Encounter

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Just came back from legs and paddles but I've no idea how i did yet. Will be going back soon for prize presentation ceremony and collection of finisher certificates etc.

But I have the following to say:

The race was organisation was still lacking, despite some efforts:

- Some participants had slaloms, some had T1s with no foot rest and super low seat, but still a T1. I had a T1.

- Starting time was delayed by 40 mins with no explanation. I could see the marshalls and bouys were very last minute set-up. Maybe the word last minute is inappropriate, more like negative time set-up.

- There was absolutely no way of tracking the partipants on water, as their number tags were obscured 100% by the life jackets. No lap counting could take place etc etc....

- Only 1 water point along the 5k run route.

- Weather conditions varied as the dy progressed, adding to the unfairness of different waves

- Some marshals were poorly briefed, and directed participants the wrong way. I had to ignore one of them who tried to direct me into the finish line when I was only half done.

- Some marshals couldn't be bothered, and just sat in the shadows SMSing or stoning. I think even a sign board would have been more useful.

As for the race itself, I felt I put in a decent effort, about 80% of my optimal performance. The other 20% was loss due to feeling tired from waiting, lack of sleep and focus, and not recovered from the previous day. The kayaking leg, I had to get used to the aluminium shaft paddles, with flexy blades that quivered with everystroke due to the loose connecting pin between blade and shaft. Had a little problem negotiating the turns due to no foot rest to press down the boat and was telemarking and dragonboating quite a lot. Nearly capped at one point. But besides that it was ok. The poor dudes in the slaloms were all over the place.

Transition into the run was ok, as I decided to wear my runnning socks and shoes into the boat. Little or no water entered the boat as it really was quite stable. I think I was keeping up a pretty decent pace the first 5k despit the heat, and I think it was due to my adequate hydration before hand. But something urked me on the return leg of the first 5k. When I disposed of my cup at the water point by throwing it on the ground, this old man dunno from where actually started scolding me for throwing the cup on the floor. I slowed down and shouted back that it was ok, as the volunteers would pick up the cups, trying to be as polite as possible despite his ridiculous behaviour. Scolding someone you don't know when he is racing and suffering, for no apparent reason. If he was that free he should have helped pick up the cups. Going into the next 5k, I had to ignore a stupid marshal who was trying to guide me into the finish line instead of to the u turn area. As for the remaining 5k, the heat started to get to me so I think I slowed a little. At the end I was once again urked by yet another marshal, who tried to last minute direct me towards a ramp instead of the stairs I had taken on the earlier round. Whatever man, I just used the stairs again, as I had already ran passed her by then, even though it was slower.

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