Got the shirt!!!

Phew.. I did 2 triathlons in a week. Last oct 7, I finally finished my first ever half-ironman marathon.. then just last sunday.. I joined another tri event. This time organized by TRAP which is the NAGT (National Age Group Triathlon).

It was a sprint distance. Wherein youll do a 950m swim, 27km bike, and 6.5km run. Though it may sound short compared to the half-im distance, its still very tough because youll have to do it as FAST AS YOU CAN. No pacing here.. just go flat out on every discipline.

I've always wanted to join NAGT because I really like their finisher shirts (I'm a sucker for event shirts). I'm glad I can finally add theirs to my collection. Hehehe.. only 1 shirt left to collect. Which is the Lakeshore triathlon. hehe

I was also able to de-virginize a couple of tri newbies from my underwater hockey club (PUHC). It was tough getting them to sign up but it was all good. I even lend them some of my stuff including my mountain bike. Hopefully, they'll get addicted to this sport as much as I am. Besides, its a very good cross training for underwater hockey. Hehe.

If theres one race highlight for me, its the fact that I AM NOW OFFICIALLY INJURY FREE! My ankle felt pretty good during my 6.5k run. My knees also held up as well. So I'm really happy about that. At least I can now train on my run. I have a lot to work on.

Finally Conquered The Rock!

The Whiterock Half-Ironman Triathlon has been on my crosshair for over a year.. Last year when I just did the relay, part of me kept on telling me that I should've done the full distance. I know I could already, but I still opted to do just the bike part.

I've been wanting to write about my recent Whiterock Half-Ironman Triathlon experience but for some reason.. I just cant find a way to kick-start my writing mood.

Now its already been a week so I dunno if I should still write about it or not anymore... But what the heck right?

Sad to say, I bonked during the bike leg of the whiterock half-ironman. It was really disappointing because that is supposed to be my strongest department. I knew my run would be a disaster because I had no training for it. Even though my aim was just to finish the half-ironman, I was hoping that I could do my target time which is 2:40 or 2:45 max. I ended up doing 3:01. 1 minute slower compared my last years bike leg, though I didnt swim for 3k then.

Up to now I still cant figure out what happened. As far as I know I did everything right.. I slept early (been sleeping early that week already), ate good food, had loads of water and gatorade, and had enough powergels to nourish at least 3 triathletes!

I started strong at the bike.. my target average speed was 35kph. An average speed of 30kph would get you in the 3 hour zone (mine was 3:01). I was doing around 37kph average for the first 15-20kms or so when it hit me without warning. I felt a twitch on the bottom part of my legs! I didnt know what it was so I kept on pedalling. It kept on bothering me so I decided to just spin and take it easy.. hydrate and take my gels.. hoping that it would do the trick but I still wasnt able to get rid of it. Thats when I knew I was in trouble. Could it be this bonking thing that most athletes have been talking about? No.. It couldnt happen to me.. I had the training.. I prepared for it.. and most especially, not DURING THE RACE!

After that it became a struggle.. I couldnt even last pedalling continously without standing up my bike and stretch my legs. The cramps got worse and worse.. By the time I finished my bike leg.. my legs down to my feet were cramping really bad.

For the run part was a complete struggle, I was cramping the entire 21k distance.. not to mention that I was still nursing an injured ankle that time. Every step was really painful.. but still, I had to finish the race. No way on earth would I allow myself to get a DNF (did not finish).

But still.. I was damn proud of that race.. I am damn proud that I finished it. I am damn proud that I was able to cross the finish line even if I was already cramping really bad.

Prior to the race though, being the astrological, zodiac, or whatever you call it guy that I am.. I have this thing for numbers. On my last Duathlon event (Run, Bike, Run), I got really bothered when I got the #13 race number. And true enough, like what the number means, I got 2 flats. Effectively kicking me out of contention for the race. So after that, I've always been weary of my race numbers.

Lo' and behold.. when I arrived at the check in station of the whiterock event.. I knew I was in for a disaster when I got #66!!!! 66!!!! For crying out loud! Of all the numbers available why in the world did I get #66!!!! I tried to beg the registry people if I could have that changed... but of course, its not possible anymore. I dreaded every second after that.

