monday ruminations

thank God for great weather!
and for a no fatality race.

no matter how many races you have done, there are always jitters in the stomache at the start line.
with all the these well trained athletes who has prepared months, spent many too early mornings or late nights to train, thousands of dollars on gear that give you that bit more of advantage and the love and encouragement of their family and friends, i am in awe of the event. and the moment.
teh transition area were a frenzy of activity of people like me... pumping up tire last minute, looking through our set and of course wishing the other athletes... saying hi to friends and acquaintainces.

the race went as planned...
or as it always would be for me.

the swim ...
was a little too choppy and with the orange bouys disappearing into the sea of orange swim caps of the the ladies competitors on my wave, the navigation is a nightmare.
the yellow bouys and the yellow caps of the faster male swimmers in the last leg of the swim does not make it any easier for the rest of the middle of the pack athletes.

the bike...


the course was faster than i expected.
i was on my aero position for longer than i have trained for. that tighten up my quads and tired my VMO much faster than normal. after passing quite a few athletes, the ego in me just would not want to slow down to use other muscle group for the work in a less aero position.
even the experienced fall prey to the ego monster!

side note, loads of atheletes were riding beyond themselves not just physically but skills wise too. there are loads of accidents due to human error or stopping too late, turning corners too wide cutting in too close. already seen quite a few accidents and nasty exchange of words.

the run...
the real pain! off the bike and i cramp!
i ate and drink as planned... well almost.except at the last lap of the bike almost missed the last electrotyle stop but some kind gave me his other half bottle of 'endurance' drink.

can already feel the tighten of my quads at lap 3 of the 4 lap bike...sigh..
this is where i have to use all the tricks of the trade to get out of it...
POSE running to the rescue! i started using more of my calf and hamstring to run instead of my quads. have to be so disciplined, cannot run or shuffle any faster or i will cramp, must walk every other terrain not to cause a change in the range of motion so as not to agitate the already overworked muscle.
the longest run/walk/shuffle (besides my ironman shuffle/walk/attmept to jog)

at long last, the last turn and 1km from the finishing line, all my other friends came along and passed me!
no more ego to burst...

at long last (once again)
i crossed the line in 1 piece with friends, students, well wishers cheering me.
6:15hr, slower than my best ever by 25min 16 years ago.
maybe another year.

and now for the ice bath recovery.
and hang out with the rest of the world to swap stories and compare injuries.

amazingly, with all the pain and frustration, it was a great race!
the excitement, the atmosphere of the event and the exhilaration of pushing your body and mind.
times like this you feel like one with God, He talking to you all the way when you need it most.

last word to this almost 6 months journey...

God has kept me sane and focus despite of all the injuries.

and helped me to see beyond the physcial aspect of racing but the mental and even the spiritual.

the friends who helped along the way, for their care and support (place to shower after training, transport service, food and drinks post race, logistic support in all areas, cheap bike tune up and those who got up early to train with me... )

without you, i won't make it that far.