twy’s blog!

FYI, I have never finished a Powerman long distance race under the 5 hr qualifying time before.

In 2006, I finished in 5:01:12. Then, it was held in Lumut, and the race started at 1pm! The few things I remembered about that race is that it was super hot when it started, I started having bad cramps on my calf right after I got onto my bike, and the weather changed from hot to heavy rain during the bike.

Last year, I finished absolutely the last with a time of 5:49:56. I know that I am last because the sweeper bus was right behind me. It started a little bit cloudy, but got really hot at the end. Furthermore, I fell sick the day before, could barely stay up, but still decided to race.

This year, my goal is to finish in under 5 hrs. Breakdown: 1:10 (1st run), 2:15 (bike) and 1:30 (2nd run).

On Thursday before the race, it got pretty cold in my room. Even though the fan was quite low, it got really cold and the next morning I felt like I am going to fall sick. I thought to myself if the same thing last year might happen again. Drank lots of warm water for damage control. Decided to sleep early just in case. Woke up like 4.30am the next morning and couldn’t go back to sleep. Felt a little bit weak, but not as bad as last year.

Packed my stuff and started my journey to Seri Manjung after lunch. For those who don’t know how to get there from Penang, take the North-South highway and exit at the Changkat Jering exit. Head towards Pantai Remis and from there, just continue going straight. Total time should be between 2 to 2.5 hours.

Got my race pack. T-shirt is pretty nice, so is the bag that they gave. This year, I planned pretty early. Paid the registration fees in July to get the early bird price, and booked a room at Lead View Hotel, the nearest hotel to the start. You’ll need to book it really early as it fills up pretty fast. Attended the briefing. Blog friend Haris was there as well, but he’s taking part in the relay. DIdn’t eat much for dinner, and slept early.

Got up at 5.30am, took a warm shower, and had my pre-race meal. It consists of Munchy crackers and some banana. And now to the race.

Took it easy on the run. After the first 2 corners, I looked back and noticed that I was already last, together with a girl. But the girl slowly faded back and I could see I’m starting to approach some people in front. Slowly overtook one at a time. Before I finished the first lap, the elites overtook me, just like last year. I finished the first lap in about 38 mins. Pretty much on target. Ran about the same pace on the 2nd lap. This time they gave a band at the end of the 1st lap.

Not many bikes left as I entered T1. There were a few other runners that just entered as well. One thing I learned from last year is proper nutrition on the race. I didn’t eat that much last year, and suffered. Ate 2 bananas that I had at my place, and drank some 100 plus. From what I read online, one would need about 2 powergels and 1 bottle of isotonic drink per hour for calories. You’ll also need water, which for this race will be provided at the u-turn point.

The first lap of the bike, I felt pretty strong. However, I felt that my calves were starting to cramp up. Didn’t really cramped up, but it were signs that I need to do something. Quickly ate one powergel and dumped in some 100 plus. Luckily for me, it subsided and didn’t had cramps all the way on the bike. Overtook quite a number of people on the first lap. I was quite surprise to be overtaking Sprint participants so early in the bike. I could see quite a number was starting to have cramps, and many stopped at the side of the road to stretch. I also saw a number of punctures throughout the whole bike leg, amounting to about 5.

The climb up the bridge wasn’t so bad on the 1st lap. However, towards the end of the first lap, my feet started to feel really painful. I wasn’t sure it was due to the pounding on the run, or on the bike itself. At the u-turn, I realised that it could be because my shoes were too tight. I quickly loosen the straps, and it started to feel a lot better, but still a little bit painful. I started to struggle on the 2nd lap. The climb up the bridge this time was getting harder, and on the return climb, it was purely mental just to complete the climb. I told myself that there was only 12km back to T2. Pushed as much as I could but was quite exhausted already. A few people overtook me then. Finished the 1st lap in 1:10 hrs, the 2nd lap was 1:16 for a total of 2:26 hrs. 25 mins better than last year.

