They say difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations. The island of Bintan is that. For a country seemingly close to ours, we traveled for almost 6 hours – 3 hour flight from Manila to Singapore + 30 minute bus ride from Changi airport to Tanah Merah ferry terminal + another hour and 15 minutes ferry ride to our final destination – Bintan Lagoon Resort (BLR). We chose the resort as it offered special rate for IM participants. The rate includes shuttle service from the hotel to the race venue (about 8 kms from the hotel), daily buffet breakfast and complimentary use of facilities (gym, pool, gorgeous fine, white sand beach) plus bike transfer from the resort to race venue (which I hope they will do too here in Manila). The ferry docked right at the resort, few meters away from the check in station. Since we arrived at the hotel at around 10 am, we decided to have brunch while we wait for our room. I like the lobby of BLR – open, airy, really resort-y.

The lobby also had a view of its oh- so-inviting pool.

After waiting for about 3 hours, one of the room was finally ready – huge, king sized bed with seaview as requested. The room was big enough to fit all 5 of us but the hotel said they have a policy of max of 3 adults in a room 🤷‍♀️

panoramic view from the room

After an hour, the other room was ready. We took a much needed shower and nap before heading out to have an early dinner so we can rest. We ate at The Terrace where the food and ambience was great. We got pizza, chicken satay, salad and burger.

We wandered a bit after our early dinner and took some photos 😊

Saturday

We all had a long, good night sleep and headed to a hearty buffet breakfast at their Fiesta restaurant. The restaurant had a good selection of international breakfast items. I wanted to stay here all day but we had to check in for the race.

Around 9 am, Manny and I headed to Plaza Lagoi for athlete as well as bike check in. We wanted to finish early so we can have adequate rest for race day.

found our names!

fun photo op at the expo

checked out the swim course

Sunday, race day

I didnt get much sleep but there’s no backing out now.

CR wefie 😂

There were over a thousand athletes from 57 countries, Philippines being the 4th country with most number of athletes.

Compared to our past races, i like this size. We had plenty of space in the holding area while we wait for our swim turn (unlike in Cebu and Davao where its like being inside a sardine can). We had to walk a good 100m into the shallow ocean before finally being able to swim. The water was calm, waveless but only the inside lane had buoys. I stayed out of the lane to avoid getting kicked and pulled and this resulted to being off course several times but still happy I had a decent swim at 52 minutes.

Don my helmet, shades, slathered sunblock and headed into the bike course. Bintan as I read was famous for its rolling hills. And they were not kidding! It felt like every other kilometer was uphill (up hell!) but fast downhills (which unfortunately I dont like 😨). Traversing the first 20 kms in close to an hour, I congratulated myself. Then it all happened in a flash. Fast drop going down, I felt I’m unable to stop and I saw the traffic guy telling me to stop (road is not closed to public btw). Next thing I know I was in a van being brought to the medical tent. They handed me my cracked helmet and crushed bike computer and my bike was also transported at the back of the van.

At the medical tent, two doctors attended to me. They asked what happened (which I can’t recall ) and just asked me to rest. With a cracked helmet and distorted seat post, I dont think I’m in any condition to continue the bike leg. About ten minutes of resting, I told them I’m feeling fine and asked if I can run the 21k course. Both doctors physically checked my head, my eyes and cleared me good to go. So I ran the 21k slowly because why not? I have all the time in the race to finish a half marathon. Crossed the finishline unhappy and feeling unacomplished 😔

😔

Went to bike transition, grabbed Manny’s phone and waited for Manny at the finish line.

I’ve no doubt he will cross the finish line and I’m glad that at least one of us was able to finish this difficult race.

Bintan is a great place to race. The 1.9km swim course is every average swimmer’s dream (that’s me ✋); 90km single loop rolling bike course is a challenge for below average cyclist (that’s me ✋) but doable I think. The 21k, 2-loop flat course is definitely a joy to run (minus the heat of course). Kudos to the organizers for a very well organized race. You’ll never go hungry nor thirsty in the run course (and the bike course too as I learned from Manny) with its hydration and nutrition station with water, pocari sweat, cola, ice bath along with local breads, bananas, watermelon and gels.

I also love the giveaways – backpack, water bottle & luggage tag.

Plus the finisher’s stuff – cool shirt, towel & the medal.

Grabbed photos.

Got my CT scan results and relieved everything’s good 🙏

Thank you Bintan. My ❤ is broken (pride too) for not finishing the race. Have some lessons learned though. To say that it was a memorable experience is an understatement. Maybe I’ll see you again sometime.

p.s. in case you want to read my other posts about our IM experience 😊👇

https://norhene.wordpress.com/2017/09/03/ironman-cebu/

https://norhene.wordpress.com/2018/04/02/our-2nd-70-3-ironman-davao/

https://norhene.wordpress.com/2019/03/31/4th-him-2nd-in-davao/