Desaru International Long Distance Triathlon
Date: 18 August 2007
Venue: Desaru(Malaysia)
Terrain: Swim(Rough), Bike(Rolling hills), Run, (Rolling hills)
Swim: 2km
Bike: 90km
Run: 21km
This event is dedicated to a friend that was known as Penguin 6. He passed away June this year after battling with cancer over the past 2 years. Terence (Penguin 6) has been a good source of inspiration to many others (including myself). I get to know P6 when I was sourcing for information on my maiden marathon in KL 05.
To me, he has also shown great determination to take part and completing in endurance events, Pushing the body limit which I feel is admiring. I was very surprise that P6 didn’t complete(DNF) Desaru International Long Distance Triathlon back in 2005. I read his post on his blog and realize that he was pretty upset on the matter and his determination to come back in 2006 to complete it. I share his agony, he had completed many races in the past no matter what it takes, and this DNF staring at him hard! Due to his illness, he didn’t make it to Desaru again.
I was sadden with the news during this year Penang Marathon that Terence have left us. In memory of P6, I will like to take this opportunity to complete Desaru International Long Distance Triathlon 2007, and finished what Terence has started in 2005.
I have a good night sleep. Woke up around 7am. It is a welcome change from the usual groping to the starting line in the dark. The race start at 10am and it is 200 meters from the room that I stayed. I have an opportunity to take proper breakfast for the first time! Not to take things too light hearted, I am careful to take the “right” food from the hotel breakfast.
Around 9am, bring barang to the transition area. Meet up with lots of familiar friends which are a heart warming that you are not out there “seowing” around.
Head over to the start point at 9:45am. The sea was rough(as expected). The overcast indicates imminent rain. The race started pretty on time(about 2/3 mins late), at least not like previous year. Let me quote a verse from an official: “my dad tells me, speech is meant to be short and sexy. Like a girl in mini, cover only the important parts!”
The Swim
The race started, as usual take my time walking into the crushing sea(waves). It wasn’t that easy in the beginning, but I am ready for it. Drank some salted water along the way with nothing serious. I started gently with breaststroke (groin injury still haunts me) and will switch to freestyle when the groin injury get worsen. I am able to spot the buoys without much difficulty even though the wave can be pretty high, but I manage to time my pull pretty well and stay pretty much on course.
Adjustment has to be make, due to the current, wave, wind and crowd (swimmer) situations. I handle it pretty well (I think). I finished almost the same time as swimmers that can do 10 mins faster than me in the pool and I am not pushing the pace!
There are 2 laps of 1km for the swim. In the middle of lap 1, my goggle has fog out. Though vision is partially limited, I can still make up the buoys. Lesson learn is to wet your goggle before hitting the water! I was bitten by lots of sea bugs, can feel the pinch here and there. No choice lah…can’t see anything and kena bitten, what can i do except have to endure.
I came out of first lap 26 mins+, with SC5 on my right and Eunice on my left! I expected better timing, but with current circumstance, I think I did pretty well which is similar timing as my regular pool training. I have quick exchanges of chat with SC5/Eunice before we hit the water for our 2nd loop.
It was a slower swim than the first loop. Although I am much more prepare to tackle the waving current on 2nd loop, but my groin injury is creeping up slowly. I can feel the stress especially the last turn towards the beach. I have to slow down. I was deliberating whether to switch to freestyle, but I didn’t, as it seems going to finish soon. I slowed down even more and cruise back in 57 mins onto the beach. As usual walk my way up the slope and took 2 cups of water along the way, to wash my mouth and get some “real” water intake. Did a slow jog to the transition area.
Most of the bike has gone by then in the transition area. Slow people like me, just take my time to get everything ready. I headed out of the transition at 1:02 hr.
Total Swim Time: 57mins
The Bike
The bike is 3 sets of 30km loop. Water point is just at a single spot along the loop. This is the 2nd time I am on this bike, after a short 20km cycle on Thursday evening. I had experienced shoulder pain and I ignore it the last time. This time round the pain continue, I regret that I should have learned from past experience! I am used to cycle on mountain bike and I couldn’t lie low for aerodynamic posture in the road bike! Furthermore my neck hurts! The way the handle bar is built for MB and road bike is different. Plus putting on a cap over the helmet, make it even more difficult to raise the neck.
