Singapore Biathlon Race Report

Yes I did it! Completed my first Biathlon and more significantly my first OD Sea Swim of 1.5km. I trained as part of the SAF Joint Staff Team where many of us were first-timers successfully completing the race with respectable timings. At the same time, I also began training for the SUNDOWN Marathon and the weekly interval training session with AAA played a large part helping me clock a decent 10km running time. The Race Report:

The ONE SAF Team:

Me and my Buddy Lawrence before the start of the race:


SEA SWIM

My strategy for the Sea Swim was to start from behind, but this time I was a little smarter in managing the current. I was actually "aiming-off" from the buoy to take into account the direction of the current. It worked as I found myself slowing drifting towards the buoy even as I was swimming straight. Started the long and daunting 1.5km loop slow and easy and picked up the pace gradually once I got into some sort of a rhythm. But this rhythm was hard to achieve when u have people shoving you and kicking you periodically. As my intention as a first-timer was to survive and complete the swim, I did not "kay kiang" and "chiong" with the pack. I hoped to finish the swim strong with enough energy for the run. The swim though long, was comfortable and I realised the benefits of doing front crawl vs breast stroke especially when swimming against current. On the return leg, which was against current, I managed to overtake some of the breast strokers ahead by focussing more on stroke technique and making sure I was as streamlined as possible. I managed to maintain an easy pace for most part and finished the swim strong but in a rather slow but expected timing of 46:14min.

RUN

Was a bit slow at transition (1:40s). Dried my feet, put on socks and shoes, drank some Accelerade, put on my race belt, sucked half a Gu-gel and off I went. Started the first part at a slower pace to get into some rhythm (pace and breathing) and after the first turning point which was about 1km away started to pick up my pace. Was running at quite a comfortable pace and I was breathing quite easily. It felt like a 5:30 pace until I saw myself slowly closing-in on my AAA pal Dexter ahead of me. When I reached him, he offered me some gel and energy beans but I told him that I still had another half a pack of gel in my hand yet to be consumed. We were actually chatting a bit and I thought maybe I was taking it too easily and decided to increase the pace a bit. He equipped with his polar gadgets then told me from behind "Wow, you're doing a 5min Pace man!" It was then that I realise I was actually running faster than I thought. But it still felt comfortable and I managed to maintain that pace for the rest of the 8km with some energy to open up at the last couple of hundred metres. Finished the run in about 51:24s which is one of my fastest 10km timing.

MY SUPPORTERS
My Lovely Wife and I After the Race:

AAA Supporters:

Thanks to all my supporters especially my dear wife Peng who woke up at 6 in the morning with me, dropped me off at the Race Start Point and had to look for a CP 1.2km away. It was her that took some of these pictures and gave me the support during the training phase. Also the AAA group which was there to support as well. To my fellow AAA mates that took part in the race (Andrew, IronShem, TKL, AJ, Dex, Lin, Janice, Mel): Great job guys and gals!

Now that I have conquered my worst fear, the Sea Swim, I am ready and confident to take on bigger races. Next Race - SUNDOWN Marathon, then OD Triathlon then..... AVIVA here I come!