Eyes For The Prize! (My Triathlon Experience)

“You can stand tall without standing on someone. You can be a victor without having victims.” – harriet woods

First time to swim this way, and I’m so nervous!

with Ultra-runner Caloy Nobleza during our ‘water warm-up.’

In the transition period, from swimming to biking.

I’m ready to pedal!

At the finish line with friends…

Let me continue my story about my first ever triathlon done yesterday here in San Pedro Laguna.

As I emerged from the pool coming from a 750 meters competition, I grabbed my bike and I’m ready to pedal my way for a 20 kms. route. We have to complete an 8  loops from Nonino Resort going to a Bridge, then turning right at the intersection going to San Pedro Town Proper then turn right again to Noninos. It was  a loop of more or less 2.2 kms, similar to that of  A FAT ASS  24 hours RACE in Clark where I also joined last January 6, 2010.  On my 4th loop, I fell down from my bike as I crossed  a railway.  There was a minor scratch and pain, but it  was tolerable. My good friend, Ultra-runner Caloy Nobleza whom I invited was not so lucky enough. He also fell on the same spot in different occasion and he suffered wounds on his knees. As a true warrior as he is, he was able to conquer that setback, and like me,  he became a triathlete yesterday. After more than 20 minutes, I completed the loops and now I’m ready to run.

But there was a problem. My legs were not accustomed to running after swimming and biking. And so, I have a difficulty running my first kilometer.  It was so hard. It was painful. It was like I already ran an 80 kms. Maybe, I lost 50% of my strength in swimming and another 25% in biking. I only have 25% left strength left in me and still  4 kms to go before reaching the finish line.

All of a sudden,  a  reliable source  yelled at me in the last 2.5 kms of that triathlon and he told me that I could still make it in the top 3 in my age category. That was very tempting. Me, to be included in the top 3? Why not?

I regained my last strength and reached the finish line in an approximate time of 1 hour and 15 minutes or less.

Here comes the awarding…

But my name was not called.

As I checked my status later, I learned that I’m at  the 4th place.

There might be  a ‘manipulation’ in the awarding of prizes but I’m not so sure about it, besides, I have no evidence to prove it. I’m only thinking why a certain athlete  should be given two awards, one in the top 3 and the other in the age category? If you’re already included in the top 3, I think you’re no longer eligible to win in the age category group to give way for another deserving athlete. I maybe wrong, but that is my thought regarding this event.

In fairness to those winners, all of them are  strong triathletes, no doubt about it.

I’m not after for a ‘prize’ but I’ll accept it willingly If  it really belongs to me.

I must train harder and better. But first, let me polish my swimming skills.

Let me thank the following people for this event:

Ivan Sarmiento for lending me his goggles in the swimming competition.

Fred for inviting me for this event.

Benny Marzan for watching me and in many times became my photographer.

Joe Asuncion for motivation.

SPYDER for my eyewear.

LORD JESUS for being with me all the way.

YOU…for reading this blog.

See you in the 2nd edition of Bataan Death March 102 kms on March 6, 2010.

God be Praised!

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2/2i/2010 Donors Update HOLY RUN on HOLY WEEK 250 Kms RUN For the Chosen Children From Monumento to Baguio City…

Dante Oliver P50

Robert Cruz P50

Let Guieb P50

Erick Guieb P50

Mesopotamia P25

L.Aniel P25

Amazing Grace P35

Conrad Aquino

Abet son P50

Juvy Pagtalunan ?

Jinoe and Quennie Gavan ?

code name:Matthew P5 per km for every km that I can run

code name: Pinay from Boston $50

Billy and Mai San Juan P1,000

May the Lord bless you all!