Race Report - Powerade Olympic Duathlon

Remind me to NEVER AGAIN join a Duathlon if it is to be held near Baywalk/Luneta Park. Right now, the only thing I can think of were my close calls with a ton of ignorant passers-by. I'm sure I'm not the only one feeling this way as during the bike leg of the race, I was hearing Putang Inas left and right. There were two really close calls during my 2nd loop of the bike which almost forced me to quit, thinking that it may not be worth a crash since I'm about to begin training for a more important race.

Anyhoo, after the race I chatted with Tad Manas, one of the race organizers after and he shared the same sentiment, and promised never again to hold the race there. It was just downright dangerous. Thank God nobody got hurt.

Now to the actual race report:

The race was an Olympic-distance Duathlon, which consisted of a 10k run, followed by a 40km bike and a 5k run. I seriously didn't have any speed in my legs since I've been focusing more on building endurance rather than speed. My plan was simple - 'Piolo pace' for the first 10k, a decent bike, and whatever I had left for the last 5k.

As soon as the gun went off, a lot of eager beavers floored it. I tried to keep my cool and settle into a pace. At around 2km in, I finally settled with a group of 4. They eventually dropped out and I found myself running with Josh from Sunkist for the next few kilometers. The run was flat, and consisted of 2 loops (which I later verified to be 9.7km instead of 10km). I held a pretty good pace throughout the first run, and tried to save some energy for the remainder of the race. At a little more than 42mins, I was in transition.

A quick transition, probably because I had some 'pressure' - a film crew was filming my transition...thank God I didn't screw up...since I have a knack of doing that.

I was sporting my tri-bike for the first time, and so this would be a 'test' of sorts, since I am in the process of dialling in my settings. The bike was were all the action was. From tricycles, to families crossing the road, to ignorant bystanders, and oh...to a 'taong grasa' who decided to drunkenly walk across the road and plant himself in the middle of the street. Good Lord...this was THE WILDEST bike ride I have ever been in...and all of this happened in just over an hour.

I was so glad to be entering transition, knowing that I was safe. Usually, I dread T2..since it means the run is coming up...but in this case, I couldn't be happier.

Off to the 2nd run I was. Early into the 2nd run, I caught elite runner John Lozada who appeared to be cramping up. I maintained a steady pace throughout, and as I turned off into the finishing chute, Meyo Rodriguez (who dropped me with 2km left at WhiteRock) ran up beside me. He was gracious enough not to sprint me, as we crossed the finish line together in 2:18 and change.

Whew! That was tiring, in a different way. Dodgeball meets duathlon...that's what it was.

On a side note, I'd like to make a plea to the race organizers - Let the age groupers race AS age groupers, and let the Pros race AS pros. They are in a different league...there is no doubt about that.

Happy Holidays!

Race Report - Powerade Duathlon (3rd Leg)

This race report is going to be totally different, simply because it's not mine. As soon as the 3rd leg of the Powerade Duathlon was announced, I egged Hannah to make her debut in multi sport. She said she would consider, assuming she could do well enough in some key workouts which would indicate her being ready to tackle the 7.5km run followed by a 32km bike and a 3.5km run.

Fast forward 4 weeks later and Hannah was not only just finishing the event, but finishing strong. She strutted her stuff, 'chicked' some men and even managed to grab a podium spot, finishing 3rd in her age group.

I figured an interview of sorts would provide some insight into first timer's experience.

PositveSplit: How long have you been running?

Hannah: I've been running for 2 years. I started with a few minutes at a time, and eventually graduated to 5ks early last year. After a few 5ks, then came some 10ks and 15ks. Since then I have done 3 Half Marathons and a 25km race.

PS: How did you prepare for this race?

Hannah: Main workouts mostly consisted of brick (actually double brick) workouts, and runs off the bike. Since I was somewhat comfortable with the run portion, I focused on the run off the bike, since that was a totally new experience.

PS: Did you enjoy those bricks and double bricks?

Hannah: Most of them were tough, but the feeling and sense of accomplishment afterwards made it all worthwhile.

PS: What was you strategy for the race?

Hannah: The first run (7.5km), I planned to run in a steady pace, which is slightly slower than my 10k race pace. On the bike, I was nervous about riding with alot of other riders. I just planned on maintaining a steady pace. Once I was off the bike, it was a matter of just completing the last run with whatever I had left.

