A Day in the Life

by: Angie Tan

One Saturday morning, August 6, Roy woke up at 5:00 a.m. The first thing he did was to brush his teeth. That is about the only normal thing he did today, as any normal person would do on a lazy Saturday morning. From here on, this is a day where no minute is wasted and nothing seems normal for an ordinary person.
He texted or called his team mates to check if they are all awake and ready to go. This may be your ordinary Saturday but for TMM Team Captain Roy Hervias, time is gold. He readied his bike, helmet and other accessories and headed out by car to Gold’s Gym in Ayala Alabang.

He arrived before 6:30 a.m. One after the other, his team mates arrived with bikes in tow. The weather was rainy but this did not stop them from getting ready for their bike ride. They planned to do a 3-hour bike ride in Daang Hari, passing Daang Reyna on the way back to Gold’s Gym. Rain or storm!

A photoshoot by the TMM media group was also scheduled simultaneously with their proposed bike ride.  Donned in their 2010 TIMEX uniforms, pending the distribution of their current uniforms, Bien, Oliver, George, Peig, Doc, Laarni, Ian, Jun, Carlo, Chock, Roy, Manny, Janice, Joni and Orland got ready for the ride.   As each one has his good and bad angles, the media are not taking any chances.  The media group positioned themselves at several points to shoot from different angles.  Photogenic or not, they must be captured in their best bike stance.

After almost 3 hours of biking, TMM athletes rolled in still looking fresh & full of energy.  If not for the faint flush on their cheeks & a few sweat drops on their foreheads, one would think they were just about to start their training day.

Team sponsor Gold’s Gym provided the use of their dance studio for the morning.  Wearing their black Gold’s Gym shirts, team photos were taken with the Gold’s Gym logo as background. A short team meeting ensued, presided by Captain Roy, on the team itinerary and important pointers for the Ironman 70.3 race happening in Camsur Watersports Complex on August 14, 2011.  Subsequently, the team uniforms were distributed to each athlete.  A personalized dri-fit shirt, a full tri-suit, a TIMEX team jacket and a TIMEX Ironman Triathlon T5K339 watch made up the athletes’ freebies for the day.  Like children scouring into their loot bags, the athletes fitted each piece of uniform with glee.

The team profile photoshoot followed where they modeled their tri-suits in different poses, from the very serious to the wacky poses.  The once stern & austere training faces broke into childlike delight and teenage consciousness of how they would appear through a camera’s lens.

Hunger finally set in as their stomachs started growling.  Lunch with the team was held at a nearby restaurant, within walking distance of Gold’s Gym.  For even if they were strong enough to bike for 3 hours this morning, they needed to appease the hunger quickly.

If you think they are done for the day and can go back home to get some sleep, you are wrong!  The day of a TMM athlete is just half-way through.  The athletes hurried after lunch to drive to Bonifacio High Street for the TIMEX 226 Event Launch, conducted by no less than Next Step Tri Coaches Dan Brown and Ani De Leon–Brown, and Sports Nutritionist Harvie De Baron.

Next on their schedule is the TIMEX Send-off Party for all TIMEX-sponsored athletes bound for the Ironman 70.3 race in Camsur.  The TMM athletes, still wearing their new jackets, attended the party with much excitement, with no sign that they have been up and training since early morning.  They participated earnestly in the parlor games and devoured the food … as expected.

At the end of the party, all other Timex triathletes bid each other farewell.  But for TMM, the day does not end there.  Captain Roy held a series of brief meetings with his media group, support group and his team managers, old & “young” management alike.  All this was held speaking in Taglish over the first few bottles of beer, and speaking in straight English over the next few buckets of beer.  The day ended, or rather a new day had begun, somewhere after that…

Relieved from his duties as captain, Roy finally laid down to sleep in the wee hours of the morning, anticipating the days leading to Ironman 70.3.  This is a day in the life of a Team Captain named Roy and a triathlete team named TMM.

CAN’T STOP THE ROCK

CAN’T STOP THE ROCK

by Angie Tan

First time tri-athlete Joni Lopez held on to her prize Blue Cross umbrella on stage like the sceptre of a beauty pageant queen, having earlier mused to join the Miss Earth candidates in a dress at the Subic Bay Yacht Club that same night.  Donned in a red shirt and black shorts instead of a dress, she was awarded 1st place in her age category, having overtaken several athletes in the last portion of the bike leg before heading on to the run leg.

