SULATRE (Contributed Photo)
For 51-year old company executive Alexis M. Sulatre, his first stint in the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines was a learning experience.
Sulatre, an operations manager of a gas company, finished the 1.9-kilometer swim, 90-km bike and 21-km run in seven hours and 32 minutes.
It was the third triathlon he joined this year. In May, he joined the Defy 103 in Panglao, Bohol, which consisted of 110-km bike, one-km swim and 2-km run. In July he also joined the Tabuelan triathlon, which consisted of an 88-km bike, 2-km swim and 21-km run.
But the Ironman, he said, is, so far, the most prestigious triathlon he took part of. And it wasn’t easy.
He said the swim leg was the most difficult for him since he is not a strong swimmer.
“I only learned how to swim properly after attending clinics,” he said.
But the most dangerous segment of the triathlon according to him was the 90-km bike from Lapu-Lapu City to Talisay City and back.
He pointed out the stretch along S. Osmeña Road in Cebu City as the most dangerous in the route because of the potholes.
“I can evade the potholes, but it is still very dangerous,” he said.
He explained that a triathlete can fall off his bike, damage the rims of the bike or suffer a flat tire because of the uneven surface of the road.
Another problem he saw were the children who encroached the race route to scavenge Cobra Ironman tumblers thrown by riders after hydrating themselves.
The South Road Properties tunnel should also be illuminated well. “You cannot see debris on the road.”
Still, Sulatre is satisfied of the outcome of his first Ironman.
“I was not competing with other athletes. I was competing with myself, competing with the goal I have set to finish the race,” he said.
He said he is still willing to join the race and hopes it returns to Cebu for a fourth straight year.
“It is good for us if they come back next year so we won’t [have to] go out of Cebu [to join],” he said.
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