NUS Triathlon - TriathlonLong Course

I was in the first wave of the Long Distance category. The swim leg was flagged off by Teo Ser Luck. As I run into the water, I could feel the soft soil of the beach. It was a long stretch before I could feel some depth and start swimming. But swimming was difficult as I couldn't see anything except muddy water. I was hyperventilating and I wonder at that moment how I could possibly finished 3 lap of the swim. I did breast stroke throughout the length from the beach to the 2nd bouy. After that, I managed to do bit of front crawl but I was still not able to maintain my calm in the water. I was drinking a lot of sea water by then. On my 2nd lap of the swim, there were more swimmers in the water as 2 other waves has already been dispatched. I felt most relaxed on my 3rd wave. Miraculously, I managed to finished the 3 laps. While swimming, some thought came to mind about the Ironman race that I have signed up to take part in Langkawi. Would I be able to finished the 3.8km swim on the open seas with ease? Or would I be gasping in the water? At some point in the swim, I even thought of the possibility of giving up the race. But once I have calmed down, I was determined that I will aim to just complete the race.

I should do more open water swim. Even with lots of experience on open water, I am still bad when it comes to waves. It seems common for me to have panic attack when I am in the open water. Wished that I could overcome this soon before my next race in Desaru.

When I run back to the transition, I found my helmet on the grass and my Oakley sunglasses were missing. Later, I found it on the grass and the handle was detached from the frame. Frantically try to attached the handle to the frame and put on my cycling gears. I think I took quite a long time to get out of the transition.

The cycle leg starts with the bicycle track along East Coast Park. Just as I start cycling, I realised that I did not put on my race bib. Stop immediately, put on the race bib and continue cycling. There were just too many humps and some of these humps could actually cause one to fly on the bike. While cycling along the stretched near MacDonald, some of them simply cross the road without even looking left and right. I think these people are either blind or simply don't value their life. For the first time, the Cycle route was on Nicoll Highway and Republic Avenue. It was simply amazing. But when we reached the stretch along Mountbatten Road and Fort Road, we had to stop for the traffic. To make matter worst, some route was just a single road lane for 2 directional traffic of cyclist. Imagine the convergence of 2 different flow of bikers just after a traffic light. Everything went on smoothly despite my back ache on the 3rd and 4th lap around the city until just before my final turn into East Coast at the junction of Fort Road. Just after the traffic light I was heading up to East Coast but the policeman stand right in the middle of the road. It was too close for me to divert my direction and end up heading right into him. He was not hurt but I fell off from my bike. I picked up my bike and checked that it was ok before I continue to cycle back to the transition. I had a bit of an abrasion on my hand and legs but it was bearable.

Cycle more. Need to get used to the distance.

When I reached the transition, I took quite a bit of time before I get out to start my run leg. I was a bit frustrated with the fall and my foot and body was aching from the impact of the fall.

As I was running, I was looking out for the bib numbers of the other participants. I noticed that among the people running in the opposite direction are mostly people from the other waves. I realised that a lot of people over take me during the swim and cycle leg. By the time I finished my 1st leg, there were lesser people spotted on the run leg. It was quite demoralising but I try not to think about it. Saw my Poly swim mate, Eu Jin who was finishing his run when I just started my 2nd leg. A short while later, I saw Steven on his way to the finishing line too. Throughout the run, I just try to aim to complete the run. My right foot was painful as I run. Not to mention the pain from the crash on my left knees and arms. It was such a big relieved when I finally cross the finishing line.

Did not do any warm down.


Not enough experience on swimming in the open sea and not enough mileage for cycling. Fall from the bike.


Having completed this race, I have my misgivings about doing another race at East Coast. In actual fact, I have signed up for New Balance Aquathlon and it would be in East Coast. The thought of going through the ordeal again is definitely not something that I look forward to. Wished that I have not signed up for it. Whole body felt sore from the race. The abrasion I got from the crash is still annoyingly painful. Wished that it heal fast enough for my preparation for the Army Half Marathon and Desaru race.