Things I learned from Wildflower.
1. Race is not over until it's over. Half Ironmans are super long. Even if you had a bad swim, you can still make it up on the bike. I had probably the WORST swim ever. Though I worked harder than ever this year to correct my swim technique and do specific race oriented swim sets, the performance didn't translate. And that just means that I have more to learn. But I was happy that I didn't give up and kept pushing on to see if I can turn my race around.
2. Think about my happy place. I've found that thinking about certain things gives me adrenaline rush and just extra push and energy when I'm feeling tired and down during the race. For me, my happy place is really my family and my close friends. All the things my family has done for me in support and all support and encouragement from my friends.
3. Make sure your bike is in working order 2 weeks prior to the event. This year I had to scramble to change out my bottom bracket, my pedals, my cassette last minute. AND my wheels were out of true which freaked me out. Never again please.
4. Be open minded. This past year I've asked for advice and tips from all kinds of people. My dad has been heavily critical of my running form and I finally listened to his criticism and made changes to my stride. My running has improved tremendously. (Note that my dad has never ever raced endurance events in his life). I listened to my roommate's Joey's advice about run training, 60min or more per run or else stay home. He's now my run coach. There are many more. Never be afraid to realize you're doing something wrong all along. You're only going to get better.
5. You're never EVER going to have the perfect preparation, so deal with it. This year, there were many sessions that I had planned that I unfortunately missed. Would I have been faster if i did them? probably. But I missed them, there was nothing I could do about that. I was tired. My mind and body werent at the right place to complete those sessions. It probably meant that my body isn't ready quite yet. There's always next year. In the case this year, the goal was accomplished, so I dont have to be angry with myself :D
6. Coca Cola can do wonders and sugar too, though it might take 5min.... I was bonking pretty bad at mile 40 on the bike. I knew I was going to bonk. So I prepared a small bottle of coke to drink. Within 5 miles my legs were back. I did the same thing for the run. Now I know that, when I start bonking, I don't have to panic, usually if I've been taking sugar consistently my legs will come back. Here's to coke, and Macca for telling me this secret in his book. :D
7. This is the stuff dreams are made of. We all have dreams, and we all have the right to make them come true. I don't know how many times my parents, my parents friend's, friend's parents, teachers, friends, people in general discouraged me and doubted me that I should pursue a professional career in triathlon. I just want to compete at the highest level and live my dream. It doesn't mean I'm going to win world championships or even win races, but to be able to compete with pros and be part of the racing community, and discover and push my limits, and keep getting better, this is what it's about.
and of course I couldn't have done it without support of many believers in my cause.
I want to thank my best friends, Tom, Mike, Simon, and Matt for showing me how beautiful endurance sports can be, and just all these years of racing each other in the trails on bikes, on foot, etc. Thank you guys for being part of the journey. I think about you guys every time I race Wildflower on the trails. It's just like REI!
I want to especially thank Matt. We met about 7-8 years ago and I could barely hang on to you every time we ran. Every time I run with you I learned that I can run faster than I think I could run. You taught me how to run like a man. and all these months of running with me and putting up with my complaints. Thank you man.
Ambush, David, Joey, Daniel, Ryan, Thomas, and Kelly thanks for putting up with all my complaints when I needed to rant and just being there for me. All those epic runs we all had, alpha male challenge, made me a tougher competitor. And all the dinner hang outs and coffee and denny runs were unforgettable.
Brady man, you taught me everything about triathlon, and how to train like a professional. I can't say anything more. You've been like an older brother to me and I have nothing but respect for you. Thanks for everything.
My parents for supporting me. You guys could have stopped me a long time ago. But you guys realized that triathlon is what makes me happy, and that's more important. Thank you guys.
Shout out to multiple generations of Monta Vista cross country/ track team for running with me and putting up with my stories and foul language. Cops and Robbers was definitely the key training session that I never want to miss.
1. Race is not over until it's over. Half Ironmans are super long. Even if you had a bad swim, you can still make it up on the bike. I had probably the WORST swim ever. Though I worked harder than ever this year to correct my swim technique and do specific race oriented swim sets, the performance didn't translate. And that just means that I have more to learn. But I was happy that I didn't give up and kept pushing on to see if I can turn my race around.
2. Think about my happy place. I've found that thinking about certain things gives me adrenaline rush and just extra push and energy when I'm feeling tired and down during the race. For me, my happy place is really my family and my close friends. All the things my family has done for me in support and all support and encouragement from my friends.
3. Make sure your bike is in working order 2 weeks prior to the event. This year I had to scramble to change out my bottom bracket, my pedals, my cassette last minute. AND my wheels were out of true which freaked me out. Never again please.
4. Be open minded. This past year I've asked for advice and tips from all kinds of people. My dad has been heavily critical of my running form and I finally listened to his criticism and made changes to my stride. My running has improved tremendously. (Note that my dad has never ever raced endurance events in his life). I listened to my roommate's Joey's advice about run training, 60min or more per run or else stay home. He's now my run coach. There are many more. Never be afraid to realize you're doing something wrong all along. You're only going to get better.
5. You're never EVER going to have the perfect preparation, so deal with it. This year, there were many sessions that I had planned that I unfortunately missed. Would I have been faster if i did them? probably. But I missed them, there was nothing I could do about that. I was tired. My mind and body werent at the right place to complete those sessions. It probably meant that my body isn't ready quite yet. There's always next year. In the case this year, the goal was accomplished, so I dont have to be angry with myself :D
6. Coca Cola can do wonders and sugar too, though it might take 5min.... I was bonking pretty bad at mile 40 on the bike. I knew I was going to bonk. So I prepared a small bottle of coke to drink. Within 5 miles my legs were back. I did the same thing for the run. Now I know that, when I start bonking, I don't have to panic, usually if I've been taking sugar consistently my legs will come back. Here's to coke, and Macca for telling me this secret in his book. :D
7. This is the stuff dreams are made of. We all have dreams, and we all have the right to make them come true. I don't know how many times my parents, my parents friend's, friend's parents, teachers, friends, people in general discouraged me and doubted me that I should pursue a professional career in triathlon. I just want to compete at the highest level and live my dream. It doesn't mean I'm going to win world championships or even win races, but to be able to compete with pros and be part of the racing community, and discover and push my limits, and keep getting better, this is what it's about.
and of course I couldn't have done it without support of many believers in my cause.
I want to thank my best friends, Tom, Mike, Simon, and Matt for showing me how beautiful endurance sports can be, and just all these years of racing each other in the trails on bikes, on foot, etc. Thank you guys for being part of the journey. I think about you guys every time I race Wildflower on the trails. It's just like REI!
I want to especially thank Matt. We met about 7-8 years ago and I could barely hang on to you every time we ran. Every time I run with you I learned that I can run faster than I think I could run. You taught me how to run like a man. and all these months of running with me and putting up with my complaints. Thank you man.
Ambush, David, Joey, Daniel, Ryan, Thomas, and Kelly thanks for putting up with all my complaints when I needed to rant and just being there for me. All those epic runs we all had, alpha male challenge, made me a tougher competitor. And all the dinner hang outs and coffee and denny runs were unforgettable.
Brady man, you taught me everything about triathlon, and how to train like a professional. I can't say anything more. You've been like an older brother to me and I have nothing but respect for you. Thanks for everything.
My parents for supporting me. You guys could have stopped me a long time ago. But you guys realized that triathlon is what makes me happy, and that's more important. Thank you guys.
Shout out to multiple generations of Monta Vista cross country/ track team for running with me and putting up with my stories and foul language. Cops and Robbers was definitely the key training session that I never want to miss.