We were at the beach seeing the batches of participants (by age I think) being flagged off. By the time we settled on a spot, aichai was already in the waters. The waters was really choppy and nemo and gang commented that the swim would be really difficult. Next to be flagged off was sv, then gentle, then nemo. Each of the participant was to swim two laps in the sea, with each lap punctuated by a run on the beach. After taking pics of aichai, sv and nemo (couldn't get one on gentle), we headed off to wait for them at the end of the swim leg. There were water sprinklers located at the swim end so that the swimmers could wash themselves before heading off to change to their bike attire etc.
After shouting our encouragement to our friends, we proceeded to the food centre for a reprieve from the heat. We each ordered sugar cane drinks and later had our lunch there. Teelee, superboy, tiwazz, imd left for the milk run at 1+pm and we gals were left yakking and enjoying our lunch. Cosmic joined us gals later.
While chatting, I saw aichai ran past. We immediately rushed to the finishing line but was too late, couldn't get a pic of aichai. We then positioned ourselves at the finishing line to wait for nemo & sv to return. We somehow did not see gentle returned from the run. While waiting for sv at the finishing end, I spotted a gal who has the same running style as sxuanjing. Upon closer inspection, I realised that it was sxuanjing. We excitedly hollered our encouragement to her (she was doing the relay tri with her colleagues).Well done to Andy, Aichai, Nemo, Sxuanjing & SV for completing this tri! *CLAP CLAP CLAP*
We later congregated to take lots of post tri event photos. We met Mythos & Jennifer at the carpark while taking photos and chit chat with them briefly. Just so happened that I was just telling Junie and Superboy that I have not seen him for a long time and I get to see him today at this event! Synchronicity eh??
Aichai left us and the rest of us went to the food centre for sv, nemo and sxuanjing to carbo load. I finally succumbed to the temptation of the wanton noodle which angel highly recommended. So had a plate of the yummilicious wanton noodle, some BBQ chicken wings (courtesy of sv) and carrot cake (courtesy of nemo). We were all baked & beat by the end of the whole thing and so share a cab with nemo & junie back home, while angel & sxuanjing went to take a bus back home.
Its really an experience attending such an event. The adrenalin rush, seeing all these very motivated and determined participants going strong and completing the race. I see a lot of hunks, babes with really toned bodies doing the tri. But I also see people in the other spectrum, people who are on the heavier side, people who are much much older (think 60-ish to 70-ish?) doing the tri. It sure isn't easy training for a tri event, but these people really has the tenacity and resilience, discipline and motivation to participate & complete such a gruelling event. Not to forget the really HOT weather today, we are literally baked under the hot sun. I really can't imagine how they could run under such punishing conditions.
The atmosphere there was indeed inspiring. The loud, catchy music. The really supportive spectators, shouting encouragement all the way, it just makes the whole event seem soo exciting and I myself felt so inspired by the whole thing! (and no, i can't bike nor swim, so tri is out for me haha).
Personally, I find it very touching to see my friends cross the finishing line. It is with happiness and relief and a tug of the heart when I see them cross the line, as it all means that the hard work they have put in to train for the event, the sweat, the pain, the discipline and self-motivation they put in to be there and to achieve their goal, crossing the line is their testimony that their hard work has finally come to fruition. Really happy to each and everyone of there.
As nemo recounted to us in the cab on our way home, he was saying all the participants was very supportive. They weren't competing with one another, they were in IT together and competing only with themselves. So when one fall or slowed down, the rest will encourage him/her to press on. How nice. Indeed, such races shouldn't be a race against one another.
Ok frankly, I think I'm blabbering. The heat today must have really got to me.
Nite now. Better get some rest for another work week starting in a few hours time ...
All in all a very good weekend :)
2 comments:
Great account of the OSIM tri KJ! Sorry to have missed it, but it sure sounds like a great event and significant achievement for all who took part :) Also wished I could have sampled the wanton mee and chye tow kuay ;p
no problems roentgen! Was thinking yesterday that must really asked u to go ECP one of these days to try their wanton noodles! Let's target to go this weekend (during off peak hours - not during the mealtimes as it would be super the long queue) :P
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