Ironman Bang Saen 70.3 Race Recap

Where was I?

Ah ya…

We woke up really early, get dressed and I couldn’t eat. Mami Vitri pushed me to eat at least banana and even made me a cup of instant cofee.

A shuttle bus (in a form of TukTuk) picked us up at 4.15. the hotel gave us a sandwich and mineral water for breakfast, I left it at my room….then decided to bring the sandwich. From Wheeler Bed and BIke , only took 5 mins, approx 2.5K, shortly we arrived at transition area.

And what is a race without drama?

That very moment I realized I left my bike shoes at the hotel! DAMN! I forgot what I did, seems I ran to the drop off point and realized it would do no good. The local said there would be another shuttle bus but I doubt. Friends told me to calm down and I tried, entered the transition area and prepared my stuff. Tried to call Alvin who was still in hotel, but he didnt hear. I  figured if I walked back and forth, it could take 1 hour or so, I still have spare time before the transition area close at 6.00 am.

I ran back to drop-off point, and fortunately the last shuttle bus (with Alvin in it) came. I asked for the driver’s mercy, with the help with locals, figured out my condition that I NEED to go back to hotel. The driver said yes, he dropped me off, I asked him “please wait for me for 10 minutes!” With a 20 Baht on his hand! 😀 It wasn’t bribing I hope.

I run frantically to my room and got it! FIUHHHH now I can smile! probably I couldn’t finish swim leg due to the choppy water, but at least I tried (to get the bike), didn’t I? As I re-entered the transisition area, I heard the MC said Fun Fact about this event. He said that in term of age group, the most participants come from Male 40-44! wooo, target market gw donk, mana mana aja nih yang available. *jahil* Udah tenang soalnya. 

Another drama, ban sepeda kurang angin. The was a local participant telling me I should get my wheel pumped.

Damn! I was looking for a pump with an adopter (related to type of the wheel). Agak susah nyarinya, ternyata ada team dari Indonesia yant bawa! Bagus deh, ngga usah ngoceh pake bahasa Inggris. That local guy helped me with my bike, he pumped the wheels. Kap Khun Kaaaaa! Probably excited that someone from overseas came for the sake of this event! He told me he haven’t done Bintan, yet. I assumed it wasn’t  his first time doing half IM, he knew where the events are held.

Fortunately, next to my bike was an empty space, seemed the 1307 cancelled her. There ,  I took Subh Pray.  Next to me (1305 and 1304) were also  Indonesian. I met Dini several time. She gave me dates for extra energy and I asked for her sunblock too. Lupa bawa booo.

I took a gel and small bottle with me, dropped my bag to BAG DROP station, and off to starting pen, I was in Pink Lane. The slowest swimmers, whose pace is 2:30 / 100m and slower. I met Evelyn, good! Had friends to chit chat, then later with Luwung, and Indonesian designer lives in Bali. We entered the waiting area.

The different between Bangsaen and Bintan, the waiting area provided bottled drinking water and plenty of them. Another thing, the EO didn’t allow us to swim after 6 am although race starts at 6.25 am.

Regrouped with another Indonesian (Including the man behind me). An oriental looking guy came and asked

“Kalian dari Indonesia ya?”

He is Jery (or Geri), an Indonesian living in Laos for several years. He has done that and this half Ironman across South East Asia and annually do Tri Race in Bang Saen. Actually, it was the first time for the 70.3 distance was held under Ironman organizer. Jery also told us a bit about the city, although it’s quite and small, it holds many sport events during a year and the pretty girl next to us is a Thai Model! @mymanow IG nya #penting

Biar wa ngga tegang, wa ngoceh aja terus! I took my gel and drink and another drink. Swimmers entered the water by 5 people, 5 seconds each .

Here’s my recap, it is going to be soooo long.

• The water was unfortunately still choppy. As predicted, being a slow swimmer I got kicked many time.  I saw many swimmers hanging on a rope.
• The course was form of an isosceles triangle, 700 m – 500 m – 700m. Berapa luas segitiganya? #krik
• I pushed hard against the water, otherwise it would take me nowhere like yesterday.
• I’m a right sided swimmer, I took breath better on right, besides the rope also on my right. Make sure I didn’t get too far from the course.
• But I remember I have to switch to left side too, breathing on right side , gives pressure on my right ears. After Bintan, my right ear isn’t normal anymore, it has low tolerance to water pressure that gives trouble during my drill.
• When I took breath from the left, it offered beautiful sunrise.
• Done first 700m, I took left turn with sooooooo many swimmers macam zara lagi sale. Hard to move and the ropes that kept the buoy float were disturbing as well. I reached ones and made them as stepping stone (rope)
• Even 3/4 of the course I still saw some swimmers hanging on the rope and marshal asked were they ok or not. Including the green cappers too. It was a hard sea. But a calm sea will not make a good sailor #apeuuu 🙂
• Each 100 meters marked by a buoy and abt 200 meters before the sea shore I saw my watch it was 50mins something. I still have 20 mins left before the Cut Off Time.

• I pushed even harder. Then I felt slightly cramped on my left calf. Oh no!  This is my very first sport, I love swimming my entire life, not completing this leg wasn’t an option. Not today! And I made it. Exactly 1 hr, 9 mins slower from Bintan 10 mins from COT.
• Alhamdulilah!!!! Untung tuh sepatu gw ambil tadi! I said to myself!
• Run to transition area, I took a fit bar and alike, a sip of water, and ready to go, yet put the bike back as I think I need Tri Vest on. Kurang kece foto gw nanti tanpa TriVest. Run out to transition area. It was sooooo big as it held 1500 participants. (Hope it also answers question, why no rental bike or alike in Tri event like this 😀 )

Bike LEG

• The most scariest leg for me as I had flat tyre on my last Tri Race at Bintan Triathlon.
• We already tested the bike route and Bang Saen famous for its flyovers. The least favorite about the route is there are sooo many speed traps. I saw cyclist lost its tumblers.
  

