socks, drinking water, taking gel, putting on my helmet.... I think I probably could have take a good whole 2-3mins (ok that will cause me in my time later)

As per the briefing session the night before, we were told that the start point for the bike was a steep up slope. The officials told us to put our gears in easy mode. At the starting line, as usual in races, I would be very nervous to be able to find my bike clip (needs more improvement). This bike course was one big challenge for me. It was hilly and climbing almost throughout! Flat course was minimal (maybe 5-7km of it). The first climb almost demoralized me. As I was climbing, I can see people over taking me one by one and saw people dismounting from bike and walking up. Well back in Singapore, I can see myself overtaking people, but here people are overtaking me fast! partly I was slow and not used to the terrain. Climbing was really not my game. Haha. Often or not, after you climb, you would expect a flat road but rather it was another climb. However tiring and tough the course was, i took it as a challenge and that motivated me even more. At my 30km, we rode past Bintan school. I slowed down to take a look at the school. Saw kids and their teachers/parents coming out to cheer on everyone. The school was a rub down one but the kids seems to be enjoying it. The kids was so happy to see us. Standing in a row they reached their hands out and gave us high 5 while cycling. Okok! That scene will be etch in my mind forever. It was the most memorable thought that kept me going the last 10km or so. Ok also, in that 1-2sec of high 5 with at least 6 kids, my hand hurt so much that it was hot! But it was fun.

Don't ask me what i'm looking at

Phew!

This is one of my toughest hilly ride I ever done so far. Even climbing on ECP/Benjamin Sheares bridge was much easier during the OCBC Cycle!

The run was a 2 X 5km loop. We had to run outside Nirwana Gardens, into some forest terrain and finally back into Nirwana Garden. The run started with a very steep climb. It was so steep then I could only slowly jog up and when I reach the top it was another climb to another steep pavement. The terrain outside Nirwana Garden was very hilly and undulating. There were no flat throughout. Only when entering back to Nirwana Garden (probably 2km) than we had some flat route. During the run, I experienced cramp/ pins & needles to my calf. It felt like I could not feel the floor; feels like part of your leg is in mid air. But thankfully, the organisers gave use iced sponges to cool down. With that, I squeezed as much icewater I could to ease the numbness. I felt so relief to my calf once the cold water an sponge was on my calf. Also, when reaching Nirwana Gardens, I had to decide if I want to use the toilet. Eventually, I went! I had such a bad tummy ache after dismounting from the bike. When i past Banyu Biru Villa, I quickly made use of the Swimming pool toilet. If you wish to use the toilet to take a dump, you need to swim 1.5km, cycle 40km and run 4km to reach to the nearest toliet. After that, the toilet would appear on your 8km run. Well throughout the race, if you are really in desperate means, there are many tall bushes that can quite do good job as a makeshift toilet so no worries there :-)

Down the slope and entering Nirwana Gardens

Back of Nirwana Gardens

Beach at Nirwana Gardens

While running through Nirwana Gardens, the atmosphere was truly a great one. One by one, people are just calling out your name cheering you on. The feeling was so great that one actually can go further and the supporters are just guest of the resort!

My race result is not the best as I believe I could have done better. Perhaps I'm not used to the terrain but that's shouldn't be an excuse. This is my first Olympic Distance Triathlon, I took it as a learning experience however bad the results. Overall, it was really damn fun to do. I would do more OD to improve myself.

Going into the Finishing Line

Crossing the finishing line

Glad that we complete it

Thanks to Andrew and Lattifah for being there as our supporters and PHOTOGRAPHERS!

There were many accommodation to choose from in Nirwana Garden. If you are going there next year, do book early. I stayed at 3 bedroom villa - Banyu Biru Villa. It's a 2 story villa that has all the essential items (towel, kitchen with cooking equipment, shampoo, LCD TV) . You can cook or even BBQ, if you have the time. Bintan is actually quite a boring place as there are not much things to do so we brought our mediabox and just watched movies after movies. Thank goodness they provided LCD tv. I booked my villa under Costa Sands Resort - www.costasands.com.sg

Banyu Biru Villa

Take note, they would prefer using Singapore Dollars. Buying things there can be pretty pricey if you are gonna compare it apple for apple in Singapore. A 1L bottle green tea in Singapore can be SGD$2.70 but in Bintan it will cost you SGD$7.00. Oh well, that's the price for a holiday.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

U Run Poster Boy

MetaSprint Triathlon 2012

6 May 2012

This is my first Triathlon of the season and will also prepare me for my Olympic Distance for the Bintan Triathlon on 26 May 2012. After the opening of the Aquathlon and followed up by the Duathlon by Metasports's Sprint Series, the final leg of the race is the Sprint Triathlon.

