Trifam Sprint

I was there this morning as a safety kayaker. It is good to help up whenever the need is there.

This is the 2nd year helping up the event. I am glad i get the opportunity to get into the water. It has been quite some time since i last get into a kayak.

The event went pretty smooth, nothing mishap. That is good enough for me.

Saw a lot of friendly faces, which is always welcome.

Meet up with Junior, Shan Shan and their baby tri wanabe. The Jr has a Cevelo Kona 2008 baby cloth on! Super cute! I also want for Enver!

Tri-safely!

How i wish......

project description

On December 2008, we will travel aboard the Antarctic Dream Cruise Ship to the Antarctic Peninsula to make a 550 miles self-supported kayak journey visiting the Palmer Archipelago and the Danco Coast, both among the places with highest wildlife density in the white continent.

The main objective of this expedition will be to do a photographic and audiovisual register of landscapes, wildlife and human occupation in this Antarctic region, from the deep and non-disturbing perspective of a kayak expedition. This material will be destined to the creation of a documentary film, book, articles and a web site that will inform of the occurrence of events during the expedition and the results obtained, particularities of the landscapes and wildlife in Antarctica, and the unique model of Pacific concurrence of nations that only exists in that continent.

In order to achieve this goal the expedition will count on the participation of Roger Rovira, kayaker and professional photographer specialized in nature and expedition photography, and with the audiovisual maker and cameraman Cristian Donoso who has produced three documentary films of kayak expeditions in the toughest Patagonian settings.

This Journey will be accomplished in an absolutely self-supported manner, without the assistance of any vessel, previous deposit of food or equipment or any other kind of external help. Navigating by kayak provided of big storage compartments, we will carry all our food and equipment, which will include ropes and ice climbing gear, in case of disembarking at an ice wall.

Along with the inaccessibility of the coast, other geographical aspects that defy the expedition’s logistics are the isolation, the furious Antarctic storms and the ice floes formed by the agglomeration of icebergs pushed by the wind.

During the first month, the three expeditionaries will circumnavigate the Anvers and Brabant Islands, first seen in February 1820 by the United States citizen Nathaniel Palmer, on the voyage where he discovered Antarctica. During this first 300 miles stage, we will do a meticulous survey of the North coast of the Anvers Island, barely explored due to its countless rocks, small islands and shallow waters exposed to the open sea, which makes it a dangerous place to incursion in larger vessels. We will also explore the cliffy nooks of Brabant Island, and we will visit the bases, Lockroy, England; Palmer, U.S.A; and Islas Melchior, Argentina.

On the second month we will explore the Danco coast fjords, as deep as the ice floes allow it, navigating nearly 200 miles between the Chilean base, Gabriel Gonzalez and the Argentinean Primavera base. From that coast – which’s name remembers the unfortunate Lieutenant Danco, from the Gerlache expedition- We will cross to Trinidad Island circumnavigating and exploring its coast until we reach the Mikkelsen Bay, where we will be picked up at the end of February by the Antarctic Dream, to return to the American continent.

Just like in our previous expeditions, this journey will be trackable on-line on this website.

Come Back

After the successful test bike ride in the morning. It give me confidence to go for the night LSD.

I picked up Regina and reach Changi point at 11:40pm. Car park 2 was packed with car and we proceed to park at car park 1 instead. PH was there. Seo and Babe arrived shortly. To my surprise, Brokie, Mr Brokie and Raven were there too! We waited for the lost Tao with the rest - Baby Too, Babyboy, CCF, Too Bi which arrived 15mins after midnight.

We started off the run at 12:25am towards Coastal Road. The route is to reach Adventure club(before NSRCC) estimated at 10.5-11km and back.

This is my first run after D-Day and i intend to take it easy and if body don't feel good will U-turn early. This morning, the body feels okay, in the afternoon wise, could be much better. :( I did have thoughts of forgoing the midnight LSD. Since i agree to pick Regina earlier, i guess the fate is sealed. Just do it.

We started off pretty close pack in the group for the first 3km. HR is hovering slightly between 137 - 143bpm. Pace wise is around 6:30-6:45min.I guess based on 140bpm is pretty okay...for LSD pace for me. At least that was my feel when i used HR monitor a couple of years back, 140+ is the norm for a typical LSD. Now currently older now, i do not know if that is the case anymore. I have to retrain and get the feel again.

