THE BODY is a highly complex, multi-functioning living machine. It can endure extreme physical activities with proper training and nutrition. It also needs to regenerate, re-energize and recover from time to time.

As the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines in Camsur comes closer and closer, my semi-rigid training sessions with Ironman champ Ani de Leon, swim coach Guy Concepcion and bike coach/brother-in-law Robin Valdes are getting tougher and tougher.

So I did the logical thing recently. I took a training break.

On the invitation of Thai Airways, my alter ego Tim Yap organized a small group of cool fashionistas for a much-needed and timely spa and cooking trip to Thailand. We took one of several packages offered for touring the famed Kingdom of Siam on
www.royalorchidholidays.com or www.thaiairways.com.

Our first stop was Chiang Mai, the beloved northern city of the Thais, and we headed straight to the RarinJinda Wellness Spa Resort. An Indian doctor of alternative medicine, Sushil Rahul, gives visitors an aura check before they undergo any therapy.

With my aura color of orange and yellow, the doctor told me I should ?go well cheerfully? or at least finish the race with a positive attitude. That might be grammatically challenged, but I?m sure the Ironman will be an even greater one.

I checked www.ironman703phil.com and there are only two female entrants in my age bracket, with only five more days until the registration deadline. So even if I just crawl to the finish within the time limit, I might get a medal!

Three legs

One of the toughest endurance sports, the triathlon has three legs ? swim, bike and run. I am confident of my swim and run, but my biking skills are more appropriate for going around the village with my kids. Goyo Larrazabal of Bike Town Cyclery is assembling a ?secret weapon? for me. I hope it has an engine!

The hearts behind Ironman 70.3 are Alaska Milk CEO Fred Uytengsu and Camsur Governor LRay Villafuerte. Together, they are bringing sports tourism to the country as several international competitors are flying in just for the race. Fred got into tri to address his ?dealing with midlife fitness,? and is thrilled to be bringing the prestigious Ironman event to local shores.

Midlife fitness is something we can all relate to, but even better is midlife shopping! Triathlon is an opportunity to get into Oakley shades, Timex watches, Speedo fast-track suits and Nike gear ? and that?s just for starters!

At the send-off celebration, Timex, the official timekeeper of this historic sports event, brought together several dynamic individuals to represent the brand. With its high performance, sheer functionality and dependable accuracy, Timex has been on my wrist through all the long training hours, although I do switch to Swatch once I move into fashion mode.

Timex?s Gemma Pagsibigan offered to sponsor my race, so there is really no turning back. I may not be as strong as the members of the Polo Tri Team but I am certainly the most accessorized. I will be using the latest Timex piece together with all my Phiten products in Camsur.

To add to the excitement, Newtrends chairman Bob Mirani and GM Murli Menon offered generous cash prizes to the top team and individual winners. They also gave away stylish Timex watches that evening at the uber-posh Forbes Pavilion.

Swim leg

The swim leg of Ironman 70.3 will start in Camsur?s Lago del Ray Lake and cross to the smaller CWC Cable Park Lake. The manmade freshwater lakes are much less buoyant than seawater, so it is harder to swim. It?s a good thing that my friends from Speedo are so helpful and are in the process of finishing my speed suit!

My son Tyrone will be with me in Camsur and will certainly be wakeboarding as soon as we are through with the swim leg. In the meanwhile, he can use the skateboard park or cheer for dear old mom.

During our last trip there, Governor LRay gave us the royal treatment and even offered to take the kids for wakeboarding workshops. I made sure he was equipped with a helmet, and might consider a board if he does well in school.

For water sports enthusiasts, Republ1c has recently launched its new store in Eastwood City Walk 2. It was an energetic event, attended by vibrant fashion denizens and wakeboarders. Models with cutting-edge gear and ?scubanistas? mingled while listening to hip-hop grooves.

Greeting the guests were Gov. LRay, his lovely wife Lara, and sons Miguel, Julio, Gabby and Luigi. Megaworld?s Kevin Tan was there to show support. More Republ1c outlets are coming up in Trinoma and Westgate Alabang. Check out www.republ1c.com for superior quality brands and limited-edition designs.

Mighty sponsor

One of the Ironman sponsors is that mighty marquee name, Audi. PGA Cars? head Robert Coyiuto recently asked me to be an Audi brand ambassador, which I was more than happy to accept as I love the car?s smooth ride and stately grace.

Audi will sponsor a big charity event I am planning for this year. I?m already taking notes from Audi China brand endorser Maggie Cheung, who raised money for children affected by the Sichuan Earthquake. We?ll see what my charities, the Assumption and the Makati Red Cross, can come up with.

Audi seems to be supporting a lot of charities. I met Ateneo Law Class ?85 Alumni Homecoming chairperson Felisberto Verano Jr. and his officers, Victoria Garcia-Guingona, Val Suarez, Susana Fong and Maria Luz Manlapaz, who told me about their recent homecoming, also the 150th anniversary or sesquicentennial of the Ateneo de Manila.

To build up the event, Audi hosted mini-reunions at the Carrera M Café with a culminating activity at the Dusit Thani Hotel Ballroom. The main highlight was the raffle of an Audi A4. Funds raised benefited the Ateneo legal aid and scholarship program for underprivileged Filipino youth.

I can hardly wait to see what Audi is planning for the Ironman 70.3 in Camsur!

E-mail the author at seaprincess@inquirer.com.ph.