Multisport: 2014 October

MULTISPORT SWIM BIKE & RUN

O C TO BE R 2014

IN THE ZONE

MATTEO GUIDICELLI SHEDS HIS CELEBRITY SKIN TO CRUSH PRECONCEPTIONS

SUPER STROKES

HOW TO SLICE THROUGH THE WATER LIKE A CHAMP

8.5x11 FP.indd 1

10/3/14 6:31 PM

MULTISPORT

C O N T E N T S OCTOber 2014

editor in chief Patrick Joson

editor at large Kaye Lopez brand and community editor Dianne Pineda managing editor Eric Nicole Salta editorial assistant Romeo Moran graphic artist Mona Tan copy editor Joy Rojas staff photographer Patrick Segovia contributors Pat Mateo | Camille Villaruel | Sainté James Tan | Dix Perez | Carmel Villongco | Pia Puno | Betsy Medalla | Nonoy Basa

02 DIG IN BEFORE YOU DIVE IN

The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, so top up before you train with the right food

04 JUST ADD WATER

executive board chairperson Alexandra Prieto-Romualdez finance advisor & treasurer J. Ferdinand De Luzuriaga legal advisor Atty. Rudyard Arbolado hr strategy head Raymund Soberano vp/chief strategy officer Imelda Alcantara svp and group sales head, inquirer group of companies Felipe Olarte group publisher Bea Ledesma creative director Niña Muallam

Everything you'll ever need for your best swim game is all here

05 LAST, BUT NOT THE LEAST

Vicky Deldio lost big in Nanjing, but she never quit even while in danger of not finishing

sales sales director Ma. Katrina Mae Garcia-Dalusong key accounts specialist Angelita Tan-Ibanez account executives Abegail Ginaga | Andie Zuñiga, Sarah Cabalatungan | Ram Daniel Tan sales support assistants Rechelle Endozo | Karen Aliasas

06 SWIM BETTER, FASTER, STRONGER

Coaches Betsy Medalla and Noy Basa reveal the secrets to a strong open-water swim

10

business development business development manager Moby Aragones business development associate Kyla Arce marketing and distribution marketing and events manager Bubbles Aguilar business manager Rina Lareza distribution, subscription and trade supervisor Vincent Paul Oliquiano marketing associate Joy Ramos marketing assistant for events Abbey Manliclic digital community associate Lex Celera marketing graphic artist Maysie Lecciones distribution assistants Nancy Baybay | Angela Carlos-Quiambao merchandisers Richard Leyva | Rosito Subang

MATTEO GUIDICELLI

Celebrated actor and all-around good guy is giving it his all in triathlon

16 DAVID MENDOZA

Keep an eye out for this freshman swimmer from Ateneo—he's ready to take on the UAAP

custom publishing associate publisher Daphne See associate managing editor Pam Brooke Casin senior project coordinator Reneè Espenilla graphic artists Aubrey Porciuncula | Roi De Castro | Tej Tan | Yayie Motos account executives Shanna Maling | Hannah Ramos | Ina Mateo editorial assistants Pristine de Leon | Pauline Miranda

PHOTO BY PAT MATEO

IT network systems engineer Ryan Verbo

EDITOR’S NOTE

hr hr director- shared services Chuchi Gracia hr assistant Reynalyn Fernandez

WHEN THE WAVES CRASH Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fall, said Confucius.

I learned how to swim because of a near-drowning incident when I was seven years old. Back then, swimming was not considered an essential life skill, but a sport for the privileged, as pools were limited then and swim coaches were expensive.

Luckily, I was able to overcome my fear of the water and learned how to swim at an early age. I had also learned to love the water and became passionate in swimming as a sport.

Our first plunge may not always be perfect. Most people will have great difficulty or even have a horrific experience. Those who respect its power and understand how the water works may be able to use it to their advantage.

Just like our cover boy Matteo Guidicelli, who talks about

his (turbulent) love affair with the water, and Vicky Deldio— our lone triathlete qualifier for the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China last August—who shares her humbling experience overseas. There's also Marina Durano, a University of the Philippines professor who overcomes her fears and anxieties by starting to do triathlons, and finally, David Mendoza, a freshman swimmer from the Ateneo de Manila University, who tells us that he was not confident when he started with the sport.

Swimming, whether as an individual sport or as part of triathlon, has grown in leaps and bounds. The number of events and the number of methods and techniques that are now available to the general public are staggering. Being a swimmer, I strongly advocate that swimming must be a mandatory skill or sport, as we are considered a maritime nation, being an archipelago composed of 7,107 islands.

Corrections: In the Gear section of our July issue, we inadvertently used a photo of the Saucony Fastwitch 6 when the review features the Type A6, while in the September issue, the photo of the DLSU Green Tracksters should have been credited to Jar Concengco.

