UPLB Tri Recap

I always make it a point to join as many triathlon races as possible.  In fact, I only forego the ones held in the Visayas and Mindanao, aside from the ones that conflict with family schedules.  But if the calendar is free and race is held somewhere in Luzon, count on me being there 🙂  Which is why I was at UPLB last Saturday for the 5th NAGT series.    

One thing I like about the races at UPLB is the fact that it starts in the afternoon.  That way you get a good night’s sleep the night before.  Another good thing is the fact that it is hosted by the Trantados team which is the most fun-loving sports team/group that I’ve come across 🙂  They are the ones responsible for hosting a lot of fun and wacky races in the past like triathlon races in costume or races that end at midnight 🙂  Trantados make triathlon FUN.  Last Saturday’s race was no exception.  

Philip (Foreign Runner) and I got to UPLB at around 12noon.  According to the latest notice, the race was supposed to start at 2pm.  But with the horrendous traffic at SLEX, I kind of expected that the race will start at around 3pm.  No worries though as the sky was overcast and I was just excited to race in a different environment this time and see if I can improve on my time from last year.  Saw Marga (Changeling Child) and Jeremy who’s doing his first Tri – and made a good account of himself as he did a sub-2 with a mountain bike! Galing!  Also it was great seeing my schoolmate, Jake, who introduced me to Drew, Paolo and Suzi. (feeling showbiz na, haha)  Now on the actual race and the times I posted based on my watch:

Swim: 16:33     

Those in the 30’s and 40’s were sent out as part of the last wave.  The swimming pool at UPLB is only 25 meters short, so the organizers divided the pool into 4 lanes to make 100 meters.  The participants were then required to do 8 loops around the pool to make the 800 meter distance.  While the Trantados did try to demonstrate how to make a perfect dive into the pool, I knew this was going to be a problem for me because I just can never do a decent Nestea Ice Tea plunge 🙂  It was always feet first for me when it comes to diving.  In this pool however, that strategy will not work as one end of the pool is about eight to ten feet deep and precious seconds will be lost while waiting to resurface.  I just thought, what the heck, I’ll just do my own version of what a dive should look like and just finish the course.  It was a real challenge trying to swim in a short pool.  There are always swimmers around you, kicking you, pulling you down, etc.  It was also tiring getting out the pool and diving again for 8 times.  It was a good thing my wife, Ellet, was with me as she counted the loops for me.  After the swim, I was a bit exhausted from all the jostling and was quite surprised that I was sub-17min coming out of the pool 🙂  Last year, I did a 20min something and almost threw up after the swim because I was just so tired swimming through the crowd.

Transition 1:  1:15

Smoother transition this time with the clipped-on shoes.

Bike:  56:04

It was a different bike course this time from last year.  From what I remember, last year’s course measured only 27 kms but had a bigger loop.  This time, the participants were required to do 4 loops of an 8km course.  It was a fast but dangerous course.  The roads were not closed off so we had to share our route with taxis, jeepneys and other cars.  But even without these other vehicles, I found the course a bit cramped because the lane that the participants occupied was too narrow for comfort.  But the race marshalls did a very good job managing the traffic at the turns so accidents were avoided.  One good thing about racing in multiple loops is that you can see where the other participants were with respect to your particular position in the race.  Also, it was great that the turnaround was placed right before the transition area, it really felt good to hear the cheers and encouragement from Ellet and Vina (Philip’s wife) each time I passed the turnaround.  I averaged around 32.9 km/hr for the entire course 🙂  Only because it was basically a flat course with a very-gradual-hardly-noticeable incline.  Couldn’t compare it though with last year’s time because the course was different.  My odometer showed that the course measured 31 kms.

Transition 2:  1:33

Took a swig of gatorade and put on the running shoes.  I’m thinking of getting those laces where you don’t have to tie your shoes. I think they call them boa laces?

Run:  27:21

Philip has been giving me a lot of grief with running.  Because he can run so damn fast 🙂  I always felt embarrassed when he asks what my time was in certain distances because he’ll have this smirk on his face 🙂  Also, we have this friendly (at least, I still think it’s friendly) competition between us to see who gets to finish first.  Philip is still struggling with his swimming, we cancel each other off on the bike and it is in the run where he’ll try to make up for whatever lead I had on him in swimming.  Should make for an exciting finish 🙂  From what I saw in the bike course, I thought I was maybe half-a-loop ahead of him going into transition 2.  Knowing how fast Philip runs, I just had to make a go for it and suffer along the way 😦  Ran the same course as last year where there was just this short climb at the beginning of the loop, but it’s all downhill and flat afterwards.  Participants were required to do 4 loops, each loop measuring 1.5k (but was shorter according to Philip’s Garmin).  After my first loop, I saw Philip coming out of transition and I finally saw firsthand how the man can really fly while running.  Oh man, I thought, I still have to do 3 loops with this maniac running after me.  Tried my best to push myself, short and fast turnovers in the small climb and longer strides during the downhill.  Also was thinking of saving some energy in the event that Philip catches up and I would have to sprint.  I remember thinking that for the first time, I was in a race :-0.  Triathlons used to be fun where the goal was simply to finish 🙂  Now, because of Philip, I was suffering.  Finally crossed the finish line and no Philip in sight.  Whew!  Nothing like Ellet’s embrace to take away all the suffering I was feeling at the end 🙂  Glanced at my watch and was so happy to see that I finished with a time of 1:42:48.  Met my goal of improving on last year’s time 🙂  Swimming improved by 4 minutes and the run by 8 minutes thereabouts.   

