The first golds that we got at the 30th SEA Games were at the triathlon event, where we finished with a 1-2 punch both in the men’s and women’s divisions. John “Rambo”Chicano and Kim Remolino took care of business in the men’s; Kim Mangrobang and Kim Kilgroe wrapped it up in the women’s. 


John Chicano and Kim Remolin


Kim Mangrobang


Kim Kilgroe

Chicano and Kilgroe reportedly took up swimming as adults. It’s all very inspiring.


So here you are, the active guy who’s been doing a bit of running here, some swimming here, and biking in between. You’ve been giving thought to doing triathlons. All the cool sporty dudes seem to be doing it, kind of like the hipster version of being athletic. You don’t want to do the pro athlete thing; you’re just an ordinary guy who wants to compete and get in on the scene. 


Where do you begin?


AO talked to a buddy who we think is as close as you can get to an ordinary guy who has pushed himself to do extraordinary things by doing triathlon. If he can do it, you can, too. 





Meet Tommy Dela Cruz. The dude is already 44 years old and he first got into triathlons at the age of 37. If you’re two decades younger than him then there shouldn’t be anything to keep you from trying out the multi-sport scene yourself. Tommy works as a college librarian—again, talk about breaking the “athletic” stereotype here. Another thing about him: he likes his alcohol as much as the next Red Horse jockey, but that doesn’t keep him from pursuing an active lifestyle—just the perfect balance every ordinary guy should aspire to. 


Let’s listen to what he had to say (over a couple of beers):


Bro, you still do triathlons?

My last was in 2014 pa pero diretso pa rin naman mag-swim, bike and run up to now. Hindi na lang sumasali sa mga tri events. Instead I join aquathlons (swim & run).



What got you into triathlon?

Self-fulfillment and physical fitness. Ang thrill kasi pag triathlon you don’t only deal with one particular sport, kailangan balanse—hindi pwedeng rumatrat kaagad sa swimming dahil meron pang bike at run. I was a varsity swimmer in college kaya medyo may advantage ako bukod sa ito ang first event next to bike and run at sa swimming din hirap ang karamihan sa triathlete.  Boring kasi pag puro langoy lang or puro bike lang or puro takbo lang. Kaya naisipan kong sumali sa triathlon. Nagpunta ako sa isang free tri seminar in 2012 kay coach Norman Pascual na isang kilalang Tri-Coach, tapos after non tuluy-tuloy na ako sa multisport. Iba kasi ang feeling ng natapos ang triathlon— tanggal ang pagod kahit hindi podium finish, satisfied na ako na ma-reach ang finish line ha ha! And it is also a bonding time for the whole family, kasi nga since wala akong team na mag-chi-cheer sa akin, kasama ko ang family ko tuwing naglalaro ako.





So swimming is the hardest of the three?

I would say, yes. Swimming ang pinakamahirap sa tatlo. Hindi kayang matuto in a week or two lang. After a month kung matuto mang mag-swim, kailangan mo naman ng endurance, correction of strokes at training para bumilis and it takes time I guess. Hindi kasi lahat madaling turuan mag swim lalo na kung medyo first-timer ang tuturuan or slow-learner at may takot pa sa tubig.



Would you recommend guys who swim, bike, and run—but not do all three at the same time—to try triathlon?

Yes. Kasi para sa akin it is a complete workout, kung kaya rin lang ng katawan why not di ba. Of course, kailangan munang magpatingin sa doktor. Actually ang triathlon naman depende kung gusto mong makipag-compete or just want to finish the race strong. Not all people do triathlons kaya once na nakatapos ako sa isang race kuntento na ko roon. Pero siguro it depends on the triathlete kung gusto nya ngang maging competitive.


How much do we have to spend to get into the sport?

Yan ang pinakamagandang tanong, ha ha ha! Unang-una equipment. Let’s say ang bike na medyo pang-competition na rin is around P15,000-P30,000, pero umaabot ito ng P50,000-P300,000 plus. Helmet: P3,000-P5,000. Bike shoes: P5,000-P10,000. Running shoes: P5,000. Tri-suit: P5,000-P7,000. If you want to join a tri club, P3,000 per month bayad sa coach. Tapos kung sasali sa isang tri event, ang registration fee is P3,000-P5,000 for the sprints. Ibang usapan kapag mga standard distance triathlons like the Ironman. You also need to prepare for the transpo and accommodation, you need to be at the venue one day before the event.



Ang luho!

Yes, maluho talaga ang triathlon, Pero hindi naman kailangan bumili ng mga mahal na equipment at makipasabayan sa mga elite triathletes. A P2,000 road bike shoe, a P15,000 roadie will do. Speedo trunks instead of tri-suits. Me kasibahan nga di ba: Wala sa pana yan, nasa Indian yan na pumapana, ha ha ha!