♥ Gigi Wong's Blog ♥

Corinthia Hotel London

2012-01-16T22:20:00.000+08:00

Nice one, The penthouse suite of the Musician Penthouse is a must to stay or make a visit!!!

Gloomy Sunday

2012-01-15T15:44:00.001+08:00

Humid(98%), wet, rain, cold, foggy That's Hong Kong Spring!!!! Hate Hate Hate:(
I need my Sun and Hot weather......

The Jervois by Christian Liaigre

2012-01-14T21:49:00.001+08:00

Trial stay at the Two Bedroom at 32/F

陰謀論

2012-01-10T18:48:00.000+08:00

Man, please don't be so 陰謀論 everyday! Don't be so 以己度人!!!

Newton's MV2 testing

2012-01-09T21:59:00.000+08:00

Hurt hurt hurt with this Zero pitch running shoe:) but just can't resist it's speed from it's F=mv 2 power!!! Now I should clean up my shoe and safe for the 5 km or 10km race!!!! Crazily running with Kenneth program tonite with 6 x 1km (
Don't feel like I'm running with discipline! Huh!! Ugly:(

Charlie's accompany run

2012-01-08T22:02:00.000+08:00

So proud of my Charlie who did this 3 km run with the Ppls who need a bit of our help:) so happy that we share the sports we like to our community!!

Classic floor pattern

2012-01-07T22:05:00.000+08:00

Only time can flip magazine to get inspiration for works! Worth to look at this Classic floor pattern with contemporary marble combination. Hotel: The imperial India

Night out with John

2012-01-06T22:06:00.000+08:00

So happy with John John with many good news coming! Job, family and love! Yes, he is really in love:)

Public holiday Brick at Deep Water Bay

2012-01-02T22:08:00.000+08:00

Nice way to kick start the new year with open water swim and run! The brekky at VRC is just saving my life with hot tea and food!!! Love my life:)

Grand Race Plan 2012

2011-12-30T15:56:00.001+08:00

Have been struggling my 2012 plan for a month time and thinking what should / can do. I was considering to some grand plan or even beyond, may be I'm too aggressive. Having discuss with my coach and realising the real time have to spent / to train, i understand that somethings must be wrong in my brain and i couldn't have such 'time' to be in the sports i like as i have to do it not JUST to finish it. If i have to going to do it, i have to do it well and give it the respect its deserved. And i'll possibly becoming SELFISH!!!

With the advice from my coach, i'll definitely will focus on the same distance 70.3 Ironman races PEFECTLY which i like since my first attempt at 70.3 China in 2009!
Thus, in 2012 i'll be more focus in 70.3 disctance race. and the following races outlines my

Grand plan 2012:

5th May - 70.3 Busselton (CONFIRM)
5th Aug - 70.3 Philippines (CONFIRM)
Sep - ITU WORLD Championship Grand Final Auckland
4th Nov - 70.3 Taiwan

I look forward to be the best i can be in 2012:)

My arts @ Cheng Chau

2011-12-27T19:00:00.001+08:00

Is supporting my friend today to rent a space in the island Cheng Chau for some art and craft retail! So I have bake my best homemade soft oatmeal chocolate with my hand painting and packaging for sell. I aim to raise some money for the Po Leung Kuk where the children need our help.

Selling is quite good today and found that hard to "sell"! I never ask people for money and I now realize this is a hard job just want to set $20 dollars back! Sharing some great time with Joy too, food, laugh and of course my cookies:)

Will sent the money gain today soon! What a good day!

Winter Solstice 2011

2011-12-22T21:44:00.001+08:00

Off at 1640 today, nice lunch at HKU alumni with colleague and get prepare dinner with Charlie at home:)

Tue. Dinner

2011-12-14T19:50:00.001+08:00

Starter: Tuna and Egg rocket salad with home made Caesar dressing

Main: Carbonara with fresh thyme penne

So delicious:)

Sonic Monday

2011-11-22T23:10:00.001+08:00

Arrives a bit late, did my 2 laps warm up and hit the MS for 6 times 400m

No mood to swim....just follow

Well, going hard again!

