It is three day after the race. And I have been knighted with the title of Ironman. There are many things I wish to share with my friends, and I hope that this post will help sort it all out. I would say that the experience can be summed up in 3 words: Amazing, Traumatising and Exhausting.
There were 8 of us, of which 5 were racing (Nicolas, Norman, Jia Jie, Jason, Melvin) and 3 supporters (XiuQing, Michelle, Le Min). We were fortunate to be supported by many for this journey. Norman and I had borrowed our bike boxes from Josh's Dad and Luke. Jason had worked something out to waive the bike boxes to Zurich. Mich's relatives were giving us a place to stay and plenty of food (and alcohol) in Mellington, a village 20km from Zurich. And in the end, Melvin's Dad was helping out with freighting the bikes back to Singapore. We had Le Min as our bike mechanic-cum-everything man, and XiuQing and Mich as our la-la-dui. Then we had Jason's parents as our personal photographers, whose photos totally trashed any professional photo service that were present at the race. Then there was the whole NUS Aquathlon Team, Tri21 team, Coach and friends who were rooting for us back home in Singapore.
Pre-RaceThe mood of the party was pretty relaxed. We were all enjoying the city of Zurich and our accommodation (not to mention food!) at Mellington. Everyone was pretty chillax and was just thinking of completing the race. It was only during the pre-race dinner when the Ironman Swizterland 2008 video was shown did our adrenline levels rise momentarily. The night before the race we watched some Ironman videos to hype ourselves up. I had slept more the day before I knew that I would not get much sleep on saturday night. XiuQing, Jason and I shared a room and we talked till midnight. We fell asleep shortly after that only to wake up at 4am.
My bike box before leaving. Many thanks to the group for helping me with transport and unpacking!
All our huge bike box lined up in the room.
A p4 on display. Cost about SGD18 000. Electric shifting that is controlled by button pressing. This is not a bike anymore.
Writing messages for ourselves. Jason's message.
Norman's message.
Welcoming Singaporeans at the pre-race carbo loading dinner.
Jason Tweeking his E112.
Norman's Radon sitting below our laundry.
Us taking the train to check in our bikes.
Having Movenpick the day before the race.
2 Taxis were arranged to take us to Landiwiese, the race site by Lake Zurich. We arrived at 5:30am and began arranging our transition area. Our bikes had been checked in the previous day. It was total bike porn at the scene, with bikes that "looked like cars or stealth fighters" and bikes that "ate our little bikes for breakfast" (Jason Yip).
Me with the hand made Singapore flag. Setting up transition on race day.
My biggest supporter.
Team NUS contingent. We made up 5 out of 11 of the Singaporeans present at the race.
Our other loyal supporters! Very grateful to you both!By 6:30am, we were zipped up in our wetsuits, took a group photo before heading to the swim start. The water was 20.9 degrees. We swam out to the start and waited for the start. We had planned to do the race together.
Race start photo.
Us in the water with a helicopter filming from above.
Swim 3.8km (1:18.15,3)The gun shot went off and people started swimming. Jason exclaimed "Oh my god, it has started!" We started swimming together. I swam beside Jason and Norman was with Jia Jie. My pace was similar to Jason and it was very comfortable to swim beside him. Norman seemed to be having problems swimming (later heard from him that he was feeling cold) and Jason and I stopped occasionally to wait for him and Jia Jie. Unfortunately, we loss them when everyone congregated at the first turning bouy. Since we could not stay stationary as the whole pact was flowing forward, Jason and I decided to stick together and carry on swimming.
Race course layout for swim and run.
The swim leg was most enjoyable. The water was cool and swimming in it was very comfortable. I reminded myself to enjoy the swim, because it is not everyday that will get to swim in Lake Zurich.
The swim made me think of being in a huge school of fish.
Jason and I watched out for each other, we helped each other to sight for the bouys and maintain the right direction. The competitive spirit was very different than in Singapore. When other swimmers got to close and we bumped into each other, we made an effort to slowly swim apart, rather than kicking and forcing each other down to the bottom of the lake. We finished 1.8km quite comfortable and I saw XiuQing and Mich as we were crossing the island to start the second loop.
Coming out after 1.8km and going in for the second loop.