The first thing I realise that has screw up is that my speedometer is not working! KNS, it was working on Thursday evening, why is it not working?(only at the 3rd set that it dawn on me that the transpondent gap might be too far apart and lost the signal) It started to rain very heavy on the 1 set on bike. The first climb up the slope (steep but short) was very challenging. I was like @$#@$, first climb only, subsequently like that how? It was a good experience to play with rolling hills. On the last roundabout to finish the first loop, I experienced a crash. The bike was going downhill with heavy downpour and I need to make a left turn. I misjudge the speed and mishandle the brakes. I hit the curb of the street divider and fell over to the other side of the road. I pick myself up and check the damage of myself and realize there are minor bruises and cut. I pick up my bike and call out to the Medic (running towards me) that I am okay and mount on the bike and head off. I was abit stunned by the event as I have not fallen before. I keep looking at the bike, wonder how much damage did it sustained! What could have broken? Aiyoh, so many things might have gone wrong! I was praying that nothing serious happen to the bike. I don’t want to DNF because of bike! Teekong Poopee
! Finished first loop in 56mins(overall time 1:58)Rain has slowed down on the 2nd loop. Realise that my sports bean have fallen off during the fall! There goes my energy booster! Sigh. I don’t have a bento box in front(which is another mistake) and I keep my energy stuffs at the saddle pouch. This is proving too troublesome to retrieve and I just make do with my 1 bottle of Pocari drink and a replacement bottle of water in every lap. Ass, shoulder and neck start to hurt as the race progress. I remember the drills learnt at the SPIN class and start to play with it to keep the boredom in check and relieve my aching body. After midway on 2nd lap, cfred overtook me. I was slowing down and the lack of bike training shown. Along the way, I started to see causality on the road. I finished my 2nd loop in 64mins.(overall time 3:02hr).
The weather change for the better with some light drizzling periodically on the final leg of the bike. The elites and front runners are on the run by now. I have a pretty lady (chop chop) with Go Dubai printed on her clothing to accompany to play catch up. She is fast on the bike, but struggle on the slope portion. I enjoy the hills. I manage to close the gap significantly on the climbs. I guess my training run in trail(MR/MF) have help me when it come to ascending route. She helps me to distract and provide some “entertainment” on the final lap. I overtook SV along the way. It was an even slower 3 laps finished in 68mins.(Overall 4:10hr)
Total Bike Time: 3:08 hr
I am glad that i make it back without any major mishap on the bike leg. At least i know by now completion is more of a formality. It took me 5 mins in transition. I finished a quick replenishment and changed to a fresh pair of shoe and socks. Start the run at 4:15hr.
I should be able to finish my run within 2:30hr which is 6:45hr according to my estimation. Pretty decent enough for that timing. I started the run with care not to pushing out too fast. The transition from bike to run wasn't that difficult. I believe my brick trainings have bear its fruits.
Have a powergel on the first water point. Took a bush toilet break before moving on. Meet up with Tobias & a lady friend he is pacing. We chatted for a km on my bib message at my back. I do not wish to run at their pace and they left me to smell the dust! The rained have stopped. I feel good throughout the run and allow myself to walk on the water points. Keep reminding myself not to chiong and go at an efficient rate.
As i move along, overtaking a few persons here and there. Saw the Chop-Chop Go Dubai in front & provide some motivation. Saw alot more familiar faces, Runalone, Spiffy, SC5, Cfred, JT etc. Finished the first loop in 60mins. I was surprise about the time and i am still feeling strong.
2nd loop, i continue the same strategy as the first loop. Just go easy and enjoy the experience. Half way through the run, i can feel the calves are getting tight, which is not unexpected, but well within the threshold.
The most challenging on the run route is the short and steep hill portion. I was very surprised that on 2nd loop, everyone decide to walk up the slope! I was surprise even seeing fellow MF runners walking(maybe they are injured)! I ran up the slope as I still feel very good at this point, i do not know why.
I opened up the pace on the last 2-3km knowing i am cruising back. Also try to go under 2hrs for the run portion. For some reason, my contact len pop out! Damn it and i have to spend time meddling with it. It was a good run on the last stretch nevertheless in 1:57 hr
This swim/bike/run is dedicated to Penguin 6(Terence Leong).
I didn't have the opportunity to see your ass across the Desaru Finish line in 2006. I hope Terence know that someone have bring your spirit across the finish line in 2007.
2 comments:
Hi Kops21,
Thanks for the write up on the late Terence , m sure his wife will really appreciate what you have done...
KLPenguin3
Kops - that day, in my mind was the Late Zoob which passed on n PDIT. Then, strangely, i find myself remembering Terence as well when i saw a couple of penguin wannabe...
i must had crossed path with you during the bike and cycle. apologies as i do not know you. I finished the race a slow 2 minutes behind you.
:)
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