8th November 2009 Sunday - Ambitious target and being over confident marred powerman race.....

This weekend was the Powerman race in Lumut, Ipoh which consist of 11km run (1st loop 6km; 2nd loop 5km, 64km bike (2 loops 32km each loop) and 10km run same route as first leg. Cut off time 5 hrs.

We have 4 double Decker buses to pick approx 90 participants + supporter on Friday night at Balestier at 10.15pm. More than 80 were participants. After loading up the bikes on the buses we moved out at 11pm punctually. The journey was estimated about 10 hrs.

Unlike last year we arrived Lumut's Orient Star Hotel at 6 plus Sat morning, 2hr earlier than last year. Sat was free and easy. After our hotel breakfast we had pre-arranged race briefing at our hotel by the organiser cum collection of race pack at 11am; went to race site's expo; had lunch; then finally we went to Giant to get our breakfast and drink for the race. Returned back to hotel at 4pm to prepare ourselves for the race. Snr Chua drove up and thus using the available transport, I had dinner with Snr Chua, Soak Hwa, Wee Haur, Alber, Giang at Kampong Cina for good cheap hearty Chinese food.

This was my second Powerman race. Last year was my maiden with finished time of 4hr 51min. Since this was my second attempt; and tapping from last year experience on the race; familiar both the run/bike routes and also having done 2 HIM this year, I set a very ambitious target of 4.40hr; shaving off 11min from last year timing. This was my first mistake.

Next, I was over confident to achieve this target. So confident that I did only one break training 3 weeks before this race. Being over confidence was my second mistake. Next, I only prepared just-sufficient "fuel"- Gel and repalite for the race; lazy to bring more; only brought 3 GU and borrowed another 2 powergel from Melvin Jur; had only 4 replalite and did not bring any Nuun to the race. Lazy to bring more than sufficient, underestimate the route and the would-be baking sun was my third mistake.

The 1st leg 11km run was on schedule; finished 1hr 4 min with T1 4min, 64km bike time was also not too bad 2 hr 19min with T2 3 min. I completed 2 legs at 3hr 30min. I felt cramp on the left quad when I dismount from my bike which was a warning sign calling me not to push but to start the run by walking would be ideal. Reminded by my ambitious target of 4.40hr, and confident that I could tackle 10km in 70 min, I could not wait to achieve my target and chose to ignore the warning sign.

After taking my last 2 repalites I started to run. After 600m or so, my left quad suddenly cramp, the muscles was as hard as stone and before it recovered right quad cramp too. Both legs were totally unmovable, seemed that they were rooted onto the floor. I believed I was horribly motionless for more than 15 min. How disheartening as I saw my fellow runners like Sok Wah, Snr Chua, Marcus, Alber and Alex who I over took in the bike leg, passed me; some literally walked pass me. Snr Chua passed me and encouraged me to brisk walk but it was already too late. After the cramp subsided I could hardly walk properly for 3 to 4 km, the blazing hot sun did not help much either and I have already run out of replalite and gel, the rest of the run was a nightmare.

Should I have not set this ambitious target (instead aim to complete in 5hrs); heeded the warning sign and started walking initially; I am sure I could manage 10km in the remanding 90min. Instead I was rushing and pushing hard to complete 10km in 70 min immediately after the bike leg. Bad move.

I took 1hr to complete 1st loop of 5km. Even if I brisk walked I would not have taken 1hr. When I started my 2nd loop it was already 4hr 30min, I knew I would not be able to complete last 5 km in 30min to avoid cut off time. Nevertheless I told myself I must at least complete the race. Took 43min to complete the last loop and total time for this sad race was 5hr 13min, way over cut off time.

A sad and disappointed race indeed. I had made it last year; actually there should not be any excuse for me to fail this year. Even though the weather was unfriendly and uncooperative with the baking hot sun accompanied us right from the start of race; I knew the ambitious target, being over confident and insufficient preparation of "fuel" destroyed this race. A lesson well learned indeed for any future race.

Definitely I will be back next year with a target of 4hr 59min; rest assured I will be fully prepared and get the finishing tee and medal, most importantly regain the title as Powerman.....! :)
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