The arena was set in the beautiful Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Olongapo City, Zambales.  From the start, it promises to be a tight race as strong athletes participated in the White Rock Triathlon on November 7.  There were a few rookie triathletes, but many were returnees from previous years, some having won top honors in recent years.  Takei Hiroshi was the overall 1st place winner in 2005 and 2006, while Fiona Ottiger was 3rd place winner in 2007.

George Vilog of Tri Hard bested Noel Salvador to win 1st place.  Salvador came in 4 minutes and 37 seconds later than Vilog, kneeling and pointing both index fingers at the finish line.  Australian contender Grant Preddy, who ranked 13th in the recent Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Race, finished 3rd place overall.  He accomplished this feat despite incurring a 4-minute stand-down time penalty for drafting.  He said, “I experienced leg cramps during the last kilometer of the race and had to walk a good portion of the route to finish.”  At 23 years of age, he was acknowledged as the youngest racer in this event, while David Charlton was the most senior of all participants.

True to the adage that age doesn’t matter, TIMEX-TMM’s Alvin Alindogan and Manny Torralba bagged the 1st and 3rd place respectively in the over 50 age group.  Charlton put in a good finish with a time of 6:53:47, beating Torralba to 2nd place.  Alindogan, who was once given recognition as Asia Masters Champion in 1997, said, “I was always identified to race in the open division, but this time, I’m happy to have won in my age group.  More than a decade had passed where I had consistently won in my level, but the most important thing for me is the fulfilment I get from racing.”

The bike route took the racers through roads outside Subic, passing through several towns all the way to Cabangan.  Bikers remarked that they were delayed by vehicle traffic in a few locations.  Manda Carpo, 3rd place winner in 2008, came from behind Fiona Ottiger and Laarni Anenias in the swim leg and maintained her lead throughout the bike and run.  Carpo emerged overall 1st place winner, while Ottiger shaved off 26 minutes 14 seconds from her 2007 record, earning 2nd place.

The run course tested their endurance and tenacity as they negotiated the uphill path with every ounce of energy they have left.  Winning 1st place in her age group, Janice Tanada dropped to the ground because of cramps just after the run.  Nevertheless, she is proud to have finished in less than 7 hours, a remarkable feat for a first-time triathlete.  Other first-timers include Niel Dagondon, who subsists on a purely vegetarian diet.

Roy Hervias was astounded as he bagged 1st place in his age category, overtaking Ferdie Catabian II of Herbalife and Jumbo Tayag of Tri Clark, both of whom were ahead of him after the three-loop 2km-swim and the 91km-bike.  He recalled that as he was running very low on energy during the bike ride, some kids handed him the Coke that they were drinking and that was all he needed to go on.  The poor kids were left thirsty, but they had done their good deed for the day.

At the finish line, it was a showdown of sorts as Javier Olives of Team Super did a handstand, while Chock Martinez and Jojo Macalintal showed off some dance moves.  Whoever said athletes have no funny bone in them?

When Joni Lopez stepped off the proverbial award podium, it must have taken her quite a bit of self-control to thwart the temptation of doing the beauty queen wave right at that very moment.  If “World Peace!” sounds too cliché, then how about “If you can’t beat them, join them!”?  As the White Rock Triathlon tagline goes “Can’t stop the rock”, why not join and find out for yourself what the rock is made of?

Participants from Timex-TMM include:

• 2 Noel Salvador 36 M 4:28:19
• 3 Grant Preddy 23 M 4:32:33
• 7 Alvin Alindogan 52 M 4:56:30
• 9 Roy Wyndell Hervias 32 M 5:05:53
• 17 Andreco Primero 32 M 5:21:09
• 25 Chock Martinez 41 M 5:33:46
• 28 Tobias Miguel Bernardo 31 M 5:38:26
• 34 Oliver Templo 37 M 5:50:36
• 36 Orland Salomon 36 M 5:53:06
• 45 Manuel Dela Serna 43 M 6:12:25
• 52 Joni Lopez 26 F 6:32:22
• 54 Niel Dagondon 30 M 6:44:37
• 56 Janice Tanada 30 F 6:47:26
• 60 Emmanuel Torralba 54 M 7:18:24

Subic International Marathon: Worst marathon in recent history

Subic International Marathon: Worst marathon in recent history

By Anonymous Race Participant

What was initially a cool concept of running in SCTEX, with no sun to overheat you, turned out to be the worst organized International Marathon  in recent history. Most other International Marathons had stations that not only had water, but had sports drinks, bananas, a selection of chocolates and ointments, at the least. This marathon lacked even the most basic of provisions… Water.

