MultiSport: 2015 September

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G E A R MULTISPORT

SUIT UP

FROM STYLES DESIGNED FOR EFFICIENT RACING TO FUTURISTIC FABRICS THAT OFFER SUN PROTECTION AND LESS DRAG, TRI SUITS HAVE COME A LONG WAY, AND THEY'RE GETTING EVEN BETTER

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Dave Orlowski cuts up a pair of his denim jeans to wear as triathlon shorts. With money in his pocket for food, he manages to make a pit stop at McDonald’s.

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Christal Nylin, founder of Zoot Sports, experiments with tri-wear by adding padding to run shorts and sewing together singlets and bike bottoms.

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gear today—the two-piece tri suit.

The separates allow athletes to customize their outfit with the right size (and sometimes brand) for their top and bottom, all tailor-fit to their comfort.

Today, tri suit choices are endless.

The amount of technology and research that go into each piece of apparel is extensive—and it is only growing. Companies such as Sugoi and Zoot have started using yarns with micro denier polyester that actively pull moisture away from the skin to evaporate sweat and water faster. Major progress also involves the integration of sun protection as high as 100 SPF. For those who race in high humidity, Xylitol yarn is being used to reduce the skin's surface temperature by 1°C. Some suits even feature hydrophobic layers around the external fabric of the suit to minimize drag in the water during the swim. Because there are so many different competing brands, the cost of these new suits has become more affordable, making high-tech gear available to consumers in all price points.

We are at a turning point in the evolution of triathlon apparel.

Harsher environments on race day are pushing companies to create more resilient wear. How this affects faster times and overall safety in the sport will unfold in the next few years. Indeed, in the realm of tri suit developments, we are all just merely spectators.

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In 1974 and with just 46 participants, the first modern-day triathlon was held in Mission Bay, California. In its early days, triathlon was not known for its modesty, as racers were wont to unabashedly strip off their bottoms during transitions. Since then, as the popularity of triathlons has snowballed, so has the need for tri-specific gear. Interestingly, it wasn’t the self-consciousness of public nudity that sparked the development of gear; rather, it was the need to shave precious seconds, as changing outfits during transitions only added to one's overall time.

After racers and sporting companies realized that switching from swim to bike to run shorts was too tedious, hybrid bottoms were born. These thick, padded bike shorts were hydrodynamic in the water and afforded the wearer mild compression of the muscles. But there was a trade-off—the ease that the shorts gave the athlete during the swim and bike legs was lost during the run segment because the thick cushioning made it very unnatural to move in.

To address this, manufacturers produced the tri suit, a one-piece kit that had enough flexibility to go through all three phases. The main problem with the hybrid wear, however, was offering the right fit for racers of various body types. This paved the way for yet another tweak in the design, one that resulted in the most popular type of triathlon

TRI SUITS IN TIME

PHOTOS 01, 04 BY ANGELO BARRETTO | PHOTOS 02 AND 06 TOBIAS SCHWARZ, 03 BEN STANSALL, 05 JOAQUIN SARMIENTO/AFP

Words by Francis Diano, PT MCMT

Dan Empfield, founder of Quintanaroo, creates the first triathlon-specific wetsuit to increase buoyancy and less drag in the water.

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THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN A TRI SUIT

Compression along the large muscle groups such as the quadriceps and hamstrings to reduce fatigue.

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Exposed stitching equals more hydrostatic drag, so look for a suit that has the least amount possible.

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Aero is better. The suit should fit like second skin. Avoid baggy fits; this increases the drag and wind resistance.

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Choose sweat-wicking fabrics to assist with temperature regulation and minimize the risk of overheating.

Note: Both the USAT and WTC deem sleeved tri suits not legal during the swim segment of non-wetsuit legal swims.