I entered T2 at 3:45 hrs after start, which means I have 1:15 hrs left to finish the race, which is the same time as my first run! I tried my best to run, but just ran out of energy. The sun was right up there and it was blistering hot. At each water station, I just poured water all over my head and face. Again, walked for the most part of the run.

Unofficial timing:
1st run (11km): 1:13
Bike (64km): 2:26
2nd run (10km): 1:39
Total: 5:24

Well, at least there was improvement from last year, which came from the bike section. I shall train harder for next year, and see you there!

Race organising was quite good. Water station was adequate. Marshalling was top notch. Thanks to the marshalls, policemen and RELA members, and not to mention all the volunteers involved.

However, one thing I don’t quite like about this event is how they prioritise the elites. I understand that the elites give the glamour to the event. But for age groupers like me, I don’t really care who’s taking part. I don’t follow the Duathlon scene anyway. But its the age groupers that make this event what it is. Without them, they’ll won’t have enough funds to run an event like this, and it’ll be sad if they’ll have to stop organising because of this reason.

In the triathlon races organised by Uncle Chan and family, you can feel that people are doing it for fun. Fun but yet competitive. And they’ll wait till the very last person finishes. But in Powerman, once its over 5 hrs, only the volunteers are left behind. I know how it feels to be behind as I was last last year. They were already starting to pack up when I arrive at the water station. When I finally finished, there were hardly anyone left. Only a few volunteers left, who were cheering for me when I entered the finishing chute.

This year, the Awards lunch started at the 5 hrs mark, meaning that the organisers would have left for it by then. There were no announcement and encouragement given to the finishers. And to make things worse, they decided to give the finisher’s cert right after the race itself. Even worse still, they ran out of cert and had people to write down their names and particulars for it to be delivered. It was quite a mess at the finisher’s tent. What happen to the personal touch? For the past 2 events that I was in, it was mailed to us with our timing on it. Isn’t that nice?

I hope to organisers would pay attention to these details. Of course, I don’t intend to finish over 5 hrs again, but there’ll definitely be somebody that will and I know how they feel. It is not a nice feeling.

I didn’t attend the Awards Lunch. Went back straight to the hotel, took a really nice and long hot shower and packed up. Went for my customary celebratory meal at KFC, the nearest being at Sitiawan some 3km away. Who cares about the Awards lunch? My award was waiting for me at KFC

One of the rare multi-sports event to be held in the Northern region. When I read about it, I wasn’t sure if I would take part in it. Not sure if I’ll be fit in time. But then, since I have registered for the Powerman in November, this would be a good start to my “racing season”.

When Haris told me that he’ll be taking part as well, I decided to take part as at least I would have some company. He booked a room for us as well as for a friend of his, Kevin.

The race distance listed was 6km run, 36km bike, and then another 6km run. I haven’t had much run lately. Cycling should be a problem as I have been doing round the island a few times lately.

Arrived around 5pm at Bayu Hotel. It is about 1 and a half hours drive from Butterworth. Took the opportunity to take the ferry instead. The drive was pretty straightforward. The hotel seem pretty new. Met Haris and Kevin downstairs. They were doing up their bikes.

Briefing was at 6pm. There were quite a number of Thais. There was a van outside with the word “Thai police” one it. Mostly Malaysians with the foreigners from Germany, Australia, Hong Kong and SIngapore. The run route was a bit tricky, with lots of turnings and looping. Bike route was a litte bit tricky at the beginning, but straightforward once we got onto the main road. Mr Chan keep repeating that we will pass KFC 4 times!

As for the hotel, not that bad I guess. RM150 for a room for 3. A little bit pricey for a hotel in a small town. Worse still, there was some mix up and they gave us the room for 2 only! BUt at least it was clean, has hot shower and the view outside was excellent. Outside the room was a beautiful limestone hill. Reminds me of Ipoh.

Had dinner in a Malay food court in town. Walked in the pasar malam after that as Haris and Kevin felt like eating more. Went back to the hotel after that, got our gears ready and checked. Watched TV for a while and slept around 10pm.