2011-11-17T00:19:00.001+08:00

Track: 6x1km @ 4'20"/ 4:25" / 4:29" / rested for 2 set, knee is painful / 4'15" Swim: W/u 200m 6x50m in 25m kick/25m pull 400m drill in 50m at 25m left hand/ 25m right hand/ 50m at 4 stroke FS and 4 stroke back 12x50m sprint 200m cd. Dead again!!!!

Back on Sonic Monday - Breathless:(

2011-11-14T23:30:00.000+08:00

Back on the track and Pool with Sonics! As always breathless!
Track Session:
Warm up: 3 laps (1.2km)
Pre-set: 10laps (4km) @ a1:58'/1:47"/ 1:48" / 1:51" / 1:52" / 1:52"/ 1:52" / 1:55" / 1:53"
Main set: 4 x 1km with 1 mins. rest for each set ( @ 4:26"/ 4:32"/ 4: 17", 4:24")

Swim Session:
warm up: 200m
4x100m (50m kick, 50m pull)
6x50m (25m sprint, 25m easy)
6x200m (Dead.....cannot follow......After the first set, Kenneth throw my paddle to me to keep up the pack)
25m cool down
6x50m (25m sprint, 25m easy) Dead again.....no breath.....

Little treat from Sift

2011-11-11T18:00:00.000+08:00

Sift Treat for my collegue! Great they have open new shop in Prince Building!

BMW Ironman 70.3 Taiwan 2011

2011-11-06T14:41:00.000+08:00

Gigi cross the FINISH line finally at 6 hours 5 mins. breaking a personal best record after 3 months she completed in Philippines. A STRONG coming back in Taiwan this year!
5th November 2011, Saturday at Kenting, Taiwan
(1.9km Swim + 90km Bike + 21.1km Run)

9th Place at my competitive 30-34 Age group! Never think i would get a trophy home:) (Photo Courtesy: Charles Hui)

Wake up with perfect condition at 4:14am. Thanks Charlies alarm, mine wasn't shown up:( (If i go on tour myself, i won't allow this is going to happened, this is a big mistake!) No stress, first things to wear my race clothes with the chips and started to prepare my breakfast (Milk bring from HK and Jordans ) and bring everything (my run bag and swim stuff) to the coach with Charles. The transition is about 10km away from our hotel and which is the FINISH line too. On the coach, it is silent, the sky is still dark. Its like in movie Saving Prviate Ryan, the first scene: tons and tons of solider being sent to the front line, and the WAR sooner begin! So, we hold our weapon and food, knowing that it would be a long day to flight against MYSELF! I'm optimistic as i know the wind in Kenting, i won't have a good time here. So, i'm more relax, i expect i would come back around 6 hours and half. So the day would start out easy and i'm feeling fresh.

Transition Set up
Despite the last year experience (3 flat tyres, DNF), i have visualize transition in my mind thousand of time. I know exactly what i should do step by step. I talked little and only FOCUS on my bike, bumped my tyres front and rear. Make sure they are not deflate! Lucky! I have request Eric don't come to my transition area, as i think he would bring me some bad luck like last year! hahahaa. Sorry, he hardly even get close to me this year! Okay, all set up very quickly.

Swim (1.9km) at Nam Wam, water is warm and weather started to heat up
The swim consist of 2 laps swim in a rectangular form, as expected there have thousand of swimmer in mass start which i hate it very much! I practice lots of lots of mass start to stand brave on the front line and ready to flight in the water! not reached to 100m, my google is being kick off, many breast stroke swimmer all around me. I started in far far way of the start line, as i know the current will going to push me back closer to the pack. All the way is fighting, pushing, grasping my legs,arms, head as expected. I didnt pushes myself too much in the first lap as i'm still trapped in with peoples. Second lap is much better, i can swim as wish to be. Catches the last few waves to the shore. Done, clocked at 46min.45 sec. (Rank: 507)! Knowing that i was the last two (from Team Sonic) coming up from the water! Time definitely is not i expected, but let the race to go.....

Upper: Me in the front line, in front of the white and red trisuit. Lower: the peoples starts behind me:( (Photo Courtesy: Sonic Sports Association)

T1
Saw Lyn just right in front of me when rushing to the T1, we say Cheers to each other (mine bib is 130, Lyn is 131 and Stephanie is 129, all Sonic girls together!!!) i quickly remove my swimskin, wear my helmet, put my socks and bike shoe and gloves (This is sucks, so slow) and ran out the T1 at 3min. 27sec.

