Fina Openwater Swim 2008

Last year was a screw up, this year no matter what i will retry again. Guess that is ME.

Although i might not have the fitness as last year, i should be able to complete the distance. After a couple of Ironman under my belt, i should be more prepare for 5km in a way.

I was there early after sending Sweetheart to work. It is strange that there are lack of Sgrunners presence. I saw Roonz, Aeroscan and Xuanjing. I caught a glimpse of a couple more Sgrunners(forget their nick).

The race start at 12:30pm for my wave. 5 loops of 1km.

I was surprise that the under current was pretty strong. I started slow and steady thinking of the distance ahead. It took a long while to complete first loop. I was struggling against the current, rather than the wave. Ok lah, though i am slow, i did feel strong which is more important. Saw Licht doing her safety kayak and call up to her.

2nd loop. Similar to the first loop. I was thinking, it is going to be a long day ahead. Ok lah. Breathing is good, legs are good. I was thinking, the organiser say got water point, where is it? How come i didn't see? Actually it is the safety boat that are giving out water bottle in the sea! Hehe...and the swimmer get to pass around the mineral water! I manage to get a half empty small bottle from a fellow swimmer and the water is cold! Cool!

I was getting worried as the swim start at 12:30pm, water temperature is 29 deg c according to the announcement. Dehydration is a major concern. Is it not that i didn't do 2hrs in the water without water. Better to be careful and refill if necessary.

Ok, start of 3rd loop. I think the water condition didn't change. I think i am more adapt to the loops and know what to expect. I start to see ppl from 5km overtake me again..i believe this is the 2nd time! Omg, i might be slow, but shouldn't be that slow right! I take a look at the watch and get a shock! Time read 2:02hr! That is 2.5 loops! Wow, that is extremely super slow! What is happening! I expect to finish under or around 2hrs! Currently i am half way through and i finished my time allocated! WTF!

Based on calculation, i should finished 3 loops at 2:30hr. which means another 1:30hr to compete another 2km! That is a whooping 4hrs! That is absurd! I am not fast, but couldn't be so bad! #$#@$@#$#@$#@$

I decide to DNF after 3rd loops. Today is just not the day. I don't know why! I was disappointed to say the least. DNF! First time in race! Sigh...dunno how long this stigma will stay with me. Anyway, i have "look open" leow, life is not about doing good and fast. When chip are down, completion is good enough. When it is getting absurb, taking a step back and ......

I am hurt(pride). Finished 3rd loop in 2:32hr. Sigh.

I check my HR and another shock awaits. Sigh...dunno whether it happen in the swim or after the swim.

I was feeling great. I sit alone at of the hut, lying on the pillar. Feel like throwing up. Have to endure, but throwing up means feel much better! After 30mins of rest, i threw up. Ok...should be better. NOPE! I still feel giddy and on the verge of blacking out! OMG, why! Haven't experience this for a long time leow!

After feeling slightly better, i picked up and walk back to carpark, about 600meters away. Saw Sxuanjing at the hawker and she offer to buy me a drink. I lay flat on the bench resting! Total disregard of the "appearance", i guess i am too far to care about what other think.

After resting a while decide to move on. Another 300 meters down the road, decide to lie down on the beach and rest. Feel like throwing up again. Sigh...

HR went down a bit and continue to tong all the way to the toilet near the seafood restaurant. Throw up there. Wash up and walk back to the carpark before the "feeling" come back again.

Not feeling that well still, but no choice and drove back home. Have to stop at petrol kiosk to grab some cold isotonic drinks(worry on dehydration), feel like throwing up on various occasion.

Finally reach home. Time to zzz.....