Finish: 1:42:48 (unofficial) 1:43:03 (official, according to TRAP) 🙂  

Philip came in after a few minutes and I congratulated him for finishing his first official triathlon race.  He improved a lot on his swim as he did a 20min something split!!!  I know it’s just a matter of time before this cheetah will find other prey to devour.  I’m just happy to say that, at least, for this one time, I did beat Philippus Le Roux in a triathlon race 🙂      

Would have wanted to celebrate with the Trantados in IC’s but the kids were waiting back home.  Couldn’t leave without having pictures taken with Drew, Iya, Paolo, Suzi and Leo Oracion though 🙂  I’d like to congratulate the Trantados for hosting another fun triathlon race at UPLB.  Biggest Cheers to Leo Oracion for being the overall winner and to Drew as well for topping his age group even though he swam an extra 100 meters.  Marga placed second in her age group.  Unfortunately, she wasn’t around anymore to claim her medal.  No worries though as I’m sure there are a lot of medals in store for her in the future.

Next race:  Alabang on Oct. 12

Cheers!

We Wuz Robbed

They’ll probably gonna take back my Ateneo diploma after this.  But hear me out first.  I’ll go straight to the point:  WE WUZ ROBBED LAST NIGHT.  I’m talking about Game 2 of the Ateneo-La Salle basketball game.  All of you saw it last night.  In the middle of the third quarter when La Salle decided to show up and make it a game, one referee slapped a technical foul on Rico Maierhofer for allegedly giving the dirty finger to an Ateneo player.  Now, there’s an age-old adage in basketball.  You know it, I know it, the whole basketball world knows it.  So, let’s say it together now:  You don’t let the referees decide the outcome of a basketball game, let the players play it out.

Granted, this was not the last 2 minutes.  Still, you cannot take the fact that with that dumb call, La Salle lost the game right then and there.  Since this was the second technical foul that was slapped on Maierhofer, he was ejected from the game and thereby taking away the only inside presence of LaSalle against Ateneo’s behemoths.  Now, let me tell you why the call made on Maierhofer was dumb.

First of all, we have to understand the context when the call was made.  In basketball, one has to accept the fact that ‘stars’ do get special treatment from the refs.  For example, if Michael Jordan already has 5 fouls in the third quarter of a championship game, do you think a ref would call his sixth for slapping the wrist of an opposing player?  Hell no!! Outside a clear and blatant foul probably bordering on flagrant, you just don’t take a star player out of the ballgame like that.  JV Casio and Rico Maierhofer are the ‘star’ players for LaSalle.  At the time, Maierhofer already has a technical foul assessed to him earlier for taunting.  No argument there.  But the refs should have understood this when they called a 2nd technical foul on Rico.  Bottom line: As a ref, you don’t call a technical foul on Rico KNOWING that he already was slapped a technical earlier ESPECIALLY when you’re not even sure that he even made the objectionable act in the first place.  As I recalled it last night, the ref who made the call was at the bottom of the TV screen and was opposite from where Rico was standing and made the allegedly obscene gesture.  This already makes the call suspect because I doubt it if the ref really saw what he thought he saw.  In fact, succeeding replays were inconclusive if Rico did give the dirty finger.  And this is my point, as a star player, Rico should have been given the benefit of the doubt on that play.  Absent a CLEAR and INDISPUTABLE act showing that a foul has been committed, the ref should have just swallowed his whistle.  

As a result, WE WUZ ROBBED a championship game last night.  La Salle wuz robbed.  Even Ateneo wuz robbed given the hollow feeling I have right now even though a championship trophy now resides at the Loyola campus.  Don’t get me wrong.  Ateneo is the better team and totally deserves the championship.  I’m not in the habit of giving out predictions.  But in an earlier post, I did say that Ateneo WILL WIN the championship.  All season long Ateneo has shown that it’s the best team in the UAAP, bar none.  In fact, it seemed that Ateneo was in a league of their own at times.  In fact, I would even say that they could play a best of 10 what-have-you and Ateneo will sweep it.  I kid you not, this year’s Ateneo team is THAT good. BUT, with that call last night, it somehow took a lot of the satisfaction from what should have been TOTAL DOMINATION of our arch-rivals.  That’s what we get because the refs chose to play their game at center stage and not on the sidelines where they should be.  

In the aftermath, I should say though that in boycotting the awarding ceremonies that followed, La Salle displayed poor sportsmanship.  At the time, I suspected La Salle was thinking of placing the game under protest and their position may be compromised should they accept the runner-up trophy.  But then again, we’re thinking of the bigger picture here.  Millions were glued to their TV sets where the protagonists are educational institutions which supposedly produced the creme de la creme of Philippine society.  What kind of example did it show our students and the public?  I don’t know maybe age has a way of diluting my passions because for me, at the end of the day, it is just basketball.

I guess this is the reason why I just do triathlons nowadays.  

Cheers!

