Thursday, June 21, 2012

Noosa Rivalry

NOOSA RIVALRY

Clownboy2Ironman Vs Ironman Gi




These two beasts have been there done it all over and over, but neither of them wants to settle for the the second place. Their Noosa rivalry score is Clownboy: 1, Gi: 1. The question is which of them will be faster over 1500m swim, 40k bike and 10k run in the 2012 Noosa Olympic distance triathlon? The grand finale of this rivalry will unfold at Noosa on 4th November 2012. This is monster vs beast, alien vs predator, QLD vs NSW. This is as exciting as the age group rivalry gets. Who is your pick? Pick your winner on the Facebook event page.

Clownboy2Ironman
QUEENSLAND

With his fierce determination and descipline, this 135kg clown has amazingly transformed himself into a 80kg triathlon machine! Clownboy2Ironman smoked Ironman Gi in 2011 Noosa Olympic distance triathlon.

Ironman Gi
NEW SOUTH WALES

Known for racing around the globe in budgy smugglers, this wild man is tough as rock when it comes to business. Ironman Gi smashed Clownboy2Ironman in 2010 Noosa Olympic distance triathlon.

Bike: Fuji SST2.0
Groupset:  Shimano Ultegra
Wheels: MAVIC cosmic carbones SL
Tyres: Conti GPS4000s
Race wear: Champion Systems custom wear
Run shoes: Mizuno
PunchlineHalf the man, Twice the life, And all Ironman. .
Bike: World's Fastest Indian
Groupset: SRAM Red
Wheels: Custom 50mm front/ Zipp 808 rear
Tyres: Continental Triathlon
Race wear: Budgy Smugglers
Run shoes: Sketchers
Punchline: Can't touch this

Thursday, June 2, 2011

What it Means to be an Endurance Athlete?

Sunday 29th May 2011, I was one of the hundreds lined up at the start of Bondi Barefoot run. It was a 4k high intensity effort on the soft beach sand which helped me realise what it means to be an endurance athlete. I am writing this capture the profound feeling of being an endurance athlete to get motivation whenever I will need.

As the race started, the lead runners bolted off setting a cracking pace. Trying to run fast on the soft sand can be a challenge, especially if it is slightly moist, you can twist your ankle if you are not firm enough. Like in any endurance race, I felt fatigue, pain and still pushed on. The body said slow down. The mind said "STFU." The lungs struggled to suck in enough oxygen. The heart kept battling on in the red zone. With 80 meters to go, I could see a runner a few metres ahead. I was in pain, but felt if I push a little bit more, I can catch him. I pressed the pedal to the metal and cought him at the u-turn towards the finish, which was only 50 metres away. Then out of no where another athlete bolted past both of us to the finish.

When you have given it everything, when your body says you cannot take it anymore, when you see someone so much stronger than you that they make it look impossible to be beaten, when it is so much easier to slow down and let them win, only then you have the moment where what you do will define who you are. What you are made of. The decision you take is what makes you a fighter or an ordinary person. If you are a warrior, it is your moment of glory. If you are a firework, then it is the moment to explode and light up the sky with your brilliance. It is the moment when you cannot cheat yourself. It is a moment where you can choose to have any excuse to give up or choose not to give up despite all the excuses. If you are an endurance athlete, then this is the moment you live for. This is the moment you could die for. This is the moment when you are true to yourself. Like a fighter, you will rip it up. Your body and your mind will unify into the meditative state of the highest level. Your focus will be to cross that finsh line ahead of the other athlete. Your mind is working at capacity and still it has no other thoughts. The pain on your face is obvious. The photographers at the finish line are clicking pictures, but you don't have the luxury of smiling in front of the camera. You don't need to show off a fake smile to let the photo viewers think you are a happy person. In fact you are too focused to even notice the photographers or the spectators who may be cheering you. You are too focused to see anything at all except for the finish line. Your mind and body are performing at their best to help you cross the finish line ahead of the other competitor. The expression on your face is truth, and the truth hurts. There is pain on your face and there is nothing fake about it. You are about to vomit your guts out, but still you don't let it slow you down. Whether you win or lose the sprint finish is irrelevant. What matters is that you give it your 100%. That has to be more satisfying than winning it without giving it your 100%.




