10 August 2014, my first OD triathlon done at Port Dickson
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| Avillon Admiral Cove Hotel |
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| Swim Start |
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| Carbo-loading |
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| Finisher Medal! |
Our team of about 20 of us went up to Port Dickson over the National Day weekend (how patriotic we are!), most of the team were doing the relay races, a couple of us, did individual sprint/OD triathlons. I had to admit I was feeling super worried and scared because it was my first OD triathlon. I've done individual races leading up to this to prepare, but doing everything together is different altogether - such as the Trifactor 3km swim, 5-20-5 KM Duathlon (first for my category!), 36km bike ITT at coastal the week before (1:03 PB) and of course the run races, latest being Run for Hope. :S I think tbh, confidence is a HUGE issue for me...
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| Run on KM Duathlon |
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| Participants of KM Duathlon |
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| Team NUS at KM Duathlon! (plus Jason Loh) |
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| "favourite course" on KM Duathlon |
Although I was feeling lazy to write a post on this race and that I wasn't too proud of the race results, I thought it would be good to do a post-race reflection, as Coach David has always encouraged us to. This would not only serve as a physical reminder of what I thought I did well and what needs improvement on, something to look back to when I feel discouraged, and most importantly, to THANK all who has been helping me one way or another :)
2:38:40 - didn't hit my goal but at least not worse. Just nice it fell into 10th placing.
SWIM (plus a 800m beach run) - was 9th in my age group, off my watch out of the water it was a 27min. I guess I couldn't ask for more because it was one of the rare times that I felt that I was actually moving in the water. Drank a lot of salt water, got kicked on the face too but it felt good drafting. Time to work on my power and techniques, hopefully I can go much faster soon!
BIKE - I really did enjoy the bike course although I was pretty much worried throughout the course that I might crash - a bad habit I must kick. It was a nice course despite the rolling hills, the roads weren't too narrow and scenery was pretty. It was my first time riding in such a huge pack of 20-30 in and out and it was certainly a much easier ride. There was a kind guy who helped to pull me to catch up with another pack, and I must say that I never expect anyone to do that for me! One regret was that I stopped at the U-turn point because I was still uncomfortable to turn clockwise, causing me to lose the pack and having to cycle a lot harder to catch up. Something I really need to work on.
RUN - The run route was interesting but it was my most disappointing segment because it was the time I gave up on my race and myself and started walking. I wasn't even panting hard but somehow my brain just kept telling me to slow down and stop. Finally i relented and found it harder to continue. This was supposed to be my best segment but somehow this was the part I SHOULD HAVE done better. So much more to work on for this, especially my willpower. Time for more bricks and harder runs...
Just would like to thank my coaches for so patiently encouraging me, correcting my swim/run positions and not giving up on me - Mr Ghana and Mr Robin Tan, as well as Uncle David. I will continue to train hard so as not to disappoint you! Thanks for inspiring me :D
The NUS Aquathlon team - JJ for taking the trouble to organise this trip up to PD :)) It was really fun to spend this holiday period with the team! And for all those who went up, the trip would be nothing without the jokes, the support during races, the countless selfies (especially Sherlynn - you never fail to excite everyone!) and most importantly, all the tips and encouragements offered to me, who was actually quite scared and nervous before this race,especially Justin, who reminded me to take it easy and enjoy the experience. Thanks Debs for doing this OD with me and congrats on completing your first OD too (WELL DONE YOU!) Thanks Jon (Tan) for your awesomely light wheels - psychologically & physically they helped :P
Not sure when my next OD is but hopefully, I'll be able to do this again next year, with a much more satisfying timing. Good job to all friends who completed the race too - going out to Andrew, Dave, Diana, Jason and Inn Inn from RD, Clement Chua, Nuo Shi, Khai Leng, Rui Mei, Yan Ling (thanks for the draft on the bike).Swee Hong, good job on your first tri and pls recover well-don't be discouraged ok! Congrats Jason (Loh), Sher-JJ-Josh & Aaron-Dwayne-Dex teams on winning too :)
A week after PD, I did the 5km Shape Run, thankful for a 7th placing even though hitting a 23 min on my run isn't anywhere close to my PB :( It was quite a mentally painful run (which I need to break) - looks like I need to race more often. Meihui, on the contrary, is improving. Her 21min plus was one of her not-so-good results. But still, happy for her. I really need to find out what's wrong with me.
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| Great Eastern Women Pacer :) |
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| Having fun post-race with the Shape Run RD Pacers |
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| Me & Meihui 7th and 6th at SHAPE RUN 2014 |
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| Prize Presentation at SHAPE Run |
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| Supporters/participants at Sing Tri |
Oh yes, I was involved in Great Eastern Women's Run pacer programme too! Free Adidas jerseys & New Balance Shoes for me..hehehes :D Watched the Elites race at Singapore Triathlon too, pretty inspiring too..Hope I can reach that level someday...
Have to work hard on this road of doing better!
Watch this space for updates on AHM and Trifactor tri!