I kept reminding myself ot enjoy the swim. Sometimes we saw sea plants under the lake. At around 3km my googles started to feel tight on my face, but another 800m and we were out of the water. We saw Prof Sven just as we were running into transition area.
Running with Jason to T1, Prof Sven was there!
Jason and I (we were side by side anyway, no. 133 and 135) took our time to dry up and eat. I had gotten hungry from the swim. We decided to wait until 8:30am for Norman and JJ before heading off to cycle. We changed into cycling gear and fortunately the 2 of them came out at around 8:28am. They said that they were going to the toilet. Jason and I decided to cycle off first as we needed some time to warm up. I saw XiuQing and Mich before heading off to start the cycle.
The massive amount of bikes present. 2 222 competitors were there.
Jason and I running out together.
The guy who did the race in a clown costume.
Norman and Jia Jie coming out not far behind.
Jason and I started off pretty well. We were going at 30-33km/h comfortably. My tires were pumped to 120psi (I usually do about 100-110 back home without a Jo-Blow). We could not draft as the referees were pretty strict. I mentally divided the bike course into 2 sections of 9 subsections of 10km each. Think of it as climbing 2 towers, each with 9 floors, each floor lasting 10km.
Course profile. Note the rolling hills at 30km, beast at 52km, egg at 56km, minibeast at 60km and heartbreak hill at 84km.
Along the way we stopped to pee. The weather got a bit cold and it started to drizzle. I used a cycling jacket that I bought for 40SGD (I only later realised that it was wind resistant but not water proof! =( ) The first 3 floors were flat, and easily covered. We then passed the first aid station. After that began some small climbs, and I managed to overtake some people during the ascend. At this point I had unknowingly lost Jason as he was nowhere to be found when I turned my head. The next 2 floors were rolling hills. I went to my largest gear going down and slowly dropped gears while ascending. The main course came at the 6th floor, start of the 50km mark, and boy was it a feast. This was the beast, a grueling 3km climb up 300m. It sounds not too bad, but it was traumatizing. There were about 6 hairpin turns, and after each turn, the slope did not get easier. I had never seen such a hill, ever. I kept cranking on a low gear and felt my muscles getting tight. I had always trained myself to tackle the hill fast so the suffering was less. But this hill was just too long. Everyone's speed dropped to 9-13km/h. We looked like slaves pulling heavy blocks to build a pyramid. This image was etched into my head. After conquering the beast, I cleared the 6th floor, I thought that it was over, but I was only in the egg. Then came the next stretch which I termed the "mini-beast". A shorter but equally challenging climb. Half-way, I overtook Melvin but had to dismount as my leg cramped up. I opened my deep-heat and massaged my leg. I was in trouble. If I was having cramps at 60km, I was in pretty deep shit. Melvin overtook me, I got back on my bike and continued up the hill, the loud crowd signifying the end of the climb. I got across it and passed Melvin. I grabbed power gels and refilled bottles at the aid station. Level 6 was cleared.
Shots of me climbing during the first loop. (Wearing the windproof jacket)
Level 7 and 8 were pretty easy. It consisted of huge descends where my max speed reached 58km/h. (Once again I was conservative, JJ reached 80km/h and Jason 78km/h) I was unsure of the course ahead so I slowed down when approaching corners. After the downhill it was a flat ride towards Landiweise. We had to pass it and I was now at level 9, where I had to tackle heart-break hill. I was not in excellent shape. My speed was dropping to 28-30km/h on the flats. I made a note to overload on gel and electrolytes. Heartbreak hill was also a challenge. I dismounted halfway up to deep heat myself. A supporter asked if I was fine, and when I mounted my bike, he gave me a running push. I was grateful to him. I saw XiuQing, Mich and Le Min towards the end of the hill. I gave XiuQing a kiss and carried on, with another push start from Le Min. I loaded up at the aid station at the top and made my way down. I cycled back the 3km of flats back and passed the transition area. 1 more loop to go.
Mythical TowerThis tower was going to be a lot tougher. I kept looking out for Jason, Jia Jie and Norman but could not see them. I was a little worried. Where were they? Had they passed me unknowingly? I did not know. I kept on going. There was a bit of head wind on the first 3 levels, and they were harder to tackle. I took a gel every 10km and dranked electrolytes. I kept thinking of the beast that was to come, that image of climbing that gruesome hill. How was I to survive?
