Throwback Training Thursday | Who I Was a Couple of Years Ago
Since its Thursday and everyone’s posting #TBT pictures, I’ll do something different. See before SBR.ph started, I was just like any other athlete. Raring to train and join every race possible. I’m still pretty much like that today, the only difference is that I’m on the other side of racing now (covering it).
After the first Ironman 70.3, in Camsur, Philippines, I decided to take my training a notch higher and get a coach. Back then, you have very limited choices. I tried online coaching before (Mark Allen Online) and it really worked well for me. I was able to podium in one of the toughest half-iron races in the country, in a very stacked age group.
Also, back then, I was just sharing a training program with a group of guys which was designed for a top age grouper (who soon became an elite).
After my “podium” stint, I registered for the first ever Ironman 70.3 Philippines. .. and ended up bonking.
Feeling really down and disappointed, I decided that its time to get my own coach and do a program which was designed for me.
And that’s when the “fun” started :) Four Ironman’s later, here I am now. Albeit a little heavier :)
Read on below for an old email that I unearthed and sent to possible coaches. I couldn’t believe what I wrote back then!
Kaya ko pala yung mga yun? =P
How time (and training motivation!) flies :)
Enjoy and happy TBT!
Hi Coach ******
I’m on my 4th season as far as my triathlon “career” goes.
Currently, I’m 148lbs.. still on the heavy side.
I only took training really seriously late last year (August 2008 onwards)
Before that.. it was just the usual join as much as you can and just finish type of events.
I have almost zero athletic background.
I biked a lot when I was a kid, and that’s about it.
I only started running last 2005.. when I joined a mountaineering club.
I’m also a underwater hockey player. Dunno if that helps my swim in any way.
I’m part of the UWHockey national team.
— goals —
My goal is to smash my record 2009 Ironman Langkawi record, which is a 12:47.. (1:12 swim, 5:50 bike, and a 5:15 run)
I dunno if its possible but my goal is to break the sub 11 mark.
I’m joining the 2009 Whiterock 70.3 triathlon (second week of november, a local 70.3 race) and Ironman Western Australia this december as well.
I would like, if possible, to consider those as my A races too.
— athletic background —-
Running is my weakest link. I’ve never been a good runner.
I dunno but I always suffer cramps n races. I never cramp in training.
Plus I’ve had a lot of injuries already. Ankles, knee, hammy, shin splints you name it
I joined whiterock triathlon 2008 last year and that’s probably the best performance of my tri career.
I trained a lot and got a podium finish in my age group.
I finished with a time of 5:43 (42swim, 2:43 bike, and a 2:15 run) (suffered cramps during last 3k and ended up walking)
In my last race, Cobra Ironman 70.3 here in the philippines.. I was wishing for a 5:15 finish..
I blew up on the run and walked almost the entire 21k (ouch)
My Cobra Ironman 703 splits are (40swim, 2:40 bike, 2:42 walk) (ouch again)
On the swim part.. I know I can easily get 35-38min time.. but i stuck with my target time.. which is 40.
On the bike I was really gunning for a sub 2:30 but for some reason, I just didn’t have the legs that day.
The run was the toughest for me.. I cramped up the moment i got off the bike.. it all went downhill from there.
Everything locked up.. hamstring, quads, calves, u name it.. if my toe nails had muscles, they probably would’ve cramped too
— training stuff and availability—
I have access to gyms (treadmill, weights) and swimming pool (50m)
I also have a turbo trainer at home.
Biking is the toughest thing to do here in the city, so it’s quite hard for me to do long rides.
On weekends, for long rides I need to drive for a long time just so I could do whatever’s needed for the program..
Also, I’m training right now for the upcoming Asian Underwater Hockey Championships.
I dunno if that’ll help but we do a lot of kicking drills there. (to develop leg power)
Tthe pool that I swim in opens at 6oclock in the morning.. and closes at 9pm.. during weekends, 10pm.
Same with the gym.
— work —
I work in our family business…
But even if the time is a ‘lil flexible, I still have terrible working hours.
When we start I’m gonna try and fix my sched.. and work from 9am-6pm
I can train 6am-9am.. then 6pm onwards..
On weekends (saturdays), I can train as much as i want
Let me know your thoughts.
Regards,
Carlos
