Just Keep TRI-ing

I did not plan to do 70.3 Langkawi, but I glad I did, because I would not survive the Ironman distance with my current fitness and the tougher conditions in Langkawi this year. I registered for Ironman Malaysia as soon as the registration opened early this year. I was so motivated and excited to go back to the ‘Big Island’ and challenge for a top 10 Malaysian finisher (top 11 if you include our fastest female, Mei See). However, it was not meant to be. I moved back to Kuala Lumpur from Qatar mid-June. I under estimated the challenges of repatriating back to home country and starting a new life in Malaysia after 10 years of comfortable life in Qatar. It was hard to settle down with a new job, new environment and many other challenges. I struggled to keep up with my training and I was no near ready for a 140.6 race. Luckily the organizer  accepted my request to downgrade to the 70.3 race. A side show or an opening act for the main event, the glamorous , the best Long-Distance ...

14-15 July 2018 The homecoming race Port Dickson International Triathlon is THE race to go to in Malaysia's triathlon calendar. It is the biggest and one of the oldest triathlons in the country. There is something for everyone. The sprint and kids races were held on Saturday, while the main event, the Olympic Distance was held on Sunday in this multi-sport festival. It was a perfect family beach race-cation for us where my kids and I got the cheer Hani who did the sprint and the role for babysitting reverse when I raced the Olympic distance the following day. We were not all that keen to race since both of us did almost 0 training since we moved back to Malaysia in June. Since this was our first race in Malaysia since we came back, we took the opportunity to meet our local triathlon friends. We were also joined by our close friends, Najib and Shambeng with their families from Doha.   The Swim The water was choppy but it didn't look all that bad from the beach, but once...

Bike Check in Race Day I didn’t get to sleep at all the night before the race. I don’t know if it was anxiety or the noise from the live bands on the lively streets around my hotel. I went to the transition early with Fariz and finished everything I needed to do in a few minutes. I still have 45 minutes to kill while waiting for the swim start. I then had a sudden urge for the call of nature, the number 2. I ran to Shangri-La Hotel opposite the transition area and I poop FOUR times! S wim I made it to the starting corral with 15 minutes to spare and lined up among some of the Doha contingents. Everyone was cheerful and excited to get the race going. The swim course was a one lap anti-clockwise along Galle Face Green. The water was not as rough as the conditions in Hikkaduwa where I had a great family vacation last year or South Africa, but you can feel the current along the way. It was especially harder on the way back as we swam closer to the beach where the surf breaks. Ty...

Ironman 70.3 South Africa in East London has been in my bucket list since I started doing triathlon. I registered for the 2015 edition and cancelled it when Challenge Bahrain 2014 was announced. This race is regarded as one of the toughest 70.3 races on the circuit especially with its 45 km of uphill bike course. The universe works in mysterious way. I did not even plan to enter this race as I was in the middle of the peak training block for Ironman 70.3 Colombo to be held later in February where we also planned for our second family vacation in Sri Lanka. Qatar Airways then had a fantastic sale just as I was about to buy the plane tickets for Colombo and two weeks later we found ourselves on a plane bound for Cape Town. I did not have any expectations going into this race. Well a meagre 1.5 months of training was not exactly how you prepare for any 70.3 but I did not expect I would be torn apart and burnt alive (literally...

5 Jan 2018 Since I don't have a road bike, an ITT is the only opportunity I have to race in the Royal air Maroc Cycling League. The 24km individual time trial was held at my familiar cycling route, so I could easily fit it in my three hours long ride. Almost everyone in my cycling group joining it so why not? I started the race 30 seconds of my fellow MAD Triathlon buddy, my nemesis on the bike Aaron. I was scared he will overtake me since he is a little stronger on the bike. I gave my all and relieved I made it first to the finish line. I would have liked to start behind him so I could pace my self and chase. The wind on the way back was relentless but everyone has to deal with it, and there's no where to hide in an ITT. I was pleased with my effort. I finished the race in 43:08 averaging 166 watt for a 6th place in my category. My wife, Hani did great too came in 7th in her category. Everyone in #TeamFarhana ...

Race Report by Mohd Syafei Ahmad 6 December 2014 This race will always have a special place in my heart. Not only it fell on my 38th birthday, it was my also my 1st long distance triathlon after two years of swim bike and run. My reason to tri started as cross trainings to supplement my marathon training, but soon I fell in love with triathlon. The 4 disciplines are like my four children. Each with different characters, challenges and level of attention needed but I love them all equally. Cinta (Swim): The most difficult to pleased, always a rebellious, but once you get the rhythm, it will be the most satisfying. Elias (Bike): The most adorable. The one you like to spend most of your time with but not without its own challenges. Zachary (Run): The hardest and always angry but the most reliable and loyal, Kaseh (Nutrition): The most fun to be with, the most important aspect of a triathlon but always being taken for granted. I though...