Bike (90km bike almost flat, with two little hill to roll)
I don't have serious bike strategy, just want to keep up around 30km/h, so i pushes until i feel tired and stay relax a bit and pushes another set again. The road seems much easier than Philippines for me, not windy and warm. Thanks for the bike interval done at home, i know how to pushes myself to keep up the pace. Given the same situation happened, lots of cyclists passing me. I was all my own, NO DRAFTING! Though i saw lots of cyclists in a drafting peloton, and many were resulted in PENALTY JAIL, feel extremely sorry! To help to promote the race clean, please support: SAY NO TO DRAFTING ORG. Finish my ride at 3 hours 10mins. (Rank: 731) as expected, think i have pushes all through.

Gigi is aero position (Photo Courtesy: David Sun)

T2 (Bike to Run)
Finish my ride happily, Evan is in the same time with me in T2! How lucky you have bunch of Sonics racing together. You are not alone! She must have a faster bike split time, the girls is really smashing me in the bike! Their hard works paid off. I quickly rack my bike, dismantle my helmet, put on my run shoe, grap my visor and gel. Go! Finish at T2 for a quick transition at 2 mins. 18 sec.

The 21.1km Run
My hope has all gone, as i knew my bike time wasn't so good. But i never give up my dream to complete the race. The run starts out from transition is a small hill like Shek O, in the begining of the uphill, i cramped nearby the knee muscle :( I never cramped before during race or training! I told myself, be patients, you have to FINISH the race no matter what. So, i started to run really slowly, slowly with the pain! Once i 'm at the first station (every 2km with a water station provided water, local sports drinks, cokes, banana, spongy, and menthol spray) i quickly wash my mouth, drink water and spray over my knee and back. Thanks to the spray, i cannot feel anythings after the 2km run. So i stopped at each station for the spray to get rid of the pain. I was running in exceptional easy, so effortless, like flying! I knew its the moment, and i should take this challenge to race against myself. I keep running along, passed many peoples. They are suffer alots, passed many strong / big guy, they are walking with no expression at all. I tried to keep focus and not looking to them. Now i only have one mission, to run till the FINISH line! My eye stay really focus and forward. I don't have any facial expression or smile anymore! I could not cheer up my teammates when i passed them (i used to high five and call their name in every races!)

The run is almost flat with gentle up and down, thanks for the hills i ran every weeks! I love the uphill, which bring me strong feeling to summit one by one! When i reach the last 7km mark at the start of the village, my feeling got strong again with the kids support! I pushes myself all through out! The last 4km is the most toughest, it is not only about the run, its all about how it tested your mental, how the road against yourself, its all about mental! The last 4km consist of 2km out to the last turning point, which is never reach, never ever you can reach with slightly uphill towards this turning point. And 2km back to the village for FINISH. I could never see peoples reached there to give me some hope. I'm hopeless, mentally broken, so as my pace slowed down...and its like taking few hours to reach this silly turning point. After the turn, my mental is like shut down, asking me to stop my run. I have stopped, walked under the shade. Feeling hopeless, my legs say i could not help you anymore, they are done! I started to think i could have almost a DNF (Do Not Finish) at the last 2km of run becoz out of battery, feeling so shit and no glory! I started to pick up my run, jog till the long road return.

Gigi is the last 7km mark (Photo Courtesy: Darryl Carey)

I saw my light in front: the entrance of the village, i was a bit dizzy, no expression, no feeling. But i know i have to pass through it then i can reach the FINISH line. Just there. I saw a girl in front of me having number 30 on her back of the leg, i know she must be in my age group. Now, i know its only about 500m to FINISH. I can't think of anythings, just smash it with my L4/L5 pace wholeheartedly! I make it to FINISH at 2 hours 2 min. (Ranked:239) with a slightly blackout. I dropped, cannot open my eyes. The race official remind me i have to go through the sensor to make it officially FINISH. My nerve told me you have to crawl over it..And i"m done! Fanny picked me up and i was absolutely no feeling...Clocked 6 hours 5 mins. to FINISH, set another Personal Best after 3 months in Philippines.


