UP Law Tri 08302009

When I signed up for this, the only thought I had is that this might be the best idea I had or the worst. Up until now, several days after, I do not know the answer to that question. Haha. Scheduled right smack in the middle of midterms season, amidst ola and all other endeavors which eat up my free days, and considering the fact that I gradually decreased training time since my fit and fab summer, it was a recipe for disaster.

Actually, the reckoning point was some days prior to registration, I did a practice swim leg, and the time would determine whether or not i would shell out 1500 for registration. If it's less than 30 mins, proceed. If not, back out. So I guess we all know what happened then.

Early registration. An early bird, not exactly because of the discounted registration fee (because actually, there was no discount for the triathlon) but for reinforcement of training. But that didn't work. In August, I did a measely 60k total of running, roughly 8 swimming sessions and just 2 bike sessions. Haha.

Race Day. Woke up early to watch the fun run and waterstations, some administrative work and boom...7:30 na pala, have to set up my transition area.

750m Swim. Pretty uneventful, haha. 5 laps, 3 sets. The UP swimming pool is quite humbling. Sana the alumni would raise funds for its improvement. The UP Varsity Swimming Team does well in the UAAP, champions even during my college days so they deserve nice training facilities. As I've said, the dirtiest i've swam in by far with just one meter of visibility...actually, not even. Just armslength. But come to think of it, open water swims are in even murkier water. I could have reduced my time by raising myself from the end of the pool, but no..., I wanted to conserve the energy in my arms so i opted to use the rails...and anyway, the triceps are not like they used to be anymore. :P

T1. I anticipated a little and brought shoes to the pool so it was a quick trip back to the transition area. However, it took me so long to take off from there...disorganized thoughts and wet skin is not compatible with a fast t1. I may have reached 5 minutes. Haha.

20k Bike. This was tough to finish. I was using a nice fast road bike c/o Charles but I'm not that good a biker and, like the triceps, the quads aren't as they were before. That was 8 rounds of the course (acad oval plus a portion of university ave.) ...counterclockwise!!! The original route was clockwise which means just one challenging part: that hike from eng'g to econ. In this case, the uphill started from quezon hall up until educ. by the 4th round I could feel my quads complaining. Nang matapos, all I could think of is "hay salamat natapos din."

T2. They made us dismount around 100m (or more) from the transition area. As I could not run with a bike nor bring a bike on my back, I just walked. And like before, it took me 10 years to take off, even though I rehearsed it in my head while biking: isabit ang bike, drink, gel, saltstick, wear socks, shoes, tie hair, drink again. Probably 5 minutes again, not counting the walk from the dismount. Kupad! parang pupunta lang ng mall...

5k Run. Finally, the last leg. Heart rate was still 70-80%, not too tired although the calves are a little stiff from the biking. I have done that route and I knew that I could do it in 30 minutes or 35 at most, but all I could think about is I don't want to get cramps and not finish...ayun naglakad. I regret not pushing myself at this point, after doing so for the past 2 legs. But then again, pwede na considering I've done worse times, and kailangang pangatawanan ang pagiging maarte. At the last 100 meters I savored the festive environment: mommy was noisy as usual cheering like she was in a softball field watching danielle and dennise, a band was playing on the left, law school friends were likewise cheering in chorus (i remember dan, res and sop particularly), the biker that almost ran over me (hindi kasi nakikinig sa marshall haha), the friendly lifesize chocolate bar and kisses waving at me, and before I knew it, tapos na pala, nagcross na ako ng finish line.

So that's the story. I probably placed last but I have a medal still. No.1 ata ito sa student category...hehe. Next time, i will be conscious of transition time and will truly run. But for now, ie September and until i acquire my own bike, training muna at takbo.

I would like to congratulate my watergirls at university avenue for winning the best waterstation award. :)

(Under)Training for my first Tri

I'm actually realizing that signing up for both a 15k run and a sprint tri 2 weeks apart is a very bad idea. I've never done both.

On one hand, I'm enjoying the break from the monotony of building mileage (and photocopied pages). But on the other hand, I inevitably undertrain for EVERY event, given my limited time within an academic week.

Almost a month ago I've started my tri training. Self-designed, after reading numerous resources online and on print. I am positive I can finish both, I'm confident with my endurance. But in decent time? That's another question.

I started swimming again 3 weeks ago, the last time was...umm...high school? Haha. That's almost a decade ago. As a sprinter back in gradeschool summer swimming days, I was never acquainted with endurance freestyle technique, ie, the two-beat-kick freestyle (as opposed to the six-beat). I was trying it out, but I conceded that it would take more than a few weeks of practice to get it right...in short, I have to stick to my old technique for this sprint tri and later on develop into a more efficient style. I might need to get a coach to fine tune my strokes too. In the meantime, youtube helps alot in my training. I average on 23 minutes for a 750m swim. Best times in the playing field reach 8-10 minutes. But at least I have the assurance that I will survive it and have more than enough fuel for the remaining events.



As to biking, again, my last time was highschool. And although I had the shifting lesson already at that time, I never really tried to use it (coz I didn't understand it then hehe). All I did was pedal pedal pedal. Last Sunday, Charles gave me that lesson again...glad to say that the same brain could now process and digest that info (thanks to 6 years of driving manual with the civic, and to lawschool for instant info absorption drills aka cramming). It was fun, and I can't wait to get my own one. Will I survive 20k? That's the question.