I didnt get a flat this time around but my bike leg was still ruined by those stupid cramps. Oh well.. as much as I want to blame my 66 race number, there's no point crying over spilled milk. Plus, there's always Whiterock 2008.

Next year... I'll be even more ready. I'll train like crazy. At least having those struggles and let-downs gave me a chip on my shoulder. Something that should inspire me pretty good.

Keep Pounding The Rock.

"When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before." -- Jacob August Riis

Come saturday, ill be embarking on my latest quest... and that is to finish the upcoming Whiterock Half-Ironman Triathlon!

I've waited a long time for this... spent countless hours and rode almost a thousand kilometers on my bike training for this one, swam countless laps.. though i kept on playing underwater hockey so that counts as part of my swim training too =P hehe, and then.. spent ONLY a measly total of around 10 hours running ON THE THREADMILL! The run part will be the weakest part of my race thats for sure. All those runs simply wont cut it. But thats ok, what can I do? I'm freaking injured. I'm just gonna enjoy the run part and walk to my hearts content. Hey, its legal to walk anyway. Nothing wrong with that. hehe

As much as it pains me to admit it, Yup.. I think I'm getting OLD. Hehehe.. I have a badly beaten up body (I have lots of injuries) or maybe its just because of the fact that I've never been the athletic type anyway. Before I joined PUHC (Philippine Underwater Hockey Confederation), I was just content on bumming around and drinking liquor to my bladders content. PUHC honestly started it all for me.. after I joined PUHC, I also joined AMCI Mountaineering Club and from then on, I also started joining marathons, duathlons, and Triathlons. The big cheese of multi sport events! =)

As of now, here are my injuries.. first one is my ankle injury.. I popped this a couple of times already.. which explains why its so weak to begin with. But this latest injury though is the toughest one. I got this injury almost 3 months ago! During one of our uwhockey tournaments, I didnt realize that I already injured my ankle while playing. Maybe its because from all the adrenaline. I just kept on pushing on pushing till I heard another "pop" again. Thats when I knew that i fucked up my ankle pretty bad. It started to hurt during the after hockey celebration (Good thing we won the tourney!) and then got really sore when i woke the next day. Couldnt freaking walk.

Sadly, just two weeks after the tournament, I joined my then-longest triathlon event. The o2 Olympic Distance triathlon. o2 simply because its the length of an olympic distance tri times two. The run part there was the hardest for me.. though i finished at a decent run time, it was pretty obvious that my ankle was already bad at that time. I had no lift when I was running and I was literally grazing the road with my shoes. But its ok.. Just keep on pounding the rock! Like what my favorite quote above says.

So after that race, I clearly couldnt run anymore. I still tried running of course (a really silly idea) and stopped when my ankle hurt.. I rested it again for a couple of days and then started to run again.. I can still feel pain so I stopped again.. Finally, after trying to run at the gym via the threadmill, I couldnt last even for 5 minutes anymore! The pain was simply unbearable. Thats when i finally decided to swallow the shame pill and get myself checked by a doctor.

Fortunately, the doctor didnt see anything bad with my ankle.. which was pretty weird since I was expecting to get diagnosed with a torn ligament or something.

Aside from the ankle injury, I also have this pesky knee injury which i definitely think I got from mountaineering. But its all worth it. The high that I got while I'm on the summit and the feeling of just pushing yourself while youre climbing up the mountain is a very very unique experience. Its simply you against yourself.. Will you quit? Or will you go on?

My knee first acted up when we were already on our way down from Mt. Kibungan. The 3rd mountain on our Basic Mountaineering Course program. I was enjoying jumping and trekking down so much that my right knee started to hurt. Maybe its from all those poundings. But being the stupid and proud guy that I am, I of course just decided to give it a rest and just let it heal by self-medication. Not the brightest idea in the world but, hey, what can I do?

