I have been training for - and racing in - triathlons for the past 20 years or so.
I had originally started as a swimmer at the relatively late age of 25 as I realised with shock that I was developing a gut from a more-or-less sedentary existence as a London jazz musician. I chose swimming not because I had any experience of it but probably more out of a sense of feebleness whenever confronted by any expanse of water, coupled with a realisation that it involved exercising the whole body at once (I've always had a love for maximising efficiency).
My first efforts were pretty demoralising, but I persevered through barely being able to complete 2 full 25 metre lengths until I was swimming 20 lengths daily - a practise which I fiercly maintained for the next fifteen years or so, until some triathletes that I trained with introduced me to the joys of tri-bike accessories and other triathlon-related gizmos.
The other two disciplines were a relative sinch. I'd been a pretty good cross-country runner in school and had briefly been the proud owner of a Claud Butler racing bike in my early teens until I'd discovered girls.
Malaysia's a great place to do triathlons. There are usually at least 4 Olympic distance races a year, one half-ironman distance race and one full Ironman. There are also a couple in Singapore including one new half-ironman in September. There are also a series of 3 duathlons and then the Powerman duathlon . Most of these races also run a sprint distance race and often allow relay teams.
I take part in as many races as I can, the main focus being the Desaru half-ironman in August and the Langkawi Ironman in February. |