Crossing the FINISH line painfully! (Photo Courtesy: Rita Kook)

And after the race, i got a finisher medal, and a Finisher T-Shirt! And most importantly, the real finisher's reward i gain: the self confidence that comes from overcoming challenges!

The next day morning, i woke up at 5am in the morning in Kenting. Charlie is still asleep like a baby and i didn't wake him up. I take a walk to the beach, and reminding i was standing in the same place last year sobbing becoz i cannot Finish the race. In my return of 2011, i come back stronger, mentally stronger and I'm Here To Win - Myself!

The next day morning 5:30A.M. in Kenting, beautiful sky!

Thanks to Sonic, i would not make to Finish without Sonic Sports, Kenneth, Rockson my coach in Hong Kong! Your run and swim program is killing me every time and i want to scream! And my coach from Singapore - Nicole, which fit my schedule perfectly and tailor my program according to my fitness level.
And the Sonic gang, always there supports me and brings lots of joy and laughs as always:) And my hubby who support me all the way, he haven't got a proper meal at home for so long. And i have trained 14+ hours a week which lead him so alone. And he is still patiently stood there with me:) I'm luckly....and i'll lived the fullest with him!

After this race, i can feel the next race will become harder and harder, more exhaust, more solid session. As human being, we want to challenge ourselves for better day tomorrow, thats how we lives on earth in a nicer view becoz of the hard work our ancestor made. And we works for our future! I look forward for the next challenge.

Aloha from Joey

2011-10-28T19:30:00.000+08:00

Friday night, exhausted with works all day, meeting! Nothings better to come home with surprises and support! Got mail from Joey, she us a brilliant age group athletes I know! Witness her suffer, surgery, recover, new built to a strong piece. So happy to see her qualify in Philippine this August and finally chasing her dream to cross the Finish line in Kona! Joey, you just awesome!

Test

2011-10-28T09:54:00.001+08:00

Sent from Gigi's iPhone

Friday morning run

2011-10-28T07:00:00.000+08:00

Wake up at 630 this morning, do my pre race set for just 30 mins run! Love the air and sky I lived!

Truly amazing athletes - Chrissie Wellington

2011-10-27T21:45:00.000+08:00

Despite the crash and injury few weeks ago before she race in the World championship in Hawaii for this 3 times world champ to regain her title this year. Thats the glory story behind, so emotional, so inspirating and this is always reminded our human being not to give up and how we pushes our limits beyond. Like what she said: " It teaches me never to stop believing. It should teach you all never to stop believing too. Our limits may not be where we think they are."

Story quoted from Chrissie's blog publish on 21th Oct. 2011
WORLD IRONMAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011: Beyond my wildest dream

Every once in while you are blessed with a very special day when history is rewritten, records fall and you surpass your own notions of what is possible to achieve. On 8 October Craig Alexander broke the long standing course record to take his third World Championship win, age group records fell, athletes overcame personal struggles and finishers finally grasped their own personal holy grail. I am so proud to have been part of that historical day.
This blog reiterates, and adds to, the messages I tried my best to convey at the Awards Ceremony. I apologize for my tardiness in putting fingers to keyboard, but there were some serious celebrations to take care of, some luxuriating to be done at the Mauna Lani Bay hotel and some tree trunk like cankles to offload. With the benefit of the passing of time (and sobriety as the affect of the champagne wears off) I have been able to better reflect on what I consider to have been the most exciting, challenging and best race of my career.
Last year I was devastated to succumb to illness and be unable to defend my title. That day Mirinda Carfrae gave everyone a show to remember, especially with her record breaking 2.53 run split, to be crowned world champion. My non-start, however disappointing, instilled in me a hunger like never before. As the saying goes, don’t know what you’ve got until its gone. The fire and desire to regain the world championship title burned all the more brightly.
Coming into a race we all want perfect preparation, minimal disruptions to our routine, great training sessions and no injuries. I am no exception. Up until two weeks prior to the Kona everything was looking rosy – I was on track and determined to give my best ever performance. But this was due to be my 13^th ironman race, and we all know about unlucky number 13. And on 24 September it seemed like lady luck had definitely escaped me. We were on our last long ride in Boulder, approaching a corner that I have taken a million times. I was on the hoods, and then suddenly – bang! Body hits tarmac. The result: a sizable donation of skin and blood from my left leg, hip and elbow to the Colorado asphalt. In the days that followed the abrasions were the least of worries. I bruised my hip and elbow, damaged my pectoral muscle and contracted a serious infection in my left leg, which became swollen and red and rendered me unable to walk. On the Tuesday Tom and Dave (Scott) had to carry me out of the pool after my failed attempt at swimming. There is a reason I am nicknamed Muppet.
I delayed my flight to Kona, arriving on the Saturday instead of 10 days before. Greeted with open arms, and a lei, by my Kona mum and dad, John and Linda, and struck, as always, but the smell of the flowers, the warmth of the air, and the energy that the island exudes. Hawaii has a very special place in my heart and arriving at the airport never fails to move and excite me.

