Ironman 70.3 Philippines
Wow, what a great event. You will have a hard time trying to find an event as spectacular as this one. It is such a pleasure to be racing in this event for the 5th time with my Timex-Gold's Gym TMM family. The support, kindness and comoradery of the team really does make us a family, not just a team.
As you know I decided to go to The Philippines early to do some last minute training as well as get some R&R. May not have been the best place to go for training, but I managed to get a good couple of sessions in as well as make some new friends. plus I got a chance to ride some pretty incredible hills.
Thank you to TheBrick Multisports Store Cebu for your continuous help and support through my time here, always the best service around. Congrats to Joseph and Noy on your race and thank you so much for helping me train, it is much appreciated. I tried so hard to catch you both but I just couldn't catch you.
It was good being able to see the hive of race week setup and the work involved in putting a race like this together, I sure do understand the stress that gets put on the organising team of Sunrise Events. You did a wonderful job again Princess.
It wasn't long before race week came and all the bikes start coming in, the Island of Mactan fills with lycra clad athletes and the trash talk begins. It isn't a race without a little sledging :)
I go into the event marquee and expo to register and pick up my event bag, id and race number to find out that they have once again put Torpeado down as my nickname on my race bib. I have no idea where they got this nickname from but it is on both my 5150 and 70.3 race bibs. Oh well, 'Ill live.
I got to catch up with the wonderful Michelle and Hazel Wu, always good to catch up with you two. You manage to calm me down and pick me up whenever needed. I'm glad I didn't get you killed on our ride, although we had a few close calls it was a pretty good ride. Thanks for the fun Michelle.
Pre race team outings are always a blast, most of the team is already hear by the Friday and I get to catch up with a couple for lunch before heading to the Timex tent for out team photos. Amazing bunch of people that all stick together.
So race morning is whirl of fun.. haha. Unusually it takes me a while to put my transition together and get sorted than normal but all is well and we make our way down to the swim start. We have a our team prayer and ask for safe passage through the race and the strength to continue through the pain. It was definitely answered with i think all of the team finishing this year.
I head on into the warmup area and do a quick warmup swim, nothing too strenuous but it is enough to get the juices flowing. I was ready. Even though I had not been doing much training and had a little fatigue built up from the past week, I was in the mood to race.
As you know I decided to go to The Philippines early to do some last minute training as well as get some R&R. May not have been the best place to go for training, but I managed to get a good couple of sessions in as well as make some new friends. plus I got a chance to ride some pretty incredible hills.
Thank you to TheBrick Multisports Store Cebu for your continuous help and support through my time here, always the best service around. Congrats to Joseph and Noy on your race and thank you so much for helping me train, it is much appreciated. I tried so hard to catch you both but I just couldn't catch you.
It was good being able to see the hive of race week setup and the work involved in putting a race like this together, I sure do understand the stress that gets put on the organising team of Sunrise Events. You did a wonderful job again Princess.
It wasn't long before race week came and all the bikes start coming in, the Island of Mactan fills with lycra clad athletes and the trash talk begins. It isn't a race without a little sledging :)
I go into the event marquee and expo to register and pick up my event bag, id and race number to find out that they have once again put Torpeado down as my nickname on my race bib. I have no idea where they got this nickname from but it is on both my 5150 and 70.3 race bibs. Oh well, 'Ill live.
I got to catch up with the wonderful Michelle and Hazel Wu, always good to catch up with you two. You manage to calm me down and pick me up whenever needed. I'm glad I didn't get you killed on our ride, although we had a few close calls it was a pretty good ride. Thanks for the fun Michelle.
Pre race team outings are always a blast, most of the team is already hear by the Friday and I get to catch up with a couple for lunch before heading to the Timex tent for out team photos. Amazing bunch of people that all stick together.
So race morning is whirl of fun.. haha. Unusually it takes me a while to put my transition together and get sorted than normal but all is well and we make our way down to the swim start. We have a our team prayer and ask for safe passage through the race and the strength to continue through the pain. It was definitely answered with i think all of the team finishing this year.
I head on into the warmup area and do a quick warmup swim, nothing too strenuous but it is enough to get the juices flowing. I was ready. Even though I had not been doing much training and had a little fatigue built up from the past week, I was in the mood to race.
The Swim
I got off to a good start just out there turning the arms over. I knew that I hadn't done much swimming training so I couldn't have asked for much better than what i did. I was comfortable and still feeling strong, I didn't feel like I was going slow but I knew I was not going fast. I was pretty much out there on my own and catching a few Filipino elites, just enough to keep me from freaking out in the open water. I am so thankful for the "lane lines" that the Philippine races always have in place.
I went very slightly off course coming up to the exit. With the sun in my eyes I wasn't able to see exactly where the exit was, so I got a good sight of one of the turning buoys and aimed for that, thinking we turn after that and head to shore. Then a kayak comes along side me and guides me to the exit. I normally don't have any troubles in directions on the swim, but the exit was hiding around the corner of a wave breaker, so I was a very little bit out.
