It was almost a perfect setting this time at the OSIM Corp Tri, my 2nd Sprint attempt...weather was good, friends "tri-ing" for the first time and finishing strong, Peng and I beating our previous timing and friends cheering you on. The only slight disappointment for me was not breaking the 1:30min mark and it was probably attributed to insufficient training and prep... well at least I know which part of the race to focus on for future races... Every part especially swimming!

SWIM LEG:
Whether it worked or not, at least this time I had a strategy - to start from outside away from main pack and make my way inwards towards buoy. Sounds like a plan - but realised it was easier said than done! At the start I stuck to my strategy and swam from the outside and tried to maintain mid pack. However, midway through the first 250m, I began to bunch up with the main pack and started losing my rhythm and orientation. Then ppl started overtaking me and what irked me was the breast strokers were overtaking me as well - quite demoralising being dropped by breast-strokers. Damn "tu-lan" so tried to swim a little harder but realised that I was splashing and using more energy but not converting to forward motion... got more tired but did not gain much ground i.e. powerless effort. So had to calm down at the horizontal leg to regain energy and breathing and by doing that I could focus on my technique and I was actually moving a little faster and smoother. But by then, I was already quite far behind the main pack. I was also swimming all over the place and it was then that I realised that my right pull is stronger than my left and I kept swimming into the rope. (Did not realise this at the swimming pool cos there was always the lane markers to guide you). At the final leg towards the beach, continued with the same technique but began to pull and kick a bit harder and managed to overtake a couple more breast strokers but in the end was unable to achieve a respectable time. Managed only 19:36min...but at least better than my first tri which I took 23min.
Bottomline - need more proper swim training!

BIKE LEG:
Bike leg was ok, timing was about the same as my first tri (43min) but can be better if I had clocked more mileage on my bike. Not much to report except that I felt a little more comfortable during the ride after being fitted properly. I also managed to gulp a packet of gel towards the end of the bike leg in prep for the run (but did not feel the effect at all during the run). Weather was also scorching and prob the only thing I could have done better was to hydrate more during the bike leg especially after taking the gel... My bottle of accelerade was still 2/3 full at the end of the bike leg. The result was cramps on my legs when I dismounted at the transition and cramps on my stomach muscles while changing to my running shoes. Not a good feeling before the run.
Bottomline - more rides with AAA, and proper hydration!


RUNNING LEG:
Weather was really hot, legs were cramping and the only thing that spurred me on were the AAA supporters on the side (Collin, Lin, Shem, Mel...) shouting "C'mon Paul". I felt a lot more tired this time compared to the last race. Coupled with the scorching heat, the halfway point actually felt like miles away and the run felt like it took forever. Tried to open up at the final 1km but realised that the lack of proper strength training took its toll as my mind was willing but the muscles did not respond. As a result, did not really finish the run strong and only managed a rather disappointing time of 28.5min, a minute slower than my last race.
Bottomline- More interval training required.



My overall timing was 1:31:49, about 3 min faster than my first. But my goal of breaking 1:30min was not achieved... SIGH :(

Anyways, on the brighter side :), seeing the happy faces of Sheng, Lawrence, Patricia, all first timers, at the finishing line, and Peng - always smiling at the finish (see happy faces in photo above) was more than enough to make the race so much more special.

And not forgetting the supporters from AAA and friends, thanks for all the cheers and encouragement. You guys definitely made a difference. Till the next race report...