Amazon, You Got To Be Kidding!

I was intending to buy a copy of Tron (1982 version) either on DVD or VHS format. Yes, I do have a highly used videocassette recorder/player! Yipes! Amazon.com is selling remaining fresh sets from US$125-$200. Too rich for my taste, and twice as ridiculous! I will attribute it to the sequel Tron Legacy that strongly sustains the cult status of the CGI-deficient prequel made almost 28 years ago. I’ve decided to spend that potential amount on several box set DVD TV series, to be decided shortly, when I click on my shopping cart.

I received an iPad from my dearest, on my birthday. This came as a shock as I was still lightly deliberating it with a Macbook. So far so good as I have downloaded some of my preferred songs and TED presentations, and enjoying them! Still haven’t got to activate my Internet connection though, as I am still figuring out the settings. I am tempted to pretend it is a mobile phone by talking into it in public, although she has forbade me to play the fool. Who knows? For a dare, I just might (not on my to-do list, yet).

I was pleasantly surprised that fellow bloggers, Matt Wong and John Cooke wrote their Bucket List. I was reminded of this infrequent practice from Phil Khoegan – host of The Amazing Race from his book, NOW – No Opportunity Wasted. My last list was about two years ago; my first was in 1995. Much has been fulfilled and accomplished since then. It is rewarding to review and renew the list. Like John wrote, it is a map and a plan for action. Decide on an Ironman race, sign up, make race preparations, train, race, and celebrate – a standard process for accomplishing the 226-kilometre triathlon. John, who earned a PB (11:37, and PBs in all three disciplines) at IMWA 2010, earned a slot for IMWA 2011 during the four-hour online registration. We will race together in Ironman Lanzarote in May.

What were the worst fitness trends of 2010? Believe it or not, some are trends that may not survive the next 365 days of 2011.

Are you thinking of recycling your old shoes? Here are some useful ideas.

Year-End Updates

I ran 21K just now and am now nursing tight calves. It was at a moderate pace, and a considerably demanding distance since it has been about three weeks after IMWA. I also took the opportunity to think of my Bucket List. Matthew wrote a very attractive list, and I was quite smitten by its content.

My Lust-for-Life List will include travel, personal challenges, and developing competencies. Swim with dolphins and whales, play a musical instrument well, visit all the Ancient and Modern Wonders, attend the TED convention, do a double-Ironman, qualify and complete all the Big Five marathons, complete 27 Ironman triathlons, start a foundation, and qualify for a few more world championships.

Adventure-racer and triathlon coach, Wilson Low and I were chatting about the 51-year-old runner who will complete his 250^th marathon this year on New Year’s Eve. He is my friend, Martin Parnell and he runs a marathon daily every weekday. Do consider pitching in for his fund-raiser ‘Right To Play’. He has achieved about $175,000. He needs to hit his target of $250,000.

My interview with Deca-Ironman Dr Kua Harn Wei appears on RedSport.Sg. If you missed it on this blog, you get to appreciate why I am a loyal reader. The team of volunteers are looking for interns to do reporting – a great opportunity to delve into sports journalism. Thank you, editor Leslie Tan for publishing it on his popular website on Singapore sporting activities and athletes!

Benchmarked Against the Best of the Best

It feels good to be noticed; it is sign that you have created attention and attraction. Recognition is a useful value to bestow upon others. Most staff appreciate being recognized; they feel important and valued. Yet, one man’s meat is another man’s poison and opinions differ on performers and their peformance. I have yet to discover an Asian leadership website/blog that ranks high with other international ones. I hope that 2011 will feature distinguished Asian leadership/management bloggers.

One of the collaborative sites I share the honour to be with is on AllTop Leadership. One of our fellow bloggers recently featured the top-50 leadership sites. Founded by Guy Kawasaki, author of many business books including The Art of the Start, and The Macintosh Way – this mega-site of blogs features top-notch leadership authors, including leading book authors and consultants. I hope to review Mr Kawasaki’s new book Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions, just before it is launched in early-March.

Please read the blogs featured on my site. Certainly, bloggers who are endurance athletes (and leaders in their own fields) have a special place in my heart. Some are regular bloggers (almost daily) that makes for frequent reading. It is like catching up with old friends and their adventures, and we are indeed friends. All readers of this blog and the recommended ones are all friends!