And then lastly, I have this irritating pinch that I'm feeling inside my left shoulder. Instincts tell me its a rotator cuff injury. Which is pretty common to all hockey players. But I messed my shoulder when I was in Boracay last year with my family. Unable to compete in the Iba Olympic Distance triathlon because of our family vacation, I just decided to bring my swim gear there and train. For some stupid reason, I had the idea of swimming from station 1 to station 3. Which is somewhat impossible given the amount of people swimming in the water and the boats roaming around. So I just decided to swim the area.. WITH SWIM PADDLES! Given the amount of waves I was encountering, it was pretty tough to swim on that day. But still, why would i stop right? After a couple of mins of training, I heard my left shoulder pop. Given all my injuries before, you would think that this would make me stop right? But no, I still kept on swimming. The next day, my shoulder is already messed up. I couldnt even lift my left arm. It still hurts to this day.

I am just thankful to our Lord because he's been very generous, kind, and loving to me. I am thankful that I am able to do all these things.. which are definitely not your normal sports activities. He's letting me live my life the way I want to. Thats why I never miss going to Baclaran every wednesday. Been going there for almost 5 years now STRAIGHT. I only missed one or two wednesday nights because I was both on a family vacation. But I made it up immediately by going there as soon as I got home.

So this latest endeavor of mine is dedicated to you our Lord. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for always keeping me safe, for looking after me, and guiding me thru everything that I do. I will enjoy this race to the fullest. This will be the culmination of all my multi-sport dreams. Last year, I only participated in the relay event and did the bike portion. Which honestly, pains me because when I was there at the race I knew deep inside that I can finish the whole race. Now theres no turning back. Barring any accidents or injuries, (God I hope not) I'm gonna try and finally finish the whole distance.

This race is also for all my past and previous training buddies. Wouldnt be here without you guys. Lets get this over and done with!

1 step at a time.. after this, its time to focus and concentrate at the next BIGGER event..

More on that soon.

=)

All Mens Fast Game. Autobots Trump Decepticons!

One shall stand... and one shall fall...

The fight for cybertron and the spark cube is finally over. After 4 hard fought battles... the Autobots defeated their arch-nemesis, the Decepticons.

The Autobots won the 1st Best of 5 All Mens Fast League Series with a decisive 3-1* victory. # still counts.

Game 4 proved to be a battle of epic proportions. Both teams played full force, each sending their best possible unit for the game. The Autobots want to finish this series as soon as possible because they know that momentum can easily shift to the Decepticons if ever this series turns into a sudden do-or-die match. The Decepticons of course wont take this sitting down. With their pride on the line. Its a win or go home game for them. No holds barred. Nothing to lose.

The final score was 4-3, which goes to show how tough the game was. During the last 14 minutes of the game, both teams were unable to score a single goal. Game 4 (though I wasnt able to make a goal) in my opinion was the best game of the series. Each team fought hard, and got opportunities to seal the win, especially the Decepticons. With the gentledog out of the game for 2 minutes because of a dangerous flick, Megatron and his troops had the chance to take advantage of a 5-6 mismatch but failed. Credit of course goes to the Autobots for stepping up their defense and preventing the Decepticons to score.

Another blow to the otherwise fantastic Decepticon rally came when one of their gunners, escaping the tenacious Autobots defense, found himself doing a solo breakaway with the chance to score the equalizer but threw it all away when he misfired and flicked the puck over his opponents goal. It couldve been 4-all had it not been for that blunder. Call it a rookie mistake but things like that really happen. Heck, it even happened to the gentledog.

Its been said that the Autobots had it easy the entire series. That they havent been really "tested". And now that the series is over, the Autobots overcame everything the Decepticons could possibly throw at them and still managed to get the win. Proving to everyone who the rightful inhabitants of cybertron really are.

Now with the victory on their hands, what's next? If the previous Fast League is any indication, it can only mean that the 2nd series will be faster and tougher. Which the gentledog is sure everybody will be looking forward to again.

Though the league had a couple of blips here and there, its a fact that this is league is just on its maiden debut. Mistakes and adjustments are supposed to happen. Kudos to the entire All Mens Fast League committee, the team captains, the selection committee, and of course the players for making this possible. Looking forward to more faster, harder, and tougher games ahead!

Interestingly, because of the whole fast league mumbo jumbo that went on during the course of the series, we managed to get the attention of this very interesting personality. He said he wants to join the next fast league and of course, our beloved PUHC as well. I told him to just contact Nikki and get the details. I also adviced him (in a good way of course) that it wouldnt be a very good idea to show up at the next intro to hockey like this..