WHERE TO FIND US

RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 27- NOVEMBER 06, 2014 HALL OF FAME: FESTIVAL MALL OLYMPIC GOLD: ROBINSONS GALLERIA OLYMPIC OUTLET: ROBINSONS FORUM OLYMPIC VILLAGE: GATEWAY • MARKET! MARKET! • SM MEGAMALL • ROBINSON'S PLACE • SM NORTH EDSA • SM SOUTHMALL • STA. LUCIA EAST • BACOLOD • CEBU • DASMARINAS • LIPA • IMUS • PAMPANGA OLYMPIC WORLD: ATC • TRINOMA FITNESS FIRST: ABS CBN • FAIRVIEW • NORTH EDSA • SOUTHMALL • FORT BONIFACIO • RCBC PLAZA • RSC MAKATI • MALL OF ASIA • PLATINUM TRINOMA • SM MEGAMALL • EASTWOOD CITY • METRO EAST • ORTIGAS • GREENHILLS • ALABANG • MANILA GFORCE: BONIFACIO HIGH STREET • SM MEGAMALL

production production manager Noel Cabie final art supervisor Dennis Cruz production assistant Maricel Gavino final art assistant JR Larosa

• NEWPORT • PASEO GREENFIELDS STA ROSA • ROCKWELL • SM MALL OF ASIA • TRINOMA TIO2: GREENBELT RECREATIONAL OUTDOOR EXCHANGE: BONIFACIO HIGH STREET • MARQUE MALL RUNNR PLANET SPORTS: ALABANG TOWN CENTER • GLORIETTA 3 • POWERPLANT MALL • ROBINSONS METROEAST • TRINOMA • VMALL THE ATHLETE'S FOOT: ALABANG TOWN CENTER • GLORIETTA 3 • ROBINSONS GALLERIA • ROBINSONS PLACE • STA LUCIA EAST GRANDMALL SPORTS WAREHOUSE: CLUB 650 • MARKET! MARKET! TOBY'S SPORTS: SHANGRILA PLAZA • SM MEGAMALL • ROBINSONS GALLERIA • ROBINSONS METROEAST • SM THE BLOCK • SM FAIRVIEW • PARKSQUARE 1 • SM MALL OF ASIA • TRINOMA • GLORIETTA 4 • SM MARIKINA • GREENHILLS SHOPPING CENTER

finance & admin finance & admin manager Maria Cecilia Balitaan admin assistant Nathalie Presillas general accountant Renato Ramirez collection assistant Rosalie Cataneo billing analyst Marilyn Galvan | Cris Gutierrez accounting assistant Zosimo Lim messenger/collector Ramonito Dumayaca

ALL CONTENTS COPYRIGHT 2014, RESERVED FOR HINGE INQUIRER PUBLICATIONS, INC. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced in whole or in part, without the express written permission of HINGE INQUIRER PUBLICATIONS. The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of HINGE INQUIRER PUBLICATIONS. Mail correspondence to Multisport Philippines, 4/F Media Resource Plaza Mola St. corner Pasong Tirad, Brgy. La Paz, Makati City. For comments, feedback, and advertising inquiries, contact: (632) 403-8825 Email: multisportphilippines@gmail.com, multisport@hip.ph

Patrick Joson editor in chief

multisportphilippines@gmail.com

THE BRICK MULTISPORT STORE ALL TERRA BIKESHOP: LIBIS • ORTIGAS BIKE KING CELEBRITY SPORTS CLUB MANILA POLO CLUB BIKE ZILLA BOC CYCLE MART CHRISTY'S BIKESHOP CLUB 650 GRANTRAIL CYCLES: ALABANG • MAKATI JOVEN ENTERPRISES LIFECYCLE: GREENHILLS • MAKATI NEW PAULINA'S CYCLE CENTER SABAK: ALABANG • MAKATI • STA ROSA A RUNNER'S CIRCLE SECOND WIND RUNNING STORE: QC • ORTIGAS THE BIKE ROOM VELO CITY BIKE SHOP

STARTING LINE THE VILLAGE SPORTS CLUB IRON BIKE L TIMESTUDIO: ROBINSONS ERMITA • FESTIVAL MALL • MARKET! MARKET! • THE PODIUM • SM SAN LAZARO • SM THE BLOCK • SM MOA • SM MARIKINA • SM SOUTHMALL • GREENBELT 1 TIMEGEAR: SM MOA • TRINOMA EXECUTIVE OPTICAL: ETON CENTRIS • EVER GOTESCO GRAND CENTRAL • PUREGOLD CUBAO ARANETA • SM FAIRVIEW • SM MANILA • SM MEGAMALL • SM NORTH EDSA • SM NOVALICHES • SM SAN LAZARO • VIRRA MALL SEEN BY EO: SM NORTH EDSA - THE BLOCK ACTIVE EYE BY EO: SM NORTH EDSA - ANNEX • SM CITY FAIRVIEW ADIDAS KIOSK: TRINOMA MALL EXECUTIVE OPTICAL: FESTIVAL MALL • GLORIETTA 3 • METROPOINT • SM BICUTAN • SM MALL OF ASIA • SM MUNTINLUPA • SM PAMPLONA • SM SOUTHMALL • SM SUCAT A (MAIN) EO EYESTYLES: MARKET MARKET

N U T R I T I O N MULTISPORT

DIG IN BEFORE YOU DIVE IN ARE YOU SWIMMING EASY—OR INTENSE? EITHER WAY, COACH KAYE LOPEZ KNOWS EXACTLY HOW TO FUEL YOU FOR THE POOL minutes before a swim

6:00 AM session

to

6:00 PM

minutes before a high-intensity swim session

[ 90 [ [ minutes before a long

to

minutes swim session

over

15 20 to

to

[

minutes before a

30-60

minute swim

2

Energy gel

1

+

1

+

1

+

Two lightly salted rice cakes or an English muffin (sliced in two) + 1/2 tbsp of peanut butter + 3 oz flavored nonfat Greek yogurt

1

Two light rye crackers + a tbsp of peanut (or other nut) butter + a tbsp of honey + egg white

22

A cup of skim milk + 1/2 cup of Cheerios cereal

+ 2 OR

8 oz coffee or tea

@multisportph

Banapple Smoothie (1/2 cup sliced apples + 1/2 cup sliced bananas + a tbsp of honey + 1/2 cup skim milk and/or 10 grams soy or whey protein powder mixed together in a blender)

+

12 to 16 oz fluids with an optional electrolyte pill or 8 oz coffee or tea

Contains 4:1 ratio of carbs to protein (30-50g of carbs + 8-13g of protein). Low-fiber, low-volume, carbohydratedense foods that are easy to digest reduce GI distress, top up your liver glycogen, keep you hydrated, and aid in muscle recovery.

