tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10799175406548018172024-03-05T16:58:35.724-08:00Louis's Ironman Training - Apparently 3 Ironman aren't enoughLike many things in life, you gonna do it more than once!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-69532331132656743372010-12-06T21:39:00.000-08:002010-12-06T21:40:34.767-08:00I am moving for the next 10 months.I am switching blog for the next year or so. Check out <a href="http://vitapanda.blogspot.com/">Vita Panda</a> for both Kevin's Ultra Marathon training and my Ironman Training.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-79440019928194342072010-12-03T00:23:00.000-08:002010-12-03T00:33:51.543-08:00Bringing my A game onIn 2010 I did a total of 16 events. Most are my 'C' races because I just want to do it for fun. My mission for 2011 is simple. Treat all races as my A race. I'll drop a few pounds, do some speed work and see where I go. This blog won't be so much about my training but more about making process. There is going to be a lot of work involve, but I also know that the result is going to be rewarding. Let's see how bad ass I am going to be in 2011. I am definitely looking forward to the challenge and result.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-8029308135931467672010-12-03T00:15:00.000-08:002010-12-03T00:19:09.174-08:00Ironman Arizona Race Report - 11/21/2010<p>I got to Tempe Thur night with my hiking friend Stephen and this is going to be his first Ironman. After I arrived at Tempe one of the first things I notice is how the temperature changes within a short window of time. When it’s sunny out it gets very hot. When it’s overcast you feel chilly. I know staying hydrated and regulate my body temperature will be the priority on Sunday.<br /></p><p>I went to the Expo on Friday to pick up my packet. Then went to this Wine Bar for lunch and it was surprising good. I then drove the bike course and hung around for Ironman Dinner. I managed to find Jennifer Jay from the Ncal Ironteam so I ended up sitting with her team along with Stephen, David Ruckman and Jennifer Howard. After dinner I drove to my home stay Dea to unload my stuff. Boy she has a very nice place! I even get my own room so I can lay my stuff everywhere! Bonus points for the 3 cats.</p><p>I went home and packed my stuff. Unlike Vineman where you setup your run/bike stuff next to your bike, you are not allowed to do so in official Ironman races. Instead you get 5 bags to put stuff on. Morning Clothes Bag, Swim to Bike Bag, Bike Special Need Bag, Bike to Run Bag, and Special Run Bag. If you race with me you know I am always prepared for different condition, so naturally I put a lot of stuff in the bag. Food, Clothes, Contact Lens… you name it I got it. Learning from this year Vineman Bike Special Need experience I basically put stuff in big Ziploc bags so I don’t spend a lot of time looking for different stuff like I did in Vineman. I packed my stuff into ‘must need’ Ziplocs and my ‘Oh Shit’ Ziplocs. So when I am looking thru those Ziplocs I know only to go thru the ‘must need’ Ziplocs and leave the ‘oh shit’ Ziplocs untouched unless something happen and I need to access stuff that I may need.</p><p>Saturday was pretty uneventful. I went to drop off my bike and the next thing I know TheWongstar (Professional Triathlete) was calling my name. Who’s the stalker now? I followed her around, took some pictures and even get to meet the mama WongStar. I then went to lunch with Jennifer and Sam who came all the way from LA to be a volunteer and to support Stephen and I. We went to a pho place called UnPhogettable and it was very forgettable. Food was expensive and bad! I called Coach Paul from teamsquareone thanking him and telling him that I am ready. I had dinner, and went to sleep at around 9pm.</p><p>I woke up around 3:30am on Sunday, left the house around 4:45am and got there around 5ish. One thing that I noticed right away is the city skyline around the racing area. It looks so beautiful and neat! Love the moon reflecting the lake and the lighting on the bridge. Anyway, I dropped my bags, and just wonder around. While I was waiting around I saw people pouring water on them. I put some in my wetsuit so I won’t be as cold when I go into the water. I jumped into the water at 6:45am, and the canon went off at 7:00. Mass swim start is interesting because you actually know who’s in front of you and who’s behind you. Half way thru the swim I was able to pee while swimming. That itself is a new accomplishment! I got out of the swim in 1:57.</p><p>The volunteer gave me my Bike bag and another volunteer led me to the changing tent. I forgot his name but he did Ironman Wisconsin in September and it’s now volunteering at the race. I told him I wanted to sit for a bit to get warm up and he just laid out everything for me. He helped me put on my BIB, help with HR monitor…etc He was very helpful and I really appreciated the support I received from the volunteer group. As I exiting the transition area I saw Ironteammate Linda, Sam, and Jennifer in Pikachu outfit!</p><p>The bike course is a 3 loops course. I was going at a good pace and I felt very strong. But above all my back didn’t hurt (as much). And I was even going uphill in around 19 mph??? Wow really? I got to the turn around (3rd aid station) and I stopped to take a break. I know the WB and TNT people are volunteering at that aid station so I figured I say hi and take a pee break. I didn’t know it at the time but I lot of people that I knew from Team In Training was also there. After I actually turned around I found out I was going 19 mph uphill because there is a crazy wind going uphill. So it’s tail wind uphill and head wind downhill! The wind was so strong I was going downhill at 12-14 mph. at times 10mph!!! It took forever to go back and I know it’s going to be a long day. As much as I don’t like the wind everyone is facing the same condition, so I just deal with it.</p><p>Lap two started to rain hard, thanks god it was a short period of time. Also I needed to pee at aid station 1. Man I need to practice peeing on the bike! I got to the turn around and saw Pai Wei and Linda. I stopped, resupply, and gave them a hug. I know I was over heating (wearing too much) so I took off my tri top at Bike Special Need and only wear the cycling top. Shortly after I took another restroom break at Aid Station 4!!! As much as I am peeing all the time I know I need to take in my nutrition. I also kept up with drinking extra water because I know AZ is hot. The headwind agave me a false of coolness but I just needed to remind myself that AZ is hot and dry. During the race I kept passing the people that I passed because I took extra time to pee. Remember, it only take 3-4 minutes to bike a mile so if I passed them for a mi all they need is an extra 4 minutes to pass me. Lap 3 I decided to hold it and not pee so often. I skipped the first two aid stations and stop at Station 3 again. This time I saw my friends at the WB Tri Team! It’s always nice to see familiar faces! I gave two of my bottles to them and told them to take it back to LA for me =P.</p><p> </p><p>Loop 1 (Stopped): Aid Station 3</p><p>Loop 2 (Stopped): Aid Station 1, Aid Station 3, Special Bike Need, Aid Station 4</p><p>Loop 3 (Stopped): Aid Station 3, Aid Station 4</p><p>Luckily for lap 3 the uphill wind disappeared so I was finally able to go downhill at around 27mph. Then I rode the last 8 miles with headwind again *_*. During the later part of the bike I focus more on the heart rate so I don’t actually get lazy on the bike. At one point a girl was drafting behind me for a good 3-4 minutes before I finally dropped her. I talked to a few people on the bike at the last stretch and they all agreed that they are done with the bike for a while. After I dismount I told the volunteer I don’t want to see my bike for a while. The Volunteer at T2 Changing tent isn’t as eager to help in T1 so I took a minute to recollect myself from the bike so I can focus on the run. I changed my clothes and head out to run.</p><p>Run is a 3 loop course and its a little less than 9 mi each. Soon I discovered the bottom of my feet hurts. Not sure why. I tried to run it as much as I can. In fact I was doing well during the middle of the 1st loop I was averaging 9 minutes per mile for a good 2 miles. Eventually I started walking more and more because every step hurt. I compared the condition I am in versus the condition I was in at Nike Women’s Marathon and decided to just treat IMAZ run as a training race to minimize injury and reduce recover time. Don’t’ get me wrong, I did my run/walk and passed a lot of walkers! About a mile left I bumped into another Ncal Ironteam and she asked me if I am Pikachu. Yes I am famous. When I got near the finish line I started running, saw my friends, passed another handful of people and dashed across the finish line.</p><p>Monday was a chill day. I picked up my special need bag and took my friends to meet theWongstar. I decided not to buy any Ironman stuff until Ironman Canada. I knew she probably don’t want to talk about triathlon but as her #1 fan in Monterey Park I felt like I needed to get her Q&A ready when she has her podium finish.</p><p>So what do I think about the race? The swim is what I expected. I felt very strong on the bike throughout the whole 112 mi where on Vineman I was kind of out of it the later half of the race. And I felt good on the run compare to my Vineman run. I definitely did not run a 9 minutes mile in Vineman for 2 miles! I will need to work on my liquid intake so I don’t pee as often. Either that or pee on my bike/pee while I run. I think personalized training I received from squareone definitely help me to become a stronger athlete. Although I finished around the same time as Vineman but I feel a lot more solid during IMAZ, it is an important improvement because it allows me to get faster in the long run.</p><p>Overall it’s a very nice race. I like the city landscape and I like how the swim course is around the lake. You can actually see building and people walking with you to see you race. The bike is pretty flat with a nice downhill (if we don’t have the headwind!!!). The run is well staff, well lighted. And I did get a lot of people cheering from Team In Training. It is going to be a nice race for the Ironman and I am looking forward to hear the experience from the Georgia Ironteam.</p><p>I can’t thanks enough to the people that come out to cheer and to volunteer. I know I can’t remember anyone so I am not going to list them all. And my home stay host for giving me a comfortable stay and picking up my bike. Congratulation to first time Ironman Stephen Soong, Jennifer Howard, Lisa Lefner, Galya Bassin, Chris Andrew, Stephanie from WB Tri Team.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-42894872897647724302010-08-25T08:02:00.000-07:002010-08-25T08:43:03.871-07:00Fews things to do in Kentucky<span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Cheer for the Ironteam</span><br />Because I am awesome!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Ironteam2010/20100703-100-mi-bike-workout/DSC3516/922306358_HpY2T-XL.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 471px;" src="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Ironteam2010/20100703-100-mi-bike-workout/DSC3516/922306358_HpY2T-XL.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Just because we may hang a bike on the tree in Louisville, I need to be there just in case</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Meet the one and only Wongstar</span><br />My friend Gigi told me about this Chinese Elite Pro named <a href="http://www.thewongstar.com/">TheWongStar</a> and I have been following her journey since. Am I a stalker I think not. But thanks to me, the whole Ironteam and my 575 facebook friends now know about the WongStar (well I have 578 friends... but I need to minus the wongstar, gigi, and papa Wongstar).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShOnIbK0RbPrjExRH9XMsm8BZvZhOH5kREDO5gLNFqA7zcFVR9IsHXv7dk2IbexnRCl1cA_NRCQs8Eh6tRIXMBo2yMU5QiyisLXE_9NzIwyAejJzUhw0KyP6kmcOJAxG7Y1ZSYeyDdGI/s1600/run3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShOnIbK0RbPrjExRH9XMsm8BZvZhOH5kREDO5gLNFqA7zcFVR9IsHXv7dk2IbexnRCl1cA_NRCQs8Eh6tRIXMBo2yMU5QiyisLXE_9NzIwyAejJzUhw0KyP6kmcOJAxG7Y1ZSYeyDdGI/s200/run3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509368430753115138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">huh?</span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Give Coach Paul a hard time</span><br />He likes it<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Ironteam2010/20100313-L-A-T-I-G-O/IMG7129/809352737_TAgXn-L.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 214px;" src="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Ironteam2010/20100313-L-A-T-I-G-O/IMG7129/809352737_TAgXn-L.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">trying to plug Paul with my tail... as if he is one of those avatar creature </span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Eat Kentucky Fried Chicken</span><br />Will KFC win the <a href="http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/3483039_hCKTa#196168044_56oN6">Battle of Chicken</a> 2010 with the home court advantage?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Stretch</span><br />With all these hours waiting, I may as well do some stretching to become a better athlete. Is there yoga classes in Kentucky?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-76061394537284536242010-08-07T23:05:00.000-07:002010-08-13T18:49:55.890-07:00I am Pacman - My Vineman 2010 Race ReportIt's 1 year after my first Ironman and I am in Santa Rosa again doing my second Ironman. This year I am the photo and mission captain of the Ironteam. Throughout the season I took most than 10,000 pictures for the team and each one of them have a story... the achievement, the struggle, the hunger, the inspiration... you name it I took a picture of it.<br /><br />The days prior race day were fun. I followed the team around and took as many pictures as I could. During the inspirational lunch on Friday my campaign manager told the other chapters that they may see Pikachu running with them during the race and she ensured them that Pikachu is real and they are not hallucinating. So naturally, I got up to the mic and told people why I run as Pikachu. In case you don't know here is a recap, I am running as Pikachu as a way to honor people who are going thru cancer treatment. They get stared at constantly because they are bald... so why not have people stare me as Pikachu so I get a sense of what they are going thru.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Ironteam2010/20100729-Vineman-Thur-Team/DSC5477/968431649_6XVm3-X3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 299px; cursor: pointer; height: 200px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Ironteam2010/20100729-Vineman-Thur-Team/DSC5477/968431649_6XVm3-X3.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">thur team dinner<br /></span></div><br />After lunch, the team went to pick up our packet and dropped off our run gear. We had dinner and the coach gave out gag gifts to people. Little did I realize, the coach actually got theWongStar to write the team an email wishing us good luck. I think theWongStar email is inspirational to the team. When is the last time an Elite Pro write an email to you? And did I mention she is Chinese. Asian Pride! *throwing peace sign*<br /><br />When I did my one on one race talk with the coaches I just looked at them and they just looked at me. I told them I am good... and they said... cool. I guess this year they don't have any concern about me.<br /><br />Race Day came fast. Came Sat at 4:00am, people started to show up at the lobby with 3 bags of stuff. Swim bag, Special Bike need bag, and Special Run need bag. You drop off these special need bags and they will be available at various point of the race (For bike it's at mi 56, and the run is outside of transition 2)<br /><br />by 4:30am, everyone was here and we headed out in one bus. During the duration of the ride everyone was very quiet. I felt like we were a group of solider getting ready to parachute down to Normandy.