Training while on vacation

AFTER a four-year hiatus, a Cebuano triathlete is returning to the competitive triathlon scene with his first attempt in the Cobra Ironman 70.3 on Aug. 5 at the Shangri-la Resort and Spa, Mactan, Cebu.

Niño Abarquez aims to pull off at least a top three finish in the 30-34 age group and relive his glory years.

Abarquez, who works as a certified parasail captain in Royal Cruise Ltd. based in Miami, Florida, continues to train even while on vacation in Cebu for three months.

“Even if I am on vacation, I have maximized my stay here in Cebu as I’ve been training a lot under the intense heat of the sun,” said the 34-year-old Abarquez, who will be reporting to work next week.

“However, I can still continue my training as I’m based in the Caribbean areas. Init sad didto, like the Philippines, so dili kaayo siya problema for me with
acclimatization (It’s also hot there so acclimatization is not much of a problem for me),” he said.

Juggling training while working abroad can be a challenge, but for Abarquez, nothing is impossible “if you put your heart into it.”

Maximizing time

He said would maximize his time whenever the ship docks.

“Probably I would be swimming in the Bahamas, cycling in Miami downtown or running in Key West Florida. My base training is unconventional and it is very challenging. That is what life is all about and I live it,” Abarquez said.

Abarquez was one of those who founded the United Triathlete Association way back in 1998 while studying with a double major in Political Science and Education at the University of San Carlos.

During his college years, he was a member of the USC swimming team. He reckoned it was during this phase that he realized that swimming is not merely about floating in the water. It came to him that technicalities and basic foundation must be applied.

Being passionate about sports at a young age gave Abarquez the backbone, discipline and learning focus to excel in his studies.

Excellent student

He was consistently at the top of his classes from elementary to college. He graduated valedictorian in both elementary and high school.

“I could have not done this without sports in my life,” Abarquez said.

In 2004-2005, Abarquez made use of his triathlon experience to help his team bag back-to-back championship titles in the Carrera Habagat. It was during this race when they beat the team that climbed Mt. Everest.

Among the many adventure races where he emerged champion were the Island Paradise Adventure Race sponsored by Department of Tourism, Development Bank of the Philippines’ Amazing Race, and SanMig Light’s Race.