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.

Race Report - XRC Subic 2008 (Part 2)

The morning after the road race, I woke up and felt like I got hit by a truck. No, I did not have a hangover, but perhaps I would have preferred one compared to the pain I was feeling in my lower back and neck. No excuses tho, I'm was pushing through with the criterium. You see, I am resigned to the fact that we (as athletes) are never really 100%, and so, we must fight through the pain, especially during races.

A short drive, breakfast...and shortly after I found myself warming up around the track. The criterium was held at the Subic International Raceway, a track which hosts the Philippine Touring Car Championship, and some races in Formula 3, Vintage Cars & 'Run What You Brung'.

Right before the start of the Criterium

I was familiar with this course in a different way. The last time I raced here, my baby (a JDM spec EG6 Honda Civic), came home in a trailer after a downshift at the back hairpin caused the valves and pistons into a permanent french kiss. Almost 10 years later, I find myself riding the same course (backwards tho) using my own pedal power. I guess that's what you call getting old.

My 'Little Mouse' on the road to Subic on that fateful day

During my warmup, Joyette gave me some tips. I promised her I'd try to hang on for as long as I could. I knew this was going to be tough.

Joyette sharing some tips with me during our warmup

A criterium or 'crit' is a relatively short bike race, usually held in closed-off city streets. It's fast and technical, and favors powerful cyclists who have good drafting skills, and a sprint finish.

Before I knew it, we were off. Almost instantly, I found myself at the back of the pack. My strategy was to hold on to the peloton, for as long as I could. It was difficult because of the accordion effect. Since the course is very technical and tight, the peloton is forced to thin out at every turn. Riders in front ride at a constant pace, with little or no braking. Riders toward the rear are forced to slow down, then accellerate out of the turn to chase the group. This accordion effect happens on every turn, so you can imagine how many times one would have to accellerate to chase the pack.

The accordion effect in full bloom

Yours truly, and other riders chasing back the peloton after the hairpin

About halfway through, I, along with half the number of participants had already been dropped by the peloton. We formed little groups of 3 or 4, trying to maximize the effects of group riding. The main straightaway was pure hell as a 35kmh headwind sucked the energy out of us riders every single lap. Pedalling all out only amount to a speed of about 25-28kmh.

I did my share of the work. This taken at the main straightaway, where we faced a 35kph headwind

With about 3 laps left in the race, I was forced to retire, as the leaders were about to lap me. I exited the race track, into the pits. Literally, into the pits. I was humbled, but content.

Great shot, Vince :) I look pretty fast :P

I learned alot in this weekend of racing, and gained a few friends along the way. This was the perfect way to cap the 2008 season. 'Til next year...


Pics c/o Vince & Leian

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---