I was still very content with the swim having just turned the arms over and not gone through much energy. It was a little slower than I would have liked but I couldn't complain with the lack of training I have had.
I make my way to transition and Whit announces me coming through in the good fashion he always does, really builds your spirits and keeps you going on a high. He is definitely good at his job. I get to my bike and all the salt water I drank in the swim starts to come up, I try and coax it back down but I had to go into the corner and get it out. Felt much better but I knew I was starting on no nutrition in my stomach.
Transition was a little different this year with it being in an open paddock area. The ground surface was large bits of crushed rock, made for a lot of hurt on the foot.
I got off to a good start just out there turning the arms over. I knew that I hadn't done much swimming training so I couldn't have asked for much better than what i did. I was comfortable and still feeling strong, I didn't feel like I was going slow but I knew I was not going fast. I was pretty much out there on my own and catching a few Filipino elites, just enough to keep me from freaking out in the open water. I am so thankful for the "lane lines" that the Philippine races always have in place.
I went very slightly off course coming up to the exit. With the sun in my eyes I wasn't able to see exactly where the exit was, so I got a good sight of one of the turning buoys and aimed for that, thinking we turn after that and head to shore. Then a kayak comes along side me and guides me to the exit. I normally don't have any troubles in directions on the swim, but the exit was hiding around the corner of a wave breaker, so I was a very little bit out.
I was still very content with the swim having just turned the arms over and not gone through much energy. It was a little slower than I would have liked but I couldn't complain with the lack of training I have had.
I make my way to transition and Whit announces me coming through in the good fashion he always does, really builds your spirits and keeps you going on a high. He is definitely good at his job. I get to my bike and all the salt water I drank in the swim starts to come up, I try and coax it back down but I had to go into the corner and get it out. Felt much better but I knew I was starting on no nutrition in my stomach.
Transition was a little different this year with it being in an open paddock area. The ground surface was large bits of crushed rock, made for a lot of hurt on the foot.
The Bike
The course this year was changed a little. Instead of one M loop going all the way out to Talisay, it was two M loops of half the distance. There were lots of fears it was going to be overly congested on the 2nd loop. With Triathletes not having much bike handling skills and being in the philippines where if there is a road, you use it, doesn't matter where you are on the road, it was a cause for concern.
I wasn't feeling the best in the first little bit of the bike, having just thrown up, but I kept on going and got my nutrition in early. The first 25km was pretty hard with a good wind to add into the mix. At the time I thought it was a crosswind and I would have to battle my way through for the whole ride.
I got to the start of the M loops and through the tunnel, not long after I see the first three men flying on the return. Not sure exactly what was going through my head then but the speed difference was phenomenal.
I was starting to feel a bit better when I hit the first turnaround and then I picked up some awesome speed, straight after the turnaround I am up to 45km/hr and feeling great, I knew now that it was a strong head wind making me feel slow and disgusting. I did some quick math and figure I will have a pretty good average speed sitting 30km/hr on the way out and 45km/hr on the way back, I had to start planning to make sure I wasn't putting too much energy and power into the race too early.
I get back to the southern turnaround in no time at all and start with the headwind again. Only being 6km each way, it was just the right distance for me to be able to push into the headwind and catch my breath with free speed on the way back.
I start the second M loop and now the battle begins. I had underestimated how congested it was going to be. I was not overly concerned before the race, stipulating to everyone that if you just stick to the right there will be no problems. Although I managed to get away unscathed, I think I was pushing a little harder than I should have, just trying to pass everyone and stay safe.
On the last of the head wind sections Pete Jacobs passed me asking if I am ok, as he didn't expect to catch me, he was just doing the bike for a team this year. It was good to have your support out there Pete.
I am on the final 10 km of the bike and I have used all my nutrition and starting to fade. I wasn't going too bad but I still had a long way to go. Due to throwing up I had tried to put as much nutrition back in to be able to cater for an empty stomach, but it wasn’t enough.
The course this year was changed a little. Instead of one M loop going all the way out to Talisay, it was two M loops of half the distance. There were lots of fears it was going to be overly congested on the 2nd loop. With Triathletes not having much bike handling skills and being in the philippines where if there is a road, you use it, doesn't matter where you are on the road, it was a cause for concern.
I wasn't feeling the best in the first little bit of the bike, having just thrown up, but I kept on going and got my nutrition in early. The first 25km was pretty hard with a good wind to add into the mix. At the time I thought it was a crosswind and I would have to battle my way through for the whole ride.
I got to the start of the M loops and through the tunnel, not long after I see the first three men flying on the return. Not sure exactly what was going through my head then but the speed difference was phenomenal.
I was starting to feel a bit better when I hit the first turnaround and then I picked up some awesome speed, straight after the turnaround I am up to 45km/hr and feeling great, I knew now that it was a strong head wind making me feel slow and disgusting. I did some quick math and figure I will have a pretty good average speed sitting 30km/hr on the way out and 45km/hr on the way back, I had to start planning to make sure I wasn't putting too much energy and power into the race too early.
