Race Report - Ateneo Aquathlon

As I had already an Aquathlon under my belt (3 weeks ago - Speedo Aquathlon), I was not as nervous as I would have been. After checking in, I proceeded to do some warm-ups with Alf & Jody. I learned that there would be no swim warmup, so I warmed up for a good 20 minutes or so, and did some light stretching.



This Aquathlon was 'tough' in another way - it was a relatively short (600 meter) swim, but in a 25 meter pool. I find it's much more difficult, and time consuming to be zig-zagging under lanes, and getting in and out of the pool so many times. During a swim leg of a multi-sport event, you want certain things - space, calm waters and a nice straight route - none of which are present in a 25 meter pool. The run was a 2 loops, out and back towards the Moro Lorenzo Gym and back to the Blue Eagle Gym. Light Hills, but alot of trees :)

A quick race brief, and we were let through the gates of the pool complex. As we were escorted to the pool, I realized one thing - that we were going into the pool while the other female age groupers were still completing their last 200-400m. We were asked to enter the pool, and 15 seconds later, we were off.

Me and my teammate Alf, once again performing our 600m synchronized swim

Over 30 angry men, crammed in 1 lane of a 25 meter pool - absolute mayhem. I always pick the inner part of the lane, so that I have only the right side to deal with - a technique which I thought of seconds before my first Aquathlon. The first 100meters was just about getting space. After about 100-150 meters, I finally got space. However, it was at that point that the our pack had caught up with the women. After reviewing photos taken by Hannah, I realized that when the mob arrived, the women proceeded to hang on to the lane markers, as they were being trampled upon. I hope the organizers take note of this, and next time, allow the wave to finish before another wave is let in the pool.

Swim-Run-Dive-Swim-Run-Dive-Swim and 600meters later, I found myself getting out of the pool. Lo and behold, I came out of the pool with PMI Team Captain Rayzon Galdonez. I guess the traffic held him back. A quick transition - slip on running shoes, ditch goggles, sip some water later, and off I was to the run.

During the run

I went on cruise control and enjoyed the run very much. It was nice to be back in the Ateneo, and once again pouring sweat - but this time, in another sport (or 2?). The trees provided alot of shade, which was very pleasant, and the tranquil surroundings, some peace and quiet during the run. I did not push on the run, as I've been nursing a knee injury. The race was about finishing without injuring myself further.

Around 37 mins and 6 seconds later, I crossed the finish line. It was a success in my books, as I had been able to run the 5km run quite comfortably. Somehow, this race felt easier than the Speedo Aquathlon (950m-3k), perhaps because of Ultra's hills. All in all, a great race :)

Team Super's Alf, Myself and Jody

Except for the running over the women part, and the fact that I do not appear in the Race Results, the event was very much a success. There were over 300 participants, and everyone looked happy, albeit tired looks and panting. Kudos to the Ateneo Swimming team for putting out this event.

Me with Ivy, Alf, Jody, Ting & Bobby

'Til next time. Keep Brickin!

*Once again thanks to trigger happy Hannah for the race pics :)

The Bucket List

I've always had a Bucket List - a list of things I want to do before I die. Being the sports and music loving person that I am, majority of the list has always dominated by either sporting events or concerts I'd want to see.

Here are my Bucket Lists, for both Sports and Music - in no particular order.



Sports

• Wimbledon - hopefully a semifinal or final match, maybe Nadal vs Federer?
  
• Summer Olympics - I'd like to witness the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics, and watch as many sports as I could
• The Masters (Augusta National) - On a Sunday, with Tiger 4 strokes back, and Mickelson, Els and Singh in the lead
• Ironman Hawaii - Duh?
• World Cup - An epic match between Italy, Germany, Netherlands, France or any of the powerhouse African nations
• Tour de France - Laid back in a nice chair near the top of the Alpe d'Huez, with a view of the descent, sipping on nice brewskies, or a single malt scotch
• UFC - Any UFC event, better if its a Randy Couture rematch against Brock Lesnar
• Special Olympics - This must be an awesome experience I would like to be part of, either as a spectator or a volunteer
  

Music

• U2 - Need I say more? U23D was a rush, I can imagine what a real concert would be like!
  
