REEL TRIATHLON Begins

I am a runner. I started running after Dr. Alex Junia challenged me to run 10K with him. I will never forget his words of encouragement, "If I can do it with this body, So can you." He is a happy runner who inspires people by telling him his stories of finishing at least 5 full marathons with an overweight physique. I accepted his challenge and finished the 10K with him. I never thought finishing a 10K run would make me feel elated.

 (STC Run)

I thought it was just for running. But then I experienced the same emotions after I finished my first triathlon event.

 (With runner Awi Saavedra at the Transition Area)

I was blessed. I met friends who inspired me to follow my dream. Since college, I have always been fascinated by triathletes competing in the Ironman. It was a feat not easily accomplished. Anybody can run a distance but not everybody can swim then bike and run in one event. It entails discipline, determination and patience. Training  for one sport is hard enough let alone three.

(With Arland, Lhoriz, Noy and RUNNR Staff)

Everything fell into place as if God wants me to fulfill my dream. I met Filipino Elite Ironman Champion Noy Jopson and another Filipino Elite Arland Macasieb in one of the local running races in Cebu. We talked about a different race which Noy was directing and eventually talked about the triathlon. I then disclosed to Noy about my dream. They then convinced me that if I do not drown when I swim in the pool then I can more likely finish a triathlon if I train for it. Eureka!!! I will become a triathlete.

(Start of Swim during the SPEEDO event with Tyrone, Noy, Oli, Joseph and Redg)

But where do I start? I asked Arland for advise and told me to get a swim coach as swimming is the most technical part of triathlon. And so I did. Noy Jopson taught me how to swim efficiently and gave me swimming drills. Improve my form was the goal and slowly build endurance. I also got swimming tips from the swim instructor at Holiday Gym, James. When he is not busy teaching beginners to swim, he tells me what I need to work on during the swim phase of the triathlon. Although I have been swimming since childhood, I owe my swimming endurance to Noy and James.  

(Lunch with the crew at Tavern)

(Bike Transition with Aubrey)

Noy not only teaches me swimming skills but also gives me cycling lessons. He tells me to maximize my leg muscles and distribute the work to all major leg muscle groups. Spinning is key to triathlon cycling as this saves you enough leg power for the running phase.

(Awarding Ceremony)

(With Endurance man Brother Carlo Bacalla)

(With Awi, Noy and Redg at the Finishline)

After 6 weeks training, I joined the SPEEDO National Age group Sprint Triathlon in Plantation Bay. I was so excited and anxious that I slept only 3 hours the night prior to the race. We assembled at 6AM and prepared all our gear. After 2 hours and 11 mins, I crossed the finish line. I was ecstatic. I finished 3rd among all the other participants in my age group and landed me a podium finish. I remember Noy's cousin Redg telling me the day before the race "Just finish the race. A podium finish is just a bonus. Just finish the race". And so I did. I had help. Lots of help. From coaches Noy and James. From triathlete friends and family Redg, Oli, Eric, Amale, Gette, Cookie and Andrea. From Rafa, Pia and Mikele who are so adorable. From Jo who inspires me to train. And to God who provides all the opportunities for me to fulfill my dream. 

(My 3rd Place 30-34 Age Group Medal)

(Support)

(With Jo at Transition Area)

This coming August 22, I and many Cebuanos are going to participate in this year's Cobra Ironman 70.3 event in Camarines Sur. Good Luck to us all. Defend your title Noy!

(Noy Jopson, 1st Filipino Elite Philippine Ironman 70.3 Champion)

New Kind of Races Coming Up!!!

Foot races every weekend. It has been like this for the past few months and some active people are starting to get bored. Good thing races and events are evolving.

Marathon. A running race 42.195 Km long. This weekend, Ayala Center Cebu will hold a different kind of marathon. Defined as a specific event that lasts long or is difficult to accomplish, ACC will hold a HIP HOP Marathon. Co-organized by Holiday Gym and Spa, Runners and dancers alike will flock Ayala Center Active Zone to challenge their skills in the art of Dancing. Try It!!! Everybody is invited.

 A week after the Dance Marathon another foot race is scheduled. But not just any race. A chance to run with newbie runners, children and adults is its theme. Directed by Ironman Champion Noy Jopson and Running Coach Rio DelaCruz, the Looney Tunes Race is a unique race indeed. With distances to accommodate children from 500 to 10,000 meters, the Looney Tunes' Race will be a memorable race for the young and the young at heart. It maybe also be your only chance to see Bugs Bunny running alongside other Cebuano runners.

As races become more child/ kid friendly, a race organized for the benefit of Children's Hour will be held in July. Appropriately called Run for Kids, Ayala Business Club of Cebu, Inc. wants to help children in need by organizing a fun run to their benefit. Many runners do not have purpose when they run. They just love running. The Run for Kids is the perfect opportunity for us to run for a good cause.  

Aside from just running, local swimmers and cyclists are also starting to enjoy the weekly races. Triathlon races are now held at least every month in Cebu. Organizers like SugbuTriathlon and Mr. Boying Rodriguez are starting to revive the triathlon community here in the Queen City of the South.

Lastly, Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) already announced the race of all races in Cebu and the Philippines. The Cebu City Marathon is now scheduled. To be held on January 9, 2011, this race will open the year and the Sinulog 2011 celebration. Promised to have everything this year had and more, the CCM will truly be an event to prepare for. Considered the "Gold Standard" of all marathons in the Philippines, the CCM 2011 will have online registrations to accommodate non-Cebu and International runners. Carbo-loading party and Running Clinics will still be held and the route will encompass the new SRP tunnel. The Cebu City Marathon 2011 will be bigger and more grand than this year. That's a promise.

See you on the Road.

Favorite Running Quote

My favorite running Quote is by Clarence DeMar.

"RUN LIKE HELL AND 
GET THE AGONY OVER WITH."

What is your favorite running quote? Comment and Share.