  That expression tho’

• I think I was doing fine on first flyover, another two I said to myself, as yesterday, my friends and I were discussing the route
• Cyclists were passing me and I looked at them and said “youu…swim slower than me?” #pongah  I silently asked them. Hahahhah kampret sombomg bener gw! When I tackled the flyover, I murmered  Yes, here come one, yes two!  One (flyover) to go, it was the longest flyover or….I thought it was. Wait whatt???? Masih ada flyover lagi???
• Then it took us in alternate road next to highway. Lurus aja jalannya macam orang mudik. Route was boring and dry.  Then we took left to villagers area. Around Km 20 was a water station I opted not to stop. Km 25 or something I saw the potential winner making his way back to the city.
• But I can say, I enjoyed the route, undulating, flat, sharp turn, a combination of flyover Bintaro, Kuningan, Gatsu and those beautiful small villages during TDA, Jogja. Chon Buri area is sooo quite, saw locals cheered us up Tapi ngga meriah aja. Emang Indonesia kebanyakan penduduk kali ya.  I think I was soo closed to God since I made pray and dzikir every other mimutes, jangan pecah ban lagi ya Rabb! Please no bike drama! I keep looking at my watch, 30K, 35K…if I took OD I would have finish this leg in less than 15 mins. Why I gave my OD Sungai LIat Triathlon bib up?  Although not hard core, I train regularly. Also the reason why I jumped up to Ironman Distance. See, mending mengutuk selama race  dibanding nyesel  ngga daftar kan apalagi Did Not Start? hahahhahaha!
• There were still speed traps along this course, sebagian saya tabrak, sebagian saya menghindar ke kiri yang ngga kena trap. 
• I could passed few cyclists and said “Excuse meeee. Bike on your right” when I wanted to pass them. I felt like I’m the coolest South East Asia female cyclist. nyiahahhahahaha #pongahlevel2
• Then I stoped my bike to get my tumbler filled with water. I had two bottles with me, plain water and Isotonic. I ran out plain water on Km 35’s I think. Continue my bike and tried to get isotonic drink from Marshal Hand without stopping my bike, and again, gw berasa keren bener!
• We made U-turn in Km 40’s something, saw few cyclists behind me on my way back.
  
• There was a scenic yet scary route on the way back, by the side of Ban Bhang Pra Reservoir. There was a bridge in front of  us and when  I looked up, I saw cyclists there! Eh gileee jekkkk, nanjak lagi maleeeh? This was the route and why the photographers exist on every tanjakan? muka saya ngga ada yang bener!

 

• I actually couldn’t recall what really happened. The area was quite on my way back (ya iyalaaah gw lelet, udah ngga ada peserta lagi) I kept riding, kept looking at my watch, 50 K, 55, 65 K and so on. I took both gels (that whas taped on my bike) within 10-20Km distance. There was banana provided but I didn’t stop. Things I regret later.   Also met another Indonesian, both using road bike instead of TT bike. salip salipan gitu deh, hahahhaha. Pas nyalip minta jalannya  pake bahasa Indonesia aja.  Later I knew, many of friends including Acha, Ika and BTR did tracking me. Worrying my whereabout, monitoring via Ironman Tracker app. Thx friends. *blowing kisses*
• Just around 10K back to race area, Evelyn passed me. I look my watch, it was almost 11.30 am, I had spare time before COT at 12. 00 pm.
• So, finished in 3 hr : 40 mins. With the headwind / side wind along the course (bikin berat boo) I think I was doing fine. Another wish was granted that day! Alhamdulilah!

Run Leg

• Back to transition area, I took another fit bar. Took my bib with me and drank plenty of water. 
  
• I was almost 12 pm when I started the run, under hot scorching sun! I did power walk as @ayu_soemardoko told me. But those evil hills laid on Bangsaen Seashore were devil!!! drained my energy to the lowest level. #lebay ⁣
• When I jsut started the run, I saw Vitri was making her last loops, she told me water station were good! plenty of food.
• It was a-3-loop-track, steep hills, and hills and hills again! Go check my Strava account for details. If you ran Bali Marathon, the similar hills like in Km 21, repeat 9 times!
• Vitri was right, there were sooooooo many food available, isotonic, cola, water melon, gels, banana even its ice cream and its traditional food made from sticky rice.
• I saw many army and there was a group of people, covering one lady. She was the princess,  the first grandchild from the late Rama IX.
• Since it was looping, saw many friends and they were motivating me. Sunu, Pak Idham, Bagus and the younger Bagus.
• around 3K before the end of the loop, they gave us rubber band in three color. Princess and her group took her second and I of course took the first rubber band.
• Done first loop,  mein Gott! another 14K. I never sign up for a race again EVER!!! EVER, ever! I cursed myself during this hot sunny day. I shouldn’t waste my money, I could just lying on my bed today. get manicure, pedicure, hair spa, full body massage. What a waste of 8 hrs ++ geee. 
• I can’t remember what I ate, I stoped in every water station, eat that banana, water melon, ice cube, cola, isotonic in random oder. I took sponge threw them repeat countless time,
• Near finishing the second loop – which also the check point Cut Off Time, the committe still allowed to go. I really wanted to give up, yet there was no appropriate “resting place” it’s either hot (34 degrees, thank you very much), many garbage (by Water Station ) smelly — yang namanya even kayak gini banyak yang pipis sembari jalan aja..so, imagine yes? 😀  and even …. monkeys 🐵 , ya dalah yaaaaa gw lanjutin aja dengan sisa sisa⁣ tenaga.
• But fortunately, I didn’t get cramp. I was doing oke. I was the last person who got the 3rd loop rubber band! The marshals were about to go back to race village. -__-    I knew I couldn’t make it. meh!

NOTE, that Briyani wasn’t for me!

• On my way to third check point, there was intersection. It was near my hotel, and there was no marshal anymore. I had to cross the streed muyself. they already open the road for public. double meh!
• Long story short, technically I managed to cross the finish line, but 9 mins after they close the gate.⁣
• The race director came to me and said he was sorry I didn’t make it and gave me a T shirt.
• Ingin kuberkata kasar “kata loee enjoyable course maliihhh!” cih! 
• I talked to him on Friday, as I explaiend to him I wear hijab I need long pants on swimming leg. In Bintan, I had to argue as the rules didn’t allow pants above the knee. Lupa gw kenapa aturannya.
• And muss ich sagen, thank you very much Mami Vitri, Bu Thya and Sunu  who had patiently waiting for me. The ladies got their Personal best Time on this devil course. 

