After participating in several Olympic distance (1.5km swim, 40 km bike and 10k run) triathlon events, we decided it’s time to level up for a 70.3 distance. Just a bit of background, a 70.3 race is comprised of 1.9km swim, 90 km bike, 21 km run or 113 kms total. Using the English system, distance will translate to 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride and 13.1 mile run = 70.3 distance. I used to wonder why it was called 70.3 🤓. So, when registration for Ironman Cebu (IM Cebu) was opened last October 1, 2016, we signed up and said to ourselves, ‘Bahala na si Batman’.

Training started immediately the day after. We also decided to sign up for 2 Tri United events to prepare us for IM Cebu – Tri United 1 (Olympic distance) on February and Tri United 2 (longer distance than the Olympic) in July. We’ve completed TU1 with flying colors. My time greatly improved from my last race and I was happy. I had my eyes on TU2 as it was a distance I’ve not ventured into – 2 km swim, 60 km bike and 16 km run. I was training harder for the event and part of the plan was to do a bike race recon a few weeks before the race.

June 25, Sunday – a week before TU2 – we decided to travel to Subic for the bike race recon. Despite not feeling well (felt like I’m going to have the flu), we went. Call it instinct or what, I should’ve stayed instead.

About 10 kilometres before we call it a day, I was going downhill (maybe at 25 km/hour), approaching an intersection at a curve, saw an oncoming car and panicked. I lost control of the brakes and slammed on the side road 😱

Thinking somebody I knew might see me (yeah, I was that concerned 😜) I scrambled up to see if I can stand up. Elated that I can, I next felt for my teeth to see if it’s complete – and I was happy that it was. I next checked my body to inspect the damage – my limbs seem to be complete and still functioning. I next checked my bike – it looks decent to me – just distorted aerobars but not so much damage to my bike. Luckily, the ambulance was there within 10 mins after the accident. We were brought to the infirmary for first aid assistance. They cleaned my wounds, put antiseptic and bandages. We also had the chance to shower (thank goodness) before heading back to Manila. As safety precaution though, the doctor asked me to have a tetanus shot when we get to Manila as they don’t have it in Subic.

First aid in Subic 😵

A little after lunch, we were in Makati already and decided to pass by Makati Med ER for the tetanus shot. The ER nurse though, looking at my sorry state, suggested on having x-rays as well to be doubly sure. I said I had an initial check up already and I was cleared in Subic but he was insistent. As we have medical benefits anyway, I relented. MRI showed no blood clotting in the head nor near my right eye. Legs x-ray were clear as well. Right elbow x-ray though showed a fracture. A splint was applied on the right elbow immediately with strict order to see the orthopedic the Tuesday after. I was devastated and depressed going home. Here I was training hard for my first IM and I ran into an accident.

I went to see the orthopedic as promised and I asked him about the prospects of joining the race. He just curtly said ‘Let’s see’ and asked me to see him weekly. I was searching online though and readings showed that it wil take a minimum of 6 weeks to heal – exactly the same number of weeks before IM Cebu. And that was a bummer. I was determined though to race – with or without the orthopedic’s clearance. Given that I’ve been training so hard plus the fact that I paid $300 (non-refundable) for the registration – I said to myself – I will race by hook or by crook 🤑

I’ve been running for quite some time now and having completed 5 marathons, I was thinking the run part will be doable. I’ve trained for 2-km swim in an hour and confident about my swimming ability (or inability) so that’s not much a concern for me. What I’m worried about is the bike leg considering the accident. Thus two weeks into injury, I’m back on the saddle on my trainer.

‘If there’s a will, there’s a way’ 😂. My secret training, caught on cam by the husband

4 long weeks after the accident, the splint was removed, replaced by a sling. Being able to move more compared to being totally immobile for the past 4 weeks, I went immediately back to the pool that weekend to train with an elbow support. I was not in tip top shape, but hey, I was improving day by day.

August 4 – 2 days going into the 6th week of the accident – we flew to Cebu. While we are at the beautiful Shang Mactan, I cannot enjoy the place fully as a lot is running through my head – am I ready? What if I have an accident and my elbow (slowly healing) gets worse? Am I doing the right thing without doctor’s clearance? Well, I’m in Cebu already, so I guess I will find out soon enough.

Found our names! 😎

August 6 – D day. Awake at 430 am, I psyched myself. You can do this. Just listen to your body. Don’t go too fast, the goal is to finish the entire race within cut off not just one part of the race. Brimming with confidence, my husband and I made our way to the beach for the swim start.

As soon as in the water, my mantra was that of Dory’s – just keep on swimming. No matter what happens, just swim. I felt the dreaded current about 500 m (the same current they said caused a lot of swimmers years back to miss the cut off) from the finish line but I just kept on. Stepping on the finish mat, I looked at my watch – 1:08 — 2 mins to spare before the cut off. I heaved a sigh of relief , it seems I made the first leg – that and no one was telling me I cannot race further as I go to my bike.

Hydrate. Take energy gels. Put on helmet and shoes. Mount at the bike start. I was awkward the first few kilometres.

It was my first bike ride after the accident and I’m not sure if I’ll be panicking. Thankfully, after talking to myself, I was able to carry on. I was still very careful, telling myself no need to speed up (more so when downhill) and risk another accident. Just manage the time and finish safely within cut off. And wisely managed my time I did. Biking 90 kms within 4 hours, it was 3 minutes before bike cut off when I dismounted. Hallelujah!

Hydrate. Take energy gels. Put on race number and cap. Checking into the start line for the run leg, I was very happy. I made it! I’m now in my comfort zone with 2.5 hours before cut off and I said to myself – I think I will make it. But first I had to rest my legs – so I walked the first 2 kms and slow ran the rest of the 19 kms. While I was confident in the run leg, the enemy was fatigue. Completing 21 kms is a difficult thing to do after swimming and running + the heat. Finishing the swim and bike leg though, it will be a shame to give up.

After a total of close to 8 hours, 15 mins before the race cut off, I checked into the IM finish line – dazed and amazed. I ran as much as I could, walked a lot of times, thought of crawling a couple of times because of fatigue, but hey, I didn’t give up. All the months of training, positive thoughts and prayers, made it possible for me to finish and now I am an Iron(wo)man! 💪🏼

Ecstatic we’re still alive after the race 😂

our race numbers 😎