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Pick up our latest issue of TBR Magazine with Matteo Guidicelli on our cover!  This is our Triathlon Issue so we thought it best to feature up and coming triathlete and showbiz celebrity, Matteo.  Read about how Matteo got started with triathlon, what his favorite sport is among the three (clue: it starts with an R), and how Xterra Hawaii challenged him.

This is my favorite shot of him taken by photographer Maui Hidalgo of Blacksheep Manila.

More inside our triathlon issue:

– So Now You Want to Tri by Coach Andy Leuterio: triathlon for beginners
– Fit to Tri: Triathlon Gear
– Shoes on Fire: New running shoes in the market
– Events: 2013 Run United 2, Enervon HP Triman Triathlon, Nat Geo Earth Day Run, Vaseline Men Xterra Mud Run
– 2013 Exterra Triple Crown: The First Philippine Crusade by Hector Yuzon

To know where to get your free copy of TBR Magazine, click HERE.

“Meet a Triathlete” is a series of interviews with age-group triathletes that I’ll be publishing for the next few days leading up to Ironman 70.3 Cebu.  For all these interviews, I collaborated with my Coach Andy Leuterio of Alpha Tri.  To read more interviews, search “Meet a Triathlete” in the search box.

In this interview, we feature my Unilab Active Health teammate and friend, Javy Olives.  Javy is a corporate guy and family man so he’s a 1-workout/day guy, 10-14 hours max/week because of his other commitments. Among his recent accomplishments:

• 1st 35-39 AG Tri United 1
• 1st 35-39 Tabuelan Tri (70.3-distance)
• 3rd 35-39 AG Tri United 2
• sub-12 @ 2012 Timex 226
• Oh, he’s also a TBR Dream Alumni.

– Triathletes Javy and Levy finished strong at the inaugural TBR Dream Marathon in 2010 –

Name: JAVY OLIVES
Number of months/years in triathlon: 2013 is my 5th year
Age: 35
Job: Product Development Manager

What do you like about triathlon?
I like endurance sports in general since it’s where you really get to see what you’re made of. There is no hiding from yourself when you are out there grinding it out for close to 12 hours.

Why did you decide to sign up for Ironman 70.3 Cebu?
I like to do 2 Half IMs and 1 Full IM a year, and until recently there has only been White Rock & Ironman 70.3 Philippines. Personally I enjoy ‘small city’ races like White Rock, 226, and most recently, Tabuelan 111 more, as it has less of the glam and its more of what the sport is really about.

– At Timex 226 Bohol –

Give us three words to describe your training with Coach Andy for Cebu.

1. Epic – There were sessions that made you think WTF? Then you get thru it and are glad you did it.
2. Nerve-wracking – Is that one word or two?  Since we usually just get a week’s worth of plans at a time, you never know what you’re gonna get!
3. Exciting – Each week is different, and even the sessions are different, so that really helps break the monotony of Swim, Bike, Run, whilst building endurance, strength, and most especially, character.

Can you share what your training week looked like last week?
1 swim, 3 bike sessions, 3 run sessions

What is your goal for IM 70.3 Cebu? Do you feel confident in achieving your goal?
I’m hoping to set a new PR at the distance, which means going sub 5:09. More importantly, my goal is to pace the Swim-Bike well, keep my nutrition under control so that I can have a good run off the bike.

– Javy at Tri United 2 –

If you could only give one tip to people who want to get into triathlon, what would it be?
There are no shortcuts. There is only hard work, and hard work eventually pays off.

Oooh boy, I’m definitely signing up for this one!  I plan to join the 4ok Challenge Ride as a fun and new way to tour the city.  Hope to see you there!

Event: BGC Cycle Philippines
Date: November 15 to 17, 2013
Venue: Starts in Bonifacio Global City

PRESS RELEASE – Filipino riders gear up for three days of thrilling bike action as Cycle Asia, in partnership with Sunrise Events and Bonifacio Global City (BGC), launches BGC Cycle Philippines from November 15-17 inside the BGC in Taguig City.

BGC Cycle Philippines is the latest addition to the 2013 calendar of Cycle Asia, a network of premier cycling events across the region that offers participants the rare opportunity to ride on safe closed public roads in major Asian cities.

The event will cater to cyclists of all ages and abilities with The Tricycle Ride, The Kids’ Ride, The Community Ride (20km), The Challenge (40km) and various Criterium categories.

– Finisher’s Medal –

– Bike Jersey –

– Community Ride Tee –

– Back of the Community Ride Tee –

The entire family will also be kept entertained throughout the three-day event with a wide range of fun activities in the Cycling & Lifestyle Expo.

“Cycling continues to enjoy strong growth in the Philippines and we are naturally thrilled to introduce the event at Bonifacio Global City,” said Manny Blas II, head of Commercial Operations, Fort Bonifacio Development Corp. during the event’s launch at the Seda Hotel at BGC.

“While the unique venue will certainly offer local cyclists a fantastic riding experience, we also look forward to hosting visitors from around the region as they enjoy the unique thrill of participating in the very first BGC Cycle Philippines,” added Blas.

Registration activities start on August 1 via online registration and a Cobra Ironman Launch Special where participants in this premier triathlon event are given special registration rates.

All participants, upon registration will receive premium items from event sponsors which include Rudy Project shades, official cycle wear from F2P and technical tees from Felt Bikes as part of their registration inclusions.

