When I did my first mini triathlon a few years ago, there was nothing to follow.

I didn't know what brick training was or that your legs would feel like lead after pushing a heavy gear on a bike. I didn't know what was the order of a transition. I had a million things to change into to feel 'comfortable'. I biked the measley 10km with a very uncool hydration pack. I just did all the sorts of things you'd do if you really didn't have a clue.


dorky me

It's kinda fun to look back and laugh, really. I guess that's the sort of thing beginners do - Look silly and mess up. Or do they?

These days, almost anyone can look cool in a triathlon. Why? The sport has picked up like wildfire and everyone's talking about it. I would say I know a whole bunch of people who are doing it for the first time this year, and almost every single one of them is looking cool already for their debut at the start line. Swish bikes, fancy shoes and great tri suits for the transition... They sure as hell won't look as dorky as I did three years ago.

And what with the existence of tri clinics that have been held every single weekend before the upcoming OSIM Singapore International Triathlon 2006, there's no way these newbies will be as unprepared as I was either. Held by the Triathlon Association of Singapore, these clinics will teach you everything you need before you set foot into the water. From the right equipment to have, techniques to use in the open water, the best nutrition to have, to pre-race preparation, these clinics farm out great tips by experienced dudes who've raced a million times over.

Along with some of our friends, the husband and I thought we'd check out one of these clinics yesterday and get some practice in before the race next week. It was strange to think I was doing the equivalent of a sprint distance during a practice run, since I've only ever done sprints for all my previous 4 races. 800m in the sea, around 25km on the bike and 5km on the run, it felt good to be out there and feeling fine after a whole week of inactivity.

The smurfs were present for the clinic and so was Aquaman Chi, who I kept losing in the choppy waves. I was relieved to hear that Rina's body isn't back to normal after last weekend's adventure race either. So even though she was still pulling the same speed as Hubba, Shem, Foo and Jeremy, she was feeling as tired as I was. Power to her! *kowtows* Meanwhile, I was riding injured superhero Bernard's tail... We did Coastal and got back just in time to start the run. I was happy to find that my knee, although feeling unhappy, pulled through the 5km run. Think it might just hold up for the 10km I'll have to do next weekend.

After the good workout, the bunch of us set off for a nice BIG meal at the East Coast Lagoon food centre. Hokkien mee, bbq tau pok and yu char kway, bbq chicken wings and some ice-kachang... And that's just what I had ;) YUM. Ok, I'm getting hungry now.

Gotta go. Church time. After which, I've been promised some homemade pancakes, lovingly prepared by the husband. Ciao.