VICTORY for Tri-Factor Olypmic Distance Triathlon!

I remembered my 1st race, it was the OSIM Triathlon Sprint event at ECP.

I went with a very heavy heart… although I have Meimei as my loyal supporter… I was hoping that he would be there… my Zhan Ma was a gift to spur me to exercise (without putting too much strain on my knees)… we discussed about me signing up for the race… I asked if he would be there to support me… the answer was: “If I dun have anything on, I can go lor…you know I have to work on Sundays”… I know of course, but I dun understand, there is this thing call Annual Leave… Is it more precious than me? It was the same reply I got when my Auntie Sammi passed away… she was closer than a Mother is to me… I asked if he CAN take leave to be there at the Cremation (note, not if he WILL take leave), in other words, I realy needed him to be there… I got the same reply…haiz…

But I tell myself that today is different!

I no longer wanna look forward to whether who or who is gona be there! When you dun have expectations, you dun fall! So I was really overjoyed that I have my pals to be there to support me! Hey! No joke leh! Wake up early early on a Sunday Morning (best time to Nuazzz in bed!) & stand under the HOT sun to Cheer for me! So, I salute my Pong Pong Gals present! Sheila, Clarissa, Yuan Pei, Chris & Stella! Thank you gals for being this important part of my life! YAY!

Swim 1.5km, Bike 40km, Run 10km
- Swimming gear – “Sexy” Two piece Suit + Striking Pink Caps + Goggles - CHECKED!
- Biking gear – 战马, Shoes + Helmet + Shades - CHECKED! Running gear
- Bright Green Running Shoes + Power Gel -CHECKED!

Preparing for the transition point!

My 战马!

Clarissa commented that this is the 1st time she sees me looking so nervous…. OF cos my princess gal! I am having spasms with all that butterflies in my stomach!

Tested the water – CHOPPYTasted the air – 60-80% humidity (likelihood to have passing showers) – no, I cheated, it always drizzle at ECP in 3rd Quarter of the year!

Ok – I draw this conclusion, ECP has the most salty water, follow by Changi…

Have yet to taste Sentosa’s yet! Kekek!

OMG! I am so nervous!

Must do my Visualisation!

Ellen's Pong Pong Gal, Mei Shan!

Fierce Ellen & Me!

I hate wearing the Swimming cap!

Makes me look like a Nun!

Wave off was very messy! I didn’t even know it was waved cos it was supposed to be 9.30am briefing & 9.45am wave off! It waved off at 9.30am WITHOUT the briefing! I just quickly start my watch & run toward the beach & plunge into the water & swam with big strokes &… &…&… Yes lah, I panicked lor!

The swim was great! Big waves & just riding the wave with each pull… reminds me of dragonboat when we were out at sea & as pacers, have to dip our paddles in deep into the wave & catch it! COOOL!

I had to swim 1 loop, run pass the SPLIT point (timing counter) on the beach & swim another loop! The 2nd loop was not too good, launched with another wave & I got smashed & smacked & gobbled quite abit of water…

I could hear my Pong Pong gals cheering for me when I emerged from the water & ran past them! YAY! Motivated me to continue! Thank you thank you!!

The SHagged-cannot-think look!

Dun ask me why I still have energy to check my timing!

I slowed down when transiting for the bike segment… cleaned my YUCKY feet (full of soil, grass & beach sand) & slipped on my LUCKY GREEN TURTLE socks! YAY! Off I zoom!!!

I also took 2 big mouthful of the power Gu-Gel for energy boosting effect! What was I expecting?! Definitely not the RED button effect…. Think Fast & Furious when they hit the button that activates the NITROGEN Cylinder – They travel through space thereafter cos everything else was a blur!!

Love this shot by Starry!

Zoomm zoommm for 6laps! I noticed 1 piece Purple tri-suit… long hair, expensive equipment…she looks pretty…I also not bad what! So I attempt to overtake her… well, I did lah, but then for the next 20km or so – we were pacing rather well. When I dun see her, I imagine her using me as her pacer!