Writing Your Lust-For-Life List

Inspired by Phil Keoghan (enduring and energetic host of realty-TV series, The Amazing Race), and his book No Opportunity Wasted – N.O.W. I wrote my ‘To-Do’ list a few years ago. So far, so good – I have achieved a few personal dreams and challenges. Some refer this as the Bucket List; meaning the things you want to do before you ‘kick the bucket’ and leave this Earth.

Interestingly, I have achieved a few of my dreams through recent achievements. Some of these things include: teaching in 18 countries; qualifying and competing in the Half-Ironman World Championships; completing 10 Ironman races (not the least, one); completing an ultra-marathon; being in the national top-2 percent in the marathon; getting actively involved in the Olympic Games (inaugural Youth Olympic Games).

Write your ‘wish list’. What is your lust for life? How do you orientate your life to your dreams? Which experiences would you enjoy? Who would be part of this exciting journey?

Get a journal book. Write down what matters to you. There are two lists:

1)    What I like to do for myself.

2)    What I like to do for others.

Fill it with your dreams, aspirations and hopes. You have to suspend your judgements, like ‘I cannot afford it!’, ‘I have no time!’ and ‘It is impossible!’ You will have to plan and earn these experiences and achievements, and we have to start somewhere. We’ll come back to this list soon and work on fleshing out the skeleton. Go on – build your list!

Tron: Another 28 Years Later

I recalled watching Tron when I was in junior college. Just this afternoon, I watched Tron Legacy 3D – sequel to the 1982 cult film starring Jeff Bridges and Bruce Boxleitner. Both actors reprise their roles, with the son of the founder of computer-software conglomerate, ENCOM as the key protagonist in this Disney film. Yes, both films were made under the Disney brand.

The 1982 film reflected the technology of that time, and the aged Kevin Flynn (Bridges) speaks in the same lingo when he finally meets his son, Sam 28 years later in the Grid in the new film. A computer-generated, 1982 version of Flynn, was designed to be a mirror role of his program gone rogue – and it looks pretty handsome. The suits have been redesigned, still with trademarked glow patches, and more contemporary helmets. The fight scenes on the light-cycles are spectacular, as are the identity-disc throwing combat ones. There are nice distractions by the clinical-white, female dressers for the younger Flynn (perhaps, in the virtual world they do have sensual desires?). We can allude that The Matrix Trilogy was inspired by this film’s concept of the Grid, where characters are programs (made up of routines and sub-routines) and are disabled in the arena. The flamboyant bartender-cum-club owner, Zeus steals a major scene with his David Bowie antics, reminiscent of Ziggy Stardust.

Overall, the characters have more flesh; Boxleitner’s role is, sadly, minor as focus is placed mostly on father-and-son (which they director has done successfully). The love interest between son, and the athletic and attractive female apprentice (Olivia Wilde) leaves room for interpretation and does not rob us of unnecessary screen-time. The music (by Daft Punk) and sound is very good; it should be considered for an Academy Award nomination. Overall, it is worth a watch for diehard fans and new generation of CGI fans who enjoy nostalgia of a phosphor-green screen, pre-notebook era. Watch the 3D version as it was designed to be an experience unto itself. I look forward to the DVD release with special features.

It’s The Season To Be Silly

I enjoyed the MTV Movie Awards, as it was pure reckless abandonment. The producers had a non-mainstream Tom Cruise act in a skit where he replayed his role as an entertainment mogul (Les Grossman in Tropic Thunder). Perhaps, art imitates life especially affirmed after his nefarious and unusual couch-bouncing antics on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2005. He walked a tightrope of non-seriousness by seriously playing a character.

If you act your goofy side, how does this affect you? Will your reputation be tarnished? Sure, we need to act appropriately in public and even in private, yet is seriousness a quality we need to exaggerate all the time. Boys will be boys, they say; however, men will be boys, sometimes. The film ‘Grown Ups’ highlights the reality that being adult is, hard work. Maybe, there’s always the kid within us that’s bursting to get out, sometimes.

Who audits our adult behavior? Who are the behavior police that arrest us for juvenile behavior?  Do we need to be professional entertainers to have the carte blanche to do silly things onstage and in public? People are interested in our other side – the alter ego who can be just as fun and human at the same time. It is like Sherlock Holmes cannot exist without his arch-enemy/nemesis, Moriarty.

Perhaps, it is all about having fun. Can we have fun at work and at play? Can we have fun and be funny at the same time? Let your hair down. There’s always time for unserious business. 

Season's Greetings

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR, LOYAL READERS OF THIS BLOG!