PMI 10K Results and PMI Feedback

Just got back from ULTRA where Coach Jojo Macalintal told me about the negative feedback about the PMI run (i.e. bad sound system, crowded reg. booth, etc.).  Personally, I don’t have many expectations in a race (which is the reason why I hardly get disappointed in any of them) 🙂  But I know this is no reason to deny the public a well-organized race.  Therefore, I would like to appeal to those who joined the PMI run to please use this blog to post your feedback about the PMI Proudly 60 Run at UP.  Any feedback, especially the negative ones, are most welcome and appreciated.  I would promptly relay your comments to the organizers so we can do a much better PMI run in the future.   Cheers! 

Here are the results of the 10K run:

10km Overall Results

 

 

 

1	Eduardo Buenavista	29	0:30:02
2	Alley Quisay	27	0:31:09
3	Crissencio Sabal	29	0:31:14
4	Bernardo Desamito Jr.	34	0:31:17
5	Elmer Sabal	26	0:31:54
6	Marjohn Salanawon	25	0:31:26
7	Ben Alenandrino	25	0:31:30
8	Allan Ballester	34	0:31:32
9	Christopher Ulboc Jr.	17	0:31:35
10	Jujet de Asis	36	0:31:41
11	Gerald Sabal	23	0:31:47
12	Reynaldo Delos Reyes	37	0:31:51
13	Nelbert Ducusin	22	0:31:55
14	Johnny Espana	22	0:31:56
15	Alquin Bolivar	22	0:31:58
16	Darwin Lim	20	0:31:59
17	Rodolfo Talandino	45	0:32:13
18	Bowen Montecilio	24	0:32:38
19	Ramie Lacson	32	0:32:43
20	Pacino Andaya	20	0:33:03
21	Adonis Lobaton	36	0:33:06
22	Esmeraldo Ondoy	40	0:33:08
23	Rolando Piamonte	36	0:33:31
24	Pepito Deapera	37	0:33:39
25	Jack Espana	25	0:33:51
26	Robeno Javier	23	0:33:57
27	Giovanni Andaya	19	0:33:58
28	Derek Amarante	16	0:33:59
29	Leomar Mirasol	26	0:34:06
30	Alexander Arabit	19	0:34:08
31	Ronald Salgado	26	0:34:15
32	Billi Joe Ignacio	20	0:34:32
33			0:36:47
34	Aliboy Solomon	14	0:36:53
35	Michael Mendoza	28	0:36:56
36	Msg. Rey Antoque	55	0:36:58
37	Marecil Maquilan	20	0:37:14
38	Aileen Tolentino	22	0:37:31
39	Raymond Sabordo	15	0:37:37
40	Conrad Conde	23	0:37:42
41	Timmy Santos	25	0:38:01
42	Roberto Ramiro	46	0:38:07
43	Jean Palencia	18	0:38:15
44	Junjie Maranalla	27	0:38:16
45	Duncan Amarante	12	0:38:18
46	Rizaldy Mabag	19	0:38:36
47	Mark Mallanta	19	0:38:45
48	Ariel Marce	42	0:38:52
49	Neljohn Sonio	15	0:38:55
50	Miles Embuedo	21	0:39:07
51	Gregorio Hiray	46	0:39:18
52	Ronaldo Pelayo	20	0:39:25
53	Edwin Gajol	30	0:39:31
54	Eduardo Villanueva	49	0:39:33
55	Danny Veras	51	0:39:42
56	Jun Bacus	40	0:39:44
57	Allen Mendoza	31	0:39:48
58	Norlito Nicolas	28	0:39:58
59	Perfecto Talondon	33	0:40:03
60	Alex Ballester	10	0:40:08
61	Liza Yambao	26	0:40:11
62	Macrose Dichoso	14	0:40:25
63	Joanne Manangat	20	0:40:36
64	Genaro Carranea	32	0:40:39
65	Ricardo Pauig	47	0:40:39
66	Rodel Gajol	31	0:40:53
67	Danilo Burdeos	53	0:41:09
68	Gerry Austria	25	0:41:40
69	Jovie Leqnis	28	0:41:41
70	Jessie Sacalye	53	0:42:08
71	Michael Meneses		0:42:12
72	Anna Vargas	28	0:42:13
73	Francisco Vinarao	40	0:42:24
74			0:42:25
75	Manuel Lopez	37	0:42:27
76	Ian Esquilona	20	0:42:29
77	Edgar Joseph Sta. Rosa	35	0:42:43
78	Jessica Marce	17	0:42:48
79	Felipe Dumpit	52	0:42:54
80	Chris Gimenez	36	0:42:56
81	Charlie Aquino	13	0:42:58
82	Honesto Mallanta	17	0:43:05
83	Maica Mae Tacsiat	11	0:43:08
84	Hermogenes Valdez	53	0:43:29
85	Reynaldo Ruda	41	0:43:30
86	Maryam Mangorangca	38	0:43:40
87	Eddie Radaza/Federico Amban	40/31	0:43:54
89	Lester Jerome Chuayap	30	0:44:03
90	Enate Sayrol	36	0:44:14
91	Jof Babaran	43	0:44:27
92	Roberto Manzano	46	0:44:32
93	Graciano Santos	42	0:44:33
94	Mirasol Abad	23	0:45:01
95	Olive Cortez	33	0:45:02
