Ironman China account by Shawn

When the going gets tough, the tough get going!!

One fine day, Lily and I were out for a run. We were panting quite a bit and Lily suddenly said: how did we manage to do the 42km run and worse still after a 180km bike ride? I told Lily that's the last one I intend to do - I never want to take part in any Ironman race ever again! But never say never. Another Ironman race was in the offing at the end of the year. Maybe I would change my mind long before then. Give me enough time to train and perhaps I would do just one more before my 50 years run out.

Then we began talking about taking part the Ultra Marathon 84km. Let’s do our training in secret until we are ready, I said silently, and then we will make a surprise announcement to the group. Lily laughed in agreement.

One Saturday several weeks later when I was called back to work Lily joined The Crazies for a bike ride in Desaru. Lily and Joe were encouraged by Ching Hong to join the group attempting the Ironman in China. Joe told Lily, if you jump, I jump. He remembered Jack saying that to Rose in the movie Titanic. Just like Jack and without hesitation, Lily said to Joe: lets jump together.

After the Desaru bike ride, Lily told me that she had promised to jump with Joe to attempt the Ironman Race in China. So what about me? I would not be able to train for the China Race in April in such a short time. Then I thought that even if I am not able to do this China Ironman, I could at least join the group to train. If I am ready for Haikou, it will be awesome and if not, too bad. At least I have trained for it. I started my training on the 4th day of the Lunar New Year.

As intense training would have it, I suddenly found myself en route to Haikou, China.

Our arrival in China was as chaotic as expected, with hundreds of competitors from all over the world checking in and we getting settled down and deciding where to eat. After dinner, it was decided we would go for a swim trial first thing in the morning.

My Ironman China journey starts here:-

The Swim
As usual, being a breaststroker, I always prefer to stay behind the strong swimmers. I never want to risk being pushed under by them in their excitement to get ahead in the race. I tried to swim according to the flow of the currents, but this one was particularly strong.

And like the rest of us, it was a real struggle for me and very disheartening. Time was running out. I got to the 2nd buoy. It was such a relief as I was finally breathing ok and got my momentum back. I asked the guy on the kayak where I was supposed to go. Just after the 3rd buoy, a swim marshall saw me struggling and he told me to swim towards the shore and go from there.

When I completed my second lap (time 2:02 hrs according to my watch), I was asked to do another lap. I told the marshal that I have done my two laps and he told me to go up the slope which means that I did not pass the “timer”, (it was my mistake) and that was also the reason why my swim time was not recorded immediately.

The Bike
I looked at my bike, took a deep breath and started pedaling hoping my muscles would quickly adapt to it. It was a slow start. After what seemed like a long time, I realised I had clocked only 10km. Another 170 km to go! Well, what choice do I have, the race is on, so just go on. After 30km mark, I looked across the road and there I saw Bernard Tay. Wow!!! He had already made a u-turn. Next person I saw was Ching Hong. He was very encouraging; he shouted: “Hey Shawn, I am very proud of you”. Next I saw David, Terrence, Andrew, Joe and Danny. Then Mark, who suddenly overtook me with a cheerful shout.

When I cycled into the village the road was lined with cheering fans encouraging us with the words “Jia You, Jia You” ( Go!! Go!! Go!! ) - and I was only on my 1st lap. I really did not have much You to Jia!

The sun was burning hot and I was becoming very dehydrated as well. My feet felt like lead; it was getting tougher and tougher. At times I felt I wasn't even moving. At the end of my first loop, I saw Logan and David Chua who as usual gave me more support.

Now I am on to my 2nd loop. I remember that Lily sent a message from Singapore to all the Crazies to enjoy the race, and the natural beauty of Haikou. I tried to enjoy the race and lovely scenery but to me at that time, all I could feel was the heat, the exhausting dehydration, the pain in my back and worst of all, TIME was running out. This time I was not competing with any competitors but instead I was competing against TIME.

The Run
Despite the pain, I was on cloud 9 when I started my run. The final leg. It was important to pace myself. Then I saw Ching Hong and Terrence were enjoying their breeze walking. How I wish I can walk like them but time is not on my side! I couldn't afford to waste even a seond - with another 7 hours to go. I could not be sure what will happen to me after the 20km or 30km mark.

I just carried on. At least I could stop at every water station to hydrate and cool myself with the icy water. I felt very refreshed after every station. The run continued. Each time C2T members by-passed me, the encouragement from them was heart- warming.

Ching Hong: I am so proud of you!
Andrew: Here you go Kona!
David Tan: Press on Shawn, you can make it.
Edwin: Shawn well done!
Mark: Shawn you are only 2km away from me, go on!
Terrence: Wow !! Shawn!
Danny: Well done!
Joe: Just another 1 ½ km to U-turn
Reese : Despite his cramps, he was still very encouraging – go on Shawn do not wait for me.

Summary: Very tough race, almost swept away during the swim, blisters on both my feet, bike was grueling and with the entire race was the toughest race for me so far.

Finally, I want to thank all you Crazies who have given so much encouragement. Last but not least, special thanks to Andrew who was willing to swim, bike and run with me to ensure that I qualified for Kona slot.