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#anythingispossible you are better than your thought |
#im703vietnam 2023 edition expected to be in 41C! What? Actual or feels like?
Race day morning, the sea looked a lot more calmer than yesterday, but actually not, still a lot of swell moving from south east, meant we will encounter those going out for first 300m, and 600m swimming against swell, alright, dophine dive one two one two, one after another, turning point after turning point, 6x300m, last turn follow the swell, nice swell, adding few more kicks ready for T1, bumper! The last 50m got moved to the rope by the swell and got trapped with few men in the front, a few punches and get myself out of the beach to T1, oh it was getting warm, slow swim….
T1 was smooth, two cream under my balls, helmet on, grab bike and go, mounting like a pro, hearing my G! Yeah starting my 90k ride under 30-34C!
Along the ride I appreciated all the wind, trail wind, cool wind, tree shade, my race my pace, every 22mins have a sip of carbs drink, 45mins a gel, electrolyte tablets every hour, maintaining the hydration with a right things at the right time, the goal is going back to T2 in 3hrs without dehydration, Sun is strong, UV in extreme! I can’t help stopping one or two times in the aid station to pour water….surviving the heat is the goal. 80-84k was on last head wind segment, I know it was a long ride to the last turning point, patience is the key, 80-85rpm is my rhythm, Cervelo S5 is my bike, smooth and sweet, in return the last 6k was tail wind, like a heaven, dismounting into T2 was smooth like a pro, feeling the heat, but not burning yet, rack bike, helmet off, socks on shoes on, grab the fuel belt, visor, small towel from ice bucket, it’s still cool, getting out of T2, seeing Leo having a happy face, “it’s a good day!”
“it’s a good day!”
Give myself 5mins to pick up my legs, seeing G cheering I told her “it’s a good day!”, the plan was enduring the heat, 1 gel per 45mins, 1 salt tablets per 30mins, electrolyte drink each km, first 1km always like a death march, 6:10 pace it’s alright, first aid station is like an oasis on the desert, pouring cool water, grab ice, watermelon, cooling down then off to the next one, 2km apart, the goal is maintaining the body temperature, first 5km was still thankful for some tree shade from those hotel area, after that I need put towel on top of my head to cover more on face and neck (learn from the local), later part of the road was exposed to the Sun, 6:15-6:20 pace between aid stations, cool down at each, lot of self talk, lot of cheering and high 5 to the #teamsonictriathlete waking each other up, #sufferfest everyone dealing with the same situation, organizer said there was additional pop up water station to aid the cooling, it was ok in the beginning but turn out running out of water in the buckets, the heat accumulating after 16k somewhere I was looking forward to aid station but that ran out of ice, but there is a medical tent I said I need cooling, part of me recall the memory of IRONMAN China 2009 I saw Kevin Clark sit in medical tent half way and won champion! they let me sit down and give me cold towel and cold water to my knee and legs, nice relief for few minutes then off I can run again! “It’s a good day” two more aid stations, I finished in 6.5hrs, one of the worst, failing the Plan A but ticked the Plan B! It was really hot that I didn’t really care for that temperature number, I am not a heat tolerance fan, but I did it again!
After all these years I am glad I still own my health and fitness, able to come back after a few annoying injuries is a gift, I also glad my mentality evolved compared with 5years ago! I am lucky to have all #teamsonictriathlete around me. My wife @gigiwon reminded me before the race to enjoy every movement, I did! She is my soul!
It’s your attitude approaching the game define your success or failure.
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