96	Leo Yambao	39	0:45:03
97	Maricel Yambao	18	0:45:15
98	Silverio Saligbon	53	0:45:18
99	Dominador Magleo	25	0:45:24
100	Nolan Llanora	32	0:45:29
101	Rodrigo Bagtilay	29	0:45:34
102	Antonio Saligao	23	0:45:50
103	Renz Ranez	13	0:45:51
104	Joel Korea	19	0:45:52
105	Roy Caluya Martin	42	0:45:53
106	Rudy George Ilustre	46	0:45:54
107	Roel Olimba	37	0:45:55
108	Nicanor Reyes	48	0:46:14
109	Eduardo Monog	56	0:46:31
110	Alan Giba	37	0:46:34
111	Tommy Tan	57	0:46:38
112	Raul Abuan	45	0:46:40
113	Genevieve dela Pena	34	0:46:41
114	Gil Pajares	61	0:46:47
115	Alfredo Fototona	72	0:47:10
116	Eduardo Martinez	41	0:47:13
117	Jennelyn Randa	12	0:47:17
118	Ricky Dizon	51	0:47:22
119	Jose Dela Cruz Cando	35	0:47:30
120	Ryan de Nosta		0:47:32
121	Renilo Mateo	44	0:47:40
122	Roderick Sucgag	43	0:47:41
123	Rodel Dela Cruz	51	0:47:46
124	Joash Dela Cruz	28	0:47:53
125	Francis Jay Nacino	36	0:48:01
126	Glen Lee	47	0:48:02
127	Wilfredo Quitos	52	0:48:03
128	Gabriela Calma	23	0:48:04
129	Vince Mendoza	30	0:48:15
130	Rodolph Capuchino	40	0:48:16
131	Vergelio Leona	44	0:48:18
132	Norman Dayap	34	0:48:19
133	Dionisio Espiritu	46	0:48:31
134	Mila Paje	43	0:49:07
135	Noel Miano	49	0:49:18
136	Abundio Corral Jr.	29	0:49:19
137	Chona May Cunanan	26	0:49:27
138	Nicky Ty		0:49:29
139	Oscar Lopez	19	0:49:30
140	Duncan Starnes	34	0:49:50
141	Gregorio Ocampo	40	0:49:51
142	Enrico Ibana	48	0:50:01
143	Saturnino Camangonan	49	0:50:02
144	Bernadro Eligio	35	0:50:11
145	Ireneo Hernandez	53	0:50:12
146	Daisy Castillon	43	0:50:13
147	Dominador Agot	49	0:50:16
148	Jody Jacinto	36	0:50:17
149	Dennis Chung	24	0:50:43
150	Anthony Olinares	46	0:50:47
151	Ronald Astronomo	44	0:51:10
152	Jan Imperio	40	0:51:13
153	Jun Del Rosario	69	0:51:35
154	Monique Nimo	35	0:51:38
155	Chito Vegim	38	0:51:40
156	Cherry Gotamco	46	0:51:43
157	Marvin Romero	31	0:51:47
158	Robhel Valera	34	0:51:51
159	Raul Noel	17	0:52:13
160	Eduardo Franciso	47	0:52:14
161	Rommel Mangabal	43	0:52:26
162	Ferdinand Amion	46	0:52:31
163	Christopher Santiago	29	0:52:35
164	Dominador Orvida	49	0:52:36
165	Nicanor Quieta	45	0:52:38
166	Ruben Garcia	46	0:52:39
167	Felipe Dictado	31	0:52:40
168	Jonathan Bayocot	37	0:52:41
169	Jan Michael Cruz	28	0:52:42
170	Hazel Ena Orivida	14	0:52:44
171	Leonardo Capacete	36	0:52:45
172	Henry dela Cruz	44	0:52:46
173	Julia Abiera	10	0:52:47
174	Giovanni Hernandez		0:52:48
175	Noe Bello	44	0:53:08
176			0:53:13
177	Michael Villanueva	33	0:53:24
178	Gil Ocampo	59	0:53:28
179	Mary Anne Kathleen Olayte	29	0:53:29
180	Zaldy Juan	37	0:53:31
`181	Glendell Tanag	31	0:53:42
182	Dominic Pascasio	27	0:53:44
183	Mariano Cruz	48	0:53:46
184	Rosario Ferco	46	0:53:48
185	Rafael Tomacruz	44	0:53:59
186	Andy Tan	31	0:54:03
187			0:54:05
188	Roderick		0:54:10
189	Jolly Villamor	42	0:54:17
190	Samson Ocampo	48	0:54:28
191	Carlo Francisco	32	0:54:38
192	Nico Nolasco		0:54:52
193	Raymond Martelino	28	0:54:56
194	Francis Lira	37	0:54:57
195	Jonel Mendoza	44	0:55:00
196	Isa Cruz	25	0:55:04
197	Allan Ordiz	25	0:55:09
198	Arian Ocampo	31	0:55:40
199	Jomini Nazareno	29	0:55:54
200	Jerome Bautista	21	0:56:01
201	BJ Manalo	27	0:56:02
202	Winston Sy	39	0:56:03
203	Geoff Fajardo	31	0:56:04
204	Gilbert Velasco	37	0:56:08
205	Robin Quinto	28	0:56:19
206	Dax Carlo Pascasio	23	0:56:22
207	Joseph Zueglich	44	0:56:32
208	Jojo Dela Cruz	38	0:56:36
209	Eric Dalina	46	0:56:39
210	Rodel Amago	42	0:56:47
211	Francis Gopez	30	0:56:48
212	Margaret Jade Ferriols	33	0:56:50
213	Gerry Geralde	40	0:56:56
214	Manny Maandal	53	0:57:06
215	Victorina Calma	34	0:57:16
