Last Sunday, my friend Harry entered his very first multisport
event. A milestone for him since it was also at the inaugural event of the
Power Man Duathlon Pilipinas which some say is more difficult than the Iron Man
series. There is no better way to launch one’s self into multisport, if you ask
me. If I have to aim for a goal, I will aim for the highest. Harry did.
He started the arduous journey into becoming an
international level athlete just a month and a half prior to the event. He was never
a runner when decided to join. He literally started from scratch and he persevered.
He finished the 10km run/60km bike/10km run in 4 hours and
13 minutes. He placed 12th in his age category and 74th
overall. We all were over the moon when he crossed the finish line. It was an awesome victory for him and for all of us who supported him.
His mentor and coach Val Arciaga was very satisfied with the performance of his
mentee. August Benedicto, a 3 time Cobra Iron Man Elite Champion and who grew
up with Coach Val, was so impressed with Harry’s time. According to him, 4
hours and 13 minutes for a rookie is beyond expectation. Coming from a
champion, his words lifts all of us.
But it was not all cheers that met Harry on his road to victory.
During the pre-race briefing the night before, members of the organizing team
were very vocal with their opinion that this race belongs to those who have
several multisport races under their belt, trivializing those who have none. I
am not sure if it was their idea of branding.
And the week before, a lady owner of a multisport shop in
Sta. Rosa was sardonic when she learned Harry was joining the inaugural event. Faith
in the human spirit, it seems, have been replaced by cynicism and an elitist attitude
appears to have owned this sport.
Coach Val told me the 11 who finished before Harry in
his age category have been in multisport for years. Harry making it to the same
level as these athletes in less than 2 months from square one is greater than
amazing.
On the drive back to Manila, Harry’s exemplary effort made
me look at my own goals and my current state of sustained indolence. For so
long now I have excused myself from doing two things I love: writing and
biking. I describe it as being in the doldrums but in reality, is one among those
silly excuses I have collected as a way of explaining myself in case somebody
asks. I really need to get back my flow.
Like Harry, I need to push myself and aim for the
highest. I need to listen to that voice that, in spite of the pain, urges
me to watch my breathing, my cadence, my stride. Like Harry, I need to follow
through even if it means having to do that lung-busting uphill stretch over and over. Like Harry, when the going gets tough, I need to whistle with my coach
as we climb Southpeak in San Pedro, to take my mind off my labor. Like
Harry, I need to believe I am good and that all will be well.