• The Police - Haha! I can actually scratch this off my list - Saw them in their Reunion Tour
• Dave Matthews Band - I don't mind seeing them again
  
• Led Zeppelin - There are talks of a Reunion Tour
  
• Foo Fighters
• Radiohead
• Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Eric Clapton
• A Woodstock or Glastonbury type Music Festival

What's on your Bucket list?

'We live, we die, and the wheels on the bus go round and round.' Jack Nicholson as Edward Cole in 'Bucket List' (2007).

It's Official - Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines

Finally! I'm lovin' the logo already.

Can't wait to tri...









Here are some articles:

http://ironman.com/mediacenter/pressreleases/ironman-70.3-putrajaya-and-cobra-ironman-70.3-philippines-announced

http://ironman.com/events/ironman70.3/philippines70.3

Race Report - Speedo Aquathlon

I had been nervously waiting for this race for the past week and so, at 4:30 am, I was up. Not any amount of water, milk or sheep counting would put me back to sleep...so like a true Web Junky I did the next best thing - I surfed the Internet.

Finally, my alarm went off. I prepared my typical pre-race meal - Peanut butter sandwich.


By the time I arrived in ULTRA, the SuperTriKids were about to start. It's a blast watching these kids compete. Even better, is watching their stage parents egging them on, or running beside them hoping they'd push harder. Watching them made me wish I had started at a much younger age.

This little girl took full advantage of a quick transition - she put on Crocs! Howver, She got caught by that little boy

Shortly after, Coach Rick conducted his race briefing in waves. He detailed both the swim and run portions - making sure nobody would make a mistake.

The swim was a typical TRAP pool swim - we were to tackle 950 meters. This consists of getting in and out of the pool several times. The 950m were broken up in 3 segments - 350-400-200. After the first 350 meters of zig-zagging across lanes, you have to get out of the pool, run down and re-enter. Then, after the next 400 meters, you once again exit, make a dash and re-enter for the final 200 meters.

The run would be short but testy. It consisted of 2 loops within the ULTRA complex then the final 600 meters inside the track oval. There were 2 hills within the run route, which meant we would be tackling 4 hills in just 3km.

By the looks of it, it was gonna be a short and fast race. Pedal-to-the-metal, redline, HRM-beeping-Zone-5-all-the-way kinda race. Not a bad way so start a Sunday.

We 'middle-aged' (30-49 yrs old) were the last wave to be let off. It was about 8am by then - oooooofff HEAT! Our wave was led off by National Swimming Coach Guy Concepcion, who obviously posted the day's fastest swim time of 13:00 - DAMN!

The riot swim start

And we were off - I stayed in the inner lane, so as to avoid some of the confusion brought about by a pool start. That way, I would only have to worry about someone on my right - unless of course some daredevil skims the stainless steel lane dividers.

After a lap or two, I felt the group thin out. I was in a pack of 4-5 swimmers then, consisting of Paolo Diaz (I could tell by his Phiten Tape), JonJon Rufino (I could tell by the full body suit), Tony Welsch (PoloTri) and 2 other guys. I knew these were all good swimmers, so I hung on for as long as I could.

Its actually Swim-Run-Swim-Run-Swim-RUN!

Finally, 17 and a half minutes later, I was getting out of the pool. A quick transition, sip of water, and off I was to the run. The hills were tough, especially that one right before the pool. I felt like I was on a stair climber. Just as you were recovering from that one, there was another one waiting. I just held on and pushed to finish the race.

At the top of that testy hill right in front of the Pool

I finished in 31 minutes and change, well within my target. Shortly after came JonJon Rufino (PoloTri), Hector (Pinoy Ultra Runners), Jody (Transition One) and Paolo. The race was what I expected - short, fast yet tough. There is no recovering in a race like this. Like a 5k race, its a hard push from start to finish.

Short, but Sweet!

In the absence of the elites, I was lucky enough to post the 9th fastest time of the day, and bag a podium spot in my age group (30-34). What a surprise :)

'Til next time!

With Paolo and my teammate Jody (who finished 3rd)

*Thanks to Trigger Happy Hannah for the photos