+

8 to 12 oz water or 8 oz coffee or tea

Contains 15-30g of carbs and 5-10g protein. Provide proper refueling from days or weeks of intense training and in preparation for upcoming workouts. Can reduce overeating later in the day.

WHY?

multisportphilippines

Contains 30 g of carbs and 10g of protein. Easy and portable snack you can eat on the go with a 3:1 ratio of carbs and protein. Avoid highfat and high-fiber foods 90 minutes before, and feeling stuffed four hours before a hard workout.

4 dates (or 1/3 cup dried fruit) + 4 oz cottage cheese (or 5.3 oz nonfat Greek yogurt)

WHY?

02

5.3 oz flavored nonfat Greek yogurt + a cup of grapes

WHY?

WHY?

Contains 15-30g of high glycemic carbs and 8-12 oz of water. Easy to eat and digest when time before training is limited. May prevent overeating the rest of the day, improve early morning mood, and hydration may help minimize leg cramps in the pool.

+

1/2 cup unshelled edamame + 1/2 cup cooked quinoa

ILLUSTRATIONS BY SAINTÉ JAMES TAN

easy recovery session

8.5x11 FP.indd 1

10/10/14 10:46 AM

G E A R MULTISPORT

JUST ADD WATER THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SWIMWEAR AND GEAR YOU WILL EVER NEED

AQUA SPHERE SWIM FIN, P1,750

ARENA COMPETITION GOGGLES AQUAFORCE P1,295 “It fits perfectly and doesn't need to be broken in. It has great vision and there are no leaks when I'm using it.”

— Getty Reyes, ADMU men’s swimming team & Ayala Harpoons

OGIO ENDURANCE 9.0 BAG, P8,700

SPEEDO THINSWIM PRO MALE FULL SUIT, P13,888, "The unique design underneath the forearm allows better grip on the water and helps with propulsion unlike other suits" — Anthony Lozada, swim coach

SPEEDO AQUAPURE MIRROR, P1,249 "It's leak-proof and fits comfortably around the eye-socket minus the goggle marks after training. The special Speedo 3D design also allows panoramic distortion-free vision.

It's like a smaller version of the Rift-Pro" — AL

04

multisportphilippines

ARENA HALF SPAT AQUAFORCE FUSION, P6,495 “The jammers have a great snug fit, although you need to break it in for about 400m before you're good to go. It has amazing water repellency, which makes it very hydrodynamic. It is also durable because of its construction.”

— Robby Agustin, DLSU men’s swimming team AQUA SPHERE KAIMAN EXO, P1,400

@multisportph

ARENA BOX SHORTS, P4,495 SPEEDO HYDRO BELT, P2,488 "Perfect for my students who are still learning the fundamentals of the different strokes because it prevents their hips from sinking. It allows them to move freely on the water’s surface without disrupting movements and speeds up the learning curve" — AL

PHOTOS BY DIX PEREZ | GROOMING BY CARMEL VILLONGCO | MODEL: GARRETT OF IM AGENCY | PRODUCT PHOTOS BY PATRICK SEGOVIA

AQUA SPHERE ENERGIZE COMPRESSION TRAINING SUIT, P4,900 "It feels like the suit is reducing drag and makes me feel like I am weightless.

It does not scratch or chafe the skin. The best part is the quick drying, and the leg grip feature keeps the suit fit and secure."— Samiy and Tara Borlain, young triathletes

MULTISPORT F E AT U R E

LAST, BUT NOT THE LEAST A DISAPPOINTING FINISH AT THE YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES PUSHES VICKY DELDIO TO MOVE ON, TRAIN HARD, AND DO BETTER IN HER NEXT TRIATHLON Words by Romeo Moran | Photo by Pia Puno To be perfectly honest, Vicky Deldio didn’t win.

She lost, and lost badly. Coming in 32nd out of 33 participants at the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Nanjing, China, the lone Philippine representative was the last to cross the finish line because the 33rd competitor didn't even show up.

But the 16-year-old triathlete from Olongapo City persevered despite being able to quit (she was so far behind that had the lead pack passed her again, she wouldn’t have been allowed to finish the race). She blames her swimming, her weakest of the three disciplines, for her lackluster performance.

“Before kami magpunta doon, nakukuha ko 'yung time ko sa swim na below 11:13. Ang time ko doon is 13 [minutes], kaya po naging pangit 'yung nangyari,” says the soft-spoken Deldio, a freshman at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, and a varsity scholar for the school’s track team.

Deldio, who qualified for Nanjing by finishing in the top five of a race in Kazakhstan, came to

QUICK SWIM FIXES A remedy for every swimming weakness, as prescribed by Coach Anthony Lozada

the YOG prepared: She put in double the effort with her coach Anthony Lozada to make up for her swimming. It just so happened that she lost her composure. “ Masyado po akong kinabahan,” recalls Deldio. “ Inisip ko siya talaga, parang second major race ko po siya ng sprint distance, kasi po before, mini-sprint pa lang siya.

Para pong medyo na -intimidate ako sa kanilang lahat, kahit na nag -prepare po talaga ako sa game.

