Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Tri United 1 - My Sweet Tri Relay Experience

Triathlon is the ultimate fear I have to face next, and in order to be ready for it, I need a good introduction on how it works. So to do it, I need to be where the action is, and better, experience a piece of the action.

Even before my Marathon, I already signed up for relay at Tri United 1. Together with my teammates Sally and Johannah from Team Triabetics, we decided to do it despite our conditions. Sally, a veteran in this field but stopped for more than 5 years because she had her two lovely daughters and Johannah, a swimmer and also a newbie like me in this sport.

So when I miraculously finished my first Marathon almost flawlessly, I gained confidence that we can finish this race despite the 4 hour cut off.

The race was supposed to be in Laiya, Batangas but for some reason it was moved to Subic. It was favorable according to Sally since its near so we can travel easier.

We arrived at Subic Saturday afternoon, a day before the race to claim our race kits at the Convention Center.



Race kit claiming is a breeze. Everything is well organized. First, they'll gonna ask for your name or your team's name then, they'll ask you to show an ID card. After validation, they will put a band on your wrist which is an indication that you checked in. After that, you get your Race Kit and freebies from sponsors. We went through the whole process in less than 5 minutes! Impressive!

Sally checking her bike in.


After that we went to Dungaree Beach for the Bike Check In. It was just around 5 minutes drive from the convention, but you need to walk long in order to reach the area. When we came in, my eyes were amazed to see lanes of very beautiful bikes! From the entry level Roadies to the most expensive Plasma Tri Bikes. How I wish I can pick one and go home. Drooling indeed!


Sally put the stickers on her bike and then puts it on the relay bike lane where there is a slot waiting for it. There is a basket that can be stuffed with things for the transition from swim to bike and to run.



After checking in the bike, we went to Xtremely Xpresso Cafe to have dinner. Before we had dinner, we met up with Coach Norman for a short briefing for tomorrows race. He discussed mainly how the transition will happen. After that, we read the menu and ordered. Glad they can still serve breakfast so I ordered a Spinach Omelet and it was so good! We did not stop at that place for long we decided to go to the hotel and check in because we are already tired from the trip.

"Drug" Session before having dinner. Diabetic medications!


We stayed at a cheap hotel named Herbie's Mansion just a few kilometers away from the Cafe. Its a small room with twin beds that we joined together so the three of us can sleep on it. It's the cheapest one we can find. The aircon is good and the comfort room is clean. This place is perfect for backpackers and transients who needs a place to stay for the night.

The room is comfortable but when I suddenly woke up at around 2pm I wasn't able to go back to sleep again. I was just lying in bed still, just relaxing, thinking about the race that will happen 4 hours from now.

Our trusty phones alarmed at 4AM as expected. We tidied up and left the hotel at 4:45AM. After we got to Dungaree Beach, I accompanied Johannah to the starting line at the beach itself. Seeing it is giving me the chills. It reminds me of my death defying experience. I have phobia in open waters and this is what hinders me to do triathlons. But I want to do it so sooner or later, I will face this fear and I hope to conquer it.



After the gunstart for swim, I watched how the race went. The swimmers look like pushpin heads swarming all over. I am imagining myself doing it. It looks fun but I know it will be tedious work to do 1.5K swim. After seeing Johannah finish, I headed to the Bike Transition Area to assist her then when she's done fixing herself, we headed to the Run Transition Area where we waited for Sally to come in.



It was a dreadful feeling to wait. All the tension I felt when most cyclist already came to the transition area to run. We are worried that Sally might have encountered technical issues with her bike since it's already old and I remembered she told us her Bike Shoes are cracked.

After 2 hours Sally came in and the adrenalin rush started to kick in, maybe not that but all the Sports Drink and the Gel that I have been sipping while waiting just in case she came in anytime I'm already loaded.

I ran in sprint for the first 1 kilometers and that's the biggest mistake I did. I wasn't warmed up and I am not used to the pace so my legs became so sore. I tried walking briskly with it but it still is sore so I walked a few minutes to ease it.

