Extri 2015

December 5, 2015
La Luz Resort, San Juan, Batangas
Off road triathlon
1K - 23K - 4K

Registration

Bike rack and transition 1 prep

Race briefing

Finish line

waiting for the start

Start

Swim leg

Enjoying the sand ... NOT

Transition 1 exit

Transition 2 exit and finish line - 1:43 - 5th over all

After race snack

Wearing the event souvenir shirt with my teammate RG of Puro Tri

2016 Triathlon Race Calendar version 1

2016 Triathlon Race Calendar version 1
Please click the image to enlarge.
Hope this could help you plan for your 2016 race schedule.




Run United Philippine Marathon

For the 2nd time, I ran the RUPM last October 4, 2015. There were four of us from Puro Tri Triathlon Team running the 42K. The starting line was a long walk from my hotel room at Microtel MOA, it was a good warm up though. I had a right quad problem just days before the marathon and my last long run was on the month of August during the Milo 21K, in fact all of my training runs were from 20 to 40 minutes, so I wasn't expecting too much. 


The four of us started side by side but soon we got separated. The course was easy and flat. The weather was fine and the early start made it even easier to run. There were approximately 3,000 marathoners all hoping for a strong finish. The hydration stations were more than enough and I saw some stations with bananas being offered. For the first time ever in my experience, the post race venue was airconditioned. 

With Brooks, Reggie and RG

I ran the first 22 kilometers conservatively, walking at some points of the route until I decided to just run the remaining 20K and see if my right quad will hold up. I had a good run until the 38th kilometer where I felt some pain on my right leg. I finished in 4:56. 

The final medal in the Run United Series 

I saw Chad, a triathlete from my age group, at the winners' holding area. Apparently he finished 3rd among foreign runners. We had a long chat catching up with our own race adventures and experiences. When I went inside the airconditioned Esplanade there was already a short line building up for the finisher photo and shirt. 



 Looking Haggard At Philippines' Kilometer ZERO with the Controversial Torre de Manila at the background


I was glad to run this event but if I had known Subaru Marathon would be around the same date I might not register here not because of any gripe but just so I could run a different marathon. 



Inside One Esplanade the post race venue

Just like any fun run the one thing I complain about is that the sheer number of runners made it impossible to start at or near the front. If you're like me, dreaming of running under 3:30 ;), I guess it would be nice for the organizers to allow some runners a seeded start. But regarding how RUPM was organized I can't think of any reason to not experience it. This marathon could very well be the most organized one in Manila.

Aboitiz Tri 2015

September 12
1.5K - 40K - 10K

The Place
Pico de Loro Cove is nice, it's got a long beach with mountains on either side. The cove is pronounced on both sides extending quite far from the shoreline. With modern facilities situated on the the beach it is quite easy to pamper yourself. The ballroom area where registration and briefing would take place is a little bit far from the beach though. I parked near the beach/starting line and walked along the pathways surrounding a lagoon with hotels and condominiums lining up around it. The pathway is part of the run course and walking on it going to the registration area was a good way for me to gauge how hard or easy it's gonna be later in the afternoon. With its lush greenery around the lagoon, calm is everywhere. Peace in the midst of racing; this is gonna feel awesome.


The Registration 
Right outside the ballroom is an airconditioned, carpeted waiting area devoted for race pack claiming and booths from some of the well known brands in triathlon. I received a red transition bag, race numbers and stickers, timing chip, and a red souvenir shirt. But of course I still have to race to get that finisher's medal bleh.


The Lunch
We had lunch on a tent right beside the finish line. It was hot but convenient. It's in a place sandwiched by a beautiful beach in front and a lagoon and mountains at the back. Ah life is good.



The Briefing
After having lunch I rode on a shuttle car going to the ballroom for the race briefing. It was already under way and heard some good tips from the speaker regarding the approach on the race course. This is an afternoon race and one of the benefits is the time to prepare is more relaxed especially for that one last visit to the toilet for race day jitters. The ballroom area is the best place I've seen in a triathlon toilet bar none hah!


The Race
To tell you the truth just by looking at the startlist I was hoping for a podium finish but days before the race I got sick and quite frankly I didn't know what to expect but my ego was still hopeful. The strategy was to go hard on the swim, relax on the bike and run the fastest towards the finish line. I prepared hard for the swim and run and my time trial on both disciplines were actually excellent before I got sick so it wouldn't be a sin to hope for the best right? When it all started it just didn't seem right, the swim took more effort and the second loop was slower even if the field was already thin at that point. I wasn't huffing and puffing but I was tiring going to transition 1. The plan wasn't happening ;( and on the bike course I was able to watch how the gap became larger with each turnaround and the stop watch was ticking way faster than I could imagine. On the run course I was already walking on some parts of the route just to catch my breath. I was 6th in my age group and the third placer was a good 3 minutes ahead of me. Looking back there was really nothing I could do to change the outcome, I was tired and I played the part. Worst thing..? I got a fever after it was over luckily I bought some medicines with me. 


The Thoughts
The field was small and I liked it that way. There were lots of official photographers on the the race course. The place is paradise everyone would enjoy playing in it. The steep uphill on the bike course was challenging. The run around the lagoon made me appreciate the sport even more. Would I recommend Aboitiz Tri? Wouldn't you?


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