Sports teach us a lot about life. Sports teach us to be tough to face any curve ball that life may throw at us. Sports teach us to respect hardwork. Sports teach us to be honest to ourselves and others. Sports teach us to dream big. Sports teach us to challenge our limits. Sports teach us to believe in ourselves for we are those who can swim across the oceans, bike across the country and run across the deserts. We are the endurance athletes who make the world look a small place. We can achieve anything that we put our mind to. It is not our strong legs that make us run incredible distances. It is not our strong arms or shoulders that make us swim rivers and oceans. In fact it is something that others can't see. It is our stong will power. It is our will power that prevents us from giving up no matter how brutal the circumstances may be. Our will power is by far the most valuable asset we have. Whether we are happy or sad, excited or depressed, it is our will power to fight on with the situation that keeps us going. It is our will power that gives our lives a meaning. Physical assets can be stolen, arms and legs can be lost in an accident, but no one can steal the will. That is what makes a triathletes like John Maclean race an Ironman without legs. That is what makes a swimmer like Philippe Croizon cross the English Channel without arms or legs. This is what makes Lance Armstrong say "see ya later" to death and return as a champion. That is what inspires us. That is what we inspire in any one who comes in contact with us. That is what makes us beautiful.

So if you ever feel down, or need some encouragement, remember that you are an endurance athlete. You motivate the world. You have the will. Make it stong and make it happen. The world belongs to you. Go get it!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Noosa 2010

They say it’s big. It does live up to its fame. The beautiful town of Noosa in QLD gets invaded by triathletes from all over Australia on the Noosa Olympic triathlon weekend.

It was my second Olympic distance triathlon, and I had stuffed up my feet with blisters in the week before while trying to break into my new shoes. As if that was not enough of a worry, the officials announced it is a non wetsuit swim!

The swim: All my age groupers were marked with age group code “G” on their calves and were swimming in pink caps. It appeared I had a whole heap of clones. 1500m swim took me 35min. I missed the swim exit, and reached the start line where other triathletes were lining up for their wave start. This is the first time I ever missed the swim exit, which implies it must not have been visible enough while swimming.

The bike: The 40k time trial on the bike was fast and fun. I felt great on the bike. Since I came out quite at the back of my age group, I passed heaps of my clones on the bike. The Noosa climb that people talk about was nothing but a false flat. Saw a guy busted for drafting, and another poor bugger had a flat few km from the finish.

The run: Off the bike, I got into form in the first km. Around four km mark, I tripped over a road reflector, but got up and running before the spectators could finish saying “Oh my god!” Around 5km mark, I was feeling my blisters burning. With about 4km to go, I started hammering it at 95%. By 2km to go, I had the pedal to the metal. I crossed the finish line in 2h38, and lay on the ground. The officials told me I can’t lay there. I said “meh...” I lay on the floor for 10 sec, and got my heart rate down. I knew I had given it everything.

The weekend: Did a training ride on the day before with Clownboy (Edward). He thought I only race in budgy smugglers. Afterwards I had a photo taken with him wearing a wolf mask, which he didn’t notice as I am already so hairy. Clownboy is the funniest guy ever. While random people would introduce themselves to me, he would introduce himself to the random people. We went to see Ronaldo at the big hotel. He said that the only person who shouldn't come and introduce himself to others is AP. And guess who came and introduced himself at the expo? AP! He seems to be a nicer in person than on the transitions forum.

After the race, we cracked heaps of jokes over the dinner with Gaz, Downsey and their mates from Harvey Bay tri club. Had some cold ones at the surf club and then headed to the night club. There on the crowded dance floor, a chic lifted me in the air and spun around like a top knocking off a few people who were around. I had an amazing time at Noosa. I got to meet a lot of triathletes including Tyno, iFoz, AP, Snowsill, and a lot of familiar faces. Thank you Noosa for throwing such a great weekend!





Tempte-tation Fixie Century 2010 (Dulwich Hill BC)

100miles or 160km from Bundanoon to Tempe velodrome on a fixed gear bike was one of the hardest rides I have ever done.