• Came back to transition area, regrouped with Natali and Dini. None of us finished this race. hahahhahaha! Natali was only 2 mins too late! kejam kalian panitia! 
• I saw that local guy who pumped my wheel, he made it. when I told him I didn’t he said give it a try another year. “Or I’ll see you again in Bintan!” yeah right!  Unfortunately I can’t remember his name.I even forget his Bib though he was in front of me on transition area.

So why it didn’t work.

• My refueling is big homework, i suffered from bloating few days ahead. I was hungry during run leg yet keep drinking cola and isotonic.
• I barely practice long swimming.
• Of course, the  run as well.
• I should have my weight lost few kg as well.  Perhaps.
• yet, I break my own words, I’ll sign up for an endurance again. hahahahahhaha

My viem for this race

• Give it a try! It was a good race. Thailand is affordable for Indonesia, food are great! I regret I didn’t extend my stay in Bangkok.
• The finisherpix is FREE!!! Otherwise it took USD 100 or something!

SEE YOU ON THE NEXT RACE! 5K color run :)) :))

PS : re-read my Bintan Swim Leg recap, I lied.

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Race recap : Bintaro Jaya Half Marathon

Yes, you read it! I surely wont pass this race! Race a Half marathon, on your neighborhood!

Anyway, this race was postpone twice! It suppose to be held on July, I signed up for 10K! I wasn’t feel like doing HM after Eid Fitri, later I signed up for HM in Jakarta City Marathon that suppose to be held kn October 21st! Yes, suppose to be! The race was cancelled few days before the D day!

I’m still struggling how to bring back my old pace. yet, due to HM finisher T shirt with BTR Logo on the back, I was upgrading the distance. Yeah, I’m cheap sometimes 😀

since I’ll have BIG race early next year, I’ve to crush it anyway.

Here’s a recap:

• Since the race was postponed twice, the crowds were different. some of Bintaro Trojan Runners went to Borobudur Marathon, few to Langkawi Ironman and one of us migrate to Australia (yeah Ashar, I’m talking about you! 😀 )

Some of us

• As I guess, not so many participants. i didn’t wear our group Jersey because I was planning not to finish it :)) jadi jangan sampe ketanda anak BTR.
• Gun off exactly 5 am! The off we run.
• Being slow as snail I am, I was really really at the last runners in 10 minutes! Hahaha!
• Made friends with few people along the way. One of them is Mitha, who was doing her virgin HM.

Pic by Bayu @guejualfoto

• Track was running through Bintaro Boulevard. So, nothing new for us, of course. I feel like I was doing my regular Sunday Morning but with free water station every 3Km. The water station were greats. Cold drinks, mineral and isotonic.
• We were running for two loops, each 10,5x. So I saw many of my friends had made a U-turn.
• After U turn in jalan Graha Baru, Mika seemed tired. She couldn’t run anymore She didn’t prepare any intake. i gave her my Gu Gel for her refueling. Then I left her. Please note this one people, endurance sport needs refueling during the event! To keep moving, you need energy!
• I was doing ok or I thought I was. Under 9 mins /Kilo. This is how I run now, very slow. That made I crushed 10K for 1.5 hours, as My initial plan.
• Run for another loops, I was still doing ok. Bumped into some acquisitions, 5K – 10K participants on the other side.

Vina 5K, a colleague

• Then after 13K, my endurance dropped. This is where i started to run -walk – walk -walk. Heck yahh

Have you see this pic already on my previous posts?

• Weather was fine. Not too hot. It’s rainy season anyway and I made a pray neither hot or rainy.
• But after the last U-turn, I walked most of the time. I saw there were still few runners on the other side. This race had a friendly COT (Cut Off Time) 4 hours for Half Marathon.

• I was thinking of going straight to my house after Mc Donald! Hahahaha. My house is 1K- to the right – of that big M logo . But then I made conversation with other slow runners and suddenly I forgot my initial plan. When I recalled my initial Plan, the distance to my house and finish line was about the same. Yahh okelah, kita selesaikan saja apa yang dimulai ini.

• One Kilo before the finish lined, my pace gets even slower. My legs were hard to move although I didn’t suffer from any cramp. Then I saw a familiar face running towards me!
• “hurry up, we were waiting for you. Dikit lagi finish” she said….and run with me for the last 800 meters.
• 

• It was Kumala, who paced me to finish line. She had finished her run 45 mins earlier. very sweet of her.

Akamsi – anak kampung sini

• so there it was. Definetely not my Personal Best at 3 hr 18 mins (based on my garmin)

‘Till my next recap!

Race recap : Mandiri Jogja Marathon 2018

Collect memories..

What I did : Down load a 16-week-Full Marathon plan on which, time based. Not Distance Based.

What I didn’t do : exercise what training plan said. I didn’t religiously follow my TP, yet, this was the worst.  Only 40% of it…more or less.  My knee and heel were still hurt as I didn’t finish my therapy. Secondly, I forgot to cut my toe nails. More about this later.

What I did my best:  On longest run, I only clocked 18K for 3 hours run. I knew, I can’t finish tis race in the next 3 weeks. So, I planed to stop at Km 24. Why 24? keep reading! hahahaha.  However, H-7 from Sunday to Friday, I had beet juice everyday. I always consume Beet Juice before big race.

And owh, I was also interviewed by local TV. After introduction, like how many marathon I have done, when was the last time, he asked

View this post on Instagram

BTR Interview 🎤 . #bintarotrojanrunners #taping #interview #bintaro

A post shared by Bintaro Trojan Runners (@bintarotrojanrunners) on Apr 2, 2018 at 5:46am PDT

Q : Gimana nih mbak? Waktu di Berlin kan dingin, nanti Jogja kan panas

me : Ya, latihannya mulai siang mas. Saya mulai jam 7 biar terbiasa panas.

#pencitraanitupenting. Padahal sik, gw telat bangun terus.  

Anyway, here’s the review:

• I stayed in Maliboro which is far from Prambanan. When I was about to leave the hotel, #2 said “Jangan DNF ya bun” hiks…I felt bad from myself.
• Arrived at 3.30 pm in Prambanan area, prepared for Subh Pray. But the Musholla was small and packed with runners already.  Subuh Time was 4.25 while FM Gun Off at 4.45. I have to be quick, I found another tent next to musholla,where the comittee work.  Asking permisision. They said yes. Save my time, thank you Committee.

