Flying V forms team for Ironman

CEBU, Philippines - Team Flying V, a team composed of daring sportsmen under 40 years, promises to wow the crowd in the forthcoming Inronman Philippines 70-3 in Camarines Sur.

The team, only a “wishful thinking” a month, ago came into reality when Fly V agreed to sponsor Gerry Malixi, Raul Romulo and Annie Neric in their bid for toughest three-in-one action slated August 23.

“Raul (Romulo) pointed out that majority of the athletes who do really well in Ironman races are the guys in their late 30’s and early 40’s.  This is because endurance, careful strategy and mental approach all factor into this type of challenge. Raul said that with the proper training and preparation, our team could do very well,” said Malixi in his e-mail.

Malixi will compete in the 2-kilometer swimming event while Romulo will try the 90-km bikefest. Annie Neric, manager of Holiday Gym and Spa will run the 21-km segment.

John Pages, the president of the Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC), was the first choice of Malixi for the 21-km run but due to prior commitments he couldn’t cancel, recommended Neric instead.

The team is currently in the thick of preparation.

“I pondered joining the race back in February. I started out swimming 15 laps (less than 1km) a day in a 50-meter pool at the Manila Polo Club. Swimming less than 1km was a struggle several months back but with constant training, I can now swim, for an hour nonstop, quite comfortably.  I finish around 115 laps (2.9km) per swim, four to five times a week mostly at Casino Español and City Sports Club,” Malixi reveals.

Malixi recently finished second in his age group in the National Age Group Triathlon’s leg in Cebu.

Neric, on the other hand, has been doing indoor cycling class, treadmill, speedwork, strength training, tempo run and a long run on Saturdays 

As for Team Flying V’s cyclist Raul Romulo, he is targeting to finish the race in 3 hours or a maximum of 3 1/2 hours. 

“To train for Ironman Camsur, I’m doing 30km every other day at least 3 times a week. My week ends doing 70 to 95 km. On other days, I go to Golds gym for leg weights training and circuit training for endurance. The long rides I’ve done were Mabitac to Antipolo and Alabang to Puerto Azul and back,” said Romulo.

The Ironman 70.3 Philippines will be a star-studded event.  Senator Pia Cayetano, Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Fred Uytengsu, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Drew Arellano and Anthony Pangilinan entered as individual athletes. 

Aside from the Malixi and the Flying V squad, other Cebuanos joining the contest are former Philippine Triathlon record holder Noy Jopson, Gerrie Calinawan, Antonio Regis, Ralph Arche, RJ Balbuena, Trino Trasmonte, Alvin Abarquez and female bet Lorhiz Echavez.

There’s Tri-Cebu team composed of Franz Baguio (swim), Tyrone Tan (bike) and Leona’s bakeshop owner, Jane-Jane Ong (21 km run).

Differently-abled athletes are also joining the race including the team of Arnold Balais (swimming), Rudy Fernandez (bike) and The Freeman sports columnist Raffy Uytiepo (21 km run). (THE FREEMAN)