Sometimes I wonder what it is that makes our fellowship so different, that week in, week out, we forgo sleep to slog it out in the wee morning hours; that over 50 folks, with spouses and children in tow, would congregate to eat, drink, laugh and be merry at our annual gathering? And what is it that compels us to check in on our FB everyday even when overseas, with some degree of anticipation on the next event, a photo or a random comment, as a 15 year-old would?
Could it be that we, many of whom are midlifers, need a sense of identify - an augmentation of self identify and/or a sense of belonging to a group of like-minded people? If so, why do I not feel the same sense of belonging with other interest groups?
Could it be the sense of camaraderie through common goals such as endurance events, personal challenges and simply shared interests? But then, would I drag myself out of bed to cycle with other groups?
Could it be the bond created through teamwork such as committees, management teams, colleagues? I certainly spend more time with other teams and small groups, but they are not the same.
Could it be the journey through and triumph over adversity? Our stints with our band of brothers in the military or uniform groups are probably the closest I can relate to. It's the sense of achievement we get when we overcome adversity together, through physically and mentally challenging situations. The kindred spirit of brotherhood that we forge through sweat and tears, and sometimes blood.
Yet I suspect there is something more. I submit that we don't have the same bond with drinking and golfing buddies, and even long-time best friends; not even if we simply meet each week for the sole purpose of consuming gourmet food and rare wines.
Could it be the dependency and reliance on each other to call out hazards and in the spirit of self preservation, we are safer in numbers? Could it well also be our instinctive selfishness to rely on others to attain higher speed and cover longer distances -- and on the flip side, a sense of pride that others rely on us for the same? Or could it be the emotional support we draw from an encouraging word every now and then, especially when we are struggling? And perhaps more so when outside of our rides?
It could be a a not-so-random combination of serendipitous factors, personalities and events.
Sometimes I wonder...
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
IMWA 2011: my Eben-Ezer
Dec 4, 2011.
We stood at the start line looking at the distant end of Busselton jetty - 2 km way. 1,500 of us. The sea seemed calmer than two days ago when I did my familiarization swim (the cold water was a new experience and caused hyperventilation on my part, at least for 10 min or so). I knew that the water was only 8m deep at the end of the jetty, having been to the underwater observatory the day before, and that sharks only come close quite by chance and did not like piles. A short bike round the block to test the assembly and an easy two km jog were the other preludes, as prescribed.
Relatively little hype when the swim started, and I found a draft only after 300m or so. Had to switch draft a few times. Later SC told me that he drafted me, but I had no idea then. Glad to see the buoy at the end for the turnaround. Choppy waves out there that caused a few swimmers to throw up, as I found out later.
Glimpses at my watch told me that I was probably going to take 1:30, which was good by any measure. Wobbly when I stood up, and fell back into the water. Mistake #1: I forgot to kick hard when approaching the shore, to get the blood back into the legs.
Happy that the swim was over, I set off onto the bike. The wind was strong as predicted (reported 29 - 30 kph). Gusty headwind along certain stretches but with the benefit of tailwind on the out and back sections. Kept HR low at below 150, easing off as necessary. Stay aerobic, pace myself, was the race strategy.
It was good to see fellow FOTRers going strong. Where possible, we exchanged waves and smiles to encourage each other.
On the second loop, while negotiating the first U-turn at the end of coastal road, I heard a shout from behind. Turning back to look caused me to lose focus and I fell. A few abrasions, and grateful for the concerned "Are you ok?" from fellow competitors. At the special needs table, I retrieved my bag with the additional salt pills (which I took diligently throughout the race), and SC and IV had pasta in their special need bags. Good idea.
One toilet stop and a couple of water stops other than the special needs stop was good to stretch the legs. Admittedly, the fall caused me to be more conservative than usual, and I ended up unclipping to a rolling stop at the U-turns. A bout of cramps in the left calve up on clipping back on. That's a new one - the calves.
The last loop was slower in spite of the cooler and overcast weather. Speed dropped to the mid 20s by then. Time taken for bike leg: almost 7 hours.