Just Arrived at Prambanan

• Run Frantically to starting Pen. It was quite far, I think I took the wrong entry point. Meh. Saw noboby familiar later…saw Eri.

before gun Off

• Gun fired at exactly 4.45 am for Full Marathon (and 45 mins later for Half Marathon). We ran thru village area, when local just started their day after Subuh Pray. Women just about to clean the house, kids just back from Mosque, things like that. It was still dark and the illumination was great.
• I was doing fine in my opinion, at least with this injured knee and heel.  Like I told you here, I’m no longer pace 8 runner. It dropped to 10 even 11 during normal run! As I maintain under 9mins/km is achievement for me. I – as always – talked to other runners to kill the boredom. I saw a young man with JogMar 2017 finisher tee, I asked him whether we would run with same route as last year. He said yes. then I told him  “saya plan berhenti abis candi deh Mas. kurang latihan nih”. He replied “Candi nanti mbakkkk, mau finish. Finishin aja!”njisss
• Btw, unlike any other local race, there were Check Point Cut Off Time every 6K, with 2 hours time frame. So I planned to stop at Km 24 — ya biar orang-orang tau saya ambil FM! bahahahhah. Lemah aja masih pamer!
• We took left turn on the way to Km 8, and cheered by local. It was fun, even the Pak Camat was there to cheer the runners with gamelan. This point forward, we really ran in village area. Sampai lewatin kuburan segala lho.
• This was the view, blue sky, white cloud and a mountain! RIGHT IN FRONT OF US! Masya ALLAH, my lens can’t capture its beauty.

can you see the mountain?

• Btw, the support system was sufficient. Water Stations were adequate, water, isotonic and even banana every 3KM. However, it was sooo hot that I needed a COLD SODA. Saw a warung (pa-ma conventional store) and yelled “Ibu….ada Coca Cola ngga?” and she said yes! Haleluya! Of course, I brought money with me.
•   Later in Km 14, I found it hard to catch my breath and I was running with a guy and he said “ya kan rute-nya nanjak terus mbak sampai Km 19! habis itu turun! makanya tadi gunung Merapi kan depan kita?” heyakkkkkk
• I forgot in which Km, I bought another bottle of cold soda.
• Before Km 19, we made a left turn and the marshal said..”hayo mbak semangat! turunan semua” They didn’t lie. It was down hill…RUN FAT  GIRL RUN!!!!! and I could catch my breath again.
• It was far before 8.45 am, the cut off time for Km 24 (4 hours after gun off). I wanted to stop, but the marshal said “terus lari saja. Masih lama bus pengangkutnya“. She told me to keep going, I tried! I kept going. Oh heck, why didn’t I give it a try. I asked myself.   We were passing a very small – kampung – road. Probably a short cut.
• I stopped a while to buy…yes, another Soda! I saw two runners. One, suffered from serious blister. He tried to find bandage/handyplast for the last 10K, medic didn’t supply. The other, was just tired. I gave my drink to him, so he’d get the energy from the sugar. In case you’re wondering, taking sweet drink is considered ok during endurance activity.
• I walked the moment I crossed Km 25 marker. I felt slightly cramp in my left calf.  yes, yes yes!!!! My marathon drama has ALWAYS been in KM 25! Didn’t I write it down what to bring on my virgin marathon? I couldnt find the medic, as I needed a spray for pain reliever. I cursed, for the FOURTH TIME, yes FOURTH! I didn’t prepare a pain reliever. And my feet were hurt, gesekan kuku kaki dengan sepatu lari sangat tidak nyaman. That’s why, do cut your toe nails  before the race.
• Then the guy with blister pained passed me, and lend me the spray. Thank you! He left me! “jrit….musti lari donk gw ngejar dia?”  I tried my best to return his spray, he was wearing Telkomsel Jersey so I called “Mas Telkomsel….ini spray nya” so he would slow down! ahahahhahaha.
• we passed  paddy field. Since I was exhausted, unlike my Bali Marathon, I didn’t took any picture during the race. I’ve to took one! A marshal saw me and took my picture with her partner. jiahahahaha.
  

  with a marshal

• I remembered, I haven’t take any picture with Km Marker! huh!

A proof I didn’t stop at Km 24

• My sister called me, checking my where-about or whether I still alive or not.
• From this point, I entirely walked.Cried for tukang ojek  (joking!) , couldn’t find one. Then regroup  with some young men from Bandung. One was extremely tired, he was injured. His name is Andreas it was his first FM. We walked until the end of the road before I saw…..
• OH yeah, my Garmin said it was 9.50 am! I cant continue the race! They have to open the road!

5 mins too late

• “maaf mbak, tidak bisa lanjut!” The other  DNF runners cheered me up, one of the girls said “Jangan kecewa ya mbak!”(YA KECEWA GIMANA, GW UDAH MAU SELESAI DI KM 24 sih!!!) . tentu saja dalam hati! GIlak apa orang ngomong baik baik gw bentak. bahahahhahah
• On the bus which was provided to pick the DNF to start point, Andreas said “Duh sedih banget mbak, ini FM pertama saya!” Tante Kiky langung kesel dengernya “Ih NGAPAIN LOE SEDIH! BANYAK WAKTU LOE! GW AJA UDAH TUA SANTAI AJA!Benerin dulu tuh kaki, latihan yang bener! Race masih banyak, ada Bromo, Lombok atau Singapur sekalian” I bet if he read my blog he’ll said “LOOK WHO IS TALKING!” bahahahhahah.
• Later I know, Eri didn’t finish his Marathon either. He was also picked up earlier by the bus in Km 30! Jiahahahahahahah. So we took pictures holding virtual medal!

DNF  Runners!

This is what the elevation for Full Marathon Jogja Marathon looks like.

FINAL NOTE

Although I couldn’t nail my fourth marathon, I said this race was great. Water Supply was abundant, marshals were great, view was amazing and a very nice Jogja People. This race has passed Bali Marathon as my #1 favorite local race. Yes, it was hot, yes road is narrow, dan banyak yang komplain jalanan ngga rata, belok-belok, etc. Tapi, teman kami Valas justru dapat Personal BEST TIME di race ini, bukan di Berlin 2016 yang lalu. So, intinya LATIHAN SAMA SEPERTI MERPATI -TIDAK AKAN AKAN INGKAR JANJI!Saya tidak kecewa saya gagal, saya sadar saya ngga latihan. Tapi ada rasa gantung deh, ngga finish FM, apalagi terakhir FM sudah 3 tahun. Ingin sign up FM next semester (jeda 6 bulan dengan 4 bulan latihan) I still searching the even. But, I still want clear up this unfinished business! Come back to Jogja Next April to run another FM…only…and if ONLY…..

