This year’s Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines will witness the first Filipina—Monica Torres to compete in the Professional category alongside no less than World Championship runner-up Caroline Steffen on Aug. 4.
Torres is the four-time Filipino Elite female champion since 2009 in CamSur.
“I started competing in the PRO cat late 2012. There is no equivalent of Filipina Elite category in other IronMan events abroad. It was a special category put in our local 70.3 designed to help transition our local elites to the PRO level. After four years of racing Fil Elite, I thought it was time for a new challenge,” said Torres when asked why she decided to compete in the higher level.
“It’s daunting to be in the same lineup as big names like Steffen and Granger (Belinda), but I really have no control over who my opponents are or how prepared they are for the race. I only have control over myself. In the end, you just want to cross the finish line knowing you gave it your best shot.”
To prepare, Torres, has trained under tri legend Jurgen Zack and his athletes at the Thanyapura Triathlon Academy in Phuket, Thailand wherein she said she learned a lot and had tremendous fun at the same time.
For this year, the 29-year-old Torres said she hopes to see improvements in all three areas of the sport: swimming, biking and running.
BIGGEST
CHALLENGE
Of the three disciplines, she refuses to pick her favorite or the most challenging.
“I think the biggest challenge is trying to still look like a girl at the finish line.”
Torres started joining triathlons in 2007 because most of her friends in the University of the Philippines Dragon Boat team were into multisport.
“I thought triathlon was tough. But if they can do it, so can I. It was just a question of not drowning in my first race,” said the Quezon City native who trains in Subic with the help of her friends from PMI Colleges—the Manglicmots.
If she’s not racing, Torres writes a column for the Manila Bulletin Sports Digest. She also blogs on her website which she co-owns with her friends—LC Langit and Kim Mangrobang, who are also renowned top triathletes in the Philippines.
Torres said that she loves racing here although there are still some areas that she hopes would be improved on.
For this Sunday’s race, Torres’ shoes and apparel will be provided by K-Swiss, her bike is sponsored by Ceepo, TYR for her swim gear and Rudy Project for her eyewear and helmets.
For her fans and upcoming triathletes, Torres leaves these words “If I can do it, so can you! LetzDoThiz!”