Part II 14 Oct 2007

Running 30km+ is the easy part, Biking 100km+ is the tougher part.

Have couple of hours of sleep before the alarm went off at 1am. Sigh. Some folks sleep till the sun high up hanging over the weekend and this crazy guy choose to woke up at 3am+ and 1am+ . This guy should be send to Buangkok! B'cos he is doing things that not normal people with do! Alas, does he has a choice after signing up for IM event?

Similar to those folks preparing for the coming 42km or even 21km. Why do you sign up for? Since you have signed up, you should have know what kind of commitment you have to put in for the training.

Training for 42km isn't a kid play, especially if proper training is concerned. On top of this, there are swim and cycle portion for IM. For those that think about doing IM in the future, hopefully my journey will shed lights to the road you have to take in the future. I do not agree about training that is "half cook" and walk the entire 42km! This defeat the purpose of sportsmanship.

At 1am, what am i waking up at this hour of the morning? Try to cajole up reason not to do the bike! Can't find good reasons, except lack of sleep, legs slightly aching and knee hurts. Just laze around a little longer i tell myself. The next thing i knew it is 2am! OMG! Mind continue to debate on it. So late leow, your intention of completing 140km is over! Sleep lah! Eventually i woke and wash up. I couldn't forgive myself if i slack! I cannot be, even though i really want to.

It was a groggy/distracted drive to Changi Point. First i have to make additional loop just outside my house when i realise i shouldn't be taking the same route to ECP. I must still be in dreamland! Next i make a wrong turn near coastal road and end up in ECP heading towards town! Sigh...mind not in place! Not to delay furthermore as i need to finish the bike at 9am. I decide to start the bike at F2(ECP). Bike off at 3:08am.

I must be insane doing this(biking) alone at Coastal Road. I talk/sing/scold myself to keep myself entertain/awake throughout the sessions. There is nothing much on the road that warrant any mentioning. The first 3 loops are the most difficult. It was madness! Why am i subject myself to this kind of torture training! Speed was slow! It hovers around 19-22km/hr.

On 4th loop onwards, i realise that i can increase my speed about 2km/hr when i go into aerodynamic position. I didn't realise there is significant speed increase when i did that for the last few sessions! I was elated to find out. I hit about 22-25km/hr regularly after that which is always good. By then the lights are out, more activities on the road, more bikers, cars and runners. Realrun trial run at the runaway, bikers training(JW, kiddo and some expert riders), SAFRA runners and other runners hitting the "demoralising" road.

Biking isn't bored anymore, it is full of activities and looking forward to see some familiar faces. I spotted quite a few persons, some of them acknowledge me, while other wonder who the hell is this biker! It is no surprise, with the helmet and glasses it is difficult to recognise.

Due to time constrain i have to U turn early on the 6th loop and head back to the F2 carpark. The last loop was a bit struggle as i try to put in some effort, maybe that is the reason, i struggle abit at the end. Nevertheless i manage to complete the bike ride, despite the difficulties in the beginning.

Bike off 8:53am. Total time taken include break 5:45:42 hr. Distance: 127.48km, Average 22.2km/hr , Maximum 28.9km/hr

Took a quick wash up and leave for work! Sigh...:(

Even though i didn't reach the intended target, i am glad that i make an improvement over last week mileage. At least heading the right direction. Time to rest and aching body leow...:p