The day before I rode with Tim from Marrickville to Bundanoon via Hume Hwy, 130km. Due to headwind, false flat, and no fixie experience, I struggled to keep up with Tim, which totally frustrated him. We had to be rescued 12km short of Bundanoon by Tim’s dad, to make it in time for the dinner. Apparently, we were only 5km behind Lindsay, and the three Michaels who started from Campbelltown well ahead of us.

The next morning, we had around 8:30am start? Riding fixie in a bunch was scary as well as fun. I kept up with the fast bunch on the flats, but struggled at grinding big gear on the uphills. The highlight was the 10km quite steep descend at Macquarie pass. On a fixie, not just had to spin those legs bloody fast on descends, but also had to press the brake levers so hard that it hurt on my palms. No matter how much they hurt, the only option was to suck it up. There was a whole queue of vehicles behind me, which meant I couldn’t slow down. I couldn’t release the brake levers as that would make me go downhill at uncontrollable speed. I found it quite dangerous, but a thrill for sure.

We had a few laps around a velodrome on our way, just before Wollongong. We had lunch at Wollongong where I took the bugs out of my hair. The climb at the Stainwell Tops on a fixie would make even the toughest sweat. I slowly grinded the big gear up that 2-3km long steep climb all the way to Helensburg. By Helensburg, I was out of water and getting severely dehydrated. The little stop at fish & chips shop at waterfall was heaven. I rode with the bunch to Tempe velodrome, where everyone did their finishing lap, and I did an extra run lap, just to call it a brick session.

Thanks to Simon for organising the ride and the accommodation. Ian for the funny spoke cards, Lindsay for lending me the Peugeot fixie, and all the riders for riding with me. It has been a unique and rewarding experience.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

TRIshave Gi's Clip4Cure





Dani's positive attitude even at the worst possible times is truly inspirational. I remember her put a brave face and cheer us all day long at Ironman Australia. Whatever she's going through is absolutely unfair. To honour her, I wish to give something I really love, i.e., my unshorn hair. Thanks to the individuals and corporates who have come forward to support this cause. I am including the following introduction letter on this blog. Get excited and involved!

Dear Sir/ Madam
Gi Singh and myself are
Ironman triathletes organising a charity event at Busselton to raise funds for the Childhood Cancer Association. Our dear friend and Ironman triathlete, Dani Taylor, has been battling cancer over the past year. Her positive attitude through the toughest times has been an inspiration to all those who know her. As a tribute to Dani, Gi has volunteered to shave off his beard and hair and in the process raise much needed funds for the Childhood Cancer Association, the charity that Dani selected for us to support.
Gi Singh a.k.a. “Ironman Gi” is a well known character within the triathlon community. He races Ironman triathlons in hot pink budgie smugglers, and his long hair and beard ensures he stands out. He has never shaved before and to lose all his hair is a tremendous sacrifice, but is one he is happy to make in Dani’s honor.
We request your financial support to this worthwhile fund raising event. In return we can offer you support for your company in the way of promotion at the event ‘Trishave Gi’s Clip4Cure’, and will display your company’s logo on this blog. To make a donation, please visit our fundraising page.
This event, ‘Trishave Gi’s Clip4Cure’, will take place on Monday the 6th of December, the day after Ironman Bussleton at 3:30pm on the foreshore adjacent to the Bussleton Jetty. This event is sure to generate enormous interest within the triathlon community and media, which would provide your company with increased ability to market your product to the target audience.
We are setting a target of $25,000 to be raised for the Childhood Cancer Association, and would appreciate any help that you are able to offer us in reaching this goal.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and consider our request.
We look forward to your reply,
Yours Sincerely,
Lisa Harding.

Yahoo Sports News
Event page on Facebook


Thanks to our naming right sponsors TRIshave for their generous support of $5000 towards this great cause. TRIshave actively supports triathlons around Australia. Checkout their fantastic product range that meets the shaving needs of all triathletes.


Compressport has offered to auction a special pair of compression calf sleeves autographed by The World Ironman Champion, the one and only Chrissie Welli
ngton. The framed white pair of compression socks signed by the Chrisse is a very unique display item for your wall. The proceeds from this auction will go towards the Childhood Cancer Association.





TriTravel
has come forward with a generous $500 support, along with the auction of an entry package for Capricorn Half Ironman! The proceeds from this auction will go towards the Childhood Cancer Association.




