Realizations Aftrer My Audax Subic 200

Finally. A bit of progress in my life as an Audax randonneur.

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The Audax Subic 200 is the standard endurance event for most cyclists, with some actually downplaying it as the “easiest Audax” to do because it’s one of the flatter courses in the club’s roster and the oldest one to boot. But even if it’s straightforward, it’s still a challenge that needs a few months to prepare for.

This was a “redemption ride” because I DNF’d my Audax Iloilo earlier this year, and I didn’t want to disappoint myself a second time.

Late Preparations

*Training at Fitness First – Ayala North Exchange*

I was late in my training, especially since my mom had passed away and I wasn’t in the right headspace to go to the gym for a couple of months. I finally got the motivation to lock in around October. I had around nine weeks to prepare, which was still a reasonable timeframe.

Since I hadn’t been regularly going to the gym, despite bike commuting regularly, my fitness was at baseline, and I had to stick to basic bodyweight and machine exercises for my core and lower body. My diet remained the same except towards the end of training: More carbs, less fiber and protein, and definitely less beer.

I wasn’t able to do long rides every weekend, but I had some cadence training with Leandro during car-free Sundays at Ayala, and made use of my indoor trainer at least once a week to increase my mileage and saddle time.

After my trip to Taiwan and thinking I barely prepared for this, I headed to Subic with my friends to just effin’ do it.

Heading Into the First 100km

*At the starting line in front of Mango Valley 1*

My mental health took a dip on the eve of the event, and I was just so moody and overwhelmed with everything that I wanted to give up and stay at our hotel. But once I stood at the starting line at four in the morning, there was no way out. This was it.

The first 50km was muscle memory even in the dark of night, having done the Populaire (100km) over a year ago. The only new route was Govic Highway. We hit the first checkpoint at Cabangan in a couple of hours, took a quick break, and replenished our water and electrolytes. At this point, my brain fog finally cleared up, and I was in a better mood…

… Up until a certain hill, that is, where I needed to take a break from climbing and open a bottle of Coke. My other friends went on ahead and, anyway, we’ll all see each other at the finish line.

*A quick break at a sari-sari store after attacking an “ahon” somewhere just outside Masinloc*

The rest of the ride into the first 100km was a downhill affair, but it wasn’t something I readily enjoyed, knowing that I have to climb that shit after hitting the second checkpoint.

At the same time, my coach was already egging me to have real food: I should have eaten well before kilometer 100, but I didn’t want to miss the checkpoint, so I had to prioritize that. I had a quick meal at Jedd’s Eatery just a few meters away.

But that didn’t prepare me for the uphill duathlon I had to do.

Audax Subic 200 Turns into a Duathlon

*I walked up this hill instead of biking it to reserve energy*

My legs started to cramp as I began ascending Zambales Highway, so I immediately dismounted from my bike and walked up the hill. Thank God for my hiking days; or else this would have been another DNF blog post. When I finally reached the peak, I remounted my bike and sped through, trying to regain some lost time and average speed.

Last Stretch

*A quick break somewhere in Iba, Zambales*

The sun and heat in December aren’t harsh, but they can still get to you. By the time I had entered Iba, Zambales, I started drinking water and electrolytes every thirty minutes and munched on my rice crackers, trail bars, and energy gels every hour. It wasn’t because I was hungry; it was me trying to distract myself from the heat and the fact that I was riding on my own, some sixty or so kilometers away from the finish line.

I kept looking at my cyclocomp. I was still making good time. I can still finish ahead of time. And as if Lady Luck heard me, I drafted behind a couple of riders to reserve more energy while gaining speed.

*With other participants at the last checkpoint before heading back to SBMA*

The last set of ascents was the rolling hills before entering SBMA. During my first Audax, I walked up those hills because it was raining and I was still experiencing a bit of trauma after breaking my arm in 2023 (it took me a year to recover). The big difference, and even bigger accomplishment now, is that I biked up those hills with slightly less trouble than before.

A smiling cyclist in a blue jersey and helmet, holding a medal, stands next to a bicycle in front of a banner that reads 'AUDAX RANDONNEURS PHILIPPINES ARRIVEE BRM 200'. Audax Subic 200 — *The real trophy: A cool can of Asahi beer at the finish line*

I reached the finish line in 13 hours and 11 minutes.

Thoughts After My Audax Subic 200

I’ll be honest. Finishing Audax Subic 200 didn’t feel euphoric in the way people imagine endurance events to be. I was happy, sure, but it felt like I was expected to do better after failing the first time.

After talking to my coach, everything made more sense. People experience a temporary depression phase after any endurance event, and what I’m feeling is totally normal–this post-Audax mood is already enhanced by my own mental health conditions. It’ll last for a few days up to a week, or more in my case. According to him, what’s important is that I made it happen, and no one can tell me otherwise.

Personally, the Audax Subic 200 was a culmination of what I had to endure this year: Finding an essential piece of myself in January, losing my mom in August, and learning to move forward afterward. Very much like Audax.

And maybe that’s the point. Audax is about repeatedly choosing to continue when stopping would be easier. There were plenty of moments in this ride where no one would’ve blamed me for quitting, and that’s exactly what made not quitting matter.