Meet the real ‘Pro’ triathletes

After the dust settled in the Ironman 70.3 event in Cebu, it's time to meet the real professional triathletes who joined in last Sunday's event.  I am not talking about the professional athletes. These are the age-groupers who comprised around 80-90% of the participants from professional civil engineers, architects, doctors, bankers, nurse, accountants, IT experts, and even a priest.

Let's give the limelight to them.

Fr. Joseph B. Anore (The Swimming Priest of Metafit-PRO H relay team). My experience in Ironman 70.3 Philippines 2014 can be described in three R's - reverie, revelry and revelation. Indeed, it was a reverie because I never have thought that I could be part of one of the most prestigious sports events in the world today. It is also because I would admit I am a late-bloomer in sports. During my younger years, I was never been into any kind of sports not until I became part of Metafit fitness regimen. Furthermore, it was a revelry because Ironman event was for me a celebration of life's most important blessing - our health which we oftentimes take for granted, neglected and ignored. I knew all the participants prepared seriously and vigorously in their training months. But all the efforts, sacrifices and pain to watch one's diet, sleep and rise early in the morning paid off when you have reached the finish line. And lastly, it was a revelation because it proved how the spirit of sheer determination, courage and strong-willed heart conquered all obstacles, challenges and fears. I too have come out victorious with my own battle when I swam a deep- blue sea and not any leg cramps could ever dampen my vigor and spirit to reach the transition area so that my fellow teammates could do their own disciplines which bike and run. Moreover as the Latin saying goes and I quote;" Mens Sana en Corpore Sano" which means "A healthy soul in a healthy body". I hope that the strict discipline I learned in preparing for Ironman event would not only end up for my healthy body but to my soul as well. A soul that is immune from rigors of life's vicissitudes.

Guian Capacite (Professional Architect) The Cobra Ironman Philippines 2014 was my first ironman event but the 4th triathlon event that I have participated. I have been into this sport for about 10 months only. Although I wasn't able to get my target time because of the very tough course in all discipline, I am still very happy with my performance, finishing 5hrs and 45mins. The experience was indeed wonderful because of the crowd that cheered you up when you're exhausted already and the beautiful safeguard marshalls who baths you with cold water. The highlight of them all was that I get to meet in person my ultimate crush, model/triahlete Kim Kilgroe. Surely I will be coming back next year.

Engineer  Jinggoy Bascug: (Professional Civil Engineer and cyclist for Metfit-PRO H relay team). The toughest part of the bike route was the headwind in SRP, with simple mathematics I can get my 3:30:00 target time. I tried to maintain my 25-30 kph speed, but when I reached Talisay water station " nanimaho na kong sunog". In going back to complete a 1st U, I realized that I could easily reach 40+ kph due to the tail wind. So with simple computation of (40kph + 20kph)/ 2 = 30kph.  Even if I averaged 20-22 kph going to Talisay and 35-40kph  to Palma, I can still manage to finish with a smile going back to Lapu-Lapu, even if I would have to  hurdle climbing back Marcelo Fernan Bridge. I timed 3:39:45,  9 minutes of my target time but still a good ride for me. Thank you for the Metafit training and long ride bike out with coach A, Team Metafit and its support group. It really inspired us so much.

Dr. Janet Remedio Solis: (Pediatrician and businesswoman, cyclist of PATT's Tri Team) I experienced and felt the overwhelming crowd support including our very own Metapackers from T1 up to the streets of Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Cebu City , Talisay City and vice versa. It's simply amazing! Their voices eased the pain along the 90K bike route.." Go Ate, go Ate!!" or "Go girl, go girl!!!" I had the luck and opportunity to race side by side with the world's best triathletes although most of the time I had to stay on the right side of the lane. It was indeed my first ever bike race. It was scary with all the big boys around. Pedaling to make it through the strong headwind towards Talisay made me realized that I should be one of the boys or else I will still be out there all by myself in SRP. Cebu should still be the venue next because of the warm hospitality of the people , strategic location, accommodation, LGU support but hopefully we can have better roads.

Philip John Cañedo. Cebu is the most ideal place for the Ironman here in the Philippines because of the strategic location, less traffic. People here are more accommodating and can host bigger crowd. Everything you need for a race like the Ironman is all here in Cebu. My experience on this year's Ironman is heart pumping, adrenaline rush, at the same time happy pack in to one. The bike route is hard because of the bridge and the strong headwind in SRP. Thanks to our trainings especially going uphill, I conquered it!

Joy Ortaliz: (Nurse and a medical representative, Swimmer of Team Try and Tri) "Pull, pull, pull!" "Swim, swim, swim!" These are the chants inside my head when I can no longer use both of my legs in kicking because of muscle cramps. With almost 1.7km swim to go, I was relying with my upper body strength. I was praying hard and swam with my heart. I was thinking of my teammates, my coach and more importantly myself.  "I can't fail" The will to finish the race makes it all possible. After all, it was my inner self  that was competing, right at that moment. Thank you coach A, coach James, the awesome Metapackers support group and the people who cheered at the sidelines! It was indeed one helluva experience!

Maeers Canedo (Registered nurse and busineswoman, Swimmer of Team Try and Tri Metafit) As a first-timer, all I can pray was for fine weather, a calm sea and a not so tough current, which God has graciously given us during last Sunday's event. I was not born with an athletic bone in my body, let alone two years ago when my lifestyle was completely sedentary. But through coach A's Metafit metabolic fitness camp, 10 months training with a swimming coach, and a lot of support from the Metapackers and my family, 53 mins of 1.9km swim may not be a result to be bragged about, but hey, there will always be room for improvements. As what Mr. Watson said a night before the race to motivate us, "There is no place I want to be but right here, right now." There was anxiety, but I surely felt exactly the same way as the race started. Right before hitting the water, I felt empowered, confident and most especially blessed.

Romulo R. Rosell (IT expert and runner for Team Try and Tri).  It was the toughest 21K  in my career but at the same time the sweetest.  Our Try N Tri Team landed at 29th spot in a field of 76 entries, not bad for a first-timer.

Donafel Almirante Tacandong( Accountant and banker,  rRunner for Team Try & Tri Metafit). It was an amazing, exhausting and incredibly rewarding experience. Though it was not my first 21K run, I was still nervous. I got so many things running through my mind. It was really getting hot  and  my stomach was rumbling, etc etc. My goal then was to finish it under 2:30:00 . Though I had to stop at every water station for 10-15 seconds to rehydrate and get wet, I finished it in 2:19:28.  It was very inspiring to see athletes with physical disabilities and 'the young once' pursuing their dreams. It gave me hope that there's still chance for me to be a triathlete someday, in God's perfect time.

Congratulations to all for finishing your first 70.3 Ironman. Now it's your turn to inspire others to get fitter, stronger and healthier!

It was also my third try in the 70.3 Ironman and proud to say that I had my best finish ever, shaving off 14 minutes from my last year's run.

SIDELINE: Congratulations also to first-time finishers Anton Golez, Archt. Chad Go, Dr. Jose Antonio San Juan, Maverick Tan, Ryan Yu, Archt. Mary Joy Libre, Miguel Abelardo, Glen Antonio, Chloe Jane Ong and to all those who conquered and finished the 70.3 Ironman. Special thanks to Maui Recla for taking our beautiful photos. See you guys next year!