I think 140 bmp is a safety effort level i wanna keep as a whole. Likewise if i am feeling okay, i will let it GO a bit and see how i feel. No point keep suppressing the effort and make things so horrible.

After 3km, i decide to fall back and maintain a steady 140 bmp kind of effort. Currently i am lacking the confidence to go higher effort. It is better to be safe on currently status, slow and steady i believe this will change in the future when the confidence come back. Slowly and eventually i ended up being the tail runner, apart from the ronnie/bee(which are doing walk/run) which are far behind. I feel okay with the effort.

Took water break after every 2.5km to keep the body fresh. After 7.5km run, Evangeline decide to accompany. Thanks to her, i have accompany for the rest of the run. Because of her, i can't slack! Haha.

Everyone run to the adventure club, whereas Evangeline and myself U-turn at 10km(based on my watch). We chit chat and run along at times. Talking nonsense to keep each other mind from falling asleep. I wasn't feeling sleepy. I am used to this kind of odd hours training.

We took longer walk break on the return path. I am abit tired, whereas she has some aching in her knee that causes concern. We are overtaken by some as time goes on, but we keep the pace constant. Eventually the last 1.5km, we stop and walk till the end.

HR went around 145bmp on the return route. I just let it Go, since we are on the return and see how i feel. I don't feel that comfortable as a whole. Most probably due to the fact, i am too comfortable with low HR and this is unfamiliar territory to me leow. Sigh...I need time to relearn....maybe i should put in some intervals to get some getting use to the higher HR at times.
2:50hr of effort for 20km of jog/walk. I am glad i make it. I think i won't suffer too much in Sundown based on current fitness.

We waited for every return, but bee and ronnie are no where to be seem, until we have finished our bath! Both went pator leow lah! Wahaha...

We have breakfast at the kopitiam near NTUC pasir ris chalet. We split around 5:20am.

After sending Bee and Regina back, i ended up at Adventure club(near NSRCC) to volunteer my service to Trifam Sprint time trial. Reach the club at 6:40am. Wasn't that tired, even though i didn't catch a wink the whole evening!

Quite a number of volunteers are there before i do and we start to help setup the area for the event later.

It is a simple tri event. Quite a few items are simplify. Haha...quite interesting. Eg, for transition area, a bench is used whereby 2 bikes can stand side by side. And is "free seating", choose you own bench! Wahaha.

I volunteer as Kayak safety. I think i can do the job based on my experience in Kayak and IM.

It was a good experience for me. It take a while for me to learn the trade! It was enriching to say the least and i very glad that i am given the opportunity. Thanks Gentle.

I saw many sgrunners at the event. Stazla, Roonz, Sotong, Aeroscan, Jordan, Babumouse, Gugugaga, Lyn/Siong(didn't participate) took part in the event. Non participant like Hoho, suanxing, runalone, Gentle, choonwei are volunteers.

Saw alot of familar faces from Trifam. This is their event, i am not surprised!

Alot of catch up with each other. I get to put a face to the nick like yellowfish, jerryyan etc. It was a good session.

After kayak, i went over to the finishing line to help up in passing drinks to the participants.

I left the place around 10am+. A bit tired, but an enjoyable day! Cool!

Storm Strikes

First Storm - Finally

Start the run about 12mins after 5am with Fennel, Wensze, Terence and Yankee from ECP B1.

It was a slow start. Based on the toy, i didn't go under 7min/km for the first 10km. I keep HR hovering around 130+. A very comfortable range, but a bit slow IMO. Nevermind, the aim is to keep HR at a slow pace and finish the run feeling good.

Reached NSRCC(9.95km) feeling ok. Wensze have left us at F2, meeting with her friends by then.

Although there are some distraction. Like our garang tiam jiak(which ran about 12km from home to meet us at B1) chionging from behind trying to tag behind onto a ang moh! I have to control my emotion and continue with a slow pace with constant HR.

Reached back at B1(19.6km) feeling okay. Abit tired though. Replenish with a can of H20 and proceed with another smaller loop. Yankee have stopped(he is not feeling well), Terrence legs are feeling the stressed from ITB(and decide to call it a day), Fennel with her constant walk/run strategy decide to take a rain check.

