The Heisenberg uncertainty principle

The Heisenberg uncertainty principle, developed in quantum mechanics, states that certain pairs of physical properties cannot be simultaneously known to arbitrarily high precision. That is, the more precisely one property is measured, the less precisely the other can be measured. So for a more precise change in x, there tends to be a corresponding change in p such that the end result (product of the two elements) is still larger than a specific constant (h/2).

I actually first learnt of this principle not from a math class, but from a wine maker!

Consider wine making. Even  if the soil and grapes were top rate (well controlled), there is always another element, say weather, that creates uncertainty in the final wine quality.

The parallel to endurance sports is obvious.

Upon reflection, this principle induces a particular sense of perspective and humility.

Aviva Ironman 70.3 2011 - deja vu

5th edition of the Singapore Aviva Ironman 70.3 saw a number of us returning for the second time, with a few first timers. A totally different route for 2011, with a flat CCR bike route instead of the scenic Sheares bridge. The run was also shadier but with lots more pedestrains. Notwithstanding the better weather (it rained on the last run loop) and the PB (6:45 is nothing to shout about!), the race was memorable for a number of incidents.

Snap shot #1: a cycling lying motionless along CCR with blood trickling down his face.
Snap shot #2: CT standing on the road side on loop 2 of the bike, out with a puncture
Snap shot #3: A competitor from Japan with a hat banner that reads "Pray for Japan"
Snap shot #4: IN sneaking up on me on the run (again!) but with road rashes on his shoulder, hip and leg. Gutsy way to get a PB!!

But the upside of the race:
MBH cheering for me on my first bike loop, as well as DL, my photographer nephew
HP and GP cheering us on along the run route
Nice post-race buffet
Great camaradarie
PBs for many - IN, SC, KC, YP, CS, KL, AY, etc (too many to name)

So this was how the race went for me:
Took it easy on the swim leg, got kicked in the chest and bumped into countless bodies. Was shocked to see a :30 first loop. Managed to finish in 1 hr. PW. Later I found out that everyone was affected by the strong current.

The bike course was a tad boring (compared to Sheares Bridge), with strong winds along sections of the course. No drafting rule was completely defied. I unashamedly drafted when confronted with headwind :( Posted a 2:52 PB with ave HR of 152.

Felt cramps coming on right into the run. So I took it easy for the first two km, and thankfully, the cramping feeling went away. Was able to hit my target pace for the next 5 to 6 km, but HR was in overdrive. Needed a toilet break and it went downhill after that. Ran with CS the last 2 km when the showers finally came. 2:44 for the run. PW!

I learnt from a fellow age grouper S Samdal (5:30!) about the remarkable Norseman extreme long distarnce triathlon in Norway that comprises a swim in the fjord (frigid cold waters), bike up 5 mountains (5,000m ascent!) and a run up another mountain  (1,850 meters above sea level!!!). 18.5 hours cutoff, believe it or not.

Thanks to all the supporters and friends! Thanks for exorcizing the ghost of DNF that always haunt me during the run leg. You were a great bunch.

A road less travelled

Is it because this would be my third 70.3 or simply that I would be treating this Sunday as a training event that I took the week off for our annual pilgrimage to COSI, Cambodia? I wouldn't have it any other way.

So it was back to dirt roads under dry hot weather for me. Three runs. The first was a 14km 5x2km interval run with increasing pace. The one strange sound was music, when I was about 3km into it. It turned out to be a Cambodian wedding. The contrast - loud ceremonial music, bright colored tents, well dressed groom and bride and guests - was stark. Probably a well-to-do farming family. As was the norm, the guests looked at me with some amusement. Not your typical sight in rural Cambodia.

Dogs were aplenty, as usual. Many simply barked at me and ignored me when I went past. One took a fancy to me, however, and trailed me for a a few meters and fortunately for me, got bored. It was only about 6km into the run that I saw a pack of dogs - 7 to 8 of them - that prompted me to turn around and head back. My self-defence - my trusty water bottle - would be effective against so many of them.

Incidentally, I had it all figured out in case of an assault by my canine friend. A squirt of water at their head (a trick learnt from the cycling community) is the first line of defence. The second is to take the offence - snarl, raise bottle to strike and even run at the brute. The last line is peak performance training - an all-out run (away).

The second run was a 5km recovery, and the third a 2x2km threshold run.

This being my seventh trip was meaningful for a number of unexpected reasons. Clearly, this would not be my last.