Why Do The Ironman? Part 5

I first heard of Sister Madonna Budder through Phil Keoghan’s (host of ‘The Amazing Race’) book ‘No Opportunity Wasted’. Sister Budder is the 80-year-old nun who has completed many Ironman triathlons including the Hawaii Ironman World Championships in Kona. I thought: if she could do it at her age, I could do it! However, I could not even comprehend how much preparation and training was involved in completing the 226K multi-discipline event. Years later, I met this fit and inspiring competitor at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater, Florida in 2008 and 2009. I had to do my best, and I did do my best with her racing side-by-side. I was absolutely stoked being with her in the race that I, earlier, earned a qualification for.

Integrated within every Ironman World Championship DVD are powerfully inspiring stories about competitors who survived near-death ordeals, physical challenges, or are near-death. Jon ‘Blazeman’ Blais defied impending death and a crippling medical condition to complete his personal quest one year; and watch the event from his wheelchair in the next. We celebrate his memory by rolling on our belles, across the finishing-line. 4-time Ironman world champion Chrissie Wellington did the ‘Blazeman Roll’ in almost every one of her wins (symbolic of her fight against ALS disease), and stayed on after her victory to cheer on the remainder of the field.

Chrissie's biography which chronicles her meteoric rise from a woman with control issues to world-class champion athlete.

The father-and-son team, ‘The Hoyts’ is a synergistic collaboration that fulfills the human hunger to achieve and accomplish. Father tows and pushes his son through a complete Ironman for his son feels so much alive to be part of a race that saw its humble beginnings in 1978. One is smitten by their love and mutual respect for each other, braving the elements and challenging the odds to complete the race.

These amazing and inspiring people in Ironman help bring out the best in us. It is through their thoughts, words and deeds that we feel what we feel, and are humanized in the process. Ironman is more than a demanding personal physical challenge. It is a celebration of the human spirit that defies unthinkable odds, to emerge victorious and celebrating.

Déjà vu? Does Lightning Strike Twice?

After almost two weeks out of the water, I was glad to return to swimming. Last night, I attempted to swim with a pool buoy in the public pool. It started smoothly and unimpeded, until the after-hours crowd decided to exceed their personal boundaries into mine. I managed about 2.3K worth of 100m sets before my left chest started feeling sore. I suspect either a hairline crack on my rib/s, or strained inter-coastal muscles. When I slammed onto the back of a truck while riding two weekends ago, I may have impacted more than my bike frame. Meanwhile, it has been a mild dent in my training preparation as self-doubt and worry may creep in. Realising that my fund-raising activity is doing well inspires me to stay focused on my event and goals. Thank you, Donors and Sponsors!

IMWA 2006: I earned a 4:30 marathon (my best standalone marathon then, was 4:12).

I am a tad disappointed (with my injury) as my fitness has improved since December, and I am shaping up very well for a race. The last time I felt so prepared was in 2006, at the Ironman Western Australia race where I clocked a 12:08 at my second 226K outing. I am holding well, committed to most of my drills diligently, and training at the oddest hours of the day or night. I have missed a session or two, and either do them the day after, or focus on my next session. Each session is a unique experience where anxiety and malaise dissipates and a sense of accomplishment reveals itself at the end of the practice.

I am considering a medical check-up before proceeding into my last two intense weeks (of long mileage), and thereafter my taper stage. I am arranging for an examination so that I am assured of my condition and its limitation. Initial prognosis by my sports-doctor, Dr Ben Tan has been reassuring, as it appears that my risk of a major injury is very low. Exactly, two years ago around the same period I was hit by a taxi while riding; I escaped serious injuries thanks to my helmet. It would be challenging to race at ‘sub-optimal’ conditions (Chrissy Wellington’s words), and grit my teeth, dig deeply, and race towards the end. The image of Chrissy running in the marathon is my psychological anchor, and I believe the image has enhanced my running cadence (88-90rpm). What I need, perhaps, are dark shades to stay focused on my surrounding and internal universe, and hit my targeted running cadence of 94-96rpm, within the next four weeks.

All the best to those doing the Hong Kong Marathon this weekend! A big shout out to Uncle Kor Eng Fatt who turned 80-years-young a few days ago!

Mind your head. Mind your body. Train safely, my friends!