In -expect ko talaga doon na magto top 20 man lang .”

Despite the loss, Deldio understands that the only way to deal with it is to move on, train hard, and do better next time. Her next target is to keep up with the lead pack at this year’s Hong Kong ASTC Triathlon Asian Cup, if not win a medal there.

She should be able to, with the heart she’s got. Here’s how the Nanjing race ended: Trailing far behind, Deldio, tired and aching, pushed and pedaled all the way to finish the lap.

She was the last to cross the finish line—but you wouldn’t know it from the way the crowd cheered her on.

Cardio: Aerobic Zone sets that test you on how long you can keep correct form. For beginners, a main set of 12-20x25m at moderate effort with rest of 20-30 secs, and 12-20x50m or 10-15x100m with rest of 10-20 secs for advanced athletes. Rest intervals should not allow full recovery; otherwise, you won't build up stamina and endurance.

Lack of thrusting power: I suggest a main set of aerobic kicking of 8-12x25m with a rest interval of 30-40secs, and for the advanced 10-15x50m-100m rest interval=1520secs. Short bladed swim fins may also be used.

Improper swim posture: Swimming with a hydrobelt or a pullbuoy will help lift the lower body. But this has to be supervised by a stroke technician because it might also lead to back problems if not done properly.

multisportphilippines

@multisportph

05

T R A I N I N G MULTISPORT

SWIM BETTER, FASTER, SMARTER

TOP COACHES BETSY MEDALLA AND NONOY BASA REVEAL THE SECRETS TO GAINING THE UPPER HAND IN THE WATER Photo by Dix Perez

SWIM SMARTER WITH SCIENCE As soon as you get moving, whether you’re in or out of the water, there are forces already working to slow you down. In the water, the fluid forces fighting your movement are known collectively as drag. Think of yourself punching a hole through the water.

The strongest force resisting your forward progression is pressure drag (or form drag). As you push on the water, the water pushes back.

Another fluid force comes into play when you start swimming.

When you push off a wall or start moving, you create a wave of water in front of you. This is called

wave drag and it adds to the pressure pushing you backward.

The good news is reduction of drag requires skill—not force. To be clear, conditioning and fitness are still essential to swimming fast.

However for most age-groupers without a childhood background in swimming, the progression should be technique first, then fitness, then speed. Working on swim fitness without good technique only makes your bad habits more permanent. As for speed without good technique, power can only take you so far before you burn out your matches.

MAKE THE MOST OF THE FIRST LEG The swim leg makes up about two percent of the total race distance; thus, a sensible strategy is to get off the water fresh and have sufficient energy for longer distances on the bike and run. For the more advanced and competitive triathletes, the plan is to attain a target swim split and/ or maintain a competitive position while still having sufficient energy for a strong bike and run. Regardless of your level, it is critical to prioritize efficiency in the swim to bring out the best biker or runner in you.

A proper swim technique is usually an efficient one. It is relaxed,

graceful, less turbulent, and may seem slow due to a lower stroke turnover rate in relation to others. An efficient stroke also equals a more pleasurable swim.

It is practiced deliberately and consistently, with the objective of having the right movements imprinted onto muscle memory.

Therefore, a breakdown in form is less likely to occur when race fatigue sets in—the first stroke will look exactly like the last. Working on an efficient swim technique eventually begets speed, but working on speed first doesn’t make you any more efficient.

Betsy Medalla, swim stroke analysis coach, owner and operator of Justaddwaterph.blogspot.com

Nonoy Basa, swim coach, triathlete, and founder of Streamline Sports Instruction

FOUR TIPS TO REDUCE DRAG

THREE KEY POINTS TO A MORE EFFICIENT SWIM TECHNIQUE

1 2

Imagine yourself swimming through a tube. Streamline.

Reduce upward and downward exposures outside of the tube. Don’t raise your head and chest too high; don’t let your legs sink at the back.

06

multisportphilippines

3

Reduce lateral exposures outside of the tube.

Don’t squirm or curve your body, don’t allow your kick to scissor or splay out.

Avoid vertical motions during the swim, like a body or head that bobs up and down. They add to wave drag.

4

@multisportph

1

Learn to relax in the water.

Tense muscles are less buoyant. A steady, relaxed breathing rhythm goes a long way in improving comfort and buoyancy in the water.

Reduce drag. Keep your head down and pierce downward with your hand entry to maintain

2

a horizontal, downhill body position. Lessen your knee bend for a compact kick.

Stay long. Engineer your body to be shaped like a long vessel by practicing a coordinated timing—the entering hand should coincide with the pulling arm instead of a windmill-like stroke.

3

MULTISPORT S P E C I A L F E AT U R E

ON THE POWER TRAIL PACE YOURSELF TO A NEW PERSONAL BEST WITH TEAM GOTTA AT THE POWER RUN 2014 Illustration by Boizei Malicdem

Numbers, facts, gear— we've got everything you need to know so you can lace up for your toughest personal challenge yet. Together with the super inspiring and extraordinary heroes of Team Gotta, we're bringing you the adventure that awaits, crafted down to the smallest details.

