Triathlon

Recently there was a much discussed news about a seemingly active person who died in the swimming phase of the triathlon. It was a sad news but nevertheless highlight the danger lurking in some sports.

Last year I took part in a half triathlon (750 m swim, 20 km cycle and 5 km run). Before the event, i took part in the swim clinic as I was concerned about swimming in the open sea. Indeed swimming in the sea was much more tiring but actually swimming in the clinics was so much more better than during the event itself. Not that the water was more rough, but the rush among the competitors. There was not so many people in the swimming clinic but on the actual event there were so many people. Even though we were flagged off in groups but in the water, it was congested. Due to space constraints, inevitably you will be kicked on the head or hand or other parts by the swimmers in front. Sometimes you may feel someone hitting your legs from behind as some people swam faster than you. My friend who also joined the race with me commented that she nearly drowned. She is a very fit person but all the thrashing in the water can really tire the swimmers, not from the physical exercise of swimming but from the dangers of overcrowding.

Nonetheless we managed to finish the event. The highlight must be running in the rain. It was raining quite heavily, but surprisingly, I thought the rain was refreshing, else it will be so hot.