The first signs of incompetency showed up in their first publicly released document, the Race Rules. From that alone, you would see that they have little idea of what they were doing, as it looks nothing like what marathon race rules usually look like.  Nothing was mentioned about support, markers, stations or rules, or most other items covered by the usual race rules (try SG or HK Standard Charter Marathon). Those already got me thinking if they will be able to take care of the racers.

On the day of the race, they closed the SCTEX  but the traffic flow had no signages , which got more than a few racers lost going to the starting line. However, I was comforted by the fact that I regularly saw water stations on the way to the starting line, so I opted to leave my fuel belt in our support vehicle. Big Mistake! Little did I know that for us marathoners at the back of the pack, starting at Km 10, those ‘water stations’ would turn into just ‘stations’ with no particular purpose other than to remind you of the distance you’ve already run. The next time I actually saw water was already upon entering Subic toll gates somewhere around Km 30+. Thank God for those angelic support vehicles that were giving out what little water they had. The experience actually felt like we were victims receiving relief goods.

Now this is a Sun Down marathon, right. Little did I know that this would mean we would be running in Zero Light conditions. Aside from the finish line, no additional light whatsoever were provided. The only light we had came from incoming vehicles that blinded us. A few people ran into traffic cones, while I almost tripped as I couldn’t see the area where the road ends and the grass begins.

With no Marshalls around, you can actually ride in a support vehicle and get dropped off further ahead of the route, which I saw at least one participant do so.

Ok, to recap… No Water; No Light; No Marshalls; and what else… ah, no Aid stations. They should have named this the Subic Survival Race. Were we really left out here to die? Well it seems so, as our support vehicle picked up a Kenyan who was almost unconscious, slumped at the side of the road. With no medical assistance, they were the ones who had to bring him to the hospital. Would the organizers even notice if someone did die? Not surprisingly, it seems that more than a few participants were passing out from dehydration, as the ambulances seemed to go back and forth.

I missed my target time by a few minutes, but I am more grateful I didn’t end up in a hospital like some of the other participants. By the time I crossed the finish line and was able to down a few bottles of Pocari Sweat, my dehydration was so bad that I was already pissing blood! I received reports that I am not an isolated case on this one.

Shame, this event had good marketing and a decent website, not to mention, a whole lot of credible sponsors. I suspect that the organizer, EVENTOLOGISTS CO., is probably just an event/party organizer who can’t organize a race to save their life (or the runners, in this case). They have to realize that the cash they receive is to be allocated to provide at least a decent level of support to the racers. I mean c’mon, computing how much water you need at a station is simple math: water needed  equals consumption (two half filled cups) multiplied by participants. I’m not sure who the race director really is, but the certificate was signed by Patrick C Gregorio (SMART), Retired General Samson R Tucay and Gen Jesus A Verzosa. Also, this is already the second time they did this race so they should have known better. Please don’t organize any races ever again! A lot of people might really die next time. The nice freebies and medals at the end are not worth the lives of the participants!

Participants from Timex-Tmm and friends are:

• Tobias Bernardo (TMM/AMCI) – 4:06:44
• Mercy Go (TMM/AMCI) – 4:07:05 (9th Place Overall, Female)
• Sarita Almoro (AMCI) – 4:15:27
• Romulo Doctulero (TMM/AMCI) – 4:25:31
• Cris Bofill (TMM/AMCI)- 4:25:31
• Oliver Templo (TMM/AMCI) – 4:55:19
• Ver Zapanta (AMCI) – 5:06:16
• Niel Dagondon (TMM/AMCI) – 5:07:35
• Pie Valencia (AMCI) – 5:13:06
• Zinnia Villarin (FAMCI) – 5:32:20
• Marga Chua (AMCI) – 5:52:32

*Thank you to Aileen Eway for the pictures.