216	Edilberto Severino	42	0:57:18
217	Lamberto Amado	57	0:57:21
218	Teddy Temprosa	49	0:57:23
219	Gigi Alcantara	32	0:57:24
220	Gerry Jano	40	0:57:27
221	Christopher Ramirez	39	0:57:28
222	Angelo Amellano	36	0:57:58
223	Michael Ang	42	0:58:27
224	Geronimo Espinosa	53	0:58:37
225	Larry Daliwag	49	0:58:42
226	Rene Mabalot	33	0:58:52
227	Vernier Umali	39	0:58:59
228	Frederick Capinpin	39	0:59:02
229	Wilfredo Gozo	36	0:59:07
230	Mar Quilala	60	0:59:39
231	George Enriquez	46	0:59:40
232	Rolando Maala	41	0:59:42
233	Rosalina Pascual	44	0:59:49
234	Wilbert Lacbay	31	0:59:58
235	William Sing	43	1:00:12
236	Marlon Lagua	39	1:00:14
237	Patrick Pena	43	1:00:18
239	Darwin Caraan	31	1:00:24
240	Arnel Gutierrez	44	1:00:26
241	Stella Que	32	1:00:31
242	Rufino Narciso Villanasco	39	1:00:50
243	Marc Steven Chua	26	1:01:03
244	Homer Noche	49	1:01:09
245	Abe Peralta	55	1:01:10
246	Armando Broncano	40	1:01:11
247	Ben Parayno	61	1:01:17
248	Ceasar Corteza	37	1:01:21
249	Sherry San Pedro	32	1:01:23
250	Genelito Badocdoc	54	1:01:34
251	Jare Polintan	51	1:01:38
252	Carina Dayondon	30	1:01:43
253	Cecilio Nepumuceno	54	1:01:44
254	Tisha Gevieroso	35	1:01:45
255	Mel Habana	50	1:01:47
256	Alexander Silvestre	44	1:01:48
257	John Raspado	27	1:01:59
258	Nestor Almoite	44	1:02:13
259	Rico Yamat	36	1:02:29
260	Ray Anthony Cleofe	26	1:02:31
267	Red Samar	36	1:02:38
268	Orbin Diaz	36	1:02:50
269	Darlyn Abillar	43	1:02:51
270	Emma Alvarez	46	1:03:07
271	Teddy Yao	46	1:03:09
272	Genevieve Ong	25	1:03:18
273	Noelle Wenceslao	28	1:03:22
274	Ceasario Gitano	41	1:03:26
275	Jimmy Arriesgado	21	1:03:27
276	Inocencio Francisco	49	1:03:55
277	Elizer Mendoza	20	1:04:08
278	Helen Castillo	53	1:04:12
279	Benson Yao	48	1:04:17
280	Warner Andrada	43	1:04:19
281	DJ Aristotle Carion	32	1:04:24
282	Christine Litton	39	1:04:43
283	Luis Hans	55	1:04:48
284	Lisa Marie Carandang	36	1:05:25
285	Kelly Potot	18	1:05:27
286	Jun Llantes	43	1:05:29
287	Jun Engracia	55	1:05:53
288	Richard Lim	40	1:06:06
289	Joey Verano	27	1:06:46
290	Carlo dela Pena	20	1:06:53
291	Rsemarie Antolin	24	1:07:04
292	Michelle Curran	34	1:07:11
293	Angelita Yambao	65	1:07:45
294	Rixel Izon	36	1:07:46
295	Noel Amion	40	1:07:47
296	Sherwin Daquigan	31	1:08:42
297	Alfredo Dimzon	57	1:09:11
298	Orlando De Roxas	27	1:09:29
299	Alden Albano	28	1:09:48
300	Joseph Carreon	27	1:10:51
301	Charles Lim	46	1:10:56
302	Edgardo Razon	44	1:10:57
303	Ito Roces	45	1:10:59
304	Mac Raynog		1:11:22
305	Arnel Agquiz	23	1:11:39
306	Lemuel Ian Lopera	37	1:12:23
307	Anabel Meroy	30	1:12:38
308	Jesus Canono	53	1:13:27
309	Cecil Dajoyag	32	1:13:45
310	Patrick Joseph Tugade	26	1:14:12
311	Daniel So	48	1:14:26
312	Bill Enage		1:14:37
313	Ian Oscar Enage		1:14:39
314	Ryan Salonga	27	1:15:01
315	Joseph Mendoza	24	1:15:05
316	Jae Zel Dictado	8	1:15:13
317	Edwin Ylescupidez	55	1:15:14
318	Maricor Go	28	1:15:33
319	Romualdo Balagapo	22	1:16:19
320	David Juanico	22	1:16:20
321	Igo Polido		1:16:21
322	Migs Noel	22	1:16:59
323	Dennis Quepe		1:17:00
324	Jennifer Ang	30	1:18:07
325	Richard Suzara	33	1:18:08
326	Jennifer Suzara	32	1:19:02
327	Cesar Guarin	52	1:19:51
328	George Tan	50	1:20:03
329	Kim Tiew O’Connell		1:20:03
330	Felsie Soriano		1:20:16
331	James Dolar	34	1:20:17
332			1:23:23
333	Tirso Josef	37	1:23:31
334	Dominic Andrada	13	1:24:26
335	Eduardo Dimzon	71	1:25:13
336	Francis Acop	36	1:25:26
337	Sean Co	40	1:27:05
338	Leah Caringar	36	1:27:06
339	Abe Abarquel	31	1:27:37
340	Renato Calma	57	1:30:41
341	Ellen Cayanan	32	1:34:13
342	Bong Zandueta	36	1:34:14