X-Tri Australia has donated an entry slot to Yeppoon 70.3, 2011. This entry slot together with three (3) nights accommodation at the Capricorn International Resort will be auctioned off as a package and the proceeds will go towards Childhood Cancer Association.



Mark Forward (left in the following photo) has made the highest individual donation of $500 to the cause. Here's a Q & A with the man we know as iFoz.TRIshave Gi's Clip4Cure: You are the highest individual sponsor for Trishave Gi's Clip4Cure. What motivated you to support the cause?
iFoz: GUILT! and Noosa euphoria. I spent a king's ransom in the Noosa expo tent on things I didn't need but just wanted. After chatting with Giiiiiii and Clownboy in front of the Breast Cancer booth at the Noosa Expo, the seed was sown. I figured if I can spoil myself, how about I share the coin with somebody who needs it... even if I don't get to meet or know them.

TRIshave Gi's Clip4Cure: Have you personally known anyone who has battled cancer? If yes, then how it has affected you as a person?
iFoz: Yes, who doesn't know somebody who is/has/or about to battle cancer nowadays? My kids lost their Grandpa to Leukemia. It makes me appreciate my health and how lucky I am to be able to live the triathlon lifestyle... while I can.

TRIshave Gi's Clip4Cure: Why do you do triathlons. How did you get into it?
iFoz: Why?... I'm hooked on the lifestyle. How? I was invited to Noosa Tri by my mate doing his first Noosa in 2004. I got to Noosa smelt the atmosphere and went WOW! I've got to get into this. Noosa is still my favorite event on the calendar. I get more excited than a kid at Christmas about Noosa Tri, even more than my first Ironman at Port Mac last March.

TRIshave Gi's Clip4Cure: While the scientists have been doing research to predict what Gi would look like after shaving, their best bet till now is Emma Snowsill. Do you agree with the scientists?
iFoz: For Emma's sake I sure hope they're wrong!

TRIshave Gi's Clip4Cure: Any other comments you wish to make about Trishave Gi's Clip4Cure?
iFoz: This a is a great cause and Giiiiiiiiii deserves all the support you can muster. C'mon, there's no time like the present to donate.
I'm sorry I cannot be in Busselton to witness the great event. Make sure it's filmed.

TRIshave Gi's Clip4Cure: Thank you Mark. You are very kind.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Maitland Triathlon – The day when I ran with my heart.

Date 10.10.10

While the World Ironman Championship was being battled in Hawaii, 350 triathletes rocked up at a little town called Morpeth, and painted the town red!

The crazy dogs: The day before, I was out riding in the country side enjoying the pastures. Saw a big black dog come running towards me from a farm house. I raised the speed but the dog chased me at 45kph! I didn’t know they could run that fast! Then on the highway, another dog jumped out of a moving car to attack me. I didn’t stop to see if the dog was ok. If it were ok, then I shouldn’t be close to it.

I had an excellent carbo dinner with Dan Benton and his Orange Tri Clan. They are an absolutely friendly bunch. One of the young triathletes was wearing a sponge bob t-shirt like me!

On the race morning, I met another dog called Tim Reed. He usually races in smugglers, but expressed some “private” concerns for not smuggling in this particular race. Fair enough!

I raced the mid distance triathlon, which is 1.5kswim, 55k bike, and 12k run. The race started quite suddenly, even before all the triathletes entered the water. The river swim was enjoyable, although one can’t see anything in the murky water. The water was fresh and felt pleasant at 19 degree. I must have been out of the water within 30min.

The bike starts with a little hill, so you can’t put your foot in your shoes until you are on top of it. Once on the course, it takes you through scenic country side. The course is pretty flat with some rolling hills. At around 15km into the bike, I saw another dog barking at the triathletes as they went past his house. Deja vu?! Tony from BRATs, some girl in green top and me kept exchanging positions on the bike, none really able to break off from the group. We three rode together for 80% of the race.