I proceed on the run alone. HR went up to 140+ for the 2nd loop onwards. I was getting abit more tired, but still feeling decent. Decide to take a short break at 2km mark instead of every 4km. Not going to over stress myself.

The sun have came up and it is pretty warm and more folks are encountered on the road. Reached the 4km toilet mark and met up with David Tey. We have a short chat about the coming races.

HR remains 140+ for the return journey. Pace wise have hover around 6:15. It was a bit mental, especially so without my trusted Mp3.

Finally reached B1....Distance: 28km. Total time with break 3:34hr. Total run time: 3:14hr

Average pace: 6:57 (128bpm), Maximum: 5:01(150bpm)

I am relieved that i manage to complete 28km feeling okay and not like previous runs whereby i literally drag myself to the end. It augers well for the confident.

2nd Wave - Rising the wave

After breakfast with Fennel, Yankee, Wensze and Laser. Drop Fennel and Yankee off at Kallang MRT, pick up Balasing and proceed to Kayak(Pasir Ris)

Meet Susan and Alvin at the destination. Both of them and Wensze went on to rental with the private company, whereas the rest proceed to PA. Laser took up Laser(what do you think?), whereas mark and myself have dancer for the trip to Ubin.

We head into the sea feeling carefree and good. The sea, wind, beautiful cloud. It was a perfect day out on the sea. Weather is pretty hot and the current is pretty good. Paddling seem so easily and we are cruising along fine. The rising wave did give us a lift here and there.

We completed the journey to Ubin jetty in 1:10hr. A bit slow, but okay lah...we are going against the current when we approach the shore.

We have lunch there. It was 5 person taking 7 person meal! What to do when Laser and her partner(trainer at PA) refuse to beach in as the water was low and muddy! No choice have to make do with additional food! Life jacket(PFD) was so tight on the way back! *fuming*

We head back to Pasir Ris immediately after lunch. I would have love to stay in Ubin a bit longer, but we are running short of time.

It was a bit struggling, but we reached shore in 45mins time. That is pretty fast indeed. Phew!

We washed up and have out ice-cream(well deserved) before we split our way.

After dropping Wensze at the destination, Mark, Evangeline and myself head for the famous sng buay jui! *slurp*.

It was a good session this afternoon. I enjoy it. It was nice. Though we are a bit rush for time. Thanks for the accompany...another session next time.

3rd Wave - Pedal on

Bike off at 3:20am(Sunday). 3 more weekend training session before D-weekend in Haikou, this is IT. The longest ride. I have to be strong, dig deep. At least i must put on my best attempt.

The intent is to do 3 loops of 45km. Target 6hrs of bike time.

Upper body is feeling abit sng due to yesterday kayak, as expected. Calves and thighs are abit sng which is not really expected(even though 28km run yesterday). Nevertheless, the ride have to go on.

I head over to Coastal Road, ride is pretty okay. Not much people on the route, slow and steady cruising along. The speed is a bit slow today, most probably due to the workout yesterday. I was a bit sleepy on certain part on Coastal road. :p

I have my speedometer and 305 this morning on the bike. The reading are different. Speedometer is about 2km/hr slower. I average about 20km+ on speedometer today. Sigh.

It was slow about 110+ HR as i cruise along. I didn't take a break at changi point carpark as i typically do, u turn and head back. Hit B1 and turn back towards F2. Burnz from nowhere came(he bike from home) and keep me accompany. Reached F2 around 2:02hr.

Have a 10 mins+ break, includes taking peanut butter breads, drink and a toilet visit to relieve the upset tummy. Phew...Head over with Burnz for 2nd loop.

Fortunately with Burnz around for accompany for the 2nd loop.I appreciate the gesture. We chit chat and cycle along until Coastal Road. We are surprised that there is road closure, which i believe is due to the time trial. Cyclist are not affected(at this moment) by the closure. Heng! It allow us to finish another loop. I am more concern about sleepy in the early part of the morning, rather than when the lights are out.

Saw Ronnie on Coastal Road, he ran alone. Where is Bee? Slacking agian!

Pace is pretty good for this set. I think slightly faster. Except when i hit ECP...as usual more people on the road so cannot be that fast. Finished 2nd set in another similar timing as the first set.

Took another 10 mins or so break this time round. Ronnie joined us as he run passed and we spent a few minutes catching up.

