The Next Step Tri Camp
Posted in Blog, FYI, Multisport
There are seven weeks to go until the Subic Bay International Triathlon, where I’ve chosen to make my standard/Olympic distance debut (*gulp*). After a year in triathlon doing the short distances (minisprints and sprints), it’s time to level up. To use a running analogy, after 3K’s and 5K’s it’s time to do a 10K.
Tangent: yup, the Olympic distance is the triathlete’s 10K. If the full Ironman distance (4K swim, 180K bike, 42K run) is the pinnacle of triathlon achievement just like a marathon is for running, then the Ironman 70.3 (2K swim, 90K bike, 21K run) is the 21K. The Olympic distance is half that of a 70.3. Coincidentally, those are also the distances in their respective run legs.
I’ve had an extremely long tri off-season, though. After recovering from my elbow dislocation in July 2011, I just didn’t feel compelled to continue training as I did in the first half of that year. When I went into The Next Step Tri Camp 1 (Getting Started) last February 25-26, 2012, I hadn’t gotten on my bike in three months. I was also scheduled to attend Camp 2 (Sprint/Standard Weekend) two weeks later on March 10-11.
Getting My Feet Wet at the Ateneo Aquathlon 2012
Posted in Blog, Multisport, Post-Race
I was supposed to do the Ateneo Aquathlon last year and had already registered for it when it was rescheduled, conflicting with another race I was attending. So this year I pounced on the opportunity to do it.
Most runners entering the world of multisport try a two-discipline event first, such as a duathlon (bike and run) or aquathlon (swim and run). My experience was otherwise because I went into the full three-discipline event, the Speedo NAGT Ayala Alabang in 2010. I rely heavily on fast bike and run splits, so I was curious how I would match up to the rest of the field if one of my strengths were taken from me.
So on 4 March 2012, I found out.
Why do I look like I’m scheming here?
Speedo Spring/Summer Collection 2012
Posted in Blog, FYI, Multisport
When I say Speedo, what comes to mind? Is it an image of a man in skimpy trunks a la LMFAO’s “Sexy and I Know It”? (Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle yeah!) Okay, sorry to induce that mental image. :D The name “Speedo” is globally synonymous with swimwear and water sports. As a triathlete, I can’t miss Speedo’s involvement in the first leg of my sport when every National Age Group Triathlon in the country gives Speedo swimcaps to its participants. (Speedo even introduced its TriathElite trisuit line in the Philippines last year.)
So when OneSport Magazine invited me to attend the Speedo Spring/Summer Collection show two weeks ago at Bonifacio High Street Amphitheater, I jumped at the chance to see what new swimwear and innovations they would introduce.
with national triathlete Nikko Huelgas and my teammate Z Villarin
It was a humid night due to the heavy rains earlier in the day, but plenty of people stayed to watch a never-ending stream of models walk the ramp clad in the season’s upcoming swim fashions. Continue reading »
Looking Forward to Unilab Active Health Events
Posted in Blog, Multisport, Pre-Race
Earlier this month, someone tagged me in the Unilab Active Health update about their 2012 Calendar of Activities. I suddenly got really excited about my year because I’m looking forward to the Run United series and have also decided to train with my buddy Joel for their first marathon event on October 28.
Unilab Active Health Events 2012
While the Run United Philippine Marathon is the most noticeable change from previous Run United events by Unilab Active Health, what caught my triathlete’s eye are the Tri United events. Yes, EVENTS. From just ONE Tri United held every year since 2010, there will now be THREE.
Cross-referencing this with the Triathlon Association of the Philippines list of events, the April 14-15 Tri United in Batangas may conflict with the NAGT to be held at Ayala Alabang Village. The June 30 Tri United is on the TRAP list, and the November 10-11 Tri United is on the same dates as the Multisport Weekend and the Philippine Duathlon Series finals. This is going to be an exciting growth year for triathlon!
UPDATE 02/01/2012: I’ve just seen the reg fees for RU1 on the RunRio website, and they’re approximately P200 more expensive than their prices last year per category. I hope there’s a reasonable explanation for this, but meanwhile I’m reassessing whether I should register for RU1 since I’m not training for anything specific that warrants a race on that date.
Finding Love at First (Bike) Fit
Posted in Blog, FYI, Multisport
Joining my first triathlon last year wasn’t a big commitment. All I had to do was build up my stamina to swim 300 meters, borrow a bike to ride for 11 kilometers, and pray that my runner’s legs wouldn’t give out during the 2.5-kilometer run. But I knew if I wanted to get serious about things I would have to make an investment on my own bike.
It’ll be a year this December when I bought my first bike. Just like finding the right partner in a relationship, finding the right bike isn’t just a matter of going somewhere and picking the first thing that looks good. Gotta have some standards, you know.
A proper bike fit makes a happy rider (photo by Andy Leuterio)
My Ironman 70.3 Weekend
Posted in Blog, Multisport, Post-Race
I’m soooo happy! (And tired…)
As I write this, my Ironman 70.3 weekend in Camsur is nothing but a memory — except I have pictures, merchandise, and a (relay finisher) medal to prove it really happened! Continue reading »
Are You Sure, Camsur?
Posted in Blog, Multisport, Pre-Race
I was in Camsur last January to cover the Ultimate Wake Championships at the Camsur Watersports Complex. While there, I ran around the Lago del Rey and the surrounding area, trying to imagine what it would be like doing the run leg of a relay at the Camsur Ironman 70.3 in August. Due to funding and schedule problems, my plans for a relay didn’t materialize…
Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?
…Or did they? I was all set to go to Camsur this weekend to support my Endure teammates — we have six doing the solo effort, one doing the bike leg of a relay, and one doing the IronKids triathlon. Little did I know I was to join their ranks as well. Continue reading »
Tri United at Matabungkay
Posted in Blog, Multisport, Post-Race
Even though I wouldn’t be able to compete as part of Endure’s relay team for Tri United at Matabungkay, I wanted to be there to support my teammates. Plus, it’s always good to get out of town; I was getting stir-crazy being cooped up at home for nearly two weeks.
So last Saturday we all checked into a small resort, which became Endure’s home for the weekend.
Our official residence
Suunto Power Zone
Posted in Blog, FYI, Multisport
During my dislocated elbow’s recovery period I won’t be able to ride my bike, but when I do get back I’ll have to train more purposefully. Each workout session has to be aimed at making me stronger, or faster.
As measures of performance and effort for running we usually look to heart rate compared with pace per kilometer. For cycling, there’s another measure: power.
Last month, I was invited to the Suunto Power Zone clinic run by Alpha Training Systems.
Andy Leuterio of Alpha Training Systems
Arms of Clay
Posted in Blog, FYI, Multisport
When you’re young and athletic, it feels like anything and everything is possible. You target bigger races and more difficult challenges, and you never think anything else could spoil your plans. You never think those horrible season-ending accidents could happen to you — until they do.
Uh-oh. *
