Preparing for Ironman Malaysia had its ups and downs and was bitter sweet much like the race itself.  Going to an Ironman in Malaysia or anywhere else that is hot needs some specific heat acclimation.  I was lucky enough to spend a few weeks in Maui preparing for the race.  I heard how hot it gets in Malaysia and I knew it would benefit me to get out of the Northern California winter storms and go to the sunshine and humidity of Hawaii.  Maui is always a wonderful place to visit and spend some time.  The training and the people are also great.  This time the trip did not go quite as planned.  The weather was cooler than anticipated and for a week it really didn’t get any warmer than 78 degrees.  They were having a little winter front of their own.  It was still beautiful and was perfect for training, but not ideal for the acclimation of the mid 90’s I had heard were common in Malaysia.  I was able to get some great rides in; one included a 3 hour climb up the volcano, Haleakala.  From sea level to 10,000 feet straight up.  What a great ride!  Steady incline with beautiful scenery the entire time.  At the top I had a great view of the other islands including the big Island and its snow capped volcano.  I was also able to get a few good runs in through the sugar cane fields that seem to go on forever.  But then my trip to Maui made an unexpected turn.  For some reason my back decided to call it quits and my back muscles went into spasms.  I found myself lying on my back for the next 4 days before I could swim and ride again.  I was unable to run before the race and missed out on a couple key long runs.  The rest of my race prep in Maui turned out to be a lot of rest, watching the winter Olympics, getting in a little riding and swimming, and eating some great local sea food. 

Then I was off for the long trip to Langkawi, Malaysia.  My total travel time was over 24 hours and I was constantly icing my back to prevent any flair ups during the flight.  Once I got to Malaysia the heat and humidity was very evident and I knew it was going to be another tough race. 

Race morning we woke up with the wind blowing which was the first time this has happened during my stay.  Maybe that was an indication that it would stay cooler?  We headed over to the transition area to get everything set and make sure our equipment was ready for the day ahead. 

The swim was a simple out and back 2 loop swim.  The buoys where lined up 50 meters apart and we would swim down the left side, to the end, make the turn and swim straight back again 2 times.  The water was a warm - maybe 83-85 degrees, but it was nice and calm.  I think we were all thinking the same thing and that was to take the swim out controlled and steady.  No one wanted to overheat in the first 10 minutes of the race.  It was a good pace and I just sat comfortably in 2nd position for most of the swim and tried to keep a good rhythm together.  I almost forgot to mention the sea lice and jelly fish.  We got to experience this during the practice swims leading up to the race.  It is such a concern that the race director sweeps the swim course daily with a net to try and get rid of as much as they can.  I don’t think it worked well race morning because it was the worst of the week which would soon become a common theme for my day.  We all exited the water with what seemed like hundreds of little bites.  Somehow, they got inside my singlet and had a field day on my chest a ribs.  The pain goes away rather quick, but you itch for the next 2-3 days. 

I was out of the water in 49 minutes which was a great swim and I was heading out on the bike in good position just seconds behind Bryan Rhodes.  Within a few miles into the bike I hit a bump and lost my gel flask.  I didn’t stop and soon realized that I had a problem on my hands.  Lucky for me the race sponsor was Powerbar and they had my gels at the aid stations.  I decided I would sit in 2nd until we got to the first aid station where I stopped and grabbed 4 gels to last me until the special needs pick-up.  I only lost a couple of places and maybe 45 seconds stopping, but it seemed much longer.  I quickly worked my way back to the front and decided to keep the rhythm and separate myself off the front.  At the first turn around of 3 out and back laps I found myself 2 minutes in front of Rhodes and about 6 minutes in front of Jason Shortis.  These two I knew where going to be the biggest challenge of the day.  I knew I had to keep an eye on them. At the same time, I had to watch the rest of the pro field because there were some others that have the potential of having a great day.  As the ride went on we passed schools where kids were hanging on the fences yelling and screaming, monkeys on the road that could jump out at anytime, and water buffalo that would cross the street whenever they wanted without notice.   The heat and wind picked up as the ride went on.  I was very diligent in my nutrition intake and the effort I was putting out due to the heat.  I knew it was going to be a tough day where the heat would play a factor.  Aero dynamics played a part on this course because of the speed and rolling terrain.  My Trek TTX and Bontrager wheels really kept me going fast with less effort.  I kept finding myself in sections going 31-32 mph.  The bike and my well-vented Ironman helmet kept me comfortable, fast and cool.   I was increasing my gap and by the time I got off the bike I had a 13 minute lead and had set a new course record of 4 hours 23 minutes. 

