My First Tri in 3 Years - Vietnam Triathlon 2010

The sun was blazingly blistering over Cua Dai Beach in Hoi An, Vietnam - venue of the 4th Vietnam Triathlon organized by Tribob. I looked at the choppy waters of the sea and I felt ill with worry. The race director had already warned us about the sea condition in the race briefing earlier and it only made my nervousness grew.

As I nibbled on my energy bar, the athletes from all over the world trickled into the transition area. They looked seriously intimidating with their ripped muscles, professional tri-suits and expensive-looking bikes. The butterflies in my stomach grew in quantity! I tried to recall all of the experiences I had from previous races - but alas! Zilch. My last race was in 2007 at the Miri International Triathlon. I guess it helped that I had a bunch of race 'kakis' with me then. But here in Vietnam, I was alone. My only fan - MOH. But as with all ardent fans of endurance races, it was easy to make friends. We may come from different backgrounds, countries, etc... but cheesy as it sounds - we were united through our love for putting our minds and bodies through torture :)

The race was really well-organized and I was impressed with the fact that everything was on-the-dot as per scheduled. At exactly 2pm, all athletes were requested to gather at the beach start line and the countdown began. I wished they didn't. The counting down from 10mins right till the last 30 seconds was particularly nerve-wrecking for me! But finally, the horn blew and we ran into the water.

I wasn't even 5 minutes out when I swallowed a big gulp of water, thanks to the rolling waves. Every stroke that I made, the current pulled me back. But slowly, I found my rhythm and pace. It was still very tough though, especially when I made it too wide and ended up swimming an additional 200m at the U-turn! After the first lap, we had to get out of the water, run around the start line and get back into the water again. Aargh! Believe me, after getting out of the water, the last thing I wanted to do was to get back in. Here is where your mental strength really needed to be strong. I've trained hard enough and traveled far enough, not to mention, paid a lot (or rather, MOH "invested") for this, I sure as hell ain't giving up. What would all my friends say? :P After all the motivation they had given me to train and get back into race-fit shape, I give up? No, no. Cannot. (If I did, Kris will surely "slap" me!) As such, I kept going. Stroke by stroke, telling myself that I will find a way to train in the ocean next time and not just the pool :P Of course, the frequent thought that came to my mind was "WHY OH WHY did I put myself through this?!"

Finally, after what felt like hours and a gallon of sea water in me, I finished the swimming leg. It was off to gear up for my bike leg next - biking, being my weakest amongst all the three. I hadn't serviced my bike for the last 3 years and only managed to squeeze in a quick service with the bike mechanic that was provided by the organizers. Actually, I am thankful that they do provide this service. Another kudos to the organizers. My bike is actually a second-hand, fancy-free bike, but one that has served me well in all of my races. I was counting on that again this time around.

For those who know me, would know my abysmal sense of direction and as such, I was afraid of missing the turning points or directional signages! The route was flat and disappointingly boring (apparently, they changed the route from last year to make it safer for athletes) with no scenic views or anything like that to see. So nothing to take your mind off the pain and the heat. Just you and the long road ahead. After over-taking a few fellow racers (particularly the men :P), I felt my confidence being boosted and I pushed ahead faster and faster. Along the way, I saw many athletes having problems with their bikes and I uttered silent prayers - that my beloved, beloved bike will keep it all together. "Please don't die on me Bikey! I love you! I love you!"

My bike once again, did not fail me. I finished my bike leg in one of the fastest bike times in any of my races! I zipped into the transition area and zipped out again for my last leg - the run - in which I was pretty confident I was going to ace because of all the three legs - my strongest was my running.

How was I to know that of all times, my body decides to throw a tantrum 10 minutes into my run? My quadriceps just spasmed and then... it locked!! I had not anticipated this at all. I couldn't move! I seriously wanted to cry because I've come this far. I bent over, trying to stretch my legs out and I was in so much pain. Where was the bloody medic service now? Many runners just ran past me. Until one stopped and asked me if I was okay. When I told him I couldn't move from a cramp at my quads, he immediately told me to lie down and he stretched me out and massaged my muscles and then he urged me on to walk. "Keep walking, I will walk with you!" he said. And so, I limped on. "Next lamp post, c'mon. Keep walking," he kept urging me on until we reached the first drink station. "Drink isotonic and get the wet sponge. You'll feel better," he told me. In the heat and fatigue, I only mechanically followed his instructions. "Now jog, c'mon, jog with me. C'mon." And I jogged and the only thing I remembered about this guy who so kindly helped me out and urged me on was his first name - Stephen. I honestly do not even remember his face! After a few minutes of jogging, I felt better and I surged forward - not before saying "Thank You" to Stephen, of course. I realized that in the chase for pride and glory, some people may leave you dying by the side of the road. But there are still kind-hearted souls who will offer their help sincerely. God bless them.

By the time I went through my last lap for the run, my pace picked up a lot and I refused to stop even as my legs were protesting in pain. I was trying to make back the lost time. And through the entire final 3.3km, I was shouting profanities at the devil in my head who was trying to provoke me to give up. Damn if I will! I sprinted on, ignoring the pain in my legs and crossed the finish-line in 3:20.

It surely wasn't my personal best. But at least, I gave it all I had given the conditions of the sea, the weather and my idiotic legs. For my effort, I finished 6th Place in my category, 18th Place for women's overall and 97th Place for total overall. So amidst some pretty intimidating-looking professional athletes, I wasn't all that bad after all. But you know what? As the race director said "Anyone who finishes the race today in this weather and condition is a winner already."

As always, we forget the pain after the race is completed. Only the immense thrill of finishing and overcoming the physical challenges and absolutely feeling great that you did it - for me, again. Like a typical masochist, I ask "When's the next race, people?" with utmost gung-ho-ness :)

I would like to spare a few moments to say Thank You to my beloved MOH. Besides "investing" in my race (sorry the ROI wasn't as expected :P), he was my one-man-entourage. Not only was he my Bike Mechanic - dismantling and assembling my bike, he was also the Bike Caddie throughout the journey from Phnom Penh to Saigon to Hoi An and back; my Manager - getting my race kit laid out and ready for me, checking that I had all my race gear before setting off; my On-Site Coach/Nutritionist - making sure I was doing my carbo-loading, reminding me to drink lots of water before, during and after the race, ensuring I had taken my energy bar pre-race; and of course, my Number One Fan - who promised not to laugh at me if I finished last. What would I do without him?

Official Timing for my race can be found here and here :)