The bike course. I have to admit that it was very scenic and cooling to cycle.
I also thought of the time. We had originally planned to do an average of 30km/h and that would cover 180km in 6 hours. That would make a 2:30pm cycle finish. I was certain that it was not possible, and I set a max limit of reaching back by 4pm. I was not too sure of the cycling cut off time, and was a little worried. Finishing at 4pm would give me 7 hours to do a marathon. Seemed good enough, except that I had never done a marathon in my life. This was going to be my first. I had doubts of completing. Ironman was not as easy as we made it out to be. The number of cyclist I saw also decreased quite significantly. The road seemed quieter and the referees came by less frequent. It felt like I was left behing. I eventually completed levels 10, 11, and 12 and began on level 13, the start of rolling hills. I had done 120km on the bike. 60km to go. The rolling hills were still managable. But my gear was beginning to give me some trouble. I could not go to my lowest gear on my small chain ring. The chain kept slipping (Derailer misalignment or teeth damage). So I had to climb with the second lowest ring. I also noticed a squeaky sound from the front tires. I prayed that nothing would happen. Jia Jie was against continental tires, and these were the ones that I got when I requested changing the tires during the bike servicing. All the while I kept thnking of the beast, the beast, the beast. I came up with a plan to tackle it. I would crank 3 hard cycles and 2 easy cycles, then I would recall the names of people who were supporting me back home so prevent me from giving up:
1,2,3,1,2,Dad. 1,2,3,1,2,Mum. 1,2,3,1,2,Val. etc
And I had also: XiuQing, Norman, JiaJie, Jason, Melvin, Mich, Le Min, Aaron, Amos, Royston, Meghna, Coach, Arji, Luke, Aldrich, ZhiYun, JonMa, Josh, Kai Lun, Bearbay, Desmond, Jun Yang, (Basically the NUS Aquathlon and the Tri21 peeps)
After 3 or 4 dismounts and deep heat sedation I got past the beast and took another 2 dismounts to get past mini-beast. I cursed the hills, why did I had to do an Ironman that had such challenging hills? If it was flat I am sure I would have comfortably done at least a 6hr30min ride or so and could have done it with the rest. (Norman later told me that Luke told him that the hills were identical to Desaru, he jokingly cursed Luke for lying. LoL) By then I was extremely exhausted. I welcomed the downhill and managed to pick up some speed on the flats. I was back to 30km/h. But heartbreak hill was yet to be slayed. Heartbreak hill, heartbreak hill... I paddled towards a death sentence. The transition area looked so welcoming when I passed it. Level 18, final floor. The road to heartbreak hill took forever. I dismounted early on, and took 3 dismounts to conquer it. After that, I just prayed to get to the transition area safely. I had gone for 7 hours on my bike. Get me off it.
T2 (2.45,1)I glanced Le Min at the entrance as I went in. XiuQing was waiting by my bike on the otherside of the fence. I slotted my bike in and began eating. I started telling XiuQing what a terrifying experience the hills were. I noticed that many bikes were already in the transition area. I changed into my running shoes, and ran towards to exit. It was going to be one freaking hell of a run.
Loading up to run my first marathon. Yikes!
This was how I broke my run down: There were 4 loops of 10.5km. There were 5 aid stations rounghly 2km apart. At every 4km mark I got a coloured band (which I called a key). I needed 4 keys to unlock the final door to get to the finish line and get the title of Ironman. Every 10km I could see XiuQing. I decided from the start to walk every aid station in order to recover. I also planned to see the run as 21km, 10.5km and last 10.5km.
Still ok on the first lap...
I did my first loop pretty ok. I did 1hr 7 mins and that was about 6min ++ per km. I got a blue band. What was quite disheartening was that while I was on the first loop bandless, I saw people with 3 or 4 bands. And they were on their last lap. Sigh!
Some people were already done! Check out the Merida Warp 9. With custom lime green/white/black design. That is one angelical looking bike.
