The Journey Begins

It's been quite a while since I've last blogged. I have been busy in different ways over the past month. After the Powerade Olympic Duathlon last December, I was meaning to begin training once again. As most of you already know, I will be doing Ironman Malaysia next month. However, several bouts with dehydration, freak fevers and a really bad case of food poisoning stopped me from training most of December. I literally got rid of all the shit of 2009, as I celebrated New Year's tucked in my hotel bed, stuffed with everything from Ciprobay to Imodium to Probiotics, to even Po Chai (a Chinese remedy for diarrhea which looks like goat shit). I was desperate. 8 days later I recovered, and it took a while for me to get my strength back. Finally, last week, my Ironman Journey began.

I can't help but look back at 2009, my first real year of doing triathlons.

It began with my first Olympic Distance Triathlon back in April, during the Terry Larazabal Bike Festival. There were not many of us, but the bike route was very tough, and the run was hella hot! In that race I learned how pacing is key.

Sweating buckets, hoping to see the finish line soon at TLBF

About a month later, came SUBIT, my 2nd Olympic Distance Triathlon. Again it was hot as hell, and over 300 of us were crammed into the swim start, making it a true washing machine. It was a tough day, but for the first time, I was able to hit my targets. In that race I was able to pace correctly and find my rhythm...something which til this day I still struggle with. Equally important was the 'launch' of sorts of Team Super - my triathlon family.

3/4 of Team Super at the Lighthouse Marina Resort in Subic

Back in August was last year's biggest local race, Ironman 70.3 Philippines. We all had a blast, including my stomach which went south 3km into the run. In that race, I learned how important the 4th discipline in triathlon is - Nutrition.

With Macca, Ironman World Champion

Redemption was the name of the game for quite a handful of us, and that's what we sought after at WhiteRock in November. The run course was tough, and so was the heat, but all of us crossed the finish line with a smile on our face.

Surprisingly I still had some energy left to pull of my signature headstand at the finish

There were a handful of footraces along the way, like the Happy Run, Mizuno 15k, and my first (and still only) Half Marathon at Condura which were welcome breaks in training. There were also a few Powerade Duathlons, which were not only well attended, but were challenging in their own right.

2009 was great. Multi-sport, not only triathlon, is growing by leaps & bounds...its exciting. 2010 is here, and I can't wait.

And so my journey begins (or has begun last week). In 6 weeks I try to conquer the Ironman - a 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42.2 marathon run. So help me God.

With the help of my one-woman support group Hannah, my training buddies Drew, Mer and Hec, and my senseis Levy, Harvie and Makoy, hopefully my journey will be somewhat enjoyable.

'Til then...

'You call me a fool
You say it's a crazy scheme
This one's for real
I already bought the dream
So useless to ask me why
Throw a kiss and say goodbye
I'll make it this time
I'm ready to cross that fine line'
-Deacon Blues by Steely Dan