Which Tri Bike to Get???

Felt B16 2009 (S$4000)Felt B12 2008 (S$3800)

Argon18 E112 2009 with Ultegra SL & basic clincher (S$6000)

Cervelo S1 2009 (S$3000)

Cervelo P2C 2009 with Ultegra SL & basic clincher (S$6000)

Cervelo P2C 2008 with Ultegra SL & basic clincher (S$5000)

Saucony's Grid Type A2 - My New Shoes

This is Saucony's Grid Type A2, a lightweight racer for the normal to slight flat footed runner with a neutral to mild pronation.

I just got a pair of this last weekend from running lab since my current asics is starting to split apart form the sole. But more importantly this Saucony is on 20% discount and it doesn't cost alot over S$100 which is quite attractive for me.

I always wanted to try out Saucony & Avia and with the offer plus the tri features (i.e. large breatheable holes to keep dry, easy slip-on finger rings & nice flashy color). Haha vain, i know.

Think this pair is good up till 21km distance given the limited cushioning which is ideal for the type of events i do. Yeah new shoes! Now i want to go and do more running.

Tribob Sprint Series 3 - Sprint

This is my first 3 discipline event this year! what a slow start compared to last year! But i coudn't handle anything further or longer given my current flabbiness. lol. This race is really relax cos i reach there almost 8am and still got time to dilly dally. And until 9am then i see the first wave charging into the shoreline. Honestly my buddy and i didn't quite know what was going on and did not know how many waves there were until we saw all the remant mens of all shapes and sizes began to line up at the start line; then we realised we have got to go. And yes we were in the "Men's Fun" wave!

The swim was surprisingly short for me as i did it well under 16min (out from water) which i quite doubted. After the race i checked with my buddy he also felt the swim course was a little under 750m, we suspected this was due to low tide. Well it's PB anyway. haha. I just sold my very good BLUE bike (bye) the day before the race and and to scramble to loan an oversized hybrid bike with braided wheels to do my bike leg - painful. I knew i was going really hard on the pedals and still not moving fast like i wanted to. Well at least i got a bike to do the race i thought to myself and instantly felt grateful to my bro Tim who so generously lent me his ride. Oh when it came to the run my first 1000m was lik super slow (over 7min) and i thought to myself i better push harder or else my target of 90min would be blown. Unfortunately, my powergel boost came only at the 2km mark and i finished my last 3km with a decent over 5min/km.

Overall, i felt good as i was close to my target and i actually rewarded myself with a KFC family feast the evening before the race! hahaha. Kudos to Tri-Bob for the well organised series! Ready to sign up for next race.

Event: Tribob Sprint Series 3 - Sprint (750m Swim-20km Bike-5km Run)

Date: 19th April 2009

Venue: Changi Ferry Terminal

Bib No: 2

Age Group: 25-29

POS: 58/108

Results:

Swim split - 17:42min

T1 - 2:01min

Bike split - 40:17min

T2 - 1:29min

Run split - 31:26min

Combined - 1hr 32min 55sec

Tribob Sprint Series 3 - Sprint

My Target for the next event:
Swim split - 20min
T1 - 1min
Bike split - 40min
T2 - 1min
Run split - 28min
Combined - 1hr 30min

Tribob Sprint Series 2 - Duathlon

Event: Tribob Sprint Series 2 - Duathlon (3km Bike-15km Bike-3km Run)
Date: 15th March 2009
Venue: Mandai
Bib No: 2
Age Group: 25-29
POS: 52/93

Results:
Run 1 split - 15:46min
T1 - 1:59min
Bike split - 30:56min
T2 - 1:37min
Run 2 split - 16:41min
Combined - 1hr 07min

Tribob Sprint Series 1 - Aquathlon

Event: Tribob Sprint Series 1 - Aquathlon (750m Swim & 5km Run)
Date: 22nd February 2009
Venue: Tanjong Beach, Sentosa
Bib No: 2
Age Group: 25-29
POS: 65/128

Results:
Swim split - 20:03min
T1 - 52sec
Run split - 27:49min
Combined - 48:46min

it had been months since i last posted on my blog. it had been month since i did any form of serious training. and it had been months since my last event.