05 01 Sam Betten wearing his sleeved SCODY tri suit at Ironman 70.3 Philippines 02 Britain's Gordon Benson winning the men's triathlon event at the 2015 European Games in June 03 Jonathan Brownlee celebrates his silver medal finish during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland 04 Cameron Brown at Ironman 70.3 Philippines 05 Pierre Le Corre of France finishes first in Cartagena 06 Swiss Nicola Spirig celebrates her 2015 European Games win

ONE-PIECE OR TWO-PIECE? SLEEVES OR NO SLEEVES? Like the age-old argument of boxers or briefs, it comes down to personal preference ONE-PIECE In sprint and Olympic distances, where every second counts, one-piece suits are the best option.

TWO-PIECE Allows for easy access during potty breaks.

Also best for longer races like the 70.3 and 140.6, wherein you may need to shed off some layers as the day progresses.

SLEEVED Remember, sleeved tri suits can only be used at the bike and run legs, and not during the swim. That said, sleeved suits offer more wind resistance, and wind tunnel tests prove that they are more aerodynamic.

De Soto Sports releases a two-piece T1 wetsuit that allows you to buy the top and bottom as separates for a customizable fit.

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Emilio De Soto II, a former professional triathlete, founds De Soto Sports, a clothing line specific for triathlon.

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Craig Alexander is disqualified from Ironman 70.3 Hawaii for using a sleeved triathlon top during a nonwetsuit legal swim.

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PHOTOS BY ANGELO BARRETTO, MONA TAN, AND COURTESY OF GLOBE

SEVEN YEARS STRONG IRONMAN 70.3 PHILIPPINES MARKS ITS SEVENTH YEAR WITH A SPARKLING PRELUDE TO NEXT YEAR'S ASIA PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS IN CEBU

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T R A I N I N G MULTISPORT

RIDING SOLO FORD FORZA'S IVAN CARAPIET STRIVES FOR A SPEEDY FINISH WHETHER ALONE OR WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM HIS TEAM

By Romeo Moran | Photos by Ronan Capili

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T R A I N I N G MULTISPORT

stronger mentally. Training with a group, and especially with stronger people, you can easily gauge where your fitness level is. And of course, it’s much more fun.

Which between the two do you prefer?

I prefer training by myself because in the race, you are all alone, so that’s what you have to hone.

Has either proven to be more beneficial to you during races than the other?

Training by myself has made me mentally fit. Even though my body is going through so much pain during the race, I can mentally block it out and focus my thoughts on positive things.

What, for you, are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

When training with a group, I tend to depend on my training partners and teammates, so whatever level they’re training on, I am pushed to perform as hard as they are.

They also help me push myself and motivate me when I’m feeling tired, or I think there is nothing left. When I train by myself, I can’t rely on anyone else, and sometimes it’s hard to do my best to be motivated. So I have to double my focus and motivate myself, because when racing, you are alone and that’s what I have to perfect—not relying on anything else but myself.

Racer-turned-actor-turnedtriathlete Ivan Carapiet would like your attention, please. One of Ford Forza Tri’s exciting athletes is thrilled to be here today, looking up at you from the pages of our magazine. “I’ve been waiting for you to call me!” he says over the phone.

Carapiet is new to the game, having only started a year and a half ago, but he’s been working pretty hard to earn a podium finish. He was at Ironman 70.3 in

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Cebu, running alongside buddy Matteo Guidicelli for Ford Forza, finishing at a respectable 7th place in the male 25-29 division and ranking 90th overall.

We talked to him about the things he’s learned from training for the sport so far.

How did you get into triathlon?

I got into it when I stopped motorsports. Matteo, my old [motorsport] teammate, got me into it and I was hooked. So far I've

been in five races: 2014's Century Tuna 5150 in Subic, Ironman 70.3 in Cebu, Safeguard 5150 in Bohol, and the Olympic distance NAGT in Subic.

How different is your training regimen solo and with a group?