I appreciate the time you made to read, comment and return to this blog. I have learnt many lessons from racing, interviewing readers, and also from your feedback. I hope to serve you better in 2011. Next year, I intend to include video interviews. In January, we will feature an interview with Deca-Ironman Wayne Kurtz, who is the sixth-best in the world in 2010.

Drop me your comments on what you wish to read more about. I am also on the lookout for human-interest stories. Give me a lead if you discover an amazing athlete. I will attempt to feature them here. I look forward to your suggestions, interests, and many adventures.


CHEERS YOUR HEALTH! Enjoy the rest of your year!

Photo-credit: Kathleen Sng

Music or No Music While Running?

Runner’s World magazine, recently, did a piece on the pros and cons of running with music. They interviewed two runners who each gave either their support or not, for using music-providing devices while running. While I was running yesterday, I decided to list my preferences for running WITHOUT music.

1)    I am a creature of habit, so music does not factor high in my training equation unless it is running on a treadmill or riding a stationary-bike.

2)    Spartan training is absent of the niceties of modern day technology. It is just I, the sound of my footfalls, and the lovely scenery that keeps me company.

3)    The sound of my footsteps indicates to me if I am landing heavily, getting fatigued, or losing my form.

4)    The sound of footsteps is a metronome of sorts, and allows me to moderate my pace (as I mainly run alone).

5)    I am attuned to the sound of my breathing. If I breathe too hard, or am panting, I am exceeding my lactate threshold.

6)    Without music, I can focus on other things: other runners, the seaside scenery, background sounds, my heartrate, and my internal state.

7)    Competition events disallow the use of iPods and other digital music devices, so train according to racing conditions.

Lessons Learnt Crossing The Finisher Chute

IMWA 2010 was one of my significant milestones in my personal sporting history. Despite timing-chip issues, I did finish legally and with videotaped evidence this race. My timing-chip stopped registering my running pace after the 20^th mile, which led to many text messages about my racing status. THANK YOU my friends for checking on my health!

Although I did not secure the PBs I wanted, I earned the following lessons:

1)    This being my 10^th Ironman finisher, it was no easier than my first of fifth. I look forward to my next two Ironman races in 2011 (number 11 and 12 sounds very good on the scorecard).

2)    I enjoyed and remembered most details of my run down the finishing chute. I was giving the lovely spectators high-fives and applauding them.

3)    I had a good, strong run equally my best in 2006 (same race).

4)    Immersing myself in the energy of first-time finishers of Ironman. There were more than 400 making their attempt at the 226K-format. Well done, Ironman finishers!

5)    The event is run mostly by volunteers, so thank them whenever we can. It is a shared experience for a very long day, and days of preparation.

6)    I hate to quit; DNF is not computed in my DNA. I’d rather do damage control than take my allotted time, or give up and give in.

7)    This is only a result; we have our good days and better days. This was my good day. I will apply my lessons to my next race, and hopefully, earn my next PB.

Photo-credit: FinisherPix (which reminds me to make my order from them)

Blue Frogs and Big Thoughts

Have you ever seen a blue frog?

I have, although it was merely a metaphor. I had a drink with my expatriate friend and Ironman triathlete, Joseph Seetoh at a pub with that name. Being in our maturing years, we opted for a couple of pints of bottled Guinness Stout, touted by seasoned drinkers as the drink of choice (largely for its medicinal properties).

I was thinking: is there a blue frog? Are all frogs green? What happens to our paradigms (mental models) when we observe an outlier? What happens to our established facts when we register an aberration in our measurements? What happens to our confidence in others when secrets are leaked? How do you behave towards somebody you know well, when you discover their checkered past?

Seth Godin wrote about purple cows – his notion that these odd-coloured cows are more easily noticed and remembered than ordinary ones. Children colour intuitively, as we can attest to their creative interpretations of on a coloring book. Bright colours change our moods; darker colour and shades dampen our spirits. In Vincent Van Gogh's later years, he painted in shades of blue and grey (metaphors for bad days of depression).

Perhaps, the blue frog is our metaphor for what may lie out there. A blue frog may be lying beyond the horizon of our current thinking. Last night was a blue frog moment, where conversations shift our mental orientations of what is, what could be, and what may be realized with a paintbrush and a palette of new colours.

Photo-credit: Joseph Seetoh with his iPhone.

You Have to Assert Yourself Sometimes To Earn Your Way

Assertiveness is the ability to express, to others, what is important to you. It can reflect your ability to lead. If you help another person amplify their need to be noticed and recognized, then your assertiveness becomes a useful quality. When you assert yourself, you are less likely to be overlooked. Be unassertive, and you may lose out and suffer in silence.

