Wishing you all a *late* Happy New Year and Gong Xi Fa Chai!
May the year of the snakes be ever in your favour!
Sorry it took me so long for this update. I had been confused, stressed and a little depressed for a few days for reasons I shall explain in a bit.
So back in late December 2012 (I know! New Years already!), I had already begun unpacking my bike after a bit of holiday'ing and gotten back into my training to get ready for the big 2013 season. It wasn't a very consistent reversibility process though as I had caught some sort of flu early January, and again just after recovering, just 2 weeks out from what was to be the toughest, most challenging and yet exciting first race in Geelong, Melbourne to start my year off.
So far it's been a wonderful start to the year, with massive presents, better than those wrapped up in boxes.
MET (Malaysia Elite Triathlon) team had been officially launched, huge thanks to Steve Lumley for his efforts to hunt and gather sponsors together to support us athletes in our competitive needs. We had been talking about starting up this team since the start of last year, slowly gathering information and resources to go about setting up this team, and now that it has finally launched, we couldn't be any more excited. This team had been solely set up to help support us Malaysian athletes (Triathletes and even Duathletes) with bike servicing, equipment aid, nutritional aid, and most importantly, financial aid to train and race.
Team MET is currently sponsored by DSA (Dolphins Swim Academy), Powerbar, FHLsports, Airasia X and SEGI College.
Huge thanks for all your supports!!
It's definitely the biggest thing to happen in Malaysian triathlon and we hope it will continue to grow.
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| Powerbar to fuel myself in preparation for the race |
K-Swiss had also offered to take me up as their ambassador, providing plenty of equipment to keep me on the feet for the year, which we are still so working out a way to manage together with the team.
I am also privileged to continue working together with Oakley Malaysia.
So after CEEPO had accepting to provide me with a pair of Mamba Frame, all that needed was to get it shipped in in time and have all components set up. That was a surprisingly quick process thanks to Mr. Tanaka for arranging to have the bike shipped in within 2 weeks, and FHLsports setting it all up within a day, I was able to have a new set ready to race in Geelong a week after (I know it's not ideal to race with a week old bike, but I managed!). FHLsports was also wonderful enough to provide me with a pair of Reynolds Assault Race Wheels.
I gave the new 2013 model white Mamba a few good rides with the national cyclists, putting in a few efforts and testing it up to speeds above 80km/hr.
I must say, I'm real please with it's response and handling! It was a very smooth and comfortable ride, with the added stability and handling of the Reynolds Assaults. It handled the crosswinds pretty well whilst giving a very good acceleration even into headwinds. I was able to take cornering's with more confidence, with better control of the bike and the profile design of the race rims. I felt light on the bike the entire journey and the bike and wheels seemed to just respond near perfect to my outputs. Considering my own body weight, I would have expected to be easily tossed around by the winds, but I was in much control, feeling the winds cutting through with ease. Every pedal stroke was well spent and put to good use.
Climbs and stood up pedalling felt very comfortable and efficient too with the incredible stiffness of the bike. Hard as a brick!
I then had a final spin on Wednesday and packed my bike up that night, and hopped on the plane the evening after.
This was a trip for just the two of us (me and Steve Lumley).
Huge thanks to Azran for provide us with flight tickets to board Airasia X! Would have definately reconsidered it if it weren't for his generous support. Go Airasia X!
The sleeping pills had little effect to the cramped, upright seats and an 8 hour flight at 10pm to 9am was honestly pretty stiffening, but I was glad to have still managed to catch a bit of sleep.
On the morning of arrival we rented a little car and I set my bike up after checking into our Motel and immediately passed out on our beds for awhile (Need I say why?)
For the past few days, it had been a lovely weather down in Geelong, and I felt pretty good swimming up and down the clear waters and riding on the roads, boosting my confidence a little.
I was definitely impressed with the beautiful and scenic environment with such an oddly perfect weather, especially after hearing about the intense killer heat waves, It wasn't what I had expected.
It all seemed perfect and I felt like I was at the best I could ever be this early in the year.
Well, at least until I actually raced it...
Race day:
I had a few good pre-race warm ups and ticked off my last minute checklist and soon we all lined up to jump into the chilly waters for a water start to the 750m swim. Bare in mind we were told just the day before that it had been changed to a non wetsuit swim, which played to my disadvantage especially as I spent a fair bit putting on and taking it off! Well, that and also because I know it would be a tough fight out in the sea...
By 3pm we dove into the sea and lined up between the start buoys, and were quickly sent off with a blow of the horn. At this point I was feeling pretty good and kept myself in there.. Well, up to the first buoy.
Something happened (up till now I'm not quite sure what!) and I went from with the group to 50m behind and chasing my guts out. It could've just been a shock to the system after having too much turkeys the month before, or that I lacked race fitness, or judged the turn at buoy wrong.. So many possibilities.. My best believe is still that some Jedi had a shitty day and decided to pick on me.
I exited the waters about 40sec down the last athlete (Yup, I got the sympathy claps) and ran towards the only bike that was left in the transition. As I got on the bike I immediately went for the drops and drilled my lungs out in hopes of catching the pack. It was extremely hard with head-winds and no one to trade turns, and the gap slowly grew. After 2 laps I realised there was no catching the group and my goal changed. I was left to worry about being lapped by the 3 men chasing for the gold medal. I kept my arms on the drops and really dug in deep all the way, but eventually I was lapped JUST about 300m from my fourth lap (and their final lap) and was forced to pull up and clear off the race course. At that point I realised my day was over and could only sit and watch in disappointment.
These boys were the real deal and I'll admit that this was probably tougher than an Asian Championship!I did not worry too much soon after as I had done what I went to do; Learn. Besides, it was a pretty tough field and it was still my very first race of the year! Though I must say that it was definitely one experience not to be forgotten!
My Swim definitely needs a good block to be put it, and I guess thats always gonna be point at whatever level of racing. It's just a good thing I actually enjoy spending hours in the water!
With the shock to my system, I should've had a good rebooting and am continuing to train, putting plenty of hours in each week, and much more resting as well. Next coming events will most likely be a duathlon down in Singapore next month, and possibly Kenyir Lake relay.
Major race? The Subic Bay ASTC Triathlon Asian Championships in late April.
I will try to continue update at a monthly basis but this is it for now.
Thanks everyone again for all the huge support!
Riki