I try my luck for the third time!

only if  failed the ballot for 2019 (also in April)

Race recap : Powerman Indonesia 2018

My labil relationship with this event. Last year, I was suffering from heavy cough for the past 2 weeks before D Day and thinking not to show up.

Well this year, my right knee and heel were hurt. I’m still suffering from Plantar

On Saturday, when friends checked their bike in and I was away. Then my sister offered to bring the bike and all the bibs to Mal Alam Sutra, where the event was, so I can check the bike in. I  was in doubt, but manage to check my bike in. Oh, we had to leave our bike on the transition area D-1.

Bike Check In D-1

Went home, prepare bidon, helmet, Soy Joy (for fueling), unfortunately i cant find my bib holder.

Slept early, picked up my sister and at 4 am -club hoppers pun belum pulang clubbing – we arrived at the parking lot then realize

E ya ampun, gw ngga bawa sepatu lari!!!!

I didn’t bring my running shoes! PS: this is a dualthon event, run-bike-run.

Go bare foot! Suggested my sister, of course it’s impossible. My heel could got worst

“Hahaha, kasihan amat nganterin gw race doank”

“Na,a I wont!”

#panas nih gw ceritanya

Then I (we) asked in BTR Whatsapp group anyone bring extra pairs. Alhamdulilah, rejeki anak pemalas race tapi daftar terus, Acha brought extra pair. Her shoes is Asics Gel Kayano, the same type with mine, although it’s one size bigger. the heck, I’m gonna walk anyway.

Prepare our things in transition area, lucky I brought extra socks! thick one. This is why I’m writing recap, to review what work and what doesn’t. Last year it was raining hard during the event, I was suffering blister since running with wet socks. i didn’t bring extra pair.

Then we went to Starting Pen, reunite with other athletes including Ko Eddy, fly all the way from Medan.

On Starting Pen

gun off should be 5.30 am but a force majeur it was postponed for another 30 mins, with the Elite Athletes start first – then clasic – then last short.

short Distance 5Km Run – 30K bike – 5K run, while Classic is double that distance. Ones who participate in Short Distance either newbie or aiming Age Group podium or just having fun like many of us.

Here’s my story

• You may get bored if I’m writing this, but my endurance has been dropped for the past two years, I’m no longer pace 8 runners. During my practice it went into 10-12! Yet, I managed to do it below 9”. I’m not gonna push myself.
• last year, I was thinking DNF in Km 2 hahhah, This year I decided to run the whole. Unless emergency happens.
• Running track was along the Park not too far from the Mall, it’s a U-turn track, I usually hate, but not in this race. Knowing I was one of the last runners, either my friends or me-myself cheering each other. Yaaa semacam artis jumpa fans!

• on Km 2 or something, a runner slightly hit me from the back “Daaa Faaaa….eh, hi Tom” #akrab. It was Thomas Bruins, trying to win the race (again).  He was the winner last year, and I think ones in Malaysia as well. Running track in the park was narrow, it was difficult to overpass slow runner in front of you. So does the bike track- later on this one.
• make u-turn in Km 3 then I saw Classics Participant on the other side. No more short distance ones
• weather was still oke when I finished first run leg. friends cheering me up, thank you bebs!

FINISH FIRST RUN LEG Pic by Tine

• of course, My bike was the only one left in the transition area :)) jajahahahahahha. At least in my row. I took a bite or two of Soy Joy for refueling! dont forget to do this! I also forgot to set up helmet, bla bla bla. Tips for me : put your helmet, and hand glove on the bike instead of laying down on the floor.  Taro di stang sepeda dibandingkan di lantai. Gerakan lebih efektif and ngga pegel bungkuk2x
• walking out transition area, Yippe! My favorite leg! I Always Look Good on the wheel #selfclaimed. Bike track at the other side of Alam Sutra CBD, not passing IKEA of you’re wondering.
• I’m familiar with the track, of course. I can handle the speed bump

“you no Anak Tangsel, know nothing about this!”

#Pongah. Jadi berhubung saya pernah latihan di sini menjelang Ambarukmo, agak ingat sama speed bump and how to handle.

• then I hear noise from my bike then muttered “Sianjissssss…..baru ingat, terakhir servis sepeda ya…pas Mau ambarukmo! Terakhir latihan sepeda awal bulan Maret” doh! Last time I serviced my bike was on July, last time I ride my bike was on March. And, I never do Brick Practice (run first then bike) for this event! Ya udhalah kalo yaaa pecah ban ya wassalam!
• Track lead us to Living World mall, then housing complex. the 5K Alam Sutra Loop. The negative part, it wasn’t sterile like one in CBD area, people, motor cycle, cars are crossiing. it’s their home anyway.
• then I talked to myself, I survived Parang Tritis Hill, I have to survive here! My training ground (well ya, for the long run, barely for the bike heheheh)
• in Km 8, I saw a familiar figure

“Well, hello little sister!”

• She gave me “meh” look. it was her first time wearing cleat (bike shoes, it’s firmly attached to the pedal, easy to fall if you cant handle it) I’m so proud of her though.
• I love U-turn, balik arah, berasa keren lah! Not in Km 10 though. Road is narrow, I was slowing down my bike. Many many fast riders ask their way

“keep Left!!” They yelled

-___-

Not all have bad manner, many are still polite. jujurly, terlepas dari race ini, kadang gw suka suka kesel liat yang sepedahan di binloop atau alam sutra. Terutama hari kerja. Lampu merah dilawan. Orang mau nyebrang pas lampu merah diteriakin karena mereka mau kebut-kebutan. Sering sampai maki-maki. Padahal mereka yang main motong- ngga ada beda sama anak alay naik motor ngga punya Helm sim apalagi. Cari apa ya? Pujian di Strava – wow – kencang-banget? Di endorse? Ngerti sih mereka orang ada (read: tajir) sepeda lebih mahal dari Avanza, sudah boss yang ngga perlu datang pagi, tapi respect orang juga lah yang harus cari nafkah pagi-pagi berangkat kantor. Kan bikin kampanye #sharetheroad

• anyway…before heading back to Living World I asked my way,  “misi massss mau nyalip”. That cyclist gave me his way and I passed him. Then he said “Eh mbak kiky, speed tukang somay aja mbak” Eh, sapa tuh? Well, He is my colleague, we managed to have conversation before fast cyclists asked their way. The track was only enough for two cyclists side by side. Kalau mau speed KangSomay ato sepeda hias, you have to keep on the left.  Then I left Adhi.
• my Garmin said 31 mins when I saw 14K mark, oke then I can do it it one hour or so, shorter than 1 hr 30 mins. Barely practice, I was aiming 22Kph min but I can stay at 26.
• 30 K in Alam Sutra requires two loops, on the second loop,after passing Mal Alam Sutra, I stopped to have my biddon fueled. I prepared water and honey previously as I  need the sugar for the energy.

