I didn't make it to A'Formosa last year, after being run over on my bike by that infamous Ford Econovan I'd barely started training again and though I'd struggled through the Ironman I was in no shape to compete in a high intensity Sprint or Olympic distance tri. I told myself that this year was going to be different; but somewhere between Ironman Langkawi and A'Formosa I'd lost the way!!!!! Motivation was at an all time low, while my weight was high and my running and swimming distances were negligible for weeks. I also managed to crash two weeks before the race leaving me with some messy and unhealed road rash.
Sam gave me some good advice, he suggested I did the races with an open mind, enjoy the weekend and whatever the outcome I should use the experience as a springboard to bounce back to focus and motivation. Good advice - so then I did even less training - what I did do though was a really intensive swim on the Wednesday before the race and a really intensive bike/run brick session on the Thursday - the plan was to trigger all the "fast twitch" muscles, get the feeling of the pain and nausea of the intensity and to get my mind into race mode.
Not much of a plan but somehow it all came together. Wearing my new pink "Bike Boutique" trisuit I headed to the start with no great expectation but confident that I was going to enjoy myself.
The swim went rather well, focused and in control all the way - Coach Peh was even at the start so I couldn't let him down. Shilpa said I was about 20 seconds behind Iwata-san, the only time I've ever beaten him before was in this race so things were looking good. I caught him after about 3k of the bike and as we went up a bit of a hill I powered up and took off. Before I knew it I was on Wei's back wheel and as he reached for a water bottle I kicked again and dropped him too, all within the first lap - blimey my swim must have been good.
On to the run and that's when I saw Christopher Williams coming back for his first victory in the 12 and under category - you've never seen a more determined look on someones face - this kid was giving it his all and then some. Next I saw Elmer coming back, oh well he was in the next category down. I caught Barry and one or two others and then saw Asha Williams running along grinning like a Cheshire cat - it was infectious - I was running along smiling from ear to ear for her and Christopher.
Before I knew it the run was over and somehow I'd won the veteran category comfortably - I was a happy chappy - but to top it all at the finish there was Shilpa, Sid and Seb waiting for me - nothing can beat the feeling of your family being there - they're gorgeous.Seb and Sid loved the prize giving and were dancing away like little angels. Mr Chan came to say high and expressed how healthy they were. "Thank you" I said, "Not fat like their dad" Mr Chan replied. Everyone laughed, including me.
1 comment:
What da lovely day
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