Posts Tagged with: "Triathlon"

I wrote about Coach Andy Leuterio’s successful Camp Alpha last month.  Now, he’s opened up the summer edition for all triathletes who wish to suffer even more!  I’ve registered for the May camp on my birthday weekend!  Come and suffer with us!

The next two legs of Unilab Active Health Camp Alpha will be on May 3-4 “Orientation” at The Village Sports Club, BF Homes, Paranaque, and June 21-22 “Selection” at Sandari Batulao, Batangas.

Presented by SPECIALIZED, each leg consists of two days of Swim, Bike, and Run training as preparation for summer’s major races.

The first leg, “Orientation” will cover fundamental aspects of race-specific training, including familiarization with metrics like Heart Rate, Pace, Power, Training Stress Score, and Race File analysis, among others.

The second leg, “Selection”, will be much heavier in volume and intensity in anticipation of the long distance races slated for July and August.

Both legs can be joined as standalone training camps, but for those who wish to “tri out” for limited “Black” slots under the Alpha Training Systems online coaching program, they must join both legs. Invitation to a “Black” slot will be based on several tests from both legs.

Registration Fee is P2,000/leg, or P3,000 for both, inclusive of limited use of camp facilities (pool and lockers), lunch, bike mechanic on standby, SAG Wagon support, handouts, and event shirt. Gatorade is the Official Sports Drink of the Unilab Active Health Camp Alpha.

HOW TO REGISTER

To register, download and fill up the Registration Form, indicating which Leg(s) you wish to join.  UPDATE: Slots are full.  Registration is closed.

Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis only.

If you’re looking to improve your performance in triathlon, here’s a training camp led by my Coach Andy Leuterio.  Get ready to enjoy…and suffer!  Mwahaha (That’s evil laughter, by the way!)

The Unilab Active Health Camp Alpha triathlon weekend is happening this January 25-26 at The Village Sports Club, BF Homes, Paranaque and February 8-9 at Sandari Batulao, Batangas!

Presented by Specialized, this training camp will have technical swim sessions led by Coach Martin Carandang, and advanced lectures on training with Pace, Power, and Heart Rate by Coach Andy Leuterio. With their proximity to excellent riding and running routes as well, the Unilab Active Health Camp Alpha will also have epic training sessions designed to help the Age Grouper make 2014 a Breakthrough Year!

The Unilab Active Health Camp Alpha is OPEN TO ALL TRIATHLETES.

Leg 1: Jan. 25-26 : The Village Sports Club, BF Homes, Paranaque
Training with Pace, Power, and Heart Rate
Baseline tests for Swim, Bike, and Run
Plotting the 2014 Season

Leg 2: Feb 8-9: Sandari Batulao, Batangas
More volume-focused training with plenty of hills and scenic roads, an ideal tune-up for upcoming Standard and 70.3 races.

Unilab Active Health Camp Alpha is also a “tri-out” series for athletes who would like to apply for the 2014 Alpha Training Systems “Red” and “Black” programs.

The “Red” program is ideal for the athlete who would like to finish races strong,  but on limited training time, while the “Black” program is for the athlete who would like to go all-in this year with a highly customized and variable program. There will only be 10 slots to the “Black” program in 2014.

Participants who would just like to have an awesome training weekend with like-minded folks can opt for either Leg, but applicants to the “Black” program must sign up for both Legs to be eligible for “Selection”.

TO REGISTER:

1. Download and fill-out the Registration Form (Encircle or Highlight which Leg(s) you are joining).
2. Deposit payment to Union Bank S/A 102520026685 “Alexander Leuterio”
3. Email Deposit Slip and filled-up Registration Form to alpha_tri@yahoo.com
4. Wait for Confirmation Email

Inquiries can also be sent to Coach Andy at alpha_tri@yahoo.com

This is part of a series of posts under the Quaker Challenge. It’s about the quest that my kids and I have to achieve our Quaker Goal to swim, bike, and run more. Read about it HERE.

When we started our Quaker Challenge in August, I was completely uncertain over how far I could take the kids with it. Sure, they were willing, even excited, to swim, bike, and run once in a while, but I didn’t know if they were ready to commit to regular training sessions for sports.

In the past, one or both of them had signed up for soccer, baseball, tennis, swimming, ice skating and more, and almost all the time they would quit in less than a month. I could’ve put up a TBR Sports Store with all our barely used equipment at home.

But, the past weeks, things have definitely changed. I fetch both kids from school on Tuesdays and Fridays and they know that they take swimming sessions after. Most of the time, I swim along with them.

