Monster ride 2

Today we covered 180km. 2 big loops plus another small loop of 40km. Around 10.20am, after 2 loops totalling 140km, Kok Chin and I were flagged down by Joe in his Sabura SUV. We got off at the Caltex kiosk outside Sian Tuan and learnt from Joe that Mark had an accident. Sure enough I found several missed calls and two sms from Michael at around 7am. Apparently Mark was knocked down by a motorcyclist at a traffic junction along Jalan Bahar. His Scott bike was broken to three pieces but miraculously he only suffered minor scratches. He was ambulanced to NUH and was under observation but discharged shortly.

Here's Ching Hong's update via email to the Crazy2tri group :

"Hi guys

Most of you have heard of Mark's encounter with a motorbike this morning at about 640am. The incident happened along Jalan Bahar intersection with the PIE ( towards Jurong Island) when a motorbike hit Mark broadside. Thankfully, Michael was behind and was able to render aid - no, he did not give mouth to mouth resuscitation to Mark - but was able to comfort Mark and call for ambulance and police.

Mark is okay albeit a few skin abrasins and muscle aches - praise Jesus. His bike, however, is a different sad story - broke into 3 pieces - i doubt any component could be salvaged too (Kane will take photo and share with us later). We are all amazed that Mark came out of that accident fully alright - and surely, God's goodness and mercy are upon Mark.

Whilst we exercise caution whilst cycling, danger still exists on the road - and certainly, we need to be more careful, and certainly, we need to rely on His protection and covering much more.

To everyone of you who were at NUH - thank you for your care/concerns, and for being there for Mark and his wife, Serene.

We will miss Mark - hopefully, he will find the courage to come back and join us again.

Mark - God bless you, and may your wounds healed completely.

Shalom

chinghong

Monster ride 1

Some call it the breakthrough session but I call it the monster ride. Today, we planned to do 180km, starting 5am. Due to time factor, many of us didn't do the full work. I managed to get 160km - at least it's a century - done by 11ish so that I could rush off to attend a church friends' wedding. My day was not without bumps - legs were getting cramps after 80km and had to slow down but I was glad to be able to recover.

In the evening, I had this SMS chat with one of my colleague who suggested a run tomorrow.
Me : "Won't join you guys tomorrow. Cycled 160km this morning since 5am. Need to recover tom."
LT : "Wow.. So impressed for the distance you should drive mah :-*"
Me : "But .. but my car can't take it"

Key session : Century ride

Today is key session day. Missed the 150km ride with the crazy2tri gang yesterday so it's make-up for me - all alone :( Woke up at 5.30am, put some carbo into my stomach and off I went. After almost 4 hr of saddle time and mostly zone 2-3 heartrate, I reached home finding my children having breakfast. Put on my running shoe and practice transitioning for another 15min or so. Okay, let's called it a day.

Welcome to 2007

Here's a note from our skipper, Koh Ching Hong :

Hello my Crazy2Tri friends ...

2006 has been an exciting and eventful year for us all .... we have so many things to be thankful for - our good health, our friendship, our families' support, our many training hours together, our many races together ... and much more. Crazy2Tri community is growing - it seems to attract like-minded crazy people ... and now from a simple cycling for fitness, it has turned from just try a sprint, then to Olympic Distance, to long Distance, to half ironman .... and now Ironman .... and already we have people thinking of Deca Ironman !!!

As we start a new year in 2007, I know it will bring more excitement for all of us, and everyone will reach a new level of fitness and capabilities - and i am also confident that one or two of us in the group may end up in Kona. The new year started with long ride (155km) in preparation for IM Langkawi (this was not even thought of 3 months back !! ... until an Eric started this domino of craze in Desaru) .... i know that our journey in triathlon will not end in IM Langkawi but that it will be a start of another journey for each of us.

I believe 2007 will see most of us taking part in IM Langkawi (Feb07), Aviva Bintan OD (May07), and definitely Aviva IM70.3(Sept07), plus either Standard Charted Marathon (Dec07) or Western Australia IM(Dec 07) ... i figured that if you intend to do marathon, then must has well do the WA IM ... it has a marathon in it already.

I thank you for your friendship and your contribution towards making the whole sports a fun and meaningful journey for me.

In this, I wish you, my friends, and decree the year 2007 brings you a blessed year (every day) of good health - of vigour, strength, and renewal of youth; a year of good success in your work, your family, your personal goals, your finances; a blessed year of peace, joy, protection; a year of goodness in everything you do and touch; and a year of personal best in every event you take part in.

Shalom and God bless, my friends

chinghong