Just Keep TRI-ing

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 ...