<br /><br />After our little 20 minutes bus ride, we arrived at transition 1. I setup my area, then walked around and took pictures. With 20 minutes to go, I told Rich to write '<a href="http://www.thewongstar.com/">I love WongStar</a>' on my forearm to show her that I am still her #1 Fan in Monterey Park. Apparently I put too much bodyglide around my wrist and Rich couldn't get the writing on me. He finally got it on somehow.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Ironteam2010/20100731-Full-Vineman/IMG0706/955772900_NxeZP-XL.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 204px; cursor: pointer; height: 271px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Ironteam2010/20100731-Full-Vineman/IMG0706/955772900_NxeZP-XL.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">hi <a href="http://www.thewongstar.com/">WongStar</a></span><br /></div><br />With 10 minutes to go I handed my camera to Brad. During Vineman training weekend I FINALLY realized that taking pictures really slow me down, so I decided not to carry a camera this time. I did my warm up, the gun went off, and I started my 2.4 mi swim... I have two swim speed. Slow, and very Slow. Today I decided to go with the first one - I got out of the swim 2 hr later.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Ironteam2010/20100731-Full-Vineman/DSC5920/955942523_fPyfL-XL.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 307px; cursor: pointer; height: 205px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Ironteam2010/20100731-Full-Vineman/DSC5920/955942523_fPyfL-XL.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Yup I am out!</span><br /></div><br />As I was running up to the transition people were yelling at my name. Go Louis, Go KwanStar, Go Kwan, Go Pikachu. I don't know who yelled what but there were a lot of names floating around. I really appreciated people being there for me, but I have this bad habit of not acknowledge them and just looking forward. Maybe I am shy, I don't know. I changed to my bike stuff and headed out. Knowing my back will probably start hurting soon after I bike, I took the first 4 mi easy. I spin at high cadence to get my leg fresh. After 4 mi I did not feel any back pain! Then I started to pick up my speed and I started to pass people... lot of people. Aero helmet people... checked, people with expensive bike... checked, pro-looking cute girl in perfectly fitted tri kit... checked, people that don't like Team In Training... checked, people with ego issues... crushed... and of course teammates... (I don't really consider myself passing them, more like I just caught up and say hi). When I passed Kim on the bike I told her she owe me a cupcake (we had a bet: whoever swim faster buy cupcake). I was feeling very good and very strong. I was having fun and I was enjoying my day. As I was a few mi away from the first aid station I felt sensation on my back, I knew the muscle is started to get tight. I decided the best course of action is to stop at the aid station, get off my bike and stretch. And that's what I did. Of course I took a few minutes and everyone I passed earlier passed me. Unlike running, passing someone in cycling is pretty easy. I can be a mile ahead of somebody and it will only take them 3-4 minutes to pass me. After my short stretch I got on the bike and kept going. I passed Kim, gave her a 'ha ha', then disappeared in front of her... only to have her passed me again at the second aid station. By then I saw a lot of my teammates and I was happy. Last year I saw 2 during the bike. This year I saw like 10.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Ironteam2010/20100731-Full-Vineman/DSC5941/954573163_Hajds-L.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 242px; cursor: pointer; height: 364px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Ironteam2010/20100731-Full-Vineman/DSC5941/954573163_Hajds-L.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">feeling awesome!<br /></span></div><br />I got to mi 56 special need area with a time of 3:20 (ave 16.9 mi per hour). If I didn't stop I maybe doing 3:10... who knows... but compared to last year, I was very happy with my time... and more importantly how I felt compare to last year. Last year I wasn't a happy camper. I couldn't even bent my back when I got off my bike at special need. I secretly cried a little at mi 58 because I didn't know if I can finish the bike. This year I felt great! I was giving people the <a href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Ironteam2010/20091129-Cross/DSC1668/727053096_8K7PF-L.jpg">Anna Wills</a> smile (Anna is this triathlete I know that always put on a big smile... even after a bike crash!!!).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Ironteam2010/20100731-Full-Vineman/IMG0746/955787053_HraWj-XL.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 243px; cursor: pointer; height: 324px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Ironteam2010/20100731-Full-Vineman/IMG0746/955787053_HraWj-XL.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Never forget to thanks your coaches during the race<br /></span></div><br />I took longer breaks during the second loop of the bike. When I was at the last aid station Lilly caught up to me and told me two things: - She had been having Asthma attack on the bike... 3 times - Yvonne had two flats and she had a big cut on the tire So I did my own Ironman triage. Lilly was there with me and she didn't look like she was dying, so I focused on Yvonne first. Lilly told me Yvonne was ok physically, but she didn't know if the tire will hold up. Since I did't know where Yvonne was I couldn't really help. I decided to just tell Tom and Sharon when I see them at around mi 105. And with Lilly, I asked her a few questions to make sure she wasn't dying on me. I asked her if she had her phone and she said no. I asked her if she want to carry my phone just in case and she said no. She said she'll just take it easy and finish the ride. We rode together til chalk hill. She seem fine so I took off (actually, I probably looked like the one having an asthma attack when we rode up chalk hill) I hammered the last 6 mi of the bike course and got a time of 7hr and 40 min. In was hour 10 into my race. Only a marathon to go.<br /><br />As I started my first lap some of my teammates are already finishing their first. One such person is honored teammate Gordie Lat. All reason he doubted himself. He wondered if he can finish the race after the mini stroke back in Jan. He wondered if being a cancer survivor will affect his performance. I saw all my teammates and everyone look great! I felt like I was running a good pace until I checked my watch... 13 1/2 min per mile? Are you f@#@ing kidding me? I felt like I was running at 11 min per mile. I kept running at a constant pace hoping to get out of this slow poke pace.<br /><br />At some point Coach Paul came up to me on the bike and check on me. He is actually a sensible man. I told him I felt great and I could of gone 40 minutes faster on the bike. He said let it go. You are here and you are not hurting. Who knows what happen if you hammer the bike... maybe you'll be walking now. I said... Paul you are the best coach ever... then continue my run (actually I didn't say that... but that's what I wanted to say). Sometime in lap 1 I decided to stretch my legs. Bad idea. They started to cramp right a way. Lesson learn... no stretching during the run portion of the Ironman. Near the end of Lap 1 I saw PikaRich cheering for people.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Ironteam2010/20100731-Full-Vineman/DSC5989/955736582_o7maP-XL.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 350px; cursor: pointer; height: 233px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Ironteam2010/20100731-Full-Vineman/DSC5989/955736582_o7maP-XL.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After a while I finished lap 1. Everyone was there cheering for me. That pumped me up a little bit. The beginning on lap 2 is uneventful. I do my usual random chat with people. When people yell at my name I act surprised and ask them how do they know my name? (it was on my shirt), I also told people that forcing food down now was tougher than the actual run... most of them agree. I wasn't kidding, I had a lot of liquid in me and I just wanted to vomit. Actually I stopped running several times just to make sure I don't vomit.<br /><br />Then came Jenny at around mi 11. Jenny is one of the ncal TNT teammate so I started talking to her. Jenny was on her second loop like me and she was doing her first ironman. Then I made the biggest mistake of this race. I told her I will finish around the same time as her. Minutes after I said that, she picked up her speed... and I picked up my pace just to keep up with her. It was Pac Man time for 15 miles. She was the ghost and I were the Pacman. I wanted her to be ms Pacman because labeling a girl as a ghost is just wrong. But hey she seem to be the faster one and I was really running away from her just to keep up. so ya I am Pacman.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjp6b9qgrdi06PF_MYAk478Fkjk3qLTg3hZlx6NiENNaaiS-1vc1F-5YwCj1ZUA2F51VBzDjAlUdmdjFQhBKY7lYrSQkfsZiSGS6SM5pkxRwXnqi0kli2TCe5cl9kwIDVUvZmkW3FWdM/s1600/Jenny.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504919050124803250" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 132px; cursor: pointer; height: 200px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjp6b9qgrdi06PF_MYAk478Fkjk3qLTg3hZlx6NiENNaaiS-1vc1F-5YwCj1ZUA2F51VBzDjAlUdmdjFQhBKY7lYrSQkfsZiSGS6SM5pkxRwXnqi0kli2TCe5cl9kwIDVUvZmkW3FWdM/s200/Jenny.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Jenny checking on me... I think<br /></span></div><br /><br />At times I pulled away from Jenny only to have her caught me when I went to the restroom. At the later half of my lap 2 I saw this woman with LA Tri Club and I wondered if she is Amy Berkin-Chavez (aka ABC). I never met ABC in person but I known of her from our mutual friend Alison. As I was thinking if I should talk to her Amy asked me if I am Louis Kwan... Before she even finish telling me who she was I was like are you Amy Berkin Chavez LOL. Yes, Amy is famous and I am infamous! We chatted a little and she disappeared in front of me.<br /><br />Jenny and I finished lap 2 together and she passed me once again at the beginning of lap 3. By then the Pacman game caught up to me. I was more tired than usual because I wasn't running at my own pace, I was running at Jenny's. At mi 22 or so I wanted to give up (not the actual race, but keeping up with Jenny). I wanted to tell Jenny to go ahead. I had a slow bike time and I knew I wasn't going to PR on the marathon. I needed to drive back to LA the next day. Why bother? My body was fine but there were ten thousands reasons why I don't want to push myself. But there were one reason to keep me in this pacman game - Tyler. Tyler almost die few weeks ago. I am serious. And I thought to myself, I am doing this race in honor of Tyler, I needed to dig deeper and make an effort. Unlike the bike where I took breaks to avoid injures, I know I can push myself on the run... and so I did. I started to pick up my pace and I started to pull away from Jenny. I looked back often to make sure I had a good distance between Jenny and I.<br /><br />After I don't know how long I was finally in the final .5 mi or so. I wanted to wait for Jenny and cross the finish line with her. But at the same time I don't know if she wanted this random dude to ruin her finish picture. I wanted to give her the moment so I decided to finish first and wait for her at the finish line. I ran the last .5 mi., crossed the finish with my Coyotes running shirt, and I became a second Ironman finisher. It was the toughest marathon I ever ran (including the one where I was injured). Thanks Jenny =)<br /><br />One of the first thing I did was to give my Rachel my campaign manager a hug. She offered a hug to me last year after I crossed the finish line but I was too cold to hug her. So this year I made sure I gave her a hug! I waited until Jenny came in then I gave her a hug. I then changed out my wet cloth to some dry one, put on my mountain hardwear beanie, popped open a few chemical heat patches, and put on my mountain hardwear shell. Yes I am a mountain hardwear fan.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Ironteam2010/20100731-Full-Vineman/DSC6028/955748787_uxHvA-XL.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 346px; cursor: pointer; height: 232px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Ironteam2010/20100731-Full-Vineman/DSC6028/955748787_uxHvA-XL.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Eric, Alex, IronKimbo, and IronteamLouis</span><br /></div><br /><br />To tell you the truth, there were so much going on at the finish line and I didn't get a chance to thanks everyone. However we were all doing one thing. We were all cheering for our teammates to come home. Lilly came back, Sandra, Tony, Ale, Nurit, Yvonne, then Andie ran across the finish line with her Canadian Flag. She was crying with tear of joy and I had tear in my eye... she's my favorite Canadian.<br /><br />The support of my teammates were awesome. Sarah helped me pick up my swim and bike stuff so I don't have to walk around. Sara also helped me with my bike. I am sure if I demand a back rub I would of get one... damn it. Next year.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Ironteam2010/20100731-Full-Vineman/DSC6065/955763878_axdE7-XL.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 363px; cursor: pointer; height: 243px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Ironteam2010/20100731-Full-Vineman/DSC6065/955763878_axdE7-XL.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Andie my favorite Canadian<br /></span></div><br />I got back to my hotel, took a 45 minutes shower to get my body temperature up, ordered a glass of chocolate milk and ate country fried steak at Carrows, then went to sleep.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">After thoughts (Ironman)</span><br />I had a very good day. My back didn't hurt when I got off the swim. I took it safe by getting off my bike and stretch at every aid station. I always encourage others to be active and not worry about the time. Yet this time I was feeling 'ashamed' of my time shortly after my race. All the could of should of thinking got to me. I should of been at least one hour faster (not counting the swim).<br /><br />I made the decision to stop and I made the right one. When your back hurt, every mile sucks!<br /><br />Then I thought about what I did. I did an Ironman. Things can go wrong and will go wrong. We had teammates that did not cross the finish line this year. That's not because they didn't train enough. 0ne of them was sick in the med tent for 2 hours half way on her bike. One just had a very bad day. My team consist of very capable and strong willed athletes. As a support staff, a teammate, and a friend, I am prod of very single of them. The strogest will of all is probably Lilly. I didn't know it at the time but Lilly ended up going to the ER because her blood pressure was too low... crazy woman!<br /><br />I ran my first marathon back in March 2008, in 2 1/2 years I ran more than just a few marathons, finished 3 Half Ironman and 2 Ironman. Heck I didn't even know how to swim back in Nov 2008. anyway. If I am not happy with my time, I just have to do another one. And if I don't have a good time next time, I'll do another one. It took me maybe 10 half marathons to finally finish one in under 2 hours. I just need to be patience with my Ironman.