Sportsoho Triathlon Challenge Race (香港三項鐵人挑戰賽) 2011

What a difference one year of solid training will do! I'm very happy with my overall sprint triathlon. The course is similar to the one last year for two exceptions: rough waters and a stronger me. Unfortunately, I almost DNF because of I lost my goggles when I jumped into the water. Luckily Danny was able to locate them quickly in the choppy sea :). Also, I got donkey kicked about 600m with a bruised eye..

I reviewed my blog from the previous year's similar event, and 11 minutes extra in the water. Yes, I am still considerably slow but much improvement has been made. This includes a 23k bike ride over Tai Po Road before the race started.

But it is not just the swim that I was faster. My bike time increased by over 4 minutes and the run by a whopping 30 seconds per kilometer with a consistent 4:14 average.

I however did get lapped by the stronger athletes, but considering that I've been only doing this for a year. I am happy with my results.

For those who think they could have tried a little harder today. No worries, commitment and desire will prevail!

-joggerjoel

Revolution Asia Double Triathlon

It's been a few months since I've competed in a local race. This triathlon race has a unique format of super sprint times 2: 300m swim, 12km bike, and 3km run. The week earlier I had a nasty cold virus which prevented me from exercising about 6 days. On top of that, the night of the race as I was retrieving my bicycle from the window, I stepped down hard onto an electric plug. I drew blood and it really hurt. Luckily in the morning, I was able to walk on it and only penetrated near the arch.

Although I doubt that I really save much time, I decided to wear Vibram Five Fingers throughout the race without changing in transition. Actually, I'm glad I did because my sore at the bottom of my feet was stinging when I entered the water. The transition between the bicycles seemed around 200-300 meters and being in barefoot on the stony asphalt would increase my chance of more issues with my feet.

Unfortunately, since the waves are spread out so much to accommodate the traffic, our age group start would be at 8:40AM. This meant a hot/humid run for the second leg. I biked over from my house to the starting line which takes around an hour (35k). I've raced over here multiple times so I knew what to expect; although the second time would be much slower.

Swim (7:11; 24/47)
The swim started in the water supposedly behind the pier. I enjoyed this swim because it was relatively quick. Once again when I exited the water, I wasn't last. Out of the water, I was able to pass around 16 people in my squishy VFF. I put away my camera and quickly went off on my cervelo.

Bike (25:16; 16/47)
This bike leg, I felt pretty fresh and was able to increase my place by 8. The first turn around came quick and I saw an injured guy on the road. I also had to slam on the brakes!

Run (17:14; 13/47)
The run leg, I felt pretty good as well but tiring at the end. I was able to pass another 3 people. But, once I hit the water.. I felt really sluggish. At the point, I was only 7 minute back from the winner Luke Wimbush.

Swim #2 (10:31; 17/47)
I lost a lot of steam on the second swim. Adding an additional minute per 100m. I also didn't have the camera for the second swim. I did notice and confirmed with others that there was definitely an increase in current.

Bike #2 (29:27; 17/47)
Usually I'm able to pick off some riders, but with the age group competitors being so slim and the fact that I was getting tired. I was able to keep my placement, but was neck-in-neck with a guy named Kevin Lam.

Run #2 (19:39; 18/47)
This is probably the first time I got picked off on the run and lost placement. But, personally; I was happy I could run at all with the troubles I had earlier in the week and the night before. Although, I wasn't able to pass Kevin and he beat me by 10 seconds.

HKTriA Sprint Triathlon 750/20/5

My First Sprint Triathlon... :)


I started the day really early by waking up at 4:00AM. This wasn't necessary I feel since my race wouldn't start for another 3:45 hours. Since it was my first triathlon, I took several days off without much biking or running. The last two weeks, I pounded the trails and ran up mileage on the bike. My goal was to be fresh and reduce the inflamation that I caused by twisting my left foot twice in a row. I took a cab at 5:15AM to arrive early to get my numbers placed.

The race basically was the same as the Aquathon I did previously the month before with an additional bike run. My swim was better but I seem to go off course a lot which took a lot of time out. One time I thought I was last, but then an official shouted at me stating that I was off course. I was heading for the starting bouy and not the third. Throughout the swim, I was fighting space and continuously hitting a breast stroke swimmer. I'm sure he hated me... Even the end, I went off course and had to swim to the right for about 20m to get on the pier steps. My time in the water stood at 28:43. Next time, I will look up every 6th stroke.
The transition for the swim2bike was very long. You had to run to your bike which seemed more than 100m. I used rubber bands for the shoes, but my right shoe hit the ground and came off before I mounted the bike. So, I had to retrace my steps with the bike and pick up my shoe and put it on.

The bike required 5 laps and the fast cyclists passed me twice. Although, I felt I trained sufficiently for my first triathlon, I obviously see that I can improve in all areas. My time on the bike were very inconsistent and I felt sluggish as well. I took a gel while in the transition and drank fluid right after the corner.

T1 - 1 min 57 seconds
2 00:02:37 1.00 22.8 - includes my mishap with wardrobe(shoe) malfunction

3 00:01:44 1.00 34.3
4 00:02:02 1.00 29.4
5 00:01:55 1.00 31.3
6 00:01:55 1.00 31.1
7 00:01:50 1.00 32.6
8 00:02:05 1.00 28.6
9 00:01:50 1.00 32.5
10 00:01:57 1.00 30.7
11 00:01:52 1.00 31.9
12 00:01:52 1.00 32.0
13 00:01:57 1.00 30.7
14 00:01:44 1.00 34.3
15 00:01:52 1.00 32.0
16 00:01:56 1.00 30.8
17 00:01:53 1.00 31.7
18 00:01:43 1.00 34.7
19 00:01:57 1.00 30.7
20 00:02:03 1.00 29.2
21 00:02:09 1.00 27.8

T2 - 2 min 25 seconds

Run - 5k, My time on the run is a bit weird and very inaccurate. I gathered both armbands, but this is my times:

Garmin
22 00:02:52 0.81 16.9

23 00:02:18 0.49 12.8
24 00:04:37 1.00 13.0
25 00:04:46 1.00 12.6
26 00:04:45 1.00 12.6
27 00:02:20 0.50 12.8

Polar
A23 - 3:52 - transition?
Manual Split - 2:13
A24 - 4:34
A25 - 4:47
A26 - 4:50
Stop - 3:33

I will work harder for the 1500m/40km/10km in October...