And then the sun came out on the run. Time to maintain on the race strategy and keep HR aerobic. Which I did until the distant turnaround. The water melon looked good and I couldn't swallow the powerbar energy blast. Took one piece that was to be my downfall. That was mistake #2. After two more km, I knew that my stomach was acting up and started walking. Tried to throw up but failed until the first turnaround. Felt better after that, but the damage had been done.
The C monster starting acting up on the calves (may need calve guards next time), and the Salompas came in handy. A nose congestion kicked in. I walked two loops :( MBH was very concerned when she saw my dejection on the second loop - sorry dear. That was the lowest point of the race for me. Frankly, thoughts of DNF entered my mind.
I tried baby steps to run when one fellow Singaporean walked briskly by and made a snide comment about how walking was faster than jogging. Hardly the appropriate thing to say to someone struggling to finish. Would appreciate if you kept such comments unvocalized, thank you very much.
On the third loop, the boys and MBH were there to encourage me. The boys wanted to pace me, but that would be against the rules. Mistake #3: should pack some panadol and caffeine in the run special needs bag.
Managed to find my running legs on the way back. It was dark then and getting cooler. Really glad to be able to jog most of the last 12 km. By then, my goal was to complete within 16 hours.
Collected the last (orange) band and into the finishing chute I went. The cheers were incredible. "You are an Ironman" were the words we wanted to hear.
Strangely calm. No euphoria, no dramatics, no tears. Just an overwhelming humility that I battled the demons within and struggled to complete; an elevated sense of gratefulness for the support of MBH and family, who made countless sacrifices on my account; and a realization somewhere at the back of my mind that I had just accomplished a goal, unfathomable 3 years ago, at the age of 51.
In the grind that is IMWA, I tended to focus on the negatives instead of that I should be grateful for. Here's a list to remind myself:
1. relatively calm and warm sea (20.5 dec C)
2. nice weather during the bike leg
3. no punctures, no accident on the bike
4. tail wind on stretches
5. minimal sore butt
6. support and encouragement from YP's family
7. all marshalls, volunteers, bystanders and spectators who were never short on encouraging words
8. no debilitating cramps
9. encouragement from fellow friends and FOTRers
10. other age group competitors from SG who finished after 16 hours
11. all FOTRers completed their maiden IM race!
12. I had never felt so strongly the love and concern from MBH, D and E
Yes, I could well have been the competitor who puked on the swim and DNFed. I could have thrown in the towel and went back to the guest house, so conveniently situated 300m away. I could have been one of the many competitors in the medical tent. Yes, these I-could-haves negate the other I-could-haves.
Hence, IMWA 2011 is my Eben-Ezer*.
Congratulations to my fellow journeymen - IN (incredible run as usual), YP (strong throughout), CT (what heart problem?), MH, KT (what amazing improvement since the first Desaru ride), SC (mini to IM in 18 months!), KL and DC (my inspiration!). Thank you for the journey.
* Eben-Ezer means "God had led me thus far" or "Thus far God has helped me."
We stood at the start line looking at the distant end of Busselton jetty - 2 km way. 1,500 of us. The sea seemed calmer than two days ago when I did my familiarization swim (the cold water was a new experience and caused hyperventilation on my part, at least for 10 min or so). I knew that the water was only 8m deep at the end of the jetty, having been to the underwater observatory the day before, and that sharks only come close quite by chance and did not like piles. A short bike round the block to test the assembly and an easy two km jog were the other preludes, as prescribed.
Relatively little hype when the swim started, and I found a draft only after 300m or so. Had to switch draft a few times. Later SC told me that he drafted me, but I had no idea then. Glad to see the buoy at the end for the turnaround. Choppy waves out there that caused a few swimmers to throw up, as I found out later.
Glimpses at my watch told me that I was probably going to take 1:30, which was good by any measure. Wobbly when I stood up, and fell back into the water. Mistake #1: I forgot to kick hard when approaching the shore, to get the blood back into the legs.
Happy that the swim was over, I set off onto the bike. The wind was strong as predicted (reported 29 - 30 kph). Gusty headwind along certain stretches but with the benefit of tailwind on the out and back sections. Kept HR low at below 150, easing off as necessary. Stay aerobic, pace myself, was the race strategy.