PS: What was the most difficult part?

Hannah: The last run. The sun was up, and it was already very hot. My legs were already fatigued from the first run and bike segment. Thankfully, I only had 3.5km left to run. I took advantage of all the aid stations and managed to grind it out.


PS: What was the best part?

Hannah: Suprisingly, I really enjoyed the bike segment. The last 50 meters to the finish line was also great. I also enjoyed very much the constant cheering coming from the circle of triathlon friends we have made in such a short span of time. (You know who you are.)

PS: Would you do it again?

Hannah: Definitely. Hopefully next time I could improve on my bike time and run times. Also, I hope I can learn how to confidently drink water whilst on the bike.



PS: Going back to running, what is your favorite running distance?

Hannah: None really. Each distance poses its own difficulties. Shorter ones demand a higher effort while longer ones push one's endurance. However, most of my runs range from 10-12km.

PS: What's next on the list?

Hannah: I hope to do my first marathon in the upcoming Condura Marathon in February 2010. I would have never imagined myself doing one. Hopefully this will be the first of many to come.

*Photos c/o PositiveSplit. (Finally!! Haha!)

Race Report - Powerade Duathlon

In all honesty, after SUBIT last May, I have been slacking off. I've hardly been riding, and have toned down my runs and swims. The weather hasn't been cooperating since, and I have been finding reasons not to train. Over the last few weeks however, the pressure of Camsur 70.3 has finally gotten to me. It's less than 2 months away. HTFU Javy!

I was excited for this duathlon for several reasons. First, I had not done a duathlon since November last year. Secondly, I have been experimenting on a TT setup for my bike and I needed to test it. Also, I have not done a brick in months, so this would be a great workout. Lastly, the members of the national team would be present, as well as a lot of the elites of triathlon.

I racked my bike, setup my shoes and helmet, and I was set. Did a few hundred meters of warmup and I was good to go. Levy and I agreed to pace together. As I was not sure what kind of pace my legs would give me, I was planning on 4:30-4:45/km pace for the first 7km.

With one of my Idols National Team Member George Vilog

Run 1

The group started off at a frantic pace - of course, the national team members led the pack. About 2km in, there was some confusion and runners ended up doing a little loop. Amidst the confusion was our top National Duathlete August Benedicto, who seemed to have lost his way, and lost ground to the front pack. After clearing out some things with Coach Melvin and the Marshals, he continued on his way.

After about 4km, I found myself pushing a decent pace with Bombie of Tri-Clark. Later on, we caught up with Carlo of Timex and another Tri-Clark member Edward. I held on and finished the first run in 31:30 - right on target.

With Carlo during Run 1

T1 is never smooth for me. In almost every race, I screw up T1, and this was no exception. Right as I was mounting, I realized my cleats would not engage. I checked my shoes only to see my cleat covers still on - a rookie mistake! Note to self: Check shoes in transition :)

Bike

I didn't have much of a plan on the bike. As my setup was only days old, I just wanted to give it a good go and get a feel for it. The course was nice and pretty flat. Apart from a delivery truck parked in the middle of the bike course, it was a pretty good route.

With Deo of Tri-Pilipinas during the Bike Leg

I settled into a pretty good rhythm early. After a loop or two, I was in a pack with a tall kid and Edward of Tri-Clark. We took turns taking leads (not drafting). After the designated 5 loops, I checked my cyclometer and it said 25km. I didn't give it much thought, and proceeded to make another bike loop. The advertised distance was 7km - 30km - 4km, so I really did not doubt my decision. On my way back, I started noticing alot of people already on the run. That's when I realized that I might have made a mistake.

I entered T2 after 32km, and had averaged just a tad below 35kmh - well above my target. The setup seemed to be working! I racked my bike, slipped on my running shoes and visor, and off I went.

Run 2

The 2nd run was much simpler - it was an out and back. I settled into a pretty decent pace, and just thought of holding that pace all throughout. I was feeling pretty good as I tailed Joyette towards the finish line. I finished the 2nd run is just over 17mins, totalling 1:43.

I later on found out that I did, in fact, do an extra bike loop. Many other participants had made the same mistake. I'm not a loop counting person, so I rely on the accuracy of the information provided. Perhaps in the next race, I would be more diligent in asking the race director the exact distances of each leg, so that there would be no confusion.

Next stop, Camsur :)

*Thanks to Hannah for the pictures