If you wish to express yourself, you will need to communicate aloud and with energy. Flaccid attempts to communicate merely expresses a lack of commitment, lack of clarity and confidence. Lead with energy that is associated with optimism, hope, enthusiasm, passion, consideration, and care. People are attracted to these powerful magnets.

On the other hand, over-assertiveness conveys being over-bearing, domineering, selfish and bossy. Few people respond positively to people who focus mostly on themselves. There are enough personalities who resort to bullying others around to get their way. They fail to realize that they need to sell their ideas, and earn the buy-in. They, eventually fail in their putrid attempts to influence and lead.

Express your wants, needs and desires yet stay mindful and aware of how your energies impacts and affects others. Be respectfully assertive. Be assertive and sensitive to other people’s responses and needs, too, and you will get your results.

Making Room Only For Useful Things

It is almost the end of the year, and also the beginning of the festivities. I just got back from an overseas assignment, and while on my flight back I watched a new BBC Television series ‘Sherlock Holmes’. It is a remake and 21^st century re-imagination of the character created by the genius writer, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Reviews have been highly positive, so I will be exploring the box-set on Amazon.com.

Like the other medical-based detective, House, M.D. Holmes is an equally fascinating case study of abject psychosis, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), nicotine-addiction, and mad genius. Having watched two episodes (two-and-half, actually, before we had to land), I can attest to its attractive dialogue and characterisations. Holmes’ arch-nemesis/enemy is his brother (sibling rivalry), and the enemy-at-large is Moriarty (which I have yet to determine is a person, or an organization). Dr Watson is a WIA, military doctor who Holme’s has an intellectual fondness for. Both are seduced by the excitement afforded from murder cases that Scotland Yard has difficulty solving – this part stays true to the original stories. Both protagonists have their own blogs’ Holmes’ blog is focused on his deduction theories and methodologies.

Three lines that came out strongly from Holmes in episode two (in response to not knowing what the solar system was): “My brain is my hard-drive. I use it only to store things that are useful. I don’t make room for useless things!’

Can we deliberately make room for only useful things? How often do you reject ideas? How prejudicial are you to new perspectives? How true are you as a learner? How often do you accommodate useless information?

Beer Run Photos: Not For the Faint-Hearted

 Rehearsal; Adopt the posture!

Craig briefs everyone.

Bike-to-run transition.

Photo-Drink Finish…

It gets ugly.

It gets more ugly!

 

It’s still a podium finish.

After the leaks, some decided to come incognito but their enthusiasm betrayed them.

Celebratory photos: incriminating evidence?

Photo-Credits: Kathleen Sng, Team Bandung

Alternatives For Alternate Outcomes

Sadly, I did not meet the online dateline for the MR25 Ultramarathon, to be held on Boxing Day. It used to be an on-the-spot morning-itself, registration. This year, participants enjoy a race-kit prior to the event itself. The minimum requirement for earning a Finisher’s t-shirt was five loops for a total of 52.5K.

As such, I have made alternate plans. I intend to ride 140K with Hui Koon and company, on Christmas morning. This will help me draw upon my festive reserves for the eve dinner, and proceeding dinner. For Boxing Day, I may go for a solo long run, or with others. Or, I could go along for the run, in my own time with my own nutritional support. Free country, isn’t it?

Do you make alternate plans? How many options do you offer yourself for a strategic plan? What do you do when plans do not go your way? How creative do you get when you deviate from your intended plan?

*****

Off to Shanghai later today, and I will plough through my options in the light snowy conditions. I will be spending three days with about 30 corporate leaders.

Beer Run 2010

This year’s Beer Run, organised by members of Eastern Night Riders (ENR), took place last night, 17 December, Friday, at 8.00pm. Led by SK Lim, and ably supported by fund-raising duo, Reeves Lim and Anne, Alex Slattery, Edward Kor, Bill Chan and Team Bandung (photographer, Kat). Junior Lee helped procure sponsorship by Asia Pacific Breweries (and private sponsors) of the festive beer, Tiger Crystal. That evening, we raised more than $1,345.00 for the Mainly I Love Kids (MILK) Fund – a charity for at-risk youths. [Photo: Reeves & third-place (Men's) finisher, Danny Wan]

Craig Slattery provided the pre-race briefing, where the 21 participants had to simulate the three legs of triathlon with appropriate attire and gear. The modus operandi of this 3X700m circuit observed these requirements:

Down a pint of beer (bottled); run first loop in swim gear (cap and goggles); change into bike outfit (helmet and shades); down second bottle; run second loops; change into running cap/visor & sunshades; drink the third bottle of beer; run the third and final lap; down the fourth and last bottle; announce ‘Cheers!’ and walk across the finish line. Tada! For non-drinkers and WAGs, we provided 100-Plus fizzy sports drink.

