This Year Reel Runner will TRI

Athletes constantly push their bodies to the limit. Joggers run. Sprinters run farther. Marathoners try Ultramarathons. But no other event tests your bodies limit better than the Ironman. Not the comic character billionaire turned metalhead protector of mankind Tony Stark. The Ironman is a series of three distance activities done without rest. Most athletes think this is the Holy Grail of endurance sports.

(Not this Ironman)

(This Ironman)

Like Marathons, Ironman Events are classified whether it is a half or a full Ironman. A half Ironman event spans a total of 70.3 miles and is divided into a 1.9 Km Swim followed by a 90 Km bike and ends with a 21.1 Km Run. Double that and you have a full Ironman Event. Appropriately called a Triathlon, the Ironman started in Hawaii in 1978 and is the most prestigious and honorable Ironman Event. Held once a year, Triathletes have to qualify to join this event. With a cut of time of 17 hours, endurance athletes battle with their bodies limits to make it to the finish. Although not regarded as an Ironman event, the sport of Triathlon was added to the Olympics last 2000 and is set at a distance of 1.5 Km swin, 40 Km Bike and a 10 Km run.

Filipinos have not been behind in the Triathlon scene. We have produced internationally competitive athletes like Noy Jopson and Arland Macasieb. Both world class triathletes and Philippine record holders for the Triathlon. Noy Jopson won the 2009 1st Cobra Ironman Philippines in 4 hours 38 minutes 33 secs and only 7 minutes ahead of Arland Macasieb.

This year, Reel Runner is eyeing to join the next Cobra Ironman in Camarines Sur. I want to test my limits not only in running but also in swimming and cycling. I have not used my bike since college and had not trained in swimming ever. I am hoping friends from the Gym are willing to train with me in conquering my first Triathlon.

For more info on the Cobra Ironman Philippines, visit www.ironman703phil.com