Race Report - XRC Subic 2008 (Part 1)

Yes. I was ready.

This year was full of firsts for me - Foot Races, Triathlons, Duathlons. This weekend of races was no different - another set of firsts - my first road race and my first criterium...a great way to end the year.

It's not often I enter a race knowing what to expect. However, this one was quite different. I knew exactly what was heading my way. I knew there was going to be pain, but of a different kind. You see, in triathlons, duathlons and foot races, you are really racing against time, against yourself. You decide on your pace, you get comfortable, and you hammer out. In a road race or criterium, you don't. You try your best to hang on to the peloton - or else you'll be riding solo.

I also got a lot of tips from veteran riders like Joyette, Makoy & Winston, along with the wealth of information available on the internet. I wasn't ready, but I knew more or less what I got myself into.

This was a crash course in drafting for me. Since I mostly train alone and ride in non-drafting races, I am oblivious to its effects. Tests show that the the 2nd rider in a draft line uses around 25% less energy than the lead rider. The 3rd and succeeding riders use 33% less energy. In huge pelotons, middle-of-the-pack riders can be using 60% less energy. That's a whole lot.

Riders in a perfect Draftline

There we were, about a hundred strong riders, awaiting the starting gun (or shout) of the 70km road race (which turned out to a few KMs less). We were starting on an uphill (can you believe that?). The first few kilometers were to be ridden in a controlled pace - thank God!

And off we went. Being a newbie, I stuck to the back of the pack. As much as I had wanted to try to be in the middle of the peloton (to conserve as much energy as I could), I chose not to, since I was new at this. During the first descent, I rode beside some Team David's Salon riders, an all girls multisports team. They had their coach riding with them, telling them what to do, and firing out tips left and right. I liked the idea, so I stuck with them for a while. I rolled up beside their coach and said 'Coach, kung ayos lang, makikinig ako ha?'. He chuckled and smiled, so I figured it was no problem at all. I learned quite a few tips about cornering and braking. I found some of the girls to be a bit twitchy, so I decided to push forward to avoid any mishap.

A few kilometers of cruising (at over 30kph) and the pack was let loose. There I was, at the back of the peloton, pedalling my heart out. It felt different...it felt great. Around 5-10 kilometers later, the peloton began to thin out, forming different groups. I settled into a group, hoping to maximize the effects of group riding.

The route consisted of 2 laps - out to Ocean Adventure and back. It was a hilly route, with as much as 2km ascents, and a fair share of descents. The descent from Legenda down to the main highway was pretty technical (at least for me).

There were alot of good samaritans along the way...allowing me to take their back wheel, pouring water over my head, and even offering some water (Thanks Winston). There were alot of people handing out water bottles - though those were obviously team support - a privateer like me had none of that help. In hindsight, I should have carried a third water bottle, or sports drink. About halfway through the 2nd lap I was out of water.

Around 2 hours later, I found myself pushing up the last half kilometer ascent to the finish line. In that last kilometer, I passed a few riders who appeared to have been suffering from cramps. They had parked themselves at the side of the road, had their legs stretched out, and were massaging themselves. I kept asking each rider 'Ok ka lang?' as I passed them by. They all said they were alright, so I didn't stop to help. I had the cramps too...but I knew stopping would only make it worse. I had to finish...it's all I came here to do.

The organizers, in true sadistic fashion, figured that it would make for a nice uphill finish. Yes, it makes for an interesting finish, but it's downright sadistic! I crossed the finish line in around 2:06. Not bad, said the pig.

Yours truly making the last ascent to the finish line

I spun for a few minutes more, in the hopes of letting my legs recuperate. When I settled, my buddy Vince and I exchanged some stories with Joyette (who won 3rd place in the race and 1st overall for the season), Makoy of PR, Winston & Ave of XTerra, and Robby of Rikulau. I also enjoyed drooling over the nice bikes these executives were riding.

Joyette Jopson (of Team David's Salon) & Makoy 'the Legend' Almanzor

A guilt-free lunch at Gerry's Grill consisting of Bagnet & Chicken Kebab followed. Vince & I spent the rest of the day drooling over gear in The Bike Boutique, and fixie hunting in the Olongapo bike shops.


Pictures c/o Vince

---End of Part 1---