<br /><br />Endurance Sport (hiking is also an endurance sport) is not in my 'check list', it's part of me. What I lack in speed I make up with endurance and solid performance. I am very solid this year compare to my first Ironman. For that I am happy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">After Thought (the last 10 months with Ironteam)</span><br />This year I took a lot of pictures for the team to help my teammates document their journeys. *I take payment in Tonkatsu or Korean BBQ Thank You very much*. And hey two SGV marathon alumni that I recruited, Strawberry lover <a href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Ironteam2010/20100801-Post-Vineman/IMG0776/955858747_ND788-L.jpg">IronKimbo</a> and Cancer Survivor <a href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Ironteam2010/20100729-Vineman-Thur-Team/DSC5464/952302822_mn7UP-L.jpg">Gordie Lat</a> , finished the race! Freaking Gordie stressed me out because he kept saying he can't do it... only to finish an hour faster than me... jerk j/k!<br /><br />I also experienced a few unfortunate events last year. <a href="http://www.reneebensonbelieve.com/">Renee Benson</a> and <a href="http://jessiefund.com/">Jessie Mastan</a> passed away from cancer this year. Renee was 2 weeks shy of her 30th birthday. Jessie was 14. These girls never get a chance to experience a lot of things in life. I decided to live my life to the fullness. I am running Carlsbad half marathon in memory of Renee and Disneyland Half Marathons in memory of Jessie.<br /><br />Little Tyler also got very sick this year. Social Worker asked Tyler's parents to see if they need help with funeral arrangement. The kid was dying. Fortunately he went over that huddle.<br /><br />I had my ups and downs this year. But I learn that you have to constantly move forward. You can't blame on stuff that did not favor in your direction.<br /><br />If you don't like the current situation you are in, you need to take initiative and start changing... doesn't matter if is your health, your finance, your relationship, your career. Nothing is going to change if you just stand around. You may find yourself running in circle, but eventually you'll break away and start moving forward. That's what the Ironteam taught me. Stop watching those infomercial and think that you can 'lose 20 lbs in 20 days' or 'get rich by following the secret'. I trained 10 months for an Ironman and I did not lose an oz (well it has more to do with my eating habit). But there is definitely no short cut to the top.<br /><br />I would like to thanks my donors again for their donations, my friends and family for their supports, and my teammates who are always there for me.<br /><br />LouisUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-21378080374280954142010-05-06T07:23:00.001-07:002010-05-06T07:23:29.313-07:00Wildflower Race Report- getting to the campsite is an accomplishment itself: I worked tue-fri since 6am (I usually get to work at 9am-10am), I got sick, I was sitting in traffic on the 101, and more importantly, I missed Chick Fil A (I thought it was in SLO... but Chick Fil A was in Oxnard!)<br /> <br />- After I got out of the swim I finished my first bottle in less than 1/2 hr. That wasn't a good sign<br /><br />- I hit a pothole going down hill and dropped two of my rear water bottles. I am glad I didn't crash!!!<br /><br />- My cage on the frame broke in half at the second water station. What the hell? The cage was hitting my left leg... I need to stop and remove the cage.<br /><br />- During WTFW I got to the top of Nasty Grade at 2:30. It was 2:30 and I was half an hour away from Nasty Grade. I did too many races and I am paying for it<br /><br />- My leg almost cramp up on that hill going back to the park entrance. I pushed thru it. I told myself I either push thru it or get tipped over like a cow.<br /><br />- I got to T2. By then I figured I'll just finish the course so I pick up my camera (no camera on bike because I was planning to PR) and head out. May as well make myself useful! Cramp on both leg at ~ mi 2.5 (the small hill before we enter the trail). Today isn't my day... started walking and really continue to monitor my condition. <br /><br />- I took pictures of other TNT people because I think we are all part of the family. I hate it when I see people from another chapter and they look at you like you are from another planet.<br /><br />- I saw my friend Godfather Sean at mi 7. He is one of the key people to get me into the world of triathlon.<br /><br />- Definitely ran up that small hill leading to TNT camp site... don't want the walk of shame!<br /><br />- I have two thoughts during the run.<br />a) I wanted to sing like Scott but the only song that I can come up with is 'Killing me Softly'. I didn't think it will go well with other runners so I didn't sing it.<br />b) I want clean hands... my hands were sticky... sport drinks, sunscreen, bio-relief, sweat, salt, hand oil.<br /><br />- I saw my friend Pai and I told him I didn't know he was doing the race. He said he broke his pedal and rode 10 mi with one leg. I told him he was stupid. He laughed, walk for a while and I kept going.<br /><br />- I saw Sara Tung running in pain! But she kept on moving! Determination to keep moving!!!<br /><br />- I saw Gordie in front of me and I told him... 'And you said you don't know if you can do it? You are faster than me!'<br /><br />- After I got down to Lynn hill there was a woman vomiting and crying on the side of the road. I could of finish my silly 'sub 3' LOL but I was like whatever. I'll run her in... maybe she'll join TNT next year. She walk, vomit, walk, vomit, walk, vomit... and we are finally off. Then both of my legs decided to cramp up and I fell on the ground in pain. I was thinking... it will be funny if she took off without me. Of course she didn't... anyway this woman somehow pull me up and we continue to run. I told her it's funny how things just turned around. We crossed the finish line together holding our hands up high. By the way I knew she ate half an orange......<br /><br />- My heart sunk when I saw people that got cut off. I know we are all capable but they got cut off by the silly rule of triathlon. Men have an extra hr to complete the race! I asked Jen Shaw what's her first marathon time is... she said she was slow... ~5:45. I told her mine was 6:30 (LA Marathon 2008). I had knee pain and ended up walking 1/2 of it. I told myself I'll just do another one.<br /><br />Bad day? Sure. Was it a meaningful day? Definitely. You don't have a good day unless you learn from the bad! Like one of my coaches told me. Learn and move forward. Don't keep thinking about your bad day, let it go.<br /><br />LouisUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-76411223519532435102010-02-06T16:04:00.000-08:002010-02-06T16:12:50.206-08:00Renee Benson's BlogI learned of Renee few weeks back when my teammate Jame gave a mission moment about Renee. Renee started fighting cancer since she was 21 and she is now 29. A rough time for a young beautiful girl.<br /><br />Time after time I ask myself what am I supposed to do when I hear things like this?<br /><br />Do I want to feel fortunate after hearing things like this? No.<br />Do I want to feel bad for Renee? No, I don't think she wants us to feel bad for her<br />Do I help the world by donating more money? Maybe<br /><br />I am still searching for the answer. The only thing I know is I should support her in some way, so I PR the Carlsbad Half Marathon in honored of Renee.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://reneebensonbelieve.blogspot.com/">Renee's Blog</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-85439031552317911052010-02-04T06:39:00.000-08:002010-02-04T06:43:47.746-08:00Procrastination will kill you!!!I found myself wasting a lot of time nowadays. I will wake up at 6am in the morning, procrastinate, then go to work. When I get off work, I will do my workout, go home, procrastinate, then sleep. Days after days, all these time add up and I can't afford to procrastinate anymore.<br /><br />There are just too much going on for me to procrastinate. So starting this week, I will try to post what I do everyday. I figure if people are watching over me, then I can't procrastinate (well at least not as much!). I think this is my new year resolution(See, I even procrastinate on new year resolution!!!).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-22400381250359333092010-01-03T21:08:00.000-08:002010-01-05T08:05:55.055-08:00Running the Boney Mountain Half Marathon just for the heck of it.I ran the <a href="http://trailrace.com/boney.html">XTERRA Boney Mountain Half Marathon</a> because<br />- I won't register for the race (TNT training every sat) but I want to know if I can make the cut off (finish in 3 1/2 hr)<br />- Do a write up for Alison and XXX.<br />- get back to my hiking shape.<br /><br />Here is the stats<br />Finish in 3:48:07<br /><a href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Running-Biking-Swimming/20100103-Boney-Mountain-Half/Map-Track-With-Mile-Marker/756765142_BLnWc-O.jpg">13.4 mi on my GPS</a><br />3hr 37 moving time<br />11 min and 44 sec stopping time<br /><a href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Running-Biking-Swimming/20100103-Boney-Mountain-Half/Profile/756765699_yihaL-O.jpg">Total Ascent 2854 ft</a><br />Took 66 oz of drink... only 2-3 oz left!<br /><a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/21637261">Mapping from my garmin running watch</a> Please note that the evaluation chart is not accurate.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Running-Biking-Swimming/20100103-Boney-Mountain-Half/Map-Track-With-Mile-Marker/756765142_BLnWc-O.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 804px; height: 510px;" src="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Running-Biking-Swimming/20100103-Boney-Mountain-Half/Map-Track-With-Mile-Marker/756765142_BLnWc-O.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I start off with 66 oz of drink. Initially I was going drop off some water at mile 6 but the gate was locked, so I figure I just have to deal with 66 oz.<br /><br />This is the breakdown for me (if I were to do it next time)<br />0 - 0.7 mi: uneventful<br />0.7 - 1.73 mi: downhill, keep at comfortable pace<br />1.73 - 3: rolling hill. take advantage of the flat and gain speed<br />3-4: uphill. try to run on flat<br />4-4.85: downhill. I use it to gain some speed. make sure you are not putting too much stress on your legs.<br />4.85 - 6: downhill. less steep. you can gain a lot of speed if you want.<br />6 - 6.6: rollling. get speed. If you are too beat up from the previous section you wouldn't be able to run fast (well for me)<br />6.6 - 8.7: uphill. It's like hiking. Try to run the flat. If you are running as fast as you hike. Hike!!!<br />8.7 - 9.11: downhill. you can use it to gain speed. Remember that you will hike up again. save some leg.<br />9.11 to 10: uphill. It level a bit toward the end. run the flat.<br />10 - 11.55: First part is fast descent... then it level out for a bit (since I was going too fast on the downhill I can't get myself to run fast on the flat)<br />11.55 - 11.9: last uphill. I walk most of them<br />11.9 til the end. The last downhill section is uneven. Please pay attention.<br /><br /><a href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Running-Biking-Swimming/20100103-Boney-Mountain-Half">All pictures</a><br /><br />The bottom of my left foot started to bothering me around 7 so I slow down a bit. I took a 7 min break because I need to take off my pack and find stuff to eat. My right knee started to bothering me maybe at mile 8.5 but it never develop into any kind of problem. My left arm also started to cramp starting I would say mile 10.<br /><br />I was kind of beat for the last 1.5 mi.<br /><br />Overall I had a good day. Even though I did not make the 3 1/2 hr cut off. I think I did pretty good (in my standard). I didn't even train for this race! The course is not difficult for me because this is the kind of terrain that I hike on. Running it definitely give you another perspective... it's so much harder. The downhill put a lot of stress on your legs, but I was ok because I took enough abuse on hikes where I don't really feel pounding. I was tired from 'running' toward the end (but I can still walk/hike LOL). There are probably a lot more places I can run if I were to do this again.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The biggest tip I have is to have a better average time (hike faster on the uphill, run little section, maybe go a bit faster on the downhill). I think it was 3:00 when I got to mile 10. I started running downhill but I can't get myself to go under 10 minute pace because my legs are beat up from previous uphill/downhill (muscle fatigue).</span><br /><br />Have fun Alison and XXX!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-56848528918766643862009-12-11T23:36:00.000-08:002009-12-13T09:13:46.616-08:00I learned more about Cancer... this time from my friend.I feel like I have to share all my experience at once, so this is going to be a long one. If you don't want to read everything... skip a few paragraph and start reading after the red text.<br /><br />Before joining Team In Training, I really don't know much about cancer. My first 'encounter' with cancer happened 10 years ago when my grandmother had advanced stage of breast cancer. I love my grandmother. She lived modestly and care about her family. She was sick while she was in Hong Kong so I flew back a few times to see her. Doctor said she has a few more years to live after the chemo treatment. However she did not finished her treatment because it was too painful for her. She went with alternative medicine and passed away. I was at college during that time. She did not get to see me graduate from college, she did not get to spend money that I earn (cause I was at school), and she did not get to see my wife and my kid (I am still looking for 'the girl'). I know these are some of the things that she look forward to. I know there isn't anything I can do, but this is one of my biggest regret in life. Now I am reduced to offer my respect by burning paper money and material things made out of paper when I visit her at the grave.<br /><br />I am devastated of her passing, but I think I had an easier time just because she is half way around the world so I don't see her in a regular basis. My family also know about her condition for a while so we know that this may happen.<br /><br />Fast forward 10 years. My second encounter about cancer is from Team In Training. I joined the marathon team and I started to know people that get affected by cancer. I met cancer survivors and I started to know people that lost their love one from cancer. I still remember my coach broke down in tear while talking about his dad. Yet I try not to think too much about it. The survivors that I know were doing fine so I don't want to bring it up.<br /><br />I think it's typical response from people. Since most of us don't know how to react we tend to avoid the topic all together.<br /><br />Few months after joining Team In Training my friend told me her mom has Lymphoma. I care about my friend's family and I offer any help I can. I talked to the mom and offer my support. She did her treatment and she is fine. But beyond talking to them and eat with them I did not do anything else.<br /><br />Everything changed in Sept 2008. My honored teammate Tyler got sick. One day the doctor said he needed bone marrow transplant, few days later the doctor said he needed chemo instead. During that week I was literally riding the roller coaster from hell. Not knowing what may happen really put me in fear. I felt useless about the situation because there wasn't anything I can do. This is the reason why I joined the Ironteam. I want to do something for the Kid. If Tyler can go thru chemo, I can learn how to swim.<br /><br />So up to this point, I pretty much don't have to really think deep about cancer. I continue to train for my Ironman, fund raise for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and I eat. I continue to be myself.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">You can start here if you want (Sorry if I jump around... too much feeling is going on and I can't tie everything together!)!!!</span></span><br /><br />Then 2 weeks ago, I got a text from my friend. She said. "I am going to start my chemo tomorrow and I am scared". The sentence is short and emotional.