“I wanted to lose some weight as I was quite chubby,” recalled the 37-year-old school teacher. Thus began her unexpected journey towards becoming an Ironman athlete.
At the gym, Lee became acquainted with several triathletes and trained with them. She got herself a bicycle and started to train how to ride well, remarking that it was quite a challenge learning how to cycle with clip-in shoes.
Two years later, she participated in the 1.5 km swimming event of the Port Dickson International Triathlon as part of a relay team.
“I loved the challenge and the adrenaline rush,” she said.
A triathlon consists of a swim, a bicycle ride and a marathon run, done back-to-back.
In 2016, Lee competed again in the PD triathlon, but this time as an individual participant.
“Many people were sceptical. They said I was crazy, that I ran funny and that I didn’t have what it takes to complete the race,” she told FMT, adding that it made her feel small at the time.
However, she was determined to prove them wrong, and kept on training. And prove them wrong she did, completing the race in style.
Soon after, she signed up for her first Ironman triathlon in Western Australia, a race consisting of a 3.8-km swim, a 180-km bicycle ride and a 42.2-km run.
“It’s like cycling from KL to Ipoh, and then running from Putrajaya to Kepong,” she said, laughing.
Lee knew she was ready for the big event and, as a form of motivation, called herself “Cikgu Besi”.
She says she was considered a “finisher” in the triathlon but it was “a rather frustrating experience” because the swimming event was cancelled after sharks were spotted in the sea and the cycling event was cut short due to bushfires.
A year later, Lee competed in Ironman Malaysia in Langkawi, an event that remains especially close to her heart as her parents and sister had flown all the way from Seremban to the island to support her.
Lee explained that triathlons are not just about being physically fit.
“You have to be strong mentally as well as it’s a long race and, once your mind gives up, your body follows suit.”
Lee admitted that she’s had the most misadventures during cycling as she often “bonks”- an athletic term for the condition when one’s muscles are depleted of glycogen.
“I’ve even had to call the highway patrol truck to rescue me once,” she said, adding that in hindsight, these were the episodes that made her journey more memorable.
Lee also said that Ironman is quite an expensive sport. Besides the entry fee of about US$600, one needed to also acquire various pieces of equipment.
“But the satisfaction that one gets is priceless.”
For those considering training for a triathlon, Lee said, “Just do it, as the right time to start is always now”.
“Don’t think too much or allow your fears to hold you back; have faith in your training and the rest will follow.”
She also says to not be overwhelmed with the abundance of information available on training, gear and nutrition.
“At the end of the day, it is important to listen to your body; you will eventually learn what works best for you.”
Lee said one can start from scratch and should not let age be a limiting factor.
“Growing up, I was never athletic. In fact, the only exercise I ever did was to walk around the mall,” she said with a laugh.
“Ultimately, you have to enjoy the process; don’t think of it as a chore.”
She said she found training therapeutic as it was a form of escapism for her. “I’m more positive and a lot happier now,” she said, admitting that she used to grapple with low self-esteem at one time.
“I’ve passed that stage; I now just focus on what I love doing and, even if I can’t lose the extra five kg it doesn’t matter because I’m comfortable in my own skin.”
Check out Cikgu Besi’s adventures on Instagram.