PD International Triathlon 2008

After almost a week, I still can't believe it ... Here is the story ...

Reach PD on Saturday morning in the mist of heavy rain just like predicted. Mentally I was prepared for this. Surprising, the rain stopped and the sea was clam with low tide. Thank you GOD.

Parked my bike and got myself body marked and quickly went for a warm up swim. It was my first time testing my strokes in the sea water. I felt much better than the pool. Confidence went up the roof. I knew I can do it ....

As we were waiting for our turn, the sun was already blazing on us. We were let off at approximately 2.20pm. I walked almost 50 meter (maybe 100m because of the low tide) to the point I had no choice but to swim…haha. Started freestyle immediately and as I said it felt good. It was all the way to the first marker where trouble started. I made the turn and somehow when I looked for direction I saw people swimming towards me. I immediately switched to backstroke to calm down and pushed back to the right lane. Once I was back on track, switched back to front crawl. Tummy felt funny fighting to release some gas from all the sea water I swallowed. Switched back to back stoke again so that I can release the gas but it was not easy. I was struggling all the way to the final marker and once I had a clear view of the shore again, I pushed forward. Half way water was becoming choppier. After a while I felt my feet touching the ground and I knew it was over. I was screaming and shouting … but the funny part was there was nobody on the beach. There were 2 other person with me but I was last … but “peduli ape!” …. What maters most is … I swam a blady 750m … I looked at my watch and it was 2 fifty something … swim time 40 mins.

I took my own sweet time to the T1 because for me I have already "completed" the race. I thought I was the last to leave T1 but saw another guy leaving as well. He cannot be slower than me on the swim. He must have gone for a pee or something … Anyway I gave everything I had trying to catch up. Only managed to overtake a few cyclists.

When I reached T2 saw a few bike racks were still empty. Not bad ... I thought of sprinting but had stomach cramp pulak…. So it was walk run for about 1km and very slow run for next 1km. Only after the u turn I felt better and started to run. I ran for my life … towards the finish line ….I was crowed … “A Triathlete” … Unbelieavable … Believe it …

Photos are from pmtey.

before the swim with the gang ... Tri Sue, Tri Azad, IM Mike & Mr 4+4=8.

hehe ... me at the back so happy ....

woohoo ... last man out ... not bad uh for a self thought swimmer ...

S 448 ... you are Triathlete ...

I m ... Triathlete ...

... story later.

I CAN ... YOU CAN ...

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish

Another 1000m in the pocket just now... time 37 mins. I have no idea how bad is this time. All I know I survived. And that's the strategy for PD ... to live to see my kids back at the shore. So kids you guys gone pull me back OK ....

Why I am doing it?? ... I don't know where to start. What do I get?? ... I don't know how to describe.

All I know ... I am going to be in PD and God willing I'll survive.

This is the youtube i have been trying to upload. Gave up. You gotta do extra work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1R-jKKp3NA&feature=related

... I am just 2 words behind Steve ... what can I say ... great mind think alike ...

Siemens Run 2008

Distance: 10km (Actual Distance: 9 something ... so)
Time: 45 mins
Position: 123 (yahoo dapat medal !!!!)

This was my worst 10km run ever. I felt heavy and found myself being overtaken by everyone else all the time. Only 4km running I had to pee (sudah tarak tahan wooo ...) and that cost me at least 20 positions.

But surprisingly, at 5km mark, my time was about 22 mins. That shows I am not that bad or something wrong with the distance or everybody else has gone faster.

Anyway, I gave everything I had. I had also conceded to myself that I am slower (no training maa ... asyik swim je ...) and almost accepted the fact I won't get a medal. But reaching the finishing line, there were long Q for the medal. I always hate when this happens. You never know when it comes to you they say "sudah habis". But on the contrary, I got no 123. Yahooo ...

Actually this race is not about me.

My other half also managed to complete her first 5km. She said she didn't walk at all. I was so impressed ... not bad huh ...

The thing is she got her self registered on her own but she forgot to pick up the bib (or the boob, as the announcer called it). So she had pay for it dearly. She was refused all rights as a runner including the drinks along the way. Poor girl. So unfair and inhumane ... (Actually i was the who said "bedal je lah" ... hehe...)

But that didn't stop her from finishing the race ... WELL DONE ... muuuuahhhh.

Picture ciloked from PM1 ...