It was good to see fellow FOTRers going strong. Where possible, we exchanged waves and smiles to encourage each other.
On the second loop, while negotiating the first U-turn at the end of coastal road, I heard a shout from behind. Turning back to look caused me to lose focus and I fell. A few abrasions, and grateful for the concerned "Are you ok?" from fellow competitors. At the special needs table, I retrieved my bag with the additional salt pills (which I took diligently throughout the race), and SC and IV had pasta in their special need bags. Good idea.
One toilet stop and a couple of water stops other than the special needs stop was good to stretch the legs. Admittedly, the fall caused me to be more conservative than usual, and I ended up unclipping to a rolling stop at the U-turns. A bout of cramps in the left calve up on clipping back on. That's a new one - the calves.
The last loop was slower in spite of the cooler and overcast weather. Speed dropped to the mid 20s by then. Time taken for bike leg: almost 7 hours.
And then the sun came out on the run. Time to maintain on the race strategy and keep HR aerobic. Which I did until the distant turnaround. The water melon looked good and I couldn't swallow the powerbar energy blast. Took one piece that was to be my downfall. That was mistake #2. After two more km, I knew that my stomach was acting up and started walking. Tried to throw up but failed until the first turnaround. Felt better after that, but the damage had been done.
The C monster starting acting up on the calves (may need calve guards next time), and the Salompas came in handy. A nose congestion kicked in. I walked two loops :( MBH was very concerned when she saw my dejection on the second loop - sorry dear. That was the lowest point of the race for me. Frankly, thoughts of DNF entered my mind.
I tried baby steps to run when one fellow Singaporean walked briskly by and made a snide comment about how walking was faster than jogging. Hardly the appropriate thing to say to someone struggling to finish. Would appreciate if you kept such comments unvocalized, thank you very much.
On the third loop, the boys and MBH were there to encourage me. The boys wanted to pace me, but that would be against the rules. Mistake #3: should pack some panadol and caffeine in the run special needs bag.
Managed to find my running legs on the way back. It was dark then and getting cooler. Really glad to be able to jog most of the last 12 km. By then, my goal was to complete within 16 hours.
Collected the last (orange) band and into the finishing chute I went. The cheers were incredible. "You are an Ironman" were the words we wanted to hear.
Strangely calm. No euphoria, no dramatics, no tears. Just an overwhelming humility that I battled the demons within and struggled to complete; an elevated sense of gratefulness for the support of MBH and family, who made countless sacrifices on my account; and a realization somewhere at the back of my mind that I had just accomplished a goal, unfathomable 3 years ago, at the age of 51.
In the grind that is IMWA, I tended to focus on the negatives instead of that I should be grateful for. Here's a list to remind myself:
1. relatively calm and warm sea (20.5 dec C)
2. nice weather during the bike leg
3. no punctures, no accident on the bike
4. tail wind on stretches
5. minimal sore butt
6. support and encouragement from YP's family
7. all marshalls, volunteers, bystanders and spectators who were never short on encouraging words
8. no debilitating cramps
9. encouragement from fellow friends and FOTRers
10. other age group competitors from SG who finished after 16 hours
11. all FOTRers completed their maiden IM race!
12. I had never felt so strongly the love and concern from MBH, D and E
Yes, I could well have been the competitor who puked on the swim and DNFed. I could have thrown in the towel and went back to the guest house, so conveniently situated 300m away. I could have been one of the many competitors in the medical tent. Yes, these I-could-haves negate the other I-could-haves.
Hence, IMWA 2011 is my Eben-Ezer*.
Congratulations to my fellow journeymen - IN (incredible run as usual), YP (strong throughout), CT (what heart problem?), MH, KT (what amazing improvement since the first Desaru ride), SC (mini to IM in 18 months!), KL and DC (my inspiration!). Thank you for the journey.
Honor roll: DeSoto One 2-piece wetsuit, CEP compression shorts, Trek Speed Concept, PI top, Specialized cycling shoes, KSwiss Kona running shoes
Postscript: 12 hours later, the germination of a seed to improve on my time next year.
* Eben-Ezer means "God had led me thus far" or "Thus far God has helped me."
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