Training for Kenyir Lake Triathlon

28th March 06, Tuesday Kampung Pandan Track Training
I reached there quite late due to office work.
Mr. Chan asked us to run for 2 loops, 800m. I was running good at the starting point during the first group. Ah Chee was not too far from me. Mr. Chan even asked me to join for 1st group where they run for 3 loops. I dun think I'm ready for it. During the 2nd and 3rd set, i managed to overtook Chee and clocked 3min15sec. It's seems that i'm improving, hopefully i can run faster in the coming months.

29th March 06, Wednesday Swimming Training @ Chin Woo Swimming Pool
We did a 1500m time trial. I tried to swim all out to push my time to be sub 24min. I breath harder, pull faster, kick more, but my time still arnd 25min 20 sec. And the worst thing is, the length of the pool that we practice is not even 25m. That make me feel so bad. I'm trying to figure out what wrong with my stroke, i've been trying so hard to make it sub 24min in 1500 the whole yr, i think i will work it more when i move in to my new house probably next month.

30th March 06,
Suppose to run at Kampung Pandan Track. Evening rain spoiled the plan. But I still managed to have a good run at my office gym. Did a 3.4miles run on 30 minutes treadmill. I feel better after having a good running practise for a few months. Feel better nowaday when running. Will try harder to bring down the time for my 10k as I aim to do a sub 3hours triathlon this year, with my old bike, Mitchell....Made in Italy!!!

KL International Marathon 2006

It is 5th March 2006, and I woke up at 3am in the morning just to take part in my 2nd attempts of my first marathon. I had a very bad sleep last night as it was warm in my room plus the feeling of nervous as well. I had a powerbar plus a packet of ORS(Oral Rehidrated Salts) just to make sure that I wont repeat the same failure during my first attempt in Singapore Marathon 2005. I reached Dataran Merdeka at 4.15am and saw had myself warm up by doing some strecthings. I saw Chris, KK's friend who was also doing her first marathon and has a target time of sub 5H. I was look down by friends from Chin Woo as I'll be lost to her by looking at the pace I normally run.
Sharp at 5pm, we started of feet pounding on the starting line. Ah B, my pacer waited me after the starting to encourage me to pace meself. He did a good job as I crossed the first 10km in 58min and still feeling good. Thing started to changed after 15km where I lost my rythm and feel weak on my legs. I manage to keep my normal pace but Chris overtook me at abt 20km. I was so dissapointed as once again I failed again by others look down.
I started to walk after 27km and surprisingly I found that my walking was faster than my running. Moreover, I won't any chances of getting cramp by walking. I continue to walk at a fast pace and managed to overtook so runners. At 34km, I met Steven from Britain who was running for his 2nf marathon. He felt so angry about himself as his thigh is getting tighter and tighter. I was chatting with him and know that he did finish his first marathon in Singapore with a time of 5H30M. He asked me whether at that moment we can finish this marathon in 5H30M as I was looking at my watch which show 4H30M. I told him that we will make it and convince him walk faster. We started to walk faster but his cramps get exaggerated. He hardly walk on his feet. He told me not to wait for him and for me, I can just wish him good luck la.
By walking constantly, I reached the last 1km in 5H30M. During the last water station, I can feel my old enemy was here again(legs cramp). I know I must not let it get me down again this round. I hold the pain and try to run at a lower pace. I struggle thru the final km in 12minute!! During the last corner, I saw Ah Sui who did Ironman Langkawi last week cheering for me, I'm so glad I still have friend like him. He encourage me to run slowly by pacing me. At the entry of the finishing line, friends from Permaisury Group like Ah Phoon and Kenny did cheers for me. How lucky I am as I still have friends to cheers for me during my struggling moment.
I crossed the finishing line at 5H42M and this is my First Marathon Finish!!
Even though the timing was slow, I was glad that my legs still hold as I managed to fight back my old enemy and sustained the pain to cross the finishing line. I promised to myself not to take part in any marathon if I would not improve in my half-marathon running time to sub 1H50M.
Of course, I'll train toward it. ;)

Jason Shortis - Champion of Ironman Langkawi 2006

Ironman Langkawi 2006 - Feb 26, 2006
It was a long long day for arnd 260 people in Langkawi last Sunday, Feb 26,2006. It was a very hot day with estimated temperature of 35 degree celcius.
Our ironman friends consist of Don Khor, Chee Kai Mun, Cheo Kim Swee and Mok Swee Kiang took part in the toughest show on earth. We and some others friends withnessed them entering the water with unstopable mood to complete the toughest event that we can find in Malaysia. Pro. Ironmen were wearing red caps while yellow caps swimmer were amateur ironmen. They made up the distance right after the starting gun was shot off.
We quickly had our breakfast at the nearest stalls. It was the lousy service the normally deserve when we had it during morning as the helpers all looked not fully woke up yet.We observed our watch closely as we intended to witness the fastest T1 Ironman.
After just 49 minutes of swim, first group of ironmen consisted of 5 men emerged from the water and dashed towards the T1. I was waiting patiently at the gate outside of T1. Brian Rhode from New Zealand was the first ironman cycled his bicyle during the event eventhough he is 2nd coming out from water.
After seeing all our friends getting on their bikes, we took our van and find our ways to cheers for them during the bike course. Chris Lieto was amazing on his bike and he is the no.1 during bike course with a leading time of 13 minutes off his bike for the running leg. We saw some ironman started to cramped, struggle during their first loop of the cycling and only them know how hard it was the ironman race.
After drove for 1 round of the cycling course, on our way back to aprt, we saw Jason was already running on his frist 10km, it's arnd 1pm. There are alot more others ironmen who are still cycling for their 2nd or 3rd loop.
We quickly had our lunch at Kuah town and waited at the finishing line to withness the Champion on Ironman Langkawi 2006. At arnd 4.36pm, Jason Shortis was smiling all his was crossing the finishing line. He is away of 20+ min from Chris Lieto, USA who finish at 2nd placing. It's all because he has a very strong running pace. He was the only man that run a sub 3hours marathon during the Ironman, lightning fast man.......
Chris and Brian was so dissapointed when they cross the finishing line as they both got passed by Jason only during their running leg.
Don Khor, our fittest couch finish his ironman race in 11H47m and according to him during the morning, he was damn nervous for it as there are some expectation for him from his sponsors. Not easy also getting others sponsors as u need to deliver as well ar ;)
Chee finished the race in 14H07M was so satisfied with his result and he even promised to us that he'll show a stronger come back next year. Yeah, U can do it Chee !!!
Ah Sui, our friendly ironman finished his 2nd ironman in 15H03M. He mentioned that it was very tough for him but at least he had improved his time to more than 2 hours!
Overall, I can say that to join the Ironman, it takes all the courages from yourself to do it. But most importantly is you must have your family members to support you as this will require a very long training sessions before you are prepare for it. I always believe, no pain no gain. If you are set to do it, you can do it but it's jsut the matter of how well you can finish it. Cheers ;)