Race Report - Subic International Triathlon

My race weekend began quite early. On Saturday morning, my best bud Elmer and I rode up to Dungaree Beach to watch the Women Elites and those who joined the Sprint and Mini-Sprint Events.

After a very quick swim, two Chinese athletes led out of the water, with a chase pack of about 4-5 athletes, including our very own LC Langit. While they headed out to the bike route, we rode back towards boardwalk, to catch their bike and run loops. We were surprised to see a Japanese athlete leading the way on the bike. The chase pack was around 2-3 minutes behind, led by LC Langit.

In ITU races, the elites are allowed to draft on the bike. I'm not a big fan of this 'rule' for several reasons. First, it practically negates the bike portion of the race, turning the race into a virtual footrace (with a 1.5km swim and 40km bike 'warm up'). Secondly, any swim or bike breakaway is 99% useless, as the chase pack has the advantage of group riding, and most often will catch the breakaway. Last, not everyone wants to take their turn up front, there are some who tend to conserve energy, resulting to wheelsucking.

As the women elites hopped off their bikes in T2, the Japanese was slightly ahead, with the chase pack only a minute behind. After the first of 4 run loops however, LC suffered from stomach cramps, and got dropped. I later found out that she did most of the work on the bike. Props to her for finishing 5th overall. She will be a force to reckon with in a few years. You made us proud, LC!

Race Day

The day started VERY early, probably due to the fact my best bud Elmer, was tossing and turning the whole night, and finally got up at 3am. I don't blame him, as about a year ago, I could not sleep before my first race. At around 3:30am we finally got up and started our morning routines. After breakfast, off we were to T2 to setup, and finally to T1 for final bike preparations.

I had very much been anticipating this race since this is THE Olympic distance race of the year. I was very much excited to be swimming, biking and running amongst the who's who in Philippine Triathlon. I was stoked! Add to the fact it was Team Super's coming out party - with our TriSuits and all!

Me, Drew, Ann, Jody, Elmer & Jake

It was a long wait. The first wave (Elite Men) started at 6am, followed by the Women Age Groupers at 6:30am. Ironically, after the two waves disappeared, the number of people around seemed to increase. I had already been anticipating a crowded swim, but it was only then that I really realized it wasn't going to be pretty. There was almost 200 of us in our wave.

Last Pee break before the Swim Start

I did a short warmup in the water, and light stretching. Before I knew it, we were already being called to the starting line.

The Swim

The swim consisted of 2 750m loops, rectangular in shape. It was a beach start, and Drew and I found our starting position in about the 3rd row, near the bouy line. Although I did not think this was a good idea, I figured it was still better than having to swim sideways through the pack.

200 angry men diving into the water

The horn sounded and we were off. It's hard to explain what the swim is like. It's a constant struggle. You're just getting hit from every angle. I tried my best to push forward but there was just no space. I tried to find a rhythm, but I couldn't. I just focused on surviving, and finishing the swim. As I got out of the water after the first loop, I checked my watch, only to find it hanging, about to fall off. The pin must have been knocked off in one of those encounters. I took my watch off, slipped it under my tri-shorts and finished off my 2nd loop.

The 2nd loop was a bit easier, as the pack had already thinned out. I came out of the water in 28:30 - not my best, but I'll take it. I was happy to be out of the water.

At T1 with Jomac of Team Herbalife

The Bike

My transition started off pretty smooth. I slipped on my helmet, put on my shades, moved the watch from my shorts to my back pocket and began pushing my bike out to the mount area. As I hopped on my bike and began pedalling out, I kept missing my shoe, and it kept scraping the floor. I had to mount-dismount several times before I finally got going. A rookie maneuvre. Note to self - practice transitions more!

The bike route was slightly easier than TLBF. It consisted of an out and back route (Dungaree - Ocean Adventure), then flats to boardwalk, and a last 10km loop around the CBD. My strategy was quite simple - conserve on the uphills, hammer the downhills. The climbs are tough, especially when you're recovering from the swim and still have a 10k run to think about.

Riding behind National Duathlete Augusto Benedicto

On the first few climbs, I was being passed by veteran riders (mostly Fitness First cyclists). On the downhills however, I caught them. Going downhill is about the only time I like the fact I am a hefty guy. After the turnaround, it was a few climbs back up, before the last downhill back to Argonaut. Somewhere in that stretch, I rode beside my idol Abe Tayag, who looked mean in his CEEPO. I probably managed to keep up because I could be more aggressive on the quick turns on my road bike, as opposed to someone on a Tri bike. I was starstruck, and said a quick hello, before he sped away.

As I got back to the CBD, I was relieved to know even though I had around 20km more of cycling to do, it was all flats left. I tucked into my 'aero' position on my miniTT bars, and tried my best to maintain 30kph. After passing T2 for the first time, I had 10km left, and I tried to maintain a good pace. It was a headwind heading out, and a tailwind coming back. Cheers were coming from teammates, friends, family and even from construction workers (I think they were there to watch the women). As I ended my bike leg, I had a big smile on my face - A Chrissie moment. However, a hot 10km run was looming.

I slipped my feet out of my shoes heading near T2, and dismounted at the line. As I pushed my bike along, my shoe dragged (Again!), and snapped off. I carried my bike (ala Cyclocross) into transition. Good thing a marshall picked up my shoe and gave it back to me. I slipped my running shoes, put on my race belt and visor, and off I was to the run.

The Run

The run consisted of 4 loops of 2.35km, plus a mini 600m loop to the finish line. The route was flat all the way, and had some shade. My plan was to try to hold a pace between 11:30 and 12:00 per lap, giving myself a shot at breaking 50 mins. I had never officially broken 50 mins in a 10k race, so I had been wanting to do it in a Triathlon. My first lap went pretty smooth, I crossed my marker at 11:28 - on the dot! I let no aid station pass me by. Each one, I took 2 cups - one to drink and one to pour over my head. Also, I bathed in the water shower every loop, just to keep my body cool. Second lap came - 11:30. I was doing pretty well. I felt like i was slowing down, and by the time I passed my marker for the 3rd time, I had slipped back by almost a minute. I had around 3km left. I sucked it up and tried my best to push my pace a tad faster. I managed to squeeze a bit more pace from my shuffle, and finally crossed the finish line.

Hot Run!

My finishing time was 2:37, and I had managed a 49:33 run split! I was ecstatic! I finished 22nd overall and 7th in my age group. The field was pretty deep, and it was an honor to be racing with these vets.

I spent the next half hour catching my breath, and cheering on my friends and teammates, as each of them crossed the finish line, mostly setting personal records. By the time all were done, we were famished, and retreated to The Lighthouse for a sumptuous lunch and recovery drinks.

The Lighthouse

The race was very well organized, and certainly is a must-do. I can't wait to do this one again.

Congrats to Elmer (for finishing his first Oly with a great time), Jake, Jody, Levy and Ann (for setting new PRs), Drew (for his podium finish) and Migs and Packy (also for setting PRs).

Tired, Sweaty, Hungry but Oh So Happy - That's team Super for you!

Thanks to Zed & The Lighthouse Marina Resort for the accomodation and food, Hannah, Ady, Vince, Makoy, Alf & Ivy for the race coverage and cheering.