Pages: Post-race reports from Cebu’s Ironmen (and women)
-A A +AWednesday, August 8, 2012
CHRIS ALDEGUER: It was my first ever race that I got to smile and enjoy. I never have fun during a race, but this was different. The crowd was unbelievable. I couldn’t believe this magnitude of a race was happening in our hometown.
ALAN CHOACHUY: It was emotional; I broke down at the finish line bringing the Biggest Loser flag. First thing that crossed my mind: for all the obese and unhealthy people who thought they have no chance to change. I’m living proof (a year ago I was 309 lbs.) that you can be what you want to be as long as you put your heart into it.
I never imagined I can finish a 70.3 IM. The race was tough; I targeted seven hours but finished 7:58. I was surprised at my 40-min swim; very relaxing. In the bike, I had mechanical trouble at Km. 60. A spoke broke and the tire was wobbly. For 30 kilometers, I pedaled harder. I had four hours to spare for the run. It was my longest 21K! I told myself I’m not going to do this again. But, seconds after the finish, I said, “I will do this again next year!”
AMALE JOPSON: Even with the crazy water start and the surprise of the gun about to go off when everyone was beyond the starting line, I enjoyed the swim leg. The water was clear and calm, which allowed me to maneuver around the slower swimmers from the first wave. Except for a slight current on the way back, swim conditions were great, helping me to clock 32:08 at the timing mat, putting us in a good position for the win in the all-women’s relay (teammates: Lohriz Lopez and Joy Tabal). The event was well-staged and made me feel proud that we had a world-class race in Cebu. Individual race next year? If I can find a way for my kids not to feel like orphans for a few months while training. :)
MENDEL LOPEZ, Third placer, Filipino elite. Of all my achievements, this has to be the best ever. I was slow in the swim (34 minutes), as I expected. In the bike, I recovered and timed 2:31. I suffered in the run (1:28) because of the biking effort.
Triathlon training is not as painful as the marathon. My next target: this December in Bohol, the Timex 226 (full Ironman)!
JANE-JANE ONG. My second IM 70.3 was memorable. Of the three disciplines, swim is my weakest. However, water on race day was calm, no waves, no undercurrent, no jellyfish. YAY! I surprised myself by cutting my time by 14 min. Bike was very difficult with the strong winds from CICC to Talisay. And I thought Camsur was difficult with the rain... this was worse. But the best part, it was our homecourt with plenty of friends and athletes who cheered.
AYA GARCIA SHLACHTER. Swimming in the open water was most enjoyable. It is challenging and you need to be mentally prepared, swimming with hundreds of people. The bike is my weakest but I managed to finish in one piece even though I crashed during one of the narrow U-turns. I knew I was going to crash so I decided to gracefully make a free fall to the right without resisting. I picked myself up and continued injury-free.
Most memorable: when my dear friend Sen. Pia Cayetano was waiting for me at the finish (my time: 7:04).
BERNARD SIA, who replaced actress Jennylyn Mercado as cyclist for Team FHM (Fearless Hot Mammas), with swimmer Ripples Faelnar and runner MaiMai Hermosilla: The IM70.3 will be remembered for a long time. While I waited for our swimmer my heart rate was 112. I was anxious and excited! During my ride I just remembered one tip: keep my heart rate at 150-155. We lost a cyclist, don’t know him personally but would like to dedicate that ride to him. Ramie Igaña, that was for you. Most fun: friends taking time to cheer especially Andy and Renee Ven who took photos, and this chance to bike the SRP and the tunnel!
GANDHI TRUYA, who finished in 5:43. I enjoy it more than a full marathon, the latter is more painful. Recovery in 70.3 is faster... Cruising at the SRP coastal road getting hit by headwind and blown away by the tailwind is something a cyclist here does not experience often. Compared to Camsur?
No offense to CWC but Shangri-La is definitely better. The Marcelo Fernan Bridge, the tunnel, the SRP are some of the things Camsur can’t offer.
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on August 09, 2012.
Sports
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