Hehehe.. Congratulations Autobots! Its time to celebrate and get our Autobots championship shirt! =)

Hitting the wall

At first I thought it was a joke.. guess its not.

For the last couple of days or so.. I've been bugged by this nagging thought.. this bastard shadow-like notion that keeps on popping inside my head every now and then.

Could I be really experiencing the quarter life crisis(qlc) already? I guess so.. even if my mind suggests otherwise.

I've had enough experiences that made me conclude that I already am.. heres a few.

1. At a bike shop.. when I was chit-chatting with the owner.. I told him that I couldnt buy the part that I needed for my bike because I was still busy setting up my car.. his reply? "Hindi ba matanda ka na para diyan ilang taon ka na ba?" Toink.

2. I'm starting to think about my "future" (nope.. I'm still not interested migrating abroad) more and more.. Toink.

- I'm starting to save for retirement.
- I'm now interested in certain "retirement plans".
- Just got my salary? My first instinct now is to save and invest.
- I think about what businesses to set up.
- Lastly, heres the clincher about the "future" stuff... I find my car now as a liability for me! So sorry shiro.... (thats the name of my civic) Believe it or not.. I'm now getting interested in station wagons, suv's and dear God... Vans!

Though some of that can be still be argued as not a definite sign of hitting QLC, for me, trust me it is. Maybe I'm thinking about vans and other big cars now because of my current lifestyle. I'm looking for more space that would make me take by bike to places easier. But how the hell would you be able to explain the retirement plans topic?!?

3. Before.. I used to be the youngest of any group that I was in.. I'm still friends with those peeps but now I sometimes find myself hanging out with peeps WAY YOUNGER than me. To my horror I couldnt dig what they dig. Even sometimes saying to myself I'm too old for this sh*t. Toink again.

4. In one of our family dinners.. cant remember anymore if it involved my entire family or just certain family members and friends.. my age became the topic of choice.. "Ilang taon ka na ba?"... "27" I told my sis.. "Tanda mo na pala no.. pwedeng pwede ka na mag-asawa". What the fu*k?? TOINK! Some of them argued.. "Hindi pa yan.. mag enjoy ka pa dapat" (Which I certainly am doing).. My sis replied "Oo nga alam ko yun.. yun lang yung age niya pang asawa na talaga". I later found out that he got married to my bro-in-law when he was 28! Yikes! Toink toink toink!

5. And the final proof that I am indeed hitting QLC... I'm talking about it! TOINKKKK!!

=P

Well I guess thats about it.. if it happens it happens. I'm ready to embrance it. In fact, I'm looking forward to it. Its gonna be a joyride.

I can say my life now is at its peak. My family and I are having the time of our lives.. thats the most important part. Were just starting to live better... more comfortable than ever before.. and we owe it all to God. He's the reason why were experiencing all these blessings right now. Whatever happens I vow never to stop going to Baclaran every wednesday. Been going there for the last 5 years.. straight. I think I missed only 1 baclaran night because we were out of town.. but I immediately made up for it by going to the Baclaran the next day.

Hey.. I guess blogging really has a purpose. I feel like I've just taken a huge chunk of dead weight out of my chest. Phew. Toink!

Game 3. All Mens Fast League. The Decepticons Escape!

In a race for the total domination of cybertron and the all spark cube, Megatron (seen in the picture), and the Decepticons won Game 3 and escaped being swept by the Autobots.

The score is now 2-1*, with the Autobots still leading the Best of 5 Championship.

Ladies and Gentlemen.. we finally have a series.

As expected, close-out games proved to be the toughest game of any tournament. With their backs against the wall and their pride on the brink of extinction, its clear that the Decepticons will do everything in its power to win at least 1 game and hopefully secure the momentum in their favor.

This time, the Decepticons left nothing to chance, they assembled their complete/toughest squad, came to the venue early, and played brilliantyly as a team.

