It was at 8.45am when i sms-ed Azmar to check if Doc, Steve and Zabil has already started cycling.
Azmar told me that they are still in the water, as since after paying RM910.00, they decided to go snorkelling.
It was later when i found out that Steve was out of the water first, then followed by Zabil. Doc was unfortunate as he was seasick and at 3.2km, hauled up after he vomitted in the sea. In short, he was deemed Disqualified. However, the organiser let him carry on to test the course. This meant, at that point of time, it was only Zabil and Steve still going on for the Ironman title.
Doc happily went on to do the 180km cycling. I guessed being DNF-ed was bad enough, but his spirit and tenacity (apart from having paid RM910.00 entry fee) fuelled him to complete the whole tortorous circuit.
At about 4pm, i again called Azmar. This time, the response wasn't very favourable as Zabil was suffering from cramps. He wanted to do the race in 14 hours. Something he envisioned do-able. But Zabil was still on the road, pedalling away.
It was a totally different story with Steve as he was still pedalling as if it was some weekend ride. Canadian bear going strong still!
At 5pm, i was told that Zabil bailed out and jumped into the ambulance as he had cramps all over his body. Painful. hearing it has also made some of my muscle in my body tout and having their own cramps.
Steve has completed his 180km cycling in a flat 6 hours. That's an impressive 30km/h average that he did. Now, having a weight in excess of 100kg and still being able to do that was utterly and obscenely impressive.
Doc was about to complete his cycling league and there was no stopping him despite already being DNF-ed after the swimming course.
At that rate, i reckon steve would be done by 10pm. His personal best for 42km was last year in KLIM (which was also his first marathon) which he did a 5hours 3 minutes race. So, i reckon, with fatigue thrown in, he will only take at most anohter 6 hours of slow and steady running.
My guess were right. Steve complete the the whole 3.8km swim - 180km bike and 42km run in 14hours and 45 minutes. Well done Ironman Steve!
By 7pm, Zabil is already back at the starting point nursing his body.
Doc was still going strong. Azmar, being the sweetest soul (girls, he is still single and rocking) actually accompanied Doc while he was running /walking.
A call to him at 10.30pm says that doc has about 25km more to go. Then, Azmar's battery went dead and i called Doc's phone, of which Azmar was holding. Spoke to the hero and he was in high spirit, stating that a lot of unknown people called him to wish him luck (fyi, those unknown people were the Old Putera's of RMC!)
Azmar said that doc will only be done by 1am in the morning latest. Of which he won't make the cut off time already (but who cares? it's thehuman spirit and will at work!)
Ironman Doc finished the course in 16 hours and 45 minutes. Bloody impressive as well, if not because of the DNF at swimming. Don't worry Doc, that 3.8km swim is just a small portion of the whole race. Steve is ultra super, you are super super and zabil was super.
Stupe Iron-Man
It requires more than just human value and strength to finish the whole course, and of course, make the RM910.00 entry fee worth it.
To Azmar and Karoline, which was in langkawi to support our buddies dream of becoming an Ironman, i salute to the both of you. Many would rahter just sit at home and get the updates, but you oth actually went tehre, gave support, ran, walk and cried with them as they cross the line.
Congrats again to all the 5 of you Light and Easy buddies!
Now, can you all please excuse me as i will now worry about my pending virgin marathon this weekend.
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