Kriska: Rejuvenating during the longest off-season
Say hello to Kriska, our next featured wildflower. Kriska is a competitive road cyclist and triathlete that has racked up numerous podium finishes, with a personal highlight being her inclusion in the 2019 Ironman World Championships in France. The lockdowns around the world halted all the events that she had lined up for 2020 and brought about the longest unexpected off-season of her career. For Kriska, the down time became less about balancing a full-time job with her rigorous training, but more about kicking back and refocusing on other things.
Check out her story below to read more about Kriska’s training and what it’s like being a member of Team David’s Salon, the Philippine’s first all-female multi-sport team.
Note: Interview contains a combination of English and Tagalog words. The full English transcript of each content block is in gray.
WORKING DURING LOCKDOWN
I do regulatory work for a real estate company. What I like most about my job is that I’m assigned to a department where I get to learn bits and pieces of the business: legal, tax, banking and finance, etc. — diverse fields, but all related to real estate.
Of course there are bigger changes now because everyone is transitioning to online systems. We work virtually with the company’s roster of employees but still deal with the external partners in person. It’s challenging especially for us, because there are some external regulatory offices that we work with who haven't fully adapted to doing online transactions. So there were times na kahit lockdown, we had to personally go to their offices just to get documents stamped and processed. Since we didn’t have direct control over them naman, we couldn’t do anything but adjust and abide by their policies nalang.
I do regulatory work for a real estate company. What I like most about my job is that I’m assigned to a department where I get to learn bits and pieces of the business: legal, tax, banking and finance, etc. — diverse fields, but all related to real estate.
Of course there are bigger changes now because everyone is transitioning to online systems. We work virtually with the company’s roster of employees but still deal with the external partners in person. It’s challenging especially for us, because there are some external regulatory offices that we work with who haven't fully adapted to doing online transactions. So there were times during lockdown that we had to personally go to their offices just to get documents stamped and processed. Since we didn’t have direct control over them, we couldn’t do anything but adjust and abide by their policies.
WORK AND SPORTS
I’d say absolute discipline is required in order to balance a busy work schedule with being a competitive athlete. You need to learn when to strategically prioritize one over the other pero at the same time dapat walang napapabayaan sa dalawa. So for both work and sports, you really have to set a goal. When things get rough, you’ll really learn to take anything—whether it’s a small win or a big victory for the day.
I’d say absolute discipline is required in order to balance a busy work schedule with being a competitive athlete. You need to learn when to strategically prioritize one over the other, but at the same time you can’t neglect any of the two. So for both work and sports, you really have to set a goal. When things get rough, you’ll learn to take anything—whether it’s a small win or a big victory for the day.
EVENT PLANS IN 2020
I signed up for the usual season of Ironman 70.3 and 5150 distances here in the Philippines. The biggest, and the one that I was looking forward to the most in 2020, was the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco.
Noong January 2020, I prepared a swim/bike/run program for the IM 70.3 Davao—which didn’t happen because of the lockdown. Then, in the summer, most of my training would have been long rides for the Giro d’ Luca. That 3-day cycling event would have prepared me na rin for Subic’s IM 70.3 in June.
For the past few years, nasanay ako sa ganitong training load and schedule. So when the pandemic hit and the cancellation of the races came, the adrenaline and rush that came with the preparation for my races also dropped dahil nagbago o nawala yung usual routine and structure ng ginagawa ko. So because of the quarantine restrictions, I was left lang with whatever exercise and rides I could do—which were mostly at-home exercises and Zwift rides that were very different from what I was accustomed to.
I signed up for the usual season of Ironman 70.3 and 5150 distances here in the Philippines. The biggest and the one that I was looking forward to the most in 2020, was the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco.
In January 2020, I prepared a swim/bike/run program for the IM 70.3 Davao—which didn’t happen because of the lockdown. Then, in the summer, most of my training would have been long rides for the Giro d’ Luca. That 3-day cycling event would have also prepared me for Subic’s IM 70.3 in June.
Hearing my races get cancelled actually made me feel depressed for a time because I’ve been doing them for so long that they’ve really become ingrained in my system. It’s like the preparation for the races became an annual body clock of sorts for me.
For the past few years, I was used to this kind of training load and schedule. So when the pandemic hit and the cancellation of the races came, the adrenaline and rush that came with the preparation for my races also dropped because the usual routine and structure that I followed either changed or disappeared. So because of the quarantine restrictions, I was left with whatever exercise and rides I could do— which were mostly at-home exercises and Zwift rides that were very different from what I was accustomed to.
TRAINING BEFORE THE PANDEMIC
Pre-pandemic, my typical weekdays consisted of waking up at 4am. By 4:45 I would be deep into a swim, bike, or run training block that will go all the way to around 7am. I’d then clock in at 8am for work, and at the end of the day, I’d still do some strength and conditioning for about 1-1.5 hours. Saturdays were reserved for long rides, while run-swim or long swim-only training blocks happen on Sundays.
So compared to my regular training na pagbaba pa lang ng car takbo na agad to reach my target mileage just so I could get in time for work, with this pandemic, I had the time to do long active stretches na. For my Zwift sessions naman, I really focused and became conscious doing the push and pull with the correct leg muscles. These are some of the things that I focused on during this long off-season since ito yung mga bagay that I have the tendency to neglect and sacrifice just to finish yung usual rigorous and planned workouts that I used to follow.
Pre-pandemic, my typical weekdays consisted of waking up at 4am. By 4:45 I would be deep into a swim, bike or run training block that will go all the way to 7am. I’d then clock in at work at 8am, and at the end of the day, I’d still do strength and conditioning for about 1-1.5 hours. Saturdays were reserved for long rides, while run-swim or long swim-only training blocks happen on Sundays.
