Was not planning to join this one this year as I felt that the cost was too expensive. Somemore it was always looping around East Coast Park. I have no offence towards the organiser whom I think are doing a great job. But the location is simply too boring and to think most of the time we are training there also.
I never thought much of it until I saw a post by Yumiko from the Newbies triathlete group recruiting members to go for this race paid for. I immediately got excited despite knowing the week before I have the Putrjaya Half Marathon and its been a while since I ran competitively for HM, I then realise I got myself into some “troubles”. But I think I should be able to get by, in any case I signed up and got the long distance bib which is 2.2km swim, 42km ride, 15km run. Still not too bad and with the PJ Half marathon being cancelled I had a heave of relief to be able to do the race in peace ( for the cancellation that will be another post to be updated).
Signing up and Training
Really did nothing much of a training for this one just basing on my weekly open water stints and also the small rides here and there. Have not done any long one after the Queens on the Move one, but with the new Gusto bike ( although still not that fast) I think a 42k should not be a problem. Yumiko gave me a code and I just signed up the race, its cost about $280 for a normal sign up bib. As the sign up was pretty late, the following week was the collection of the bib already, this time they did not have the collection in another location but directly at ECP carpark E where the hawker centre was. This year also different from last year, participants are able to check in the bike the day before but at their own risks.
Race Proper
In fact I was so chilled the day before I still went to Universal Studios for some Manulife ( my insurer) event. I went home pretty late, and by the time I finished packing it was already 1am. I decided to do the same thing drive over to carpark D and park at the free carpark there. Riding a short distance to the race site. I got myself oriented to the race area and laid out my items while getting ready for the flag off at 07:35am. Seems like there were 2 of us doing the long distance for the NewBies group. We took some photos, but as I was not feeling too well since the past weeks I decided to keep it chill for this race.
There were not many at the club challenge start pen, we were the second or third wave if I am not wrong. The swim was in the shape of a triangle, one round is 750m. I could see the current was pretty strong but I thought I should be able to get by. It all began pretty well, but when I was returning, somehow I lost bearing and could not figure out where I need to go ! A little panicky and still breathing very strongly with some intermittent cough, I told myself not to overexert and keep calm, without the buoy it was actually a little bit scary because the waves were quite choppy. Since there were not many swimmers around me, I decided to do breast stroke and slow down to see if anyone will come by and catch up. I still could not see the golden caps and was worried whether I had swam the wrong place! But there were no kayaks chasing after me also. Finally the next wave caught up which was bad idea because they were larger in numbers and people start to whack people. I even whacked back a few people too! Finally I got sight of the shore and got my bearings again, I swam back to the shore. That was only the 1st round, 2 more to go, the 2nd and 3rd time I got y act together and was able to swim in straight line again!
Some how the energy felt high and I continued on to the bike leg, not too happy with a very slow swim but I am glad that I made it. The bike leg was surprising not that bad despite originally thinking having to ride 7 loops, and also already anticipated the narrow portion of the route, I was glad it was smooth though I witness couple of accidents along the way. Bad thing was that duathlon relay and some shorter distances attracted some really fun riders who can be quite oblivious of the traffic situation and coupled by impatient more professional riders shouting at them. This could probably turn the event which supposed to be more friendly to some thing unpleasant. I always find the bike leg the most dangerous and that is why I never went all out since I am also not that good at technical handling. But unfortunately, in a triathlon, the bike leg is often the big percentage and time saving leg.
Somehow these time round my transitions were more well handled, I kinda know what I want and needed and did not spend too much time at the transititions. After the bike came the run leg, was quite behind time already and I was glad with a faster bike I made up for some lost time. The run as usual started with the wild wild west legs, but I wanted to end this leg fast so that I will have more time for my cold plunge at Reva later. There are three loops for the run so mentally it is not that bad,just keep thinking 5km 5km. First loop was quite brutal but second and third loop I picked up speed. Glad to have finished the race before 12:30 pm.
Closing the Event
After getting the medal and tee shirt, most of the sponsors have already left so I did not manage to snag many freebies. There were also no one at the newbies tent so I guess many of them have left already. I rested a bit, grabbed my stuff and slowly cycle backed to the carpark D. At the same time reporting to some friends about the race also as many of them were in Nice doing the IM championship. Well that sums up the race for this year and now for the cold bath.