Roy Hervias claims Corregidor Aquathlon top honors!

October 10, 2009 (Saturday)

Congratulations to Roy “El Kapitan” Hervias for winning the top prize in the recently concluded Corregidor Aquathlon, bagging P5,000! “I never expected to be overall winner. I’m happy with my run… I think my regular training and frequent participation in triathlons, duathlons and marathons has helped build my endurance.”, says Roy. The race consisted of a 400 meter swim, 7 kilometer Run, and another 400 meter swim around the island.

Corregidor, which is dubbed “The Rock”, has served as a focal point for the naval defenses of the Philippines during World War 2. It was the site of several battles, and its fall to the Japanese in 1942 paved the way for the capture of the Philippines. Currently, the island is an important historic and tourist site.

The 400 meter swim runs along the shoreline of the island through big waves and sandy shores. Race participants were in agreement that the swim portion of the race could be better conceived. “Instead of an out and back swim, we were made to swim along the beach too close to shore. The water was shallow enough that it made more sense to wade through it rather than swim, which is what most of the participants did. Also, there was a lot of grey area where you were supposed to come out of the water so some participants came out earlier than the others.” said Niel Dagondon, a participant. The 7km run was through a scenic, tree lined yet challenging uphill route which takes you through the ruins and bombed structures of World War 2. It was a great place to do a run, with some participants expressing their intentions to come back just to explore the island.

Participants from TMM-Timex include, from left to right, Greg Doronila, Janice Tanada, Roy Hervias and Niel Dagondon. Karl Arao, a Timex-TMM friend and AMCI member also participated.

Special thanks to Alman for the pictures; Chok, Cris, and the rest of AMCI who cheered for the participants.

Update: the results have been posted. Here they are:

MALE
Rank	Name	swim	run	swim	Total
1	Roy Hervias	0:07:34	0:34:14	0:08:49	0:50:37
10	Greg Doronilla	0:07:40	0:41:35	0:07:07	0:56:22
11	Niel Dagondon	0:07:39	0:41:58	0:07:05	0:56:42
19	Karl Arao	0:07:40	0:47:40	0:08:34	1:03:54
FEMALE
Rank	Name	swim	run	swim	Total
10	Janice Tanada	0:07:54	0:48:09	0:09:08	1:05:11

Time is Running: The 2009 Timex Run with Coach Rio and Piolo Pascual

Get ready for this year’s hottest running event! Don’t miss “Time is Running: The 2009 Timex Run with Coach Rio and Piolo Pascual“, a 3km, 5km, 10km, and 21km run on November 15, 2009 at the Bonifacio Global City (beside NBC tent). Get a chance to run with everyone’s favorite running guru and one of the hottest male actors of our time. Beat the mad dash for these limited and highly-coveted slots. Only 3000 race kits will be up for grabs, which includes a singlet and timing chip, complete with professional actions shots by Photovendo and Runpix analysis.

Regular registration is from October 4 to November 1 at Timex shops (SM North, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Southmall, and Glorietta 3), Nike Park Bonifacio High Street , The Trion Towers site showroom , Robinsons Land Corporation grand showroom (Robinsons Galleria), and AmiSa showroom ( Robinsons Place Manila ). Late registration is from November 2 to 9 at the Timex shop, SM North Edsa, and The Trion Towers , Mckinley Parkway cor. 8th Ave. , Bonifacio Global City .

Timex-TMM Powerade Duathlon Race Results

Timex-TMM Powerade Duathlon Race Results

Place	Name	SEX	AGE	TOTAL	RUN 1	BIKE	RUN 2
12	ALINDOGAN, ALVIN	M	52	1:46:14	0:30:08	0:58:47	0:17:19
17	HERVIAS, ROY WYNDELL	M	33	1:48:18	0:34:22	0:56:24	0:17:32
20	TEMPLO, OLIVER	M	37	1:50:25	0:34:25	0:57:24	0:18:35
52	DOCTOLERO, ROMY	M	43	1:59:24	0:34:19	1:03:42	0:21:23
59	BOFILL, CRISTOPHER	M	33	2:01:27	0:36:14	1:02:00	0:23:13

A FEW LAUGHS

“Walang diet diet!” said Alvin Alindongan, solo entry to the elite category of the Ironman 70.3 race in Camsur. With that line as their justification, the TIMEX-TMM athletes blatantly wolfed down a number of dishes at SOM’s Thai Restaurant.

