Pinoy Triathlon

Zero!

draft

How did I come to this? Zero race for the month of April. With much of my Sundays devoted to work, I didn't have the time to even join a fun run. This is the first month that I haven't joined a race since the start of 2012. Last year my addiction to the sport led me to join more than 24 events. But this year I don't think that's gonna happen. So does joining races make me faster? Well my answer to that is yes and no. Yes because it definitely motivated me and since my workouts were mostly low mileage and low intensity exercises I treat races as my hard workout days. And no because sometimes they just get me all banged up and put a big hole in my training schedule.

One Sunday Morning

My long bike rides nowadays are few and far between just like my planned races for the year so when a reunion was set at Laiya, San Juan, Batangas I was glad to tag along and use my road bike for some 60 plus kilometers of lung busting ride. I started in Lucena City and it took me more than 2 hours to reach Palm Beach which is actually located in Barangay Hugom just after Laiya. It is the beach just next to La Luz Resort where an off road triathlon is held every December.

With my daughter at approximately 100 meters out

After 62 kilometers of solo ride

After a short hike to a hill rock with La Luz Resort as the backdrop

New Balance NB1090: Long Runs, Here I Come!

Here's hoping for longer distances with this pair and a Shuffle

These trainers were on my wish list for some time now, just waiting for the price to go down. Last Saturday I found it at 30 percent off / 3 months to pay so I grabbed a pair in Glorietta and run on it at Bonifacio High Street. My initial impression was that it's light and well cushioned compared to my 10K shoes, the New Balance 1400 which is a lightweight with minimal support. Actually I won't be using these shoes for much of my runs, that privilege goes to my oldest and heaviest New Balance pair, but for longer races which I plan to enter (IM distance perhaps).

Swimming with Puro Tri Team

by Camille

I’m not sure if my dad is considered as a member of Puro Tri Team (formerly Team Beacon), but let’s just say he is. My dad went to San Beda Alabang to give tips to his friend and teammate about swimming and I accompanied him so I can demo drills and stuff. I’m familiar with the drills, but not what they’re called so I kept asking stupidly what that drill is, like catch up, roll over and things like that. It wasn't much of a job so I mostly just sat there waiting for my dad and his friends (Reggie and Norman) to finish. The place was pretty quiet, which was good since it's like we have the place to ourselves but I found the bathroom creepy since I was alone and when I went to shower I found blood on the floor. I just used the outdoor shower instead.

With Norman and Reggie on April 6

Good Friday Run Alternative

I missed the boat again. Just like Holy Tuesday's Penitensya Ride that I missed, this time it's the 3 am uphill run to the famous Kamay ni Hesus where thousands of pilgrims wake up early and do the ascent. 25K at more than 1,600 ft... yeah that's what i missed being a sleepyhead yesterday. My kid's 'yaya' woke me up at around 2:30 am and told her I'm still feeling sleepy then my friend called who was already waiting at the meeting place and I told him the same. In the afternoon, to make up some lost sacrifice and workout I went out with my MTB and hit the trails and also took a picture of our saint (Saint Peter) in the procession of our parish.

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Procession after the Last 7 Words with our St. Peter being pulled

Biking at an ongoing government road project

Bisikleta Iglesia 2013

I wasn't able to join our group's 'penitence ride' last Tuesday so I made sure I can join our little 'Bisikleta Iglesia' this Maundy Thursday. There are only 3 of us who made it, my friend Pot and his daughter Rain, both are triathletes by the way. The plan was to pray at the 7 churches from Tayabas, Quezon to Liliw, Laguna but the rain that poured on our fifth stop changed our intended route. Here are the images of us and the places we visited. Readers are welcome to join us next year for our annual 'penitensya ride', 'bisikleta iglesia' and Good Friday run' to Kamay ni Hesus all the way to the top of the hill.

