"on a shoestring"

Someday, I want to hear the words, “Congratulations! You’re an IronMan!” But that won’t happen if I just pound and pound the roads and be contented with running a marathon. I must take the second step to pursue that dream.

Ready, Legs Go!

The successfully concluded TRIPLE A Cup (Amphitrite Alabang Aquathlon) helped me in realizing this dream. Now I can proudly say that I’m an aquathlete. The event I joined was  Extra-Lite category. Wherein you have to run 2.5K then swim 200meters and finish strong with another 2.5K run. I was confident that I can finish the race, the only problem is that I was grasping for air after the 1st kilometer in the run leg because I foolishly paced with the fast runners. Anyway, just charge it to experience.

The Fast "Runner" (Abs kung Abs)

It was already engraved in my mind that I’m there to join the fun and a good time finish would just be an extra to my aquathlon debut.

Some Photos from the Event (Click the image to enlarge)

So, here are stuff that made the race FUN, FUN and FUNNY and some Lessons too:

• Days before the event, I was broadcasting on my Facebook status that I will drown those who will overtake me in the swim leg. No one dared to come swim near me during the swim part. Lesson: Bullying works (not in school but in aquathlon). Good thing, no one get drown.

• At the first plunge, I drank some Palms Country Club Pool water (sosyal)- seems like water from the hydration station in not enough for me. This slowed me down in the process. Lesson: relax on the swim leg, you don’t need extra hydration.

• Funny to see fellow racers run even the swim leg. I don’t want to name names, but it was fun seeing them stride not glide in the pool. Lesson: I will practice striding in the water next time- its gets you faster and exert less energy.

• I was running 4:15/Km during the first run leg because of the adrenalin rush. It was zoooooom!!! Later did I paid of the lost energy because I was already walking some parts of th 2nd run leg. That slowed me down and took most of my energy. Lesson: Don’t get overly excited. I need to distribute my energy and the burst of my adrenalin.

We are Aquathletes

Run - Swim - Run (Lite: 2.5K - 400m - 5K) (ExtraLite: 2.5K - 200m - 2.5K)

Thank you so much Ms.Tiff Batilo and Co. for organizing a “labor of love” event to people like me. Now I can proudly say, “I’m an AQUATHLETE!”

Lastly, this event would not be successful without the faithful support of our sponsors and partners: The Palms Country Club, Filinvest Corporate City, Vitamin World, Scorecard/Sports Media, Sunlife, Dole, Global Era Logistics Inc., 5 Aces Restaurant, Gourmet, Globe Telecoms, Gloprints, Powerade, Pharex BComplex, Men’s Health, Women’s Health & Runners World. We hope that this is just the beginning of our partnership in the multi-sports world. Thanks to all of you!