Their day began as early as 6:00 a.m. on August. 8. The TIMEX-TMM athletes were assembled at the parking grounds of Bonifacio High Street, in Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. This was in response to Team Captain Roy Hervias’ announcement of the TV shoot and interview by the GMA news team. Donning identical TIMEX tri-suits, these athletes had their photos taken individually with their bikes, some even carrying their bikes for extra effect. Chok Martinez modeled the sample red TIMEX jacket with much zest and gusto. Shortly after, the athletes, together with Ms. Pam Panaguiton of TIMEX, welcomed Chino Trinidad of the GMA news team as he arrived with his camera crew.

At 7:10 a.m., the bikers mounted their bikes and began circling the High Street roads. They were closely followed by the GMA camera, while the TIMEX-TMM media team took photos. After a couple of rounds, the team was stopped by the High Street roving guards, stating that they had no permit to do the shooting in that area. It was at this point that Orland Salomon fell off his bike or rather, the bike fell and dragged him with it. The confusion over the permit was soon ironed out when Manny Torralba and Joni Lopez attested that they have communicated with so-and-so people from Ayala. Moral lessons:

1. Name dropping is quite useful when stopped by authorities.

2. If you fall in view of media people, stand up at once so it won’t be recorded.

 

After the bike rides, the athletes were shot while running and playfully doing jump-shots.  The cool-down session was facilitated by Coach Jon Lozada.  After which, Chino interviewed the most senior and most junior members of the team, Alvin Alindongan and Rendo Trajano, respectively.  It was during this time that Alvin declared that whatever amount of food he eats, they will all be burned during the training.  Hence the line:  “Walang diet diet!”

 

The team then proceeded to Makati Aquatic Sports Arena (MASA) along J.P. Rizal Extension in West Rembo, for the swimming shots. Mini swim competitions were held among the swimmers amid the cajoling of their fellow team mates. July Cagungun, swimmer for the Elite All-Men Relay team, was interviewed by Chino while the swim laps were ongoing in the pool.

Roy, Mannie, Chok, Carlo, Oli and Daddy Julian did a “Nestea” plunge into the pool right after Chok delivered his famous words in front of the camera: “Freedom, Youth and Reliability”. To this day, we are not certain if they did the plunge to exult the depth of Chok’s message or if it was due to nosebleed.

Chino also got insights from the three girls – Joni, Mercy and Janice, who comprise the All-Women Relay team and Santi Barnachea, biker of the Elite All-Men Relay team. The swimmers all came scurrying out of the pool for the final group shot before the activity ended. The interview is expected to be aired on August 21 at GMA’s 24 Oras.

As in most TIMEX-TMM activities, you can not send home the athletes with empty stomachs. Thanks to TIMEX, brunch was served at SOM’s in Rockwell. However, this has inadvertently refueled Chok, who uttered: “TIMEX! It’s not failed me!”, truly filling the day with our fair share of laughter. As training is tapering down and as race day is approaching, one can not help but remember times like these, when training is not just hard work and no play, when a TV camera is all it takes to get the athletes to loosen up and to let out a few laughs.

-angie

CALL OF DUTY – Recon part II Naga City. July 31 to August 3, 2009

I was about to attend the acquaintance party of 2k9 when i received txts from the scientist and one from the captain. “sama kana lolo” and “daanan kita sa bahay nyo 7 pm” Nag problema ako, kung pupunta ako sa party o gagawin ko yung duty ko as media ng Timex TMM. I decided to go to recon 2 Naga and I texted don & the captian roy na sasama ako.

