I did this race in 2003 when it was called the "Desaru International Long Distance Triathlon". It was in Desaru - Johor - Malaysia. I had to be in Singapore … MORE
I did this race in 2003 when it was called the “Desaru International Long Distance Triathlon”. It was in Desaru – Johor – Malaysia. I had to be in Singapore for work and ended up meeting a co-worker and friends and we traveled over the causeway to Malaysia.
I was concerned as I threw out my back – severely – about a month before. I couldn’t walk let alone swim, bike, or run. But I tried it anyway.
I got to Singapore and, of course as I was on business I didn’t have my tri bike with me. But my friends loaned me one. It was my carbon fiber Kestrel, but I was just happy to have one.
We went to the main hotel where the race headquarters were held: Desaru Golden Beach Resort. We checked in and had a bite to eat. As I was walking to my room, my foot went into a small hole and my back spasmed again. This was going to be a tough race.
The swim started in the South China Sea. The water route was marked with floating buoys but they kind of blended in with the water a bit – especially between swells when they were in the troughs. But I managed to finish the swim (probably around mid-pack).
Got out of the sea and rinsed the salt water off the off to teh bike. I was going pretty well for a w while, but it started getting more difficult. More than half-way through I glanced at the rear wheel and noticed the quick-release had come loose and the wheel was rubbing on the bike frame. I fixed this and continued the ride. It was interesting see monkeys all around the course – especially at water bottle stations. The monkeys appeared to enjoy stealing the water bottles and running away with them.
At the end of the bike leg, I transitioned to the run. The run is my specialty and where I usually make up spots in triathlons. But with my bum back and struggling with that rear wheel, I decided to just do my best and finish.
Finish I did. I was very pleased with completing my first Asia race – especially a half-Ironman distance triathlon at that.
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Those monkeys!
I did this race in 2003 when it was called the "Desaru International Long Distance Triathlon". It was in Desaru - Johor - Malaysia. I had to be in Singapore … MORE
I did this race in 2003 when it was called the “Desaru International Long Distance Triathlon”. It was in Desaru – Johor – Malaysia. I had to be in Singapore for work and ended up meeting a co-worker and friends and we traveled over the causeway to Malaysia.
I was concerned as I threw out my back – severely – about a month before. I couldn’t walk let alone swim, bike, or run. But I tried it anyway.
I got to Singapore and, of course as I was on business I didn’t have my tri bike with me. But my friends loaned me one. It was my carbon fiber Kestrel, but I was just happy to have one.
We went to the main hotel where the race headquarters were held: Desaru Golden Beach Resort. We checked in and had a bite to eat. As I was walking to my room, my foot went into a small hole and my back spasmed again. This was going to be a tough race.
The swim started in the South China Sea. The water route was marked with floating buoys but they kind of blended in with the water a bit – especially between swells when they were in the troughs. But I managed to finish the swim (probably around mid-pack).
Got out of the sea and rinsed the salt water off the off to teh bike. I was going pretty well for a w while, but it started getting more difficult. More than half-way through I glanced at the rear wheel and noticed the quick-release had come loose and the wheel was rubbing on the bike frame. I fixed this and continued the ride. It was interesting see monkeys all around the course – especially at water bottle stations. The monkeys appeared to enjoy stealing the water bottles and running away with them.
At the end of the bike leg, I transitioned to the run. The run is my specialty and where I usually make up spots in triathlons. But with my bum back and struggling with that rear wheel, I decided to just do my best and finish.
Finish I did. I was very pleased with completing my first Asia race – especially a half-Ironman distance triathlon at that.