DNF in IM Guyre ~ Kwenchana-yo! Happy to just be in Korea.

IM Gurye, Korea 2017 ~ the story of many firsts.

When I first started putting pen to paper, I wasn't sure if I would be writing a story of a successful virgin attempt on my Full distance Ironman, or if it would be a sob story of my failure.  It turned out to be neither. For despite my DNF on the run leg, I must admit I have never enjoyed a race so much.

Cobra Ironman 70.3 Cebu Phillipines 2017

​One of the toughest yet most enjoyable 70.3

Time and time again, I overcome my indolence to face head-on yet another 70.3. I quite enjoy the stubbornness of the human mind in the way it is willing to subject itself to many weeks of suffering, and a few hours of sheer grit for a measly piece of metal, and a priceless memory of running over the finishing line.

Busselton Ironman 70.3 - 2017

... Of Tong Geng, of giddy spells, and of Sharks.
~ The story of Busselton Ironman 70.3 [4th - 10th May 2017]

The Busseltonians post-race

Pushing boundaries and breaking limits are characteristics defining human nature. And that explains why a bunch of otherwise perfectly normal (and sane) middle-aged Singaporeans set foot on the shores of Busselton beach to prove to themselves that they are still deserving of the title of a Half-Ironman.

Busselton 70.3 RACE DAY!!!

The Day of Reckoning.

Introduction
It was the day, finally.

Ready in our wetsuits
[Photo: Serene's iPhone. Click to enlarge]

Four of us were here for this famous Half Ironman 70.3 Race, most of us well prepared, except one who was totally out of tune with training.  Busselton was famous for the Half and Full Ironman courses because firstly it had beauitful weather here.  It was cool in summer when it held the Full Ironman, and it had mild winter during which the Half Ironman took place.  The race course was fast and mostly flat, and the Indian Ocean sea water was nice and cold, making for a fast swim for most of the seasoned Ironmen.  Busselton is famed for being the course to attain one's Personal Best.
So it was a nice and mild wintry May that saw four of us gathered here for our first attempt in this course.

Busselton Ironman 70.3 ~ Day 3

Race pack collection, Bike check-in
and the much-anticipated Open Water Test Swim!

Getting ready for our Open Water Test Swim
[Click on image to enlarge]

CONTENTS
1. To start from the beginning of this wonderful trip (Day 1 and 2) click here.
2. To laugh yourself crazy seeing how the boys did their Open Water test swim (Day 3), and learned more about Race pack collection & bike check in, continue reading on.
1. To jump right into the Busselton 70.3 Race day, click here.
4. To read our trip outta Busselton to Fremantle ~ Day 5, click here.
5. To view the rustic old buildings of Fremantle & our journey to Joondalup ~ Day 6, click here.

Busselton Ironman 70.3 - Day 1 & Day 2

How truly enjoyable can an Ironman trip be?!

29 April- 6 May 2015

CONTENTS
1. To start from the beginning of this wonderful trip (Day 1 and 2) continue reading on.
2. To laugh yourself crazy seeing how the boys did their Open Water test swim (Day 3), click here.
1. To jump right into the Busselton 70.3 Race day, click here.
4. To read our trip outta Busselton to Fremantle ~ Day 5, click here.
5. To view the rustic old buildings of Fremantle & our journey to Joondalup ~ Day 6, click here.

Putrajaya 70.3 Half Ironman

Sign up and experience the true meaning of sufferfest.

"Can a newbie jump straight into doing a half ironman?" I asked.
"Sure. Just follow the training program. Can be done one."reassured GT.

And I signed up for Putrajaya 70.3.



It turned out to be a roller coaster adventure.  In between chronically strained and painful peroneal tendons of both ankles, and trying to fit the training sessions into my working schedule, I somehow managed to put in some kind of training.  Sprinkled in a couple of weeks of illnesses, and that completed the whole picture.

Tri-Factor 2014

Tri Factor 2014 - finally understood the meaning of going all out (almost)!

"Dar, I'm worried about the cycling route," said Serene during our recce. "The U-turn right at the end is dangerous, and Edwin said there will be cheongsters and inexperienced riders and crashes and all."
"Yah.  We just have to be careful," I replied.

Metasprint Triathlon 2014 ~ Never knew Triathlon was so enjoyable!

METASPRINT TRIATHLON 13 April 2014 - the bonding gets closer!

Finally, the day had come.  The boys had been preparing for this for months.  And, some with trepidation, awaited for the arrival.  It was with nothing short of a slight pang of sadness that I watched the guys trained, ladder-intervals after ladder-intervals, for the event.  Only 6 weeks before, a fall rendered me out of action for all my sporting events, including this, which was meant to be the climax of 'em all.  Still, excitement mounted as Serene and I got to Car park 6 along Changi Coastal Road at 6:05am to get ready with the boys.
With forearm splint tight bound on my broken finger, and ankle-lock securely holding my left foot, I shuffled to Car Park 6...

Me - pai kah pai chew - couldn't participate.  But I could still help them take photos.

Metasprint Aquathlon - The Way of the Samurai.

Aquathlon ~ the first of the Metasprint series of three races. 16 Feb 2014.

Crazy as can be

Some time back, roughly around 2-3 months ago, Gerard, in one of his many crazy spells, suddenly triggered an interest in Triathlons.  It was not long after our Tour de Bintan, when spirits were high, and every one was on the roll.
And naively a few of us signed up for the Metasprint series of three races: the Aquathlon, the Duathlon and the last, the Triathlon.