Was not supposed to do this race this year, but it was cancelled last year and the postpone reason was not sure. As such all participants were deferred to this year, the race was on Sunday 19 Jan 2020.
Good morning weather
Main stage
Weather was really good, attended the Mikkellar run club the night before, which might not be a good idea as I might be drinking too much. But nevertheless the Mikkellar run was fun with a good turn out and everyone enjoying the run up to Chinatown to catch the CNY display.
I did the standard distance, after the Singapore Navy stopped doing the Biathlon , I hardly have the chance to do a Swim Run. It is always very strange, after a swim, I could really run much much faster, do not understand the logic behind. But if it is a tri then after the bike leg, somehow, the legs just become wild wild west and I could not even walk properly.
Race pack with timing
Collected the race pack at Key Power Sports in Marina Sq, it was smooth and organiser threw in a few more goodies like the towel and the race belt because of the postpone.
Race Day
Bag drop area
Was kind of sleepy when I woke up and snoozing , lazing around does not help much. My wave is to wave off at 07:55am and I told myself to move out by 6:45 am but I just keep procrastinating. It was good to arrive at the carpark with still a few spaces available. The day was nice and beautiful with a warm sunshine. After the body marking and putting my stuff at the transition area, I still had about 30 minutes to go. Walking around the start area, there were many schools with teams joining this race. All looked young and ready to go. There were not many ladies joining this race, the start pen for the ladies was quite empty. Did not bother to go and warm up in the water as I thought I would have plenty of time to soak in the sea, no need for that. Took the Swim safe lotion and applied it , in fear that the sea bugs and jelly fish will sting me like in the Tanjong Beach area.
Simple transitional area
Before going into the water
The swim leg turns out to be one of the most enjoyable ones I had in my life. I totally enjoyed it, no bugs and jelly fish. Sun was up and good, not too much of a drift and I managed to keep in line towards the buoys. The best part was there was really ample space for all to swim I was not smashed or bashed, thank god for that. I could also see a couple of photographers at the swim start and finish. Hopefully can get some good pictures from them.
Run Leg
After swim, at transition
It is strange by whenever I swim and run, I always feel very good, not the other way and definitely not after cycling. After cycle to run, the legs just cannot transition into the run leg. Its gets really giggly and wobbly. Must really learn to overcome this portion. The run is just 2 loops of 5KM from the carpark F2 to NSRCC, back to the Bedok jetty and again. I seem to be able to do mental stuff like looping and kinda enjoyed the run too despite the sun was coming up.
Managed to overtake a few ladies in a row, makes me feel kinda happy. But I was wrong not taking care properly of my feet when I wore the vibrams. The tape I brought to cover the easily blistered areas came off in the shoes half way and all the sand ground the feet even more. Must really find a remedy for this. In the end, both feet had blisters with the salty sea water, it was really quite a test of pain.
Finishing
Medal
Was glad that there were people at the finishing taking pictures again and felt good to finish at a faster swim time, in fact my first time to do a 1.5KM below 40 min. To many biatheletes and Tri folks, this timing is like a joke, but for a small sized person like me I felt great. Managed to come in 6th position in the category. Nothing to brag about as the racing population was small. Overall I enjoyed this race, organiser even threw in a free Finisher Tee for standard category. Though the race village has nothing much like food trucks etc, it was good to keep it simple and also more cosy for all participants and supporters.
Will come back again next year.