Ironman China account by Edwin

For the Swim:-
I was totally lost and disoriented in my swim. I did not clear the 1st buoy, and only to realise that the current was sweeping me off my general direction and heading me towards the 2nd.
The 3rd buoy was a pure luck it was purely river current that does the work. Also the canoeist was calling us to turn immediately to head for shore. From 3rd to 4th buoy, was the toughest journey. It was like swimming in endless pool until I realise that people are walking faster the I could swim...So walk lah!
For 2nd loop, smarter this time...just swim up stream and let the current do all the works. Again upon returning back to shore, it was like swimming in endless pool. Increase my cadence and managed to clear it..

For Bike:-
Initial 10 km was bad. My muscle had cramps. This tells me that I need to do bricks. Then it was ok thereafter, but the head winds took a toll on me. I am not too particular about the hills as it is doable even without compact cranks. I should not have change to compact crack and stick to my Q-ring.

For Run:-
I still have the energy left after my bike as I did conserve it, and pace myself well agaisnt the heat. But I was simply too sleepy to run and decided to seek the company Andrew, so that the journey isn't as boring. Then we caught up with Joe. That was were we decide to end together with Mark.

So in summary..this was indeed a tougher course.
For me the difficulties comes from :-
1st) Strong river current.
2nd) Long headwinds for the bike portion.
3rd) The heat is unbearable hot even for a seasoned every weekend Desaru like myself.
4th) The lack of sleep...this is the most important.

I will train harder and be more prepared to overcome all these 4 obstacles in my next Ironman race. I am glad that I did not DNF and am also glad to have the company of Andrew, Joe and Mark for the grand ending..

So should we do PutraJaya or Desaru Long Distance, or both.
And where is the next nearest Ironman?

Ironman China account by Mark

Friday - test swim

First time swimming in river, experience was totally new to me. 1st time swim against such strong current ! Panic after swim.

Race day :
Swim
Manage to reach 1st bouy no matter how hard i try cannot reach 2nd bouy (only 2m away yet just cannot reach) also got sweep away by strong currents at 4th n 5th bouy. saw them walking on river bank quickly swim to bank and started walking too. 2nd loop wanted to give up. But thank GOD i tried. managed to make it.

Bike :
Basically it is the head wind and that is the most difficult part. Only abt 8 hills total. Felt climb like ntu and mt.faber not that critical.

Run :
Could not run for 1st 2km than slowly get into the run rhythm. manage to scrap thru.

Thank all crazy2tri guys for all the on-site and on-line encouragement. Especially for Andrew,Edwin,Joe for waiting for me in the run to the finished line. I am now a IRONMAN !

Cheers !

Ironman China account by Terence Ng

We in Hainan got the full package. A Singaporean would say it's a good deal. Because we have the heat (44 deg C), hills, headwind, cross-wind, river current (2km/h), expressway, villages, blisters, cuts (from river bed rocks), etc.

Good :
- great volunteers and supporters (Jiao yu, jiao yu but where is the yu?)
- great race courses with good smooth road. Cycling through the two villages and the short interaction with the villagers were an experience. I don't know who were more amazed at who. The last 4km of the run route was great going into the town center, catching a glimpse of a wayang backstage, very old shop houses before the finish at the city park
- hotel : decent hotel rooms and service. I thought the carbo and award events were quite nice in the hotel lawn. Good to have the award during lunch. Better still that our Shawn is on the stage receiving a prize.

Bad :
- heat : felt like a giant hair dryer blowing hot air at you from the front. To be aero is divine.
- river swim : for average swimmers, it's another new experience. It's like the "Endless" pool.
- Very lonely esp on bike : course very stretched out (2-loops) with 300+ participants.
- Logistic : hotel was 20 min drive from transition area. Never seen a shuttle bus jam packed with bikes and humans.
- Expensive mechandise by K-swiss. Cotton t-shirt that cost US$30.

Ugly :
- Hainan chicken rice. Better stick to Singapore Hainan chicken rice.