Extri 08: Baptism of Fire

I was fortunate enough to have another group of friends join me in Extri 08. My good buddies, Packy, Carlo V, Carlo M and Miguel had their baptism of fire in this race. Another friend, Bing, who was also my sports training colleague and an experienced triathlete joined us too. Thus, including myself comprised TEAM AG! Oh yeah, Team anything goes!

This was the craziest race so far. It included a stare down by one of our teammates to one of the elite competitors and a mental relapse on my part that caused me a chance for podium. But overall, it was fun and challenging as usual. The morning began with the usual ocean swells. I was prepared for this swim because i learned from what happened to me during the previous years. Firstly, I just have to relax. Dont panic when i hit those waves and try to breath quickly and high so that i would not take in any water. Second, sight more often or follow another swimmer. And third, ride the wave on my way back. I clocked around 25min for the swim and came out at the middle of the pack. My transition was well planned, in fact i think i registered the 2nd fastest on T1 and T2 (hehe-to justify my blogname). I always have my shoes cleated on my bike and i put them on once i hit the straightaway. So it was just my helmet that i had to put on. No more socks needed. I was off on my bike, after around 5k a couple of guys overtook me. I couldent maintain their pace and i just thought of getting them on the run. After around 8km, I overtook my buddy Bing on a steep incline and i encouraged her as i passed her. A few other Sabak riders passed me as I hit the 15km mark. They were flying. I just thought again to catch them on the run. I had a bike split of 1 hour and 2 min. My T2 was quick as I quikcly dismounted off the bike. I felt pretty tired but 10min before i had a GU so i thought that it should kick in soon and give me that push on the run of 4km. I was quickly on to the dreaded stairclimb which i walked. Then as i hit the parking lot, I started to slow jog. On the steep incline, I decided to fast walk, swinging my arms and lifting my knees for added power. I focued on my breathing but it was really tough! I was able to overtake 2 guys on the hills. Once the downhill was in sight, i just let gravity take effect and had minimal effort going down although i was extra careful on my footplant because of the rough terrain. The beach was in sight and i was excited to increase my pace. Although i already felt fatigue in my legs, I was focused on pursuing some guys who were ahead of me. On the beach run, i was able to overtake a couple of guys and it felt good. As I reached the homestratch, I saw Rizzo of Fitness First ahead of me but there was no way I would be able to overtake her because she was too far ahead. I just sprinted the last 100 meters and finished in a time of 2 hours flat. A few guys congratulated me at the finish and i felt i had a decent race. There were only a few participants at the finish and I found out that i finished 13th overall. Then it hit me, as the other runners came in, i noticed they were all wearning their helmets. Bang! I was not wearing my helmet but i removed it in transition and wore my visor! Yes, rules are rules and i quietly approached Taleng, an organizer and wife of Eric and told her about it. I honestly thought that they did not notice my error but I had to inform them just the same. She told me i was sure to have a time penalty but she did not know how much. Anyway, i was hoping it woud not be that much. As i waited for my friends to come in, I felt a bit disappointed about my blunder and thought why i had forgotten about this since i had competed here for the last 3 years. Here is what happened, during the race briefing I went back to my room to get my powerbar which i planned to consume an hour before the race. During that brief moment of 5 minutes, they discussed about the helmet issue and I totally missed it. It just slipped my mind and I even had my visor ready at transition. Hehe, thats what i get for being too confident about my preparations and for not listening! Anyways, Bing came in not too far behind then Miguel, Packy and Carlo V came in and i was happy for them. Team AG was complete except for Carlo M who suffered cramps on the swim and had to withdraw.

At the awards night, i found out that they gave me a 12 minute penalty and i came in 4th in my age group. If not for the penalty, i would have had 2nd but its okay... i was still happy with my race and tried to believe that in my heart i was really 2nd! hehe just to make me feel better. Bing garnered 3rd overall! And so concludes another extri experience. Another one for the books. Another one charged to experience. See you at extri 09!

What sports is really all about...

Today I am writing out of the box. I want to write a little bit about tennis. But not really about the game but what happened after Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer in this years Australian Open. I was not able to watch the match. I was only able to catch the awarding ceremonies. After I witnessed what happened, I was pleased enough to have caught this part and missed the game itself. Although, as a tennis fan, i would have definitely appreciated the five set battle. And, i realized that the effort and heart put in by both champions had contributed to their dispositions at the end of the match. In summary, both men exhibited true class and respect for each other. In defeat, Roger showed his true emotions and he could not hold back. As a true warrior who wanted to win surely not for himself but for his family, the people around him, and for his fans, he felt that he had let them down. Yes, he wanted to win his 14th grand slam but not for himself. Roger Federer is a champion because of his heart and goodwill and he does not win for personal glory and fame but for the love of tennis and for how he can inspire others. He is adored in Australia. And when the fans began applauding for his effort he broke down....

Rafael Nadal, for his part, at 22, has truly showed maturity way ahead of his age. Such compassion and empathy. In his comments after Federer had showed his disappointment, Nadal looked up on his opponent and praised him for being a great champion. And then he gave hope for the fallen soldier by saying that he is certain Roger will achieve another grand slam title. Nadal showed empathy by saying he understood what Roger was feeling at the moment because he has experienced it before. Nadal steps inside Rogers shoes and uplifts the man's spirits by saying "don't worry brother i am here with you... i know how you feel, its okay". Nadal then gives Federer a hug as a true brother. Now if this is not what sports is really all about then I don't know what is... I cannot be more moved by what transpired between them. These two gentlemen are great examples. They have showed true sportsmanship. They are who we all should try to emulate as sportsmen and as persons. They are humble champions.

Thinking out of the box, sports is really there for us to serve as a venue to gain friendships. In the end of the day, we try our best to be the best we can be for our sport. And after working as hard as we can and offering our efforts to the One who gave us life, we strive to help others achieve the same success. When one sees another achieve greatness in his field and not just in sports he is looked up to. He gains respect and is admired. He can now become a positive influence to the well-being of others. This is how friendships and camaraderie are fostered. And after we recognize the positive values that sports brings us, we can use these values to help our families and friends reach their goals.