Mind my big fat body I love this pic. By Cieko

• on Km 20, slightly before making U-turn, I saw familiar figure again

“duluan ya manis” I greeted Acha.

She gave me ugly look!Hahahahahahahha and this become the jokes later.

• To make story shorts, near Km 30, I slowed down the bike. gw ingat ada yang kasih tips, untuk melambatkan sepeda menjelang transisi. Inget terus juga sama yang kasih nasehat sih #eaaaa #curhatmbaknya
  

Done with bike leg, taking my bike shoes off. Pic by Hifdzi

•  Alhamdulilah no Drama on the wheels! Finish bike leg. Going to transisiton area again, changes my socks, it was wet since I took my bike shoes off and the carpet was wet.
• now the hardest part of the event! My hate and hate relationship with running after cycling.Nih pantat berat benerrrr
• well, it was 8 am, matahari surely lagi lucu lucunya. Back to the park again
• I saw Cieko with his camera

“FOTO gw ada nggga CIEKKKK”

“Ada ah banyak”

“Awas kalo ngga ada! Gw jegal loe di Kereta”

cieko naik kereta juga kalo ngga bike to work.

• well hell. Walk walk walk. saw many participant suffering cramp. i didn’t consume salt stick though. i ate lots of seaweed previous days, my friend said it’s a natural MSG.

Pic by Princess Ayu

• the last 100 meters was hard...Gusti! Kok ndak sampe sampe sih. I saw mas Danny who already finished hours ahead me

“Lari gih dikit lagi”

“Bareng”

“Ogah”

“Cih!”

Sempet sempetnya ngomel gw

• and ternyata…iya finish line pas belok. With BTR crews cheering me up!!

“Acha ama Yola mana? “

“Behind me”

“Dasar alay! Labil, males latihan, selese juga”

Guilty as charge. i know. that’s why I chose short distance :))

Here, some of the pics

Short Distance Duathlete!

Left : 2017 BSD under heavy rain Right: Alam Sutra under schorching sun

Dan emang gw niat banget foto sama Mas Tom.

hope you enjoy this year race under hot sunny day of Alam Sutra ya mas #akrab.

See you next year!

oh, here’s the convo later on!

If you guys wondering my Jersey…yes the same with last yest. together with the pants were designed to accommodate hijabers who want to do Triathlon. I’ve tried the pants during my swim. not yet with the jersey. my friend Yanti (a catholic Indonesia-German lady married to an Australian) designed this! How thoughtful of her!

Race recap : Run for River 10K trail

there I was again, signed up Run For River UI 2017. My virgin half marathon was in this race as well. this time, I opted for 10K trail.

Trail?

Yes, UI has its man-made forest and I’ve run there!

in short, I made Acha to sign up for this category. this anak mall garis keras agreed.

So, there I was, september 10th 2017, going back in start line again! ich bin zurück!! And owh, besides 10K trail, there were Half Marathon, 10K road and 5K.

10K trail with brown bib, HM with red, 10K road with yellow. none of Trojan Runners participate in 5K.

Here’s the recap:

• 10K trail suppose to start at 6.00am, yet, not until 6.15 that the race start. i found it is a bit weird as, Half Marathon Race start later. It is very common longer distance start earlier
• first 2Km was road, had no clue where it was. It was a U-turn Approaching Km 2, a runner in front of me made a short cut! Ada aja yang nge-cut rute, curang. he didn’t know that first check point was at the U-turn! shame on him!
• entering Km 2 was the forest area. well, ja, I’ve run here before, yet the route a bit different. We run besides a lake this time! I also run with Maktin and Aby, the later is a runner I met during Tour de Ambarukmo! We paused a LOT to take pictures. Even we asked marshals to do so! hahahahahah!!
• Lucky, I brought my water blade. i was very thirsty after Km 3 , and still couldn’t find water station. not until Km 5 or six. Where the lake is! Whoaaa! i love the sun ray shinning thru the leaves. it was beautiful!

• I filled up my water blader. Then continued to run. My right foot still hurt. damn plantar!

• on the way to Km 7, near the famous Universitas Indonesia marka, there was a water station. i was tired…took a break! And doing silly things!

• total trail is only 7.5 Km I guess, so 1 KM before finish line, we went back to campus area. Running in road again. owh, I use road shoes this time as I left my trail shoes in Ambarawa!

• I’m a sloooowwww runner, it didn’t surprise me, I met many half marathon runners on the way to finish line! Hahahahahahaahhah. they went 21K and I did 10!
• so there! die dritte medal der Jahre!

I haven’t check the result. it took almost 2 hours for me to complete the course. but I was very happy with this race! So much fun! Will be back again next year!

powerman Indonesia 2017 race recap

seperti yang sudah  saya tulis di post sebelumnya,  hampir saja Powerman 2017 ini menjadi another DNS race – DID NOT START- considering batuk saya yang parah banget Week-1. I only practiced twice, one on the road during Pilkada holiday and the other on spinning class and no brick training at all. oh ya, ini pertama kalinya event POWERMAN Duathlon digelar di Indonesia. kalau di Malaysia sih sudah sering. i knew because many of my friends in Gaited Community post this event annualy on their FB.

then, I found out that it has a friendly Cut Off Time for a slow athlete like me, I decided to go and consume high dose medicine the night   before to ease my heavy cough. Besides, most of my Bintaro Trojan Runners were going anyway. it has been a while kita ngga race rame-rame lagi.