<br /><br />I called her and she told me she listened to the doctor about the treatment but she wanted to talk to someone that actually been thru Chemo. I called up Virginia Garner (a good friend of mine, also a honored teammate) and have her talk to my friend. Virginia shared her experience and offered tips better cope with the disease.<br /><br />I know cancer can happen to anyone. She is young, beautiful, and very active, why her?<br /><br />So few nights ago I went out to dinner with my friend and talked for a long time. She told me she had a routine check up and the doctor found out she has an early stage of cancer.<br /><br />But before she can deal with the treatment, she needed to overcome her emotion, found out more information about cancer, and think about the cost of treatment.<br /><br />I know medical treatment made a lot of advancement in recent years, but cancer is still cancer. If I were to have cancer, that would of be a death sentence for me regardless of the stage. Since both of us are serious backpackers, I am glad that her hiking experience and her mindset help her control her emotion and being positive. I talked to her and we realized we both thought about our own death and how we need to move on and keep hiking if one of our close friends die from a mountaineering accident. It actually happened to her in 2006. One of her closed friend passed away while doing a winter ascent of <a href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Backpacking/20060722-23-WTC-Mt-Morgan-Trip/morgan/739541867_JeccN-O.jpg">Mt Morgan</a>. It took her a few good months before getting out there again... but this is something we have to do. We need to move on. I wouldn't want my friend to stop hiking/running/doing triathlon if something happened to me.<br /><br />ok... getting back to the cancer. My friend started to read up information about cancer and she also talked to the hospital about her treatment. She was a month away from having insurance so this thing took a big chuck out of her saving (for people that don't know, a chemo shot is $10,000 per dose)<br /><br />All these things reinforce the idea that when you are seriously ill, you don't just deal with the diseases, you need to deal with everything that surround it. A lot of time you need to talk to somebody but your friend/family don't understand. It also make me realized why <a href="http://www.lls.org/">The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society</a> is spending money on things like educational material and first connection program. I used to question why they spend money on 'educational' material and web broadcast? Why do they set up the First connection program so people can talk to other people with similar cancer. Now I know.<br /><br />After she had her first chemo treatment her hair started to fall off. She realized that some people started to treat her different. People started to stare at her. She told me she would say hi to some people and they wouldn't even look at her or response. She became very aware of how people see her. She was getting the impression that people see her as a sick person now, not the old person they used to know. She wonders why. She is still the same person... only with no hair. Why do people act differently? Maybe these people think that she is contiguous? I don't have an answer for that. I think some of these people are trying to avoid contact because they don't know what to say or how to react? I used to be one of those people.<br /><br />She is now feeling more confidence about her new appearance. People actually talk to her about their own experience (either themselves or people they know) and she think this is helping others. This is one of the reason why I am writing this blog.<br /><br />Sometime people ask why I fundraise for Team In Training and why I sponsored a family from the Children Hospital. I still remember one of my friend question my motive because I don't have a strong reason for doing Team In Training. Apparently helping someone and 'I think running a marathon is kind of fun' was not enough. I'll probably say the samething if you ask me why I am doing the Ironman with Team In Training. It doesn't matter. I think you just have to go out there and do some charity work. Donate money or become a volunteer. You'll find your reason one day.<br /><br />Everything is working out so far. I am glad my experience allow my friend to talk to Virginia.<br /><br />The experience make me think more for others. In turn I become a better person. These experience is not something that I can understand by reading an article or a book, you need to experience first hand. Sometime the experience is not a good one, but we all have to learn from them and move on.<br /><br />LouisUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-40736040645409243442009-11-10T00:05:00.001-08:002009-11-10T00:09:37.296-08:00Ironteam 2010The season is started and I am training for another 9 months. There are a few things need to take care but I'll give you guys an update soon.<br /><br />But I did get the new ironteam facebook page set up. If you have facebook and you want to see what's going on in my team, be a fan. (The page may sounds like me because I am the one updating the content LOL)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Los-Angeles-Team-In-Training-Ironteam-2010/190234307291?ref=mf ">Ironteam Facebook Page</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-59786110117749962892009-11-03T22:37:00.000-08:002009-11-03T22:49:05.536-08:00My first Walk Of ShameBack in Oct 11 2009 I ran the Long Beach Marathon. I wanted to PR this race. I was so determine to go under 5 hours I even follow the pace group. My knee bother me early on but I push on to mile 16. Then everything fell apart. My knee started to hurt and I have to slow down. I did not want to injure myself because I was flying to Hong Kong that very same night... and did I said I haven't pack! I chill the run and I finished around 5:30. I did not even run the finish. I walked across the finish line with my friend Da and this girl Andrea because they are also in pain. Andrea ran like 29 marathons and she was laughing at herself because she felt so bad. Another failure after LA Triathlon. Oh well, you can't have the best day all the time, you get up and walk again.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-1580013035015332032009-10-04T21:26:00.000-07:002009-10-04T21:29:15.744-07:00Nike Human RaceTraining<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CLouis%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CLouis%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CLouis%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> 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{mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} table.MsoTableGrid {mso-style-name:"Table Grid"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-priority:59; mso-style-unhide:no; border:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1; mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-border-insideh:.5pt solid black; mso-border-insideh-themecolor:text1; mso-border-insidev:.5pt solid black; mso-border-insidev-themecolor:text1; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Some of my friends are attempting their first 10k so I made something for them. You can say I am wrong or whatever. But this is better than them going out and do their own thing.
<br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><b style=""><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">What are you doing? Finish your first 10K!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, I am not a coach.<span style=""> </span>Don’t kill me if you end up injuring yourself =P.<span style=""> </span>But I did ran 5 marathons, a bunch of half, and an Ironman (swim 2.4mi, bike 112mi, and run a marathon) so I have ideas to help you to reach your first 10k.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">For those of you who are doing your first 10K.<span style=""> </span>I can’t stress this enough.<span style=""> </span><b style=""><span style="color: red;">You are training to complete your first 10K.<span style=""> </span>Don’t worry about how fast or how slow you run.<span style=""> </span>Our goal is to get you to the finish line and injury free. </span></b>This is especially true with first timers. They worry about running too slow, over-train, run too fast, and injury themselves.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Clothes and Shoe<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I don’t want you guys to spend a lot of money (unless you want to LOL).<span style=""> </span>But in general you don’t want to wear cotton.<span style=""> </span>You want stuff made with polyester.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The only polyester thing I suggest you to get it’s polyester socks.<span style=""> </span>They help you so you are less likely to get blister (and this time is real… not beach chair LOL)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For shoe, I guess you can continue to use what you have.<span style=""> </span>But if you want a pair of running shoe, you talk <span style=""> </span>to me or Josephine (if you know who she is).<span style=""> </span>Don’t go out to Nike outlet and buy a pair of running shoe =)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Interval Training<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Most people who does marathon don’t run the whole thing.<span style=""> </span>A lot of people do Interval.<span style=""> </span>You’ll hear me say 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, 4-1.<span style=""> </span>What does that mean?<span style=""> </span>The first number is the number of minute you run and the second number is the number of minute you walk.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So when I say 2-1… that means run 2 mins, then walk for 1 min… then run for 2, walk for 1, run for 2, walk for 1…</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I suggest people with no running experience to try 1-1, 1:30-1, or 2-1.<span style=""> </span>You should be able to do this for your whole workout.<span style=""> </span>If you do 2-1 for 30 min and you got very tired half way thru… then you should lower to 1:30-1.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">If you think you need extra break, you can do 1-2.<span style=""> </span>But try to keep walking for 1 min and see what happen first.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">How to keep track of your Interval<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Well I don’t want you to spend a lot of money on running unless you are going to keep doing it.<span style=""> </span>For starter any digital watch with a stop watch will do.<span style=""> </span>You just do the interval with the time. (it’s tougher if you are doing half min like 1:30).<span style=""> </span>People can’t do math while they run, it’s true!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">But if you want to spend the money, you can buy a digital watch with a dual interval timers (nowadays some watches have multi timers).<span style=""> </span>How it works: say you do 2-1.<span style=""> </span>It beeps every 2 min (tell you to stop running and start walking), then beep again after 1 min (tell you to run). It will do the same thing if you do like 1:30-1… 2:30-1:25.<span style=""> </span>You don’t have to count and it has a countdown to how much you need to run/walk.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Not all watches have this funny.<span style=""> </span>Sorry, your Baby-G probably don’t have this feature (but you can use your Baby G and just keep track of the interval yourself).</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Timex is usually the brand of choice.<span style=""> </span>Something like below will do.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">http://www.runningwarehouse.com/descpage-TISLK50PK.html</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I strongly suggest you to get your watch at an actual running shoe store.<span style=""> </span>They know which watch you need and they will teach you how to use it. (I have a timex and I don’t really know how to set mine up… I use my Garmin watch for Interval).<span style=""> </span>It may costs a bit more, but save you a lot of trouble.<span style=""> </span>They sell Timex at target but you really need to look for the right model… and the staff is probably not that useful.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Local Running Shoe Store</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Run With Us (Pasadena)</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Snail Pace (Pasadena)</p> <p class="MsoNormal">A Runner’s Circle (Los Feliz)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Nutrition <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Remember to drink during your training. Eat something an hour before if you were to run in the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Schedule:<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I gave it some thoughts and came up with the following schedule for people who never ran before.<span style=""> </span><b style=""><span style="color: red;">ALL TIME/DISTANCE are supposed to be easy pace. REMEMBER, YOU ARE TRAINING FOR YOUR FIRST 10K (6.1 MI RACE) AND YOUR GOAL IS TO FINISH.<span style=""> </span>You can worry about your time on your second 10K.</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Here is the breakdown.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">When I say <b style=""><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">30mins</span></b>, just jog 30 min easy pace (with run/walk interval).<span style=""> </span>If you can’t do the run walk interval.<span style=""> </span>Just walk (but try to walk fast).</p> <p class="MsoNormal">When I say 3mi, just go 3 miles EASY PACE (You should be able to sustain this pace and even talk whil you jog). Again please do the run/walk interval.<span style=""> </span>On 10/17 you will I have 4.5mi/1hr10min.<span style=""> </span>You stop whenever one of those comes first.<span style=""> </span>If you ran 4.5 mi, then stop.<span style=""> </span>If you ran for 1hr 10min but you haven’t reach 4.5mi, STOP!