“Behind every athlete is a faithful God.” Not everyone would get to experience what I went through in Ironman 70.3, so let me share what I used to think was an impossible feat in my life as an athlete.
When I registered for this international triathlon race, I was aware I barely had the skills. But I was also reminded of what not a few people tell me: that I’ve got spunk. And that my mindset is persistent and determined enough to tell my body to do whatever it is I set my mind to.
So I committed to learn — and master — all three disciplines at one time. Despite my demanding teaching schedule, I made time to train three to four hours (or more) almost everyday, putting more time on my swimming where I thought I was weakest.
It was indeed both a physical and a mental torture just to get through each week of training. But somehow, it seemed like the pain I had to endure would always become just secondary to the fun and friendship I gained while training with my team, Tri-ONe, with ONe Bikers, and with the Dumaguete Amateur Runners & Striders (DARS). As the days, weeks, and months of training became more intense, I realized that my body was slowly adjusting, and adapting to the physical demands of all three sports.
Race day came Aug. 5 in Cebu City, and I just felt a sense of calmness and peace of mind within me — which was not normal. All those time, I had been really pressing into my faith by claiming God’s word to “keep still and just believe”. The horn signal for my wave sounded, and off we went! As I was breaking through the open water of the Hilutungan Channel amidst gusty winds, I was praying, keeping me focused and relaxed, until I reached back to shore in 39 minutes for the 1.9-kilometer swim course. I came out of the water, shrieking to my sister Zhora, “I made it!” (Of course, that was only the first leg.)
I didn’t think too much of the bike course. I just pedaled and pushed myself through each kilometer, and reminded myself to hydrate and replenish my electrolytes, taking my salt sticks and GU gels every 30 minutes. I struggled quite a bit on the uphill to the Fernan Bridge, but then my constant prayers to God carried me through the difficult roads of the course. I finished the 90-kilometer bike in three hours and one minute.
The 21-kilometer run was a bit of a challenge for me. I was slowly starting to feel some exhaustion from the blazing heat of the sun, and my muscles started cramping up. By that time, it became a physical, as well as a mental challenge for me. I began counting 1-2-3-4, as I recalled Coach Glenn Gonzalez telling me, “It only takes four steps to cross the finish line.” I then came across one of my teammates Dr. Daryll Aplaon, and we started to pace together. We kept our minds off how far we needed to go, by just talking and encouraging each other, with each stride taking us closer to the finish line. The last five kilometer-stretch was the most painful on my part. I felt like my body was about to give up, and I thought it had reached its limits. I begged God to sustain me in those last few kilometers I just had to complete.
As we were approaching the finish line, it suddenly seemed surreal that I was actually going to make it. I became emotional when I saw my family cheering for me to take those few steps to get through the line. It gave me a boost of energy to see their excited faces, and so I crossed that finish line in six hours and 17 minutes.
It just felt so good to have made it through the race. I had never felt so fulfilled in my life at that moment, and to know that my family was there to see me get through one of the toughest physical-mental challenges I gone through. I was just so certain that God made all those hurdles possible, and I still believe, angels must have carried me through all the way.
Sometimes when we are so complaisant with our abilities, we shape our athletic gift for ourselves, and not purely for God’s enjoyment and victory. This is why, henceforth, I intend to dedicate every race I do to God for the rest of my life. Surely, I will do it again, and yes, I would like my sisters Olive and Zhora to join me in this passion. There is so much to gain in pain and discipline. Wanna Tri?! (Leendy Salve)
(Leendy finished 6th among 23 in her age category 25-29. — Editors)