At first, like I said, it was kind of depressing since I couldn’t do the usual structured program that I was used to doing. But this long off-season made me realize that if I couldn’t do my usual training load, that it was the perfect time to go back to basics and get in touch with my form.
So compared to my regular training where I’d step out of the car and run immediately to reach my target mileage just so I could get in time for work, with this pandemic, I had the time to do long active stretches. For my Zwift sessions, I really focused and became conscious doing push and pull with the correct leg muscles. These are some of the things that I focused on during this long off-season since these are the things I have a tendency to neglect and sacrifice just to finish the usual rigorous and planned workouts that I used to follow.
CURRENT TRAINING SCHEDULE
Right now, work has been really very flexible. When I say flexible, minsan I don’t have anything to do from 8am until 3pm—but then my staff could be bugging me from 3pm to 11pm. I realized, since my mornings are usually free, na puwede ako magbike.
I actually only got a smart trainer during the lockdown last year. Before Zwift, may treadmill ako sa bahay. What I would do is run, and then do TRX sabay strength and conditioning training after. Tapos, medyo na-bore na ako kasi lahat na yata ng training program ng TRX nagawa ko na. Sabi ko, bibili na ako sa smart trainer para maiba ng konti yun training ko.
Right now, work has been really very flexible. And when I say flexible, sometimes I don’t have anything to do from 8am until 3pm—but then my staff will end up bugging me from 3pm to 11pm. I realized, since my mornings are usually free, that I can now bike.
I really took this opportunity to work out everyday. During this pandemic, I’ve focused more on cycling. I’d say I’m training more now because my work hours are more flexible unlike how it was back then.
I actually only got a smart trainer during the lockdown last year. Before Zwift, I was just using a treadmill at home. What I would do is run and then do TRX coupled with strength and conditioning training after. Later on, I got bored because I ended up doing all the training programs for TRX. I told myself that maybe it's finally time to buy a smart trainer so that I can change things up.
Right now, I do a minimum of an hour and a half on the indoor trainer. But on average, I really bike two to two and a half hours. For training, I mix it up depende sa mood. If gusto ko nagiisip, I just do a free ride. Pero kung ayoko naman na nagiisip or may lakad ako, I’d choose a saved program.
Back then, everything was strict as I would train twice a day. My diet would involve calorie counting and kailangan kong i-maintain yung protein levels ko. So, kailan na ako makakainom o makakarelax? So noong lockdown, sabi ko talaga “Yes, finally, I can drink and relax a bit!”
Right now, I do a minimum of an hour and a half on the indoor trainer. But on average, I really bike two to two and a half hours. For training, I mix it up depending on my mood. If I want to take the reins and not run on autopilot, I just do a free ride. If I don’t want to think or if I have somewhere to go after, I choose a saved program.
For me, in this pandemic, I feel like I have to make the most out of it. Everything to do with training was strict before that. Now, it made me re-evaluate things that were important to me. It wasn’t about competition anymore, it was about finding balance.
Back then, everything was strict as I would train twice a day. My diet would involve calorie counting and maintaining my protein levels. So how was I gonna squeeze in a few drinks or at least find the time to relax? With the lockdown, I really said, “Yes, finally, I can drink and relax a bit!”
BEING A PART OF TEAM DAVID’S SALON
Team David’s Salon or TDS is the first all-female multi-sport team. Being part of TDS is a fun and challenging experience for me. It’s challenging kasi syempre as a competitive athlete there is always that push and pressure to race your best for that podium finish. But at the same time, it has also been really fun and nurturing. I have a very encouraging and supportive team na laging nandyan to help and guide me along the way.
I should also thank my teammates, kasi di ko talaga magagawa ang lahat ng ito kung wala sila. Popo takes time to evaluate yung pagcycle ko and I appreciate her for always teaching me. Tapos si Ands naman is always my number 1 cheerleader while Joyette, Mela, and the others, are also very supportive.
Team David’s Salon or TDS is the first all-female multi-sport team. Being part of TDS is a fun and challenging experience for me. It’s challenging, because as a competitive athlete there is always that push and pressure to race your best for that podium finish. But at the same time, it has also been really fun and nurturing. I have a very encouraging and supportive team that is always there to help and guide me along the way.
Even if the pressure is really there, somehow it gets better because I have teammates who are really supportive not just in triathlon or other events, but also in my overall individual growth as a person.
I should also thank my teammates, because I wouldn’t be able to do all of this without them. In cycling, Popo takes the time to evaluate my performance and I appreciate her for always teaching me. Ands is always my number 1 cheerleader, while Joyette, Mela, and the others, are also very supportive.
WOMEN IN SPORTS
It’s nice to have this year’s campaign to promote cycling during Women’s Month and International Women’s Day. Para maraming babae na maeenganyo sa sports since it can be intimidating.
My advice would be to tell other girls to never let their insecurities drag them down and to not be afraid of trying new things. Try to find a group or team that you click with, one that allows you to grow while also pushing you to reach new heights. That way, kahit na faced ka with pressure and roadblocks, alam mo na you are surrounded by people who have your best interests at heart. Just enjoy the process of learning new things and achieving your goals along the way.
It’s nice to have this year’s campaign to promote cycling during Women’s Month and International Women’s Day. That way, more women will be encouraged to get into sports since it can be intimidating.
My advice would be to tell other girls to never let their insecurities drag them down and to not be afraid of trying new things. Try to find a group or team that you click with, one that allows you to grow while also pushing you to reach new heights. That way, even if you’re faced with pressure and roadblocks, you know that you are surrounded by people who have your best interests at heart. Just enjoy the process of learning new things and achieving your goals along the way.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity
Ways you can follow Kriska
Instagram @kriskakriska
Zwift at SD Kriska