I finished the first loop at XiuQing and rubbed deep heat. Then I carried on again. I came up with the following routine during the aid stations to keep myself fueled - water -electrolyte - (banana slice - salt sticks) - OR - (powergel) - water -. I got my second key, a green band, and kept running and running.
Coming in from my 2nd loop.
I came back to XiuQing completing 21km. This lap took me 1hr13minutes. I did a mental calculation and realised that I had 5 hours to complete 21km. I should be quite safe if nothing went wrong. At this time I still had not seen any of the guys on the run, but XiuQing assured me that they were on the course somewhere. The third lap begun to get very painful. I was tired, exhuasted, and my shin, ankle and calves were starting to hurt. I began walking more and my speed slowed greatly. I kept thinking of Jon Ma smiling during the his sundown marathon and tried to do the same. It helped, but it was hard to maintain the smile. Nevertheless, I thought of this tactic of his often. I had aimed to come in at 1hr 40mins. I collected the yellow band and pressed on. At the 30km mark I saw Jason running the opposite way. I was delighted, he said we could run together. He caught up to me pretty quick and he said he would stick with me. I was overjoyed to see him. He was in pretty good shape compared to me. I was dying. I looked terrible in the photos and in person. I remembered Jason's words to always look good in front of the camera, because those are the images that last forever.
Jason with so much energy...
Jason was strong, he was much stronger than me. I told him and he laugh. I admired his strength, and was grateful for his presence. He would laugh and smile and clap his hands when supporters cheered him on, my dying self could only manage a polite nod. I looked terrible. I saw norman pass me and he too later commented that I looked terrible. Jason's pace was fast, and I struggled to keep up, I pressed on until the 3rd time I met XiuQing. 31.5km. I was in unknown territory. I reeked of deep heat, and I sat down to sedate my pain. Jason waited for me. I knew that this was the last lap, that the next time I ran in it will be to the finish for good. I just needed the red key. The red key! I told XiuQing that I was in a lot of pain, and she was tearful to see me in so much pain. This was the feeling of Pain and Exhaustion that I felt was a part of the race.
Jason pointing out to dying me that my girlfriend was just there.
Rubbing deep heat to prepare for the final lap! 10.5km more to go!
Me dying and Jason smiling.
We set off on our fourth lap. But now my ITB was giving me problems. I had a sharp pain on the inner side of my knee. Jason said he had some sort of similar pain. So we walked the first 500m to the aid station. We tried running again slowly, and did 1km or so. Then I stopped to pee, we walked the aid station and ran towards the 3km mark. After the 3km aid station, we took a medical break and walked for 10 minutes to the 4km mark. We collected the red band and walked a bit more. Then we started to run again. But the sharp pain kept coming back, and I was forced to stop after a while. Jason came up with a technique of run to a point and stop. So we ran to the end of the cone, the end of the arrow, the end of the bridge etc. At the 7km mark Jason said that we could still make the under 14hr mark. I was exhausted and told him to go on, I just wanted to complete and I could not run well. After some persuasion from me he agreed, and ran ahead. I was tempted to walk, but seeing Jason run off, I was tempted to run too and end it as soon as possible. So I started running and walking, running and walking. I eventually reached the 42km mark. XiuQing exclaimed why I took so long, I just gave the shag face. Le Min handed me the flag and I ran in, glad that it was going to be over.
Congratulations, you are an Ironman! (13:48.31,6)I looked at the time. It was nice to end. I was in pain. Surprisingly there was no tears as I had envisioned in all my trainings. I did not fall to my knees and tear. I just draped the Singapore Flag over my shoulder and stood there. I kissed XiuQing, and I hugged Jason. Then I just let myself fall to the floor (which according to Jason sent the medic running, but I gave them the thumbs up) and hugged the earth. I could finally stop. I was an Ironman.
I got my medal and towel. Then went with Jason to get our photos taken before limping into the award tent. The food sucked. And I had no appetite. I was in pain. I could not walk straight. Pain shot everywhere. My body retaliated. I thought of selling my bike, I thought of not doing any triathlons for the next 3 months, I thought of giving up Frankfurt. XiuQing was hungry, so I got some food and left to find her. I brought her the food and sat with her at the finish. I began to shiver. It was already 9pm and it was getting cold. XiuQing and I headed to the transition area so that I could change up. I was so cold. I got my things and changed into track pants and a jacket. I wheeled my bike out to the stands and waited for the rest to come in.
