I've done all I could

It's only three more sleeps away before I leave for Langkawi, and another two more before I'm at the Kuah Jetty starting line for the biggest race of my life.

The one week of Chinese New Year festivities has added nearly 2kgs to my weight, but I'm relieved that it hasn't quite affected my times. I did two 11.3km runs in under 49:30, whereas last year I struggled to do them under 50 minutes.

Swimming wise, I was humbled by my little brother (not so little anymore) who joined me for a one hour session. I did 3.6km, he did 200m more because he lapped me twice! We did a pyramid set of 100m, 200m, 300m, 400m, 400m, 300m, 200m, 100m. Partway through the set, he suggested that we each did our own pace. He went on to do the remaining on 1:25 cycles for each 100m, and he was able to hold them on 1:20!

Keith is now recovering in Serdang Hospital, from a sinus surgery, performed by our very own Dr Hisyam. I wish Keith a speedy recovery!

I was finally able to test out my new wheels. I joined Yip and Tomato Ray for a 93km ride from Bukit Jalil to Putrajaya and back via MEX highway. I'm glad that the 80mm profile wheels weren't too difficult to control. We finished the ride with an average of 30.3kph. My first training ride above 30kph, thanks guys!

That night, we had a lou sang dinner with the THG members, also to send off those of us taking part in Langkawi Ironman this year. Great company, thanks Jennifer for organizing!

The next morning, I joined Peter Lau of P2K for a 1500m swim time trial. We swam at the Putrajaya pool near the 70.3 race venue. It overlooked the lake and the Pullman hotel, which were really beautiful. Shahrom did the 1500m distance with me, whereas Barry and the other national juniors did the 750m distance. I'm really glad I did the time trial. It was indeed a confidence booster. I clocked 21:56, a personal best by about 30 seconds. And my pace was quicker than the boys who did the 750m too :)

I plan to do one more swim session and one more 11.3km run before I leave for Langkawi. For those at home and if you're interested, do check our progress here.

See you there and all the best to those who are competing!

It's good to be home...

Belated dinner celebration for dad's birthday

Raub, my dad's hometown

Gentle reminder

Just something to bring back the memories and perhaps spur a bit of motivation in our final weeks of preparation, and also while we are on the race course. I admit, I did spend quite a bit of time on this. I'm no techie, hence it takes me longer. I'd also like to thank (and apologize too) for the many stolen pictures of others I used in this slideshow, without your permission.

Come Saturday, 27th February 2010... I hope to cross the finish line before the clock strikes 6.45pm.

I'll see to it that I do.

Home in 5 days

After 5 years of spending Chinese New Year away from home, I'm really looking forward to this trip. Can't wait to dig into delicacies like bak kua, lou sang and pineapple tarts, soaking up the festive atmosphere in Raub, my dad's hometown and just catching up with closed ones.

My last weekend of training here in Perth before Ironman Langkawi could not be any better. For my Saturday bike ride, the clouds were shading me from the sun and it was cool at mid 20 degrees. The winds were mild in the morning, but it soon picked up as midday came. I completed the 120.2km in 4:05:16 (average 29.4kph), my fastest training effort ever for that distance.

After the ride, I dropped my bike off at Runner's World, Northbridge for a service. I've also got myself some valve extensions for my new wheels. Phil is very nice to give me a discount each time I purchase something from the shop.

This was followed by a dim sum lunch with the SLB gang at Dragon Palace. One final meet-up before some of us head home for Chinese New Year.

Sunday morning, darling joined me for the first loop of my 21.7km run. We jogged the first 4.35km loop in just under 31 minutes. I ran the remaining four loops in negative splits - 20:00, 19:38, 19:24, 18:18 (sprinted the last loop). Completed the 21.7km in 1:48:16.

Over the week, I've received news that I was unsuccessful in getting into Powerbar Team Elite for 2010/2011. I was a bit disappointed as I thought I was pretty close to getting it. But I won't let this put me off. If anything, it would inspire me to work harder to not only excel at the sport, but to also contribute by raising awareness about it to my fellow peers. I would continue to use Powerbar products, but would probably have to limit them to my own expenses.

Another hole in the pocket

Having already spent quite a lot on my new tri bike about 6 months ago, I told myself that's it. I won't be spending anymore. It was a complete package. Carbon frame, integrated aero bars, SRAM Red groupset, medium profile wheels.

