Kerian International Duathlon 2017

My first ever duathlon!

One never know their limit if they never try! This is what I have learn, so we just need to take that 1 step further, register yourself for the challenge!

The story actually went back to 2015 when me and my buddy Shwuni bought our foldie, we told ourselves that we will fully utilize our foldie. And we did! Since then we have been racing with our foldie in various events, for highway ride, roadtrip, KOM etc! We always be wondering if we could challenge duathlon or triathlon too! But some international event did have strict rules on bike requirements, so foldie is not allowed.

We got to know that there's a duathlon event in Kerian (I don't even know this place before this event) thru our ex-colleague - Owen The Ironman. Without hesitation we register for it (Sprint distance la ofcourse) shortly after it open for registration.

Pre race

This event was a month after Cultra, so I basically have super low training focus on this. I am quite confident on the running part as I have been training all the while, but seldom have bonding session with my Blackie. A few cycling session when I was doing cross training for Cultra, then focus on brick training immediately after my Cultra. Did not worry much on "Run - Bike" but super worry for "Bike - Run" as legs become so jelly to run after cycling.

The longest distance for my brick was 20km cycling and 3.6km run in DPC. We thought the course will be hilly as our past experience, whenever race near kampung area sure hilly. So, other than that longest training, we repeat hill attacks (Run - bike - run - bike - run - bike - run...) shorter distance for both 1.1km and 5.5km respectively, cycling up the DPC hill then straight to running after hill. Not just to train to get used to running with jelly legs but also transition. I know, all these sounded so last minute. Lol~

And then D-day has come...

We depart from KL on Saturday morning after breakfast to avoid jam as the school holiday started. Still, we get stuck shortly after Tapah and all the way up to Ipoh tol. We reached around 1pm, so we decided to go lunch before collecting our race kits.

There were not much restaurant and we have no idea what to eat either. Finally we found a 茶室 and saw some people eating inside. There got no menu, the aunty just said "normal food lo, fried lo, you wan rice or mee?" LOL!!! Ok la, then i tried dry-style fried keuw teow and Shwuni take gravy-style fried yee mee. And it was nice as clearly no MSG added.

After lunch we went to the race kit collection site which also the start area for the next day. Quick chat with Owen and asked some tips from him as both of us so noob! He told us not to worry as the course is going to be super flat and straight for both run and bike. Relief but at the same time I am worry because flat = boring. Not only flat, straight course too! Not my cup of tea, but this was my first duathlon, better be at the safe side.

Long time no see!

The first time to find names on participants wall, so excited! The transition area was not setup yet, so we can only visualize the "in-and-out" route in our brain. After we have collected our bib, window shopping awhile at the booths around, luckily bonus and salary not in yet, else we will be buying lots of stuff. Nothing much for us to explore, so we decided to check in our guest house and get some rest before dinner.

The only time you wish your surname not starting with front alphabet...

On the way to our guesthouse, we need to passby all the kampung road. I booked online so I have no idea where is it, but can only trust the mighty waze. To our surprise, the guesthouse is inside a Taman Kebun, where the neighborhood surrounded by oil-palms and fruits. The room (or chalet) is quite clean and come with basic amenities such as towel, water, shower gel etc. The place is suitable for short getaway trip, and escape from the technology - no signal at all! Lol~

Once Chiang Wei arrived, we make a move to town to meet up for dinner. It started to rain at the evening, and it might be a good news to us as we do not want it to rain during the race. We manage to locate 1 restaurant and had a quite loaded dinner, carb-load is a must (excuses!)! Even after we finished dinner, the rain continue and does not seems stopping soon. Then we started to worry about the field will get muddy (transition area). Anyway, on our way back to guesthouse, there's a wild boar run across the road!! Luckily I was driving super slow due to the rain and low visibility. I almost wanted to say "Wah, what a fat dog!" before I realize it was boar.

Dinner = carb-load

Final packing and ready the gear for tomorrow, the big day before we went to bed. And as usual, I can't sleep well. The whole lot of drama running in my head.

Pattern banyak-banyak

Race Day

The same usual rituals - eat breakfast (Shwuni can skip breakfast at the morning and survive!) and release some load. We wanted to park close to the event, so departed quite early. Mana tau there's more people lagi kiasu than us. The advantages of driving a Myvi is you can slot in a tiny spot without blocking others. Lol~

Before we check in our bike, the crew took a photo of us with bib and bike. Our virgin check in bike into transition area, so kalang-kabut, but thanks to Owen, saved us some trouble. We spent some time inside taking photo and immerse ourselves into the environment - pretend to be a pro.

Me and Blackie - our maiden duathlon

Blackie & Grevy

赛前忧郁

The Endurance category flag off at 7am, around 20mins earlier than us - Sprint category. I make myself and Shwuni to the front pack, told her that just pia, because only 5km then you can take your rest time during cycling. Saw lots of pro at the front row, I was aiming at a few told myself try my best to follow them, if only I can.

The flag off was on time and those pro that I aimed, were too far for me to follow. When we running towards the turning corner, I saw Allison running pass, she was at Endurance category, means she ran the 5km with just 20mins!!!! So motivated to see those pro running lightning fast, and I told myself to just pia! "ONLY 5KM!" Yea, only... The route was flat and straight!!! Honestly, i prefer it to be a little up and down, not that boring. I'm #平路慢 too! I ran until I feel my lung going to explode, seriously was running at my max!