But the joy was shortlived. I spent race week unable to swim, and as an impatient patient at Kona Hospital. I had ART treatment from the ceaselessly supportive and sanguine, Mike Leahy, as well as my acupuncturist Allison, who had only come out for a holiday, but was put straight to work. The care I received was outstanding – but the disruption and continued discomfort all added to the weight on my shoulders. Of course, I am no hero, and many other athletes have endured – and overcome – far serious illnesses and injuries than I. I am not recounting what happened in the weeks proceeding the race to elicit sympathy, or make excuses, but rather to share the most important lesson that I learnt: to never to let my head or heart drop.
So yes, life threw me curve ball. I could either be crushed by that ball or I could throw it right back and, to follow the advice of a friend, rise like a Phoenix from the ashes of the crash. But would be lying if I said that I wasn’t scared, nervous and apprehensive, and physically suboptimal, coming into the race.
On my race wristband, and on all my water bottles, I write some simple words. One is ‘smile’ and the other ‘never ever give up’. I always say that ironman is 50% physical and 50% mental – all the preparation in the world will not carry you to victory if your mind is not prepared. To plunder the words of Mohammed Ali, “the will must be stronger than the skill”. I was scared of the pain, scared of not being able to do my best and yes, scared of losing. But I had to look fear in the face: conquer my doubts, override my concerns, and attempt to do what I thought was impossible: win the race.

So 8 October dawned. My suboptimal swim left me a lot of work to do. I had been nervous about the pain, I suffered from a lack of power in my right arm, and I didn’t have the speed at the start to fall into the pack that I wouldn’t have wanted to be in. But I had Dave’s wise words ringing in my ear. “Don’t worry if your swim is slow, it’s better to take it steady and be able to complete the race, than to put yourself in a hole you cant get out of”. And so there is was, 1.01 on the clock and a 9min deficit to Julie, and 4mins to Rinny. Suboptimal indeed. I named my bike Phoenix, for obvious reasons, and once aboard I tried to quell any rising panic, keep my head and slowly try to real in those ahead of me, as well as resisting the charges from behind. I managed the former, aside from Julie who was having the ride of her life out in front, and Karen Thurig, who was doing what she does best, dominating the bike and leaving most athletes in her wake. I overtook Rinny on the climb up to Hawi, where I saw my family and friends jumping up and down with huge banners, and behaving in a manner that would have gotten them arrested under normal circumstances. Despite their smiles and funky chicken dancing I knew they were more concerned than I actually was about the deficit that was mounting between myself and Julie. Soon after, I was overtaken by the bullet that was Karen Thurig, and I managed to stay with her for about 10miles, until I had to concede that her pace was over and above my capabilities. I ignored the aches and pains that attacked my body, coming and going, and preventing me from ever really feeling comfortable. I sat up at every aid station and incline to try and open up my hips, and ease the numbness that had developed in my lower back. The sensation when my pee trickled down my leg into my wounds resulted in more than a few swear words. I just made sure that NBC wasn’t there to capture it.