It was nice to see parents running in with their kids, or kids holding out signs that read "go daddy!"
I thought about how we were going to go home and dreaded it. But I just sat there, in pain. I admired the medal. I valued the experience. It was an eye opener to see such an event, in such a grand scale. There were many people attempting this feat and even more to cheer us on. I appreciated the crowd who went "Hopp hopp hopp!" and thanked them when I could. It was a great race with many emotions. I walk away with the 3 mentioned before: Amazing, Traumatising and Exhausting.
It was not as easy as expected. On that day itself, I swore I would never do another Ironman. Now, sitting here typing this, I am not too sure. I think I will do more. I am sure it can be experienced without Traumatising and Painful feelings.
Namaste everyone, I am only an Ironman with all your support. It was never a solitary race.
Ironman limping around Zurich after the race.
The sun of 7:49pm is a gracious visitor. A cast that appears from the caravan of a traveling circus. A magical and gentle creature, that paints the room and its inhabitants with a tantalizing, light orange. The light flows into the room, flooding it. Imagine not sharp spears of piercing rays but rather balls of photon streaming down from the heaven in a wavy motion. Like feathers shed from wings of angels. They land where they shall, and merge out of existence, into another.
At 9:36pm the king abruptly raise from his throne and flick his red, royal robe. The motion blankets the sky. Everyone stops to look. The battle is to be ceased, the day is done. None have the power to oppose, fate is to be accepted. Tomorrow will begin again.
Just felt like putting a picture taken of us here. It is good to be back!
My bike box before leaving. Many thanks to the group for helping me with transport and unpacking!
All our huge bike box lined up in the room.
A p4 on display. Cost about SGD18 000. Electric shifting that is controlled by button pressing. This is not a bike anymore.
Writing messages for ourselves. Jason's message.
Norman's message.
Welcoming Singaporeans at the pre-race carbo loading dinner.
Jason Tweeking his E112.
Norman's Radon sitting below our laundry.
Us taking the train to check in our bikes.
Having Movenpick the day before the race.
Me with the hand made Singapore flag. Setting up transition on race day.
My biggest supporter.
Team NUS contingent. We made up 5 out of 11 of the Singaporeans present at the race.
Our other loyal supporters! Very grateful to you both!
Race start photo.
Us in the water with a helicopter filming from above.
Race course layout for swim and run.
The swim made me think of being in a huge school of fish.
Coming out after 1.8km and going in for the second loop.
Running with Jason to T1, Prof Sven was there!
The massive amount of bikes present. 2 222 competitors were there.
Jason and I running out together.
The guy who did the race in a clown costume.
Norman and Jia Jie coming out not far behind.
Course profile. Note the rolling hills at 30km, beast at 52km, egg at 56km, minibeast at 60km and heartbreak hill at 84km.
Shots of me climbing during the first loop. (Wearing the windproof jacket)
Heartbreak hill =(
The bike course. I have to admit that it was very scenic and cooling to cycle.
Loading up to run my first marathon. Yikes!
Still ok on the first lap...
Some people were already done! Check out the Merida Warp 9. With custom lime green/white/black design. That is one angelical looking bike.
Jason with so much energy...
Jason pointing out to dying me that my girlfriend was just there.
Rubbing deep heat to prepare for the final lap! 10.5km more to go!
Me dying and Jason smiling.
I got my medal and towel. Then went with Jason to get our photos taken before limping into the award tent. The food sucked. And I had no appetite. I was in pain. I could not walk straight. Pain shot everywhere. My body retaliated. I thought of selling my bike, I thought of not doing any triathlons for the next 3 months, I thought of giving up Frankfurt. XiuQing was hungry, so I got some food and left to find her. I brought her the food and sat with her at the finish. I began to shiver. It was already 9pm and it was getting cold. XiuQing and I headed to the transition area so that I could change up. I was so cold. I got my things and changed into track pants and a jacket. I wheeled my bike out to the stands and waited for the rest to come in.
It was nice to see parents running in with their kids, or kids holding out signs that read "go daddy!"
Ironman limping around Zurich after the race.