– Before one of our swim sessions –

On Sundays, Anton looks forward to triathlon training sessions with Coach Norman and all the other tri kids that he’s made friends with. Last Saturday, Anton joined the BGC Cycle for kids too.  (Separate post on that in a bit!)  It’s almost normal for them to engage in some form of activity at least twice a week now. It’s a world of difference from the way they spent their time after school or on weekends. I’m not even sure if these are the same kids who used to have their eyes glued to Minecraft and Club Penguin all the time!

So, what helped to make my kids more active and healthier? This is what we did:

1) WE SET A CLEAR GOAL. Thanks to the Quaker Challenge I set a clear goal for the kids to swim, bike, and run more. It became even more measurable for Anton when we signed him up for Ironkids. Sit your kids down and agree on a target together. Discuss ways on how you will achieve it as a team. Gently remind them about this during the week since they tend to get distracted with school work and friends.

2) WE MADE NO EXCUSES. There were times, especially during exam week, when Anton would say that he had too much homework and he couldn’t train. I took it as an opportunity to teach him about proper time management. Together, we agreed on how much time he would spend on training and studying. Both had to be given their fair share of time and focus.

3) I LISTENED AND EXPLAINED. Not all days are good days. So, on days when the kids would complain, I would listen to them, yet I would explain. When Nia said she was having difficulty, I told her that all sports are hard in the start. One doesn’t learn the perfect swim stroke or running technique overnight. When she said it was a bit boring. I told her only after a few “slow” technical sessions can she join other kids and engage in the fun drills and races against each other.

4) WE CHOSE BETTER FOOD. With more activities, I needed to make sure that both kids were eating nutritiously. I have them eat a heavier breakfast to keep them fueled for the day, such as oatmeal and fruits. I give them fruit/veggie juice everyday.

5) WE HAVE FUN. My greatest fear is to have the kids engage in sports hating every single minute. I make sure that they’re having fun while they’re swimming, biking, or running. Thankfully, each and every time I’ve asked them: “Did you have fun?” They both answer “Yes!” even if it’s immediately followed by “Can we pass by McDo?” I know, I know. We still have to get rid of fastfood. That’s an entirely new goal altogether.

This is part of a series of posts under the Quaker Challenge. It’s about the quest that my kids and I have to achieve our Quaker Goal to swim, bike, and run more. Read about it HERE.

The entire family–the hubby, both kids, and I–woke up early Sunday morning of October 20, 2013 to get ready for Anton’s first triathlon, Ironkids Philippines.  The future triathlete woke up as if it was a regular day, while his Mother (er that’s me) was a bundle of nerves.  Truth is, it was almost, if not more, nerve wracking than my first triathlon!  I taught our future triathlete how to pack his gear for transition, made sure he had a good breakfast of oats to fuel him for the morning’s race, and we were off.

RACE KIT CLAIM, CHECK IN, AND BODY MARKING

We arrived at the event area at Palm Country Club to find a lively and exciting atmosphere.  Since there were various wave starts, younger kids had already finished the race, others were about to start, and other older kids like Anton had just arrived like us to check in.  It was like any other triathlon for us adults except for them, to ensure the safety of the kids, they have assistants to check in the bike and their equipment at transition.  How cool is that?!

Start and Finish Area

My future triathlete

Body marking…check!

Kids’ bikes lined up at transition area

Kuya who assisted us at bike check in

The not so little boy with his super nervous Mama (who is incidentally shorter than him now)

RACE START

We headed for the pool for the 7:15 AM race briefing led by Coach Ani de Leon.  Before the race started, I reminded Anton that his goal was simply to finish the race.  If he crossed the finish line, he was already a winner.  With that, he went on his own and I watched from the sidelines with my heart exploding out of my chest.  Man, who knew that Ironkids could be so stressful?!

We watched from afar as the kids listened intently to directions explained by Coach Ani.  I noticed that Anton was the tallest in the group.  I also knew that he was probably one of the least experienced.

Race briefing by Coach Ani de Leon for 11-12 year old boys

Kids get ready to start. Always the scariest part of the race.

And they’re off!

The race started at 7:30 AM.  The other kids swam with power and ease.  The leaders broke away by the first two laps.  My eyes were focused on Anton who was at the end of the pack.  He swam slowly and calmly, his stroke a reflection of his personality.  Earlier that morning, I told him to simply focus on his stroke and go at his own pace.  And, I was glad that he listened.

Struggling through the swim

Anton was the last out of the pool, but when he came out, I couldn’t have been prouder.  With the little training he had and his disdain for swim training, I was glad that he pushed himself to finish the swim!

Anton quickly went to transition and took off on his 3 loops around Filinvest City to cover 8km.  Each time he passed us on the loop, I was relieved to see him enjoying the race.  Other kids were entering T2 at this point and heading out to run. Anton came in from the bike and made up for some lost time from the swim.  Then, he was off to run 2k.

