Aviva Ironman Triathlon 70.3 Singapore

Aviva Ironman Triathlon 70.3 Singapore

Date: 2nd Sept 07
Time: 7am
Distance: 1.9km(swim), 90.1km(bike), 21.1km(run)

I reached ECP F2 carpark at 7am. I was lated. Long story. Sigh. My race start at 7:35am.

Met quite a few familiar faces there - Heeshen, Mythos, Laokayou, xuanjing, Emelyn, uncle george, steve and a few others(couldn't remember now).

The swim

The race started in different waves, mine started off and i am stuck in the middle of the pack. It is a 1.9km single loop. I started off steadily. A few minutes into the swim, out of nowhere, i realised that my heart rate balloned up! Kicking, stroke and breathing wise was normal. Why am i feeling my HR like going to burst! I try to stay calm, but as time goes on, i get more worry. Something is not right. I started to have thoughts of abandoning the race. Somehow i stuck to it and slowly move forward.

I find it hard to spot the buoys today. I do not know why, but i do remember the course maps as well as the ground scan i did before. The buoys location should be pretty straight forward. I followed the front group and swim along.

It seems that i am swimming very slowing. Before 1/2 way through, i was overtaken by the later waves(5mins). Ok, i tell myself. As time goes on, many swimmers overtaken me which is pretty demoralising. Nevertheless, i just tell myself to finish the swim, don't worry about the timing.

It seems like ages when i finally reached the shore. Time check 46mins. I was surprised at the timing!

I took a slow walk/jog up to transition 1. I changed and bike out at 51mins.

The Bike

The bike route started off ECP to Esplanade and follow by 4 sets of 20km route.

I started off leap frogging with Richard(loanshark). It was nice to see someone on the road, we even chit chat side by side for certain stretch. Hehe. Along the way, saw many photographers and supports from Sgrunners. Thanks guys and gers. I did notice your existence, just that i might not acknowledge due to various factors.

On the bike, get to meet up and chit chat with heeshen, aeroscan, runalone and steve(colleague). Saw many SCSM 2006 pacers teamates along the path. Not to mention some folks i get to know along the way.

I don't know if i push too hard(did i?), feet for both legs are numb after 3 laps. On the last lap, right hip sng. Don't know what have happen, it just get worsen. I have to massage my hip when i am cycling along. This sensation is very new to me.

Slow and steady bike off at 3:44hr(bike time 2:53hr).

Change to another pair of socks and shoes to prepare for the run leg. Run out: 3:47hrs

The Run

I started off with decent pace. Don't intend to push myself and enjoy the atmosphere, just like in Desaru.

The route is 2 loops of 9.8km follow by 1.4km loop to the finished. Right hip isn't hurting which is a blessing after the bike leg. The weather was very hot, especially so after a heavy rain. Anyway, whatever it is, just have to bite it and move on.

I was feeling strong and it is pretty good. First 9.8km+1.4km loop time check 4:54hr(1:03hr run time). First time i take a look at the watch after the Run Out. I don't want to put myself onto additional pressure by looking at the watch often. If everything goes to plan, i should be able to do sub 2hr run time. Cool.

After that i guess something inside snap? I do not know what happen, i do not think anything happen, but the timing at the end indicates otherwise, which sort of took the shine out of the completing the race.

The hot weather still beaming down in force. I am getting tired fast on the 2nd lap. Every water points like a heavenly sent relieve as i take the opportunity to take a break and walk a little bit while consuming water. Legs are getting heavy. Have to dig deep and push on. Not unexpected as this is the final lap.

As if heaven listen to my complains decide to open up the sky and down come the rain. The wind was so strong that i have to hold on to my caps in case it flew off on numerous occasion.

When i reached Esplanade for the final time, i was alarm at the timing - sub 2hr isn't anymore possible! Nevertheless sub 6hr for the entire event is well within reached. Slow and steady(no point pushing) and finished the event at 5:59:40.

I couldn't understand what happened on the 2nd part of the run. Am i so tired that i didn't know about it? Very disappointing about the timing, but i guess i have to learn from it. Maybe 3 weekends of activities have make me that bit of tired.

The organisation is very good, at least no major screw up.

Thanks to guys and gers that did a good job as a volunteer, photographers and supporters along the way. The event would be half enjoyable without your presence.