REEL RUNNING: Cobra Ironman

Showing posts with label Cobra Ironman. Show all posts

Friday, November 23, 2012

I am joining the 2013 Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines

I was just given the approval to join the next Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines in Cebu, Philippines. I can't wait to register this December 1, 2012.

I missed the 2011 edition of the Ironman 70.3 Philippines since I had already raced in the Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore and will only race once a year. This year, as part of my Adult Pulmonary Medicine fellowship Medical training, I was in Palawan for our Midyear Convention while the participants raced the streets of Cebu last August 2012. Next year, despite the lack of time for serious training I will join the Ironman 70.3 Philippines to be one with my team mates (Team Reborn). I will not aim for a fast finish but will try to do my best to finish strong despite the lack of time to follow our training program.

I am so excited to resume fitness training once again. I have been trying to lose weight to compensate for my lack of training. If I can't commit to long training hours to increase fitness power then I need to lighten up to improve performance. I hope to be 68 kilos on race day. We, Team Reborn, have been keeping track of our weight, Body mass index and body fat percentage and So far I am on track. Started with 77 kilos prior to resuming training and have lost more than 5 kilos in the past 8 weeks. I will soon blog about how I lost weight properly despite my busy schedule. I am now as healthy as I was 2 years ago when I joined my first Ironman 70.3 race. I still have to lose a few centimeters of fat in my midsection which I accumulated from not exercising and eating more than I should. This time, I am determined to lose weight and control my diet.

I want to be an Ironman once again. With God's help, I will be successful in my Adult Pulmonary Medicine training and Ironman 70.3 training next year.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Priorities. Which is more important?

The Athlete in me screams “Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines!” while the Doctor in me whispers “Diplomate Exam”. I have laid off triathlon training for 2 purposes: (1) to let my bum right knee heal from Pes Anserine Bursitis and (2) to prepare for my Diplomate Exam. My weight has been fluctuating for weeks since I finished the Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore last March. With no target races planned until December, I have been doing minimal run training of only 15-20K a week. My bike training is as unpredictable as the wind. Swimming is always a joy since I can just hang out at the pool (and not swim) and call it an easy swim. My team mates from Team Reborn are starting to get used to me skipping team workouts. “I am in recovery” I explained. “A Loooooong Recovery”.

A few months back, I joined this contest I saw in Facebook where the winner will be given a free 2011 Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines registration and represent their product in the event. The company was looking for health enthusiasts who can write/ blog about the things they do when they train. Naturally, I joined. I submitted a couple of articles I composed before, during and after the last Cobra Ironman. I have never won anything my entire life and do not expect this to be my first time. I wanted to win but I was more realistic. So many filipino bloggers. So many runners. Very slim chance.

Then the unexpected happens. Last May 25, I got an email from the Contest with a subject that caused my heart to beat 3 times faster. It said in bold letters, “Congratulations! You are our Gatorade Ironman!” Yup. That’s right. GATORADE! I was ecstatic! But confused at the same time. This is the first time I won in any contest ever but I can’t accept the prize. I hurried to the gym (where my team mates are training) and asked for advice from my mates. All of them were happy but most of them replied “There is always a next time”. All of them reminded me to stick to my priorities.

With much hesitation, I replied to the Gatorade Email. I started my letter with a big “Thank you” and ended with a sad “No. I am very sorry but I can’t join this year’s race.” I have to be honest and explain to them that I have to take my scheduled exams on that month and I need to prepare. As much as I wanted to, I can’t accept the prize. Some other fellow may be wanting and deserving of the prize than me. I also mentioned in my reply that maybe they can extend to me their support when I join the 2012 Cobra Ironman Philippines.

Happy and yet sad at the same time, I need to stick to my priorities. There will always be another race. I hope my good fortune will bring me favorable results during my upcoming certifying exams. I will need it.

Monday, August 30, 2010

COBRA Ironman 70.3 Philippines: A Test of Faith

My legs had at least 3 years running experience when elite triathlete Noy Jopson convinced me to join this year’s Ironman event. He taught me swimming and cycling techniques necessary for long distance triathlon. Despite my panicking during the swim and weakness on the bike, I was always atoned by my running skills. In every race I pray that I reach the run leg for me to be assured of the finish.