I was confident in my run and the way I feeling off the bike made me believe that I would have a good day.  Little did Iknow that after the first 2 miles my stomach had its own agenda.  I started having bad stomach cramps and couldn’t run more than 2-3 minutes without getting cramps and coming to a complete stop.  After making a couple stops at the nearest outhouses I was somewhat relieved.  It took about 7 miles before my stomach started to settle down.  I felt better the second lap of the run, but was still in need of stopping at aid stations to soak down with ice water and sponges.  I was noticing that Jason Shortis was making up ground quickly.  I knew I had to pick it up or he would catch me.  I tried to push it a little more but was unable to increase my pace.  The heat and the lack of running for the past 2 weeks started taking its toll.  I have heard about hot races before and thought wow it must have been tough, but you really have no idea until you go through that kind of heat.  It was like nothing I have ever been through.  Hawaii gets hot and I thought this would be good practice, but this was a whole new level of heat.  So hot that you get heat blisters, so hot that your head pounds, your arms tingle and your shoulders feel like you can cook on them.  Even the locals where saying it was hot.  100 degrees and very humid sounds hot, but it is REALLY HOT!!!   Much earlier than I anticipated my legs started cramping and giving up on me.  I honestly did not think I would finish and if I did, I figured I would finish in the back of the field. 

One step at a time and putting one leg in front of the other is all I could think about.  I spent a lot of time in prayer and self talk to keep on going.  My legs hurt so bad that running hurt, walking hurt, and stopping hurt.  So I did my best to keep moving, but needed to stop and go through that pain because not cooling my body down and dealing with the heat was also really painful.  Jason caught me and I couldn’t keep my legs moving fast enough to keep up.  I tried, but knew I would not be able to stay with him.  At that point it was survival-mode and trying to hold on for 2nd place.  Bryan was close behind, but I was holding him off at about 6 minutes.  At the last turn with 3 miles to go Bryan was only 4 minutes back and I could hardly move.  I tried to stay as focused as I could and tried not to stop at the aid stations.  Every second was going to count at this point.  As I made it to the finish I was concerned about falling before the finish line.  I made it across the line in 2nd and in the most pain I have been in at any race.  My prayers where answered and God definitely carried me through the race because there was no way that I could have done that under my own power and strength. 

I was so thankful and amazed that I made it to the finish albeit in 2nd place with a qualifying spot to the World Championship this October in Kona, Hawaii. 

I learned what the words “fight” and “never give up” really mean.  If I can make it through a day like that I know that I can make it through anything life throws my way. 

I have decided to join forces with World Vision, a charity that supports children and communities around the world.  I am donating a portion of my prize money to help those kids and communities in need.  I have donated $400 to World Vision from my prize money in Malaysia to give to a child in need in Malaysia.  Jason Shortis and I also donated our race jersey in a silent auction after the race to raise some additional funds and were very successful.  What blows me away is that the cost to enter most triathlon events will support a child for over a year.  I feel blessed that I not only get to compete in such an amazing sport, but that it also allows me to give back to children in need.  I am telling you this not to impress you, but to hopefully challenge all of you to join me in some way to help support children and communities around the world.  I am going to continue to do this at all of my races this year.  If you are interested in helping out in anyway please contact me so we can join forces to make a difference.  You can e-mail me at chris@chrislieto.com

Thanks for all your support and encouragement through this race and throughout the year.  I can’t wait till the next one. Wildflower!

Thanks,

Chris Lieto

a special thanks to:
chris orwig @ solimarstudios.com for designing this race report