It's been a fun first quarter of 2017 for me, going from Phuket - Bangsaen - Singapore - Putrajaya, and finally back home to Subic Bay. I love training and racing in the heat, so I always choose to travel around Southeast Asia for triathlon. Apart from the convenience of travel and the relatively cheap airfare, I enjoy the warm climates, beautiful beaches, friendly people, the different but 'same same' food - tropical fruits, sticky rice, noodles, and delicious stir-fried-everything, that can be found all across the region.
For all of you interested in training in Southeast Asia, here's a quickie guide to my home court, plus a few tips and tricks to getting the most out of racing Thailand Tri-League, Powerman Malaysia, and Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay.
SINGAPORE
My soon-to-be husband Artur (we are getting married on the 25th of March!!!) lives in Singapore, so I am often in and out of there between races. It's a small but beautiful, modern, and diverse city, and is a frequent layover spot for athletes coming in/out from Europe or Australia.
For all of you interested in training in Southeast Asia, here's a quickie guide to my home court, plus a few tips and tricks to getting the most out of racing Thailand Tri-League, Powerman Malaysia, and Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay.
SINGAPORE
My soon-to-be husband Artur (we are getting married on the 25th of March!!!) lives in Singapore, so I am often in and out of there between races. It's a small but beautiful, modern, and diverse city, and is a frequent layover spot for athletes coming in/out from Europe or Australia.
Training facilities: Swimming is easy enough in this country, as Singapore has the most number of pools per sqm of land in the world. Most hotels have lap pools, and it is not uncommon for condos to have 50-m pools. Public pools are cheap and clean, except they do not allow the use of paddles during public hours! The only public pool that does allow paddles (and is also a must-visit sports facility) is the OCBC Aquatic Center located in the Singapore Sports Hub. There is also a rooftop pool at Changi airport terminal 1 and a gym, though I haven't tried either myself.
The Sports Hub is a 35-hectare area that is home to the national stadium, an 888m covered running track, gym, tennis courts, volleyball courts, basketball courts, skateparks, sports museum, sports library, and the beautiful OCBC Aquatic Center, with the absolute best pools/locker/shower facilities I've ever seen. The Hub is also accessible via bus and MRT and is connected to the Kallang Wave Mall, which is perfect for post training eats and shopping for athletic gear. For more info on schedules and ticket prices, click here.
The Sports Hub is a 35-hectare area that is home to the national stadium, an 888m covered running track, gym, tennis courts, volleyball courts, basketball courts, skateparks, sports museum, sports library, and the beautiful OCBC Aquatic Center, with the absolute best pools/locker/shower facilities I've ever seen. The Hub is also accessible via bus and MRT and is connected to the Kallang Wave Mall, which is perfect for post training eats and shopping for athletic gear. For more info on schedules and ticket prices, click here.
Running is best done in any of the beautiful public parks, gardens, and running tracks that are free for public use. All are safe and brightly lit well into the evening and in the early morning. Just search which ones are nearest you. One of my favorites would have to be Singapore Botanic Gardens - strikingly beautiful, lush, and green in an otherwise urban area.
Riding outdoors is not as easy because of traffic. Most athletes start at 5 - 5:30am on weekends. I recommend contacting and meeting up with a cycling or triathlon team, as it is safer to ride in groups. My favorite would have to be the RTI (round-the-island) route. You literally cycle around the whole of Singapore in just about 130 km.
PHUKET
Riding outdoors is not as easy because of traffic. Most athletes start at 5 - 5:30am on weekends. I recommend contacting and meeting up with a cycling or triathlon team, as it is safer to ride in groups. My favorite would have to be the RTI (round-the-island) route. You literally cycle around the whole of Singapore in just about 130 km.
PHUKET