6:49. That’s the target time set by Specialized for me to finish Ironman 70.3. If I finish before then, I own the handsomest bike I have ever set my eyes on, the Specialized Shiv, that was loaned to me during the past few months. If I don’t, then I’ll have to purchase the Shiv if I want to keep him.

My thoughts:

1) Holy #@%*#! What did I get myself into?! I am dead!

2) It’s a fair target time. It’s achievable, but it’s not going to be a walk in the park too. I can do this! I will do this! I will own that Shiv!

3) Holy #@%*#! I can’t ride that fast! I’d rather pay for the bike then kill myself on the road! (Wait. I take that back. I think my husband will kill me first if I have to pay for that bike!)

4) I’ve done the work. I am physically and mentally ready for Ironman 70.3. Move over Pete Jacobs!

5) Holy #@%*#! I have to run that fast under intense heat after swimming and biking?!

6) 6:49? Pffft. I’ll finish 10 minutes before then with time to spare to kiss the Shiv, hug my coaches, and high five my teammates.

7) Uhm. Why am I doing this again?

Like many other triathletes signed up for Ironman 70.3 Cebu, I’m experiencing a wild mix of emotions—fear, excitement, anxiety, restlessness, doubt, confidence, and more—in the last two weeks leading up to the race.  In short, I’m going nuts!  (This target time is pushing me even closer to the edge, ya know!)

No one knows how our race will go. All we know now is what we did in the past months to prepare our bodies, our minds, and our hearts to endure whatever is out there in the water and on the road.

Target time or not, I’ll be giving my best come August 5 anyway. We probably all will. So, I’m heading into the race giving everything I’ve got, hoping for the best, and I’ll just swim, ride, and run strong heeding my coach’s last orders: GIVE THEM HELL!

Wish me luck. And, if you have time, please say a short prayer for me.

The new Nike LunarGlide+ 4, which is lighter than its predecessor, is out! Check them out!

Below is the press release from Nike.

– Nike LunarGlide+ 4 in black –

– Nike LunarGlide+ 4 in white –

PRESS RELEASE:

Nike LunarGlide+ 4 Takes the Everyday Run to an Elite Level
Lunarlon Dynamic Support system and reinvented Nike Flywire technology offer cutting-edge performance on a glove-like fit.

• Revolutionary fit with dynamic Nike Flywire technology
• Lunarlon Dynamic Support system offers stability and cushioning
• Lighter than the Nike LunarGlide+ 3

PHILIPPINES, JULY 2012 – This summer when the greatest athletes in the world compete for career defining victories, runners everywhere can hit the street and log miles in the technologies these athletes inspired. These innovations live in the all-new fourth generation of the Nike LunarGlide+, featuring reinvented Nike Flywire technology and the innovative Dynamic Support cushioning system – and weighing in lighter than the previous version.

Whether at record breaking speeds or on a relaxing morning run, fit is paramount. Sprinters and middle distance runners this summer will race in the Nike Zoom Superfly R4 and Nike Zoom Victory Elite, respectively, both with revolutionary Nike Flywire – a technology also utilized in the new Nike LunarGlide+. The dynamic cables move with the foot, offering support and comfort while minimizing weight and bulk. And since it wraps under the arch and loops into the laces, Flywire technology is customizable for an adaptive, glove-like fit that helps eliminate the gaps of a traditional upper.

The LunarGlide+ is really the best of both worlds. You’ve got amazing fit and support on an unbelievable ride with the super responsive Lunarlon cushioning.
-Rob Williams, Sr. Footwear Designer for Nike Running

In the midsole, Lunarlon foam stars in the Dynamic Support platform and provides super plush, responsive cushioning. Lunarlon – the result of collaboration between Nike designers and the Nike Sport Research Lab – was first introduced on the global stage four years ago as the midsole cushioning system in the Nike LunaRacer+ and Nike LunarTrainer+ running shoes.

The Nike LunarGlide’s Dynamic Support system is a two-part midsole developed to provide superior stability and cushioning. Opposing wedges of foam (Lunarlon and firmer carrier foam) move the runner from soft to stable as the heel lands and the foot flexes down. The innovative system provides a gradual transition and a smooth ride for a variety of gaits.

