Kua Harn Wei is an ultra triathlete who almost drowned while trying out for the Naval Diving Unit. The near death experience – as well as a humiliating lecture for not learning how to swim – spurred him on to learn swimming. By 2003, he had set his personal best of 10hr 49min in an Ironman-distance time trial. Currently an Assistant Professor at NUS, Harn Wei has also completed the Deca Iron World Challenge – a race where he completed 1 Ironman per day for 10 consecutive days.
He shares with Red Sports what he has been doing this past year.
Part 2
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By Kua Harn Wei
The community spirit behind the distances
The third race was a new addition to the world series. The double Ironman in Bonyhad featured the toughest cycling course in the series, which included climbing 121 times a steep slope equivalent to the one in front of the NUS Central Library.
Although I finished the race safely, my right quadriceps was severely strained but I was motivated by my goal to complete the world series.
All throughout this race, I was blessed by the support of the Bonyhad community in many ways, especially the generosity and thoughtfulness of my host family. It reminded me of one of the main reasons why I am hooked to ultra triathlon - the volunteer spirit and graciousness to help dedicated sportsmen and sportswomen whom you may not even know before the race!
In fact, this is where ultra triathlons differ from other triathlons - each participant is supported by a crew who oftentimes is composed of the local community. We faced a language barrier in Hungary but my successful finish in Hungary only proved once again that communication is not just about language; it is about how open your heart is.
The race in Virginia – also a double Ironman – was another race put up by the local community. Although language was not the problem, the cold weather certainly was! I suffered hypothermia and was put under medical observation for a few hours before the race doctor gave me the green light to continue.
I was literally racing against the clock since I lost a lot of time to that collapse. I ran with all my heart along the hilly course to finish the race only 30 minutes before the cut-off time.
Deca - the medial plica and silver lining
It took me slightly longer than expected to recover from the Virginia double Ironman. But not for one minute did I think about backing out from the grandfather of all ultra triathlons - the deca Ironman in Mexico.
I finished the deca in 2006 and this was a re-visit to a place that had witnessed some of my best finishes in ultra triathlons. All along my quest, I received many heartwarming and encouraging emails from supporters and former crew members from all over the world. They knew how difficult it was for me to try to finish all the 5 races and still leave time for other things in my life. This support from the community, and the notion that I am raising funds for my NUS community, pushed me on.
I had an average 38-km swim, finishing it in a respectable 11th position. After 1 hour of nap, I started my cycling at a very consistent yet conservative pace. I read my body very closely and was able to complete an average of 365km in every 24 hours (inclusive of sleep and breaks) - a steady pace that moved me up to the 6th position overall. Trouble struck after 2 ½ days (after covering just over 1000km) - my left knee was swollen and soon I could hardly bend it. In my last effort to keep going, I released my left leg from the left pedal and pedaled with one leg - my right - for 4 hours, only to tire out that leg too. Worse, I pulled the left knee again as I needed both legs going up a slope. I stopped the race to have the injured knee examined. If I had only 200km left, I would have taken up the challenge and finish it with one leg. But with 740km more to go, stopping was a wise choice.
An MRI analysis later revealed that while all my ligaments and cartilage were intact, I had a medial plica in the left knee and it unfortunately slipped into my knee joint during cycling, thus causing the intense pain and swelling whenever my knee was at a certain angle.
I was deeply touched by the concern the fraternity and community showed me when I was stricken by this unfortunate event. They felt sorry for my shattered dream. I felt that I need to give back in some ways. So, instead of lying on my bed for the rest of the week, I strolled with many of my fellow participants during their run/jog/walk portions, encouraging them and cheering them on. In 2 ½ days, I managed to cover one marathon worth of distance for myself.
Although I might not have achieved my dream of completing all the 5 races this time, the incident in Mexico allowed me to reflect on the more humane side of a sport that challenge the very notion of human logic. It reinforced my link with a sport I truly believe in and love, using the most basic elements that we all have - friendship and an ability to give.
But the key to unlocking these elements is an open heart - one that is open to new experiences, uncertainties and unexplored ideas. The pain will come and go, but the essence of your experience will stay forever; and it will guide you along the rest of your way in the journey of self-elevation and discovery.
How far can you go? Very far, provided you are spiritually enriched by the process. How far should you go? Let your heart tells you.
It has been a most fabulous 21 weeks of my sporting career - another new Asian record, ranked 2nd (out of 90 triathletes) in the world in a very demanding sport, making many new friends and learning more about myself along the way.
All these would be impossible without the support from the NUS Office of Alumni Relations, Singapore Sports Council, Tote Board, Singapore Pools, Glenn Defense Marine (Asia) Pte Ltd, Saucony, Smith Optics, Powerbar, TitanFlex, ProMotion Wetsuit, TriZEN and the local triathlon fraternity. Thank you very much!
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