Cycle Asia, owned and organized by Spectrum Worldwide, has already played host to two hugely successful events this year with OCBC Cycle Malaysia and OCBC Cycle Singapore, attracting over 5,000 and 11,500 participants, respectively.

The Gold Coast Festival of Cycling will also be featured on the 2013 Cycle Asia calendar with the event slated from Sept. 27-29.

“We are delighted to be expanding Cycle Asia to the Philippines and we look forward to working alongside Sunrise Events who have built an outstanding reputation for delivering first-class sporting events,” said Chris Robb, managing director, Spectrum Worldwide.

Aside from cycling action in BGC Cycle Philippines, Bonifacio Global City will offer a wide range of activities for tourists to take advantage of during their stay. The district is well known for its open-air lifestyle retail and dining concept and public art program, as well as a world-class science museum and parks.

The BGC Cycle Philippines will have as its beneficiary the Firefly Brigade whose advocacy is to actively promote the bicycle as a sustainable form of transportation.

With Bonifacio Global City (BGC) as the title sponsor, Fox International Channel as co- presentor and with the valuable support of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), BGC Cycle Philippines has attracted a number of additional sponsors: Gatorade (Hydration Partner), Seda Hotel (Official Residence) and others including Rudy Project, F2P and Felt Bikes. Philippine Star is the event’s media partner.

For more information, check out the BGC Cycle Philippines official website,
www.cyclephilippines.com.ph.

This begins a series of interviews with age-group triathletes that I’ll be publishing for the next few days leading up to Ironman 70.3 Cebu.  I think it’s a great way to catch a glimpse of how people train differently for the same event and, more than that, it’s a source of inspiration for many of us who wish to do the same.  Just think: If they can do it, so can I!

For all these interviews, I collaborated with my Coach Andy Leuterio of Alpha Tri.  All the interviewees train under him, just as I do.  Our crazy slave-driver Coach puts us through hell during training (“Bike until you cramp” or “Do a REAL century ride…100 miles”) and, in a funny way, we all hate and love him for it.  

Here’s our first interview…

Name: MEDY MARTINEZ
Number of years in triathlon: 2
Age: 51
Job: housewife

What do you like about triathlons?
The adrenaline rush, the camaraderie, the mental and physical challenge, the crazy, hilarious and inspiring triathlete stories. Most of all, that ultimate “high” feeling you get as you cross the finish line that makes everything you’ve been through so worth it, you just want to do it again and again.

Why did you decide to sign up for Ironman 70.3 Cebu?
A friend has been convincing me to join but I thought I was too old for it. But when I found out that the oldest woman triathlete was already in her 80″s, I know I absolutely have no excuse not to do it. At 50 yrs old, I have more than enough time for this sport. I think as we grow older, the reasons not to workout also increase to a million and one. I felt inspired. I needed a goal. Ironman 70.3 fitted in perfectly!

Give us 3 words to describe your training for coach Andy for Cebu? 

1. Mentally and physically crazy – I’ve had to endure the “I-almost-died-but-didn’t” kind of training which were physically and mentally exhausting. At the end of many workouts, I felt I had nothing left for another day. But after a good night’s sleep, you wake up feeling just fine and ready to take on more.
2. Intellectually stimulating – I must not only train smart, I also had to decipher what’s behind his uniquely titled workouts. I am constantly challenged to learn and improve my skills and technique. Many times during training, I am pushed to exceed my mental limits especially when a voice inside my head is telling me to “Stop this craziness right now!”
3. Inspiring – My bilbil is almost gone without dieting, true… really. Kidding aside, I have realized there are truly no limits except those i set for myself. I keep on surprising myself of things I never thought I was capable of doing. The stronger I get, the better I feel.

Can you share what your training week looked like last week?
Actually, training has been intensed these last 2 weeks . Have you seen the apocalyptic movie “The Day After Tomorrow”? Everyday feels like I am training for the apocalypse! I had one workout that said “Bike 160KM in 6 HRS. Do not dilly-dally.”  My crazy coach must have gotten my age wrong thinking I am 15 instead of 51. Anyway, much to my and maybe his surprise…I didn’t die. I finished it. I would sometimes text him to ask if the workout he gave me was meant to be a joke or if there was some kind of mistake. But all the time, he would answer back “Yessss…That is correct!”

What is your goal for IM 70.3 Cebu? Do you feel confident in your goal?
I want to finish strong and to improve on last year’s time. Back then, I wasn’t able to prepare well and literally felt like crawling to the finish line. This year, I feel confident I can do better with fingers crossed that I won’t get a flat tire.

If you could give only one tip to people who want to go into triathlon what would it be?
Age is just a number and you can get yourself in the best shape of your life as long as work your ass off and never give up.

For runners who are eager to learn about how to improve their running performance, this Summit is definitely worth looking into…

What: Enervon Activ Runner’s Summit
When: August 17, 2013, Saturday, 8:00am To 5:00pm
Where: Jose Y. Campos Hall, Bayanihan Center
8008 Pioneer Street, Kapitolyo, Pasig City
Who Can Join? Runners who are planning to run longer distances in their future races or the Run United Philippine Marathon are encouraged to join this summit.
Fee: P1,500

The Enervon Activ Runner’s Summit is a whole day learning program for runners aspiring to progress better through the help of top coaches, sports science experts, and sports nutritionist. Sessions includes running physiologies and proper sports nutrition.

For more info, visit Unilab Active Health website.