Training by myself, I can focus more on specific things like my form, cadence, and speed. This also helps me focus on trying to be fast by myself without anyone around, and this makes me

What would you suggest to people who are still trying to find out what works for them?

I suggest trying all training methods and finding what’s best and most comfortable for you. Do not go over your limits too soon, go at your own pace, and take it slow. And of course, the most important—don’t forget to have fun!

What are you aiming to achieve in the future?

I aim to get on the podium and be consistent!

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MULTISPORT F E AT U R E

SHOT AT ACE WATER SPA 399 DEL MONTE AVENUE, SFDM, QUEZON CITY | 367-8040 TO 41 / ACEWATERSPA.COM.PH | SPECIAL THANKS TO IRENE TING

STILL MAKING WAVES

ELITE TRIATHLETE JENNY GUERRERO HONES FUTURE FILIPINO OLYMPIAN SWIMMERS

By Eric Nicole Salta | Photos by Migs Castro

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F E AT U R E MULTISPORT

If size is any indication of sports supremacy, then elite triathlete and swimmer Jenny Guerrero's compact frame belies the power and determination that have propelled this former Olympian to surmount nearly impossible feats for more than a decade.

For one, this diminutive athlete who competed in the breaststroke double at the 2000 Sydney Olympics has overcome a number of “retirements” in her career.

She's also launched successful comebacks and stayed atop the echelons of competitive sport all while raising a child. Now 31, and perhaps inching slowly towards the twilight of her career, Guerrero has found her footing with the highly popular Bert Lozada Swim School at Ace Water Spa in Quezon City, where she mentors as many as 57 young swimmers ages seven to 22.

In her five years of coaching, where dealing with adolescent eccentricities and keeping egos at bay are as much a part of the job as demonstrating proper technique, Guerrero is finally reaping her rewards. Three of her swimmers— Jules Ong, Jiron Rotoni, and Alyza Ng—broke junior national and age group records in July. “Lahat ng malalakas ko ngayon nasa 13-and-

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under age group. I have some UAAPlevel college students na potential medalists too,” she says.

That’s not to say she has given up on triathlon. At the recent Ironman 70.3 Philippines, she placed fifth in her category, despite, she insists, being far from peak form. Since late 2012, Guerrero has donned the Team Alaska tri suit after coach Mathieu O’Halloran rang her up to see if she’d be interested in competing again.

“Perfect timing siya kasi as we all know triathlon is an expensive sport and nung time na ‘yun sabi ko I can’t afford to go back to triathlon and raise a family with all the expenses.

Sobrang perfect na in-invite ako ng Team Alaska to be part of them.”

Did you go into swim coaching because you know it’s your strength?

Aside from that, ‘yun ‘yung pinakaknowledgeable ako. Siyempre iba ‘yung pagiging swimmer sa pagiging coach. Akala kasi nila kapag dati kang magaling na swimmer, okay kang maging coach. ‘Yung start ko from 2010 to 2012, sobrang struggle sa akin in terms of making programs for kids, handling them and their weaknesses, and not just correcting their strokes but pati ‘yung attitudes nila and even their parents.

Do students with potential have special training aside from the usual program?

In my team, as much as possible ayoko magkaroon ng favoritism.

Porket may talent ‘to or ito ‘yung pinakamalakas, eto lang tututukan ko. I try to train them equally plus apart from the correction or polishing of strokes I want them to develop a competitive and winning attitude. Meaning, ‘yung kahit ganitong place ka lang basta you did your best. Sa isang squad hindi naman lahat mananalo, may mga standouts talaga pero ‘yun ‘yung gusto kong i-develop. Ayoko ng may naiiwan.

What are the biggest changes in swim training?

Ngayon ang change is quality over quantity. Dati kasi more on mileage. Now I try to make workouts specifically on how they would want to race their races. For example, for 800-meter freestyle, anong gagawin mo sa last 25 meters? How would you tackle it mentally and physically? Dati kasi it’s like 5 x 1,000 or 4 x 800.

