Try Try Triathlon

Note: This will be an addicting sport!

When Ungo running couple Doc Kingking and Adz decided to organize the 1st Ungo AA Triathlon, I didn't hesitate to join as this will be my first time to do the swim-bike-run challenge.

Last Sunday's triathlon as one hell of an experience. Although there are some factor that made me think twice about joining -- if I can swim 750meters or bike 20kms or run 5K!

Try Try Triathlon

At first, I was hesitant to swim and I decided that I will just do the bike and run events. But at the last minute, I decided to do the swimming leg anyway. Without proper training in swimming, I headed to the chest-deep water with other fellow Ungo runners. I made it to the 750meter-swim (+ walk) leg!

Good thing Doc Kingking allowed me to use her mountain bike. Although I know to ride a bike but I am not much into biking or cycling. I even forgot to adjust the saddle height of the bike. The bike leg was also crucial as we rode off up until the 29th KM marker in Danao City while the sun is up and the big trucks just zoom by without warning. I headed back to the venue (Seafront Resort) all in one piece (although my butt hurts!) and ready to run.

I ask my PR Agatha to pace with me in the 5K run leg. I decided to run slow so that I can conserve my energy towards the finish line. Not to mention that my legs start to wobble. We stopped at the turning point -- our famous buko juice stop in Liloan. We drank buko juice to rehydrate and head back to make one loop. We were supposed to make 2 loops but the other runners decided to do one loop instead. We then head to the finish line. I finished 8th among 11 participants with a time of 1:32:46.

Fulfillment

Last Sunday's triathlon experience was very fulfilling. It inspired me to do better. I know swimming is my weakest sport. But I've realized that proper training can make myself stronger in the sport. I can bike and run so I just need to train in swimming.

Last Sunday was also a day of thanksgiving as it was also a post-birthday celebration of fellow Ungo Runner Brian Padilla. 

To Do List:

• train for swimming
• do more spin classes with Syd
• buy my own bike 
• run more marathons
• join Ungo Triathlon ver 1.10

Thanx to Adz and Doc King2x for organizing the event. And to all members of Ungo Tri for making a difference... THANK YOU!

Now did I say this sport is addictive? 

When is Version 1.10?

*Special thanx to our Photographers: James Go, Sydney, Doc King2x, Victor and Belle.

Birthday Run

I really wanted to ran on my birthday.... and to ran  1 kilometer per year of my life. 

I was invited by fellow TTB members for the RunRio Leg 3 November 21 and ran 32K at that. I said to myself that this race will be very timely as I will turn 34 by the day before the race. But to back track, I was supposed to go home to Dumaguete and ran at the Dumaguete City 3/4 Marathon. Anyhow, I was fully prepared for the RunRio 32K run. But luck isn't on my side as my Dad was confined at the hospital a day before my birthday. His blood pressure shoot up. So there I was throwing away the excitement of running for the 2nd time in Manila.

But I realized that family comes first. Of course I had to take care of my Dad and I decided not to join RunRio and gave my race bib and D-Tag to RH Runner Daryl Igot. Later I knew it was fellow Ungo Runner April Dagandan who ran for my race number (thanx April!). So yeah! Family always should come first!

And while all of my TTB running mates were excited in their Manila trip, I was at the hospital to take care of my Dad. But the itchiness of my feet prevailed as I decided to ran on my birthday as my dad was resting at the hospital. He actually knew first hand that that was my goal that day. So I decided to use Nikia and ran on my birthday!

Katol @ pan break

What made it more special is that I was able to ran with friends who supported me in my birthday run. I ran with Agz from KM0 to Consolacion while Doc King2x and Adz waited for us. We had a short pan break at Julies and ran again. We were heading North and hoping to reach the KM34 mark in time for lunch. 

Doc King2x & Agz at Km17

Adz decided to be our support crew along with his cute dog. The 3 of us ran and did some "find the kilometer marker" game. It was basically a very relaxed run -- lots of walk breaks, re-hydration, chi (ka) running and buko juice break. We are even laughed our asses off when we see signs of food like lechon or local delicacies. We can't help but envy and feel hungry!

Each kilometer marker was an achievement for us as we slowly paced on the road amidst the dust, the heat and some reckless drivers of vehicles passing by. But inspite of all these, I was determined to finish the run and grab hold of the KM34 marker.

Most of the time, we are just goofing ourselves and take photos when we reach a significant marker. Adz gladly waited for us every 2kms to offer water. He was indeed a big help.

Doc King2x @ buko juice break -- Adz giving water to sweetyms Dockie

Reaching the Goal

The last 2 kilometers was very sloooooow as we are already dragging ourselves. I felt slight pain in my right big toe already. I said to myself that someday I will say goodbye to my big toe. My left big toe said goodbye to me when I conquered the 46.15kms ran from JY to Balamban last September.

I was so excited to see the KM32 marker. Inspite of he heat, we were still able to smile to get a photo of ourselves. And we know that the last 2 kms will be another achievement for us. And of course, we can't help but getting hungrier as we pass by some food stands.

Seeing the KM34 marker past Danao City was a sight to behold. I can't explain the exact feeling at that very moment. All I can think of is how happy I am to reach my goal that day and I am very happy to achieve it with my friends. 

Happy Birthday to me!

A very yummy lunch awaited us at the fish port. A nice treat to ourselves. The long run paid off. My birthday run was a success. 

Thank you to Agz and Doc King2x and Adz for their warm support during my birthday run. Another tick off in my bucket list. Another personal achievement. 

Thank you Lord for giving me more life to my years and more years to my life. 

I turned 34 years old last November 20, 2010. I figured... my age is just a number. :-)

NEXT STOP: Adrian Catingub's 33KM Birthday Run on December 19, 2010