</p> <table class="MsoTableGrid" style="border: medium none ; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="border: 1pt solid black; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Sun</p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: black black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Mon</p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: black black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Tue</p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: black black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Wed</p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: black black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Thur</p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: black black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Fri</p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: black black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Sat</p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">10/04</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">REST</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">10/05</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">30mins</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Or</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Almansor Park at 7:30PM</p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">10/06</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">REST</p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">10/07</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Arcadia Track: 6:30pm</p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">10/08</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Walk</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">40mins</p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">10/09</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">REST</p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">10/10</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">3mi (Don’t go to Rosebowl, football game) </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">10/11</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">REST</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">10/12</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">40mins</p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">10/13</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">REST</p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">10/14</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">35mins</p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">10/15</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Walk 40mins</p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">10/16</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">REST</p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">10/17</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">4.5mi/1hr10min</p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">10/18</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">REST</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">10/19</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">30mins</p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">10/20</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">REST</p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">10/21</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Very Easy 30min or Walk</p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">10/22</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">REST</p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">10/23</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Nike Human Race Fri Night</p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color black black -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 0.95in;" width="91" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">10/24</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Gun starts at 12:00am</p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-47240519528474298762009-10-04T16:04:00.000-07:002009-10-04T17:14:06.232-07:00My LA Triathlon Race Report (DQ)LA triathlon starts at Venice Beach and it ends at downtown LA. I got to downtown at 4:30am this morning and I spent 15 minutes looking for a parking spot because none of the parking lot appears to be opened. I ended up parking on one of the meter parking and bike my car to the shuttle.<br /><br />I got to the transition area and setup all my stuff. I walked around and bumped into a few of my Ironteammates. We did warm up and the water is very choppy. I am concerned because I get motion sickness. Whatever, we'll see what happen.<br /><br />So the Gun start and we all headed to the first buoy. I decided to walk a little bit and the wave is very strong. As I was walking I can feel the water retrieving to feed the wave... I was like oh god. The wave itself wasn't really that big of a problem. But you get these double waves where you dive under one and you will get hit by the second one. Which is also ok. But then you also get wave from different direction... well actually 2 directions. I get wave coming straight at me and I also get wave that come at a 45 degree angle... and did I say the water was very choppy.<br /><br />Usually I just need to dive under a few waves to get to calmer water. This time I lost track. I am concerned because it seems like every time I swim 1 feet forward the wave will push me 2 feet back. After I don't know how long I made it to the first buoy.<br /><br />I then focus to swim to the second buoy. As much as I try, I need to take a breather every few minutes because I wasn't sure where I was going. I try to swim straight but I am just getting beat up by the choppy water. Then I wanted to vomit. Since I didn't want to waste time I actually try to vomit while I swim. That did not work out because there is nothing in my stomach!!!<br /><br />I didn't want to give up just yet so I continue to swim. Eventually I swim to one of the lifeguard and rest on his board. That was half way between the first and second buoy. I know it's kind of nasty but I try to vomit while resting on his board (my desperate attempt to feel better). Again nothing. I thanks him and continue to push forward.<br /><br />The choppy water did not improve and I continue to swim off course. When I got to the next buoy I again took sometime to rest on this lifeguard's board. Again, I use this time to rest and vomit.<br /><br />I moved on.... for a short period of time. I was thinking this is very bad. Physically I am totally capable of swimming the distance (even though I haven't been swimming). Mentally I am good. But this whole motion sickness thing sucks. The turn buoy is still a good distance away. I then have to swim close to the shore (more choppy), then I have to swim against the current.<br /><br />I can continue with this thing and I am sure I'll get to the finish line eventually. But given that I wasn't really going anywhere and that I need to stop every 20-30ft to take a breather because the water is so choppy.<br /><br />I raised my hand to have the lifeguard come to me so I can rest. I rest a little and told her I am calling it a day... I am maybe 30 meters from the half way point. There was a lifeguard boat around the area so I got up and tell them I want to go back to the shore. The guy radio my number to the med tent, then I jump back to the water and climb on a board attached to a jet ski.<br /><br />I was kind of glad that I made the decision because even the time I spent on the jet ski seems like FOREVER!!! Eventually he told me to get back on to the water and just walk back to the shore. Geez I even have problem with that!<br /><br />Fine, my first disqualification. I was ready to surrender my timing chip and take the shuttle back to downtown LA. When I got to the finish line I don't see any race official. I went to the Med tent to let them know that I am ok. I continued to the transition area. No Race Official there, so I was like screw this I am doing the bike and the run too. I jumped on my bike and start riding.<br /><br />My fear was realized. I still want to vomit and I am physically tired from battling the waves. I did not go very fast on the bike. And yes, there wasn't any porta potty. I was going to try peeing on my bike but I couldn't get myself to do it. I will wait until I hit transition area in Downtown. I did my good deed by giving away one of my tube. So that's 1 tube for Vineman and 1 tube for LA Triathlon.<br /><br />I got into T2, did a quick change and head out. What the heck... no porta potty. Right then I know this is my last LA Triathlon.<br /><br />The run was uneventful. I took a few pictures of Carlos and Tom. When I see TNT people I will say Go Team. When I see WB people I will say Go WB. When I see KP people who are struggling I offer a high five to them and tell them to give me a big smile.<br /><br />Toward the end of the race a KP girl was walking so I tag her shoulder and told her to run with me. We finished together.<br /><br />Overall it's a bad day for me.<br />-lack of direction for parking<br />-lack of porta potty during BOTH THE RUN AND THE BIKE COURSE (ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME)<br />- and of course the choppy water... but that no one has control of.<br /><br />P.S. My friend was listening to the podcast and he said the official were actually consider to cancel the swim. But this doesn't give me an excuse to quit.<br /><br />There you have it, my bad tri day.<br /><br />Good Job for all my teammates that were able to conquer the Pacific Ocean.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-89879272570441834252009-09-25T09:23:00.000-07:002009-09-25T09:24:13.556-07:00Onigiri is good for you!http://missionbee.blogspot.com/2009/09/onigiri.htmlUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-60992028230946669362009-09-21T07:16:00.000-07:002009-09-21T07:25:06.893-07:00Aero Helmet and a digital SLRWhen you wear an Aero Helmet you are telling people that you are fast. So every time I passed a dude with the Aero Helmet I laugh at him. Actually I shouldn't be shallow like that because he may have mechanical issues or he may be injured.<br /><br />Recently I felt the same way about Digital SLR. I have a digital SLR but I don't know how to use it. I always set it to the Auto Mode and I just shot away. I feel like I am the guy riding with the Aero Helmet. I feel like I don't have what it take to shot with a digital SLR.<br /><br />I am now a photo and mission captain for the Ironteam, maybe it's time to learn.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.missionbee.blogspot.com/">My new blog about losing weight</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-36478351525211336472009-09-20T23:02:00.000-07:002009-09-20T23:06:41.372-07:00After Vineman but before the next season beginAfter Vineman (Aug 1) I did the following<br /><br />Hills are alive 10K<br />AFC Half Marathon (America Finest City)<br />Disneyland Half Marathon<br />Mt Baldy Run to the top<br />Malibu Triathlon Classic Distance<br /><br />Wow, that's a lot of events!<br />Well this Friday I am going to do the YMCA Climb to the Top (US Bank Building)<br />Then next Sunday I am going to do the LA Triathlon<br /><br />I am still debating about the Long Beach Triathlon but I know I am going to do the Nike Human Race on 10/24.<br /><br />Then the new season starts.<br /><br />As much as I did all these races I did not train after Vineman. I know I have another 9 months of training so I want to rest as much as possible now (not training that is). I do not want to get burn out... a perfect excuses huh?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-81628493717949638052009-09-20T18:11:00.000-07:002009-09-20T18:13:44.559-07:00A New ProjectHi guys,<br /><br />I am going to be a captain in the 2010 Ironteam. I am planning to do 1 or 2 more ironman in 2010. Not sure which one yet.<br /><br />However I am determine to lose some weight. Since I want to encourage others to do so, I created a new blog. Please check it out from time to time as I am going to do my best to inspire!<br /><br />http://www.missionbee.blogspot.com/Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-79030989724094817012009-08-09T22:10:00.000-07:002014-07-14T23:49:07.533-07:00Full Vineman Race Report<br />
<div style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: red;">
<br /></div>
This is my account of what happened on Aug 1, 2009. I swam 2.4 miles, rode 112 miles, and finished off with a marathon (26.2 miles run). One after another for a total of 16 hours.<br />
<br />
This is the summary<br />
<a href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/photos/634488002_GFRi8-O.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/photos/634488002_GFRi8-O.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 345px;" /></a>If you took the blue pill and you want to continue, here it is.<br />
<br />
It all started at 3:00am in the morning.<br />
<br />
3:00 am: I woke up, shower...etc<br />
<br />
4:00 am: Left the hotel room and went to the hotel lobby. The meet up time was 4:30 am but i did not want to stay in the room. Staying in the room make me nervous.<br />
<br />
4:45 am: head out to take the shuttle. During the ride I told my teammates that today is Tyler's birthday. I did not get much responses because most people were listening to music.<br />
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5:30 am: Arrived at Johnson's Beach, got my bike, dropped off bike special food bag, pee, and head down to transition area.<br />
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6:00 am: I setup everything at the transition. I did a few dry run from swim out to my rack just to make sure I got it in my head. I went to the restroom, talked to my teammates, then headed back to put on my wetsuit.<br />
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6:20 am: Headed out to the swim start and warm up. As soon as I got into the water my nervousness went away! My beta male imagination about negative events that may happen... gone! Perhaps my mind was getting focus. Perhaps I realized there is no turning back. After all, chicken out as an Team In Training member is never an option for me. Jokes away, I think I was ready. 10 months of solid training. Two amazing coaches, tremendous supports from family/friends/teammates/donors (not in order)... there was nothing to worry about.<br />
<br />
By now I was second away from the start, Coach Paul told us 1000 times to stay in the front of the pack and let other swim pass you. Well, I stayed at the back. I just didn't feel like getting swim over by someone, getting kick in the face and then lose my goggle.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/photos/634485328_SB4Ci-O.jpg">6:30 am</a>: At 08/01/2009 6:30 am, I, Louis Kwan from Monterey Park, finally started my first Ironman... the final exam from a course call Team In Training Ironteam. I just want to finish, kind of like taking a pass/fail option in a class. I am going to improve my time on my second ironman. This ironman is just a test to see if I can finish an ironman without any major issues.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Full Vineman Swim 2.4 miles (3862 meters) 2 loops<br />time: 01:56:20.8 (~ 1/2 hr for each 1/2 the loop)</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">time of day: 6:30 am - ~ 8:30 am</span><br />
Description: This is a two loops course in a river. No sharks, No seaweed to 'grab' your leg, no monster wave. In fact you can actually stand up in part of the course because the river is so shallow.<br />
<br />
I started swimming and was uneventful for a while. A lot of people passed me and I did not care. I kept on swimming, 1 meter at a time. After a while I started to see people stand up walking!!! I did not give in and continue to swim. However at the turn around point, I stood up and started walking because a lot of people were walking. Then I felt like I was cheating so I dived back to the water after several steps. My speed picked up as I was now swimming with the current. After 20 minutes I saw the <a href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/photos/634485351_Wnwut-O.jpg"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Red Pyramid 'Turn' around Buoy </span></a>and I was happy. One lap down, one more to go I thought. BUT... when I got to that buoy, I realized that wasn't the 'turn buoy'... the real one was sitting where I started... several hundreds yard away. This totally screwed me up. Right then everything was in slow motion. The next few minutes felt like hours. (below is a diagram for reference, don't look at the cartoon yet... I'll explain in a second)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/photos/614430931_M9X6r-O.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/photos/614430931_M9X6r-O.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 323px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 408px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">swim course. click picture to enlarge</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.smugmug.com/photos/633865421_pd9Pw-O.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.smugmug.com/photos/633865421_pd9Pw-O.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 552px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 367px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">This picture is taken on top of one of the bridge</span></div>
<br />