PLUS: PLUS: WHO'S GOING TO BE THERE WHAT'S INSIDE THE RACE KIT WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT A PEEK AT THE SHINIEST SHOES IN TOWN

multisportphilippines

@multisportph

07

NBinfo1send.pdf

08

1

10/21/14

4:33 PM

multisportphilippines

@multisportph

MULTISPORT S P E C I A L F E AT U R E

multisportphilippines

@multisportph

09

C O V E R S TO R Y MULTISPORT

UNSINKABLE

HE LOATHED RUNNING AND BIKING AND NEARLY DROWNED ON A SWIM. BUT SOMEHERE ALONG THE WAY, TRIATHLON STARTED TO MAKE SENSE TO MATTEO GUIDICELLI. NOW HE'S GIVING IT HIS ALL, TRAINING FOR THE LOVE OF THE SPORT AND THE FRIENDSHIPS HE'S GAINED IN THIS GROWING COMMUNITY Words by Romeo Moran | Photos by Pat Mateo | Grooming by Camille Villaruel

10

multisportphilippines

@multisportph

SHOT AT CAMAYAN BEACH RESORT AND HOTEL | CAMAYAN WHARF, WEST ILANIN FOREST AREA, SUBIC BAY FREEPORT ZONE | +6347 252-8000 | CAMAYANBEACHRESORT.COM SPECIAL THANKS TO ROSE LILA, ROMMEL CAMPO, CRIS NAVARRO, AND MAQUIE RAQUIZA

“I

want to get in the water! I want to get wet!”

Matteo Guidicelli is pretending to act like an overly excited little boy in our holding room, eager to jump into the sea as soon as the shoot starts. It’s only fair; it’s what we promised him today, a day that’s been a month in the making. We’ve had to deal with having to sync up with Guidicelli’s busy schedule, hunting for different locations, and a freak tropical storm that wrecked our original plans. But it’s all right. It’s on now. We finally have everything in order. And much to our surprise, Guidicelli seems to be really, really happy to be doing this.

A CHANGE OF COURSE The truth is, this wasn’t always the plan.

Had things gone differently, Gianmatteo Vittorio Fernan Guidicelli would not be here with us at this beach, shooting a cover for a triathlon magazine. In a past life, he was a promising go-karter, racing since he was 11 and bagging the country’s Karter of the Year award three times.

That Matteo Guidicelli, the young Filipino-Italian boy who spent most of his time behind the wheel of a go-kart, wanted to be the first-ever Filipino Formula One driver.

Things change, though, and they change all the time. Guidicelli’s passion changed, and so did his “destiny in life,” he says jokingly.

The young go-karter grew up, went to college in the US, and somehow ended up in Philippine showbiz.

He let go of the wheel, but always stayed around sports.

Ironically, while Guidicelli always fancied himself a sporty kind of guy, two of the three components of triathlon were the sports he loathed. He did not care much for biking, and he hated running because he thought it a grueling chore pounding the pavement for God knows how long and how far.

He only got into triathlon on the urging of his father, Gianluca.

“I was working again, and my parents came back from the States.

My dad was overweight; he was 240 or 250 pounds. A friend, Noy

Jopson (the elite Filipino triathlete who was Guidicelli’s sports agent back in his karting days, and appeared with him on the cover of MultiSport in August 2012—ed.) influenced Papa to do triathlon.

So he started doing triathlon, and every month he was losing weight.

He was losing so much weight without dieting. He was like a big polar bear before, and now he looks like a jaguar,” jokes Guidicelli.

One day, his father tries to sell him the idea of doing triathlon for his own benefit. “And I was like, 'Why in the world would I run, swim, and bike?'” recounts Guidicelli. “I don’t like running, I don’t like biking, but he said, ‘Matteo, try, just try!’

So he brought me to The Brick, Noy and Leroy [Enriquez’s] shop at McKinley Hill. We went to The Brick

Guidicelli floated on his back and held on for dear life. “I was praying to the Lord, saying my goodbyes and all that stuff!”

Though he panicked, he never once thought of giving up and pulling himself out of the water. It was pride, but it was also, shall we say, testicular fortitude. Slowly, he followed a lifeguard (who was also helping out another lady) back to shore. He managed to move on to the bike and run legs, but strolled through them.

Needless to say, that race was an eye-opener. After that dreadful performance, Guidicelli started taking it more seriously. He gave all of himself to the sport for the first few months, training hard, going at it twice a day, many times a week to the point of overtraining

He compares that initial excitement of starting triathlon to the honeymoon stage of a new relationship. “It’s like when you’re in love; the first few months, that’s when you give it your all, ‘di ba?” and he got me this Scott road bike and we biked around Alabang and I couldn’t keep up with my dad.” To him, that fateful ride didn’t make him realize that his dad was in shape; rather, it revealed just how out of shape he was.

So Guidicelli decided to give it a shot. After a few weeks and with pretty much no training, he joined the sprint category of a triathlon held in Naga, Cebu. The swim leg—which, at 500 meters, was something he thought he could handle, since he had some swimming experience, and it was the one part he was okay with— went downhill really fast. By the time he reached the halfway point, a Spongebob balloon that marked the U-turn for the swimmers, he was completely gassed out.

and exhausting himself. He compares that initial excitement to the honeymoon stage of a new relationship. “It’s like when you’re in love,” he explains, “the first few months, that’s when you give it your all, di ‘ba?”

But all of it—that race, that neardrowning experience, that first push into the sport—changed his life, and he’d be the first person to tell you that.

NOT THE MATTEO YOU KNOW It seems like Guidicelli is the most alive person at this shoot. He knows what to do, how to pose, how to run, how to swim to get the shots that we want. But it’s clear that he isn’t taking any of this seriously.

It’s not because he’s shrugging all this off as light work, but

because that’s just the way he is.

For him, this is a day off away from his rigorous showbiz schedule, a different life that sometimes gets in the way of triathlon. Due to his many commitments this year, he was only able to do Ironman 70.3 Cebu and Safeguard 5150, and he says he wasn’t even able to do them well.