this year started out slow and this swim+ run event at sprint distances is a good way to gear up for the 2009 season. quite excited when arriving at the venue to do the usual in-processing. but seriously i was in a very relaxed mood - no pressure and just have fun and enjoy the event.

i chosed to start in the last wave where it was non-competitive all male group. thought i got in the right wave as the pace was more forgiving and have less jostling during the start phase.

although the event was non competitive for me, i did set some target to make this event more meaningful. i was doing some laps yesterday in the pool and i took about 25min for 750m. so i thought anything close to 22min will be good. to my surprise i did it under 20min on my watch! i was so motivated to transit into my run then which i was targeting a slower 6min/km. which i also achieved just slight under at 29min. wow! i shaved more than 6mins off my target combine time of 55min. well done i told myself! hee dorry for the self praise and indulgence. don't we need some self encouragement and motivating from time to time? you know what i mean.

overall the event was great and i had loads of fun. the main difference is this time A* was there throdding around with my dslr for the first time to capture some nice moments. enjoy some of my favourite photos.

if you like to see the rest, follow this link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/teckheong/20090222TribobSeries1?feat=directlink

Training Day 2 (21 dec Sunday)

Today is sunday and was supposed to be my lazy day like it had been for the pass weeks. Since i have already started my regime yesterday i intend to keep to it as long as my mind and body allow.

It was suppose to be a 800m swim for me. However, by the time i got to the pool (4pm) it was packed with people. As if the whole of sengkang residents are here. Furthermore, the main pool was cordoned off for some traning and only like 2 lanes were left for the public - how ridiculous. So i decided to do a short bike ride instead since i like to keep my tranining going.

Did a 16km short ride (39min) under the hot sun. Short it may be but the intensity was high as the route was pretty hilly espcially wheni made the u-turn on the way back. I rode out from my place and hit yck road towards causuarina; made a left towards town along thomson road; made another left towards amk just before bishan park; then made a quick left turn to hit the steep ride up shangri-la estate before making my way back to yck road in the opposite direction. Another plus is i got a nice tan due to the strong evening sun and my tri-top print is visible again.

Tml is monday and will be my dedicated recovery day. Hope the coming christmas week will be an easy one on my tummy.

Back to Training - Day 1 (20 Dec Saturday)

I guess its time to start planning for 2009 events. My 'A' race should most likely be Aviva 70.3 on 22 march. So i got down to my laptop and created some excel table with training schedule on it. And it felt really motivating to put my 12 weeks plans down in black and white - you know what i mean. And yes, i went out today start my program leading to the race day.

Day 1
i started easy with a 25km bike (1hr) in the morning. Doing my usual route from home via jln kayu to yishun dam to mandai road and made a u-turn.

later in the evening i did a 6km run (44min) along ecp. started from fort road to mac and back.

End of 2008. Horray

Event: Standard Chartered Marathon 2008 - 42km

Date: 7th December 2008

Venue: Esplanade/Padang

Bib No: 12682

Timing: 5:56:02

POS: 6,233/11,030

This is the best marathon i have done without training. Ok i have done only 2, but both without training as well! WAT!! I was averaging about 8min 26sec/km and i was quite happy although i was aiming for 7min/km at the beginining of the year.

Well this is the end of my 2008 season. Closing with this sixth event, i felt much accomplishment for the goals i have set out end of 2007 in the area of my fitness department. Next year i should aim for 8-10 events with improvement in all my timings by 10% or more.

- 3 x tribob sprint series

- 1 x Osim OD

- 1 x Aviva 70.3

- 1 x Quadthlon

- 2 x marathon

- 2 x others

In the mean time, train safe and enjoy the ability to complete.

Getting Started

I have decided that its time to begin my training for 22 March 2009 Aviva 70.3.

will now embark on a 20 week program. But i'm onlyleft with 18 weeks to go starting from the comin monday.

today i have already done a 25km ride in 1hr 10min. will be heading fo a 7km run later in the evening followed by a 600m swim to get things started. give me luck. cheerios