In T2 I slipped into my special War on ALS racers, with the War on ALS laces, I was about 22minutes down on Julie, and 10 from Leanda and Rachel, who were all having fantastic races. I proceeded to run like I had a firework up my backside. I was determined to make hay while the sun shone, and it was definitely shining with no cloud cover and temps of about 90 degrees plus. Once again I had Dave’s voice in my ears “Focus, focus focus, I know you want to smile and wave, but you need to devote every ounce of energy to your performance”. So yes, there were a few less smiles than normal.
There were many instances when body and mind were screaming in agony. The pain in my right hip was excruciating, my form was poor with my left foot turned out like a duck, and soon after other areas of my body started to feel the affects from my changed gait. Hamstrings, calves, even my shoulders cried out for me to stop. I had that ugly voice on one shoulder suggesting I quit and take the easy route. But I hate the goddamn easy route, and I know that I can never rest until I know I have given it absolutely everything. So I ignored the pain. I ignored the internal whispers. It was the other voice, the louder one on the opposite shoulder, which gave me the will to continue: which enabled me to keep my head, and to plunder the words of Kipling, to force my “…heart and nerve and sinew to serve their turn long after they are gone, and so hold when there is nothing in you except the will which says to them ‘Hold On!”
I let the cheers of the crowd lift propel me forwards. I had the sight of my boyfriend Tom, en route to an amazing 11^th pace, to give me a boost. As I overtook Julie, Rachel, Leanda and finally Caroline, at the entrance to the famous Energy Lab my confidence soared but, unlike the name of the lab, my energy levels were waning. “Just keep your head, keep your head” rung in my ears. “Never ever give up”. I recalled times in training and racing when I have suffered and endured pain, I recalled Jon Blais and others who have shown what it is to be truly courageous, and I thought of my family and friends and my desire not to let them, or myself, down.

Once onto the Queen K Highway for the long run home I felt better, and my strength returned over the next 7km, only to fade again as I climbed the final hill to Palani. I was given all manner of splits “4mins from Rinny, 5mins from Rinny, Rinny is only 3mins behind!” – I knew couldn’t let up, not even for a second. It was only as I descended Palani and let the momentum carry me down did I truly believe that my body would hold out, and that I would win my fourth World Championship crown. And as I finished the final meters along Ali’i drive, waving and smiling I truly felt overwhelmed by what I had managed to achieve. Like 2007, when I won Kona for the first time, it seemed so surreal (although this time people knew who I was!). I heard the conch shells, the noise of the crowds, the sound of the drums, and the voice of Mike Reilly I was awash with emotion. As I reached the finish tape, hoisted it over my head, and then rolled in memory of Jon Blais, I was overcome with a sense of pride, satisfaction, relief, and unadulterated joy that I had won: that I had defied what I had thought possible.

I left everything out there on the course in Kona. Blood, sweat and tears, and a few bits of skin. I lay my my heart and soul on the line in an attempt to conquer my demons, the course, the brutal conditions, my injuries, my doubts, and all the other amazing athletes and win that race. I have often said that I have wanted to finish an ironman feeling emotionally and physically spent. On that day my wish came true. People sometimes say to me that I make winning ironman races look easy. I hope I showed that I am human. I bleed, I cry, I even curse, but I will dig to the depths to give everything I have to this wonderful sport, to realizing the potential inside myself and be the best I can be. The time was irrelevant, ordinarily I would have wanted to be faster across all three disciplines, but this is not the criteria by which I judge success. Success to me is knowing I have given it everything I can – that I have done the best with what I have. Of all my ironman victories this is the performance - this is the moment in my life – that I am without a doubt the most proud of.
But I couldn’t have done what I did without my competitors. The women’s field is replete with talent. Their presence, their guts, determination and strength forced me to dig deeper than I have ever dug. I am accustomed to racing from the front. This was different. It was a true race, a hard fought battle. This is what competition is all about. I have the deepest respect for everyone that toes that start line, and my victory is also due in large part to their incredible performances.

Although we athletes race as individuals, we cannot do this alone. I shared the start line with Tom, the love of my life; and I looked up at the pier, and saw these huge banners, held by my family and friends who had travelled millions of miles to support me. And at the different points on the course, there they are jumping up and down as I went past (I did spot a mai tai in their hands on more than one occasion, which may have explained the increasingly vigourous and enthusiastic support!). At the finish they are the arms I fall into, with the thought of my brother and so many others watching on their computer screens never far from my mind. Of course my family is also made up of my great sponsors, my wonderful manager Ben, my support team and especially my coach, Dave Scott. I know I almost gave him a heart attack two weeks ago, but luckily as six time World Champion his heart is strong enough to withstand all the stress. My family means the world to me. Without their support I wouldn’t have achieved my dreams, and I credit my victories to them.

