Ironman 70.3 Langkawi 2018


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 Race in Asia (as voted by Asiatri.com), Ironman Malaysia. I am still filled with envy to those who did it while writing this.

I did not have any expectation because I knew very well that in a long distance triathlon, results are always equal your efforts in training. Not only I am unfit. I am also quite chubby nowadays  and I am honored to be included in the #teamchubbysedap aka TCS clan. I must thank my coach, Bernard for putting up with me and working around a plan to make me race ready regardless of my fitness and appearance (important for socmed posts). Race aside, I was looking forward to Langkawi to have a nice break from my hectic life in Kuala Lumpur with my family (only half true since I have to bring work with me) and meeting my favorite people from Doha, Najib, Mylah, Dave, Gerda, Annie & Andrew Kilshaw and Fabrice (too bad Francis can’t make it).    

  

Swim

Bernard asked me to seed myself with the fast group 30-40min. I was hesitant because I knew I would be swum over by the those fast swimmers like a tsunami sweeping anything on its path, but I heed his advice nonetheless. I sprinted as fast as I could into the sea for the clear water and started activating my turbo prop as fast as I could. True enough, within seconds I was engulfed by the tsunami of fast swimmers swallowing me into the whirlpool. I panicked. I forgot to breath. I held my breath as long as I could and just trashing my arms fighting for the draft left by the wake of those human fish. 300m and I was tired. Then the wiser inner me told me to calm down and do not fight the battle I can’t win. You can’t win this battle but you can still win the war. Gitu. I swam away from the crowd and started to swim at my own pace until the first turn buoy. By now the crowd was thinner as the swimmers started to spread out. I saw one guy slowly overtaking me and found a golden opportunity to draft him. I latched on that guy like a remora fish on a whale shark. I told myself ‘die-die never let go of him’  . 5 years in triathlon that was the first time I was able to draft more than 1500m. My shark host was a good swimmer (for my standard at least). He was just cruising and swam at a steady pace until the last 100m when he put on another gear and left me in his wake. I didn’t even have to sight all I did was chasing his feet.

Swim Finish ( Photo by Fiz Said)

Bike

The plan was simple. Ride at 135 watts and no surges. I tried to stick to the plan as close as I could because I knew Bernard will scrutinize my data for his after race post-mortem. My heart rate monitor didn’t work so I just relied on the power meter and RPE. The effort felt moderate hard, but stream of cyclists went passing me like I was an old man riding a 1986 Raleigh. I was dejected but I trust Bernard and his plan. Those uber cyclists will pay their price later during the run. Pacing is key in a long distance triathlon.

I really missed riding around this island. I was reminiscing my ride here last year during Ironman Malaysia 2017. I enjoyed the roller coaster ride up Datai Loop, the ride along the northern coast and the ‘mountain stage’ at the three sisters Lisram hills. I found the hotter weather this year was much tougher than last year. I was so glad I didn’t have to go straight up Jalan Ulu Melaka  but instead turn left into Jalan Nyior Cabang towards Mahsuri Exhibition Centre where T2 is.  
Beautiful Landscape (Photo by  Fiz Said)

 Run

I usually started my run 'hungry'. My motivation was always to ‘eat’ runners in front of me one by one. It worked every time in the past. Bernard has a different idea this time. He wanted me to run in an interval style of push and recovery blocks of 4 km. It was tough. The island sun was shining bright with no cloud cover. The heat and humidity of Langkawi has no mercy especially on that airport section. I love the new run course. The stretch along Cenang beach was especially lively with supporters lining up the streets. No more lonely breakwater section. Hani and my kids with our friend Mylah were cheering in front of our hotel, The Daun. I stole kisses from my kids and Hani as I passed them. It worked like miracle potion. I suddenly got a second wind and started making steady progress. It was hard for sure but I kept on motoring until I ran out of real estate by the time I reached the finish line. How I wished I did the full distance. Tak puas rasa.    

I wasnt entirely happy with my timing, but I accepted it knowing I already gave my best and executed the race plan Bernard had for me right to the dot. I quickly showered, collect my bike, had something to eat and went back out cheering for the Ironman participants from in front of our hotel with Hani until the very end. I knew they could use some love and support. If it was hard for me, surely it was harder for them. They inspired me with their tenacity and never give up attitude.
One hot run (Phote by Fiz Said)

I would like to thanks my wife and my kids who are my biggest supporters during training and race day, also to my coach Bernard and my training buddies here (Ramzul, Diana, Team Volt, #TeamChubbySedap, MyIMSuperLeague, and manu more). Ironman Malaysia organizer surely lived up to their reputation as one of the best in Asia. Cant wait to be back here again in 2019. 
My biggest supporters (Photo by Fiz Said)


Swim: 41:28
Bike: 3:00
Run: 2:02
Total Time 5:51:52
Ranking AG: 42nd
Ranking Gender: 190th
Ranking Overall: 216th


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