Sunday, February 17, 2008

Ateneo Aquathlon






The week before the much awaited Pasig Marathon was a taper period. So what do you plan to do during your taper period? Hmmm... let me see... do those tempo runs, get as much rest as you can, and well, join the Ateneo Aquathlon!
Joining this event is purely unintended. It was just an ordinary training Saturday when our top Triathletes Joy, Norman, and Reva invited me to join the Ateneo Aquathlon. So whats the deal with this sprint aquathlon? Its 600 meter swim and 5KM run. What made me join this? I'm not really sure what came to me, but I felt this was a different thing and maybe its not bad to try.
Me, Norman, Reva and Joy arrived at the area at around 530am and had our body markings. The moment I arrived at the area, I was so nervous. For one, this was my first multi-sport race. Second, I've never swam a continuous lap for more the 100 meter. Oh, and I don't have enough practice at swimming.
Around 630am we started doing our warmup runs, followed by warmup at the pool. I also saw 3 familiar faces. I saw my cousin Kadee who is a Water Polo athlete, Totoy and Marga. Me and Totoy had something in common. It was our first time, and we were both non-swimmers. Marga on the other hand has been training in swimming for quite some time now, so technically this isn't really that new to her.
The race will start by different age group and genders. The 12 and below started first, and they were very fast! I was in awe seeing them swim. Then slowly the different age groups started the race. As I saw others swim, I was becoming more and more nervous. Most especially as I saw some last place swimmers being cheered upon. I was actually seeing myself in their footsteps/swim attire. So what have you just put yourself into Taki?? And the thing is, I had to do a total of 24(8x3) laps! Now finishing the swim was also one of my concerns!
Now it was our age group's turn. As the race started, I felt different feet hitting me.. hehe... So I decided to just stay a little bit at the back. Besides, I'm not sure I'm ready for race mode in swimming. My goal was simply to finish. 2nd wave I was literally holding to dear life. I was saying to myself "you can do this" as I was inching my way towards completing the second wave. On the third wave on the 18th lap, I looked at my back and there were no one at my back already. So now it looks like I'm the last swimmer! Slowly but surely, I was able to complete the laps and I was really really exhausted. As I arrived at the transition area, when I was placing my shirt, the pins of went off so I had to slowly place them. I was very slow at transitioning, probably took minutes to do so. I was suppose to put my heartrate and watch but decided not to use them. I slowly jogged out of the pool area and started running! Now I thought that this was pay back time.. hehehe.
I'm not sure what speed I was running, nor If I was doing enough effort, but it was bliss as I was passing by other triathletes running. I notice the guy who had a grey one-suit who was one of those ahead of me in swimming. It was really cool as I slowly overtook him. Now, I'm no longer last place.. hehe... But overtaking did not end from there. There were so many I couldn't count how many I was able to overtake. I finished strong and the run was not as tiring as some of my morning tempos so I was very happy finishing the race. But the best part is, I was happy to finish my first Aquathlon. I don't mind if I was last place in swimming, but I'm definitely more motivated to try swimming as a weekly regimen.
Oh, and my friends Reva won first place in her age category, and Joy won 2nd place in his age category. Overall, this was a great event!

5 comments:

MD said...

tsk tsk ibang level talaga si Reva and Joy! Di ma-reach! :D

Left early kasi I was hungry na eh! Wala naman akong premyo so I decided to treat myself and my mom to a hearty brunch :D

Unknown said...

What can I say?! Your first aquathlon and first marathon on consecutive weekends...galing! What's your sched next week...first triathlon naman?

Tech Spec said...

Marga- Hey you ran pala at sa Condura run... Wow nauna ka pa kay Joy.. hehe.

Jaymie - hehehe... I wish, if only I had a bike then I'd probably try triathlon. Unfortunately I don't have a bike. And my wife doesn't want me to get one since its too dangerous.. But maybe in the future. How's your swimming? I'm predicting you'll be doing your first triathlon sooner than expected. :)

Anonymous said...

hi!
would u remember how long and deep is the loyola schools swimming pool?

tnx!

Tech Spec said...

I'm sure its around 25 meters. About the depth, I'm not pretty sure. Maybe its around 5 ft deep.