Redemption: Bukit Merah OWS
Continuing from my previous post. I finally found a place to train. I had to do workouts at the gym to keep my muscles fit. However, my gym routine is planned to stop 4 weeks before the race, and I did this is to avoid my body being dense and tight during my swim sessions. Trust me, it helps.
For the next few weeks, I did full-body workouts 2 times a week, and the others were dedicated to the pool with 1 rest day a week. I also invested in a foam roller to help in my recovery. To me, the foam roller is an inexpensive and essential tool to everyone's workout routine. The foam roller allows you to relax your muscles and removes some lactic acid formation in your muscle. At the same time, foam rollers also help increase the range of motion and help reduce muscle pain. Sometimes, I foam roll as a warmup before my workouts.
Then, I watched my diet. The diet part of this training is fairly simple. I just avoided certain food to keep me to shape. I avoided processed sugars, iced drinks, fast foods, sodas, and spicy food. Everyone might wonder, why do you have to avoid these foods? Actually, I don't know it for sure myself, but let me tell you, it helps. As far I have been following this diet, I feel my body be lighter and performs better in the pool. The final prep is recovery. 8 to 9 hours of sleep and plenty of water. PLENTY. The following are the details of the competition I went to.
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| Bukit Merah Lake |
Before the race.
A few days before the race, I was on the taper, and I had to find supplies for my race. I bought some energy gels, breakfast before the race, and food to carbo-load the day before.
Fortunate for me, my dad was working at Taiping at the time, and I didn't have to find a hotel. The race venue was 20mins away from my father's house. So, one day before the race, I went to Bukit Merah to collect my race kit, which has my timer chip, swim cap, competition t-shirt, and some small gifts from sponsors.
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| My race prep |
Before going to bed, I prepped my goggles with anti-fog liquid and tested out my race suit for fit. Then, I was ready, and I packed my bags for tomorrow's race.
Race Day.
Finally, the race day has arrived. All my work will put me a step closer to my redemption. I checked the start list and noticed I was one of the youngest. This means I might have a chance to win. But, I didn't put my hopes too high. I was still calm and awaited the call.
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| Ready for the race |
Before that, there was a race briefing. I was a simple swim to the 750m meter mark and u-turn to the finish line. Simple. I got suited up and started my warmup as the kids' events were getting on. You don't want to warm up early as you may cool down before the race start. If so, you might have to warm up again, draining your energy at the same time. So, time up your warmup well. The organizers will usually allocate a spot for swimmers to warm up in the lake itself.
Soon after that, they announced the 3000m participants to go to the line. Once all the participants were in the water, the countdown began. HONKKKKKKKKKK!!!!! All the swimmers sprint through at the sound of the air horn. I started to get nervous because it was my turn next.
ALL 1500M SWIMMERS REPORT TO THE START LINE!!!!!
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| Reporting to the start line |
My heart started beating faster as I approached the water. As I was approaching the start line, I was chatting with a small kid. He was friendly and talkative as we came the start line. Then, all the swimmers were gathered. The countdown started, and I pushed myself to be at the front of the crowd.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, HONKKKKK!!!!!
Everyone rumbled at the start, sprinting for the first 50m. As for me, I did have a good start despite having kicked a few times on my shoulder and stomach. But, it was all a part of the race. After the first 500m, I caught up with the 3000m swimmers. At the same time, I was at the front of the 1500m pack. This made me motivated to keep the pace going.
Closing to the finishing line, another 200m more. I found one swimmer in front of me. I have bad eyesight, and I was not wearing prescription goggles. So, I thought the person in front of me was a 3000m swimmer judging from his swim cap. So, I paced for another 150 meters behind him until my last 50m push at the end.
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| Heading to the finish line |
I touched the finished line. BAAAM. I am done. I got out of the water and noticed the guy in front of me wearing a white cap. That means he was a 1500m swimmer. I thought I was lost the race without a podium. My mom was waiting for me at the finish line and hugged me as my brother took a photo.
I went to drink water and some cakes the organizers prepared. I had some time to recover as other swimmers finished the race. I washed myself up using the water prepared by the organizers and chatted with my family as the results were concluded. After a long wait, the result is being announced.
2nd Place 1500m Mens : GOVIND MANIAM!!
I was shocked. It caught me by surprise. I got a podium!!! I was extremely happy. I went to the podium to receive my medal. Photos were taken. Immediately posted the victory to my swimming team group. They congratulated me on my win. But, something hit me at the time. If I had only overtaken the guy in front of me instead of pacing him. I would have won first. Hahahahahahahahaa. However, I was a happy kid. I take this redemption journey a success.
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| On the podium |
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| The medal for finishing |
THANK YOU FOR READING.
SEE YOU ALL IN THE NEXT ONE.
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