18 February

dropped of my bike.  You were only allowed to drop the bike. no helmet or tool allowed.Even I had to take off the pocket bag which was attached on my bike. Saw some “old friends”, even Pak Eddi Abott who currently resides in Kuala Lumpur. senang banget deh bisa silaturahmi lagi dengan teman sesama atlet (jadi-jadian). saya kenal pak Eddy waktu SCMS 2014, dia moto moto orang Indonesia yang ikutan race. 

Good luck kiss

19 Februari 

Ternyata sudah lama saya tidak bangun pagi-pagi buta, nyetir ke tempat race, en des bre. ha!

 arrived at Qbig a new mall in BSD. i was very sleepy I decided to go back to sleep. failed! transition area would closed at 5.00 am. ohhh Nooooo….so I’d better be hurry.

Us…again!

Strike a pose

perform sholat shubuh, then we were hanging around in lobby area. i was sooo sleepy, tried to sleep (again)  but failed(yes, again). it was raining hard, so I wouldn’t be surprise iF the EO postpone the start time…which what they actually did. however, it was more to safety reason. 
Seperti yang saya tulis di postingan sebeumnya, marka di track lomba dihancurkan alay-alay yang kebanyakan waktu tapi ngga kreatif, track lintasan dihancurkan, cone pemisah track di tendang2xin. Konon mereka kesal karena lintasan track liar mereka dipakai. Muss ich sagen,  These  marginal society  alay were suck! ones who always come out of nowhere in Indomaret / Alfamart for the sake of seriburupiah dengan modal periwitan! Stop giving money to them please.Ok, enough rambling.I took short distance category. it was a combination of 5K run  – 30 K bike -5K run the classic category was 10-60-10.

Anyway, I didn’t remember when was exactly the flag off time. what I remember….

• Soon as flag off, I walked.  Out from the mall, turn right  there was a water station already. It suppose to be  for 10K athletes on the second loop.
• I haven’t seen 1K mark yet, but already thinking in which km I should gave up. belum satu kilo saya  sudah mikir mau declare DNF di mana. Damn, I was so (have I said it?) sleepy.
• of course, friends who joined 10K passed me, I said – hi – am tired – sleepy- go head- see you in finish line. Yeah, sort of.
• Rain poured, not too intense. oh well, I will give up now, I said to myself.
• later I remembered, I ALWAYS look good on my bike. Ha! Let me finished this run leg first. hopefully, there’d be pics of me on my bike. If I got flat tyre again like in Bintan, then I’d quit the race. I didn’t plan to change the tyre. kalau sampe pecah ban, ya sudah, DNF aja.
• finish 1st run leg almost in one hour, owh I hated it!
• Then went to transition area, on which- no surprise- empty already. I think my bike was the only one left hanging on the bike rack. I took off my visor, wore helmet, eat Soy-joy, drank a bit. To hydarete myself.
• 

  In transition area

Just start bike leg

• So….many sharp U-turn. first,  i was afraid, then I enjoyed it very very much. it was raining again. fortunately, I didn’t cough at all. i passed many many bikers! Feel like the coolest road biker ever!
• DI BSD banyak speed trap. Supaya tidak ganggu, speed trap ini ditutupin papan, yang mana sebagian besar dirusak oleh terong2xan kampret. Tetapi masih ada yang bisa dibetulkan panitia. banyak peserta tidak mau lewat lintasan kayu ini, karena licin, milih lewat speed trap.  Saya mah, naik lintasan.sok iye pisan.
• Meanwhile many struggling to handle the bike, drinking and stop, saya jagoan lah untuk ilmu tidak penting ini. bisa bolak balik pakai kaca mata, minum dari botol tanpa berhenti, Balik arah pakai acara nikuk tajam pdahal track licin karena hujan, saya terabassas semua. Bahahahhahahha. Hamdallah ngga jatuh.
• finish with one loop, I had to do another 15K, which is okey, because I’d figured the track. I speeded it up! Even I passed my sister! Ha! 
• I slowed my bike down in last 2km,  so it wouldn’t be that hard for me to run. I remember someone gave me this tip. I regret I didn’t bring extra pair of socks. and owh, it was (for me) a looooooongggg walk from turun dari sepeda sampai ke area transisi. and note to myself, bawa kaos kaki extra kalau multisport gini just in case.
• but, of course , thank God, no flat tyre! Das war gut! 
• 

• So, second leg of 5K run. ones who I passed during bike leg, certainly passed me again. ye ye yeeeeee….and it took 1 hour for me to finish this leg! I was completely wet, my shoes and sock were all wet.  basah-basah-basah, seluruh tubuhku….#mendadakdangdut
• I saw the word “FINISH”. Ahay! ich liebe die Ziel! then saw kak uchi and sinta who were voluntering in this event. 

Die erste Medaille der Jahre!

My time? Owh please, you dont want to know….over 3 hours I think -_____-

And voila! After I’m done with this race, my (sporty) mood went back. I attended yoga class again the  next day for cross training, spinning class, etc etc. I regulaly ride again on Saturday and thinking I have to register a FUll marathon event and/or triathlon race. yeah, of course no Bintan Tri and/or Bali Marathon because I have done it before, and I am not going back to Bali again this year. so Bali tri is a no-no either.  jadi loe maunya dimana, kyyyy…..? *niagarafalls*

 I even I asked my sister let’s do another relay in Ironman event, I’d do  the first two legs ( those are 1.9km swim and 90km bike if you are wondering) as I am a very slow runner. I also was thinking of doing Powerman in Putrajaya just for the sake of it (well, to reunite with my GC friends as well ), unfortunately, not only the registration has already closed, but also I haven’t do any searching where to stay, etc.

As for myself, I enjoyed this race so much. the registration was easy, the track, water station  , marshals were good. really hope there will be another Powerman event  next year! Ein tolles Renen!  bis Nächtes Jahr! di Brazil, mungkin. 😀 

Btw, when I said I tried to sleep before the race while it was raining, I meant it! i envy Imelda for this!

si Imel bisa tidur lelap, saya mgga bisa! Ish iri! :)) 

Ada yang suka nonton AFI jaman dulu? tebak dia siapa? :))

She’ll kill me for that caption.

With Thomas Bruins – Championship winner

foto sama mas Thomas di post lagi, hampit nyeker doi.

Messastilla HM 2016 race recap

Long pending post.

As I wrote here, I was in Magelang for Messastila Peak Challange, taking the 21K category.