On route to my last SPLIT point, I saw the ambulance blocking the way. One usher was shouting at me to stop, the other one 2metres away was telling me to slow down… I figured there was an accident & that’s why everyone was so panicky. Only much later then I learnt from Sheila & Stella that 1 biker couldn’t uncleat in time & crashed into the side railings! They witnessed it right in front of their eyes! Judging from Stella’s tone, she was rather tramautised by the accident, she said it was bloody!

At my last lap, I actually chat up with Purple gal. I confirmed with her the distance her odometer was reading & if it was her last lap too! Cool! All the way!

There! There's the Purple Gal! Right behind me!

Took the last transit slow & steady… finished up the Power Gu-Gel & ¾ H2O in my bottle. I feel jelly legs…. Correction- I no feel no legs! The sun was hot & I starting to have stitches… I’ve been through this before – my 1st training attempt to run after a 40km cycling segment.
Then I ended up completing a 100m LIMP to the nearest 7-11 to get 2 bottles of POCARI SWEAT…
Then I sat at the road curb trying to stay conscious….
Then I told myself to be cool & easy on meself, it was my 1st attempt afterall….
Not today…. Not on the race day…
Today I pressed on….

I had expected the struggle to be abt 2km…. Abt 15-20mins… But it was pro-longed when I turned into 2 up slops somewhere pass the 300m mark… For goodness sake, I was trying to pace a big elderly guy in front of mer, who I thought might drop die from a heart attack anytime! It was THAT painful for me…

I must have struggled for 4km till the 2nd drinking point I saw. After I ascertain who cup is Ice Water, which is Isotonic, I drenched myself with the cold liquid and I felt myself sizzling…. I was rather amazed with my sanity at this point of time to still do the checks, I have heard of too many stories of pple pouring down Ice Isotonic instead of Water & become irritably uncomfortable for the rest of the run!

I usually do not drink water during races, esp not when I am already struggling with stitches… but this action probably saved my life… I felt much much better & upon passing the 4.5km mark – I was literally floating through the air! Maybe it was the water, maybe it was my ego...

but when I saw the Pong Pong gals there at the SPLIT shouting for me name “SOYA! GO!!!” – I felt an electric surge in me, jolting me into action!

So as they said, the rest is history! I was quite comfortable running through the finishing line! I could see in the blur the gals there SHOUTING for me! I have every darn right to be proud of myself! I did it…. I completed a FULL OLYMPIC DISTANCE TRIATHLON & my watch read 3hr 8mins+++!
(my dear friend, Ellen, later checked the web & confirmed that my timing was 3hr 8mins32sec, rank 46th outa 74)

Last Burst of Energy!

I was in a euphoria state! Jubilee! My friends were proud of me! I could feel their love & support… oozing outa them…. Literally! In my half dreamy state, I cant really register what every1 was saying….But I was seeing Pink heart-shaped stuff & Cleft treble were dropping outa their mouths when they speak! Heart to me Heart, Music to my ears! REALLI!!! I know it’s abit drama, but THIS IS WAT I SAW LAH!

Starry kept telling me : "You finally finish it!"
She finally believed that a Triathlon race has it’s dangers & it’s real when I told her the bike segment is the most dangerous 1 to me…. She was just very glad that I am safe & sound!

I decided to award myself with a nice cold Beer! So we went to the hawker centre & be gluttonous! We ordered those sinful food like Fried Hokkien Mee, Kway Taw, Satay, Otah, Sugar cane drink, Dessert, & of course Heineken(for me Me ME!!) & HoeGarden (for starry stella!)
What a great way to end the race!
美食, 啤酒, 女人! YAY!

Me & my Greenie shoes!

Will I do it again?! U BET!

Spent quite a while to wash up the equipment (shoes, bike, clothes & all). Stella was so tired that she fell asleep at the sofa & drifted into dreamland in a ever so soft snoozing sound…kekek! I watched her sleep like a baby even when C&N were darting around her!

Oh, & sheila is so sweet! She came up with this video for me! WWOW! I am very impressed!!!

Thank you my lady!

Must have been the caffine in the Power Gu-Gel, I was having problem sleeping even when I am so wasted… Mental note: Get rid of those Gu-Gel, they are way too “POWERFUL” for me!