Ironman 70.3
September 3, 2007
I’m not a triathlete, so what can a mountain biker do during an Ironman?
Ans: Clear the way and escort the top 3 runners in the Elite category.
Wayne, Ming and i cycled from Siglap to Marina Bay, while Ling, Max, Sue and HM cycled from Holland. After we congregated, we did a recce ride at 3:30am in the morning to get ourselves familiar with the loop.
The worse thing that could happen is us leading the top men and women triathlete down the wrong route!!
After the recce we had some time to burn, and with just 45mins that night, i seriously needed the shut eye.
The race was flagged off at 7am, and not very long after, we saw little men cycling on the Benjamin Sheares Bridge. The silhouette looked quite cute, so i tried my best to take a steady shot.
Basically the sequence of the Ironman is swim-bike-run.
So by the time we saw them on the bridge, it was our cue to get geared up and ready for the first biker to come into the transition area at Marina Bay. We were all in our blue Adidas tops, so we could identify one in other in the sea of yellow-shirt volunteers.
Our job was to pace the 1st, 2nd and third runner from the Men’s and Women’s Elite category, who were basically professional and world champion triathletes. First three that came in were the boys…. and all at once mind you, the DirT boys had their work cut out for them. Ming followed runner 1, Wayne runner 2, and Max runner 3.
I paced ladies runner 1, Sue runner 2, Ling/HM runner 3. But luckily for us girls, the gap between them were pretty big, so there weren’t any confusion on placing.
My runner was this lady called Belinda Granger (highlighted in the photo above), and she’s one hell of an athlete. She held a constant pace and steady breathing throughout the 21km. As I led her through the route, everyone on the sidelines including runners she lapped, were cheering her on.
I know i would never take part in a triathlon (because i hate the swiming) but this lady has definately inspired me to run more. Hmmm… going to take a look at which runs i can take part in.
Note to all triathletes: Please don’t wear white spandex! It ain’t exactly opaque! urgh…
posted in Exercise |
OMG YOU PACED BELINDA GRANGER!!!!!!
Comment by Janice — September 3, 2007 @ 10:46 pm
Janice: whoah ….. yes… why? hAHahaHh you sound so shocked?!
Comment by Angela — September 4, 2007 @ 8:56 am
haha no lah, star struck.
Comment by Janice — September 4, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
White Spandex…hahaha..yup saw a dude wearing one all drenched in his sweat or whatever#@!..not a pretty sight.
The 3rd Elite men (bib 0010), I was leading on my bike tru-out most of the 21km run, got nipped amongst the crowd on other runners, by the 4th runner (0014, eventually 3rd) in the last 200m…Poor fella, didnt see him coming.
Comment by Max — September 4, 2007 @ 7:13 pm
Max: so wrong right!!! disgusting…
oh shucks i didn’t know that happened… oh dear… just 200m, he must have been so dissapointed!!
Comment by Angela — September 5, 2007 @ 4:16 pm
The last sentence… is a killer.
I’ll never look at spandex the same way ever again. Thanks, Angela
Comment by -ben — September 5, 2007 @ 8:18 pm
-ben: whoever invented spandex should be shot anyway… it’s just wrong on guys…..
Comment by Angela — September 6, 2007 @ 6:53 am
looks like a fun way to spend the weekend.. nice pics too.
is night cycling an in thing in singapore?
Comment by Iwantatibike — September 7, 2007 @ 12:52 am
iwantatibike: actually its quite popular, night riding. Or EARLY EARLY morning rides.. like 4am 5am rides. Somestimes after a night of partying, you would see a whole bunch of them in their tights, drafting each other down the roads
Comment by Angela — September 7, 2007 @ 3:35 pm
you’ve got some pretty nice shots here. wish i could’ve been there…
Comment by Ando — September 10, 2007 @ 10:02 am
ando: some were taken by my friend Ling. She has an eye for photography and composition
Comment by Angela — September 11, 2007 @ 2:27 pm
though you don’t like swimming (and running?), you should at least give triathlon a go. it’ll be fun
Comment by Ando — September 12, 2007 @ 3:00 pm
ando: i think adventure racing is as far as i will go in transition sports
close enough lar right?
Comment by Angela — September 13, 2007 @ 2:45 pm
i know those races are cool, but i’ve yet to try one. btw, read that you were from currie hall? was there like in 2000. do drop me a mail if u’re free
Comment by Ando — September 14, 2007 @ 2:24 pm
Ando: hmmmm 2000…..i think i was there 2002 i think…
Comment by Angela — September 15, 2007 @ 10:20 am
i was actually in sg over the wkend, and tot i saw u (marche’?).btw, does the name stephanie ooi ring a bell…
Comment by Ando — September 18, 2007 @ 9:23 am
hi Ando, sorry it wasn’t me… must be my clone…. i WISH i was in marche..hmm haven’t been there in a while.
Stephanie ooi? of course it does… she’s my cousin!
Comment by Angela — September 19, 2007 @ 3:20 pm
OMG!! that means we’re related (or at least going to be). She’s gonna be ma sista-in-law next yr…
Comment by Ando — September 20, 2007 @ 5:34 pm
Ando: Gary is your brotherrr!!!! how weird is this…ahhaahhahhAHha ill probably meet you later this year… or was it going to be nexxt year? can’t remember when the wedding is now…
Comment by Angela — September 21, 2007 @ 1:26 am
yes, this world IS getting even smaller!! the wedding’s next yr…what’s your email, so that i can write more…
Comment by Ando — September 21, 2007 @ 4:26 pm