While it bothers him at times that he has to set aside his triathlon life for his real life, he’s all right with it.

He has a very grounded mentality when it comes to this, and he's accepted the fact that he is in showbiz first, triathlon second.

“My dad sometimes gets so passionate with the sport that he tries to take it so seriously,” says Guidicelli. “I have to remind him, ‘Yo, listen, why are we doing triathlon? It’s because we love the community, we love the friendship, and we love the sport.

We’re not pros, this is not what we do, this is not our number one priority in life. We still have work, we still have other things.’”

Are there any preconceived notions when it comes to showbiz people-turned-athletes? No, he says, everyone in the triathlon community is open, warm, and welcoming, and he doesn’t have to be the Matteo Guidicelli during race weekend.

“When I’m there,” he explains, “I’m not an actor, I’m not Matteo in showbiz. I don’t see myself as somebody in showbiz. I’m just a normal guy who loves triathlon and wants to be part of the community.”

Just Keep Swimming A lot has happened since that first race in Cebu.

To get over that experience, to make sure it wouldn’t happen to him again, Guidicelli started swimming all the time. He would swim three to four times a week, more in the open water to get used to the turbulence of the sea. When he was in Zambales taping his soap Paraiso, he would wake up early just to swim. Now he embraces the fact that he's going to get elbowed and kicked in the water no matter what he does. He's learned to just blast off when the gun fires and deal with what comes.

multisportphilippines

@multisportph

11

C O V E R S TO R Y MULTISPORT

Nothing like that neardrowning experience happened again, but he jokingly says that he continues to pray during every race. “Every race is a scary race for me,” he says. “This is weird, but I feel like it’s the last race. Especially the swim— it’s frightening, the swim’s frightening. When you feel all that pain creeping into your body and stuff, the only [one] I’m talking to is the Lord. ‘Please, Lord, let me finish this race.

Please give me the strength to finish this race!’ Kasi it’s scary, it’s not easy, di ‘ba? Especially whenyou’re undertrained.”

Even with that fear in his mind, he still tries to enjoy every race.

He admits he’s slacked off this year, but he loves the community

12

multisportphilippines

While it bothers him at times that he has to set aside his triathlon life for his real life, he’s all right with it.

He has a very grounded mentality when it comes to this, accepting the fact that he is in showbiz first and in triathlon second. and the sport that much to get back in the saddle better than ever. He’s been everywhere— he’s joined races up and down the country, and he’s even done

@multisportph

Ironman in Kona before Cebu. He’s starting a team next year with his friends. 2015 is going to be a big year for Matteo Guidicelli.

Despite whatever feelings of

hype you might get from this, Guidicelli will insist that it’s all in the name of fun and staying sane in his non-stop, crazy world.

“I’m not a pro. I’m just an agegrouper who enjoys doing it. This is not my full-time job, so I adjust to my schedule. So if you can’t be number one, if you can’t be in the Top 3—well, you don’t train every day or whatever, so you just do what you can do, ‘di ba .

Respect your body, respect your time, and just enjoy the race. It’s a good outlet outside of showbiz.

It keeps you sane, it keeps you normal, it gets out all your stress.

It’s important; you can’t always live your job. That can’t be your whole life. Do something cool, something you really love.”

Got it, Matteo.

MULTISPORT T R A I L S

TOUGH ON LAND AND WATER

A FEAR OF OPEN WATER HASN'T STOPPED COLLEGE PROFESSOR MARINA DURANO FROM TAKING ON NEW GOALS

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARINA DURANO AND SUNRISE EVENTS INC. (SAFEGUARD ACTIVE 5150)

Interview by Romeo Moran

What made you decide to take on Safeguard 5150? I was on the bike leg of a relay team in last year's Safeguard 5150. This year's race was originally planned for Clark— that would have been easier for a newbie like me—but, well, I took on Subic and survived.

What were your specific preparations for the event?

Preparation for me isn't just about building strength and endurance, it's also about overcoming fear and anxiety.

I signed up for coaching with Kaye Lopez and Fit+ Academy. I had serious issues with swimming. For the first few sessions, I couldn't swim across the 50-meter length unless I was in the lane next to the pool's edge. In another session, the other triathletes kept hitting me or passing very close to me, I would lose my rhythm and hold on to the pool's edge.

How were you able to overcome that fear of swimming? I'm not sure that I've overcome that fear. I think I'm holding on to the knowledge that I've learned new skills; that my training clearly shows that I can do the full distance.

What's the story of you getting into triathlon? A couple of years ago, I realized I was overweight.

I decided to make some lifestyle changes that included reducing sources of stress, changing my diet, and improving physical fitness. The latter two meant seeing a nutritionist and having a regular workout. It was the trainers at Fitness First RCBC who suggested I try the Ateneo Aquathlon after they found out I started joining 10K road races. This was followed by another aquathlon, a duathlon, and a few other road races. Over a year later, I decided to give the standard distance triathlon serious consideration.

How was your performance overall?

I survived, though just barely. I missed the swim leg cutoff by 2:10, so I was able to continue on with a strong bike leg and a steady run.

Here are my race results: 04:01:15 (total), 00:57:50 (swim), 01:36:37 (bike), 01:16:11 (run) The emcee for some reason kept track of me and the other girl (Joy) kasi nga we almost didn't make it. He would relay to the racers who had already finished that I was making progress in a positive way. In the end, there were 10 others (I think) who finished after me. O, di ba?! (laughs). I almost got cramps on my left calf with 8km to go on the bike and then threats again of cramps on my right quad with 5km or 6km to go on the run leg. I mean with 4km to go, I really wanted to cry but I stopped myself because I was too embarrassed to cry in front of the marshal on his bike who kept me company until the run's final kilometer. I tell you, that was a full-on first triathlon experience. Naging famous pa tuloy ako.