Clifford Lee blared his ‘Human Horn’ – a very good impression that startled a few curious bystanders. That evening, we surprised many after-dinner, strollers with his siren. The runners each, nervously, drank their beer, before rushing into the semi-darkness to run their first of three uncomfortable laps. I assure you, there were many moments of unenviable burps. Having raced this last year (and runner-up behind Marco, who was overseas last night), I can attest to the relevance to the burping strategy. Clear your stomach of residual effervescence, and pace yourself for this is an unusual middle-distance run.

3:12, Boston Marathon finisher, 42-year-old Robson Phan and I went for it, step-for-step, throughout most of the race. We ‘braced the tape’ almost at the same time, and I suspect by the breadth of a sip. He is, undisputedly, and consistently a very good runner. We then awaited the other race finishers. In this race, we had no finisher medals or t-shirts. Like a Hash Run, we had plenty of beer to drink. Robson did a 'reverse' after the end-point, and foamed.

Four of us stood on the podium, made of cartons of 100-Plus and beer: Robson, Danny Wan, Genevieve (who rounded up the top-woman category) and I took our celebratory shots. Each of us won a carton of Tiger Crystal Beer, useful for the upcoming festive period. Thereafter, we took plenty of group shots as more drinks circulated and, by the time we proceeded to the hawker-centre, quite a few of us were slightly inebriated.

It was a fun and memorable race! We have higher expectations and criteria for next year, and an alternate fund to consider. 365 more sleeps to go!


Photo-credits: Clifford Lee & Kathleen Sng

The Allure of the Extreme in Personal Leadership

The phrase ‘extreme sports’ refers to high risk sporting activities, including those adventure races. Mountaineering and rock-climbing is categorized here, as climbers risk extreme weather and terrain conditions. Surfing in shark-infested waters raises its risk-level higher than if swimming in the public pool. Mountain-biking, off-road, is a dangerous sport if you allow yourself to get careless and accelerate downhill without control. Cycling on public roads is becoming an extreme sport according to the many cyclists I spoke to. Swimming in local waters, polluted by careless dumping and littering can be extreme, too!

Within four hours of its release, Ironman Western Australia 2011 sold out completely. This is akin to Lake Placid and other popular American Ironman distance triathlons. IM New Zealand 2011 sold out for the first time in its two-decade history, way before the middle of this year. IM Lanzarote and IM Canada followed suit. In response to this frenzy of interest for the 226K triathlons, more races are being created including those non M-Dot sanctioned races. Boutique races like Vineman and Norseman still attracts neophytes and seasoned triathletes. Disappointed latecomers are churning the Ironman/Long-Distance Triathlon waters to have a bite of the next opened event, or special slots.

What exactly is the attraction of Ironman/M-Dot races? What makes Ironman triathlon such an exciting proposition? My casual surveys at such races reveal that:

1)    It is one of the toughest physical challenges you can undertake (and succeed with guidance and hard work).

2)    It is a great confidence-booster (check out the heightened postures after a race).

3)    You get to wear cool t-shirts and post-race merchandise.

4)    It shifts one’s personal paradigms, and redefines personal limits.

5)    Stating on your LinkedIn page that you completed an Ironman triathlon may invite curious questions from other members (so, it enhances networking possibilities).

6)    You get more photographs tagged of you even when you raced solo.

7)    When you break down the 226K-race into its components, jaws will drop.

8)    The facial expressions you earn are (after you describe your race is), simply, priceless!

Perhaps, we are searching for the next challenge to accomplish. Challenges create a sense of purpose; intrinsic motivators like our values, beliefs and behaviors support our purpose. Our purpose links to reality when we plan and create objectives for ourselves. We may be seeking the next metaphorical ‘highest mountain’ to climb? After all, taglines and cliches like ‘anything is possible’ or ‘nothing is possible’ becomes the de rigeur personal standards for personal leadership? Or, in a matter of speaking, we get to ‘brag for life’.

Hazy Visions of Coffee and Climbing in the Canaries

¡Buenas dias! 

