THE country’s current fastest female marathoner Mary Joy Tabal has reached the final phase of her training, and her mood has now shifted to game mode as she represents the country in the 42-kilometer event of the 28th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Singapore on June 7.
Tabal was just named into the Philippine national team for athletics and is now tapering from her rigid training and will now focus more on speed intervals.
“We (Tabal and coach Philip Dueñas) got the advice from Olympian friend Dick Beardsley that we must tone down our training and focus on the speed enhancing with just a few weeks before the race,” she told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.
Tabal added that they lessened their activities especially the long runs since she already logged the mileage this year after joining the 42K in the LA Marathon.
“I am almost ready for this race and I have hit my target weight. What we need now is just to maintain it until the SEA Games,” she said.
The 25-year-old from Talamban, Cebu has been tapped by Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (Patafa) to represent the country in the 28th SEA Games.
The former Southwestern University stalwart said that she was also told by Patafa president Philip Ella Juico that she is now part of the Philippine team for marathon.
“I told them that I want to be based here in Cebu because I am used to the place and the running community. I’m glad that they have considered that and allowed me to still train here under coach Dueñas,” said Tabal.
Tabal, the two-time Milo Marathon queen, went full throttle with her SEA Games training after receiving the confirmation from Patafa around six weeks ago.
When asked about her chances, Tabal said that she isn’t certain for a podium finish yet because there are many strong contenders in this region.
“There are about four or five other runners, who have better time than me. But my time is not far behind. I guarantee to give my best in this competition,” Tabal said.
She will be leaving for Singapore on June 3 together with the Philippine delegation. The 28th Sea Games will open on June 6, while the women’s marathon event will be on June 7.
Tabal is among the athletes that will look to improve the Philippines’ finish in the 2013 Sea Games in Myanmar with 29 golds, 34 silvers and 38 bronze medals. (With Julius Ivan G. Carpio CNU Communication Intern)
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on May 22, 2015.
Source: Richiel S. Chavez of Sun.star Cebu