And then 6 months later, the itch came again. So here are the new additions to my bike Faith, which would see some action at Ironman Langkawi in 3.5 weeks time. I told myself, eventually I would be getting new wheels anyway. So might as well get them for this race.

Detec 80mm carbon clincer wheelsets... got them from Casie Chin of Pink Bike Trading in Penang. Casie quoted me a price including delivery which I cannot refuse.

Am I naive to try an unknown brand from Taiwan? One thing for sure, being less than half the price of Zipps, my wallet will thank me for that. The wheels are probably travelling interstate now from Penang to my home in Subang Jaya. Can't wait until I come home to test them out.

There has been a lot of discussion about how deep rim wheels would only benefit those who can maintain above an average speed of 40kph. I definitely do not fall in that category. Hopefully, with these wheels, I would... eventually reach that stage. If not, I think they are pretty looking wheels. At least they satisfy the superficial side of me :P

The final frontier

My final hard training weekend before things get easy. Okay, maybe not easy, but easier.

I decided to try out the aero helmet for Saturday's bike ride. Wanted to see if overheating would be a problem. Ironically, it was quite windy that Saturday, winds were blowing in excess of 35kph. Hence, there was quite a bit of ventilation. Also, the temperature were somewhere in the low 30s at it's highest, not too extreme.

Anyway, the helmet didn't cause any problems in terms of heating up my head. It did sometimes get caught up in the cross winds though.

I scheduled a lunch break somewhere after the 100km mark. My average speed was 28.8kph then. Li-Ann is in Sydney for her conference, so I wouldn't be able to have lunch with her after my ride anyway. I indulged myself in Hungry Jack's triple cheeseburger stunner meal - a burger, small fries, small drink and a sundae for only A$6.95 (no, I'm not getting paid for this promo). I helped myself with the free drink refills.

After lunch, I was mainly riding into the head winds. But patience is a virtue, and sure enough the last few kms of my ride was greatly wind assisted. I completed the 162.8km distance (slightly longer than my usual 160km, must be the detour for lunch hehheh) in 5:41:57 (not including rest stops, average 28.5kph). Not my best, but given the rough wind conditions, I'm pretty satisfied.

Sunday morning, I woke up with a pair of pretty tired legs. I wasn't sure if I could do a long run. I took comfort in knowing that I've done a long run on Tuesday, the Australia Day holiday already. So I told myself I'll just take one loop at a time and see how it goes.

The results were pleasantly surprising! It's amazing when the race comes nearer, how much more motivation there is. The first four 4.35km loops were ran in 19:09, 19:03, 19:27, 19:31 (water stops at the 3rd and 4th loop) and I shocked myself that I had the energy to sprint the 5th loop in 18:41. Completed the 21.6km distance in 1:35:51 (average 4:26 per km), I was stoked!

27 days to go... I can't wait!

One day holiday

Yes, it was Australia Day. For the past four years, we used to have it as a long weekend. This year is was on a Tuesday.

Anyway, any holiday is always welcomed. On Monday night, we celebrated Eric's birthday with buffet and karaoke at Dragon Palace. Fun night out, there were some hillarious moments, and some undiscovered talents were unearthed too. Thanks Eric for the treat!

Tuesday morning, I did a 21.7km run. After not having done any long runs in excess of 1 hour since the new year, I was keen to get one done. And I decided not to do 30km, as to be cautious not to floor myself. I started off pretty well, just over 19 minutes for the frist two 4.35km loops. By the third loop, I slowed my pace down and was approaching 20 minutes, which is normally how I pace my runs anyway - start off quick and ease off later, I find that less stressful on the mind. I completed the full distance in 1:38.05 (average 4:31 per km).

Happy with another long run in the bag and reasonably good timing. I guess running with fresh legs helps, as opposed to running on the day after a long ride. I might just stick to this distance, and nothing more for my long runs up until Ironman Langkawi.

Later in the morning, darling and I joined Eric, Renee, Ivan, Joelle and Fozz at Scarborough Beach. It was a nice day, not too hot - 32 degrees. There were many young teenagers there in their Australian flag beachwear. It was good recovery after the long run. Dipping in the cold water, relaxing on the beach. We had lunch at Dome, which was pretty satisfying.

That evening, we joined the throngs of people watching the fireworks at Perth foreshore. It was Li-Ann's first Australia Day here in Perth. It was a full 30 minute display, a pretty sight.

Happy birthday Australia!