AVIVA Ironman Singapore 70.3: Reflections

First and foremost, I would like to take this post to thank my family for providing me with the opportunity to pursue this new-found love of mine and the undying support they have given me in all my endeavors :) Thank you so so very much! 

Next I would like to thank my friends and team mates for the support and advice before, during and after the race. Training for such an event is really not as easy as one might think it is and it would be very hard to embark on such an arduous journey alone. To my NUS Aquathlon teammates, my Tri21 groupie and everyone else... Thank you!

Yesterday's race was certainly an eventful one for many. Some were embarking on their virgin Half-Ironman race, some were racing for a chance to prove to themselves that nothing is impossible and others were racing to be part of the Ironman Family. Whatever your reason maybe, kudos to all for training and embarking on such a journey. 

I started my morning at about 4.15 a.m, packing the last of my race gear and downing a bowl of muesli and a cup of coffee. My parents, Sis and I then loaded up and headed off for the race course. 

We arrived at the race course at about 5.45 a.m. One could almost taste the anticipation and excitement in the air. Athletes were rustling about with last minute preparations; Supporters were milling around the transition areas and racing areas, seeking out the best spots to follow the race; and race officials were bustling about making sure everything went according to plan. Apparently I was one of the earlier ones there and I wasted no time in settling down and getting my transition area done up. The rest of the guys came in not too long after I finished doing up my bike and transition area...

After some last minute adjustments and photo-taking, it was off to the swim start for us. The Elites and Pro-Racers were flagged off first followed by the disabled athletes and the Ladies. There was a 10 minute gap before we were sent off. 

The swim leg was a rather uneventful yet altogether painful experience for me. I don't usually plow through the swim leg and expend everything I've got within the first 40 minutes of my swim. It was supposed to be a smooth comfortable swim... that is till I swam into my first jellyfish (no... it wasn't a sea bug caused I actually picked the darn thing off my neck) and... within 5 minutes... the second stinging beast. I don't recall the last two 70.3's held off the East Coast having so many incidences of jellyfish stings but it became apparent to me after the race that I wasn't the only one to suffer the stings. It might have something to do with the timing of the race coinciding with the jellyfish season or something like that.

After the swim and a rather SLOW transition, I headed off on my bike leg. The bike leg was rather uneventful for me, unlike my compatriots who might beg to differ. The only thing apparent was my failure to prep myself for the hilly course and the long ride. That will be something I will work on from now till the next race. 

The run leg was PAINFUL. I simply couldn't proceed through the course at a faster pace. I was consistent no doubt about it... consistently slow. Again... I must admit that I have been neglecting my run during my training but I guess all that needs to change if I don't want history repeating myself anytime soon. Joshua, Alvin and Ashley ran pretty darn well, catching up with me on the run leg at various junctures. The temptation to sprint ahead and try to maintain whatever lead I had on them was great but I knew that the sprint would result in me cramping up and all. Well 2 hours and 10 minutes later, the agony came to an end as I crossed the finishing line with a rather respectable time. 

The Half Ironman experience is a unique experience which depends very much on how one interprets the experience he or she might have during the race. Some crash out and leave the race rather bitterly (speaking from personal experience here...) whilst others learn from it and improve with every subsequent race which follows. For me, I take away from it the importance of camaraderie and self perseverance. It really isn't easy penning down one's afterthoughts on an event such as this, its almost impossible. Till the next race.... :)