I get back to the southern turnaround in no time at all and start with the headwind again. Only being 6km each way, it was just the right distance for me to be able to push into the headwind and catch my breath with free speed on the way back.
I start the second M loop and now the battle begins. I had underestimated how congested it was going to be. I was not overly concerned before the race, stipulating to everyone that if you just stick to the right there will be no problems. Although I managed to get away unscathed, I think I was pushing a little harder than I should have, just trying to pass everyone and stay safe.
On the last of the head wind sections Pete Jacobs passed me asking if I am ok, as he didn't expect to catch me, he was just doing the bike for a team this year. It was good to have your support out there Pete.
I am on the final 10 km of the bike and I have used all my nutrition and starting to fade. I wasn't going too bad but I still had a long way to go. Due to throwing up I had tried to put as much nutrition back in to be able to cater for an empty stomach, but it wasn’t enough.
The Run,
Where to begin.. hot hot hot... the run in Cebu is always challenging. I was still feeling pretty weak in the first 5km, just trying to get the legs turning over and some food back in the system. The run was definitely not going to the original plan, but I stuck to it and kept putting fuel in. Around that 5km mark I started to come good again and was able to pick up the pace again.
Starting to finally get back into the game I was able to keep a good pace and felt good. The spectators out on the run course were all so good and encouraging, exactly what you need when you’re out there and hurting.
The second lap comes around and I am in good form again, running smooth and only a little slower than I liked. I was just just feeding off all the energy put out by the spectators and the other athletes on the course until the last 2km. Thats when I was really starting to get overheated, when I got to be out the front of Movenpick hotel where there was a shower section. I had to stop and get soaked and cool down. It was good to have my team mates there at the hotel cheering and getting me back and running.
I managed to finish strong and get an ok time, nothing to get excited about but it was a good effort considering the little training I had done for the race.
Where to begin.. hot hot hot... the run in Cebu is always challenging. I was still feeling pretty weak in the first 5km, just trying to get the legs turning over and some food back in the system. The run was definitely not going to the original plan, but I stuck to it and kept putting fuel in. Around that 5km mark I started to come good again and was able to pick up the pace again.
Starting to finally get back into the game I was able to keep a good pace and felt good. The spectators out on the run course were all so good and encouraging, exactly what you need when you’re out there and hurting.
The second lap comes around and I am in good form again, running smooth and only a little slower than I liked. I was just just feeding off all the energy put out by the spectators and the other athletes on the course until the last 2km. Thats when I was really starting to get overheated, when I got to be out the front of Movenpick hotel where there was a shower section. I had to stop and get soaked and cool down. It was good to have my team mates there at the hotel cheering and getting me back and running.
I managed to finish strong and get an ok time, nothing to get excited about but it was a good effort considering the little training I had done for the race.
The Aftermath,
How could I have any better of a next couple of days, spending some time with friends and relaxing by the pool at Be Resorts. Thank you very much to the Be Resorts Mactan for accommodating me again this year, your service is great and make me feel at home every time I am there. Thank you for all the treats in my room and displaying my return on your slides, your front office staff are simply amazing. I look forward to the return again next year.
We were due to return to Manila on Monday night but because of some heavy rain in Manila the planes were all delayed. It wasn't too much of a delay before we end up in Manila again. I am spending a couple of days here with some of the team before heading back to the chaos that is home and work.
Anyway I wake up on Tuesday morning to Ias asking if I mind looking after their gorgeous little girl while the nanny was away, so of course I jumped at the opportunity. It is always a precious time spending it with children, watching their eyes light up when they see something they like. It is a great time in life being a child, I wish I could remember what it was like. Although, sometimes it's still good to go out and act like a child every know and then.. hehe.
So I sit here now watching the little one sleep and I enjoy a nice coffee and cake.
I don't know exactly what the next couple of months hold for me but I know there is some exciting and challenging things to come. Be prepared to hear some good things in the next couple of months.
Until then, Keep It Together.
How could I have any better of a next couple of days, spending some time with friends and relaxing by the pool at Be Resorts. Thank you very much to the Be Resorts Mactan for accommodating me again this year, your service is great and make me feel at home every time I am there. Thank you for all the treats in my room and displaying my return on your slides, your front office staff are simply amazing. I look forward to the return again next year.
We were due to return to Manila on Monday night but because of some heavy rain in Manila the planes were all delayed. It wasn't too much of a delay before we end up in Manila again. I am spending a couple of days here with some of the team before heading back to the chaos that is home and work.
Anyway I wake up on Tuesday morning to Ias asking if I mind looking after their gorgeous little girl while the nanny was away, so of course I jumped at the opportunity. It is always a precious time spending it with children, watching their eyes light up when they see something they like. It is a great time in life being a child, I wish I could remember what it was like. Although, sometimes it's still good to go out and act like a child every know and then.. hehe.
So I sit here now watching the little one sleep and I enjoy a nice coffee and cake.
I don't know exactly what the next couple of months hold for me but I know there is some exciting and challenging things to come. Be prepared to hear some good things in the next couple of months.
Until then, Keep It Together.