Minor Basilica in Tayabas, Quezon - Kamay ni Hesus in Lucban - and Lucban, Quezon town church

Holy Rosary Seminary in Lucban at approximately 1,500 ft above sea level

Holy Rosary Parish in Luisiana, Laguna where rain caught up with us

St. Catherine's in Pagbilao, Quezon

Holy Face of Jesus Parish in Lucena City... our last stop

Tri United 1 2013

Race Report by Camille - draft

Yep. This is really a report of my dad’s race. Sorry if I’m kinda late, it’s our finals week anyway.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Woke up at 4 in the morning. Didn’t even bother to shower or anything, just switched my pajamas for trousers (look! I just used the word trousers!). Dragged myself out of bed and went to the car to sleep again.

Senator Pia Cayetano waiting for gunstart

Woke up at 5:38 AM to find that I’m already at Dungaree Beach (The venue for the race). Slept again.

Woke up again at 6:39 AM to find my mother shaking me from my dream about creepy Japanese horrors. Found out that I missed the start of swimming but that’s alright cause the fee for entering the beach is way expensive if you’re only going to watch the race. It’s 200 pesos by the way.

Racking up the bike at Transition Area

Waited beside the transition area so I can get a picture of my father basking in his own awesomeness ;)

Oh I almost forgot, I saw Melai of PBB there. Ambushing triathletes with “HEY!” just like Jennifer Lawrence in The Silver Linings Playbook. I even passed by Erwan Heussaff. But don’t worry, I didn’t go snapping pictures of him like a mad man. I kept my cool and discreetly took a picture of him.

Matteo Guidicelli being interviewed after the swim

Waited some more and there he is. My father. Basking in the glory of his awesomeness.

I ran to the finish line when I saw my dad starting to run. So you know, I’ll be able to take a picture of his finale.

The sun was shining down on us and it was crammed over there so I can’t help but feel annoyed because I despise the hot weather. I prefer the weather of London. Even though I haven’t experienced it first hand, I just know okay?

After waiting for a long time --of course it’s a long time, it’s 10 kilometers guys!-- my dad finally came and he didn’t even show mercy on the guy in front of him.

With a time of 2:37 Paps placed twelfth in his age group.

2:37!

Hydration Stations: Typical multi-sports race where water and energy drink is abundant.

Route: The venue was moved from Laiya, San Juan, Batangas to Subic Bay Freeport. The swim at Dungaree Beach was a nice starting point, the bike route was relatively flat along a scenic seaside drive and the run route was an easy 10k beside the airport with the bay as our view.

First few meters of run route

Cheering: Triathlon is usually a big family event where members cheer for the participants and teammates and this was no different but the addition of the presence of ABS-CBN talent Melai holding the mike, it’s really crazy fun out there.

Celebrity: Not sure but here goes.. Isabelle Daza, Erwan Heusaf,Drew Arellano,Matteo Guidicelli, Paolo Abrera

Traffic Management: Great.

Marshals: There were enough at every key area.

T-shirt: Awesome black Tee

Medal: Excellent

The pink band was worn after claiming the race kit, medal is TRIangular :D

Injuries: None.

The Bad: My heartfelt sympathy and prayers to Mr. Raymond Cruz and his family. I was taking pictures of my dad at the transition area when the ambulance was called and it sped in front of us.

Resolution

Last year was a learning experience for me with more than a handful of different races that I joined. The knowledge gained was a lot and some of it led me to think of the values of fitness that multi-sports has given me. As I move forward hoping to get faster and race longer there are certain things I vow not to do this 2013.

Duathlon is brutal to my legs... gotta take care them legs

1. I won't try to run fast on fun runs with distances going over 10K. - I find running a bit hard on my body more so on parts that already went through some nasty injuries when I was younger so running hard or fast is kind of counter productive to my health goals.

2. Chasing personal records is off the book for now. - It gave me tons of satisfaction whenever I achieve a new level of 'being fast' but sometimes it is the best recipe for disaster and again this ain't a healthy option.

3. No duathlons for now. - This sport is excruciatingly painful for a wimpy triathlete like me. ITBS and all.

4. I'll be choosy. - Maybe not the kind of choosy that comes to your mind. I'll choose the races that will complement my ultimate goal whatever that goal is. Last year I wanted to do good at White Rock Triathlon and my injuries from a tune up fun run limited me in some ways... so maybe it wasn't the run but how I got carried away with the tune up.

...to be continued