While going to my first loop, I saw two ambulances hurrying to the end of the road. I heard those who are going back that someone fell down and might have had a heart attack. I was wishing it wasn't true but I saw from afar that they are lifting a man to the ambulance. Though this is possible given the condition. At 9AM it was already super scorching hot. The road is so rocky and there's no trees or any shade along the route.

On the first 5 Kilometers I was struggling since it really takes a while for me to warm up, the next kilometers my legs are starting to cooperate, but the heat is starting to get to me. It heat is not only from the rays of the sun, but mostly from the ground. I started to feel goosebumps all over. My vision starts to blur a bit. I am getting so warm.

At the second loop, I saw Sir Eric going back and told me I still got 30 minutes to finish. When I looked at my clock I still need to do 4 Kilometers. My mind is already boggled. 4K in 30 minutes in this extreme weather and condition? Geez! I how can I do this?

At this time, I was always looking at my watch to monitor my pace. To get to the finishline, I need to maintain an average of 7 mins/K pace or else I won't make it. This is not my usual pace so I find it so hard to maintain. I keep on closing my eyes, syncing my breath and blows to keep my lungs from bursting off. Walking is not an option so I need to keep myself cool by showering cold water from the Hydration Stations.

I was feeling so tired already at the last 1 Kilometer. Some triathletes are cheering me along the way. When I saw the timer at the finishline with 2 minutes to go before the 4 hour cut off, I managed to sprint and surprisingly, I made it!

It was the hardest 10K of my life and amazingly I even beat my PR. Handling the relay medals to me teammates makes me feel that I am the hero that day. If I didn't make it for sure I'll take the blame for not making it. Team Triabetics Women's Relay Team represents and finished!


Some photos from the race:

With one of my idol and inspiration, Coach Arnel Aba
Playing at the Run Transition Area with Johanah and Kat while waiting for the Bikers to come in


Thanks to Unilab Active Health, especially to Ms. Janice Ianne Miguel and Ms. Claire Papa for the never ending generosity and belief in my cause. To my Team Triabetics Family for always supporting us. To the staff of Bike King for the smooth and organized race from registration, race kit claiming and up to end of the race. To Sally and Johannah for the teamwork and the great time. To my Mom who's always my number one supporter and most especially to God who provided me with the strength to finish the race no matter how hard is it.

I did not remove the check in band for two days! LOL! :P


After seeing the whole process of how Triathlon works, I now have an idea what to expect if the time comes that I'll do the whole three legs on my own. For now, I'll just focus on training for swim and bike, the two disciplines that I'm not good at so to prepare for my first official triathlon, individually, soon...

Good Vibes everyone and Sweet Running! ^_^

Thursday, March 7, 2013

SWIMBIKERUN.ph Tri Series 2013: Aquathlon, Duathlon and Triathlon

Start the year right and get ready for the inaugural SWIMBIKERUN.ph Tri Series! Be part of SBR.ph’s history and SWIM, BIKE, and RUN with us!

Aquaman registration deadline and SBR.ph Tri-Pack registration ends March 10, 2013!


What is the SWIMBIKERUN.ph Tri Series?

The SBR.ph Tri Series is a 3 stage multisport series designed to be easy enough for newbies yet challenging enough even for the seasoned triathlete.  It is the first ever race series organized by SWIMBIKERUN.ph and will surely be the first in the Philippines in a lot of other things!


Why an Aquathlon, a Duathlon, and then a Triathlon?

“Slowly but surely”. We made the series a 3 stage event because we want everyone to experience the whole multisport journey. Multisport is not just about triathlon. It also has other events like the aquathlon and the duathlon which are also challenging events in their own right.
When are the races and what are the distances?

Here are the new schedules of the SWIMBIKERUN.ph Tri Series 2013

Aquaman Aquathlon

800m swim / 5k run
March 17, 2013
Venue : UP Diliman

Deadline for registration : March 10, 2013

Click here to view complete details of the Aquaman Aquathlon

Duaman Duathlon
3k run / 20k bike / 3k run
April 21, 2013
Venue : Nuvali

Deadline for registration : April 14, 2013

Triman Triathlon

1k swim / 25k bike / 5k run
May 26, 2013
Venue : Ayala Alabang

Deadline for registration : May 19, 2013

Are those race names real?!