Since Coastal road is No Go zone. Have to finish the next 45km doing 2 loops of ECP. Decide to do B1 first before heading over to Coastal road to F2 to complete the loop. Follow Burnz towards Ford road before splitting our way.

ECP road is very pack by then. It is pretty difficult to cycle fast and have to lookout for crazy "walker". Burnz almost knock down one old man. After bell is sounded. He just frozen staring at Burnz like WTF u sound the bell for! What an Idiot! Crossing the road without looking and stare somemore. Really incredible some folks!

I am on my own after burnz left. The sun are getting hotter,but i am still feeling okay...finished the first loop in around 1:02hr. Hit for the 2nd loop. I am pretty glad that i have come so far feeling good. It can be worse. I think the break and makan have come good. Not to mention the presence of accompany is valuable as well.

Things start to get go down the hill after i make the u-turn at B1 carpark. I do not know what happen, out of the sudden, the thighs get very sng, pace plummeted. It was horrible, very bad. Some thing in the body just snap. It was scarily. I remember having this feeling in IMWA. When the going get tough, the gear start to get lower and lower. I try to tong but it is getting difficult to maintain at 20km+! HR is decent at below 120.

I took a toilet break at lagoon. Try to do some stretching and hopefully it helps. Surprising it didn't! I am shocked. Nevertheless i continue to pedal forwards. Slow and struggling, i push for another set, even though the thoughts of stopping at F2 and not pushing for another small loop towards Coastal road is very great.

I am pretty relief that i manage to complete the 2nd loop. Total cycle time is 6:12hr. Total time from start is 6:52hr. *phew*

Speedometer: Distance: 127.43km, Average 20.5km/hr, Max: 28.1km/hr

305: Distance: 139.5km, Average: 22.4km/hr, Max: 31.4km/hr

HIDDEN PATAGONIA

Saw the post of Cristian Donoso on a kayak forum, just make drool with envy....:-(

Incognito Patagonia

Log - 12 August 2007

What did i plan for the weekend?

I don't enjoy tapering week. I have lost count the number of major events whereby i practise tapering for the event, i am still not use to it!

I am a lazy person. In order not to be lazy, i have to constantly remind myself not to slack! Tapering is like slacking to me which i do not like. It is like out of the blue, there is a void and i felt a bit lost.

I plan for a 16km run on Saturday, Kayak to Ubin on Sunday. Wait!

I can throw in a LSD swim which i have not done before. Nope, tapering week leow, anyway i have enough mileage for the swim. How about another bike session, since i am short in bike mileage? I thought pretty hard about going for a 2hr bike on Sunday. At the end, i have to remind myself, i need a rest.

Another bike session won't help the cause. I rather go into Desaru fresh with low bike training, then go into Desaru tired and still low bike mileage! I have been through a few rounds of trial and error on major events and know what works well for myself.

Yesterday 16km run is frustrating enough. Frustrating because i feel slacking. I can feel the strain in the legs during 16km and glad that i am doing a short distance. On the other hand, didn't i feel this way for the past few weeks LSD and still survive it! Weak mind?

Ubin Outing

Meet up with Balasing and Roentgen for breakfast. Introduce them to Nasi Lemak around my place before heading over to Pasir Ris to meet the rest of the Kayak Kaki for a trip to Ubin.

Thanks to the organiser, Wai Meng, the plan is to travel 2km one way to Ubin, makan and 2km back again. Initial response is 7 persons, but it balloon to 23 at the later stage which is unexpected.

We reach Pasir Ris around 9am and take our time admiring the private water sport company with their colourful sea kayak. Cool...i love the colourful kayak! Unfortunately i didn't rent my boat from there. It is plain Ang Gong Gong "dancer" from PA. Sigh. Lionel which is "fortunate" rent himself a "BMW"!

We started our journey at 10:30am with 13 of us. Only later did i realise that there is another group(10 pax) that suppose to join us, but was late.

It was a good journey to Pulau Ubin. It is my firt time joining "unknown" for kayak, but it is enjoyable to say the least. Everyone know what to do, or know what is going on! No delay, just paddle and off we go. No need to wait, no need for "conference".

