Two Sundays ago, I became a Duaman!
Joining a dua event was Step 2 in my road to being a triathlete.
I got into running last year. This year, I decided to take it up a notch by aspiring to become a triathlete.
Per my coach/friend Mike's expert opinion, it goes Step 1- run, Step 2 - bike, Step 3- swim. So I joined him and another friend, Jeriel, on rides using my Kuya's bike.
After getting into it, and after much bullying, I finally bought a bike of my own. <3
Sometime in March, Mike heard about SBR's Duaman event on May 22. 6krun, 20k bike, 3k run. By that time, I already went as far as 40k during rides. Also, I've run as far as 21k. So, I thought I'd give it a shot.
Because I was such a noob, and Mike was super bibo, we registered as early birds for only Php1,500 (regular rate was Php2,000). For that price, we'd get a finisher shirt, medal, bibs and stickers, a GPS thingy, and food. :D
Unfortunately, I couldn't get my butt to train regularly before the event. Nevertheless, I still attended.
I was so excited and got to the venue at around 4:30am. By that time, a few people were already registering.
As opposed to plain running events, where kits are distributed in advance, multi-sport events usually give out kits on race day. I liked that I was early, because I didn't have to fall in line. I think about 800 people participated in the event.
After putting on my bib and GPS thingy and placing the stickers on my helmet and bike, I placed my bike in the transition area.
Afterwards I did some brisk walking and just waited for the others.
I loved the energy of the people there. We were all excited. I even got to meet fellow noobs! We were all scared that we'd finish last.
It was also super cool that they had a drone there. I like drones.
The race was supposed to start at 6am. However, the organizers said that they were going to wait for everyone to register before we start, so no one gets left behind. :| I guess that's sweet and all, but I think we should have started on time, to be fair to those who got there early. Also, the sun. We started at around 6:30am and the sun was already up so by the middle of the race it was already too hot. :(
Before starting, the organizers briefed us. They gave last minute tips, and explained some minor changes to our route.
Again, I didn't train for the event, so I was super slow. :( My goal was to finish before lunch time :))
I'm happy to report that I did reach my goal. I finished at around 9am. My official time was 2:38:05. True to my race number, I finished 28th in my age group. :D
I finished the race and was happy about it, even if I was practically burnt because of the sun. I went ahead and devoured my packed lunch. The drink was not included. Had to buy it for Php50.
After finishing, we had to wait for everyone to finish before we could get our bikes and helmets from the transition area. They said we had to do this for security reasons.
After getting our bikes, it was picture time!
Okay so now that I've joined a bike race, I feel like a legit bike person now. :)) Here's some tips for my fellow non-athletic noobs:
-Make time to constantly squeeze in some training. Short but regular training beats a one time big time training. It's all about building your endurance.
-Invest in a good bike. Make sure it fits you. You can get a decent bike for about Php30,000. It beats buying a cheap-o bike then having to upgrade parts. Also, bike shops usually offer a free bike fit and initial tune-up. Make sure to take advantage of these.
-Invest in your safety. A good helmet can save your life. Make sure to try it on and make sure it has a snug fit.
-Get bike friends. If you're a noob, it's best to ride with other people first. Adjusting to a road bike can get scary. You might also need help in case something goes wrong with your bike.
-Hydrate. Make sure to bring water or some other kind of hydration when you go on rides. You lose a lot of body fluids when you ride, and you can get dizzy and/or pass out. For extra long rides, it's best to bring a small snack to avoid hypoglycemia.
-Protect your skin! The sun can get crazy fierce that sunblock sometimes isn't enough. Even if it's less comfortable, wear leggings and sleeves to protect your skin. Of course, wear sunscreen BUT DO NOT PUT IT ON YOUR FOREHEAD BECAUSE IT WILL GET IN YOUR EYES WHEN YOU SWEAT AND IT HURTS LIKE HECK. Some people wear scarves and shades. Obviously, this noob is speaking from experience. :))
-Stay on your right and always look when changing lanes. The rule is to stay right so other riders can pass by your left. Bikes are quiet. You sometimes won't know if one is behind you, so always look before changing lanes.
-Make your presence known. Again, bikes are quiet, so the person in front of you may not be aware that you're about to pass. Don't be shy to shout BIKE LEFT! Wheb passing people. I know, it's dyahe, but it's better than crashing into someone.
So there you have it. I'm a Duaman now. Step 2 finished. Now, it's time for Step 3. :D
Be happy!
<3 Missy