Yep! Prepare to be called an Aquaman, a Duaman, and a Triman after crossing the finish line of each stage ;)

Why are they in color and what’s up for grabs?

SBR.ph Tri Series 2013 Medals





SBR.ph Tri Series 2013 Finisher Shirts



Winners Trophies

Sponsors:
Wilier, Pinarello, Cervelo, Zoot, 2XU, Tri Swim, Tri Slide, iRT, Sante Barley, KT Tapes
Arena, Glass Solutions, SLS3, K-Edge, Shotz, Ny Theraspine, Pro Form / Le Tour de France, Fitness and Athletics

Official Drink
Gatorade

Official Eyewear
Rudy Project

Official Timekeeper
Garmin

Media Partners  

SBR.ph / Multisport Magazine / 96.3 Easy Rock

Registration Centers:
Second Wind Running Store (Ortigas Home Depot, Greenhills, Quezon City)
The Brick Multisport Store (McKinley Hill)
The Starting Line (Westgate, Alabang)
Bike King (Boni High Street)

For every stage, all finishers will receive a custom Aquaman, Duaman, and a Triman shirt and medal.  Collectors item? You betcha! Complete all three and you’ll also receive a limited edition 3-fecta reward. :) We’ll post a sample of that really soon!
Is the SBR.ph Tri Series only for newbies?

Definitely not. We designed the distances to be the perfect break in period/speed session for seasoned triathletes as well. We need to train too! :)

Ok, now for the more important stuff, how much and where can I register?

Registration fee for the Aquaman, Duaman, and Triman is Php 1,200. Inclusive of finisher shirt, medal, timing chip, and other goodies from our sponsors. Register for all three (Tri-pack) for only Php 3,000! A 200 pesos discount per event! Cool eh? :)

Registration Procedures :
You have 2 ways to register

1. Via our official registration centers:

Second Wind Running Store (Ortigas, Greenhills, Quezon City)
The Brick Multisport Store (Mc Kinley Hill)
The Starting Line (Westgate, Alabang)

2. Online via SWIMBIKERUN.ph

Online Registration Steps


1. DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM (Click the link to download registration form)
2. Deposit payment to :

Carlos de Guzman
Bank of the Philippine Islands
3379-0967-69

3. Send completed registration form along with the deposit slip (with your name) to admin@swimbikerun.ph

4. Keep a copy of the completed registration form and the deposit slip for safekeeping.

SWIMBIKERUN.ph Tri Series 2013
RACE INFO
AQUATHLON | DUATHLON | TRIATHLON

• Aquaman Aquathlon | 800m Swim – 5k Run | UP Diliman
• Duaman Duathlon | 3k Run – 20km Bike – 3km Run | Nuvali
• Triman Triathlon | 1km Swim – 30km Bike – 5km Run | Ayala Alabang

Registration Fees:

Aquaman | Duaman | Triman
Php 1,200

Tripack (Aquaman, Duaman, Triman Package)
Php 3,000

Entry is non-refundable, non-transferable and non-applicable
to future races. Race numbers are non-transferable.


Prizes/Categories:

Top 3 Overall Male / Female
Php 5,000, Php 3,000, Php 1,000 and trophies respectively

Male Age Categories
• Trophies for Top 3 16~19 yrs, 20~24, 25~29, 30~34,35~39,
40~44, 45~49, 50 & over
Female Age Categories
• Trophies for Top 3 16~19 yrs, 20~24, 25~29, 30~34,35~39,
40~44, 45~49, 50 & over

Finisher shirt and medal for all participants.
Refreshments before, during, and after the race.

Other reminders:

NO HELMET, NO ENTRY, NO REFUND.
FOLDING BIKES ARE ALLOWED
MOUNTAIN BIKES ARE ALLOWED


For more information, please visit http://www.swimbikerun.ph/posts/tri-series/about-the-tri-series/