 |
| Ateneo Aquathlon Poster ft. Kim Uy and David Santos |
Setting the Stage
Last Sunday, March 4, I participated in the Ateneo Aquathlon organized by my former team the Fast Ateneo Blue Tankers or FAST (yeah, I know what you're thinking but that is what the team is called). After helping plan and organize this event ever since I was in high school, I decided to join the race to support my former teammates as well as to see if I can still hack it. But of course, I had a big problem to worry about.
The swimming was not the problem. I am a swimmer after all; regardless of the Classic's 600 meters or the Lite's 400 meters, I was confident that I would end the swim as one of the top finishers. Besides, the Loyola School's swimming pool is my home court, so to speak.
My problem was the running.
The swimming was not the problem. I am a swimmer after all; regardless of the Classic's 600 meters or the Lite's 400 meters, I was confident that I would end the swim as one of the top finishers. Besides, the Loyola School's swimming pool is my home court, so to speak.
My problem was the running.
As cavalier as I am with sports, I was under no delusion that the 5 kilometer run of the Aquathlon Classic was a manageable distance. Running, after all, has never been my strongest suit even when I was still a competitive swimmer. Taking that into consideration, I signed up for the Aquathlon Lite, the shortened version of the Classic which is specifically designed for beginners and newbies. Though the Lite's 3 kilometer run is still quite long for my standards, I figured that it was a lot easier to complete than the Classic's 5 kilometer course. Or so I thought.
My former teammates found it amusing borderline hilarious that I did not join them in the Classic. But I knew my limits. Inasmuch as the Classic appealed to the athletic-snob in me, it was ludicrous on my end to even attempt to run 5 kilometers. After all, I am a good 25 lbs. overweight. 3 kilometers it is then.
Merman at Home
When I arrived at the Loyola Schools Covered Courts, I was overwhelmed with the density of the participants hanging out in the receiving area. As I approached the registration booth, I noticed that both spectators and racers were congregated around a contraption in the middle of the Courts 5 and 6. To my surprise and amusement, the people were gathered around the mechanical bull ride which is quite popular these days. I have to give it up to FAST for bringing in that attraction; watching people try to conquer that bull resulted to hilariously entertaining moments which made my waiting time really bearable.
After registering and getting bodymarked, I spotted some of my former teammates who just finished their Aquathlon Classic. I spent a few minutes chatting and catching up with them before excusing myself to get changed and warmed up. After about an hour or so, Aquathlon Lite Boys was called. A few more minutes were spent for the briefing and heat segregation before we were queued along the starting area.
Coming into the race, my strategy for the swim was to get as much separation from the pack as possible. I am a swimmer after all and I was sure that very few of the participants can outswim me--in my home pool no less. Besides, I needed the lead since I am one of the worst runners you can ever encounter.
Much to my dismay, however, I was put in the second heat with 14 other people or so. I situated myself at the front of the bunch when the first heat was started, confident that I can catch up with them with little trouble.
When we were started, I immediately kicked off the floor and began my swim as aggressively as possible. I caught the tail end of the first heat almost immediately and tried my best to overtake them without getting too physical. By my fifth round, there were very few people in front of me so I settled to a cruising pace, relying more on my arms than my legs. I finished the first 200 not yet winded so I decided to push my luck in the second round by quickening my pace a bit. Zigzagging my way through the pool traffic, I finished the second 200 meters with my arms throbbing like hell before I got out and grabbed my gear in the transition area. After struggling to put my singlet on, I immediately exited the pool all the while hoping that I had built enough cushion in the swim.
Merman on Dry Land
What's bittersweet about running around the Ateneo is the fact that the campus is on top of a hill. As much as I dreaded jogging around the campus during my varsity years, running up and down the hilly areas benefited my cardiovascular fitness immensely. But of course, the running part is easier said than done.
Coming into the race, my strategy for the swim was to get as much separation from the pack as possible. I am a swimmer after all and I was sure that very few of the participants can outswim me--in my home pool no less. Besides, I needed the lead since I am one of the worst runners you can ever encounter.
Much to my dismay, however, I was put in the second heat with 14 other people or so. I situated myself at the front of the bunch when the first heat was started, confident that I can catch up with them with little trouble.
