All Roads Lead to Cebu Ironman 70.3

By now, everyone who's anyone in the triathlon community is slaving away excessively to either hit their peak in time for the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Cebu or cramming to ensure a decent performance. The top teams use this event to showcase their best talents and make "pa-pogi" with their best (and sometimes newest) tri suits.

Aside from Dophy Pictures and Tributes, most Status Updates, Wall Posts and Comments are either  about the big volume load of training, the long rides and the preparations for the 4th installment of the Cobra Ironman 70.3, this time to be staged in Cebu.

Here are some of the posts floating around in FB. You'd be surprised at the amount of discipline, sacrifice and dedication the Pinoy tri community is putting in to do well in Cobra.

From Edward Ifurung of Tri Clark last July 13th:

 "4200mtrs swim done! Now rest for the 120k bike tomorrow :P good night peeps!"

That's a pretty awesome load of workout right there.

Edward is a regular face in triathlon and is known for his strong swim and bike. Kaya naman pala!

Edward of Tri Clark!

And of course, the equally famous brother, Tri Idol Art Ifurung will not be left behind. Here's a post from Art's FB Page:

"This has got to be the most fulfilling training day for me this year, was able to ride 130kms @ 3:58 early in the AM, and ran 18kms later in the PM @ 1:37 (and for the first time in 6 months, minus the ITB pain@ a very decent pace, 90 rpm cadence on the run) more than makes up for my dismal burnt out feeling during last fridays swim TT, o what wonders does one day rest plus short cranks make..... :p"

Given his training stats, we can expect the Kapampangan Shark to attack the course in Cebu. Aside from the bike and run powers Art showcased in his post, he has also perfected his Swim via a self-taught program of Total Immersion. He cut as much as 30% from his time and can now swim like Shark! Kaya nga sya the Kapampangan Shark, eh.

Art Ifurung - the Kapampangan Shark aka Eric Bana of Macabebe!

This overload of training is not exclusive to the boys. You can spot some interesting posts as well among our hardcore members of the fairer sex.

Women's Health Editor in Chief, Lara Parpan revealed the secret to her killer run in an FB Post last Sunday.

"Sunday's agenda: humid two-hour run, refreshing 2.6-km swim, one hour of reggae dancing...Yes, I think this cold is gone. =D"

May sakit na, nag 2 hour run pa, 2.6k swim and then 1 hour dancing. I think the secret to her Podium-level training is the Reggae! Where do we enroll?!

Lara Training?! - Sasabihin ko sana "Very Soul Train" but that will
give away my age...so "Very Beyonce" nalang.

Some are less verbous. Mr. Helty Almusal,  a regular Podium Occupant posted this as his Status Update:

 "long run"

Previous to this, he also posted this as his status.

"on the bike"

What Helty Almusal, aka Frank Lacson does sparingly in his posts, he compensates a million-fold via his powerhouse performances in the race course. He is a consistent podium finisher and has dominated his age group for the longest time.

For us mere mortals, our concerns are less glorious. Another popular regular post is on bike cases. How to send the bikes to and from Cebu in pristine, race-ready, super speedy condition. It ranges from P1,900 for a box to P10,000 for a kick ass case you can proudly take to even the most high end tri events anywhere in the globe:

This is the post from the Brick Multisport Store:

"New bike bag available at The Brick! P10k for a semi hard case that isn't too heavy but has enough protection for your bike."

Nice and Durable.

Here's another one. More affordable.

And of course, the nice bikes people have invested in to get an added gear and psychological advantage for the big race.

Bikes of Charles and Andie

Andie posted this about the bike:

"RH and WARPY with their Ckret--- MOA @ 5:30am!! BOOOMMM!!!!"

Aba, may pangalan pa mga bike. At, sumasabog!

This will certainly be a dramatic 70.3. The new venue was the craddle of Christianity in Asia. One can expect many of the athletes praying especially in the last 5k of the run! The swim course is one big loop, the bike course is a flat and fast 2 loop course to Talisay from the Shang while the run course is a 2 loop run to Discovery. I think this will give us a chance to eyeball each other as we go through the loops.

Water start, 1 long, clockwise loop in the pristine waters of the Shangri La Mactan! Sosyal!

2 loops but I think generally flat with a few minor climbs along Fernan Bridge.

My Favorite. The run is where races are won.

This is it. Less than 20 days to go. Peak Performance Training. Konting tiis nalang.

Sige, see you later. Swim pa ako eh... habol pa ako sa mileage ni Edward.

(pictures care off FB).