PilDua Leg 4 - October 2018
After entering he Triathlon world in June 2017 I soon realized that there are other Multisport events outside of the Swim-Bik-Run triumvirate. I knew about Aquathlon (which was the first multisport event we raced) and soon discovered Duathlon. The format is pretty much like a Triathlon but the Swim Leg is replaced by a Run Leg. In short you are doing a Run-Bik-Run event (hence the name Duathlon...duh me!).
I joined my first Duathlon event on February 2018 (Pilipinas Duathlon Leg 1) which was a 4km Run, 20Km Bike and finishing off with another 4km Run. It was then I realized that a Duathlon is not the younger brother of triathlon. It is a different beast all together which shouldn't be taken lightly even if you've ben doing triathlons. In fact, after getting off the bike and starting my final run, I felt a slight cramp creeping up my right leg. I had to take a short stop on the side of the run course to stretch my calf just to ensure that I finish the race. 2 hours after I was crossing the finish line, finishing my fist Duathlon, with a similar satisfaction after a Triathlon. I knew I would be joining more Duathlons in the future (I actually registered and raced Leg 3 in Clark as well).
Last weekend was Leg 4 of the Pilipnas Duathlon Series, the final leg for the year. I signed up for the usual Sprint Event, a 5-20-5 distance which I comfortably felt was right in my race zone. Unlike the two other races that I joined in Clark, Leg 4 was held in Subic with Ocean Adventure, Zoobic Safari and Adventure Trail as your backdrop. It was a beautiful and clear morning, no rain clouds in sight (which means a safer bike ride) and no wild winds in the forecast. As the start of the race draws near, the Race Organizers said that both Run and Bike course will be rolling during the morning pre-race briefing. All I can say to that is...THEY LIED!!!! 😄😄😄
This was probably the hardest race that I have done be it a single even or a Multisport. This race was more of a test of Mental Toughness than a test of Endurance. The course was unforgiving and definitely a torture for the untrained participant. Both Run and Bike courses wre fl of climbs and there were many parts of the race where, if you don't have the intestinal fortitude, you'll just want to quit and call it a day.
The Run course takes you through Jungle Joe's Adventure Trail. I've never been in this part of Subic so I really didn't know what to expect. The air horn blasted and all runners were off and away. The first half of the race was purely downhill. It wasn't a trail route but the uneven terrain, loose gravel, occasional dirt patches it almost felt like a trail race (especially for a road runner like me). Just like any other race that I join, I don't get swayed by the adrenaline rush of the horn and pace like crazy on to find myself catching my breath 1km in. I was trying to manage the steep downhill slopes and the challenging path in my own pace even if a lot of runners were passing me (that was my game plan). As I was navigating the winding road, the main thing running through my mind was all this downhill will turn into an uphill climb on our way back. There were two stretches I noticed that would be killers going back. Because it was steeper going down than other parts which means a steeper climb and the bends will make the climb even more challenging.
2 kilometers in and some of the racers were on their way back. I was crossing paths with some stragglers from the Standard Distance (which started 15 minutes earlier) and the race leaders from our Sprint event which were mostly the younger age groupers. I counted at least 10 from my age group headed back up the route as I near the half way U-turn. By this time I was already conditioning my mind to suck up the climb, don't walk, keep a steady pace and hopefully catch some of the early leaders from my age group. Keeping all that in mind I hit the first killer climb without any problems (I think my legs were still fresh at this point). My pace was where I wanted it to be and may cadence was comfortable. After 4 kilometers the path turned slightly to the right hitting the second killer climb. As I expected there were already a good number of runners walking as they try to manage the steep winding climb. This is also where I was able to catch and pass a handful of racers from my age group. As I clear the second killer stretch and the arrow signs to the T1 became visible I felt really good about myself and how I handled a difficult run course. What I didn't expect was 1) the Run will be more than 5km (it was around 5.5km including the way to transition) and 2) there was a 3rd killer stretch (we didn't pass it during the start). This stretch was just before you get into T1. It was another arduous climb with the sun (which was up and bright by this time) shining directly to my face. I have to admit that this took more energy out of me than I would have wanted. Finally we make a left turn to the bike transition. I got lost for a moment because there were no signs indicating where we should head for the Bike Transition. I doubled back for around 5 meters before being told by the marshals where to exit. Almost 34 minutes after, I was finally entering T1 for the Bike Leg.
I was in and out of T1 slightly under 2 minutes and was off and pedaling. The first stretch was a downhill rid form Bunker Bob's to the Ocean Adventure parking area. What the organizers failed to mention during the race brief was there were two nasty road humps after you make a right hand turn going to Ocean Adventure. It was an accident waiting to happen! Good thing some riders, who were on their way back, were kind enough to let us know that there were humps ahead and that we need to slow down. When I got to the dreaded hump obstacle a bike was lying on the side and the rider had a nasty shoulder gash and another one on the right knee. I was able to manage the humps and headed to the U-turn in the parking lot. I took an unusually very wide U-turn because the lot was littered with loose asphalt and pebbles which made turning very slippery and unstable. Safety was more important than losing a couple of seconds form making the turn. as I head back I thought of paying it forward and also informed incoming riders to slow down and expect the humps. As I continue to climb up from the parking area to Ilanin Road I didn't know that it will only be one of many climbs that I had to make that day.