The pool we practice on is only 23 meters so given that limitation, we need to be smarter about the workouts and programs.

What about in terms of technology?

For elite athletes, they use swim analysis and video analysis. During training, tinitignan ‘yung strokes nila. Equipment like parachutes attached to the ankles, different types of paddles (for sprints, drills, and endurance training). Techdependent na rin ang sport.

What’s the most important thing you want your students to take away after a class?

I want them to realize how much talent they have kasi not everyone can swim. I want them to feel challenged physically and mentally every training session. Gusto ko after workouts, they feel fulfilled.

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By Romeo Moran and Eric Nicole Salta | Photos by Angelo Barretto and courtesy of Pet Salvador of Chili Grass

TEAM RED CROSS COALITION IS SPARKING A REVOLUTION BY BOTH RACING TO SAVE LIVES AND REDEFINING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A TRIATHLON TEAM

COME TOGETHER

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From left: Dodji Ison, Tom Navasero, LC Langit, Carol Fuchs , Mitch Robins, Navin Yavapolkul, Chicha "Kitty" Amattayakul, Bernard Perez

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“ ” I'm happy to be racing for a good cause.

Doing triathlon is great, but helping people in need is far greater than winning trophies, LC Langit

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It’s funny how an unprecedented fist bump, in lieu of a handshake, with someone you have never met before can completely change the way you perceive that person. At first you're taken aback by the oddity of the greeting, then you realize that this unusual gesture is also a genuine means of connecting with someone. And connected is exactly how we felt when Tom Navasero introduced himself to us by way of a simple yet sincere touch of fists.

Navasero—his wit, wisdom, and wordplay putting things into perspective—is head honcho of Team Red Cross Coalition, a shape-shifting collective established early this year. Team Red Cross, as he prefers to call his group, is founded on the innate desire to help. “It acts as a coalition to bring in all the other teams for our cause,” Navasero says. Along with Subic-based Australian professionals Mitch Robins and Michael Murphy, Team Red Cross operates in a way not seen in local triathlon teams—it amplifies awareness of different advocacies, breaks down barriers, and ultimately saves lives through team members sporting black tri suits emblazoned with the trademark life-saving logo.

The sentiment is universal but the viewpoint is sportspecific. The team’s enthusiasm for helping out is slowly spreading like wildfire, enticing a slew of prominent triathletes here and abroad, including Thai actor and singer Navin Tar and pro triathlete Carole Fuchs.

In essence, Team Red Cross transcends blood boundaries and instead delivers a brave bid to hold the same importance for reaching out as the bigger hole that needs filling in the same beautiful vein when a whole team crosses the finish line.

IF YOU LIKE TO HELP, CHECK OUT TEAM RED CROSS PH ON FACEBOOK FACEBOOK.COM/WERACETOSAVELIVES

C O V E R S TO R Y MULTISPORT

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C O V E R S TO R Y MULTISPORT

When did you guys establish Team Red Cross?

Tom Navasero (TN): We organized January, February 2015 and we signed on March 8 in Ironman 70.3 Subic. It was like three weeks— organized it, put a chair, put a president, put the whole group together. We keep it simple, but it acts as a coalition to bring in all the other teams for our cause.

What do you mean by “bring in all other teams”?

TN: This is not a team to stand alone. This is a team to bring everyone to work together for a cause. It can be saving lives, it can be for others. For now, we focus on one of the most important organizations in the world.

So it's not just for the Red Cross itself? You can also partner with other charities?

TN: Yeah. Right now, we're doing the Red Cross because they're the largest. It really affects the Philippines. Being a triathlete, we thought the skill sets could really

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help the Red Cross. We swim, bike, and run, so we're good savers.

How did you get everyone together to work for the Red Cross?

TN: Well, I had to pick a charity first.

