Day 294 : 12th February 2011 Singapore Biathlon

Set the alarm at 4:10am, but went back to sleep.
Woke up at 5:50am and hurriedly packed my race gear, washed up, had brekkie and made my way to the race site.

CarPark F3 access is being blocked by road marshals and seeing the long car queues crawling from CarPark F1 to CarPark G, I decided to park at CarPark D and walked to the race site.
Treat it as warm up. =D

Registration and Body Marking was quick as my Wave was given priority cos the race is starting in 20 minutes time.

Met Liang Seng before the race start!
Haha, it is definitely our meet-once-a-year kinda event. =D

More advice from Ironman Ben before the race starts...
It is definitely good to have friends who completed the race and is willing to share what they went through...

The water feels extremely cold, but I got warmed up in no time. =D
Decided to start the race together with the pack.
It is easier to swim in a pack but the kicking needs a bit getting used to.
Get kick on the head, sides and arms is definitely not enjoyable...
Not to mentioned those trying to swim over you...

Things got a lot better after turning left at the "boy"
("Boy" : Those attending the race will know what I mean) =D

Most of the swimmers are swimming away from the lane rope which left me puzzled.
Trying to look for the next buoy in my blue-tinted lenses, I could see nothing!
(Note : For those concerned about sighting during swims, dun use blue-tinted lenses.
They are good for shielding from the sun though.)
After swimming for a while, the crowd get smaller and I tried to sight the buoy again.
A small "black" buoy in the horizon...
(A yellow buoy will appear black)
Only then did it occur to me that we are doing a one loop swim. =p
Haha... really weird right?
I did a few Singapore Biathlons and I forgot everything about the unique-ness of the race.
From their Race Day Registration to One Loop Swim.
Work matters started popping up...
OMG, this work is really sapping my energy!
Thanks to an extremely inconsiderate colleague, I am on standby this week when I should have been freed from such duties.
(Imagine a colleague who can leave for home when there is a crisis in the office. And his family isn't here in Singapore!!!)
Ahh... the phone calls will have to wait till after the race.
Pushed work matters aside and continue swimming.

Hmm... the right arm dun seems to be generating much power.
I dunno how to describe it, but the right arm felt disconnected...

The U-turn buoy came up faster than I expected.
Tried to get some draft and realize it is not as easy as I thought.
After much success in swim drafts, it never occur to me that you have to catch the swimmers in the correct stroke in order to draft.
Swimming alone is really tough...
Just treat it as training =D
I may have better luck in future races. =D

Near the right turn towards the Swim Finish, I was wondering what happened to the swimmers from the next wave?
Probably a longer swim start interval as compared to other races?
Haha... thank you for not paying attention to the minor race details.
Still dun make sense though.
Even with a 15-min spread, those 20-25 minutes swimmers should have overtook us by now...
Unless I am doing a 35-40min swim which feels impossible...

Haha, sometimes it is better not to think about it.
The yellow cappers caught us right at the turn.
Entered transition to find most of the water drums dry. =(
No washing down for me this year.
Most of the transition areas around me has been cleared, so I find a nice spot to put on my shoes.
A guy came up and just stared blankly at the spot beside me...
After a while, I asked him what is wrong and he commented that someone took his running top and shoes...
Took a look at his bib and the slot he was staring at...
My head started turning right and he followed my glance =D...
In his own words, "I think I am tired to have interpret the numbers wrongly"
7146 is staring at 7164. =D

Started the run feeling great.
Had the gym runs help?

Started walking occasionally after 2km.
Haha, that is what you get for running 2-3km on treadmills.

5km in and I started to feel a blister on my left foot.
Plus the cushioning on both feet feel really thin...
Haiz... should have wore my usual running gear.
Lesson learnt.

"Slow jog" was the over-rated advice I got during the race. =p

Managed to run a slow last km without walking. =D
"One foot forward", I keep repeating to myself.

"Run more, you will start to lose weight and the rest will take care of itself"
An advice that still resonates....

Finished the race feeling great!

Collect my medal and finisher tee before proceeding for brunch at East Coast Hawker Center. =)

While walking back to the car, I saw a fast cyclist in drop bar position.
My first thought is when she will ponchek...
The weather is darn hot to be pedaling at such speed and intensity.

When she rode past, I recognised the rider.
Haha... no wonder she can ride so fast...
U dun become Singapore top female cyclist for no reason...
Incredible how she juggled cycling and studies though...

Hitch a ride from Shutehelup to my car before proceeding to collect my wife's Safari Zoo Run Race Pack... =)