Brimming with confidence, Raya out to test limits in endurance racing

CEBU, Philippines — Cebuano lawyer and multi-sport athlete Brando Ray Raya embarks on a new challenge in his transformational sports journey as he sees action in the DagSik Duathlon 2025 slated on February 16 at the Citi de Mare grounds in South Road Properties.

Under the guidance of his coaches, Raya had been training religiously for the grueling battle ahead consisting of a 10K run, 40K bike, and 5K run, hitting a mix of long rides, solid runs, and brick workouts particularly the bike-to-run transition.   

“On top of that, I always make sure to recover properly and fuel up right because let’s be real, training isn’t just about pushing hard, it’s about training smart too and pairing it with proper rest,” Raya said.   

“To be honest, just keeping the grind going on days when motivation is low has always a challenge for me. Some days, you just don’t feel like lacing up or hopping on the bike, but that’s where the mental game kicks in. It’s a matter of whether I stay in my bed and lose all the preparations I’ve done or to get up and continue what I have started. I remind myself why I’m doing this, and that usually gets me moving.”

Looking back at what he had gone though, Raya admitted that his duathlon training has truly impacted his life.

“It has changed my whole mindset, honestly. It’s not just about this race - it’s about building discipline, being consistent, and constantly improving. It has made me realize that growth happens in the struggle, in the pain, in the sweats, in the process, and that applies to so many ways more than just racing.”

Being a duathlete means a lot for the 40-year-old Raya because the values he learned from the sporting field align with with his guiding principles in life.

“For me, I believe it’s all about resilience, and that never-give-up attitude which I always live up to. It’s more about pushing through when your legs are screaming at you to stop. It’s about proving to yourself that you can do hard things, figure the moment, and coming out stronger on the other side.”

Though tough, Raya said he joined endurance races because these are so rewarding and a great learning experience.

“It allows me figure out pacing, fighting through the pain, and just embracing the grind. If you’re wondering what’s the best part of it - it’s the rush when you cross that finish line. Nothing beats that feeling.”

That motivates Raya to test his limits through the DagSik Duathlon scheduled a week from now.

“I am joining this event for personal achievement and for fun, too. I agree that competition is fun, but at the end of the day, it’s me vs. me. I joined because I want to see progress, push my limits, and walk away knowing I gave it everything I had,” said Raya.

“I’ve always loved a good challenge. There’s this drive to start something, something about pushing yourself past your limits that makes you feel alive. The Dagsik Duathlon is a perfect mix of endurance, grit, and just straight-up determination. Also, it’s an awesome way to test myself and see how far I’ve come from all of the trainings I’ve done since last year.”

Looking forward to the race day with much excitement, Raya shares an inspiring message to his fellow participants. “Let’s give it everything we’ve got. Whether you’re here to compete, hit a personal goal, or just have fun - own it, enjoy the moment. Trust your training, push through the pain, and enjoy the ride. And remember, the finish line is just the beginning of what you’re capable of.” – EBV