2023 IM703Vietnam by Karim
This is the race report from Karim but I think it’s more like a testimonial and his journey from the past 20 years towards the finish line in his first IRONMAN 70.3 in Vietnam! I met Karim in early 2022 in the depth of pandemic, he said he signed up IRONMAN 70.3 Nice and probably only for swim and bike, as he got problem on his hip, after few more observation and conversation, I believe he will able to finish the whole thing, without worrying the cutoff, this time he made it! See his story!
While not naturally gifted for endurance sports I had spent quite some time on my bike as a teenager but not competitively, I was a good swimmer at school but didn't enjoy much the long wait on the pool benches when going to competition. My main sport activities used to be tennis and motocross (mostly in my 20's and the main reason for subsequent back and hip condition now) until I started running on a more regular basis when reaching 30.
So, in 2004 I get to sign up for my first serious race 20k run in Brussels and that's how it started all.
Arrived in Hong Kong in 2009, I kept up with running almost on daily basis and participated in local races, I always had an interest for triathlon and in 2010 get into it with a friend pushing me a bit to buy a proper road bike.
Starting on this new journey, I took part in some sprint and Olympic races while not really following any structured training. In 2010 I run my first marathon in Singapore with no specific training then come back to it a bit more seriously in 2012.
Towards 2014 I start thinking of aiming for half IM and sign up to Phuket as a first mid point between Olympic and 70.3 but got stopped by an herniated disc that needed urgent surgery. Following that, I went through 1 year of medical complications including a hip replacement surgery in 2015.
I thought I'd never be able to exercise properly again and somehow tried to stick to a cycling routine and yoga. I couldn't run without pain and compromised with the thought while still feeling my goal of 70.3 wasn't reachable anymore.
Then in 2021, through JC I got to meet Sonic with the objective of Nice 2022. I thought I'd just swim and ride and drop off in the run. Your coaching and all the Sonic encouraging atmosphere have been incredible, in particular as we were through Covid still. Not only I headed to Nice with confidence and now have honorably completed my first 70.3 in Da Nang.
That was a tough race, I had a moment of doubt when losing my goggles half way through the swim, thinking that fate was against me after my broken derailleur in Nice last year. I remembered the days when as a kid I didn't bother swimming in the sea without goggles and pushed it through. I did feel some jelly fish sting on the arms but kept going. That's probably what turned on my determination for the rest of the race.
Key elements of success on the day where application of the hydration and nutrition plan which used to be my weak spot in all previous races. My focus was on continuity of the pace, stick to a rhythm and let the kilometres go by until the finish line. And it worked... Making me happy with the end result
I think what makes Sonic unique and successful is its inclusive mindset which develops team spirit and true friendship.
You are exceptional and have managed to leverage to its best what is very particular to Hong Kong's culture of practicality, efficiency and simplicity keeping aside any judgment, show off behavior and putting people into boxes based on abilities or any other arbitrary criteria (age, language, origin..).
I would not made it without you and more importantly I know it is not a one off and for that I am grateful for your coaching, support and friendship.
My only regret is that I didn't meet you all sooner in my journey and before moving to Singapore but I definitely look forward to enjoy more training, racing and fun with you all!
