Around this time last year, I had just turned professional about 6 weeks prior at Wildflower Long Course. It was a dream come true but reality hit me quite quickly that professional racing is going to be a lot more brutal and a lot more serious. I signed up for Vineman 70.3 as my first professional debut and I quickly regretted my decision because every household named pro decided to show up. The start list was pretty ridiculous. It was pretty much a world championship field. It was goose-bump inducing sitting in the pro meeting with all the guys that I've been looking up to for years. I tried not to let it bother me and raced it to my best ability and surprisingly I had a good time. I PRed by 20 minutes on this course from 2010 when I first started racing. It was an awesome result. But I was 22nd pro, 30th overall. In short I got beat by 2 pro women, 6 age groupers.... Don't get me wrong, I was stoked with my race, but a couple days later reality kind of hit me that I have a lot of work to do and I was determined to become a good pro. I promised myself that I wasn't just going to be a pro with a pro card, but a pro that shows up to races to compete with the best in the world.
A year later, with help of friends/family, sponsors, training partners, and my coach Keith, I was in the best shape of my life coming into this race. I've never had 10 months of 90% perfect preparation ( with only 1 bike crash, 1 cold, 1 day of missed work out over 10 months). I was ready for battle. And I knew it too. I drove up with my dad the day before the race, checked in, had a minor mechanical fix that took both me and my dad an hour to fix but we got it done. It's all system go for race day.
SWIM: 27:37
From my lessons learned at Wildflower, it doesn't make a difference if i start fast or start slow. If I start fast, I get in a bar fight in green murky lake water, and end up losing my goggles, a couple of bruises and elevated heart rate. I get tired from the all out effort and end up slowing down anyways and losing the pack.. So I decided to chill and begin the swim in last place and slowly gain ground when the water gets cleaner. Being a poor swimmer it's tough for me to fight for water. The plan worked and I was able to swim relaxed and get in a really good rhythm. I caught Nicholas Chase's feet and just drafted around him for the rest of the swim. Knowing that he's a good swimmer, I got a mental boost that I was having an okay swim. The swim was the usual half dolphin diving half swimming deal. I brought it home in 27 minutes and a half and busted out of transition in 16th.
From my lessons learned at Wildflower, it doesn't make a difference if i start fast or start slow. If I start fast, I get in a bar fight in green murky lake water, and end up losing my goggles, a couple of bruises and elevated heart rate. I get tired from the all out effort and end up slowing down anyways and losing the pack.. So I decided to chill and begin the swim in last place and slowly gain ground when the water gets cleaner. Being a poor swimmer it's tough for me to fight for water. The plan worked and I was able to swim relaxed and get in a really good rhythm. I caught Nicholas Chase's feet and just drafted around him for the rest of the swim. Knowing that he's a good swimmer, I got a mental boost that I was having an okay swim. The swim was the usual half dolphin diving half swimming deal. I brought it home in 27 minutes and a half and busted out of transition in 16th.
BIKE 2:15:&change&crash
I felt really amazing on the bike. I thought i'd probably need time to get in rhythm for the bike but instantly I was pushing 300 watts without much trouble. I was pushing way more than what coach and I planned but my gut feeling said just go with it. 20 minutes in I crashed really hard around a corner. The shoulder suddenly disappeared and the road ran out. I crashed and ate some premier doo doo. Andrew Bauer and Nicholas Chase went by me and shouted "You're okay man, shake it off!, shake it off!". It really helped get my focus back together. They're class guys. I soon remounted, assessed the damages (1. badly scraped and bruised knee, 2. bruises in both palms, 3. road rash on shoulder) and thought it's not so bad and soldiered on. My sturdy Argon 18 E 118 held up strong with no problems as I passed a couple more guys throughout the bike leg.
I felt really amazing on the bike. I thought i'd probably need time to get in rhythm for the bike but instantly I was pushing 300 watts without much trouble. I was pushing way more than what coach and I planned but my gut feeling said just go with it. 20 minutes in I crashed really hard around a corner. The shoulder suddenly disappeared and the road ran out. I crashed and ate some premier doo doo. Andrew Bauer and Nicholas Chase went by me and shouted "You're okay man, shake it off!, shake it off!". It really helped get my focus back together. They're class guys. I soon remounted, assessed the damages (1. badly scraped and bruised knee, 2. bruises in both palms, 3. road rash on shoulder) and thought it's not so bad and soldiered on. My sturdy Argon 18 E 118 held up strong with no problems as I passed a couple more guys throughout the bike leg.