I'm with the Baseball Federation of Asia, and my company has been supporting the Red Cross for the last 50 years. Subic is tri country right now. The pros want to stay in Subic but we can't have a team like everything else, so I thought to have a team for a cause like I did in Singapore with Operation Smile.

How was the selection process?

What were the criteria?

TN: Character. These kids are good and they have a good heart.

They want to do good.

Mitch, why get involved with Team Red Cross?

Mitch Robins (MR): For me, triathlon gives me a career and an awesome lifestyle. [Establishing Team] Red Cross is a way to give something back because I take a lot from the sport. Obviously living

in the Philippines, it’s a way to give back to the local community, encourage people to do a healthy sport, and make some healthier choices for their lives.

What are you most looking forward to as a Team Red Cross member?

MR: Personally, spreading awareness of a healthy lifestyle, getting involved in triathlon, doing something to inspire young kids because really, they’re the next generation that can set a better benchmark than we’re setting at the moment. Right now, there are just too many bad lifestyle choices.

Tom, is raising money part of what you plan to do?

TN: Yeah. People who don't want to be known to give can still give. And that's what we do, we reach out to people who give but don't want to put a brand on their jersey. There are people who do that. So my company and I will give to Team Red Cross to make it grow and do its mission of awareness.

How do you raise awareness for the team?

TN: We invite them to become volunteers. It's volunteerism. It's about awareness, giving blood, and giving whatever you can. If you don't want to give money, you can give blood; if you don't want to give blood, you can give time.

Which of the three is more needed?

TN: Blood. What else can you give, your soul? [laughs] Where do the funds you raise go?

TN: They go to Red Cross. When we get sponsorships, for example, and we do a race, whatever profits we raise go to a not-for-profit cause, which is Red Cross. We also sell hats right now so if you buy a hat, that money goes straight to Red Cross.

How do you decide on who to collaborate with?

TN: We don't decide. We just keep the door open for everyone.

Everyone who has joined has voluntarily come in?

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the world who are open to this idea of giving something back instead of worrying about themselves because there’s plenty more people that need inspiration than we do.

How does supporting an advocacy affect the members of the team? Is it easier for them to get motivated?

TN: Very positively. I don't have to whip these guys to train. I don't have to whip these guys to stay together and promote the cause. It comes out naturally because it's good. If it's good, they just share it.

TN: Yeah. If they're a lost soul in the tri world with no team, they're more than welcome. But if they're in a team that's really taking care of them, they can wear the uniform and put whatever logo they want. Like Frank [Lacson], Frank can put a Herbalife logo on his suit. LC, [Langit] she can keep BMC running on her jersey.

Mitch, this loose association between teams, is it the first of its kind?

MR: Yeah, which is pretty cool because as I discovered here in the Philippines, when you say “team,” people think exclusivity and we don’t want to step on toes. All we want to say is “Hey, we’ve got a cool platform to do some really

cool things. Join us and help where you can and donate to Red Cross and to other causes that we’re involved in.” We’re not here to take over the world and claim everyone as our own, we’re just here to spread a good message, maybe change some opinions, and help someone out while we can.

Do you think triathletes are open to this kind of attitude?

MR: I hope so and I’d like to think so, except far too many people are self-absorbed, too selfish, and take this way too seriously. This is my job and I’m very good at what I do but sometimes I have to shake people and say “Just relax. It’s just triathlon.” There’s a bigger picture here. There are still good people in

MR: For sure. I come from a First-World country and it’s really shocking sometimes to see how lucky we are. All the small things you can do really help. Putting on a swim clinic for kids teaches them more than swimming—it gives them a skill for life and inspiration to get out of bed each day and be healthy.

What are the causes you're working with Red Cross right now?

TN: Right now, the big thing is awareness first and bringing in more volunteers. We do help some of the races by bringing Red Cross with their ambulances, and in some of the future races, we'll have blood donations so these guys won't run very fast in the

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competitions because they lack blood. Just kidding!

