An IRONMAN For His IRONSON: Andreco “Don” Primero’s Inspiring Journey
In the world of triathlon, few stories are as inspiring as that of Andreco “Don” Primero. With a passion for the sport that spans two decades, Don has overcome numerous challenges and pushed himself to the limit. In this exclusive interview, we dive deep into Don’s experience participating in the Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines Subic Bay 2023, his journey towards trying to qualify for the IRONMAN World Championship, and the powerful motivation behind it all.
SBR.ph: Don, could you share your experience participating in the Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines Subic Bay 2023? How did it feel crossing the finish line after completing such a challenging race?
Don: It was my 8th IM and 10th 226 distance triathlon, but this one is totally different from the rest. It’s more than a test of physical endurance; it was a race of instinct. You have to make quick decisions and judgments based on the scenario. There aren’t many options to choose from. It’s either you proceed or call it off. Completing and finishing that wet and wild race was a total bonus.
SBR.ph: You qualified for the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice, France but unfortunately missed out on securing a slot at the roll-down event. Can you tell us about the emotions and thoughts that went through your mind when you found out about the qualification?
Don: NICE / WC… broken!!! I was totally broken when I learned that the roll-down went as far as my rank. I really didn’t expect it would go that far. But as you know, we’ve been chasing this IRONMAN World Championship dream since 2006 when we started. We did everything from Subit, Xtri, those Ayala Alabang races, WRT, etc. Those were the spandex days! I was literally in tears driving around Subic after learning I missed the opportunity we’ve been dreaming of.
SBR.ph: The Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines 2023 event was marked by a heavy storm and torrential rain. How did you manage to push through the race in such challenging weather conditions?
Don: That race was a total package. I just kept myself composed and focused. Swim, take it as easy as possible, don’t fight with the wave/current, relax and crawl. On the bike, stay focused, look ahead, and be on guard. Keep the game plan, adjust the nutrition as planned for the warm weather. On the run, keeping the pace is the key. Mind your own race. The run will make or break the IM Distance. Be excited to see those who are waiting for you at the finish line.
SBR.ph: We understand that you dedicated this race to your son Jacob, who battled with a brain tumor and survived. How did his journey inspire and motivate you during the race?
Don: Yes, I really dedicated this race to my Jacob. He has been my strength and my inspiration for doing this again and again. There’s not a single time that I think of giving up during the race. I always think of how strong that little boy battled his brain tumor and survived it. It was him, his will, his strength, his endurance that fueled me to never give up and believe ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.
SBR.ph: It must have been incredibly special to have your son Jacob waiting for you at the finish line. Can you share the emotions you experienced when you saw him cheering you on while crossing the finish line, despite the heavy rain?
Don: It was incredibly special indeed. At T1, I saw Jacob together with his twin Jeremy waiting for me at the bike exit, cheering, “Go Daddy, Go!!!” The power surge is more than taking in 10 gels at the same time. Total extra boost seeing them cheering. And it was much more when I saw them again at T2, cheering under the downpour, still in full energy supporting and cheering me up. The rain won’t stop them from cheering. At the 13th hour, crossing the finish line, Jacob was still there with the same energy and enthusiasm, cheering me. “Go Daddy Go!” All I can say is, thank God, I can still do this endurance sport, and I can have Jacob and my kids witness it and dedicate this to him.
SBR.ph: You mentioned that you started your IRONMAN journey 20 years ago. What initially drew you to this sport, and how has your perspective and motivation evolved over the years?
Don: Two decades back when I first started triathlon, the goal was self-challenge. Can I swim 750m? :) And adding bike and run to it, how would I feel at the end? But having to do it again and again and again, it became part of well-being, keeping fit and sound all the time. The main motivation that keeps me doing SBR is those newbies, and with all their different reasons and purpose why they do this. Everyone has their own reason and purpose towards the same goal. See you at the finish line.
SBR.ph: Training plays a vital role in triathlon. Could you talk about the efforts you put into preparing for the Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines Subic Bay 2023 and how it felt to be back in shape for this race?
Don: Training… As a full-time dad and businessman, squeezing in training on a daily basis, especially at least six months towards the race day, is impossible. That’s why I kept my joke serious, “I Train While You Sleep.”
There are several sessions where I really train while the kids are sleeping in the early mornings and do some runs late at night when they are already asleep. Discipline and consistency play a vital role in all sorts of training or preparation. I know I have limited time to train, so I always train smart and train quality. I always believe less is more. More does not always mean right. At the end of every training, know your numbers, assess and redirect, and always listen to your body all the time.