Anton loved the bike portion

Nervous dad and bored sis waiting for Kuya to pass on the bike

First placer. This kid can leave me in the dust!

As we saw Anton running towards the finish line, it was one of the happiest and proudest moments ever.  He looked exhausted but fulfilled!  He could barely talk.  Um, he could barely breathe as we took the photo of him below.  But, I knew he had a great time!

After packing up and heading for breakfast, I asked Anton if he would do this again.  He replied: “Yes.”  And with that one word, I smiled dreaming of the world of possibilities for this little Ironkid of mine.

Anton just a few minutes after he crossed the finish line of his first triathlon

With good friend, course director of Ironkids and TBR Dream Marathon, Neville Manaois

Couldn’t be any prouder of this Little Man

PREVIOUS: Part 1: Ironkids Philippines – Training for the Race

This is part of a series of posts under the Quaker Challenge. It’s about the quest that my kids and I have to achieve our Quaker Goal to swim, bike, and run more. Read about it HERE.

Ironkids Philippines was held last October 20, 2013 at Palms Country Club, Alabang.  Anton joined the 11 to 12 year old category with the distance of 300m swim-10k bike-2k run.  Before I tell you about how the race went, allow me to share with you how we prepared (read: crammed) for the swim, bike, and run.

SWIM: SWIMMING LESSONS ON FREEDOM FRIDAY

In preparation for Ironkids and also as Li’l Miss TBR’s main sport, we started swimming lessons with Coach Anthony Lozada several weeks ago.

I made the mistake of scheduling their swim lessons on Friday, which Nia has labeled “Free Day Friday.”  By “Free Day Friday,” she ruled that, as soon as she and Kuya are dismissed from school, there should be nothing planned for the rest of the day.  It’s essentially freedom from any schedule and they’re free to lounge around at home doing absolutely nothing.

You can imagine the look on their faces when I told them that swim sessions would be every Friday.  I heard all sorts of complaints from “Huwaaaat?!” to “But you’re breaking the Free Day Friday rule!”  But, I stood my ground and crossed my fingers that they would enjoy.

Off to swim classes we go

And, enjoy they did!  As beginners, Coach Anthony gave them a personal session.  He assessed their skill level, gave them a few drills, and fixed Anton’s form.  By the following week, he and Coach JS got Anton to swim laps in better form. Although he still had a lot of room for improvement, I knew that Anton would be able to finish 300m at the triathlon.

As for Li’l Miss TBR, she was floating, kicking, and swimming all over the place.  I couldn’t help but smile because I knew she was enjoying every minute.  For her, that’s what’s most important.

The kids ended the session laughing and giggling.  I asked them if they had enjoyed and both replied: “Um yeah.” half embarrassed to admit that breaking the Free Day Friday rule was a good idea after all.

BIKE: FIRST TIME ON A ROADIE

Anton’s first bike out with Coach Norman’s trikids at Camp Aguinaldo a few weeks ago freaked me out a bit.  Okay, correction, it freaked me out a lot.

Switching from a mountain bike to a road bike takes some getting used to for any athlete and Anton was no exception.  On his first ride, he was wobbly and I thought that he was going to crash or bump a car.  While the rest of the parents sat by the waiting area, I hopped into my car and followed him from behind like a stage mother.  I think I held my breath for 15 minutes straight.  After 3 loops around Camp Aguinaldo though, I felt like I could relax somewhat. He looked more comfortable after.  Don’t you just love how kids can learn something in half the speed that we do as adults?

with Coach Norman Pascual and the rest of the trikids

Since I felt that the once a week sessions with Coach Norman wasn’t enough, I told Anton that I’d take him biking with me more often.  Two weeks ago, after my run at Run United Philippine Marathon 21k, I fetched Anton and we hurried off to Filinvest City to bike around their carless loop.  This is, incidentally, the race course for Ironkids.

Biking with my boys! Boys meaning with my son and my Shiv!

We biked around the area, first in the flat portions and later on up the hill towards Palms Country Club.  My boy did so well!  We biked a total of 8k, the bike distance for the triathlon, before we called it a day.

RUN: RUN YOUR BEST

The run wasn’t a problem for TBR Jr. as he’s participated in 3k events in the past.  Just last week, he came home from school and proudly announced: “Mama, I ran the fastest and longest during P.E. today.”  Before I could congratulate him, he added “But, after the run, I felt like puking.”

For any runner, ending in “vomit-mode” essentially means that you pushed your body to the brink of exhaustion; you gave it your all.  And, with that, I replied to my boy: “Aaaw, congratulations! Well done!”

NEXT POST: Part 2: Ironkids Philippines – The Race