For the benefit of those who missed it, you can read my mid-season review here---> Eternal Sunshine of the Clueless Mind: mid season review
Did quite a few races after IVP, so i shall focus on the more important ones. The main month was July, where I raced 4 races over 4 weekends. Lesson learnt: I can't handle that kind of physical load unless I was in a better condition. Anyway, these are the highlights for the rest of the year...
First up was Port Dickson International Triathlon, where I had the one of the best swims in the field, biked in a group of 4, and held on to my top 10 position on the run, overtaking Barry Lee in a sprint finish. This race gave me much confidence in my abilities and I had to dig so deep during that last part on the run. That effort gave me RM400 as a reward. =)
First pack swim
All that transition training paying off. Ready to rock the run after rollin' the bike.
I can't even describe how deep i had to dig and how much this hurt. But it made me RM100 richer =D
Next up was OSIM Tri. After fading to third the year before due to shin splints, I was in it this year to win my age group. And win it I did =D
wondering why I wasn't wearing my oakleys? THEY WERE STOLEN!
running off the bike with 10 mins lead
Sharing the podium with Team SW Orbea teammate Henry!
The gf who came down to support =)
Trifactor Triathlon. I was aiming to win the series overall this year. I got 3rd for the swim, and a good run. But I encountered a technical during the bike race and that cost me valuable points that would relegate me out of the running for the series title. So I was determined to make my impact on the triathlon race.
I look like spiderman
One for the sponsors. Orbea, Easton and Orca!
Finishing first in the first wave meant that I was the first finisher back! Awesome feeling.
3rd overall in the triathlon
SUNIG Aquathlon
Finished 2nd individual and the team got 2nd as well, beaten by NTU for the team title. Had a good swim, and held the lead till 1km to go where LuKai from NTU blitzed past me. Still, I was happy with my own personal performance in this race.
Stupid idea to make all of us wear a personal flotation device
Look Ma! is flying!
After these there was an Individual Time Trial where I came in 10th with a good time and a good performance, and Swimming IVP, where I hit a PB of 20:15 for 1500m freestyle. A bit disappointed with that time as I knew I could hit below 20 minutes, but I started too fast and ended up swimming in stitches.
Last race of the season; Team Time Trial. We rode an average of 41.5kph over 36km. It hurt, but we got 3rd in the Sports Category.
Well done boys
Thanks goes out to my sponsor, Soon Watt (Vic, Mave, Daryl, Ahmad, Bob), for the support throughout my season and allowed me to train and race to the best of my abilities while helping me take care of my equipment. As well as the boys in the team for the rides and fun.
Thanks to Coach David Tay, for advicing me and torturing me in the swimming pool. Also to the NUS Aquathlon Team for being fantastic teammates who stuck together through all the sweat and blood.
Thanks to Khoonnie the girlfriend, whose support and advice has certainly brightened my season. I love you.
All in all, it has been a good year. Topped my age group, and consistently finished in the top 10 or podium. Managed to identify certain weaknesses too, so that's something I will be working on for next season.
Till next year, train hard, train smart, train safe. See you all out on the race course next year ;)