Where do you go from here?

TN: We'd like Team Red Cross to go regionally so we’ve invited the Thais and the Singaporeans, and then we have another pro, Carole [Fuchs]. That combination will build the Thai initiative because that's a fast-growing market. So we'll grow regionally, hopefully.

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As I discovered here in the Philippines, when you say “team,” people think exclusivity and we don’t want to step on toes

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T R A I L S MULTISPORT

RUNNER BY DEMAND FLORENTIN LENOIR CAN HAMMER OUT A SUB-2 HALF-MARATHON. SO WHY IS THIS POWER RACER NOT PART OF ANY TEAM?

By Eric Nicole Salta | Photos by Artu Nepomuceno | Assisted by Ignacio Gador

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If I invest myself fully in a team, I need to make sure that I can always be there for my teammates

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n the local triathlon scene, Florentin Lenoir runs on his own terms. The 28-year-old Frenchman who is into business development for jewelry and financial technology is a kind of free agent, neither here nor there, yet has made significant strides for himself and whoever he collaborates with. “It seems people don't exactly know what to say or what to do, as it is not so common to meet a part-time team member.

But we should ask them, maybe that's a preconception on my side!” says Lenoir. Indeed, wasn’t it the French who taught us about joie de vivre?

How did you get into running?

Growing up, I hated running. I was doing many different sports but running was like a punishment for me. And then almost two years ago, as my schedule became quite epic and as I was gaining weight significantly, I decided to give running, and myself, another chance. I started running two to three times a week, then it really became an addiction!

Is there a limit to how much running your body can handle?

In my case, I have some issues with my knees, so whenever I can feel pain, I would not force it. This happened once or twice over the last two years. But the biggest limit I have would be on breathing and this is where I need to focus my training on. When running, I won't be able to run faster or longer because of my inability to adjust and slow down my heart rate.

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When my body is okay, I try to train two to three times a week, eight, 10 or 12km.

What's your best run to date?

The 21K race I did in Subic with Team Encore. I ran six to eight kilometers almost every day to prepare for the race and completed it in less than an hour and 50 minutes despite running under the sun on an up-anddown track.

Is there anything surprising about running that you have come to love?

Besides the adrenaline that I get from pushing myself beyond my limits and comfort zone, I would say that it is also a great asset to my work. It really helps me structure my thoughts and gets rid of all the stress I accumulate during the week.

You're not a full-time Team Encore member despite being a strong runner. What's your arrangement with them?

I believe this is more a question you should ask my team members! For me it is easy—I run when I can. It's stress-free, but this arrangement is mainly due to my schedule, which prevents me from always being around for races. Being an expat, I don't necessarily have all the equipment required to do a full triathlon by myself, for instance.

And having awesome friends and teammates that I fully trust and respect was also a key factor in making my decision.

Why not dedicate yourself fulltime to a team?

If I invest myself fully in a team, I need to make sure that I can always be there for my teammates. This is an engagement that is hard to commit to for now because of my work. I think it has little to do with the responsibilities that it implies. Even as a "free agent,"

I take being part of a team very seriously. I give everything I have to support my team members and push for the win.

What other teams have you been part of for relays?

So far, it's only been with Team Encore, but I would be interested in trying more relays in the future.

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Is there any pressure of being a 'runner by demand'?

The only pressure is the one you set for yourself. Whenever you commit to a race, you are signing a moral agreement with the other members that you will be dedicated to your training, and to be there for the team when they need you.

Do you feel that people have preconceived notions about you because you're not a full-time team member?

I wouldn't say preconceptions, but more interrogations. Why would a team partner with me when I have no running history?

How fast can I be if I don't commit to be a full-time team member? What is he doing here?

It seems people don't exactly know what to say or what to do, as it is not so common to meet a part-time team member. But we should ask them, maybe that's a preconception on my side! And no matter what, the best answer always comes from the results of a race.