Kevin didn’t really had a good sleep, and woke up around 5. I also woke up around that time, but just lay on my bed while he did his stuff. Got out of bed at around 5.30pm. Went downstairs for breakfast at 6. They served packed nasi lemak, some variety of bread and nescafe. Had a pack of Nasi Lemak. Went back to the room and ate some chocolate bars.

Reached the race site around 7. It was at the vicinity of Dewan Tun Abdul Razak. Just hang around the transition area, did the usual warm up, toilet, and checked out the people and bikes. Race was delayed by quite a bit. Was supposed to start at 8am. Waited for the Lion Dance troupe to arrive for “Good Luck”. Flag off I think was around 8.40am. Usually Mr Chan’s race never starts late.

Took it easy for the first run, since I didn’t have the running base. It was slightly uphill in the beginning, pass the Baling Hospital. Then it was downhill and mostly flat. Ran past the kampung area. Lots of people were outside their houses watching. The scenery was very nice. Started out near the back, but slowly cut a few people. Didn’t really looked at my watch when I finished, but it was around 42 mins for the run.

T1 was simple. The first part of the bike was the same as the run. Then it goes out of the town, turning left in front of the hotel, and then straight for about 13km or so. Mr Chan announced earlier that the bike route distance was about 32km, instead of 36km. The route was undulating, but not really that steep. Pushed quite hard. Remembered to drink some fluid, but forgot to eat something. Wasn’t feeling that hungry anyway. It was a little bit hot, but not blistering type of hot. Was alone most of the way. Towards the end, some guy drafted behind me. The best part of the route was the long downhills. Seems that I went up to 52km/h, which I don’t remember when.

When I got back, a number of people have finished. Bike time was about 1hr 11mins, with average speed of 27km/h. Not too bad I guess. Had problems putting back on my socks (I don’t wear socks with my bike shoes). As usual, had difficulty running in the beginning, and my calf muscles started to tighten up. Stretched a little, and walked up the hill. Started to get the feel of running, but the rest of the way I was alternating between walking and running with more running towards the end. I think my 2nd run, which btw was only 5km, was about 40mins.

Total race time was about 2hrs 38mins. Quite satisfied in general as I know my fitness was not there yet. Haris did in 1hr 57mins, while Kevin was just over 2 hours. Congratulations to them for their excellent timing.

Lunch was provided, and seems to be sponsored by the BN ADUN of Baling. More than 3 hours after the start, the last participant finished. The announcer announced that he was a stroke victim. I noticed earlier in the race that his running posture was a little bit different. Quite amazing actually for him to be able to finish the race. Everybody there cheered when he approached the finish.

My dad recently suffered a stroke as well, and that moment it was quite emotional for me. I was so touched by his courage and enthusiasm. My eyes got a little bit teary.

We got back to the hotel room, took a bath and packed up. I parted ways with Haris and Kevin.

While on the way driving back, there was something wrong with my car air-cond. Whenever it turns on, the car will jerk a little and my car radio will reset. This means that the air-cond is drawing a lot of power. To play safe as I don’t want my car to break down in the middle of nowhere, I decided to turn off the air-cond and drove with my car window open. And man, it was a blistering hot afternoon. Sweated in the car while driving. Decided to take the ferry again. At least got some shade while crossing over to the island.

Overall, it was quite a fun race, especially with Haris and Kevin around. I would definitely do it again next year. Furthermore, I must support races in the northern region, so that it will be organised again in the following years.

I got a number of races coming up. Merdeka Ride For Green on 16 Aug, Cendana Hikathon on 4 Oct, Putrajaya Triathlon on 1 Nov and Powerman on 8 Nov.

Also, I am seriously considering taking part in Ironman Langkawi again, which falls on the 28th of Februrary 2010. This gives me about 7 months of training left. I am starting to get comfortable with my swimming again, my bike base is much higher than the last time, with running my main problem now.