Pre-training was minimal! Half hours in the afternoon a few times a week was all I've managed to do since fasting month. Kalam's training hasn't been much more either. Danial and Dayan spend lots of time in front of their playstation and hardly any time training; of course we can all take part in Powerman, yeah right....
We arrived in Manjung lunchtime saturday, met lots of friends walking around. The pro's were staying in the same hotel, saw some really beautiful bikes.
Last minute repairs for Danial and Dayan's bikes. Danial had a flat tire once again (I don't know how he does it, but tires on his bike rarely last more than a week!!!). Dayan's bike had problem with one of the pedals coming off.
Race registration and briefing. But even more, catch up with so many friends: ladies 1st -Jaja, Aini, Robika, Susi, Hiroko, Faiza (coming to watch), May Senn, Fong, Karen, May Ang,Kim...gents - Mac, Shazly, Zebets, Wong, Shahrom, Azmar, Jamil, Zabil, Krishna, Guna, Adrian, Ihsal, Nik Ariff etc etc
Only a small number of UPNM's cadets were able to join Powerman, most were in the middle of exams. Navy's gang was around of course (being near to Lumut-navy base) but only a few joined the race, others like Joyo and Ramunjan claimed lack of training...
Arman, Sanggup and Jasmi joined UPNM's team.
Lots of stories about the 3rd bridge on the bikeroute having a real nasty hill- yikes I hate hills!
Sudden panic; Kalam left his race numbers in KL. (Luckily he got a replacement number from the management).Phew
On sunday morning the usual nerves after a fretfull sleep (why should I be nervous beats me, it's not as if our family is gonna set any world records). Managed to swallow half a powerbar.
The four of us cycled to the race site half a kilometer away.
Individual racers flagged off at 7.30 followed by the relayers(somehow this word sounds funny). Lastly it was our turn, Dayan looked extremely nervous and asked me to stay with him during the race, but he's old enough to start taking part on his own. Salman discovered last minute he didn't have a timing-chip but the management efficiently got him a chip just a few minutes before the start.
The pro's were allready into their second loop when they flagged us off. Immediately i was at the back of the pack together with Dayan who started to walk soon. For a change I managed to run and keep running and in the end overtook several others. Ok ok, my running is a snail's pace but it's a huge difference for me. Finished the first run in 40 minutes or so and felt really good. Quick sip and unto the bike....
Disaster struck -front tire nearly flat. Some of the bystanders helped to pump the tire but it immediately went flat again, ahyo . Then I had a 'What Would Terry Fox Do Now? moment' . I remembered spotting a bicycle-shop opposite our hotel the day before. So I ran there with my bike. Of course the shop was closed -8.30 on sunday morning what was I expecting-. But lady luck smiled on me (or Terry fox or whoever) and the owners son was watching the cyclists. I got him to call his dad and he agreed to change the tire for me (wonder what he thought of this crazy matsalleh woman bugging him on his off-day). While the tire was being checked and changed I ran to the hotel to get some money to pay for the new tire.
Bike okay again I finally took off on the bike-leg. (Offical rules don't allow outside help during the race but being at the end of the pack rules can be twisted a bit). By now I was truly the last one (if you talk all the time about being the last you'll get what you deserve- EAT YOUR WORDS).
Pro's were allready passing by on their second loop of the bike. Half a kilometer later I came across Dayan sitting at the roadside with tears in his eyes and the peddle of the bike in his hands. I stopped for awhile to console him. Promised him a better bike. No use sending him to the bicycle-shop as his bike would need a whole new set.
Finally on my way out of town I felt good, just enjoy the wind in my hair and the sun on my face. Better than sitting at home watching the world go by. Of course one after another cyclist overtook me. But lots of them had words of encouragement.
I reached the dreaded hill at the 3rd bridge but it wasn't nearly as nasty as I feared. I've come across lots of nastier hills in the past year -this one is more or less like the hill before UPNM.
On the way back I spotted a yellow number in the distance and my first thought "Yeah, if I can overtake that one I won't be last anymore". Slowly i neared the cyclist (later i found out his name is Md Isa - a stroke-survivor), when i was about to overtake him suddenly 'PSSHHT' and his tire went flat. As I don't carry any tires or pump I couldn't help him. Any way now I was last again.
By now the lack of training started taking effect, feeling tired and cramps in my legs but just continued to cycle. Transition 2 a quick powergel in the hope the cramps would settle but this didn't work. Couldn't run, but being a long-distance WALKER I know I can easily finish 5km. so I walked. Nearly at the end I spotted another yellow number, also walking, but a bit slower than me. I caught up with her, a new duathlete named Sandy. Together we walked/ran to the finishline and crossed together.
In the final results it turns out I was 2 seconds faster than her (haha would need a photo-finish), Md Isa also finished the race (kudos to you Sir, proud to shake your hand!). Final results; I'm number 110 out of 112.......yieehaah
