Challenge Iskandar Puteri 2017

Dreamt that I lost my wheels on race day morning! Jumped out of bed at 6 a.m. and reached transition area at 6.30 a.m. Set up transition. Took some pictures and went to swim start.

The last time I did a half-ironman race was IM70.3 Putrajaya in 2015. The plan was to do another one in 2016 but I was plagued with multiple injuries. In short, I injured my lower back after coming back from Putrajaya. I injured my knee during a basketball tournament. I twisted the other knee when I slipped over my own perspiration in the gym #facepalm. The year got shorter and shorter. I ended up registering for Penang Bridge International Marathon instead and completed it in November 2016.

So when the opportunity to participate in Challenge Iskandar Puteri came up, I decided to take the plunge again. This time, I did my training with Morph Performance. My goal was to complete the race injury-free. However, I think I only completed 60-65% of the training plan. I know I should have been more diligent :p

Weeks leading up to Challenge, I had to battle with so much self-doubt. Am I ready for it? Can I complete the race? Do I have enough training to send me to the finishing line? Then, 2 weeks before the race, I was hit with a bad flu and cough which reduced my training to just short distance running. 

It was also this time that my family and friends started to pour their encouragement and well-wishes on me. The positive messages spurred me on; it definitely built up my confidence to not just confront my fears, but also to have the courage to go to the starting line! Someone wrote "you must respect the race and respect the distance". I decided to trust my training and just go for it!

This time, family and friends came to support me. I prepared them that they might have to wait for 8 hours :p It helped that we stayed very near to the race site. They had ample time for breakfast and lunch and could still catch me on the run loop and finish. The night before, I reminded myself to just enjoy the race, listen to my body and the worst that could happen was only DNF J

SWIM

Coach advised me to swim behind the biggest group and they would tow me along. I just kept on swimming and I believed the towing worked. No major drama during swim except I had to tread water to adjust my goggles when someone accidentally pulled it off my face :p During Putra, I came out of the water with leg cramps! But this time, the legs felt fresher and I could run about 200m to the transition area J

BIKE

I did a Bintan ride in August to prepare for Challenge. Many asked me how the bike route was for Challenge. Anything compared to Bintan was considered flat :p There were no surprises, the usual ups and downs; just like Putrajaya. There were a few crashes and punctures along the route. I might be due to wet floor after a haevy downpour. I also saw 2-3 abandon bikes. After the race, I found out that one of the professionals had some frame issues. He actually abandoned his bike and completed the ride on an oBike which I was not sure if it was against the rules :p

The bike ride was like a buffet for me. I ate round the clock; going from gel, chocolate, salt and electrolyte. Coach gave some advice on HR monitoring. I was tempted to catch up on my speed but somehow the speed and cadence sensor did not work! It turned out to be a blessing because I had no choice but to follow my HR. Even though I knew I was slower; but I was glad that I had enough legs for my weakest leg of the race; which was the run.

RUN

During Putrajaya, both my legs cramped the moment I started running. It was a horrid experience. I remembered asking myself “WHAT AM I DOING HERE?” But this time, I was mentally prepared to just run. I told myself “a step at a time”; even if I walked, I want to walk faster than other people… haha… Due to my cramp experience in Putra, I decided to carry a bottle of muscle spray during my run. It proved to be so helpful not just for myself, but I was glad I could offer some relief to many others who were experiencing cramps on that hot afternoon. The sun was merciless and blazing HOT! There were only water and isotonic at the hydration stations. The race was not well-supported. After finishing 2 gels on the run, I had to resort to asking a kind stranger for “food” which she gladly offered half her energy bar to me :) Caring is sharing right? :p

So slowly but surely, I inched forward step by step. The finishing moment was extra sweet as the family was there to cheer for me!

Days after the race, I was still smiling. I could walk properly. No lower backache. Knees were ok. But I think I lost 2 toe nails :p A friend commented that this race was like kampong-style; not as well-organized or well-supported. I agree. But I totally enjoyed this journey to Challenge. Through Morph Performance and weekly runs with ROCKrunners, I have made many new friends. I overcame some mental devils in my mind. Thoughts of panic attack in the water, bike malfunction, DNF, heat stroke, the athlete that suffered cardio respiratory failure during the swim leg at SIT etc, made me more cautious not to push myself too hard…

For RM$600 (less than S$200), I had an event tee, a windbreaker, a finisher tee, a face towel and a solid and heavy medal :) It also included a pasta-party for pre-race carbo loading and a lunch for refueling after the race. Smooth traffic at the customs and our stay at Somerset Puteri Harbour was very decent and value for money. So no complaints from me :)

I am no podium contender; just someone with a little courage and a little bit of insanity; wanting to #livestronglivehealthy and to #keepfitafter40 J