How was your swim? Did you get through it fine? Well, as you can see, I survived! It's not just my friends but the organizers and the marshals were also helpful. During the swim, I was singing and checking where I was and holding on and moving forward meter by meter, orange buoy to orange buoy, big yellow cone to big yellow cone. On the home stretch it was getting tight.

The marshal in a kayak who was right there beside me as I swam was a calming presence. That helped me do relatively long stretches of swims, maybe 300 meters at a time.

Then finally he had to say, "Ma'am, 14 minutes na lang until cut-off.

Kaya mo iyan. Malapit ka na. 200 meters na lang." Good grief, that was such a huge struggle of swimming to make the cut-off, not giving up, and getting slashed by corals. You should see my war wounds.

BOHOL FAVORS THE BRAVE Pros and notable triathletes conquered the 2014 Safeguard Active 5150 Josh Amberger and Michael Murphy

Matteo Guidicelli

Men's champion Josh Amberger

Women's champion Ashleigh Gentle

Team Gotta

Eric Watson finishes second

multisportphilippines

@multisportph

13

F E AT U R E MULTISPORT

PURE HEROINE HERO Foundation’s Director for Marketing and Resource MobilizationMichelle Chan on the partnership with CSM

What impact will CSM have on HERO Foundation?

Every step each CSM 2015 runner makes will impact the lives of 700 scholars of HERO Foundation today. Every stride means there will be people who will see to it that each military orphan will get the chance to continue his or her education. It symbolizes continuity that the legacy and the fight and death of their father/soldier heroes will not go in vain. Through this event, CSM will be able to send 125 high school scholars to school for the next school year. Likewise, Run for a HERO will also promote and give honor and recognition to the sacrifices of our mighty Filipino soldiers for keeping our country and people safe, and for businesses to flourish and help boost our economy.

2

RUN FOR A HERO

WITH THE AIM TO RAISE MONEY FOR HEROES, CONDURA SKYWAY MARATHON RETURNS WITH A VENGEANCE IN 2015, AND RECEIVES A HERO'S WELCOME FROM THE AVID RUNNING COMMUNITY What keeps motivating you to organize Condura Skyway Marathon?

Ton Concepcion: The idea for the Condura Skyway Marathon (CSM) was born with the idea that running can make our country a better place.

For 2015, we are raising P1 million for HERO Foundation. To give an opportunity for thousands of people to make our country a better place literally one step at a time through running is our greatest motivator.

How has the response been so far for the 2015 event?

TC: The response has been enormous in particular with the 42K category.

This will be the biggest marathon event in the country and for the first time, the number of participants in the full marathon will exceed that of the half marathon. For 2015, we expect 15,000 runners with a sharp rise in international participants.

14

multisportphilippines

Why did you decide to tie up with HERO Foundation?

Patrick Concepcion: We always believe in running for a cause. For 2015, we have, as beneficiary, the HERO Foundation. Filipino soldiers have sacrificed their lives to protect us. It is our moral duty then to ensure the families they have left behind are taken care of.

What's the toughest thing about organizing CSM Run for a Hero?

TC: To realize the vision of being the premier event of the Philippines, you always have to set the bar higher with the hundreds of details that go into organizing the event. Details such as how do you get 2,000 people on the Skyway to set up 25 hydration stations with thousands of liters of water and 15 medical crew with only a four-hour window before the race

@multisportph

starts? Making sure that we have a solid-proof plan and ensuring that it is implemented by hundreds of team members can be very challenging. That is why I never ran a Condura because I am always busy organizing and making sure that the plan is implemented. And yes, this means even if I have to direct traffic on the race course using a Yellow Vespa I borrowed from a friend.

Charities seem to have taken over the sport of running. How important is it for major races to have that element?

PC: We think it is an essential part in races as it should motivate not only the race organizers to give a good race but to encourage runners to participate and run, not only for themselves, but more so for a cause.

Do you see events like this playing a larger role in supporting foundations like HERO? Yes, absolutely! These kinds of events allow small or unknown organizations to spread their advocacies and get more people to support them. There are many great foundations out there with wonderful causes helping people and the environment but they're not known to many. We hope that CSM will continue to do its share in educating and inspiring the public through its run for nation building.

The Condura Skyway Marathon: Run for a Hero 2015 is scheduled on February 1, 2015 in Filinvest City, Alabang. Runners may register online using credit cards or by buying prepaid cards at participating Asics shops, then log on to conduramarathon.com.

Registration until October 15.

1. Asics Greenbelt 3 2. Asics Two Parkade, Bonifacio High Street Central 3. Asics Trinoma 4. Asics Fairview 5. Asics Ayala Cebu 6. Asics Centrio, Cagayan de Oro 7. Asics Solenad, Sta. Rosa, Laguna

INTERVIEW BY ERIC NICOLE SALTA | PHOTO COURTESY OF BEN CHAN

1

GOT YOUR BACK Here’s a pack that can keep up with your lifestyle Being always on the move, it won’t do to misplace things. Scouring bags and pockets for items takes away time and focus that could have been allotted for other activities. So when you’re on the go, it’s better to have all your gear in one place--one bag that will keep all your things secure as you embark on your action-sport adventures.

