TAG | The Age Grouper | Francis Zuniga | One Step Closer To His Dream
Here on SBR.ph, there’s nothing we love more than featuring stories of various age-groupers. But, we’ll be honest, nothing tickles our fancy like hearing from the age-groupers themselves. Hey, at least we know someone’s actually reading all our nonsense we put up here :). The TAGGED spotlight now focuses on Francis Zuniga, a participant of the recently concluded Philippine Duathlon Open. Read on below for his first ever duathlon experience, and his ultimate goal, of becoming a full pledged triathlete.
Hello,
I would like to submit for your perusal a story on my first duathlon.I am an avid visitor of your website and appreciate the updates you do to keep us informed of the latest happenings around the multisport world.Thanks to you, I am 1 step closer to my ambition of becoming a triathlete.More power.—Best regards,
Francis Zuniga
My first duathlon experience. Philippine Duathlon Open (July 14, 2013)
Participants were asked to come in on race day at 3am. I ran several running races in the previous 3 years, and I know that a check-in 3hrs before the actual gun start is pretty too early (no offense to the organizers though, they just want to not have more hassles than they already have). I heed the call nevertheless, sleeping just 5hrs after a long travel from Bataan to Alabang, I was there at 3am. It was a decision that made me realize it was worth the lack of sleep.
First thing I did was to prepare my gear and my bike, put the stickers on, assemble the bike, put the tire pressure I need, have a quick bite of bread, and ready my hydration. After sorting out my things (I sort of threw everything at the back of my car and let the organization come later), I went to the registration area, took my timing chip, but no body marks. It was because I was wearing sleeves so no markings for me. The great thing about being early is that I was able to get the event shirt with no problems, the right size, I can get to choose if needed, and basically no queue.
Then I headed for the transition area, it was still a bit dark at 4am, so at first I hesitated to bring my bike in, my bike is not a very expensive one, although losing it will take me back at least a year. I was quite confident when I started to see more bikes entered, I found my spot, hung my bike, arranged a little, a small attempt to anticipate a fast transition, chuckles. I stayed a few minutes more to look around, gather my thoughts, until I saw some taking pictures of their spots, so I said “how about me?” So I went back to my car and took a picture of my bike in transition.
After all the ceremonies, I was ready at 5am. Did my stretches and warm-ups, finalized a simple strategy “do my very best to finish”, that was the motto of the day.
The first run of 6km was uneventful as I know that in my training I can finish relatively ok. The elites were running like there was no tomorrow. For me, towards the 2nd loop of the run, I was praying to get on the bike. My 1st transition was an exciting part, I did not run thru it, I just took my time and calmly exited.
The time I sat on the saddles, it was pure pleasure. I knew I still have the legs, I was on the big plates and just pedaled targeting 30kph as my average. Some turns proved that I had a good training on proper turning, how to hold on the bars and where to put my weight to do a good tight enough turn. I was very much aware the whole time on whose on my right or my left. Many of the racers were vocal enough to tell if they are passing, that was good. I was also thankful that no breakdowns happened to my bike on the full 30km. Finally I was very happy on the way I handled the small hills, some about 200m long probably, since I trained on the mountains of Bataan, they were not so intimidating, I was happy to do some pass on other racers on this point in the race. I completed the 5 loops of the bike better than I expected.
The final run part of 3km was the home stretch, I was telling myself that it is the last loop, a few more steps and I’m there, just one foot in front of the other. But cramp in the first 500meters was really into me, but I have to continue. There is no way I will be on a DNF, I have gone thru tougher things in the run before. I concentrated on keeping a good pace, slowly but surely I said to myself. The last stretch was starting to become an excitement, an anticipation, I felt I was keeping the pace I knew I can finish strong. When I saw the finish line, I just knew that I have done it. I have made the sign of the cross and thanked Him for the opportunity. It was a great experience, another feather in my cap so to speak. Something I will keep with me for quite a while.
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