Wai Ming is very experience and with some "old birds" around, everything goes smoothly. Maybe this is the kind of "standard" in the market! Weather was good, although i struggle a bit in the beginning, but at least i didn't end up the tail end of the group! Lionel with his BMW, cruise and leave some "smokes" behind! It took us 53mins with a few tactical halts to reach Ubin jetty.

I wasn't feeling hungry during lunch. Food was okay. Poor Mark, didn't have much. Next time i be more conscious and remind the cook about putting seafood in the soup or noddle/rice etc!

After makan, took a short walk around while waiting for the 2nd group of kayakers to have their lunch. The last trip to Ubin was last year or was it the year before. I couldn't remember. Haha. There isn't much changes as far as i can still recall.

Left Ubin around 1pm. It was hot and i struggle most of the way back to mainland! Perspiration get into my eyes constantly and i have to stop the boat to clear my eyes. I have to constantly adjust my directions, which is frustrating. I see others are doing it so effortlessly. There must be something i am not picking up, and need to learn.

Finally we reached back at Pasir Ris. Wash up and rush over for the next appointment. Before that have to grab an ice-cream from the mobile vendor! Hehe.

Thanks to Wai Ming for organising this trip, i have learned. I enjoy the quietness that i am surrounded by the sea. The breeze, the sound of ocean, tranquility is at a premium. No hustle and bustle of our life, just myself, paddle and the natural elements. I feel calm. It is fun. I will definitely do it again in the future. Also thanks Lionel for his branja! Mark as usual is quietly soaking in the atmosphere. Thanks for the accompany guys and gers. Till next time, let paddle on!

P/S: Sad to hear about an accident, glad just some minor injure. It could have been worst. Take heart. Rest well.

Not so Lonely Wedding

Let me recall, the first time i meet Sukaimi and Fd is in KL Marathon 05. It seem like a long time, but 2.5 years later, they are married. Congratulations to both!

Went over from Pasir Ris to Bedok for Sukaimi and Fd wedding. Reached there around 3:15pm. Quite a handful about 20 Sgrunners are there to grace the auspicious day.

Have a great time there catching up with some of the running kaki. It is nice to get out of the running gear and chat about other stuffs.

Left there before 5pm.

Congrats to our lovely newly weds.

Input > Output

Footd Running Trail

Output is definitely lower than Input today! No need the use of calculator. It is a no brainer. I should have "control" myself especially the training isn't that tough. On the other hand, with makan kaki together, it is pretty difficult to resist....:) I should be able to burn off those input today after tomorrow workout...i hope it work out nicely.

Start the day with MR 23km run. Distance is odd! Nevermind. At least i enjoy the accompany and the run.

Makan I - Lakeview CKK + muffins. What a sight when everyone pull out their camera and taking photos of the food. Except me! Haha....what an irony! I have my camera but seeing everyone taking pictures, i don't think i need to bother...

Makan II - Red Star Tim Sum. When come to food, who has self control? Gossips...shhh......did we have the picture taken! haha.....

Kayak - It getting smoother as i practise more. It is good to be back in the water.

Makan III - Craypot and Sng Buay Jui! Haha...what more can you ask?

Thanks for the accompany. I enjoy your presence as well as the food. Wahaha.....Fat leow...Fat leow.....!!!!!!!

Photos here.

Kayak 2 STAR 26 May 07

2 STAR - Certification

2 Star Certification

Last day of 2 STAR course. The important agenda is expedition and skill assessment.

Expedition is a good 6km. I realised that paddle with some speed are as good as biking! The breeze is so nice in the water, much safer than biking on the road! The drawback is the hot weather. It can be very stuffy at times! So many people like water sports, i guess there must be some goodness in it that some of us did not appreciate.

It was an hour journey for 6km a to/fro to Merlion. It is nice to have another approach to Merlion via Sea! Get to see so many new stuff by the coastline that you will not notice if by foot. Sometime, a step back to enjoy the surrounding that was missed during the hassle of daily life. Is just an enjoyable experience.

The skill assessments are pretty straight forward. It was a brief to go through the test. The only concern i have is to go bottom up underwater for 10 seconds. Just not nature to go underwater in this way. Must do more practise if i need to get comfortable.

I didn't get to practise Eskimo row! Sigh....

I realise that i am okay with water sports. Don't mind getting barbecue. The most important is the cost must be affordable!

Most probable i will try a few expeditions in the future, decide on 3 STAR later.