 

PMI Recap (Through the eyes of an official timer)

In a previous post, I wrote that I was looking forward to the PMI run as it will be my first time to run at UP. Well, my first race at UP will have to wait since I was assigned to be an official timer for the PMI Run that was held last Sunday 🙂 

I was already at UP around 4am.  Saw Thumbie and his group setting up the starting line  near the belltower.  A lot of runners were expected that day, mostly PMI students, so instead of racing, members of Team PMI were called upon to act as race marshalls.  Mike and I were assigned to be the official timers of the 3K run.  Knowing how some runners can become so anal about their times, it didn’t take too long for me to realize the seriousness of the task at hand.  Popo instructed me on what buttons to press on the timer, while Mike agreed to take on the task of listing the race numbers as the runners come across the finish line.  It may appear simple on the outside, but I was really worried about possible controversies that may arise should we foul up on our jobs.  Of course, it didn’t help that being assigned to the 3K run means having the most runners on our watch.  

The race started promptly at 6am.  10k runners were sent out first, followed by the 5k runners and 3k runners at 5 minute intervals.  After about 11 minutes, I could already see the first 3k runner coming towards the finish line.  Wow, that’s a less than 4min/km pace!!! For the 3K run, awards will be given to the top 5 male and female finishers.  So, Mike and I just had to make sure those top 5 winners are in order. The first 5 finishers were male and it was a good thing there were no ‘photo finishes’ nor were there runners bunched up in groups as they crossed the finish line.  The top 5 female finishers soon followed and the pressure on us timers pretty much tapered off after that 🙂 Whew…. It was a blast seeing the elite runners come across the finish line.  For instance, Buenavista did a 30min something pace for his 10k run!!! The skies were overcast and it was the perfect weather for setting personal bests 🙂  I’m sure a lot of runners were able to establish personal records during the run.  Big Cheers to all of you 🙂

Now, just a few not-so-good observations through the eyes of a race official, naks:  

•  After the run, there were some controversies surrounding the age-group winners of our more “senior” runners.  Apparently, some runners lied about their age.  Some were even overheard to have suggested to just divide the prize amongst themselves.  Tsk, tsk, tsk.  I was told this always happens in almost all of the races around the Metro 😦  
• Some runners also had the gall to steal boxes of Powerade drinks after the race 😦 

At any rate, I think it was good race all around 🙂  No frills, free siopao 🙂  Was able to talk a bit with Coach Rio who was all excited about the plans/races he has in store for all of us till the end of the year and early next year.  I’m particularly excited about the UNICEF run he mentioned, but I’d rather Coach Rio be the one to tell you the details in his blog 🙂  I’m just glad there’s someone like him doing all he can to make running accessible and fun for all 🙂  Till the next race then….whether as a participant or a marshall.  

Cheers!

Ocho Ocho Redux

Last Saturday, I did the ocho-ocho route in Alabang with Marga and Philip.  While this would not erase the fact that we disqualified in the Animo Tri, all of us just wanted to do it right this time 🙂  Started off at around half past 6 in the morning from Narra Street.  Philip and I did four loops while Marga did three.  You know what? It was good that we got to bike that morning for a lot of reasons:

• It was my first time to train in Alabang.  Ocho-Ocho turned out to be a fun course when done in the correct sequence 🙂  While you may pass certain streets a number of times, the course never gets boring with all the hills and descents along the way. 
• Philip and I chose to do a brick session that morning as well.  I did the same run course used for triathlon races in Alabang that went around the Country Club and it wasn’t too hot as there were a lot of trees that offered the right amount of shade.  I usually do my trainings early in the morning to avoid the heat and the traffic, but I would suspect those who do their training in Alabang can train at any hour of the day.  Wide roads, lots of shade….what more can you ask?
• It was great seeing Jaymie, Annie and Patcon doing their morning runs.  
• After our session, we had breakfast at Narra Park.  The transition area during the Alabang races was converted to a weekend market 🙂  Had 2 cups of rice, 2 fried eggs and beef tapa for 100 bucks.  Sarap 🙂   

Looks like someone is going to be regular fixture at Alabang during the weekends 🙂  

Cheers!

