The Road Home

It’s been so long since I blogged. I guess when big things happen or big changes happen in my life I manage to find time to write it down. So what’s the big news you ask? Well I am going home! My second year in Asia has come to an end and I am so glad to be going back to Canada in 4 weeks. I have not love it here the last year and for the past 5 months I have become so annoyed at the Asian culture – the food disgusts me, the people drive me crazy and the way of life boggles me. There are no trees, people work 6 days a week and laws are not enforced. Motorbikes drive on the sidewalk, people park backwards, and red means yield. Not to mention children are never restrained passengers in vehicles. It’s not only annoying, its dangerous and absurd. People have no regard for the environment and seem to thing traveling 5 hours in traffic, to go 80 km’s, is conscionable. Women are not treated equal and gay does not exist. As a nurse and advocate for health and equality, these things bother me. In a global world of progressiveness and technological advancements, why is it that Korea seems to be going backwards?
I am looking forward to clean air, free sidewalks, not having to bow to my boss or having to beg and plea to get paid. I want to be able to swim without having to swim over people. The most people I ever counted in 1 lane is 53
Training
I was so happy to race here though. I loved it. Training here can be difficult but super fun. Racing here is even better. It’s world class. The Korean triathlon federation knows how to put on a race and they have been so supportive of me. I got to race for free and even win prize money. Transitions are always carpeted and they have bleachers for fans at the finish line. It’s amazing. I’ll miss that.
I also have great appreciation for the Korean National Team. The Seoul Athletes invited me to train with then and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Their athletes are dedicated and super modest. I learned a lot about respecting the sport. They are so modest, but dedicated and fierce at the same time. It’s inspiring. I have great respect the athletes on the National team and extremely grateful for the experience to train with them.

I got to race a lot this summer:
3 Full Ironmans
1 ¾ Distrance Ironman
7 Olympic Triahtlons
2 Full Marathons
2 Half Marathons
2 10k Road Races
1 Open Water Swim Race
I am so lucky to be able to do this. I never take it for granted. I learnt so much and feel so comfortable with racing these days. I just hope I hold up for that Pro Card!

Till next time…

Sony is Elite!

Last Sunday I raced for the first time as an elite triathlete. It was a race here in Seoul and because of an age group win in a race the weekend before, triathlon Korea promoted me to “elite” status. It was an honor that someone thought I was good enough to race elite. I had a good race and ended up 3rd overall out of 1200 athlete. I even won a bit of cash. I feel so strong and happy with my success.

Here are my races for the rest of the summer.

June 6th – Superman Triathlon (¾ Ironman )
June 14th – Sokcho Asia continental cup
July 13th – Korea Ironman
July 20th – U.S Military sprint
July 27th – DMZ Half Ironman

So it’s a busy summer and I love it. I love this sport and its finally paying off. I love training and racing and now being able to stand on the podium as an elite. I’m such a lucky person. I have not much of a social life, but it’s worth it.

Thank you Utility Auto Sales for helping me go faster.

Till next time....

Killing My Pocketbook

You heard it here first – Triathlon is the most expensive sport on the planet. I have tried to keep track of my expenses that are directly related to training and racing this year. Here are my costs for 2008 thus far, which included my 1 trip to Ironman China. It does not include my 2 airline tickets and hotel still need to attend my 2 upcoming races in Jeju.

Bike shipping to Korea - $280
New brake Cables - $22
Bike Water bottles $3 X 3 = $9
Bike Tool set - $22
Race Tires - $80
Tri running shoes – $140
Heart rate monitor - $190
Arm warmers - $10
Sunglasses - $40
Winter running cap - $30
Running visor - $20
Power Bars and Jells - $45
Protein Powder - $30
Seoul International Marathon Race Entry - $40
Seoul Half Marathon Race Entry – $40
Jonghu Marathon - $20
63 Building Marathon - $35
Daegu Triathlon - $80
Seoul International Triathlon - $80
Ironman China Race Entry - $500
Ironman Korea Race Entry - $280
Jeju Superman Triathlon Race Entry – $130
Bike shipping cost to China - $90
Flight to china - $620
Hotel in China - $330
Co2 cartages $45
Spare tubes for tires - $60