Training was not easy. No wonder Noy is such a great athlete. We, TEAM REBORN, trained with him 12 weeks prior to the Cobra Ironman race and were always drained after every session. He is also a strict coach. We never let Noy see us slacking off. The training program he provided the team demanded not only our time but all our energies as well. Disciplines include swim training, cycling, running, gym training, core training, yoga/ pilates sessions and 2 or more combinations. Hot weather in Camsur was expected so we also trained at least twice a week at or until noon. We were preparing for the worst.

But unpredictable moments are common in multisport races and training. I suffered from colds and cough 2 weeks before race day and was getting worse. While anxious due to breathing concerns, I started having loose bowel movements five days before the race which made it difficult to hydrate and carbo-load. I was getting more anxious and panicky. I loaded myself with all the medications I can think of but believed I needed more. I prayed and begged that I be healthier on race day.

It is a custom for Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) members to attend mass a day before the race and ask for divine providence. I had to thank God again and again for all the blessings He had showered on me since I started training and it was the perfect time to ask for good health. I asked fellow Team Reborn and CERC member Annie if she wanted to go with me together with her supportive husband, Jet. All three of us attended mass. With my current condition, I prayed hard that I survive the race.

Race day. I was up by 2:30 am and started my usual race day routine. Ensaymada and banana for breakfast followed by all my medications including my daily FRS energy supplement. The trip to CWC lasted 10-15 minutes and I spent it praying and thanking God for giving me the opportunity to fulfill a dream. I prayed for a good race and for a strong will and body. Everything except my uniforms and waterbottles were already checked-in at the race venue so all I had to do was wait for gun start. After final preparations for the bike and run leg, the team rounded up and started a prayer. We then wished each other good luck and proceeded to the starting line.

GO!!! With very poor visibility in Lago del Ray, it was somehow predictable that I panicked during the swim leg. “God, please help me finish the swim leg” I prayed. Out of the water I then proceeded with the Bike leg. Despite having the entire course free of traffic, accidents still happen while cycling. Whenever I can, I prayed the rosary which is a practice I have when running marathons. After pedaling 90 kilometers, I was now in my comfort zone. However, running 21 kilometers under extreme heat after swimming and cycling is not easy. Cramps and dehydration set in while muscle fatigue ruin your running form. After 2 loops of the run course, the finish line was visible. “Three kilometers to glory” I said to myself. With friends cheering and the booming voice of the announcer shouting out names of the finishers as they crossed the line in the background, my heart beat faster as I drew near. Then suddenly, everything was a blur. Next thing I knew, I felt the finish line tape already in my hands. The surge of emotions was overwhelming: relief, happiness, fulfillment and gratitude. I finished strong in 5 hours and 39 minutes. All my prayers were answered. As I victoriously raised my fists up high, I thanked God for giving me a perfect race.

(Photo Credits from J.Cua, C.Cases, A. Ansaldo, J. Perez, J. Neric and Timex Facebook Page)

Published in SunStar Newspaper August 29, 2010 in John Pages Sports Talk Column

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

CamSur Here we Come!!!

Trained by Cobra Ironman Filipino Elite Defending Champion Noy Jopson, We (Team Reborn) are heading to Camarines Sur for the 2010 Cobra 70.3 Ironman Philippines. We endured. We are determined. We are ready.

We wake-up very early almost everyday to train. We ran under almost all weather conditions. We rode our bikes to distances we never thought we can reach.

Coach pushed us. He made us bike 90 Km then run 8 Km with fast-slow intervals immediately after. He made us swim 2 Km an hour after running 18 Km. He made us do track workouts almost to the point of exhaustion. He made us swim really hard until we drink pool water more than we can breath air. And he made us do it almost everyday. Rest days meant swimming in the pool for 30 minutes and doing core and strengthening exercises in the gym. Easy days meant running in the treadmill for 90 minutes with increasing pace and elevation or trail running for 21 Km at the "Hills" of Budlaan. Coach was never good with using adjectives like Easy, Moderate or Hard.

The Pay-off?

CITIUS. ALTIUS. FORTIUS.

Faster. Higher. Stronger.

The Result?