Eventually I finished lap one and the slow motion thing went away. I continued to swim and I reached to the turn around point half an hour later. Right then I needed to make a decision. I knew I need to pee and I knew I can hold it until I finished the swim. However peeing at the transition area means I need to 'run' to the porta potty and back... thus wasting my time. Since I promised Coach Paul/Rad not to 'mess' around during transition, I decided to pee in my wetsuit so I can saved a minute or two in transition. <span style="font-weight: bold;">BEFORE I GO ON I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE PEE IN THEIR WETSUIT. IN FACT MOST OF MY TEAMMATE DO... WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF TRIATHLON!</span> Now the real question is... how? During the season I been trying to pee in my wetsuit with no success. I don't recall my mom saying stuff like 'Pee in the swimming pool, it's fun'. Actually I been trying to pee the last 1 1/2 hr and nothing came out. I tried to pee while swimming... no... not working. I tried to pee while I am just floating (like a dead fish)... no... not working. I concluded that standing up may work. So after the turn around point I stood up and started walking away from other swimmers (I do have my manner you know... I don't want to pee while people are swimming next to me).<br />
<br />
So now I just stood there pretending to rest and pretend to be busy. Like how you would pretend to chop onion in the kitchen when in fact you are trying to steal food before dinner. Then a hand padded my shoulder, It was my teammate Marie. She said she saw me standing and she wanted to make sure I was ok. I told her I am ok and I was trying to pee. Right then she pushed me away and started swimming (now you can look at the cartoon). I thought that was very funny. I did pee a few seconds later and I was happy. I accomplished something before I even finished my 2.4 mi swim! Anyway, I let some water into my wetsuit so I don't feel like I am swimming with pee. Soon after, I saw the <a href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/photos/634485313_Kppzj-O.jpg">finishing arch</a> and I headed to that direction. As I get closer I kicked harder to make sure blood are going back to my brain. This way I won't feel dizzy when I jump out of the water. Next thing I know, I was out of the water.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.smugmug.com/photos/633243102_GWjcB-X3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.smugmug.com/photos/633243102_GWjcB-X3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 466px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 309px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">Taking off wetsuit: Each wave has a different color cap. Mine is Yellow. Elite + 34 and under</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">T1: Transition from Swim to Bike (07:56.5)</span><br />
As I was running... well I think I was walking... ok let's try this again. As I was walking out of the water I can hear people talking to me, it was Coach Paul and a few other teammates. Paul said 'It's not that bad right?' and I knot my head. Since I told Paul I am not going to mess around I did not stop for them. I kept on running and focus the task to take off my wetsuit. I took off half of my wetsuit (upper body) and I started running to the wetsuit stripper. In theory, you lay down, get your ass up in the air and the stripper will pull the wetsuit out of your body so you don't have to spend like a minute trying to take it off yourself. I ran up to the strippers and there were a bunch of them. They were all yelling something at me and I heard nothing but noise. I felt like a solider in an amphibious landing. Since I knew what I am supposed to do I just sit down with my back on the ground and let them to do their thing. Next thing I know I was up with my wetsuit on the shoulder. I found a wetsuit stripping video from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZld7agGqOg">another race, check out 0:23</a><br />
<br />
Thanks to the dry run I did before the race, I ran straight to my bike and started to prepare for the bike. I grabbed my cycling short and went straight to the changing tent. I got in and there was another guy changing. I notice the curtain was a bit too small for the tent but I didn't really care. I needed to get out of the transition, I don't really care if you see my butt. I took off my tri short and put on my cycling short, then I ran back to my transition area. I was happy that I was in and out just like that. I got back to my rack and did the sequence like one of those Honda Car Robot (the one that build car... not <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3C5sc8b3xM">ASIMO</a>... or <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5ThLESGwJQ">Strong Machine 2</a>).<br />
<br />
I did the following<br />
1. Dry myself (a quick wipe)<br />
2. Change from TNT tri top to TNT cycling jersey (I wasted time to change because I have been biking with the same clothes for 10 months and I don't want any surprise by using my TNT tri top and short).<br />
3. Put on Heart Race Monitor and <a href="http://www.nipguards.com/">Nip guard</a> (didn't stick so I didn't put my nip guard on)<br />
4. Put food on my left jersey pocket, (Id, insurance card, cash, eye drop... all in one ziplog bag) and tire repair kit in the middle pocket, and an extra tire tube on my right pocket.<br />
5. Spray sun screen on my body. Apply sunscreen lotion on my face cheek, nose, and my neck (well I did not apply it, I got a lot of it and just wipe it across my face... ONCE!!! just to save time... that's why I look so white on my pictures =P)<br />
6. Put on Glove, Sunglasses, and Helmet, and also turn on my bike computer.<br />
7. Put on Sock, and Shoe.<br />
8. Put my wetsuit and all the other stuff in a bag so that the volunteer can transport my bag back to the finishing area (I did a dry run just to make sure everything fit in my bag so I don't waste my time trying to stuff my bag... smart huh?)<br />
9. Started running to the transition exit with my bike.<br />
<br />
Somewhere between step 1 - 9 I heard Paul and my teammates tell me to hurry up. There were actually kind of far away but for some reason I can hear them. I want to tell you guys that as much as I have 1000 steps I was focus to get out fast. More importantly I was making good time. I knew they were trying to encourage me and tell me not to think about this thing too much... but at that moment I snapped and told them to shut up. Seriously, I told them to 'SHUT UP'. Sorry Coach Paul and whoever that were there. I am sorry!<br />
<br />
I did 1-9 and started to head out. Since the whole transition area is on a pebble parking lot, I was actually running on carpet. And since I was kind of dragging my bike on an uneven surface my bike was hopping left and right. As I was running to the exit I almost took out a swimmer at the wetsuit stripper station... 5 seconds after I lost control and my bike fell to the ground. At this point I was like... ok... I better 'walk'. So I walked very fast and I actually caught up to the guy in front of me. Since we are all on this one lane carpet I was kind of stuck behind him. I can go to the rocky area and go around him, but I need to carry my bike because I don't want rock to get on my bike (you never know where the next sharp rock is). Right then I saw Coach Rad and I gave him that 'dude this guy is blocking me' kind of look. He told me to chill... slow down, so I just walked out of the transition area. I saw Aubrey, Matt, and Sarah on my way out and they took pictures of me. I really appreciated my teammates. They did the half ironman back in May and they drove all the way up to Napa just to cheer for us. It was awesome! After I walked up this little hill right out of the transition area I got on my bike and I was on my way.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Vineman Bike 112 miles (180 km) 2 loops<br />time: 07:45:49.3 (~ 3:30 for 1st loop 4:15 for the 2nd loop)</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">time of day: 8:30 am - ~ 4:15 pm</span><br />
<br />
Bike Course <a href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Running-Biking-Swimming/Ironteam-Spring-2009/Blog-Pictures/6672074_UGCDR#631870245_iacVK-O-LB">(Click here to view full size map)</a><br />
<a href="http://www.smugmug.com/photos/631870245_iacVK-X3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.smugmug.com/photos/631870245_iacVK-X3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 533px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 464px;" /></a>My Garmin Connect Player... if you want to see a little dot moving thru the course (<a href="http://connect.garmin.com/player/10601341">click to see my actual pace for the bike</a>)<br />
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The first few miles were all mental. Since I got off the swim late there wasn't any biker around me. I wanted to bike as fast as I can but I told myself to resist. My time will come, I need to pace myself. I was cold and I regret not riding with a bike shell. My back was a bit tight and I did not pay much attention to it. While I was on River Road car will pass by and yell Go Team! That's always nice. At around mile 5 I started to catch up the slower bikers. By then my back started to hurt and it made me ride slow. It did not help at all when there are rollers in this part of the course. I bike up, down, up, down, up, down. They were by no mean big hill but it drained the life out of me. I wanted to stop and stretch but decide to push forward. I told myself to ride out of it. I calculated that if I were to go at this speed, I will not make the cut off... I need to at least keep moving.<br />
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It took forever but I managed to get to the first aid station at around mile 20. I throw away one of my bottle and grab a bottle of water from the volunteer. It was a little scary because I was riding and grabbing the bottle at the same time... something I did only twice (in case you are wondering, people do this to save time!). I drunk some of it and poured some of it on my jersey to keep my temperature low. Then I caught a break. I rode out of the back pain!!! Yay! I am now going at around 18-20mph instead of the 9mph that I was doing. I continued to ride and passed more people. At around mile 29 I caught up to Marie.<br />
<br />
At mile 43 I arrived Chalk Hill, the biggest hill in the course. Since my coach have been giving the team tough love, I got up the hill with no problem. I rode further, then saw Jen, Tom, and Kelly cheering at the sideline. By that time I was making very good progress. I was actually passing people on an uphill when I saw them.<br />
<br />
At around mile 51 I saw someone in trouble and I stopped to gave him my CO2. He was very happy that I stopped because he ran out of CO2. I had extras in my bike need bag (waiting for me at mile 56) so I was happy to help out someone.<br />
<br />
I started biking again and I was riding pretty close to the 2 girls in front of me. Right then I heard motorcycle behind me. Concerned about race official I slow down to get out of the girls' draft zone. Next thing I know the official were writing down the girl's race number in a little notebook!<br />
<br />
After a few miles I decided to stop and to pee. I stopped at an aid station and lay my bike down (because road bike don't have kick stand). Then I realized my back are in a lot pain... to the point where I cannot bend my back!!! Great, what am I going to do? Keep moving forward I must. I went to porta potty, got back on the bike, and started riding. I stopped at the half way point to resupply myself. I needed to put the bag on top on my aerobar because I cannot bend my back. Balancing my supply and bike... with my back hurting like hell... is definitely a balancing act. I swapped out what I needed and took off.<br />
<br />
I was going so slow I was discouraged. Marie passed me and asked me if I am ok. I told her I am ok and told her to go ahead. But I wasn't. I was going ultra slow but I continue to make progress... 1 meter at a time. You see that big blue square on the map... that's where I was hurting the most. Freaking rollers did not help either.<br />
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Eventually I told myself to screw this not stopping thing and stopped. I stretched my back and got a little better.<br />
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By now you guys are probably bored with this going forward stuff, but that's what I did... moving forward.<br />
<br />
At mile 73 I got back to the aid station and a ton of teammates were there to cheer for me. <a href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/photos/634485298_3URXN-O.jpg">Matt</a> went up to me and cheer for me as <a href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/photos/634485197_fLpc9-L.jpg">Pikachu</a>. Coach Paul/Rad were there. Sarah and Aubrey was there. I stopped and the girls hold the bike for me. I said I wanted something to drink and I think Coach Rad went to the aid station and got me some water. I told Paul/Rad about my problem and they said to just stretch it out and go smooth. I took sometime to stretch my back and it was helping. They kept on telling me that I was doing a good job but I did not feel like I was doing well because I was going so slow. I think <a href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/photos/634485382_JbizA-O.jpg">Captain Awesome and Caroline</a> were also there to cheer. I am sure there were more people over there but those are the one that I remembered. Sorry if I forgot to mention your name! All your support was well received.<br />
<br />
After a few minutes I left that aid station and continue my ride. Again, I started feeling better and I started to go faster. Then my chain came off. While I was fixing my chain Irene passed me and I was happy to see a familiar face. When I got to the next station I stopped for a minute and I stretched.<br />
<br />
By now I started to talk to the cyclist around me because we were kind of at the same pace. Actually I was faster than them. But because I stopped at water station we ended up going at the same pace. There were a few people that I like to mention.<br />
<br />
Girl A: I think she was 26 (from looking at the age on her leg). She was struggling. I tried to talk to her but she did not respond =(<br />
<br />
Woman with Lavaman jersey: I actually talked to her for a bit. She was a TNT alumni.<br />
<br />
The older Cyclist: We were about the same pace. He usually passed me on the up hill and I would passed him on downhill and flat. We joked and encouraged each other. We rode near each other for maybe a good 15-20 miles before I needed to stop and pee.<br />
<br />
After 7 hr and 45 minutes, I finally finished the bike. I was happy just to get off my bike!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.smugmug.com/photos/633242269_VvFXE-X3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.smugmug.com/photos/633242269_VvFXE-X3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 295px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 444px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">Overtaking the cyclist in front of me: actually I just stand up in front of the camera to look cool =P</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">T2: Transition from Bike to Run (05:54.9)</span><br />
After I dismounted I ran to my rack and rack bike. I was looking for a change tent but I don't see one so ran with my biking short. I don't remember the exact sequence but I did the following.<br />
- Remove Helmet<br />
- Remove Grove<br />
- Remove Cycling Shoe, Cycling Sock<br />
- Took off my cycling shirt and put on my TNT SGV Marathon Purple Shirt with the phase '<a href="http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/527641338_sTQvA-L.jpg">4 Tyler</a>' on the back<br />
- Try to put on nip guard again but it won't stick!<br />
- Put on Running Sock<br />
- Put on Running Shoe<br />
- Put on Running Belt (the Belt where it has the number attached)<br />
- Spray Sun Screen. <a href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/photos/634485365_Dyfyc-O.jpg">Put on sun screen lotion on my face... again... just one wipe! (Now that I look at the picture I look like a Geisha!</a>)<br />