Total cost of triathlon thus far this year – $3268.00

BEING AN IRONMAN – PRICELESS

Till next time…

My fastest 10 KM

When I woke up this morning I was not feeling so great. I was having anal pain and had been up many times in the night with it. It seems like the day after my Saturday long rides, my anus hurts. While I am sure most of you don’t care to hear that, it is important for me to keep track of it. As most of you know, I suffer from Ulcerative Colitis and underwent massive reconstructive bowel surgery to remove my entire large intestine. I wanted to still race this morning but with the anal spasm…. was not going to happen. I took a Tylenol, Advil, Imodium and Busopan (spasm medication). The pain eased up and I started my 9km warm up with my backpack to the race start. It was a beautiful morning and I enjoyed the slow warm up (HR 135). I got to the race and started my real warm-up of accelerations and race pace efforts. I finished my warm-up 10 min before the race start. I took a power gel and 100 mg of caffeine 25 min before the start. Here is the raw data

My Weight – 145 pounds
Light-Moderate Headwind out.

1km – 3:30 – 3:30
2km – 4:00 – 7:30
3km - 3:45 – 11:15
4km – 3:40 – 14:55
5km split – 18:42 Ave HR – 173
6km – 3:45 -22:30
7km – 3:47 – 26:14 Ave HR - 175)
8km – 3:45 – 30:00
9km – 3:49 – 33:49
10km – 3:42 – 37:32 Aver HR – 175

ANOTHER PERSONAL BEST TIME
I believe I was 9th place with an estimation of 200-300 runners.

I thought about Christopher Bergland and how he was REALLY sick at the start of the toughest footrace on earth (the Badwater Ultramarathon) yet had one of the best races of his life. It inspired me today. Thanks Chris!!!!

Till next time…..

My fastest KM

The last 2 weeks I have been feeling shitty, had a cold and unmotivated. Every workout has been a pain in the ass and I have had to push so hard to finish them. I have not done 3 workouts because I simple was too tired.

But today I started off my speed workout feeling great. I felt light and wanted to actually be out there. I ran my fastest 1km repeat I have ever run – 3:15.

It got me thinking. In my last 10 races I have had a personal best in every one (except 1 but I was injured). This past year has shown a lot of improvements and my training is getting smarter. I race a 10 km on Sunday and I hope to have another PB.

Till next time…

A blast from the past

OK so my family will remember this well. This is Stacy Singer and I grew up watching her dance. She is my inspiration this week. No baton twirler has ever come close to this performance. Are these moves she does even possible? To say the least if she can do this, ANYTHING is possible. I know Joan would cry. She probably put her in that costume and curled her hair while feeding her candy behind Maureen’s back.


Till next time...

Advice for New Runners and Hosie

I am always asked by people what tips I can offer. So here are my tips. They are especially for my sister Hosie who will run her first Half Marathion next month.
GO HOSE GO

My advice.... TRAIN.

Start running SLOWSLOW SLOW... Do a good 10 -20 min warm up; like walking speed. DO NOT START FAST or you will hate it.

Do not rush your runs. Plan it so you have enough time and you are not thinking “I have to make dinner I”.

Do 1 long run and 2-3 short runs a week. Don’t run everyday.

Have fun. Enjoy the empty highways and beauty of the blue sky. Become one with your environment.

Have a uniform. If a doctor walks into an OR in street clothes he will not perform well. I think it’s the same with running. Pick one uniform you love (and that suits the weather), and wear it EVERY time you run. Have a rack to hang it after you run. You don’t have to wash it (it takes too much time and you will feel like you are forever doing laundry). I even have named pieces of my uniform. When you put on you uniform, it tells your brain you getting ready and you start to release the feel good chemicals associated with running.

Wave at other runner (even if they don’t wave back).

Thank cars passing you… Cause one day you may need one.

WARM UP well. Start slow slow slow. Like walking pace. Did I mention that?

SMILE at the trees. Talk to the birds that fly by and the cows in the fields. Just say hello and tell them how beautiful they are. (You think I’m nuts but….)

And there are my infamous tips from an Ironamn Traithlete and Boston Qualifier.

GO HAVE FUN!!!

Till next time…