A season for fitness

This weekend, the place where the best kalamay in Bohol is made, will host the 2nd Jagna Open Triathlon and Mountain Bike XC Championships.  Organized by Jagna’s mountain bike group and in close cooperation with Jagna’s municipal government, it has attracted quite a number of prominent triathletes, like my favorite champion Joseph Miller.

Ever since my son Emil got into this endurance sport, I can’t help but follow scheduled events that he will be participating.  This would have been a very good reason to visit Bohol again (and cheer for Liloan’s four-man delegation) but previous commitments prevent me from doing so.  So, guys, do well and roll in Bohol.  Like what the shirt says, “Swim, Bike, Run, Repeat”.

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I have said this but I’ll say this again.  Swimming is a cheap sport.  All you need is a pair of swim trunks and yes, the ability to swim.  I had wanted to learn to swim but since that time when I slipped on the gangplank and fell to the sea at the port in Santander some forty years ago, I have this fear of water going over my head.   It was during those childhood days that we always wanted to make latay-latay and latay I did while waiting for the ferry to sail to Dumaguete.  Un-freaking-forgettable.  And to think that the seashore is just a spitting distance from our house.  

Depending on your outfit, running is also affordable but if you’re the serious type, the most you can get out of your running shoes’ life is four months.  It’s always advisable to have at least two pairs.  Well, I seldom run but I do wear out a pair or two in a year by walking regularly, usually early mornings or sometimes late in the afternoon.

We do our walks at the vast Manila Memorial Park along with a good number of walkers and joggers.  It’s one way also of regularly communing with our dearly departed.   Personal fitness has been on the minds people lately and Liloan has its own share of health buffs and be it early morning or late afternoon, MMP is not only home for the dead but a haven for joggers and runners.

Considering the proximity of the place from the cities of Mandaue and Cebu, MMP hosts weekend warriors from the city who do their workouts on the park’s well-paved roads.  Twice I noticed Noy and Amale doing some laps.  The residents actually don’t mind because they had been really quite and accommodating since they took residence there.  The park houses several thousand tenants who prefer to stay underground and when you do your walking or running, no one’s going to bother you except some random poop left by some dogs brought by inconsiderate owners. 

Sometimes I get amused by the outfits of some chubby ladies.  They wear really tight and short denim cut-offs they probably need a crowbar to take them off.  Then they pair it with tight neon colored blouses with bihon straps and their boobies look like they want to jump out of their breasts.  Ah, the sights of MMP.

Biking for all its worth, can be beneficial but for serious athletes, you either have a gallant sponsor or your resources are limitless.  A triathlete must have at least two bikes, a road and a mountain bike.  I say limitless because if you don’t scrimp on the amount, the two bikes will set you back at least half a million pesos.  Double ouch!  But if you’ll be using your bike for your daily commute, a P3,000 ukay-ukay bike will serve the purpose.  As soon as you can pedal like Nino Surban, then you can dream of the six-figure two wheeled wonder.

Summer’s almost over but let us not put into hibernation what fitness regimen we have started, if ever.  We’re not getting any younger and sooner or later, age will take the better of us.  Let’s all take care of our bodies.  Remember, we don’t have spare parts.

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Like I said last week, the Indiana-Miami Conference Finals is going to be a good series and from yesterday’s Game 1, it was more than good.  From start to finish, the game was close.  The usual suspects carried the load for the Heat.  The Pacers, as usual, don’t have nobody who dominates in scoring but what they do is by collective effort, every one on the playing floor contributes.

LeBron, with all his power and might (another triple double performance) had to adjust his shots against an equally strong and long Roy Hibbert.  For all his efforts, Dwayne Wade fouled out.   Notables were Norris Cole and the Birdman, also known as Chris Andersen, who’s more colourful than a parrot with all his body paintings.

In the end, Miami, with two seconds left in overtime and a strong drive to the basket by you-know-who, prevailed over Indiana.  I can’t count out the Pacers yet and I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ll go seven game and upset James and the LeBronites.

The same cannot be said of the series in the West.  San Antonio is not fazed with Memphis and they lead two game to none.   Dominance by the senior citizens.  Three words for the Spurs – Old Guys Rule!   To recover, it’s a must-win for the Grizzlies in their remaining games.

It would be nice to see changes in the championship picture but things point to a Miami-San Antonio finale.  But who knows, a Memphis-Indiana finals could become a novelty.

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