But everyone who crossed that finish line is part of the special club: an ironman family. We come from different countries, we span age categories, we have different backgrounds and abilities but we are united by the same goal: to be crowned an ironman. I was there to greet some of them as they crossed the line. It is the age group athletes that never cease to amaze me. Of course, it is not all about the athletes. The ironman family comprises tens of thousands of volunteers the world over. The day after the main awards ceremony they have a volunteers party. 4000 people come – their aloha underpins this race. I was so happy to able to go to this party, and to say a personal ‘mahalo’. And the crowds. I couldn’t believe the how many people lined the streets, especially those dressed in weird and wonderful outfits. Of note were the bananas, who took me back to the fruity marriage proposals I received in 2008. These bananas were female this time, but still extending offers of marriage. Always pleasing. And a special mention has to go to the man in the huge sumo outfit, who ran with me as I came back into town for the last time. It’s incredibly embarrassing when a man in an oversized sumo outfit can run much faster than you. And even worse when it is captured on film!
This interaction, this aloha, this mutual respect, support and encouragement is what being part of the global ironman family is really all about.
When I first tuned professional 4 ½ years ago I said to my then coach “Brett, I feel so selfish, everything I do in this sport is for me and me alone”. His response “Just you wait Chrissie, within a couple of years, through your achievements, you will be able to affect more change than you ever thought possible”. His prophecy has come true. I have said it before, and I will say it again, sport has phenomenal, far-reaching amazing power. It is a vehicle to do great things. For me, winning races is not about the glory, it’s not about the money, it’s not about the times. The key is the manner in which I try and win, the lessons I learn and the message I hope I convey. Kona 2011 offers me a valuable, simple lesson. It teaches me never to stop believing. It should teach you all never to stop believing too. Our limits may not be where we think they are.
I sit here writing this as four-time World Champion. I am so honored to hold that title. It means everything to me. This is so much more than a victory. Being World Champion is a privilege. It is a responsibility that I don’t take lightly. It is a platform – a once in a lifetime opportunity and I will do whatever I can to help represent our amazing ironman family, and be a champion you can all be proud of.

Majority of photos by Larry Maurer, www.maurerphoto.com

My Bike box arrives

2011-10-24T20:43:00.000+08:00

Thanks hubby today to receive my Bike box sent from UK by Fedex! Lucky he is OFF today! Just arrives on time before my Taiwan 70.3 and Phuket! Gonna do more cycling aboard next year!
For some of you want to get more information, check out Alan at www.bikeboxalan.co.uk , contact Alan or Lizzi. You will got free stickers;) Cheers!

2011 Sanshui ITU Triathlon Premium Asian Cup

2011-10-22T23:37:00.000+08:00

Take a short trip by coach from HK to China to support my hubby for this ITU event. And thought this will be good to escape HK for a China weekend! But not that relax anyway, i have listed as follow:

My hubby visa is expired at the China custom, he left me with m bike with the team to continous the trip.
Thought he can manage the express visa the next day and i can cheer for him. (but NOT!)
Super cool official Hotel with 80m pool, 30+ hot spring for free. The hotel i would expect to pay 1500HKD per night and at the end we don't need to pay a penny
Registration fee is only RMB$80 with goodies bag includes: Waterproof back bag, a ITU Tee, ITU cap, ITU towel, a Toy for the year of this ITU, a vacuum bottle, a book introducing this place called Sanshui, 2 CD (a song wrote for this race)
OKay, so i enter with a Mix team to do a new format Relay. Each of us has to complete 250m swim+8km Bike+3km Run and then i have to pass the chips to the next until the last guy completed. A really excited game and i pushed all through. We won Champion title home with RMB$ 3000 price money. Unbelievable:)
Took my bike to complete the Nicole's program there. Really nice atmosphere to train!
Think i must return next year!

Lucky

2011-10-19T12:56:00.000+08:00

Big thanks to Kent and Carol for the goods from Kona, Hawaii! Love the IM tee and special towel for Charlie:) long way carrying through, buddy!
And great news about my bike box is soon despatch in England! Must be on the way soon! Promising myself to use the box more offer in 2012! Gigi gonna sign up for cycling race and tour! Sounds like a tomb for me now:)