We were lucky to have calm waters as compared to the Singapore Biathlon where the under current was strong. I started the first 200m swim with freestyle. Kicking and hitting one an other is a common sight and after a few race i got used to it. The swim was pretty easy however I still lack navigation skills while doing the freestyle. I ended up using breast stroke to swim as it was easier to navigate and I was also strong and faster with this stroke. I quickly ended the last 100m with freestyle again. I realise I do get tired more easily in changing strokes... Lesson learnt.

After getting out of the water, I ran very quicky to T1. This is the first time I was very competitive. Upon changing into my bike shoe and taking my bike, I took my bike and ran as fast as I could to get out of T1. The T1 was the longest one that I been too. Changing and taking bike definately took only less than a min but overall the running out of T1 took me 2min.

Biking was a 2 loop flat distance on Changi Costal road. This was ok as I ocassionally will go to Changi Coastal to do my biking. But cycling under the hot sun was really challenging as I felt I got heavier due to the heat stress but after a while I get used to it and felt accustomised to the weather.

After cycling, I entered T2. Again, I ran as fast as I could to park my bicycle. Did a quick change and off I went to Run Out. There was quite a bit of confusion as runners and bikers were cutting across each other with the Bike Out, Bike In and Run Out. That made a few people mad! But for me, I was to concentrated to pay attention to this. The run was from Changi Beach carpark 7 to SFT Ferry terminal and end of Changi park and back.

Prior to the event we happen to see a U turn for the run and assumed that that was the U turn for the 2.5km mark. APPARENTLY!, the one in-charge went to the toilet and let if there. When the event started, both me and shah was looking for the U turn mark BUT can't find it from early morning. Then we realise we assumed that it was there LOL... Marshellers directing us to go further... haha how silly both of us can be haha. But nevertheless, the run was a flat and shady one. =)

Results

Overall, I improved in my time by 2 mins plus

Friday, March 16, 2012

Viking in Draw Something

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!

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!

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

Overall Result

Total Time: 1:40:06
Position: 508 / 1220 (41%)

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Elvis in Draw Something

My Interpretation of Elvis Presly

Monday, February 20, 2012

Metasprint - Aquathlon 2012

This is the first race in 2012.

The location for the Metasprint Aquathlon started early in the morning at Sentosa. Atmosphere was fantastic. Shah and me reached Sentosa feeling refresh except for Lattifah who was sleeping in the car... Haha.

When we reached, as usual we surveyed the area and order of move.

For this race, we are required to swim 750m and Run a distance of 5km.

Swim
It started with a little commotion about issuing of wrong swim caps to my category and people were a little unhappy about that. The organiser was smart enough to rectify the problem almost immediately.

The swim layout was a 2 "IN" 2 "OUT" format (image the letter "S"). I started with freestyle than breast stroke and ended with freestyle again. This is my first time doing freestyle in open water (a little nervous and clastrophobic). When using freestyle in open water, it is much more easier to move ahead of people and definately faster. The only problem that I had was sighting.... I tend to go off the course wasting time and energy. That I have to practice more.

The water was clear enough to see other participant's legs, which most of us can avoid. Like all swim portion of the race, people tend to kick, knock, ram over you. This was actually quite easily avoided as the water was clear enough. Unfortunately, Shah had the honour to get kicked by me. Hahaha.

Overall the swim was not too bad, just that the starting was really packed. Shah and me decided to start way at the back and going out to the far right to avoid the crowd.

20 - 29 Category

Swim placing: 66/202

Run

After getting out of the sea, I sprinted quickly to T1. Put on my shoes and off I went. Started the run with a stitch but carried on. Wish there was a water point to at least rinse my mouth from the saltwater.

The run route was a 1km run to Siloso then a 4km run at Palawan beach and Tanjong beach. The course was simple it was flat route all the way. No worries if you want to do this for the first time.

I made a mistake of not tying my shoe laces properly. I had to re-tye them for 2 times... Argh. Time wasted!!!

Now problems with the run:

1) U-turn point ran out of water. Big NO NO..... (at Tanjong Beach). All I can have was a piece of ice. that's all

2) Marshallers was not attentive. But I don't really blame them they are there for CIP. But there was one section that I had to tell the marshallers to be at a round juntion. People we crossing the road without even bother that participants are coming thru. Saw a few of the participants knocking into the public a few times... Some of them even ran an extra round and ran the wrong route. SIGH...

Overall the race was a not too bad one... Timing aside, I enjoyed the whole event. It was relaxed and fun. The 3 of us also had fun supporting the little kids who are racing. It was so cute and nice to see them racing... You should see how competitive these kids are.... Most of them ran by just slipping their shoes on without wearing it properly!! They also sprinted to the finishing line when we say "Go come On", "Hurry! someone is chasing you".... They never gave up! Well done kiddos!