On the run, I was cheered by lovely kids from Orange tri club. It took me 4-5km to build into it. Once felt cramps in the quads, but they disappeared when I stopped for a few seconds and stretched. When I found my form, I found myself in an undulating grassy field with heaps of twists and turns. It was quite a complex course, but there were cones placed to guide the triathletes. Once I was on flats, I kept building it up in the run. Around 9km mark, the course goes through a very narrow trail along the river, which was congested by the fun run participants. I somehow dodged them and kept hammering it. My heart rate was in the red zone with still three km to go. I was cooking inside, but held my form. Usually, my heart rate can shoot up at the beginning of the activity, but drops a bit when I settle in a pace, but looking at the graph, it is clear that it went higher and higher into the deep shades of red zone. My heart pounded over 180bpm for the last 40% of the run. I raced with my heart.

Overtook a few buggered triathletes and hundreds of fun runners in the last two kms. Crossed the finish line with a little fella from the Orange clan. Then lay on the ground for 5min to catch the breath. I had given it everything. The endorphins were at the same level as on the first Ironman chute.

Well done to all those who did there first triathlon of the season. Thanks to the vollies, and the cheer crowd, especially the Orange clan kids who gave me hi fives , and Dave Hay who had to pull the pin due to an injury. The lolly shop at Morpeth is heaven when you are cooking inside, and want to grab an ice cream.

One can whinge about the sudden swim start even before the swimmers could enter water, lose dogs on the course, the congestion by the fun runners on the narrow trail along the river, but I honestly don’t care. It was a great day, and I raced with my heart. I always have fantastic experience in "H event" races. Whether I will do it next year? Hell yeah! :)


Tuesday, October 5, 2010

One year as a triathlete. One epic year it has been.


I was back at the Gold Coast last weekend to celebrate my anniversary as a triathlete by racing the Gold Coast Half Ironman. It was known from the forecast that it would rain cats and dogs. And it did! At the swim start I had a chat with Dylan Rock. He was looking confident and ready for it. It was a pretty quick swim in calm waters of Calypso bay, but somehow I went a minute slower than last year. After a year of training, I would have expected some improvement, but it seems my new swim technique may have some issues. When I came out of the water and everybody screamed “Cave man!” Had to be extremely careful running on those slippery wooden planks. Gerald had an unlucky fall.






When I sat on the bike, I took about 10kms to build into it, undistracted by those who went flying in the first 10k. I was feeling strong, kept high cadence, and started passing riders. The ride in the rain has never been this enjoyable. The only time I felt it was dangerous was when coming to a narrow section of the road over a bridge. Due to foggy sunnies, I missed the sign, and found myself on the wrong side of the road on course for a headon collision with another rider. Lucky I could swerve through the cones and there was no one on my left side. Unfortunately there were a few crashes in the race, one head on, and a couple of those who went off the road. I heard someone’s handle bars came off on a turn, and another one fell in a grassy drain gutter. There were bike numbers every 10meters on the road. Water bottles, puncture kits and heaps of sunglasses – expensive

ones!

The last section of the bike got quite windy, but I was feeling strong to ride through it. Finished the bike 7min faster than last year, but with a lot more left to run with. Unfortunately my shoes were soaked in rain – a perfect recipie for blisters. As soon as I came out of the transition, I heard things like:

“Go the cave man!”

“Hey mommy... look Sponge bob!”

“Looking good Giiii”

But the best one has to be... “Free love...” Haa! Haa!







The course was quite muddy in some sections but heaps of people gave me hi five and cheered, which kept me going. Paced myself in the first lap, got a bit tired by the second, and lost my form 15kms into the run. It was all HTFU and suck it up princess after that. Saw loads of familiar faces in the race including Tom, Gerald, Karen,

Cameron the Ratdog, Sunnygirl, Karen, Brent, Kimberly, Arpit, Pete Goldie.

Finish chute was heaps fun. I danced and high five'd with the amazing spect

ators

including Stef Henson an others who were out there cheering in

that rain. Stoked by half an hour PB, I was pretty happy.

Then I saw a crazy girl who finished just behind me do a cart wheel across the finish line! Then we locked our arms and did a bit of round and round bush dance. Tom’s mum was cheering at the finish line as well.

Huge respect to the vollies and the spectators who coped up with rain for hours to support the competitors. Couldn’t have been a better way to celebrate anniversary. The souvenirs include heart shaped tan lines from the heart shaped sunnies, and blistered feet. Love this sport! :-)