This coffee mug has accompanied me for the last three years - over a plethora of business proposals I had to write in the wee hours of the morning; and the creation of this blog. This black-and-white vessel was first, innocently, christened by my tri-buddy S K Lim with a full douse of beer, at a gathering of like-minded, covert, endurance athletes. It was 2007, and Don Ng and I took on the colossal challenge of completing Ironman Lanzarote – known for its grueling, one-loop, 180K ride around the Canary Islands. Don and I completed in humbling sub-15 hours, 10 minutes apart of each other – I pushed the bike twice near the apex of the ride (2,500 metres) as my personal strategy to save my legs. Lesson learnt: Use road-bikes with compact cranks and be adequately nourished. Carbon tri-bikes just did not cut it.

On 21 May 2011, I will attempt my second shot at this beautiful Spanish island and, hopefully, slash some serious time off. The usual suspects from IMWA will join me – Charles Teng, John Cooke and Nigel Chua. Don will head off for his second attempt at Norseman, a cruel Ironman triathlon fate with enough heart-stopping and heart-accelerating moments. Live to tell! Nada es imposible!

Starting Your Business

You can also establish yourself as a leader by starting your own business. Leadership is about leading, and taking the lead for your dreams and aspirations. Entrepreneurs are leaders because they take the first plunge into a relative unknown, not a complete unknown (as this would be deemed ‘blindness’).

Here are my 10 tips thoughts on starting a small business, or Work at Home (WAH) business:

1)    Seek business coaches or mentors.

2)    Learn, unlearn and relearn.

3)    Define your business then refine your business.

4)    Mind/Mine your own business. Really.

5)    Give, share and be generous. The returns can be oddly rewarding.

6)    Stay busy. Business is ‘busy-ness’.

7)    Focus on your core competencies and your forte.

8)    Be clear, confident and committed.

9)    Support a cause as part of your business.

10) If you are not enjoying it, change your emphasis, or quit.

To incorporate online-based business methodology, I recommend reading these established business leaders. I will post more of my experiences if you find this useful.

Go forth – and build! Your customers will come.

How Do You Know If You Are A Hardcore Triathlete?

1)    You enjoy Lycra/Spandex as a fabric more than cotton.

2)    Your wardrobe consists mainly of race-tees.

3)    You wear out running shoes at the rate of one pair a month.

4)    You have at least five pairs of running shoes.

5)    You have 10 pairs of Oakley sunshades.

6)    Your watch measures everything except the time.

7)    You have more wristbands than Queen Cleopatra.

8)    You treat Carbo Parties as an excuse to over-eat.

9)    Buffets are part of your active recovery methods.

10) You are attracted to bike-porn.

11) You are a quasi-bike mechanic.

12) You quaff down energy gels as easily as Red Bulls.

13) You have blackened toenails.

14)You have personally removed a toenail.

15) You surf YouTube for rare videos of the Scott/Allen Kona showdowns.

16) You check online results excitedly immediately after the race.

17) You get upset when timing chips fail to register your timing.

18) You get excited with race merchandise.

19) Race expositions are Disneyland to you.

20) Please add to this list.

While preparing for your MR25 ultra-marathon on 26 December, read this post by  Andy Bowen of Noosa, Queensland – hometown of Macca.

While we are on the same topic, how do you know you are an ultra-marathoner?

Post-IMWA Scenes

As a departure from race day dramatic shots, we present (courtesy of Soon, a Korean-Australia who posted a sub-12 hour, first Ironman finishing time; his best standalone marathon is 3:01) scenes from IMWA including the Day After The Event. Thanks, Soon!

Bike check-in.

Pre-race swim.

The Finish Line…unraveled!

Finally, we enjoy a quiet moment with ‘Voice of Ironman’ Mike Riley and race supporter-buddy, Tc Campbell.

When I grow up (to 74 years) I want to be like them…it gets harder (each year) to qualify even in their age group.

Winners of IMWA: both from Western Australia.

Soon: uber-marathoner and now-Ironman, 44 years old.

You must visit the Chocolate Factory at Margaret River. Free sampling!

Compulsory stop-over: Beer-therapy for the hobbling, middle-aged triathlete! We strongly recommend the India Pale Ale [hidden from view to discourage minors].

The Fox: 10:14 finish! He is aiming to earn another Kona slot within the next year (he completed the Ironman World Championships in 2005). 

Wine [medicine, in some circles] served ('first-come, first served') at the Awards Evening; yes, that is red meat in the foreground, but it's recovery time! We whacked the buffet table at least twice.