- Took the Garmin Watch off the bike and put it on my wrist<br />
- Put on my Mountain Hardwear Cap (Like I said before, I want a part of hiking on me)<br />
- Put on my running belt (with half a bottle of liquid)<br />
<br />
then I took off... well... before I really took off, I went to the porta potty to pee. Then I ate like 1 oreo at the aid station at the transition exit, then took off.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Vineman Run 26.2 miles 3 out and back loops<br />time: 06:07:55.5</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">time of day: 4:28 pm - ~ 10:30 pm</span><br />
<br />
Run Course <a href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Running-Biking-Swimming/Ironteam-Spring-2009/Blog-Pictures/6672074_UGCDR#614430915_jMpFY-O-LB">(click for full size picture)</a><br />
<a href="http://www.smugmug.com/photos/614430915_jMpFY-X2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.smugmug.com/photos/614430915_jMpFY-X2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 361px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 674px;" /></a><br />
My Garmin Connect Player <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/player/10601380">(Click to see my actual pace)</a><br />
<br />
As soon as I ran out to the street I see a crowd of people cheering. I saw my LA teammates and the Northern California Ironteam. I continue to run and saw a lot of Ncal Ironteam people cheering for you at around mile 1. I liked how the guy ask for my name when my name is on my shirt. I ran a little and saw Eurie. I asked her if she is ok and she complained about something that I can't help. I asked her do you need this, this, or this instead (stuff I do have). She said she was fine and gave me one of those 'If you don't disappear RIGHT NOW I will never eat Korean Fried Chicken with you' kind of look. Since fried chicken was on the line I ran away from her as fast as I can. I saw Sharon and we ran together for a little bit. I then saw David and we ran a little bit. I saw other teammates as they were finishing their first loop already. Anyway, since this is a 3 loops out and back course (meaning you go from point a to point b... then back the way you came), I got to see everyone in my team. Everyone was looking good!<br />
<br />
I stopped to pee, eat, talked to cow, and then I reached the turn around point. Stopped at every aid station to eat something, pour some water on me, pee, and then I finished lap 1.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.smugmug.com/photos/633275335_xpyT6-XL.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.smugmug.com/photos/633275335_xpyT6-XL.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 312px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 372px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">I moo at them during the run and they look at me funny. photo by: <a href="http://thezeninyou.com/wordpress/">The Zen In You</a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.smugmug.com/photos/633243345_2mtX5-X3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.smugmug.com/photos/633243345_2mtX5-X3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 467px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 313px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">orange mountain hardwear cap: To show my passion for the mountain. To show my hiking friends that they can also run marathons and do triathlons if they want to.<br />Team In Training Purple Marathon Jersey with the phase '4 Tyler' on the back: My root for doing endurance sport. The reason why I sign up for an Ironman.</span></div>
<br />
On lap 2 I chatted with a few more people and had even more fun at the aid station. Unlike a marathon aid station, an ironman aid station has water, gatorade, and cola. They also have energy block, power bar, oreo, tortilla chip, and fig newton. So I usually mix and match my intake. Too bad they don't have hamburger =(<br />
<br />
I wasn't tired but my pace was very slow. I average about 2 hr for a little over 8 miles. I did not give it much thought since I know I will make the cutoff. I was actually in la la land because nothing was hurting so I was just running and walking. However, some of my teammates were in pain but they keep pushing forward. They inspired me!<br />
<br />
Now that I think about it, I think I was slower because my body was trying to save reserve. Being a hiker I can never go all out. As many hikers agree, reaching to the top of the mountain is only half way, you have to have enough energy to come back down... safely! I rather go slow and not hit the wall.<br />
<br />
During the second part of the second loop, this shirtless man came up to me and started talking to me. It was the older guy on the bike!!! We talked a bit and he disappeared. He walks fast, very fast!<br />
<br />
As I am finishing off my 2nd loops some of my teammates were already finishing up their last lap. I saw Pikachu and a few other teammates. I saw Captain Awesome and Caroline. Coach Rad was cheering for me. I was just doing my thing. I had a cola at this station and then gatorade/oreo at the next. Life is good.<br />
<br />
By the time I finished my 2nd laps the crowd got thinner and it started to get dark. I put on my <a href="http://www.rei.com/product/749039">Petzl e+LITE</a> so I can see the road. Then it got dark.... very dark. Which did not bother me at all because I am used to hiking in the dark. Also I am not scared running in the dark. I usually scare myself when I am on the mountain because the cave people may come out and eat you (Damn you Ronnie for making me watch 'the descent'). But I am in the city so I am good... at least that's what I think =P<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/photos/633275507_9GysN-X3-1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/photos/633275507_9GysN-X3-1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 397px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 278px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">Getting Dark!!! Photo by <a href="http://thezeninyou.com/wordpress/">The Zen In You</a></span></div>
<br />
By now there were even less people running so the volunteer at the aid station were very... I meant... very attentive! When they see me, they would yell 'What would you like'... and I would yell 'Cola and Water'. Then the volunteer would have it ready for me when I got there.<br />
<br />
Soon I am at the turn around point on lap 3. The guy who's was manning the turn around point is actually a Leukemia Survivor. I stopped, he said Thank You for doing it (he knew I am part of TNT from my shirt), I shook his hand and told him 'Thank you, you guys gave me the courage to do this', then I ran away.<br />
<br />
As I was running back I want to make sure all the rest of my teammates were there doing their last lap but it was too dark to know who's who. One person I did saw is Ncal blogger Friend/Teammate <a href="http://roadtovineman.blogspot.com/">Jennifer Jay</a>. There were probably 5-6 people running with her!!! Talking about support!<br />
<br />
As I was getting closer to one of last aid station I wanted to thanks the volunteer in a different way. I had been thanking volunteer and officers (they direct traffic) all the day and I want to do something different, so I came up with a plan... When I stopped at that aid station the volunteer asked me what do I need. I pretended to think and I said. 'I needed a high5 from everyone of you'. The volunteer bust out laughing. Good Job Louis.<br />
<br />
Next thing I know I was 1 mile away from completing an iron distance event. I saw Coach Rad and he wanted to give me a high5. Since my arm was kind of tight I told him I didn't want to give him a high5 (sorry Rad). Pikachu also came and ran with me (apparently Matt finished his shift and now we have Efren the Pikachu). I started running faster and faster, then I was in the Windsor High School running the last 100 yard of the race. I wanted to go as fast as I can but I stopped because there was a person in front of me and he just crossed the finished line. I waited until the volunteer was able to hold up the ribbon thing, then I dash for the finish.<br />
<br />
I crossed the finish line after 16 hours 3 minutes and 57 seconds. I just finished an ironman. But that wasn't the thing that make me happy the most. What made me extremely happy is that I wasn't that tired at all. In fact I still have several hours of energy in me! 4 hours back I knew Ironman is durable and I know I can do another ironman. Crossing the finish line just confirmed that fact. You can argue that the reason why I wasn't that tired is because I didn't go as fast as I can. Well my goal is just to finish and I do not care about my time. I will go faster next time.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.smugmug.com/photos/633245538_HmwnV-X3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.smugmug.com/photos/633245538_HmwnV-X3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 505px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 338px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">I am already thinking about the next Ironman LOL (lot of laugh)</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">What happened right after Vineman</span><br />
After I crossed the finish line, I received a medal, removed my timing chip, picked up a finisher shirt, got a cup of water, and then I was surrounded by my teammates and my coaches. My awesome Campaign Manager Rachel pinned my ironman finisher pin to the medal. I told her I needed to go check out and she said I'll take care of it. Sarah went to pick up my stuff from the swim... Javier (Carlo's friend who I met at the LA Marathon) video tape me and he actually waited for me when he was freezing his butt off. In fact everyone was freezing their butt off... including me. So my first order is to get warm. Since I have no 'concept' of getting warm inside the medical tent, I went to the only place where I can get warm... my transition bag. I went to the transition area to put on my mountain hardwear beanie and my mountain hardwear shell. I also put on my shell pant and opened a package of handwarmer for it to get warm. I then pack up everything and pushed my bike out of the transition area. I was going to push my car to the truck but Sarah (or was it Aubrey) came to the rescue by pushing my bike to the truck.<br />
<br />
After a short while, everyone came in. Yup, everyone in my team finished. That's very important to me. Later I found out that Doctor Harned had 5 flats, fell in the dark during her run, and still managed to finish the race with blood dripping off her knees. Good Job Doctor.<br />
<br />
My VIP teammate award go to Eurie. Eurie is freaking awesome. Before Ironteam, she never race before, not even a 5k. She went to the info meeting wanting to sign up for a half marathon but ended up signing up for the Half Ironman, then she switched to the Full. She inspired me.<br />
<br />
After we took a group photo, we all headed back to the hotel and slept.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.smugmug.com/photos/633244910_f8vuc-O-1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.smugmug.com/photos/633244910_f8vuc-O-1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 443px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 671px;" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 78%;">A few teammates weren't around when we gather for the picture =(</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">What I learned from the Ironman experience?</span><br />
- You don't need a six pack to do an Ironman<br />
- You can join the Ironteam even if you don't know how to swim, bike, and run<br />
- You don't need any racing experience to join the Ironteam<br />
- You can eat whatever you want during your ironman training. You just won't lose weight *_* (I thought you can eat whatever and lose weight =P)<br />
- You can achieve anything you want if you put your mind into it<br />
- People pee in their wetsuit and people pee while they ride... yes girls too...<br />
- Mt Shasta is still the toughest thing I ever done. Actually this is not a fair comparison because I did not train 10 months for Mt Shasta. The Cold, The Wind, The Lack of Air up at 14,000 ft, The 17 hours day... ya it was tough for me.<br />
<br />
The most important thing I learned from this Ironman training is.:<br />
- <span style="color: red; font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">battling cancer is much harder than doing an Iron Distance Event</span></span><br />
Don't get me wrong, Ironman is not easy and all my teammates deserves a big high5. Below is a few comparison that I came up with<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Time</span><br />
Ironman training: 10 months of training and a 16 hours day<br />
Cancer treatment: treatment can last for years.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Money</span><br />
Ironman training: wetsuit, bike, shoe, helmet, nutrition... maybe several thousands<br />
Cancer treatment: $10,000 for a dose of chemo. Think you have insurance? Think again. A lot of insurance policy has a life time cap. I know a cancer survivor (she is in her late 30's with 2 kids) who is going to run out of insurance coverage because she is reaching the life time cap (1 million dollars)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Pain</span><br />
Ironman: During the last 10 months I vomited a few times, experience nasty back pains on my back (I compare the pain as doing a bone marrow transplants... even though I never done one before) and I broke down maybe just once or twice because it's too hot or I did not drink enough water.<br />
Cancer Fighter: Lost of hair, lost of strength (people stare at a man when his wife carry all the grocery), vomit during chemo, radiation, staying at the hopsital<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Recognition</span><br />
Ironman: Swim 2.4 miles! Bike 112 miles! Run 26.2 miles! Brag for the rest of your life!<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
- commander Collins, USN (1978)</div>
Cancer Fighter: Nothing. Do you think people brag about how many chemo they completed? One is too many for me!!!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Mind Set</span><br />
Ironman: When you are tried and you can't go on, you tell yourself to keep moving. If you really want to give up, you can. Seriously, I do it because it's fun.<br />
Cancer Fighter: They cannot give up. Because losing the battle is not an option. They need to constantly move forward.<br />
<br />
There you have it. Why I have so much respect for people who are battling cancers. Why I think health is more important than most things in life. My first half ironman and ironman are my tributes to people who are battling cancers. They taught me to continue move forward and not focus on bad things that already happened. They are my heroes.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.smugmug.com/photos/537033151_KUMpB-O.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.smugmug.com/photos/537033151_KUMpB-O.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 358px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 269px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"><a href="http://sgvtnt.com/fall/Bios/TYLER_CORDOVA.htm">Tyler Cordova</a>, the toughest kid I know! He is currnetly in City of Hope doing radiation and chemo.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Messages for my friends</span><br />
- Get out there and do something that you always want to accomplish. No need to lose 5 lbs first, no need to wait for a better time. No need to get an expensive bike. No need to join a gym membership first. The best time to do something is now.<br />
<br />
- If you want something, you need to work for it. There is no magic lose weight program. You cannot eat whatever you want and get lapband a week after. If you want to lose weight, you need to exercise and eat healthy. I am sick of watching all these lose weight and self help commercials.<br />
