Half Iron Man

I set off for Desaru on Friday to complete a long distance triathlon. Well, it will be my first half iron man and another milestone in my triathlon journey.

Every Long distance race, I will learn something, "Kenneth's Quote". Everytime, I will reflect upon my entire race, what did I do right, wrong and could have done better and what lessons have I learnt this time? You will be surprised how many times I feel like quitting when the going gets tough, but I didn't. From the start, I told myself, no matter what, even if I fall, cramped, rained, I will still continue. Nothing will stop my heart. When you suffer, you will curse and swear. However, these doesn't bring you across the line. Every race is like a small part of our life. The longer my race is, the longer this period of life it represent. From the start at 10 am, it was already hot, the rays were hitting on my skin hard before the swim. I know today is not gonna be easy. As we leap out into the water and clear the 2 loops of 1km each, I was initially hampered by the big crowd. Subsequently, I pulled away from the main group and was allowed to swim with relative easy for the first half an hour.

After the two loops, I ran up to my transition area and put on my gear slowly, it is a long bike leg. I need to make myself confortable. I probably took 5 mins there, harhar, which is kinda long, because I was eating and drinking a little too. I know it will be a long race to the next break, so I should make yourself comfortable and replenish my energy before I leave. Setting Off on my bike, it will be a 90km bike course, 3 loops of 30 km each, 12 major up slopes per loop, 1 super killer slope at the end of each loop. I tell you, I cleared most of the 11 slopes with relative ease, it was the super killer one that took a lot out of me. I was practically stand- peddling for 5 mins, going at 15 km/h. OMG, it was painful with all the heat and you feel gravity behind u dragging u back. That's the part where it is also to expose to headwind as well. My bike is like fixed with a parachute and ironball at the back wheel. It was at least a 50-70 metre hill I think, so the whole stretch was roughly 1-1.5km long. I was doing fine till the third loop till the 85 km mark, just before the super killer slope. Suddenly, my thigh and calf cramped together without warning. I first felt the disappointment, I have been training hard, a cramp would mean I can't perform my best for the rest of the race. Pain hit me next. I got off the bike to avoid any accidents and stretch a little and push up my bike up this slope. Once over, I felt the cramp going away and finish up the remaining bike leg slowly.

I initially thought my race was over, should I even continue. I told myself it is a must i will complete it. It is not so much because of the money factor or anything, but rather it is a principle that I have learnt. For anything that I set out to do, I don't and will never want to give up half way. Stopping and giving up was never an option. Obviously, from then on, it just gets more and more painful. But why should I stop? If i give up, it only goes to show that I am someone that lacks determination and courage. I will want to face it, no matter what.

Running the 21km reminds of my first half marathon 4 years back. well the first 10.5 km was done decently in approximately an hour. I ran into trouble again during the second loop. Short bursts of cramps start to come in because of the heat. Cramping became a biological equation when sodium and potassium in your muscles don't add up. Fortunately I ran the half marathon with a fellow tri-fam member, we are roughly moving at the same pace and cramping at similar points. So we had to walk a little and once the cramp clears, we will run as long as we could before the cramp comes in. Gruesome afternoon. Pain in legs and taking a toll on my body. I am glad to have him by me, I think we motivated each other, and we ended up finishing together. It is important to have someone by your side when the going gets tough. That man was a stranger, but we found similar goals and help each other out with water, some gels and words of encouragment. It means a lot although he is not someone close to me. Just like during each darkest moments of yourlife, those who rendered you a helping hand are angels and god-send. At some point of cycling, I felt quite a bit of pain that tears start to flow from my eyes. I don't know, it will just get emotional, but I know the reason why I was here today. To accomplish something which I previously thought I couldn't.

Finishing the race was great, satisfaction after 6h 12 mins of motion, heat treatment and muscle cramps. 35 mins swim, 3hr 15 mins swim and 2h20 mins run adds up to another milestone. Haiz, I never thought I could do this two years before, I think it is always important to have your goals in sight and faith in yourself. Having the courage and determination will bring you a long way nearer to your own successes. Recovery gonna take a few days, fortunately, my muscles ain't that much damaged or suffered any injury. Gonna thank Kenneth for all the training that he had help me with, and all the support that my girlfriend has given me. Long distance triathlons are a show case of human spirit and what they can do, it is really amazing to see old dudes pushing on late into the race clock. To them getting back in time wasn't a concern, completing is. I have seen it, one day I will want to experience a Iron-Man not just to gain a name or pride, but to see. understand and experience the greatness of human spirit of courage and determination.

Alan