Animo Recap

Well, it’s going to be an Ateneo-La Salle showdown for the UAAP Men’s Basketball championship.  Let me tell you this, Ateneo WILL WIN this year’s championship.  No question about it.  But, in the stuff that really matter in life (at least for me), La Salle will always be close to my heart.  For one, La Salle was among the first or, if not, the only educational institution in this country which made an unequivocal statement against GMA. Ateneo?  Oh please…. (Do pardon me if I have offended your political sensibilities)

More importantly, La Salle trumps Ateneo in my book because it sponsored the Animo Tri that was held in Alabang yesterday 🙂  Ateneo?  It did tri to hold a sprint triathlon last year, but it was cancelled at the last minute.  Now, on to my recap of yesterday’s race.  I’ll just do bullet points for this one:

• Quite a festive atmosphere yesterday.  I’m guessing there were more than 200 participants who raced in the Animo Tri.  
• I was glad Philip (Foreign Runner) joined his first Tri despite his apprehensions about swimming.  Don’t worry Philip, you blew us away during the bike and run legs.  The tri-community better watch out for you in future races.  
• A lot of first timers joined like Jaymie (Bullrunner), Marga (Changeling Child) and Harry (Mukhang Guilty).  Like Philip, Jaymie was also worried about swimming.  But with the form she displayed, one would have suspected she was the author of the book on Total Immersion 🙂  Marga, well, she did 36 kms on the bike leg.  Even then, she still won in her age group 🙂  How’s that for a first time.
• Swim:  Did 21:33.  LOTS of participants in my age group and it was difficult to negotiate my way around.  It’s times like these that I would much rather swim in open water.  But then, I kept thinking this will soon pass as I was getting kicked around in the pool.  Ouch.  
• Transition 1: 1:57.  I’m slowly getting the hang of it.  That part about having the shoes already clipped-on the bike as I begin the bike leg 🙂  
• Bike:  Ahhh, this is where it gets interesting.  I’ve always liked to race in Alabang because the course never changes and you could use it as a benchmark for future races.  But then, the day before the race, I received an email from Coach Rick informing the firstwave tri egroup that the bike course was going to be a bit different at certain times during the race in light of the concerns raised by AAV residents.  However, during the actual race day itself, my wife told me that they changed the race course yet again.  Instead of doing the usual 5 loops around Country Club, the participants were required to do 3 loops of the ‘ocho-ocho’ route.  This caused a lot of confusion among the racers because there was this intersection in the bike leg where there was an arrow pointing to the left and to the right as well.  Under the ‘right’ arrow, however, was the term ‘finish line’.  So, what I did was I kept on turning left each time I reached the intersection until I reached about 26.5kms in my odometer and it was only then that I turned right.  I knew I did not follow the correct route.  No worries though as I thought most of the participants treated the Animo Tri more like a ‘fun run’ instead of an actual race.  Did 56:15 for 28km.  One good thing I can take with me from yesterday’s race was that I used the big ring throughout the bike leg 🙂 
• Transition 2:  Did 2:16.  I was asking my fellow participants in the transition area what was their odometer reading for the bike leg and I got various responses.  
• Run:  39:04.  Same route as before.  
• Unofficial time:  2:01:07.  Take it with a grain of salt though because I did a totally different bike leg than the rest of the participants.  All things considered though, I had fun 🙂  Twas great to see Ricky Laguda, a batchmate of mine at the Ateneo who is now a La Salle brother.  Fellow Tri-blogger, Joma, raced as well.  Hopefully, Butch can also join next time so that Team Triplets will be complete.
• Heartfelt Cheers!! and congratulations are in order for Sunkist TriHard Team who organized the Animo Tri.  Judging from the number of participants, La Salle should have a lot of scholars for next school year 🙂  Thank you also to TRAP, Coach Rick, etc.  for doing their best under the circumstances.   

F#@%& Marce…..I’m going out to Bike!!!!

The Metro has been inundated with rains the past few days.  Although typhoon “Marce” did not hit land, its presence was enough to enhance the monsoon rains that wrecked havoc in the training plans of us endurance athletes 🙂 naks….. As I mentioned before, my deal with the family was that I only get to do one long bike ride a week.  I usually do the ride on a Thursday but Marce screwed that up, so I just swam yesterday.  Well, there comes a point when enough is enough.  I figured come Friday morning Marce should be on its way to Taiwan already and I was gonna ply my usual 80k route out and back Jalajala.  Got to Morong at 5:15 am.  See, I was really dead-set on riding 🙂  The sky looked ominous but I didn’t care.  Set off at around quarter to six and finished my set in 2:45 🙂  YEEEAAAHHHH!!!!! Just a bit of a shower here and there but I WAS ABLE TO RIIIDDDEEEE.   In fact, I think I was the only one who biked the Rizal countryside this morning.  Didn’t see any other biker 🙂  

Them typhoons better think twice before visiting our country, ha! 

Cheers!

Lance and Kobe

Thought I dedicate today’s post to two sports icons who made announcements that baffled me this morning.

First:  Kobe

Those of you who follow basketball and the Lakers in particular would surely know that Kobe played through an injured pinkie towards the latter part of the NBA season including the playoffs.  Even then, the doctors were already recommending surgery but being the competitor that he is, Kobe postponed the date with the surgeon until after the Beijing Olympics.  I remember admiring his competitive spirit then and I could understand the reasons why he decided to postpone the surgery.  The doctors stated that recovery would take around 2-3 months and Kobe didn’t want to miss out on what turned out to be a good run to the NBA Finals.  Participating in Beijing was also a no-brainer, Kobe wanted so bad to be part of ‘Redeem Team’ and as it turned out, he also played a big role in the gold medal game against Spain.  