<br />
- Thank you for your support, thank you for reading this.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Next Step</span><br />
I am going to be the mission/photo captain for the 2010 Ironteam. I am planning to do the Wildflower Half Ironman and Full Vineman again. This time, however, I am doing it for myself. Part of me want to do Ironman Japan in 2010, but I want to have more experience first before going international.<br />
<br />
Now that I finished this race report, I can go clean my room!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Extras</span>Javier actually video taped me<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZ23GvATsCw">Video 1</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pybqkvb9O84">Video 2</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>My <a href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Running-Biking-Swimming/Vineman-Photo/9442933_fM5hN">Official Race Photos</a> (I did not carry a camera during the race)<br />
<br />
My roommate Edmund made a video. Check it out. You'll get a sense of what went on that day (You need to use firefox to open... I think)<br />
<a href="http://kenshin.smugmug.com/Running-Biking-Swimming/Ironteam-Spring-2009/Full-Vineman/9214107_CMuGe#615193163_sPtVz-A-LB">Edmund Vineman Video</a><br />
<br />
This <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izp4V6RJSD4">youtube video</a> kind of sum up how I felt before my race. Also my shout out to the troops.<br />
- Everyone was nervous leading up to the event<br />
- Coach Paul/Rad gave us last minute instruction before we took off.<br />
- Coach Paul/Rad told us to be happy<br />
- Bad things may happen, but we are trained to deal with itUnknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-69210417811430104582009-08-06T23:49:00.000-07:002009-08-07T08:20:36.721-07:00Days leading to the Vineman Full Ironman Race<span style="font-weight: bold;">Mon (7/27)</span><br />Working hard at work. Lot of stuff to do! I then headed out to Team Send Off Dinner. I went to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">REI</span> to get batteries for my headlamp and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">cadence</span> but they sold out. Dinner was a blast. Mentor Linda did an awesome job with that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ironman</span> Jeopardy Game. And yes, my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Pikachu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">anime</span> expo picture were there as one of the question... I think the question is something like... where was Louis. Answer: 'What is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Anime</span> Expo'. ding ding!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tue (7/28)</span><br />Started packing for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Vineman</span>. I had <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Katsu</span> Don for Dinner... my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">pre</span>-race ritual!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wed (7/29)</span><br />I woke up at 6am to finish my packing. I took off around 10:30 am. I bought sushi, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">tonkatsu</span>, and spam <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">musubi</span> for lunch but I only ate a little bit. After a long long time, I got to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Sonoma</span> a little after 7 pm. My roommate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Edmund</span> arrived with his family and we went to dinner together. His kids stayed over for the lunch and I did my part by giving them endless Japanese snacks.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thur (7/30)</span><br />I started off with a Buffet since Edmund got me a ton of free buffet tickets (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">yay</span> for being a diamond Hilton member!) I was doing anything I can to take my mind off the race, so I got myself some egg, cream cheese, smoked salmon, a bagel, and make myself a Lox Bagel sandwish <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">LOL</span>.<br /><br />bike check at 11 am. Next thing I know I headed out to the swim start to swim a bit. 20 minutes to be exact. We got back to the hotel and the team went out for dinner. Flavor... the same place where I had dinner the night before.<br /><br />I went all out by eating a salad, this raw beef appetizer thing, and a seafood pasta. I think I paid like 50 bucks.<br /><br />After I got back to the hotel I went to the supermarket to get some stuff. I then started preparing my bottles for Sat. I knew Friday will come and go so I wanted to make sure I get all my stuff ready!!!<br /><br />See... I did 3 things today and it took the whole freaking day! Crazy!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fri (07/31)</span><br />Today we have this Team In Training Branch at 11:30am. We ate, listened to last minute tips from our coaches and other coaches from different chapters. I think one of the woman said the Team In Training team will cover something like 7000 miles tomorrow... and I am one of the 140.6 mi... that's pretty cool.<br /><br />Again, next thing I know we were at the expo getting our timing chip and package. We then setup the run transition and head back. I took the 10 minutes that I have and got myself 2 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Vineman</span> Cycling Jerseys and a visor <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">hee</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">hee</span>.<br /><br />We then went back to the hotel and check in our bike. After I checked my bike Coach Rad/Coach Paul waved me over and want to talk to me one on one about tomorrow. So we got into this empty conference room and I felt like I was walking into a confession box... ready to confess my sin. The three of us sit down and Coach Paul said... let's hear it. I was going to tell him I once forgot to pay my share at work happy hour but I soon realized he was talking about my plan... so I was like. Tomorrow I am going to swim, bike, and run. I am going to do what I have been doing all along and I am going to follow my nutrition plan. I told them I am not going to fuck around in Transition (people were concern about my transition time because I took super long in the half <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">ironman</span>). I told them I will overcome any issue tomorrow and I will finish.<br /><br />I am actually very confidence but I feel like I need to tell them I am super confidence. I feel like I have to sell my confidence to them. I felt like I was pitching a solar power flashlight! They told me they are not worry about me as long as I don't fuck around. I felt a sense of relieve. Coach Paul also commented about it was fun having me in the team. Among many things, I think it has something to do with taking pictures for the team, being a nerd, do weird stuff, eat unhealthy stuff, have good endurance, being very supportive to my teammates, and of course... show up as Pikachu in a bar!<br /><br />We had a pasta dinner party after bike check. We got together in a room one last time and listen to our coach and focus for tomorrow. Everyone was very serious! But Coach remind us to have fun tomorrow.<br /><br />I continue to prepare for Sat. I talked to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Edmund</span> for a bit and we turned off the light at 10:30pm<br /><br />F#@#!The last few days went by fast!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sat (08/01)</span><br />I save the game day for another postUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-37769351192744314002009-08-03T21:44:00.000-07:002009-08-03T21:45:59.865-07:00Louis is now an ironmanWell I did it.<br /><br />More to followUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-12709287018941248882009-07-28T05:29:00.000-07:002009-07-28T05:32:27.446-07:00Negative ThoughtsI am a positive person but I can be very negative at times. I always worry about things (this is why I am also good at QA). Anyway, friends have been giving me great suppose but I always shot them down with negative thoughts.<br /><br />I know I can do this thing. Things may go wrong but I am prepared for them. Just get out there on Sat, do this thing and have fun.<br /><br />LouisUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-74653984625628490852009-07-28T05:26:00.001-07:002009-07-28T05:29:40.868-07:00NightmareI just woke up from one of my ironman nightmares. This time I forgot to bring my helmet and some other stuff when I got out of the water. Coach Paul end up giving me his helmet. It was bad haha.<br /><br />I would like to post more but I need to time to prepare for this sat. I'll post whenever I can.<br /><br />LouisUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-69545185941318010562009-07-17T07:32:00.000-07:002009-07-17T08:34:58.643-07:00We are not good enoughOur society is structured so that are you always not happy about something. You always want to have more. I need to work harder to have a better job. I need to earn more money. I need a bigger house. I need a big TV. I need a yearly vacation. I need to earn more degree. I need to get straight A's. I need my kids to experience as many hobbies as possible. I need to eat good food. My basketball team need to score more points. I need to run faster. I need to bike faster. I need to swim faster. I need to lose more weight. I need to dress to impress (ok, this I really need to work on)... the list go on and on.<br /><br />Well since day 1 of the training season, I want to become a better swimmer. I took lessons and I swam extra. I am still slow after 9 months. When I swim in 24hr fitness some grandma will swim faster than me. In fact I believe I am the slowest in the team for Vineman. I hate swimming for a passion! It's not because I am slow, I just hate swimming! I recently came up with the quote. "You don't have to drag me to hell, you just have to drag me to swim"<br /><br />My coaches and teammates have been very supportive about this whole Louis hate swimming thing. They keep me going and tell me I am doing a good job. But I mostly ignore these encouragements just because I need to swim so much faster! When you came out of the water half dead and someone say...Louis you did a good job today... it's hard to make yourself believe that you are in fact doing a good job.<br /><br />So you know, the same routine yesterday. I didn't want to swim but I drag my ass there. The workout was actually going well. I constantly check the time to see how much longer I need to swim (in milisecond of course) before the workout is over.<br /><br />Then on one of the lap my coach want over and want to talk to me. I was like oh no something is coming up... I feel like a kid who broke his mom's china and have to explain why they were broken. (I paint Coach Paul as this Evil Thing when I am in my swimming mode)<br /><br />So the coach came to me, tab my head and say. 'Good Job Louis. One more swim(next thur) and you are good for Vineman. Look at how far you have come'.<br /><br />I continue to swim and think about what he said. He is right. I did freaking come a long way. From not knowing how to swim to swimming 2.4 miles. I did in fact come a long way. Instead of looking back at how much better I got with swimming, I constantly look at how much I want to improve. Looking back few months ago, I cannot swim 25 yards. But slowly and surely, I completed 25 yards, then 50, then 100, 200, 500, 1km, 1.5km. I then swam in the ocean with my wetsuit and I almost die! but then I swam 3/4 mile at Desert Triathlon and I actually swam faster than a few teammates (because I did not panic)... 2km... then 1.2 mi swim at Wildflower Triathlon. 2.5km... 3km. Damn I really came a long way.<br /><br />Coaches always said to cherish what you accomplished. It was 8 months to late but I am cherishing my swim 'accomplishment' now. Having said that I know I still need to stay focus and finish my event on Aug 1. Sometime we just need to take a step back and look at what we accomplished... instead of looking at how much more we have to improve. It will make you a happier person.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1079917540654801817.post-7425542642653711142009-07-13T23:07:00.000-07:002009-07-14T00:07:14.811-07:0006/28/09: 17 mi run under the heatI like to sleep in on Sunday, so I decided to sleep in and run the 17 mile by myself. I got up, ate breakfast, and head out for the run. I didn't really care about starting late because I need to run under the heat, so naturally the hotter the better.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/7745388">Map Profile</a><br /><br />I started at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Rosebowl</span> and ran down to South Pasadena. I dump water on my body <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">everytime</span> I see a water fountain, this went on for a while and I went back to my car to resupply. That was mile 8 something. 9 more miles to go. It was hot and I almost went out of water on the south side. I know I am in for a treat.<br /><br />So I went up to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">JPL</span>. 2 miles later I ran out of water. Usually a bottle of water can last 4-5-6 miles. This time... 2 miles. I actually need to take a detour to Oak Grove Park to get water (if you look at the reply that was at mile 10.5... where I made a left).<br /><br />My spirit was down because I ran out of water without 2 miles. How am I going to finish the run? I can go back to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Rosebowl</span> where I know I have more water or I can push on to my turn around point. I decided to continue because I know I will probably quit if I get back to my car... Bad choice. I ran out of water before I hit the turn around point. I know I am safe because I can get to the turn around point safely but I was at a new low. I was walking, tired, and wonder if I need to hit Oak Grove Park again because I don't have enough water to go back from to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Rosebowl</span> with one bottle of water.<br /><br />Finally, I got to the turn around point at the Arroyo. I filled my water bottle and I was done mentally. Then... I realized I have one thing that can save my life and they are call <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ziploc</span> bags.<br /><br />I usually carry small <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Ziploc</span> for sport mix and I put them in a gallon <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Ziploc</span>. So I used them to call water. I drink as much as I can, then I filled up my bottle, 1 small <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Ziploc</span> and 1 gallon bag. I put the small <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Ziploc</span> inside my shirt so I don't have to hold it. And that also acts as a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">radiator</span> for me to get rid of my overheated body. And for the big one, I filled it up 2/3 of the wall, get all the air out, and folded the opening several times so that it's harder to break. You can see a picture below.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_e7Nm8qh_Gqn4oHbFw4gF3UK2itjxMnB4b9eK5jqpo5wfNm0LIAbEv2rKMBOxFuHIR_gVP6munu1Y2y_mdP0OsVHk6b08BbD9sWX6hZhVmXYl2BbV1FGei4l9MqZLwradgcU_WK6Z08/s1600-h/ziploc.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_e7Nm8qh_Gqn4oHbFw4gF3UK2itjxMnB4b9eK5jqpo5wfNm0LIAbEv2rKMBOxFuHIR_gVP6munu1Y2y_mdP0OsVHk6b08BbD9sWX6hZhVmXYl2BbV1FGei4l9MqZLwradgcU_WK6Z08/s200/ziploc.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358207799481063346" border="0" /></a>After this ziploc trick, I came back to life. It still took me a while but I finish the run without any further issues! Go Team!<br /><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0