There were at least 6 climbs that I can remember after I completed the entire race. Each getting harder after the other. Just when you thought you're going to get a break on the bike with some flats and downhills you'll be met with yet another long climb ahead. I've never used my small chain ring and big cogs combo as much as I have used in this race. In most Triathlon races I am usually in the big chain ring and middle cogs as the roads are mostly rolling and flat. You'd want to maintain a good speed throughout. I soon realized that won't be applicable in this race and I had to change my game plan! After getting on Ilanin Road and turning right into one of the toughest climbs of the course, I was not just focused on my cadence instead of speed. I wanted to maintain a cadence between 65 and 70 and never fall below 60. On the flats and downhills milk it as much as you can and really hammer it. The fatigue from an unlimited climb bike course caught up to me as there were some stretches where my speed was at a measly 9 km/h going up. I tried to compensate by hitting the downhills with speeds of up to 59 km/h. It took me 51 minutes and 39 seconds to complete the 20 km bike leg which was much worse than any of my past 20 km bike ride (I was doing a little over 41 minutes in). throughout the entire bike ride one thought was loomin at the back of my mind -- the downhill and uphill final run!!! I am not sure if I will still have the legs to complete it.
As I rack my bike in T2 there were at least 10 bikes from my age group that were already there. I have my work cut out for me in trying to get into the Top 5. I started the now familiar winding downhill path. Each step became harder and my legs heavier. I clearly remember feeling the sharp stones of the uneven path under my feet . All I am thinking now is to keep a good pace to finish the race. Take it easy on the downhill and reserve my remaining energy for the grueling uphill return. I was watching the runners that I cross path with counting how many I need to try to catch for a good finish but soon realized that I need to focus on the task at hand...race my race! One of the things I learned in endurance races is to ensure you refuel properly and try to keep your core temperature down. I stopped at each hydration station getting a sip of water (and a small sip of Pocari Sweat) and pouring water on my nape, chest and legs. Similar to the initial run I was able to get through the first killer climb without any real problems. However, I was running a slower pace by this time. I know this because I've set my watch to alarm if I start hitting a pace that is slower or faster than what I need to do. And all this time my watch kept reminding me of that. As I hit the second killer climb I was fighting the thought of walking and taking a rest. One phrase I keep telling myself over and over when I'm in this kind of struggle is "The mind breaks faster than the body!". It is my way of trying to overcome the mental challenges of the game and focus on the goal.
One foot after the other I pace forward, in the process I caught the male and female participants in front of me. I've been eyeing them for the past 500 meters or so and decided that I need to get ahead of them before the race ends. After passing them I quickly glanced back and around 50 meters behind them was one runner from my age group. With less than a kilometer to the finish line, I possibly couldn't let him catch me. The competitive spirit in me kicked in and before I knew it I was able to silence my watch as I was running at the pace range that I initially planned. By this time I can hear the organizers welcoming participants as they enter the finishers aisle. One more right hand turn and around 30 meters to go I was almost sprinting (or at least this was the fastest pace I did in this second run). towards the finish line. The announcer calls my bib number and welcomes me as I make it to the Finish Line.
Just like any other race there's an adrenaline rush when you cross that finish line. It is another feather on my hat, another accomplishment. It is another race experience like no other. I bowed forward to get my finisher's medal and took this opportunity to catch my breath and rest my tired and weary legs. That was the the hardest race I've done! The run and bike climbs were more than enough to last the rest of the year. I was so tired I forgot to zip up my top 😂😂😂
When I finally had the energy, I gathered myself up and right in front of me was my wife, waiting and ready to immortalize my exhaustion and triumph. I managed a smile. I just completed a race that I won't be doing again 😁 I just completed the Final Leg of the Pilipinas Duathlon Series.
 |
| 📷 c/o PilDua |
 |
| 📷 c/o PilDua |
Last weekend was Leg 4 of the Pilipnas Duathlon Series, the final leg for the year. I signed up for the usual Sprint Event, a 5-20-5 distance which I comfortably felt was right in my race zone. Unlike the two other races that I joined in Clark, Leg 4 was held in Subic with Ocean Adventure, Zoobic Safari and Adventure Trail as your backdrop. It was a beautiful and clear morning, no rain clouds in sight (which means a safer bike ride) and no wild winds in the forecast. As the start of the race draws near, the Race Organizers said that both Run and Bike course will be rolling during the morning pre-race briefing. All I can say to that is...THEY LIED!!!! 😄😄😄
This was probably the hardest race that I have done be it a single even or a Multisport. This race was more of a test of Mental Toughness than a test of Endurance. The course was unforgiving and definitely a torture for the untrained participant. Both Run and Bike courses wre fl of climbs and there were many parts of the race where, if you don't have the intestinal fortitude, you'll just want to quit and call it a day.
