Panic mode for the 70.3 Ironman

With less than two months to go for the biggest triathlon race in the country, the Cobra 70.3 Ironman Cebu, one big question crops up. What you have been doing this past few months in preparation for the big day? Let’s hope you are not part of the Facebook triathlete who kept on posting training updates in FB. Time to get panic? If you have been doing your base training, then it is the perfect time to get into the specifics such as long rides on the bike, intervals training and heat training. Remember, it is always better to be under than over. Over training usually results in fatigue and comes race day, you are as dry as a prune. Dieting does not help but a well-balanced meal of carbohydrates, fat and protein would be better off. Skipping meals is as bad as eating too much. At this point of time, one should already balance training schedules between swim, bike, run, strengthening and most all rest/ recovery. It is still advisable to join a few fun runs and races here and there but avoid over doing it. But there is a different approach to each and every triathlete.

There are actually four kinds of triathletes competing for the 70.3 Cobra Ironman. First are the professionals, Asian elite and Filipino elite. These guys are paid to race and earn a living through racing. They put excitement and spice up the race with a blistering pace. Most male pros would finish the race under 4 hours, while the female pros in a little over 4 hours and sometimes even faster than some of our Filipino elite male.

Then there’s the age groupers. This group is divided into 3 classifications depending on the goals. The first group is what I call the Elite age-groupers. These are the guys who race to be on top of each age category and some are future prospects to became elite or professionals. Then comes PR (personal record) grouper. There are also groups that are promoting their advocacy.

The last of the group are the finishers where the organizers make most out of the money from. These are the fun guys and are mostly here just to enjoy and experience a world-class event. Participants under this group sometimes forget that they still need to finish with in the cut-off time of 8:30. But mind you, these are the triathletes with the most awesome and expensive gears. Like the famous saying in triathlon goes, “bahalag hinay basta showbiz”. No offense meant, but no matter what agenda you are after this coming August 6, what is important is to be prepared on what you are up against.

First things first and it’s the dreaded swim leg. If you have been doing your homework for the swim, we are expecting similar tide changes that happen 2 years ago when close to 100-plus participants were cut off during the swim leg. And it would have doubled if the cut off time was not extended. But the tide change is similar but as not as high it was 2 years ago but still it is going on the same pattern. Swimming with a fast cadence would help you go faster but sometimes doing too fast ruins your form so I strongly suggest perfect your form, glide, pull and finish strong. Quality over quantity. Try to relax. Struggling hardens your muscle and will make you a sinker.

For the bike leg, there is nothing you can do with the headwind of South Road Properties. Going south, you have to fight the strong headwind. Don’t be tempted on pushing or mashing your pedal stroke just to maintain a certain pace. Remember in every headwind is a tail wind. So on your way back try to take the opportunity to even it out and let the law of average take effect, recover for lost time. Approaching a water station, expect some cyclists to suddenly stop or swerve in front of you. And make sure to reserve some of your legs for the final climb to Marcelo Fernan bridge.

For those who are planning to finish to race just before cut off, make sure you have the correct starting time on your watch. Some start early in the swim because they have fast time split or purposely misdeclare their time to start early. Remember cut off is 8:30 from your starting time. Some runners have a wrong notion that just because you have overtaken someone in the run means you have a faster time than them, not knowing the person you overtook started one hour later than you. So please be mindful of your starting time. Run at your own pace, hydrate and eat before you get hungry or thirsty and most of all smile when you reach the finish line.