Regent 5i50 Subic Bay – June 4, 2017

After Ironman 70.3 Vietnam I was really tired but glad I had about 4 weeks until my next race, the Regent 5i50 Subic Bay. This meant I had time enough to recover and add some more speed to my training in preparation for the short distance.

I went to Subic on Friday before the race and was happy my wife and son could travel with me this time.

There were the usual pre-race activities like Expo, registration and Ironkids Aquathlon, which is always a lot of fun to watch as it is so inspiring to be around all the sporty and motivated kids!

On race morning I felt good and ready to race! Accommodation was arranged at the beautiful Acea Resort right at the swim start and I was literally just sleeping meters away from T1. It can’t get better than this! I went for breakfast and left the hotel with some time to allow me to do last preparations in T1 and check my bike.

While for 5i50 races in Subic the weather usually is not so stable as June is the start of the rainy season, this time it was worst condition ever. It had rained all night and showers were still ongoing. But of course, no one can change the weather and you just have to handle with whatever is going to happen. Hence, I prepared myself for a rather wet race which would mean being especially cautious on the bike.

The swim was a one lap loop. As usual, we Asian Elites started together with the Pro in the first wave. This time we even had the currently two top Filipino athletes on olympic distance, SEA Games gold medalist Nikko Huelgas and silver medalist John Chicano, in the Asian Elite category, so it was going to be a really fast race. I knew that this would also reduce my chances to podium but I was determined to do my best. Unfortunately, once again I had a hard time in the swim, being still my poorest leg, and I ended up swimming alone for most of the course.

Once on land, out off the water I was more comfortable and really quick in T1. On my bike I started pushing and trying to see the other elites. The course was flat and fast, different from previous years and I missed the hills but on the wet roads it was probably the better, certainly safer on the new course. I saw some of the elites on the course but didn’t really know how big the gap was.

On the run it was clearer and I saw Nikko, John, Paul and Banjo in front of me in the first turn-around. It was still rainy and cloudy and everybody looked comfortable on the run! I calculated the gap and tried to get close to them but in the end was only able to catch Banjo. I ended up 4th ! It’s always a little bit disappointing to just miss the podium, but I was still happy with the race. Given the strong field in our category and the bad weather, for me it was not so bad at all. I had prayed for sun during the run but was only heard when I had already crossed the finish line…

I’m thankful for every race I finish safely and podium or not, racing surely makes you always learn something. Overall, it was another awesome race weekend and a perfect event! Thanks to my sponsors for their support especially to my ALASKA Family and Sunrise Events!

Now it’s time to prepare for my next race Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines!!!