It took around 3 minutes even before the 1st goal was made, thats how tough the game was. The game was fast, hard, and rough. The Autobots had its chances, they scored the first goal had the opportunity to go up 2-nil when the Gentledog (GD) stole the puck from the opponent and to his surprise, faced a completely unopposed and wide open goal, but overflicked it! (Yes, I did.. sorry guys.) Causing the puck to fly over the rusty metal goal. Yes it did hit the goal.. its just that it hit the "TOP" part. A clear no goal. That shouldve brought the momentum into the Autobots favor.

It's funny when you think about the classic pinoy saying "bilog ang mundo"... because just before game 3, A.R. from the Decepticons sent the Autobots this transcript.. "Fear the strongest players of the other team. Prevent them from playing."

Just like in the classic Hasbro cartoons, Team Autobots showed no fear against the Decepticons... and after game 3 last night, everybody now has an idea who that quote should refer to. No, the Decepticons didnt prohibit a single player from getting into the game, but upped the ante and prevented the ENTIRE TEAM from playing! With still plenty of time left and with the lead on their side, the Decepticons, also like in a cartoon series, deceptively forced Angel the lifeguard to stop the game by making him say that the clock has expired. Whats can a helpless, soft-spoken lifeguard do right? Especially when he's being screamed at by 10 adrenaline and testosterone filled hockey players.

Much to the Autobots dismay, that ended what could arguably be the most toughest and well fought match of the series. Talk about a spoiler. All along everyone has been clamoring for the fastest and toughest games possible for PUHC.. and here we are playing it.. and abruptly wasted it.

After the puck went outside for the nth time... and both teams now on their "equal puck" formations, instead of just going for the puck and letting a final goal decide whether game 3 will end on a tie or a clear Decepticon victory, the Decepticons instead loitered around and just pinned their hopes on their own personal "Angel". That is why for the author, that win by the Decepticons deserve an * mark placed right beside their at the standings. Yes, they got the win. For me, thats a win they cant proud of.. I surely wouldnt. (Correct me if I'm wrong kind sirs.. hehe). The 3 goals that they made against the Autobots were genuine goals.. no doubt about that. Those came from 3 different fantastic Decepticon team plays. The gentledog just isnt sure about the win. Yes, its ok to lose.. you win some you lose some. The gentledog is no sore loser (though i hate losing hehe), especially if you played against such a brilliant team. But that sucker punch leaves a sour taste in G.D.'s and the rest of the Autobots mouths. Hopefully, this will give the Autobots the extra swagger it needs to finish the Decepticons in game 4 once and for all.

Case in point, even after some of the Fast Game League'rs finished their shower, the rest of the players of the other game (mixed game) were still playing. So I guess there was really no time left. :) I rest my case.

Game 4 of the All Men's Fast League is on next thursday. Prepare for Battle!

Finally.

This is long overdue.. After years of pondering whether I should join the community or not, I finally did it.

I've never been a fan of blogs because most of the blogs I've seen are usually self-serving. Honestly, would you really write and let the public know about the negative stuff about your life? Of course not. I've always thought of blogs as a personal diary.. only thing is its online.

I still have my own journal here in my room but the problem is, in todays digital world, its getting to be pretty painstaking to maintain. Also, since i got so used to typing (tuldok system) already i now find it hard to write by hand. Pathetic. Plus I usually go online as soon as i get home. Leaving no time left for me to write to my journal.

Perhaps youre wondering what the hell is up with my blog url.. But you read that right.. Its really "Toilet Ideas". Why? Because most of the crap (no pun intended) and ideas that i come up with are usually hatched while I'm inside the toilet. I dunno why.. maybe its because thats my only me-time or maybe its because of the "aroma" of our toilet. I guess I find that therapeutic. Hehe..

With regards to the left wing header, thats just the position I usually play when I'm playing underwater hockey. Thats all there is to it :) Just thought that it has a nice ring to it.

So you got this far huh? Give yourself a pat on the back.. You have a lot of time in your hands my friend.. Hehe. :)

Seriously, have a seat and enjoy your stay. :) Welcome to a bit of my world. I said bit because I'm not stupid enough to post any of my private life here. Not that everybodys interested to know about it anyway. :) Well like what they always say.. its always better to be safe than sorry :)

My thoughts finally have a home.