`A memorable Ironman 70.3 experience

This year’s edition of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines is what I call a ‘triple threat’. Insofar as I am concerned, it was the hardest of the four 70.3 races I  have experienced.

THREAT 1 (Strong current). In the swim stage, the current was extra hard due to the tide change going into the third turn that it took me around 55 minutes to complete. Midway through the course, I noticed that it was getting slower. The faster you swim the slower you get, so I had to adjust my swim stroke to lesser stroke but more power and glide, which in turn make it a more relaxing swim. I just kept my head totally submerged just to get to the hydrodynamics I need for the swim. And alas, I took me 55 minutes to reach the third big ‘buoya’ which means I have only have a couple of 100 meters left. But what made me really worried at this point of time was the first time swimmers of my Metafit tri team. I knew it was struggling, they would be struggling more. I thought of going back and look for them but I was also in survival mode as people were grabbing each other’s legs and hitting each other trying to move forward. At the 3rd turning point, the current turned from bad to worst as the current pins you against the ropes. So no matter how you swim, it pushes you more. I have no choice but to hold on and pull myself to the last and final turn. As soon as I got out, my only concern was my teammates but got relieved knowing that some of them had already came out and only three who were left behind and are in good hands with coach Randy Guilles. So I decided that it is time to push on the bike to make up for lost time in swim. It was my longest 1.9km swim finishing in one hour and six minutes.

THREAT  2 ( Strong headwind). The bike leg started smoothly until you reached the CICC stretch going to Talisay as the headwind was trying to stop you from moving forward. You can notice that  the marshal’s flag was very straight, meaning the wind was so strong at this point. Your position on the bike is your best ally as you need to slice through the wind. But when you have a headwind, you will definitely have the benefit of the tail wind so the first U-turn in Talisay going back to CICC was a breeze as you can reach speeds up to 45kph.  I finished the bike leg at 3:03, still short of my target of 2:45. Nonetheless it was my fastest bike time.

THREAT 3 (Super hot weather). I paced myself knowing that I have enough time to finish the race within the cut-off time. All I need to do is just to pace at least 6kph, then I will finish in exactly 8 hrs. with 30 minutes to spare. I started with a 4:1 jog walk ratio, which was perfect for the location of the water station spaced out at around 1.5km each or less than 2km. As the weather was getting hotter and hotter, you need to stop at each station to hydrate and shower yourself with ice water. During the run, I got to see my teammates and knowing that most of them are already within the range to finish inside the cut-off time, I was relieved. So at the final 7km, I decide to walk fast and finish with a big smile!

I crossed the finish line with a time of 7 hours and 52 minutes. Tears again started to drop. It was tears of joy for our team has made it. I also promised not to do the 70.3 Cobra ironman next year. But after less than 3 hours, I realized that life has never been fair and every struggle, there are ups and downs. You just need to face it and get up and fight for another day. It is not how you fall, but how you stand up and recover. So challenge accepted! See you on August 7, 2016 for the Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championships.

Overall, Metafit Tri Team’s Ironman campaign would not have been this successful without the age groupers and first timers who spent the whole year preparing for the race. Here are some of their experiences they gladly share.

Joy Padilla Bascug. It’s actually the second time she joined in the Ironman under the relay category. This time, she opt to the bike leg. It was a scary moment for Team PRO H as their swimmer almost did not make the cut-off time. Although Randy Guilles was an accomplished swimmer, he was busy guiding his Metafit wards to safely the race. Thoughts of mechanical problem haunted her throughout the race but she just kept on praying. With her constant training up the hills in Busay, biking through the headwind became easier for her. It was a tough bike leg said Joy, but will she be back in 2016 doing the full 70.3 perhaps? We will know next year.

Fritz Co. As he crossed the finish line, everything flashed back at him. One year of hard work, hours of training, sacrifices and time management paid off. He is an Ironman finisher, something that no one can ever take away from him.  Fritz is an avid mountainbiker like me and never did he imagine to be part of any triathlon race. We started together in the swim and suffered on the strong current also. But all his fatigue from the swim went away as Fritz enjoyed the bike leg. Fritz was also amazed with the Ironman support crew which had ample hydration, medical station and ice to help him cool down. The cheers from the crowd was awesome, which made the run literally a walk in the park for him.

Allyssa Sy. She had always been part of the Metafit support group since 2013. Never in her wildest dream that she would be the one cheered and supported. Joining in the 70.3 Ironman started as a joke but it was God’s will.  Fast forward to race day, Allysa was suffering from hyperacidity attack and have to visit the toilet five times before the race. She was worried that she would not be able to finish because she felt week already and can’t let her team down. All throughout the swim source she was praying. But what kept her going was she trusted her training, presence of mind and of course to God. Most people don’t know that her hunky husband Alex Sy swam with her during the swim leg, which was like a swim date. Alex Sy was also swimming for another relay team, Alex was METAFIT’s fastest swimmer but he sacrificed his personal record to be with the love of his life. It was a romantic swim affair when husband and wife finish a race together.

Dr. Janet Remedio Solis. One of the challenges of training for Cobra Ironman 70.3 is the time and effort you put into training. Dr. Janet did just that as her family and children Anjela, Alberto, Anette and hubby Albert (who is one of the fastest Cebuano finishers) was very supportive to her new hobby. “Patience is a virtue,” said Janet. She held on to the fact that her faith is greater than her fear. What made her accomplishment extra special was she felt her dad’s presence, as she felt him all the way. At one point during the bike leg, a black and white butterfly suddenly showed up. Her mother’s unending support and prayers also spelled big difference. Janet was pressed against time and was about to give up a painful experience but the thought of her family made her push to the limit and finish with lots of time to spare. This experience is worth remembering for a lifetime. What was once a dream has now become a reality.

SIDELINE: Congratulations are in place to Metafit Tri Team first time finishers in Leslie Peson, Philip John Cañedo, Fritz Co and most of all Janet Remedio Solis. First time relay finishers include Golda Grace, Maui Recla, Yves Lorraine Fernandez Jefferson Cataag, Dimple Noel Alex Sy. Cheers also to the veteran relay finishers Donafel Almirante Tacandong Joy Padilla-Bascug, Jinggoy Marte Bascug and Joy Ortaliz as well as to Metafit’s fastest triathlete, Guian Capacite, even with minimal training. With maximal training for the heart, he finished strong with sub-6 Performance. Job well done for Metafit. We Train, We conquered, and we are family!