In[FOCUS] | YellowCab-Tri Clark

Team: Yellowcab-TriClark

By: Carlos de Guzman

Whether you’re a regular or a newbie enjoying your first foray into the multisport world, its hard not to notice these group of people rocking the bright yellow tri-suits. Especially when they’re blazing right past you. =)

For its first In[FOCUS] team issue, SWIMBIKERUN.ph (SBR.ph) talks to two of the members one of the premiere teams of our local multisport scene today. Abe and Jumbo Tayag of YellowCab-TriClark. Get to know how they train, their team dynamics, and what their plans are for the 2011 season.

SBR.ph: Welcome to SBR.ph guys. Bole bole bole!

Abe: Bro! Bole bole bole! Congratulations SBR.ph!

SBR.ph: Describe to us a typical training week of YellowCab-TriClark.

Jumbo: Monday is usually rest day since we just finished with our Sunday long run the previous day. Though there is the optional swim and strength training on that day. Tues is a brick session, Wednesday swim focus with optional run, Thursday bike, Friday Run, Saturday Long ride and Sunday The Long run.

Abe: When preparing for a race, we train 6 times a week.

SBR.ph: Do you guys train together? How often?

Abe: We have daily schedule of training and as much as possible we do it together.

Jumbo: Since most of us are from the Clark area, we do train a lot together specially on weekends.

SBR.ph: How many members do you have right now?

Jumbo: We have 31 active members. There are another 20 members or more who are inactive and can go back anytime if they wish to do the sport again.

SBR.ph: How do you manage your team? Describe to us your team dynamics and composition. Who and how do you schedule the workouts?

Abe: We elect officers for a two year term. The officers usually meet up at the start of the year and plan races, sponsors and budgeting. Me and Jumbo do the training schedule.

Jumbo: We are registered with the Sec as Tri Clark Multi Sport Association Inc. Just like any association, we have officers. We conduct meetings and parties as well specially after major races. We pay annual dues as well. Whatever funds we get from sponsors, we budget them the entire year for races. We actually pay for our uniforms and only a portion is subsidized by the team. Workouts are usually scheduled by Coach Abe gearing towards a major race and minor races in between. Some of the guys have their own training programs as well.

SBR.ph: How was the team formed?

Jumbo: It was formed in 2005 and was formerly known as Tribe 8 triathlon team. We were coached by a veteran triathlete named Don Bozarth who was living in Pampanga at that time and agreed to coach us. In 2007, the group was growing and that was when changed the name to Tri Clark. The team is a group of accomplished professionals and executives from various industries based in Pampanga. We are deeply and passionately into the multi-sport lifestyle of Duathlon, Triathlon and running as well as in the promotion of Clark and Angeles City as a venue for athletic training and entertainment tourism.

Abe: Tri Clark was formed to promote Clark as venue for training, races, business and tourism.

SBR.ph: We all know every athlete is different. How do you handle this in your team training wise. Do you all follow a single training plan? Or does each member have his/her own customized plan?

Abe: I make a general training program for a race and it depends on each individual on how long or volume of workout he/she’s going to do. You’re right every athlete is different, as Coach Don Bozart says to always listen to your body and it’s always better to be under trained than over trained.

Jumbo: We have a basic training plan but the intensity and efforts differ. It really depends on the athletes’ goals. Some do have on line plans as well. A customized plan is a good idea since each individual is different, they have different strengths and weaknesses and may also differ in their race goals.

SBR.ph: What keeps you guys motivated? What keeps the fire burning for TriClark? How do you motivate one another?

Jumbo: In any team there is the usual tap in back, “kaya mo yan”! Some get their motivation in targeting a team member and put money into it. LOL.

SBR.ph: I heard you guys have a member that definitely needs no motivation. He has his own M-Dot laden pool, never fails to get up early in the morning to train and never misses a workout (even if it’s a rest day!) and goes by the name of Art. Tell us about this member of yours. =)

Abe: Who? The destroyer? Hahaha. We call him IRONART, HYPERART. For two years Art was awarded “Most Over-trained Athlete”

Jumbo: Art is one of a kind. His energy is way up there. We have an annual awards night and he was the recipient of the OA award (Over Active). He will join any race and he will be the first one to register. In fact, after the 2010 Ironman Malaysia, he was already at the starting line of the 21k Unilab Run. Only sickness will make him rest.

SBR.ph: How do you select your members? If someone is interested to join your team how can they join? Are you open for application?

Jumbo: Most of the members are from the Clark area but that is actually not a requirement. Probably that’s what make our team work. Maybe 2 or 3 reside outside of Pampanga. We train, go out for a beer and team members are even Ninong to our children. Are we open? Yes, female members are welcome LOL. Just email us.

Abe: Usually if someone is interested to join, we invite them to try and join the training sessions first and later decide if he or she will join or not.

SBR.ph: What’s new for TriClark this 2011 season? What races are you going to join?

Jumbo: At the start of the year, we make a race calendar for the team. We budget those races. I’ll send you a list.

Abe: A lot will try their first Full IM Distance this 2011 season and it will be in China. We will also be present in SUBIT, CAMSUR and WRT.

SBR.ph: Talk to us about your sponsors.

Jumbo: We have a very good relationship with our sponsors and we look at it at a long term perspective. Major sponsor would be Yellow Cab, the best Pizza! New Balance is another sponsor who has been with us for quite a while. Adworks create the designs for our suits and any other marketing material that we need. Folded and Hung has been with us for 2 years now. Casino Widus and Belo Sunexpert are the new sponsors for 2011.

SBR.ph: Last year TriClark organized a training camp for beginners. Are you going to do that again this year?

Abe: Yes of course and promote healthy lifestyle.

Jumbo: Since you mentioned it, we can do it again if there is a need. Beginners need to start with the correct technique specially young athletes.

SBR.ph: Tell us about the 2nd Clark Animo Run 2011.

Abe: Last year Animo Fun Run was a success. We will definitely doing again this year. We added 21k distance. And we will continue planting trees for De la Salle 1M tree planting project.

Jumbo: Some of our members are from LaSalle and are also members of the (DLSAA) Alumni Pampanga Chapter. We have this run event that we organized last year with the cooperation with Tri Clark. Some of the proceeds are used for tree planting activities of the chapter. The 2^nd Animo run Clark will have different distances: kids run, 5k, 10k, 21k. We will be using a timing chip system by racetechtiming and results will be posted on our website. A route will be scenic with lots of trees and fresh air.

SBR.ph: Congratulations to Jumbo for being one of the newest triathlon coaches!

Jumbo: Thanks. I was lucky to be selected to be one of the 20 participants of the coaching course.

Abe: Would also like to congratulate Coach Jumbo. May you continue in encouraging and motivating our new members and help them attain their 2011 season goals.

SBR.ph: What advice can you give to all the newbies out there who’s just starting out?

Abe: To all the newbie’s have fun and do sports with family and friends. I remember Coach Don asked me “hey abe do you remember what are the 3 T’s are?” hmmmm no. TECHNIQUE, TECHNIQUE, TECHNIQUE! If you develop the proper technique for sure you’ll go fast.

Jumbo: Be patient, there are no short cuts. Listen to your body. As Coach Don Bozarth used to say… Technique Technique Technique!

SBR.ph: Thanks for the time!

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