Running...of course I will finish 5k. Once, I tried a swim-run-- legs fatigue, not so much. Even done it in a good pace. However, when I tried a bike-run (stationary bike), it was hard to keep target pace, calves were knotting and I was constantly wary of getting cramps there. Scary. Yes, it was on a stationary bike, mechanics are different. But still...

As regards the 15k on Saturday... as I've said, never done it. On training days, yes but all easy paced (and I mean really easy). I really don't have a game plan except keep a 7-7:30 mpk as much as possible and walk (or drop down on the road and crawl) if something hurts. Hopefully, I would not resort to that because otherwise, what's going to hurt is my pride. Nyok. :P BTW, the race route would pass by Heritage Park. Heritage during the night...scaryyyy.

But nonetheless I'm enjoying training for these races...and I'm starting to lose pounds despite the less volume as compared to bright summer carefree days :D (finally). It keeps me happy. I am perfectly aware that I'm indeed undertraining, because I would have wanted a steady 6-7 hours a week schedule. But what can I do, this is all which I can squeeze in. And again, I am more than happy to be able to still be active despite a hectic law school semester, a far cry from lethargic, melodramatic girl I was. Haha. Vomit.

Upcoming Running Events: Kenny Roger's Urbanite Run, UP Law Invitational Triathlon

Today, I went registration-crazy. Races that are, ahem, not really that budget friendly, but nonetheless I shelled out some (ouch) because...well...read on.

August 15: KENNY ROGER'S URBANITE RUN

The registration costs Php 600. Wow right? The usual question creeps up: what makes this run so special? The advertisement/press release mentions--

(1) that it's a night run, with all those glow in the dark paraphernalia
(2) championchips timing
(3) a free kenny roger's meal
(4) that it's inclusive of a donation to a charitable institution (in short, it's for a cause...smile smile smile)
(5) the presence of Marc Nelson, Rovilson Fernandez and Phil Younghusband
(6) an after-party

Half-eaten Urbanite Meal

Normally, I would say that Php 600 is too much. But items #1, 3 and most especially, 5...these are worth the premium. hehe. Honestly, I don't care about champion chip timing, I mean, who needs his time recognized worldwide (exception: the "elite"...no not the ateneans :P). And an after-party.. don't we all just want to sleep afterwards? About the donation, well, I just meant that I don't care where it goes.

I have no idea of what the route will be like. Btw, this will be my first 15k. Haha.

The registration is pretty much like Globe's Run For Home. Go the participating branch, fill-up the form, pay the fee, a stub is given to you, claim the race kit another day in another city. Same organizer btw, that's why. Well, the race is quite interesting, you'd have reason to make the effort.

August 30: UP LAW 1ST INVITATIONAL TRIATHLON

I've been thinking about the individual tri for quite some time now, and to stop wasting time with just thinking instead of training, i found myself registering at the dean's office this afternoon. Charles offered his bike, and then I also purchased some gear way out of schedule (and budget) all of which needs to be justified. Yun. Wala na akong excuse. :O

With Eric P the Event Coordinator.
The paper was supposed to be my reg form na baliktad. :s

The route is quite simple and straight forward, maximizing UP's usual "running destinations". The main challenge would be the bike part. Will I be needing my 10 year old girl knee pads?

The Dean is preparing for this diligently. Word on the street, he just purchased a bike and 2 new pairs of shoes. He's very athletic, I see him sometimes in Celebrity. No wonder he is very enthusiastic with the project.

NOW, the training begins. Want to join me? :D

Upcoming Running Events: Run For Home, UP LAW TRIATHLON

July 19 - RUN FOR HOME

Sponsored by Globe, the race will use Championchips for timing. The proceeds will be for the benefit of Habitat for Humanity. The slots are limited, right now I am not aware if they're still available.

I have to say however that the registration process is quite tedious. As a postpaid subscriber I was required to pay P300 in cash and in addition to that, register for 1 week unlimited text (P80 charged to my bill, total =P380). For nonsubscribers like Charles, he was required to buy a SIM (P45), P300 worth prepaid credits and register for unlitext (P80 deducted from the credits, total P345). Lastly, for prepaid subscribers like Roy, P300 prepaid credit and deducted unlitext registration (total P280). I have to wait and see if the P80 was credited to my MSF or was charged in addition to. After registering, we were given a coupon to claim the race pack somewhere else.

After having done that, I have high expectations. Hehe. Would have loved to join the 21k category, but as of now I can only give preparation effort level enough for 10k. In a few months maybe.

August 30 - FIRST UP LAW INVITATIONAL TRIATHLON AND FUN RUN

For the very first time, UP Law gets this exciting! I really think I can do the sprint triathlon, and considering that there are not much events of the like here in UP, this would be a great opportunity. I just have to do 3 things though (1) replace my lost swimsuit or get a trisuit (2) borrow a bike (3) find the time to train. On the other hand I could just join a team and do one leg (either swim or run), but a P1000 reg fee per person is just too much. Or I could just run the 10k like always. Should I decide to do the sprint, then this might be my equivalent of Charles' 50k crazy whim.

Well anyhoo, registration will be in UP Law. Perhaps for the knack of it I will register while I'm on the way to the cafeteria or midway during a class while on a restroom break. As opposed to Globe, it will be no sweat.