CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — When Desiree Adrienne Lim Yu and Fate Alejandra stood on the podium in New Delhi to claim second place at an international HYROX fitness competition, it was the payoff of an eight-month journey built on sheer grit and sacrifice.
HYROX—a grueling endurance race combining eight kilometers of running with eight functional strength workout stations—demands relentless physical conditioning. For Desiree and Fate, preparing for a global stage meant fitting world-class training around night shifts, business management, motherhood, and the distance separating Pagadian City and Cagayan de Oro.
Shared Grit, Different Lives
Their partnership began naturally on a badminton court in Cagayan de Oro, where Desiree invited Fate to join her for circuit strength training. That spark led to their competitive debut as a duo in Singapore, followed by international races in Taipei, Beijing, and finally New Delhi.
Yet training as a team required constant adaptation. Fate works night shifts in Cagayan de Oro, structuring her workouts around her employment hours. Across the bay in Pagadian City, Desiree manages business responsibilities while raising two young children, squeezing workout sessions into small windows while her kids are at school.
"Time management lang jud," Desiree shared. "I do my work before or after training, and my husband really steps up when I need to train. As my mom would always remind me and my sisters, walay easy or ihatag lang [nothing is given for free]. You always have to stay focused, disciplined, consistent, and humble to reach your goals."
Beyond their individual routines, physical recovery required strict daily habits. Desiree relies on proper meal timing to rebuild after workouts, while Fate leans on individual discipline during solo training sessions.
Winning the Mental Battle
By the time they arrived in India for their fourth international race, the physical demand of the course was compounded by severe venue congestion and a psychological hurdle: a course layout requiring three distinct laps for every one-kilometer leg.
"I think the most challenging experience was starting in a later wave, where traffic on the track made it hard to keep our running momentum," Desiree recalled.
As exhaustion set in during the workout stations, the race became a test of internal resolve.
"There were multiple times during the race where nisulod gyud sa akong mind nga kapoy na kaayo and I wanted to give up," Fate revealed. "At some point, your own mind becomes the enemy. But in doubles, it’s not only about how fast you are individually, but how well you communicate, trust each other, and step up when your partner is struggling."
Inspiring Mindanao’s Talent
Standing on the podium in New Delhi validated months of quiet effort—proving that everyday Mindanawons balancing demanding daily lives can excel on international stages.
"Our advice is to start even if you don't feel completely ready," Fate urged local athletes. "There are so many strong and talented athletes here in Mindanao. Sometimes all it takes is deciding to show up, putting in the work, and aiming to be one percent better every day." (Dave Achondo, Editorial Assistant)