 |
| 📷 c/o PilDua |
2 kilometers in and some of the racers were on their way back. I was crossing paths with some stragglers from the Standard Distance (which started 15 minutes earlier) and the race leaders from our Sprint event which were mostly the younger age groupers. I counted at least 10 from my age group headed back up the route as I near the half way U-turn. By this time I was already conditioning my mind to suck up the climb, don't walk, keep a steady pace and hopefully catch some of the early leaders from my age group. Keeping all that in mind I hit the first killer climb without any problems (I think my legs were still fresh at this point). My pace was where I wanted it to be and may cadence was comfortable. After 4 kilometers the path turned slightly to the right hitting the second killer climb. As I expected there were already a good number of runners walking as they try to manage the steep winding climb. This is also where I was able to catch and pass a handful of racers from my age group. As I clear the second killer stretch and the arrow signs to the T1 became visible I felt really good about myself and how I handled a difficult run course. What I didn't expect was 1) the Run will be more than 5km (it was around 5.5km including the way to transition) and 2) there was a 3rd killer stretch (we didn't pass it during the start). This stretch was just before you get into T1. It was another arduous climb with the sun (which was up and bright by this time) shining directly to my face. I have to admit that this took more energy out of me than I would have wanted. Finally we make a left turn to the bike transition. I got lost for a moment because there were no signs indicating where we should head for the Bike Transition. I doubled back for around 5 meters before being told by the marshals where to exit. Almost 34 minutes after, I was finally entering T1 for the Bike Leg.
 |
| 📷 c/o PilDua |
There were at least 6 climbs that I can remember after I completed the entire race. Each getting harder after the other. Just when you thought you're going to get a break on the bike with some flats and downhills you'll be met with yet another long climb ahead. I've never used my small chain ring and big cogs combo as much as I have used in this race. In most Triathlon races I am usually in the big chain ring and middle cogs as the roads are mostly rolling and flat. You'd want to maintain a good speed throughout. I soon realized that won't be applicable in this race and I had to change my game plan! After getting on Ilanin Road and turning right into one of the toughest climbs of the course, I was not just focused on my cadence instead of speed. I wanted to maintain a cadence between 65 and 70 and never fall below 60. On the flats and downhills milk it as much as you can and really hammer it. The fatigue from an unlimited climb bike course caught up to me as there were some stretches where my speed was at a measly 9 km/h going up. I tried to compensate by hitting the downhills with speeds of up to 59 km/h. It took me 51 minutes and 39 seconds to complete the 20 km bike leg which was much worse than any of my past 20 km bike ride (I was doing a little over 41 minutes in). throughout the entire bike ride one thought was loomin at the back of my mind -- the downhill and uphill final run!!! I am not sure if I will still have the legs to complete it.As I rack my bike in T2 there were at least 10 bikes from my age group that were already there. I have my work cut out for me in trying to get into the Top 5. I started the now familiar winding downhill path. Each step became harder and my legs heavier. I clearly remember feeling the sharp stones of the uneven path under my feet . All I am thinking now is to keep a good pace to finish the race. Take it easy on the downhill and reserve my remaining energy for the grueling uphill return. I was watching the runners that I cross path with counting how many I need to try to catch for a good finish but soon realized that I need to focus on the task at hand...race my race! One of the things I learned in endurance races is to ensure you refuel properly and try to keep your core temperature down. I stopped at each hydration station getting a sip of water (and a small sip of Pocari Sweat) and pouring water on my nape, chest and legs. Similar to the initial run I was able to get through the first killer climb without any real problems. However, I was running a slower pace by this time. I know this because I've set my watch to alarm if I start hitting a pace that is slower or faster than what I need to do. And all this time my watch kept reminding me of that. As I hit the second killer climb I was fighting the thought of walking and taking a rest. One phrase I keep telling myself over and over when I'm in this kind of struggle is "The mind breaks faster than the body!". It is my way of trying to overcome the mental challenges of the game and focus on the goal.
One foot after the other I pace forward, in the process I caught the male and female participants in front of me. I've been eyeing them for the past 500 meters or so and decided that I need to get ahead of them before the race ends. After passing them I quickly glanced back and around 50 meters behind them was one runner from my age group. With less than a kilometer to the finish line, I possibly couldn't let him catch me. The competitive spirit in me kicked in and before I knew it I was able to silence my watch as I was running at the pace range that I initially planned. By this time I can hear the organizers welcoming participants as they enter the finishers aisle. One more right hand turn and around 30 meters to go I was almost sprinting (or at least this was the fastest pace I did in this second run). towards the finish line. The announcer calls my bib number and welcomes me as I make it to the Finish Line.
Just like any other race there's an adrenaline rush when you cross that finish line. It is another feather on my hat, another accomplishment. It is another race experience like no other. I bowed forward to get my finisher's medal and took this opportunity to catch my breath and rest my tired and weary legs. That was the the hardest race I've done! The run and bike climbs were more than enough to last the rest of the year. I was so tired I forgot to zip up my top 😂😂😂
When I finally had the energy, I gathered myself up and right in front of me was my wife, waiting and ready to immortalize my exhaustion and triumph. I managed a smile. I just completed a race that I won't be doing again 😁 I just completed the Final Leg of the Pilipinas Duathlon Series.
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