We arrived at bus station at cubao around past 8 pm. as usual kfc uli ang dinner ko, he he he courtesy ni captain. I did not expect Manny de la Serna inside the bus. We were eleven, all in all, Oliver & wife Michelle, Mercy, Ias, Andrew, Manny T., Don, Roy and I were also inside the bus. ops nakalimutan ko si Chok, he he. We arrived at around six and have breakfast at Biggs Thereafer breakfast, nag chek in kami sa golden leaf. Dali dali kaming nag check in at nag assemble ng bike. Si Ias nahuli ng pag assemble, ykamo, he he ehem. First training namin, swimming, nag bike ang mga athlethes going to CWC for the swim, ok naman lahat naka ahon ng nakangiti he he . Kami naman ni Michelle at Ruben (taga naga old amci he he he) Nag bonding sa cabana. With beers effect, nakwento namin ang buhay ni oliver sa amici he he hindi naman lahat audited kasi. After 4 beers, dumating si Captain nauna sa bike, tinalo niya si aging. After biking nag run naman at ang transition ay sa cabana. After the run, ok sana kaso si Ias nawawala, two hours na siyang tumatakbo, wala pa, panik ang team lalo na si ehem. Ang captain at si chok ang nag hanap, naligaw pala he he he At aroung 4 pm balik kami sa golden leaf para wash up at for dinner sa kambingan, as usual si captain ang umorder sobrang sarap pero subra ring dami. Adobong kambing, calderetang kambing, sinigang, kilawin, parang di training a. he he joke.

After dinner, ito na, we ordered one fundador sobrang laki sa hollywood world ba o bar, may stand up comedian. Alam nyo naman ang alak pag umipect nakalimutan na ang lahat. Ang pinaka enjoy, siyempre si Manny de la Serna at si Chok, ykamo, tanong nyo nalang sa mga sumama he he eh. Nang tiningnan ko ang walet ko, nabigla nanaman ako, ykamo, numipis, ha ha ha. During this time galit ako kay Manny de la Serna, kasi binasa niya ako ng dumaan kami sa swimming pool. hehe Naka uwi naman kaming lahat sa hotel. Ang lesson na natutunan, wag sosobra, isang fundador lang at huwag dadaan sa swimming pool.

Morning ng Sunday, plano ni Captain at Manny T. mag swim sa CWC uli. They went there at around 7 am. Other atheletes, tulog pa. sa kalasingan, ewan ko yung iba kung nag side trip pa noong gabing yon. at ako at si Michelle may hang over hayyyyyyyyyy. Almost 12 noon na ng bumalik si Captain at Manny T from CWC, at inimpake na ang mga bike para sa check out tapos mag rarun sila Chok, Andrew, Ias and Mercy papuntang hot spring, ang layo noon a. We hire a jeep and siyempre bumili kami ng napakasarap na litson, caldereta, bicol express at laing at dumiretso na kami sa hot spring habang tumatakbo ang apat na timex tmm papuntang hydro. Nang madaanan namin sila, si Chok na matakaw sa litson, ng pinakita namin yung litson biglang huminto at sumakay sa jeep ng makita ni Mercy na sumakay si Chok, nanghina si Mercy, hindi ko alam dahil iniwan sila ng leader sa run or masisira nanaman ang practice niya. Pero tinulak namin si Chok palabas ng jeep… he he he kala mo chok ha… he he at tuloy-tuloy sila sa napakahabang paakyat na long and tuwid na road at dumating sila ng 3:15 pm na samanga oras na yon ang nakakain na kami at nakapagbabad na kami sa mainit na tubig. Umalis kami sa hotspring mga 5 pm papuntang triboo grill para sa inuman na naman, he he he puro inomm ito a at dinner off course. Umalis kami sa Naga ng 9 pm salamat sa pag tulong ni scientist sa pag bili ng tikets at naka rating ako ng bahay ng 6 am pwede pa sanang pumasok pero nag leave na lang ako, marami pa naman e. he he he.

PS.

• Sino ang nag susuka sa CR habang naliligo?

• Sino sino ang umupak sa mga babaeng nag paretoke?

• Sino ang muntik ng sumubsob sa sobrang kalasingan?

• Sino ang binasa at nag pakabasa sa swimming pool?

• Sino ang umorder ng isa pang fundador kaya kami nalasing?

• Sino ang laging huli kasi ehem?

• Sino ang tinawagan para maging bag boy? (taga dala at taga bantay ng gamit)

• Sino ang naubusan ng money?
• Sino ang nagtakbo ng pangit na tuwalya ng golden leaf hotel?
• Sino ang nagdala ng bike pero di nag bike? he he he.

• Sino ang nawalan ng bike shoes? (palagay ko si Manny de la Serna ang kumuha)

The rest is history. GUARD!

TMM”

(media)

TIMEX Send-off Party Pics