When we were started, I immediately kicked off the floor and began my swim as aggressively as possible. I caught the tail end of the first heat almost immediately and tried my best to overtake them without getting too physical. By my fifth round, there were very few people in front of me so I settled to a cruising pace, relying more on my arms than my legs. I finished the first 200 not yet winded so I decided to push my luck in the second round by quickening my pace a bit. Zigzagging my way through the pool traffic, I finished the second 200 meters with my arms throbbing like hell before I got out and grabbed my gear in the transition area. After struggling to put my singlet on, I immediately exited the pool all the while hoping that I had built enough cushion in the swim.
Merman on Dry Land
What's bittersweet about running around the Ateneo is the fact that the campus is on top of a hill. As much as I dreaded jogging around the campus during my varsity years, running up and down the hilly areas benefited my cardiovascular fitness immensely. But of course, the running part is easier said than done.
That said, and considering that I have never been even a satisfactory runner, my plan for the run was to walk uphill and jog downhill. As for the flat stretches of road, which were very few I might add, I would just have to wing it.
The 3 kilometer route entailed one to run down Masterson Drive all the way to Moro Lorenzo to retrieve a lap marker. From there, one needs to pass by Bellarmine Hall, the Ateneo School of Government, Xavier Hall, back down Masterson Drive before finishing at the covered courts. I was already thinking about the route as I exited the pool which turned out to be a big mistake.
Somewhere between swimming the 400 meters and struggling to put on my singlet, I forgot about the steep uphill once I had to traverse once ran pass the pool gates. Needless to say, I struggled mightily to conquer that hill; Not 200 meters from the pool gate, my calves were already cramping up and my gut hurt like crazy whenever I gasped for air. I walked from that point on. I needed to catch my breath and try to avoid the muscle cramps as much as I can. As I tried to walk briskly, I knew that my strategy just went out the window. There was no way I could jog the entire course given the way I was feeling.
It was not until I passed the Church of the Gesu that I felt good enough to jog. I did just that and got my first lap marker from the Marshals before making my way back. As I turned the corner leading to the ISO and ASoG, I knew that I could not finish the reminder of the route non-stop so I sort of reverted to my old plan of walking uphill and jogging downhill. It was still a struggle for me, especially when I got to the last uphill near the Batibot Tree (or the Tennis wall). By the time I reached the corner leading to the finish line, I mustered every ounce of strength I had left so that I could at least end the race running.
When I crossed the finish line, I felt a great sense of accomplishment wash over me. I was tired beyond measure but I accomplished what I had set out to do. While the thought did not relieve some of the fatigue, completing my first Aquathlon in over 3 years is something I can proudly look back on. Granted, what I competed in was not really the full event and I finished 30th out of 35 participants. But given that I do not run, am overweight and have not really competed in anything after the 2010 UAAP, I will take 30th place any day. Besides, I was one of the first finishers of the swim leg; if anything, that proves that I am still a capable swimmer.
Challenge Accepted
FAST marketed their Aquathlon this year as a challenge to be conquered. If anything, crossing the finish line, regardless of time, is enough for one to exclaim at the top of his lungs that he has conquered the FAST Aquathlon. I felt as much and it was truly a gratifying feeling. However, as I conquered Aquathlon Lite, a new challenge came with it. Perhaps it was just the athletic-snob again but without thinking twice, I accepted it.
Next year, I will race in the Aquathlon Classic. More than anything, it is a matter of honor that I finally turn in a time which I will not even cringe just thinking about. By no means will it be easy; I still have to get comfortable and exponentially improve on my running. On top of that, there is the business of maintaining my aquatic fitness to near competitive form. Swimming is my strength after all; I would be an idiot if I do not leverage on that.
With that, "Challenge Accepted!" as the younger generation says these days.
To my former FAST teammates, congratulations on a successful event! I am proud that you were able to hold a well-organized race! More power and good luck on your future endeavors!
A special shout out to the Aquathlon Organizing Committee of Santi Chua, May Tiu, Paui Pena, Max Austria, Karlo Lim, Islau Dapat, Benjo Ramos, Adel Barlisan and Makki Araneta. Great job, boys and girls!
Lest I forgot, I would like to commend the Marshals posted along the run route. Nothing is more uplifting than hearing you guys cheer us on while we run under the intense heat of the sun. That simple "Go!" or "Kaya pa yan!" gave us the much needed energy-boost to push on and forget the fatigue, even momentarily. Thank you so much boys and girls!
Take your mark!
No comments:
Post a Comment