I first got into the triathlon sport (a swim-bike-run regimen) when my sister Manang Leendy Ann got into it last year.
Manang has been a big influence why I joined this sport. I would join and cross-train with the TriONe team when they would go swim, bike and run. I never really went into serious training until after I finished my National Licensure Exam in Nursing in July last year.
My first venture into real competition in this three-discipline sport was the Sibulan Triathlon Race, where I finished 1st in my age category. Truth to tell, I was the only competitor in my age group. Nonetheless, I dabbled in a few other local races in town after that.
The most exciting moment of my journey in this sport of triathlon was when I actually pushed myself to fearlessly register for the Ironman 70.3 scheduled in August this year, and the recently-concluded Xtrerra Off-Road Triathlon Challenge — two of the world’s most prestigious international triathlon competitions.
Most serious triathletes join either or both of these competitions to qualify for an international triathlon race, or purely to finish a grueling race and enjoy some bragging rights.
Also because of the prohibitive registration costs ($200 for the Ironman and $150 for Xterra), I realized that I actually had to be truly more serious with my training in swimming, biking, and running.
Training for a triathlon has never been an easy task to tackle. We would train for two disciplines on all five weekdays at the Teves Aqua Center, then mountain bike from Dumaguete to Camp Look Out or the Japanese Shrine in the town of Valencia, or up to Azalea Restaurant in the town of San Jose, and incorporate crossfit training as part of our core exercises. Then we would work on all three disciplines starting from the shores of Silliman Beach or from Dauin, and biking or running out to the southern towns on Saturdays.
And so I strictly trained with TriONe team six days a week, and only had my Sundays as my complete rest day. We trained hard during the weekdays, and even harder on the weekend, but there was never a dull moment training with other people who shared the same passion, and who would never stop encouraging and pushing you to your limits.
During those hard training days, I was also working as a volunteer nurse five days a week at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital. But even with that hectic work schedule, I always made sure that I would find time to train after my work hours.
As a newbie in the TriONe team, I found it exhausting training with those who had done the races before. I would find myself at the end of the pack whenever we ran and biked, but I must admit I always beat my Manang in swimming (imagine me smiling with an evil grin).
One of the highlights of my training regimen was when TriONe invited Arland Macasieb himself, an elite Fil-Am triathlete based in New Jersey in the US, to do a Swim-Run Clinic right at the Aqua Center and the Perdices Stadium Oval — which we all found very insightful.
The week before the international Xterra race was a stressful time for me. I became such a worry wart, and started to double up on my vitamin intake, and go strict on my diet, incorporating a protein drink after each training workout to make sure my body recovers immediately.
Two days prior to the Xterra, we loaded our mountain bikes on pick-up trucks, and left for Cebu. We had to attend a race briefing and to check-in our bikes and gear ahead of time. After we were all set, we decided to just stay at the hotel and rest for the morrow.
Race day came, and I woke up at the crack of dawn. I locked myself in the bathroom to meditate and talk to God. A lot of things were running through my mind that time, and I just became more anxious about the race. As I started singing praise songs and kept praying, God revealed all the answers to my questions: He alone is mighty. He is the rock that keeps me safe. He is the fortress where I can feel secure. These words resounded so loudly in my head and just erased all my anxiety.
Finally down to the race venue, and all emotions ran high. We got all our gears checked-in, and got our body markings indicating our number. We tried to keep each other entertained while waiting for the race to start. We danced on the sand, and clowned around with each other to take the edge off our jitters. TriONe was positioned in the middle of the rowdy crowd.
When we heard the sound of the gunstart at exactly 7 o’clock, my team and I just calmly walked towards the open water in Mactan, and started swimming when the water was waist-deep. We did two loops of the swim course. The first loop was a bit of a struggle; swimmers were splashing and kicking like there was no tomorrow, and I got hit in the face and found my goggles halfway down my face. Nonetheless, I finished the swim course of 1.5 kilometers in about half an hour.
The bike trail was so technical that I thought I wouldn’t be able to handle it. It was comprised of a single-track trail with uphills and downhills like a roller coaster. Speeding along the limestone-coral tracks was nerve-racking. The thought of going around the trail twice was frustrating, although as always, the second time around was easier as I was already familiar with the route. I fell down a few times and hit my knees but thank God, I finished the 38-kilometer bike trail in 2 hours-58 minutes-12 seconds, with only minor cuts and bruises.
I was dreading the trail run since I knew I had always been weak in running. To describe the trail as “very technical” is an understatement. I must have counted 10 rolling hills, and I was a bit surprised that most of the athletes would in fact, slow down to walk when it came to an uphill trail.
Running through the trail under the blazing heat of the sun was grueling. There were moments when I had to preoccupy myself with singing “One little two little three little Indians…” that I overheard from the spectator kids. Other words of encouragement from strangers shouting “Go, idol!” kept me moving on through that 10-kilometer trail, one step at a time.
As I reached the last hundred meters, I could hear the announcer calling out: “Olive Salve, you are a certified Xterra warrior!” That’s when I started to sprint, giving it my all until I got to the finish line beside the sea. I finished the race fearless and strong at exactly 4:53:17.
The best part during the Xterra was hearing the cheers of my Manang, and my TriONe teammates shouting how proud they were of me, bringing tears of joy as I crossed the finish line.
After the Xterra, I have learned that indeed, nothing comes easy. Winning 1st in my age-group category (20 to 24 years old) was so fulfilling, knowing that I have trained and sacrificed so hard for the race.
I have also learned about the need to have a strong faith and deep relationship with God, who is never selfish to give us what we desire or what we deserve.
The added bonus for winning first in the Xterra full category was actually qualifying for the Xterra World Championship to be held on Oct. 27 this year in Maui, Hawaii.
Other TriONe athletes qualified to compete in Maui are my Manang, Leendy Ann Ferrer Salve (1st) who had a total time of 4 hours-46 minutes-23 seconds, and Ylang-Ylang Jordan (2nd) with a total time of 5 hours-24 minutes-55 seconds. Both of them competed in the same 30-34 age category.
Aside from the visa and airline tickets to the US, registration fees to Xterra in Maui is about $475. I’m now praying fervently for God’s provision and guidance that we make it to this next race in Hawaii.
I truly thank my God Almighty, the source of my strength, for bestowing upon me these skills. I also thank myTriONe team, and my friends and family who have always supported me and my Manang in one way or another. This is my way of giving back all the glory to God!
I am sharing this experience to give readers an insight of what it feels like to be in a multi-sport you never dreamed you could be a part of. To show that it takes patience, dedication, and perseverance in the things you want to achieve. And that giving up when things go sour is never an option because there will always be our Lord and Saviour who will carry us through times. (Olive Rose Ferrer Salve)