I always wanted to do this race since 2013, but always postponing it. For years, It offered a scenery route in the side of the famous Ambarawa’s rail…

But this year….not anymore!

BIG Tetooot!!!?

ZONK!

After I picked up the race pack, there was a race briefing. The organizer said they created new route, which will be challenging!

BTR on MPC

That very moment, I knew, this would be another DNF race.

To make story short. Race for FM, HM and 11K was  held on October 9th.  While the 100Km and 65 Km has started the night before.  There was an accident happened to one of 100K participant, mbar Eni.  She was showered  by Chemical Liquid. I knew this horrible news from the group when Pak Hasbi called three of us. Not sure what was the motives. But seems every body mind their own business, no explanation from the RO as well before the race.

Anyway, I woke up in dawn, took a bath then heading to breakfast area. With mountain view. I wish I stay longer to enjoy my breakfast 😉

I ate enough breakfast, toast, banana and coffee.

The race started at 6 am.

pic of me wont hurt

starting pen! yes, it was nanjak!

First 1.5 km still in hotel area, then we met paddy field. since it was raining from yesterday, a muddy slippery track was expected. That very moment I cursed I didn’t prepare walking stick with me! I should buy one for my next trail race!

single track

Owh, Thanks God I skipped the idea of wearing a road race shoes. Friends said MPC is quite easy, no need trail shoes. Meh! I was glad I trusted my feeling 😉

Between Km 2 – Km 5 was village area. I was greeted my local villagers. I took selfie with local villagers kids ! I love doing this!

selfie with local kids

For me, they are the most sincere people in the race course 😉 in Bali during my FM, or in Tosari on my 10K Bromar, etc.

I think it was in Km 5/6 or something, the route was in Coffee plantation. I stopped by to take pics of Coffee bean picker!

coffee bean picker

Finally I met few women. Aulia, Novi and Dwi. we walked few km together.

The track was hilly (for sure), slippery and there was a spot that we really had to climb! I used whatever stick I can found to assist me. Many of them were broken along the way 😉

I was with the girls, so yeah…we helped each other. They pull me. anyway, the markers were oke. I easily found the marker either papers, red ribbon or flag.

dwi and her friend

The brutal hilly track paused a bit in Km 8.

I took fitbar for refueling. There was first water station in Km 4.5 on where I took banana and dates provided by the RO (Race organizer)

shoe-fie

if I could remember, there only me, Novi, dwi and her friend left. I always made a joke

“kalo ngga kuat turunan, kita gelinding aja”

I am sorry, that was I did on that track. sliding my body down the hill. To save my energy as it was hard for me to stand up and keep my body balance.

We were so  craving for next Water station in Km 10. And this was the easiest and prettiest track on the way to Km 10. Where the second water station is.

Taken by Novi

The pine woods! Yes the pathway is man-made, we saw some workers, old men, who were working for  the pathway. First we thought it was Water Station as they offered us banana and bread!

Huhuhu I cried!

Nih bapak bapak tua aja udah dalam keadaan pas-pasan masih mau berbagi!!! Gw ngga tegaaaa! :(( 

I decided to refuse their offer, they need their food, I can eat later.
I lost Dwi and her friend in Pine Woods, they were faster. So only Me and Novi left. it was still uphill track up to Km 14.

In Km 12, was Rawa Pening over looked! Honestly speaking, I never know this area is exist! 😀

Rawa Pening from the distance

I met a marshal and told me, the view would be more beautiful if the sun shines.

Yes, it was cloudy when I was there and fog all over.

before the rain poured hard

after Km 12, I lost Novi.

So i was completely alone, do the talking with the nature. Taking trail run, is really a me time for me. When I think, God answered my questions.

Shortly after Rawa Pening over looked, rain poured very hard. To sum it up, downhill track afterward and DAMN it was hard!!!

I hate stepping-stone track, my feet were hurt.

Many FM, 65K and 100K runners passed me. Oh em geeeee! I wonder how they practice.

In Km 15, was another water station. I ate banana and drink isotonic. It was almost 12 pm which is the COT time. I want to give up, but it was still in the forest. no use! The marshal said the COT was 7 hours (1 pm).

It was still raining, the track now around another coffee plantation area. I don’t know where to stop, not to get wet, bingung juga mau berteduh dimana,  so I just walk downhill.

One farmer drove his motorcycle and fell right in front of my eyes. Oh em geee.

Me, myself had fall many many times. Many times I had to slide down because I was tired and lost my body balance.

In Km 15 I think, I saw one participant with a broken leg and arm. He was a Japanese. It took him 2 hours to get help.
There was this guy, an Indonesian who looked after him. Ich finde ihn nett! That was so sweet. When I was there, the evacuate team already in the area. So the Indonesia man could continue his race.

He told me:

“hayuklah mbak. COT jam 1 kok. Kita masih ada waktu”

“ha? jam 12 mas”

“ngga kok jam 1”

So, I guess the marshal was right. COT was 7 hours after flag off.
We were back to village area again when finally I saw a civilization. I wanted to give up and took the ambulance who would took that Japanese with broken bone but that Indonesian man had motivated me. So, I did what he say. Continue my race.

After village area, there came forest area again which is very very very slippery. I fell hundreds time, twice as many as I did when I was in coffee plantation area.

I cant stand up.

I realized I lost my glasses.

I met two marshals, they held my feet, so I can get up.

I couldn’t move my body.

I had  lost my motivation.

I had lost my body balance.

And that is not good.

It could caused  injury.

For safety reason, I decided to quit.

On the way to Km 18.

They evacuated me by motor bike to hotel.

It was 2 pm already.
my shoes looked horrible, sol sepatu gw lepas!

So i decided to left my shoes in hotel 😀

Too dirty and it’s broken anyway.

Oh well, I obtained another DID NOT FINISH status in my trail race again.

In fact, not a single trail race that I finished under Cut Off Time.

Do i regret it?

you bet I DON’t!!!!
Honestly speaking, the track is doable.

I met the similar track in Sentul, Pancawati (for  the forest and plantation), Halimun (for  the stepping stone track). Bromo 30K is stillll the hardest one, yet, due to weather condition, it got verrrry hard.

well, not to mention I was lack of practice too. I was not fully recovered from my illness.

Still, it is a recommended race for you!
Owh, btw. Netty finished in in 4 hours something and Vitri in 6 hours.

Until my next trail race!

In which of Lord’s favor would you deny?