The Oakley Lunch Box is the perfect companion for your action-packed pursuits. It has a molded cooler compartment that lets you bring ice along, keeping it cool for up to eight hours. Its Red Code straps and padded side-access panel keeps both your shoulders and your gadgets protected, while its interior organizer panel and exterior mesh pockets help in keeping all

MULTISPORT S P E C I A L F E AT U R E

your belongings in order. The Lunch Box also comes with a molded optic pocket that will safely hold your eyewear.

The ease of access, security, and organization that the Oakley Lunch Box provides makes it an ideal pack for the well-equipped athlete.

Available at: GForce Alabang Town Center; GForce Ayala Cebu; GForce Bonifacio High Street; GForce CDO; GForce Harbor Point; GForce MOA; GForce Newport; GForce North Point Ayala Bacolod; GForce Shangri-La; GForce SM Cebu, GForce Trinoma; Oakley Store Century Mall; Oakley Store Greenbelt 3; Oakley Store SM Aura; Olympic Village ATC; Olympic Village Cebu; Olympic Village Ermita; Olympic Village Festival; Olympic Village North EDSA; Royal Sporting House Ermita

MULTISPORT E V E N T S runs, hill running, and Fartlek training, a Swedish form of run training that mixes both intense interval training and grueling endurance training.

She also provided a sample 16-week workout plan the participants could follow. Afterward, she led the runners on two application runs around the High Street area.

01

MULTISPORT 101 CAMP: RUNNING

ICOLE SALTA | PHOTO COURTESY OF BEN CHAN

The MultiSport 101 Camp returned from a brief hiatus last month to present its second running leg of the year, with a brand new twist: this time, it’s all about night running.

102

Around a hundred participants braved the rains and converged at the Bonifacio High Street Activity Center on the evening of September 18—a Thursday, another first for MultiSport 101—for the intermediate night

2014 1008 8.5x11 FP.indd OAKLEY 1 ADVERT.indd 3

running session led by MultiSport editor at large, Coach Kaye Lopez.

In her lecture, Coach Kaye touched on what it means to be an intermediate runner and how to train like one. The main message of her lecture was that if you want to advance in your running, you have to step up your game, ramp up your training, and move away from your comfort zone.

Coach Kaye recommended doing long

02

Stay tuned for details on the next and last leg of this year’s MultiSport 101 series. Follow us on Facebook at MultiSport Philippines as well as Twitter and Instagram at @multisportph.

03

The MultiSport 101 Camp is made possible by partners Asics, Mueller, Dan’s, GoPro, Lifeline Ambulance Rescue, and venue partners Bonifacio Global City and Bonifacio High Street Activity Center.

04 01 It seemed like the rain would spoil everyone's fun, but the wet, slippery road did not stop participants from running and applying what they learned from Coach Kaye that night.

02 Participants of all ages wanted to learn how to take their running to the next level.

03 It was as though the rain even added to the runners' enjoyment of the event.

04 No warm-up routine is complete without proper stretching.

10/13/14 4:43 10/14/14 5:09 PM

B Y T H E N U M B E R S MULTISPORT

DAVID MENDOZA, 17 Photo by Dix Perez

A

“

But even if Mendoza is a late bloomer by the sport’s standards, the magnetic upstart seems to have naturally adjusted to college swimming, exhibiting his strengths alongside some of the country's best swimmers. He's a good sprinter at freestyle and butterfly and also does well at middle-distance and long-distance freestyle.

Swimming has also afforded him more than just what’s on the surface. “It gave me a community where I belong,” he says. While it’s a safe bet that the photogenic Mendoza will be making waves in the years to come, the promising swimmer may even consider a triathlon comeback in the cards. “I actually tried to sign up for a swim leg for a relay team in last year’s Ironman 70.3 in Cebu but was told that I was underage. I think when I have more time to train for the bike and run leg I would give triathlon another try.”—Eric Nicole Salta

t first, I didn’t want to swim because I was selfconscious of my weight,” admits David Mendoza.

“It was only when I was training for my first triathlon (STK) at age 11 that I realized swimming wasn’t that bad.” The Ateneo de Manila University freshman and Alabang Gators team member, whose inclination to the water only became apparent when he would finish in the Top 5 of triathlon swim legs, thrives on overcoming challenges. Be it committing to a daily training regimen on top of balancing academics to getting over his body image issues, Mendoza surpasses expectations. “No, not at all,” he says when asked if there was any kind of pressure on him, “My parents supported me with my goals and encouraged me to pursue whatever makes me happy.” And they continue to do so, attending his races and recording his swims without piling on pressure or getting caught up in the complexities of a parent-child athlete relationship.

76TH UAAP

Started competing

LOGS IN

@THIRTEEN 4-6ka day 30k a week

28.25

4

National Long Course Swimming Championships

100m butterfly

50m freestyle

02:09:27

freestyle relay

50m

100m butterfly

freestyle

16

multisportphilippines

@multisportph

100m

freestyle

ACHIEVEMENTS freestyle

2013 G-LEAGUE NATIONAL LONG COURSE CHAMPIONSHIP

200m freestyle

2011-2014

100m

BEST TIMES

400m

50m butterfly

75TH UAAP 400m

01:02.63

100m freestyle

ALABANG GATORS 2013

400 meter

400 meter

freestyle relay

medley relay

1500m 400m 100m freestyle

50m

freestyle

50m

butterfly

2012 - 2013 De La Salle Zobel Outstanding Athlete Award

2013 - 2014

8.5x11 FP.indd 1

10/21/14 5:32 PM

8.5x11 FP.indd 1

9/22/14 10:44 AM