I came to this race with a target of 11 hours. A target I knew was challenging, but was definitely achievable. I was a lot more confident with my preparation on the bike. Of course the new bike, new wheels, new helmet helped too. My strokes in the swim were a lot more efficient. I had a bit of layoff on the run, but I felt a lot fitter and stronger.
Now, most of you know that I DID NOT break 11 hours on that race day. In fact, I finished nearly 18 minutes slower than last year. Some might say, that it was understandable given the tough conditions. Most of us posted slower finish times than last year. But yet, there are some who actually improved. Whatever it is, I'm glad I survived the race and added another Ironman finish to my triathlon career.
We all know how tough it was on race day, hence this post wouldn't be a very descriptive one. Nevertheless, it would still be a pretty long one (you have been forewarned!) of our anecdotal 4 day trip in Langkawi, the home of Ironman Malaysia for 11 years running.
ARRIVAL
Li-Ann and I took a MAS flight and arrived at Langkawi airport at 9.30am. The rest of our gang arrived an hour earlier and they were kind enough to wait for us.
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Later that night, for dinner, we ate at Oasis Cafe, overlooking the sunset at Pantai Cenang.
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We all met just before 8am for a swim practice. The good thing about this year's swim course is that buoys are placed every 50m, and there is a marker for every 200m. I swam about 1200m. It took me about 24 minutes (2 minute per 100m), a lot slower than usual. I wasn't sure whether the markers were over distanced, or maybe I was just taking an easy pace.
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After drooling over some very nice looking bikes, we had a quick Chinese dinner in Kuah town before heading back for a good night's sleep, to prepare for one of our biggest races in our lives the next day.
RACE MORNING
We woke up at about 5.15am to arrive at the race venue at 6am. The usual business ensued - number marking, special needs drop-off, pre-race weigh in. I only dropped off my bike special needs as I didn't use the run special needs last year. Can save a few kaya buns! I was also heavier this year, 62kg, must be all the Chinese New Year delicacies!
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3.8KM SWIM - TARGET 1 HOUR AND FIRST MALAYSIAN OUT OF WATER
Then it was time for us to start. The usual rushing madness ensued in the beginning. With punches and kicks flying everywhere, everyone trying to get a good start. I later came to know that Keat Seong was hit unconscious and spent about 10 minutes on the lifeboat! Good thing he was alright, and was still able to continue the race.
After a few hundred meters, the crowd dispersed. I found myself swimming very close to the buoys, nearly swimming into one of them! There was the occasional sea lice but no jelly fish issues. Yes, I peed in my suit again before the start to ward off any stings!
Came to the 1000m mark, I was clocking around 20 minutes, which seemed unusually slow. I needed a lot of time to make up for it! The long swim continued until the turnaround point and I was quite glad to know that there were not many in front of me.
The return lap was a lot easier as the currents were with us, although it was pushing us slightly away from the buoys. The 200m markers came by, one by one, and soon it was the finishing.
TRANSITION 1
I fumbled a bit with putting on my Injinji toe socks. I had them on the opposite sides and couldn't be bothered swapping them. It also took me quite some time to put on my race belt. The volunteers in the change tent were pretty helpful with offering Coke and cold water, but I didn't have the time. Some sunscreen would be nice, but there weren't any.
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180KM BIKE - TARGET 5 HOURS 55 MINUTES
The discipline which I normally dreaded the most, somehow I was looking forward to it this time round. The roads were a bit rough, so I had to be careful not hit any sharp stones. I was keen to make up for the lost time in the swim and T1, but yet wanted to cautious not to overburn myself. I was spinning comfortably, averaging about 32kph.
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I downed a Powergel at the 40km mark, but I skipped the first special needs station. Soon at 60km, we arrived at the infamous Bukit Hantu, where we had to do a steep climb, my speed was reduced to about 10kph. This was also where race leader Mareno Vanhoenacker lapped me, the same spot where Bryan Rhodes and Luke McKenzie lapped me last year.
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I arrived at the station, only to see the volunteers unprepared (they were actually taking group pictures!), as opposed to last year, where they positioned some volunteers few metres before the station to yell out our numbers so that the others can be ready. Anyway, time was still on my side, and I gobbled down two buns and sped off. Also, I kept one bottle cage empty this time, so I was able to carry additional water bottles from the stations.
I was still maintaining above 32kph until just after 90km where fatigue started to creep in. The sun was coming out and my heart rate was rising. I was told that it reached a peak of 46 degrees that day. My pace slowed down. I was feeling very uncomfortable and almost thought of giving up. But I told myself that I was most likely just going through a bad patch and willed myself to go on.
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Anyway, no point getting frustrated over something I couldn't control. Also, my body still had quite a lot of water, as I felt the urge to pee. And folks, I've finally mastered the art of peeing while cycling hehheh, did it a few times actually.
The lack of water continued for a while, and later on, the aid stations did replenish their stock. But with plastic bottled water! How are these supposed to fit into our bike cages?! Anyway, I sipped the water where I could without wasting too much time. Good thing I did not throw away the Ironman bottle that I took from the last station, I wasn't able to get any as a souvenir last year (this year, Li-Ann collected another 3 for me).
Very soon, it was the final lap and I was growing anxious. Miraculously, meeting Li-Ann at the last 20kms was such an energy booster, that I was speeding home in excess of 35kph. I even held off Emma until she overtook me at the final 5km.
