Paul Arden | Tuesday, 3 February 2026
Throughout the Wet Season my physical training was on the back burner. Often it was one long run and one long ride per week. And then usually only every second week because I had fishing guests visiting on alternate weeks. Interestingly I haven’t lost a lot of fitness and partly because I have managed to eat less. So I haven’t put on weight either. But I’m not Ironman fit now, that’s for sure. Much more of this however and I think I would certainly be going backwards.
And then last week Ironman Malaysio Nov 21st opened its doors. I ummed and aahed and paid up 30 seconds later. The point about this is that I’m now back in training and loving it. IM training is usually 13-15hrs weekly for me. I can be more, and never less than 10 which would certainly be a light week.
And that of course is the reason why I do it. Having the goal to survive another IM here in the tropics makes me train. Which in turn means I can live an outdoors fishing life, carry petrol and outboards up and down the Stairs of Doom and maybe even live a longer active life. And I enjoy it too, which is important. But I find the challenging goal to be necessary.
It’s the same with flycasting. This is why many people become instructors. Not to teach but instead to test and improve themselves as casters. It’s why we created the Sexyloops flycasting challenge, for people who want to test themselves as casters of a similar level but without the teaching requirement. It’s often why we compete too.
Goals are important. Whether that’s casting a full line to the backing, passing 100’, being able to hit more 2’ targets than miss, or become a World Champion.
I am definitely not going to win the Malaysian Ironman! I hope to finish and I have some goals in it, but that’s not my reason for doing it. My reason is for the 600 hours of structured training between now and then and the remarkable feeling of fitness it gives me. I always feel invincible after an Ironman.
I plan to expand on the Sexyloops Challenge. Some Speys into targets would be a good inclusion in the next level. Maybe combined with presentation casts in the level above. Perhaps a rapid fire round for quick shots. As well as some left handed stuff, for right handers, and right-handed stuff for lefties of course. I suspect here at Sexyloops there will be more interest in the Jedi Level!
Here on the lake it’s been windy for what seems like an eternity but maybe only five days. Day and night it’s windy. With gusts up to 20mph. I don’t remember it being like this before. The water feels cold too although it’s probably about 28C. And all this means that when I do find a set of babies then the adults breathe less often.
But that’s fine and I have a lot of work to be doing. If you are interested in Sungai Tiang then let me know. I’m going to tie some flies and make a trip up there soon.
Have a great week!
Cheers, Paul