First 5km, still look fresh - the smile [Photo credit: Nik Fahusnaza]

My bike, my bike!! Run for the last bit! [Photo credit: Running Fire]

I dare not to slow down even close to the transition area as I knew I going to lose a lot of time during bike leg. Quickly locate my Blackie, stuff the gel into my pocket, wear glove and then helmet. Had a sip of 100+ which I put in my basket earlier to refresh myself after the lung bursting run. Saw some participants slow down once out from the carpet to mount their clip shoes and pedal. I am off with my Blackie, like a ride in the park. Looks so relax.

Traffic jam, Q-ing to get out from transition. [Photo credit: Running Malaysia]

Ready to roll!! [Photo credit: Kerian International Duahtlon]

Not long after the ride, 1 by 1 kena potong by others. I tried to maintaining my speed at 22 - 25 kph as I never tried to pedal more than 25kph (unless it was downhill). When more participants overtake me, the kiasu me started to whisper to me. The whole cycling journey was the fight of Kiasu (afraid of losing) and Kiasi (afriad of dying) me.

Kiasu me:"Pedal harder! You see, keep kena potong jor! Just go faster!"
Kiasi me:"Nevermind, steady! Later still have to run 5km, what if leg cramp if over push?"

The fight keep going all the way, until I U-turn, and then back to the transition area. Lol~ on my way back, there's a crew on motor beside me, asking am I ok. So I pretend myself to be the Pro and there's this motor leading the way. Lol~ day-dreaming! The bike leg actually not that bad, I did able to cycle for what I have planned - targeted speed, no cramp, no pain. When I reached the transition area, I remembered someone told me that pro is single-handed to push their bike by holding the seat. Try to act pro, but I can only single-handed holding at the mid of handle bar.

Going back to park my Blackie, the LAST 5km!! [Photo credti: Running Fire]

Took off my glove while walking toward my bike spot, had another sip of 100+, and the most important - take off my helmet. During my training, i always forget to take off my helmet. Lol~ Imagine myself running with it. The last 5km, told myself to pia too "the LAST 5KM!!!" I can't feel my leg, or I should say I can't control my leg, as I feel my leg so jelly and heavy. My breathing was too fast and not sync with my stride. Just keep my body lean forward and push my leg to follow. At that point, body is feeling to stop running and start walking as I saw many others were walking. I have to keep telling myself not to stop, "You have lost your time during bike leg, now is your turn to chase it, even for 1 second!". Keep repeat this for every stride! The last stretch of road was like never ending, I can see the school building, but it seems like never shorten the gap.

Second run leg - the smile looks a bit fake now LOL[Photo credit: Nik Fahusnaza]

Try so hard not to drop the pace too much as it approaching the finishing line! Remind myself to chin up, body straight and smile when crossing the finishing line. That moment, the sense of accomplishment and felt so proud of myself. Even though just the Sprint, but I did it! I just stood around after collected my finisher medal, get the sponsored sports drink, and dip the towel into icey water. My feet refuse to move for that period, was rebooting I think.

There were plenty of food at the finishing line - watermelon, ice cream potong and drinks. All these were the life savers!! I forget how many I have gobble, but i did stay near the food for some time. Lol~ is like never had enough. After done reboot and engulf, went to finish line to wait for Chiang Wei and Shwuni. When I saw Shwuni approaching, tried to run at the side with her at the last bit of 50m. I know it was not easy for her especially running memang not her cup of tea these days. Lol~ We grab some more foods and went inside the hall for some cold down. And then to my surprise, I terpodium for my category. Extra bonus for me!

We did it!!!

I am satisfied with my results as my first duathlon, not only the running, cycling but the transition as well. I did not spent much time and consider it as a smooth transition (compare to my training). When I heard my name from the announcement of podium, I really surprise and felt like screaming. Just like always, I aiming to finish without any injuries or suffer, in translation means shiftless. The chance to podium, even though just manage to squeeze myself into the last position, give me encouragement to work harder and challenge myself.

Bonus of my maiden duathlon - 10th

Proudly representing Team Real Steel

Me and Shwuni decided to stay there for the lucky draw to test our luck. Some of the prizes were quite attractive - Fenix5 and mountain bike!! The volunteers (students from the school) distributing nasi lemak bungkus while we all sitting around the hall waiting for lucky draw. Too bad, not our lucky day, not even a piece of plastic. Lol~ We leave after the lucky draw prize finished, and 1 pack of nasi lemak bungkus not sufficient to replenish our lost energy, so we decided to have second round lunch before head back to guesthouse.

Post Race

After we had our lunch at the beloved 茶室, went back to guesthouse and finally I can rest well. Totally K.O. during the nap. Luckily the guesthouse does have canteen and else we were too lazy to come back to town.

The lady boss belanja us some fruits Pomelo and pink Guava! Definitely come in handy when we need to re-hydrate ourselves. The hospitality of the guesthouse was warm and welcoming, runs by family and treated all guests like family too.

Pink guava, on the house

After dinner, we went up to our rooftop for relax and celebration - mask and beer! Nothing more enjoyable after the race, with mask to rejuvenate our pretty face, beer to cheers for our achievement under the starry night. While we were chit-chating and admiring the starry sky, a bat fly pass above us. Lol~ what a place full of wild life - a boar and bat.

Our celebration - mask & beer

Nonetheless, it was a great experience, for the race, the accommodation, the wild life that we encounter. Thank you Owen for introducing us this great race; volunteers that cheering, marshaling, passing water; photographers who captured the precious moment.