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What's the biggest misconception about relays, and how do you address it?

I would say it is the idea that it is easier to do a triathlon as part of a relay than as an individual. I believe there is no easy race and whether you do a 5K run, a 21K run, or an Ironman, what matters is to reach the finish line and give it your all. Â

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F E AT U R E MULTISPORT

RIDING IN THE RAIN CONQUER THE WET WEATHER ASSAULT IN FOUR KEY STEPS Words by Mon Garcia | Photo by Lionel Bonaventure / AFP Brake earlier. Regardless of what rim and brake combination you have, water is going to make it less efficient. This is especially true of earlier carbon rims, which were notorious for being really bad for braking in the wet. Hitting the brakes earlier is required, not only because it takes that much more to stop, but also part of that time is having your pads scrub off the grime that’s now on your braking surface. Some more experienced riders ride the rain doing some “scrub braking” intermittently. That is, to lightly engage the brakes until they just skim the surface, allowing the pads to push away the sand,

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muck, and coagulated dust on the rims or brake discs so that they have a cleaner surface when they really need to brake.

Stay low on the bike. While this can be only properly executed via a good bike fit, try to get yourself and, consequently, your center of gravity as low on the bike and as centered between the front and rear wheels. Poorer braking and lesser grip on your tires are going to mess up your handling.

Although not intuitive, especially among new riders, getting low on the bike, by bending your arms or staying low in the drops, instead

of standing and hotrodding it like a BMX, actually makes you more stable and gives you more control.

Only slightly raise your butt off the saddle when you need to go over bumps, and remain seated when cornering. Standing up in a corner when you have less than ideal grip is the perfect invitation to crash.

Reduce tire pressure. While this may seem to be an open invitation to more flats, lower pressure means a bigger contact patch (how much of your tire is in actual contact with the road). In the war for grip during wet weather, increasing the amount of rubber

literally meeting the road gives you more traction and control. Plus, since you’ll likely be sitting more, less pressure also means better flotation and shock absorption for uneven road surfaces.

Ride wider tires. Personal preference usually has me on 21 to 23mm-wide tires (I like to feel road feedback), but if there’s anything that the current trend for wider tires accommodates best, it’s riding in the wet weather. The new crop of 25 to 28mm-wide tires gives you the contact patch and flotation you need for keeping upright and safe in inclement weather.

@multisportph

9/18/15 3:00 PM

MULTISPORT F E AT U R E

A GOOD STAMPEDE

PHOTOGRAPHER XANDER ANGELES AND HIS RUNNING GROUP—FAMILY, RATHER—IS A CELEBRATION OF ALL THE WONDER AND JOY POUNDING THE PAVEMENT CAN EVER BRING

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW AT MULTISPORT.PH

By Romeo Moran | Photo by Jar Concengco

Six in the morning, soft, golden beams of light shining through foliage, and the cool dawn breeze that slowly evaporates as the sun rises—these are the conditions that gave birth to Run 365. You’ve likely heard the story elsewhere: Xander Angeles, one of the country’s top photographers, decided that he had to make a change lest his high-octane life ends up getting the better of him.

He figured that the antidote to everything that was bad for him was to lace up a pair of trainers and start running. “People would ask me, ‘You look good! What are you doing?’ And I’d tell them I’m running,” says Angeles. “Then they’d ask, ‘Pwede ba ‘kong sumama diyan?’ and I’d say ‘Sige!’”

There were no ceremonies, no grand schemes to found a new fraternity of morning warriors. They just came together and ran. Now, Run 365 has grown to around 80 members, with 40 of those currently

2015 0918 MultiSport September.indd 31

active. The family reaches far and wide, with members spanning different fields of expertise.

There are artists, there are media practitioners, there are celebrities, there’s even a politician. They come together every morning, without fail—hence, 365—to be out there chasing the high, and be better off for it.

