The inaugural Sunset Triathlon 2016 is the first late evening (night) triathlon in the country. The event was held at the Kompleks Sukan Air Presint 6 in Putrajaya.
I initially planned the Port Dickson Triathlon to be the last triathlon event of the season for me. But this Sunset Triathlon was interesting to not give it one more for the year. Hence, extended the training further. However, didn't get much training in though as I had other activities and plans made. So I had to make the best of it.
Race start at 4:45pm. Early enough for a "safer" swim with some day light left. It was a little form especially during bike racking as the sun was shining full on. I think I got a little sunburn right there.
The start was a wave deep water start. Got to the front during the 3rd wave and started strong and kind of paced myself to a almost true 1.5km swim in the Putrajaya lake. The water felt "thick". Very dense and takes a lot more effort to swim through it (The next days, shoulders were hurting from the swim).
The transition was short and headed out on the bike in the usual 2016 Ironman 70.3 Putrajaya route which ended with a somewhat 2016 Powerman Duathlon exit back to the transition area. Managed to catch a few strong group in this draft legal race and manage to maintain a decent bike average speed. The 3T wheels work well as always keeping my rolling quick on the BMC TimeMachine.
Exited the transition really quick for the run. By now, it is already nightfall and much cooler. Started off with a pretty strong pace but slowly fell back to a more comfortable pace throughout. There was a 3 flights of stairs to climb in this run from the running path by the lake up the bridge and back to the lake.Plenty of water stations along the way. Perhaps didn't need them all since it wasn't that hot but certainly good option to have.
Finished the race with a 2:57 in 24th (out of 107) place in my age group. Not my best timing but judging for the accurate distance, this would be my benchmark timing for this race.Fueling strategy this race (wasn't quite sufficient as I was hungry at the end of the bike leg and wasn't enough water):
Tea Time - 2 granola bars, 1/2 Clif Bar and electrolytes drink
Before Swim - 1 Snickers bar and 1/2 a bottle of water
Bike - 1 gel - 2 bottles water
Run - 1 gel - water stations
Would certainly return again next year as I like the idea of accurate Olympic distance race to keep tab with the timing.
This ends this year of triathlon for me. A big run even coming up. Stay tuned.
