Life Discourse: Aquathlon Journey

(Photocredits: Bike King Philippines)

I am pre-diabetic for more than 10 years now and hoping that it stays that way for the meantime. Also, at the age of 49 years old, I started on my first Aquathlon.

For the uninitiated readers, an Aquathlon is a swim-run event (or in other events run-swim-run or swim-run-swim), where you are required to swim and run in that order. The standard Aquathlon course is 500 meters swim and 5 kilometres run. Aquathlon Lite is described as: swim at least 300 or 350 metres and run at least 300/350 kilometres.

I was supposed to start at the Ateneo Aquathlon, but for some reason, they do not have a lite or petit category. So I had to decided not joining that event. I had set my sights on the Sunlife Aquathlon 2017 on the same year. I started training after May and registered as soon as the event was advertised via Facebook; I was placed at the 40-49 age group.

Like I said, I am a good swimmer but prepared badly on running part. As a result, I placed almost dead last in my age category and got injured as a result. I was limping at the 3rd oval run, had to stop and ask for first aid. It was a disaster.

The following year, I attempted joining again by registering in the Aquaman Aquathlon under Lite. Training was tough and did not do simulation training the week before the event since I was leaving for a one week trip to Japan the following day.

(Photocredits: Ronald Ballalo. Left to right: Ronald Ballalo, moi, Ning Honorio, Rommel Landas, Eduardo David and Benjamin Caruncho III)

On the day of the event, I discovered that I was under the 50+ category (truth be told, I was still 49 but some weird rule says, age will be determined at your birth year?!). It was a good swim but the terrain was too much for me so I resorted to run/walk instead. My injury made my run difficult and limped towards the end of the walk. Along the course, a lot of strangers were encouraging me to push ahead. I placed 3rd in the age group; it was weirdly satisfying (Side story: my group was at the bleachers preparing to leave the venue when they announced my name and me shouting "WHAT??" at the top of my lungs...).

Ever since, I placed either 1st or 2nd place (Vermosa 1 2019 and Sunlife Aquathlon 2018-2019) because of, maybe fewer participants (currently I am under 50-55 Age Group) and had been stuck in the lite category (please note that the stronger females of my age groups are triathletes and I still have to overcome my so called embarrassing DNF at the Miriam College Aquathlon, not kidding on this one to be honest - it was a standard race format).

(Photocredits: Bike King Philippines Sunlife Aquathlon 2018 - that's me after one participant did a DNS, lol. Still looking awkward here - grinning like a Cheshire cat)

I find the experience very fulfilling; I am somewhat competitive by nature and would like to test how far I can go physically. I do admit that after my first aquathlon that I realized that I can do this.

I got several feedbacks that I am a fast swimmer but a crappy runner. Admittedly, I still have to improve my run time and avoid getting cramps or injuries. I eventually want to do the standard distance in the future (not now but who knows right?)

Also, I am happy to note that those under the community, whether they are participants or supporters, are a bunch of very nice people; are willing to cheer and encourage you to either push or finish the race. Physically, I am not that athletic body-wise but if you are there doing it, nobody cares at all (walang pintasan, walang basagan ng trip people).

The disadvantage is that the venue is far from Metro Manila (some multisports events are staged at Vermosa Sports Hub in Cavite) and we would travel early at 3:30 am to reach the venue early. Vermosa Sports Hub is a complete facility, it even has a swimming training centre (which I would want to enter in the future.

You need to rent a car to get there (but we don't mind paying the toll fee, gas and food for the driver of course). Maybe in the near future I may ask a friend to allow me to sleep overnight (and bother her to bring me back to Metro Manila, hahahah).

Also, you are not allowed to exhaust yourself the week before the event or preferably after you did a simulation (test swim/run at the back of San Miguel Avenue) the week before. This is to ensure that you are well rested. But, heck, I still swim the day (and walk) before the event although not as brutal as the training period.

Since all events are postponed because of restrictions imposed by COVID-19 pandemic, I do plan to go back to training as soon as conditions permits. Pools are closed so I am now doing some running (or should I say 98% walking and 5% running, lol) whenever possible.

I am still optimistic to join Aquathlons as soon as this is over. Not because of the medals, being on the podium and the freebies - just being there to enjoy everything in stride.