Nike LunarGlide+ designers focused on fit, support and stability in the upper materials as well. The floating heel clip has become a staple of the Nike LunarGlide franchise. Attached to the firmer foam carrier, the clip moves with the foot to help with the heel rolling inward or outward.

Large expanses of single-layer engineered mesh provide ventilation and support where runners need it and give the shoe a purposefully smooth look. Designers also obsessed over style, and the Nike LunarGlide’s sleek look helps ensure a long run looks good, too.

Since the LunarGlide+ is Nike+ enabled, runners will also be able to track, compare and share their runs through nikeplus.com, the world’s largest running community with 6 million members.

SRP: P5,795

Finally, we’ve uploaded ALL past issues of TBR Magazine.  We’ve got a wide collection already from our first cover, Sen. Pia Cayetano, way back in 2009 to Piolo and his un-photoshopped abs (still vividly remember them shining under the lights as if it was yesterday!) plus all our other past covers!

To download any of our TBR Magazine issues for FREE, just click on the word “MAGAZINE” above or click on this LINK and click on the issue you want to download.

Our latest issue on Triathlon for Runners with Kuya Kim Atienza on the cover will be out in stores soon.  But, you can also download it for free already!  Just follow the same link above!

– Our cover, Kuya Kim Atienza, is all set to do Ironman 70.3 Cebu. Read about how he got fit and healthy after suffering a stroke only two years ago –

What’s Inside:
– Gear to Tri – new triathlon gear in the market
– Time Check – the latest watches for runners/triathletes
– Give It a Tri – a runner’s guide to triathlon by Coaches Dan and Ani Brown of The Next Step Tri Camp
– There’s Always a First Time – 3-time defending champion, Monica Torres, writes about her many firsts in running and triathlon
– Events: Run United 2, Merrell Trail Adventure Run, Brooks Run Happy 2, Limketkai Freedom Run in CdO, The Next Step Camp 4, Mizuno Run Academy

Block your calendars for one fun race:

TBR DREAM TEAM RUN: Half the Distance, Thrice the Fun!
A 21k Team Run + Bullstock Picnic for TBR Dream Marathon Alumni & Friends
SATURDAY, NOV. 17, 2012
NUVALI, Sta. Rosa, Laguna

That’s all for now! We’ll be giving you full details within the next few weeks!

I don’t know how I survived the past week.  Really.

With three weeks to go, my program last week was heavy.  As in, ton of BRICKS heavy. (No pun intended.)  Total number of hours I worked out last week was 14 hours.  Longest I’ve ever trained!  (Imagine, I could’ve flown from Manila to LA with all that time and with much less sweat!)

KILLER WORKOUTS

I swam my longest ever, 3km, on Friday, rode my farthest distance, 110km in Nuvali on my Shiv Saturday, then ran 24k with friends on Sunday.  If the workouts weren’t long, they were intense; those are what I did on the other days that week.

Except for the run (don’t be surprised), I wanted to quit each workout that week.  While swimming laps with Coach Martin, at the 6th out of 24 repeats, I was thinking I could just pretend to drown, which was not very far from how I looked at that point.  During my bike trainer sessions at home, the cushy bed upstairs seemed to be calling out my name every 5 minutes; I replied “No thanks!” with all my might in between groveling and gasping for air.  As for the run, nearing the end of the 24th kilometer, I felt like I could do more, but, um, the smell of breakfast beckoned so I knew it was time to stop.

HIGH FIVE!

Surprise surprise, I did accomplish every single workout the past week.  There was a lot of groaning and whining, but, at the same time, there was a lot of laughter, pride, and high fives along the way.

I am completely amazed at what my body can do now compared to a few months back.  (I am equally astonished at how much weight I’ve lost despite all the food I’m eating!)  I am also equally aware of how—through months of training this body at specific skills—I’ve also inevitably trained the mind to become stronger and more focused.  And, the latter, my friends, is what I think matters most and is, so far, the biggest gift this journey has blessed me with.

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE COMING WEEK?

This coming week is all about back-to-back twice a day workouts.  (Say what?!  Coach Andy, I never heard of such punishment!)  Man, these triathletes have been putting themselves through these grueling workouts probably for years now and I’m the new runner who’s foolish enough to try it. Hah!

So, let’s see how I fare this week.  I expect a lot of suffering and a lot of fun! (Yes, I’ve learned the past few months that the two can actually co-exist.)