From agent to pro athlete
CEBUANO triathlete Kristiane Lim has taken another upswing in his career after joining the Alaska Tri-Aspire professional team.
Lim, who started doing triathlons last 2011 is now a full-time elite developmental athlete of Alaska under the eye of renowned Canadian coach Mathieu O’Halloran. The 28-year-old Lim is the only Cebuano in the current roster, which has Paul Jumamill, Noemi Andrea Galos, Juan Carlos Abad, Jenny Rose Guerrero and Banjo Norte.
Lim, a registered nurse who worked as a call center agent in Cebu, said that when he received an invitation from Alaska Tri-Team, the decision was a no-brainer.
“It came to one point that working at night and training in the morning took a serious toll on my body. I was burned out big time after Ironman 70.3 Philippines, and I was forced to skip the 5150 race in Bohol and I had sub-par performances in Hunat Sugbo and San Remigio 8080,” said the former stalwart rider of Parklane Tri-Team.
“It was an easy decision to leave work since I have spent six years already in Convergys, and I wanted to avail of the retirement bonus. The only question when I was heading out of Cebu was my better half; in the end, she was very supportive and excited about me chasing my dreams,” he said.
Lim added that training under the best coach in Asia and with some of the best here in the Philippines was an opportunity to improve his skills and explore his potentials.
“I really was not afraid to leave the desk job because I do not want to come to a point late in my life regretting the things I haven’t tried,” said the Alcantara, Cebu native.
Being part of the Alaska Tri-Team means access to free in-house coaching of O’Halloran, sponsored equipment, a GPS training device, nutrition, athlete allowance, free travel and entry to races.
Most of their races are those with Sunrise Events Inc. (Sei) events. In line for Lim this year are Ironman 70.3 Philippines in Subic Bay, Da Nang 70.3 Vietnam, Subic Bay International Triathlon, 5150 Subic, Ironman 70.3 Philippines in Cebu, and 5150 race in Bohol. Lim said that they can also join local races.
“(By joining the team) I do not expect to be in the winner’s circle right away, but I will give it my best shot every time. I have learned that in Cebu back to when I just started triathlon, just be patient and learn. As long as I become better, it is already good for me,” Lim said.
Lim finished third in the Filipino Elite division in Ironman 70.3 Philippines in August last year in Cebu.
“Racing and training are mostly an eye-opener. It is very different, and I realized how wrong I was doing things before,” he said on his training stint in the camp.
When asked what the basis of Alaska Tri-Team are in recruiting their triathletes, he said that the team is looking for guys with potentials and who can commit to the team.
Lim was thankful to his previous team, the Parklane Tri-Team, who served as his stepping stone in triathlon. He said that his former teammates are supportive of his recent career move.
Lim is preparing for his next race, the Subic Ironman 70.3 Philippines in Subic Bay on March 8.
According to its official website, the Alaska Tri-Aspire team aims to produce legitimate professional athletes who can compete in the 5i50, 70.3 Ironman, Xterra events and athletes who can represent the Philippines in the Asian Beach Games, Asian Games and Olympic games.