NBA Training Camp opens in 3 weeks and the season itself would start the end of October.  Pretty good time to get that surgery don’t you think?  But I guess this is the reason why Kobe is Kobe and we are who we are….. Kobe just decided that he will not have surgery at all…….He said that the 12-week recovery period was just too much sacrifice and he wanted to use the training camp as a time to bond with his teammates, etc.  I don’t know, but I’m not sure I’m with Kobe on this one.  I mean his shooting hand is one good slap away from a total fracture and what will happen to the Lakers then?  PLEASE KOBE, GO GET THAT FREAKING SURGERY DONE AND LET’S LOOK FORWARD TO A WORRY-FREE NBA CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON FOR THE LAKERS, MAN!!!!!!!  

Next:  Lance

Lance Armstrong just announced that he’s coming out of retirement to do the Tour de France in 2009.  I guess running marathons just isn’t the same, huh?  7 Tour de France victories are not enough, huh? Hanging out with Kate Hudson is not enough, huh?  I guess this is the reason why Lance is Lance and we are who we are.  I have mixed feelings on this one.  Sure, I’m happy for Lance and want to see him climb the Pyrenees once again but then he was already at the pinnacle of the cycling world when he retired.    Just don’t want to see another Michael Jordan who just didn’t know when to quit.  

So there you go…. 2 bull-headed competitors throwing caution to the wind….This calls for Cheers! I guess?

But, what the heck, the 2008-2009 NBA season and 2009 Tour de France couldn’t start soon enough 🙂

Just Call Her Ironperson Ani

This just in….Ani De Leon, our Filipina qualifier for the Kona Ironman in Hawaii this October, just qualified for the Half-Ironman Championships in Florida.  She placed 2nd overall in her age group in the Aviva Ironman 70.3 in Singapore.  Congratulations to Ani and to the rest of Team Philippines.  Cheers!!!!!

Here are Ani’s splits:                                                                

DE LEON, Ani Karina

9/43/29

33/30 to 34

Swim 00:35:36

Bike 02:53:07

Run 01:56:41

Total 05:29:07

Ironman Singapore

On the 7th of September, a group of Pinoy triathletes will do the Aviva Ironman 70.3.  It’s a half-ironman distance consisting of 1.9k swim, 90k bike and 21k run.  I would like to send my biggest cheers to TEAM PHILIPPINES this weekend in Singapore, most especially to Francis Tueres (PoloTri) and Jojo Lontok (Sunkist TriHard).  When will the Philippines host its own Ironman race?  Will it ever happen in my lifetime?  

The following are the pinoy competitors in Singapore (thanks Ricky Ledesma):

23

DE LEON

Ani Karina

Individual – Female – Age 30-34

Philippines

Philippines

20

CAYETANO

Pilar Juliana

Individual – Female – Age 40-44

Philippines

Philippines

18

ong

jevon

Individual – Male – Age 25-29

Philippines

filipino

29

Tanchan

Bernard Neil

Individual – Male – Age 25-29

Philippines

Filipino

53

REGIS

Anthony

Individual – Male – Age 25-29

Philippines

Philippines

87

QUIEC

Geoffrey

Individual – Male – Age 25-29

Philippines

Philippines

54

Mendez

Paul Brian

Individual – Male – Age 30-34

Philippines

filipino

39	Tueres	Francis	Individual – Male – Age 35-39	Philippines	Filipino
40	Trasmonte	Trino Rey	Individual – Male – Age 35-39	Philippines	Filipino

189

TRABASAS

Manuel

Individual – Male – Age 35-39

Philippines

Philippines

268

HINOLAN

Caloy

Individual – Male – Age 35-39

Philippines

Philippines

2

Ocampo

Lorenzo

Individual – Male – Age 40-44

Philippines

4

Arambulo

Kirk

Individual – Male – Age 40-44

Philippines

15

Altura

Albert

Individual – Male – Age 40-44

Philippines

64

sarrosa

michael

Individual – Male – Age 40-44

Philippines

filipino

71

Yusay

Ricardo Paulo J.

Individual – Male – Age 40-44

Philippines

Filipino

87

Yabut

Peter

Individual – Male – Age 40-44

Philippines

Filipino

101

GERONIMO

Dominador Baterina Jr.

Individual – Male – Age 40-44

Singapore

Philippines

116

LONTOK

Joselito

Individual – Male – Age 40-44

Philippines

Philippines

1	Uytengsu	Wilfred Steven	Individual – Male – Age 45-49	Philippines
2	Stroem	Rune	Individual – Male – Age 45-49	Philippines
3	Welsh	Anthony	Individual – Male – Age 45-49	Philippines

39

Bangayan

Michael

Individual – Male – Age 45-49

Philippines

Canadian

57

PENALOZA

Philip

Individual – Male – Age 45-49

Hong Kong

Philippines

73

BAGHAIE

Ebbie

Individual – Male – Age 45-49

Philippines

United States

1

Charlton

David

Individual – Male – Age 50-54

Philippines