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TRANSITION 2
As I already peed (several times!) on the bike, I didn't need to visit the toilet unlike last year. My T2 time was a 1:45, which I later found out was the quickest in my age group (the only thing I could top my age group, hahhah). Could have been slightly quicker if my race bag wasn't tied so tightly, I had trouble fitting my helmet in. In the end, I asked one of the volunteers to do it for me.
Coming out of transition, fellow triathlete Nik was cheering me and snapping pictures. Thanks mate, and I look forward to reading your progress to your first Ironman next year!
After coming out of T2, my watch showed that even if I made the same run split as last year, I would have been at least 6 minutes inside my overall 11 hour target. So I kept my cool, and maintained short, steady steps with high cadence.
Feeling a lot stronger than last year, I did really well at the start, soaking up the atmosphere, I even overtook Emma and Heidilee, another top Malaysian triathlete after the 1st km.
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Heidilee has long overtaken me. Emma was coming closer and closer each lap. I managed to steal a kiss from Li-Ann just at the start of the 3rd lap, that kept me going for a while :)
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Nevertheless, I plodded along but I became more and more tired. My run/walk strategy to each aid stations, which were supposedly 1km apart became more of a jog and the walking distance increased. I clocked the 4th lap in 52:11. With one more lap to go, I knew I would not be able to beat last year's timing, let alone go under 11 hours.
It was then, I gave up pushing too hard and decided to walk all the way. Emma overtook me soon after that. My toes being soaked in the socks, hurt each time I took a step. Hence, I had to take them off. Maybe it was partly caused by me wearing them on the opposite sides! It was only towards the later stage of the last lap, where I picked up by pace. By this, I meant fast walking with big steps, sort of like marching. I didn't want Li-Ann to worry as I knew she would be waiting for me at the finish line once I started my last lap.
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Last 1km to go, I was greeted by an angel. Li-Ann came looking for me. We walked together. She willed me to jog the last few hundred metres. Somehow all the pain in my feet went away. Soon, I could hear the sounds coming from the speakers at the finish line. I was keen to run through the finish with her, but Li-Ann was worried that the organizers might disqualify me for that, as they were quite strict this year.
So while she went through the gates to the other side of the finish line, I gather whatever strength I have left to sprint as fast as I could. The crowd cheers became louder and my legs felt stronger, sprinting faster. I felt like Usain Bolt breaking a world record!
I crossed the finish line in 11:33:12, about 18 minutes slower than last year, but nevertheless, the feeling of completing another Ironman was indescribable. I gave a yell of relief for finally completing one of the toughest race I've ever done.
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POST RACE
I joined Li-Ann in the recovery. Had my shower and massage, while we waited for the rest. It was tough day, and many of us although with months of intensive training were reduced to pure survival mode, just to get through the finish line.
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Frank for snapping most of the pictures you see in this blog post. Other photographers include Shazly and gang, evergreen Tey, Mich and Nik. Your pictures make this whole experience an unforgettable one.
To all the other supporters who were on the course, either under the sun or in the dark. From those in our own group and those who happen to be cheering their family and friends, also provided the support we needed when it got tough. Our group only got back to the Kondo at 11pm, and we were up since 5.30am. There were still quite a few on the course then.
To the volunteers, I apologize if I have vented my frustrations onto you. You still did a great job but I would probably like to inform the organizers that there is definitely room for improvement. Yes, I am proud that Malaysia has our very own full distance Ironman race. In fact, the only one in South East Asia. But that doesn't mean that you can take a lackadaisical attitude towards it's organizing. It was reported we had participants from over 40 countries taking part in this event. Malaysia's reputation is at the international stage. Sadly, I cannot label this event as international standard.
Finally, if you've asked me whether I'll do another Ironman just after the race, I'll say no way I'm putting myself through such suffering again! In fact, partway through the race, I thought of quitting triathlon totally.
But old habits die hard. And now, my fire has started burning again, so I'll definitely continue doing this sport as my body permits. See you at the next Ironman! (be it Busselton or Langkawi, I haven't decided yet :P)
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20 comments:
congrats,huge inspiration.. u did great =)
kev, very inspiring .. I want to be like you ..:)... but have to start collecting guts first. Good job bro.
kev, you did great regardless of the mishaps.
Just improve on your bike next year..that'll be enough to do sub 11.
nice report bro and congrat. mastered the art of peeing -> hahaha..
Very solid timing. Superb!
Well done bro!
Glad to have met you again.
Congratulations again! Great report.
Kev: Big congratuation. Very inspiring and very informative in every stage of preparation. you are my idol.
Congrats Kev!!
Well Done Kevin!!! I want to be like U.....Wa!!!!
Very nice Report Kevin.
Well done
Nice report and great performance. Keep it up!
Thank you, thank you all! I supposed if I can't top last year's performance, I should at least top last year's race report right? Hehheh.
Yip, bike already improved a lot, needed to improve mental strength to maintain good form during the run when fatigued.
hey Kev, NICE to finally meet you. Thanks for your support and well done - AWESOME bike improvment :)
Hi Emma, the pleasure is all mine. Thanks, wish I can say the same about my run though, hehheh.
i didn't expect u to walk actually was very shock. coz i really look up on u=) yr swim is still good, bike improvement is great, marathon could have done better. see u again next year=)
Yalah, mind give up. Body also give up. Yup, see you next year. If not Langkawi maybe some other race (thinking of doing IMWA la).
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Hello Everybody,
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