One of the reasons you started running was to "detoxify" your lifestyle, and I assume most of the members of the group joined for the same reason. How successful has running and the group been for them overall?

Yes, exactly. Most of the members of the crew came from or works in the entertainment and creative industry. Work can be toxic and very taxing: sleepless nights, stress eating, long waiting hours, and lots of overtime. We all have something to “run” from: career changes or a turning point in life. Perfect timing

and serendipity brought the crew together. Running gave most of us a purpose, a goal, a challenge to overcome, to reach and to finish.

How does one join the group?

Just show up at 6am at the parking lot in front of Palma Hall in UP Diliman. If you like the vibe of the group and are committed to run and spread the joy of running, then you are most welcome.

How far does the group's influence reach right now?

We are all inspired by each other's enthusiasm and commitment to change, to do something most of our peers thought was impossible: to be able to live a healthy lifestyle despite being in very demanding industries. We created a group chatroom where we literally wake each other up as early as 5am every day. We check on everybody's progress—even what they're having for lunch—consistently reminding

each other to avoid this and that, sharing running tips and techniques we learned from different coaches and experiences and of course, encouraging each other not to miss a group run every day.

How did the group "graduate" into joining run competitions?

You don't really graduate from running, you just add more challenges (laughs). There are so many things you can do after you get "tired" of running; there are some who, after “graduating” from marathons, raced ultras and trails, but most of us are now into multisport.

What's next for the group now?

While many are still pursuing there running goals, we are putting together a Tri team, the TRISIXFIV. We are now training for this year’s Bohol 5150 and next year’s tri races that will culminate at Cebu's Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championships.

9/18/15 5:22 PM

B Y T H E N U M B E R S MULTISPORT BEST 70.3 TIME

CARMINA

MIMI

he Black Pearl Tri Team is, to be honest, a larger collective than the trio you see before you. Carmina Ilagan, Mimi Dizon, and fashion designer Dennis Lustico comprise a smaller relay team, part of the bigger faction, that conquered last July’s grueling Ironman 70.3 in Cebu.

Ilagan, who is the team’s designated runner, got into racing relays after suffering an unfortunate accident on the bike last year. While doing a recon ride, she suddenly blacked out and crashed; while she has been cleared to compete since after finding nothing out of the ordinary, her husband forbids her to race individually. She enlisted the help of Dizon as the designated cyclist (because Dizon stopped swimming , and Ilagan’s especially forbidden to bike) and another friend as a swimmer to join relays.

Meanwhile, Lustico, the team’s current swimmer, had zero tri and competitive swimming experience before joining. He works out in the same gym as Ilagan and Dizon, and they’d been trying to get him as a swimmer because of his lanky

3

A WEEK

SIX

TOTAL RELAY

TEAM BLACK PEARL

WITH DENNIS AS SWIMMER

7

TRAINS AN AVERAGE

BEST 70.3 TIME

HOURS A WEEK

BEST 21K RUN

2:20

5K

3:29:38 for 90 km

TEN

RELAY RACES

WORDS BY ROMEO MORAN | PHOTO BY RONAN CAPILI

T

6:51:46 RACES

DENNIS LUSTICO, MIMI DIZON, CARMINA ILAGAN

DENNIS

TEAM BLACK PEARL

ABOUT

frame. “I fell in love with the energy,” he says, explaining how he was convinced. “It was a different world altogether. A different experience.

I felt the energy in them.” Lustico replaced their original swimmer starting Safeguard 5150 in Bohol.

There is a lot of trust that keeps a relay team together, as they train their designated disciplines separately.

“I know that I don’t have to worry about being cut off,” says Dizon. “I see Carmina training. I know that Dennis is a strong swimmer, because he trains with Coach Noy Basa.”

But does a relay team have to prepare as a unit to get the job done? According to Dizon, not necessarily. “We don’t train together.

We never train together.”

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9/18/15 3:00 PM

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