RUN 1:21:30, didn't eat doo doo, but had some coke, and took a doo doo
I left transition, and it was pretty cool to hear the announcer call out my name "Yu Hsiao, this guy's an axe on the bike! and he can run too, let's see what this young man can do, he's in 10th place!" I was like seriously?! that's unreal. And I have to admit, I thought I was going to run a 1:17 or faster half marathon. I passed a dude a mile into the run and My pace for the first 4 miles were 5:45 avg. But suddenly I heard nature calling me. The ring tone was me farting a lot. And I really had to go. So at mile 5 I went. It slowed my avg pace to 6:12 and guess what, I didn't run faster than that for the rest of the run. I was kind of bummed out because I was aiming for a sub 1:20 run. But I noticed my knee was starting to hurt a lot and it took a lot of effort to control my leg when it landed. i accepted the situation and soldiered on. Out of no where at mile 9, Jason Smith came flying by me and I had nothing left. I was back to 10th and I sure didn't want to end up 11th. I booked it for the rest of the run making sure no one's coming up on my tail like Jason did. Finally, mile 13 came. Coming down the last half mile and finishing chute, I got emotional and teary-eyed. I never thought I'd actually place in the top 10 at a major 70.3 event with some of the best pros just ahead of me. It was a really happy moment. It was a dream come true. Here's the finish:
I left transition, and it was pretty cool to hear the announcer call out my name "Yu Hsiao, this guy's an axe on the bike! and he can run too, let's see what this young man can do, he's in 10th place!" I was like seriously?! that's unreal. And I have to admit, I thought I was going to run a 1:17 or faster half marathon. I passed a dude a mile into the run and My pace for the first 4 miles were 5:45 avg. But suddenly I heard nature calling me. The ring tone was me farting a lot. And I really had to go. So at mile 5 I went. It slowed my avg pace to 6:12 and guess what, I didn't run faster than that for the rest of the run. I was kind of bummed out because I was aiming for a sub 1:20 run. But I noticed my knee was starting to hurt a lot and it took a lot of effort to control my leg when it landed. i accepted the situation and soldiered on. Out of no where at mile 9, Jason Smith came flying by me and I had nothing left. I was back to 10th and I sure didn't want to end up 11th. I booked it for the rest of the run making sure no one's coming up on my tail like Jason did. Finally, mile 13 came. Coming down the last half mile and finishing chute, I got emotional and teary-eyed. I never thought I'd actually place in the top 10 at a major 70.3 event with some of the best pros just ahead of me. It was a really happy moment. It was a dream come true. Here's the finish:
Full Circle
The last couple years I've made a lot of sacrifices to make things happen for triathlon. I never did any internships with engineering during summer because I was always training. I never went on vacation or long road trips friends because I was always training. I was always napping in my bed or sleeping while my friends are out partying and living it up. There were days when I wanted to quit. There were more days when I doubted if I made the right choices with my life. While all my friends have legitimate jobs already, I'm here chasing a dream that's is still to this day net negative (Vineman 70.3 2014 was grea, but I'm still quite a ways to get paid). But again and again when I find myself full of doubt and distress, 20 minutes into a long bike work out torture assigned by Keith, I'm in complete peace. There's no negative thoughts in my head, I'm just enjoying myself out there. I love every second of it. There's definitely still doubt in my mind. There always will be doubt as to whether or not I'll ever make it. But this race has eradicated 80% of that doubt and I can say I have no regret going forward. As cliche as in sounds, I'm going to follow my heart and do everything I can to make it happen. Maybe I am foolish. But at least I'm just listening to Steve Jobs and staying foolish.
If you've made it this far, I thank you for taking the time to read my story for this race. With that I'd like to thank my parents and my sister for their unconditional love and support. I'd never take your support for granted.
Keith, for all your words of encouragement, guidance, and most of all your training. Ever since we started working together, it has been nothing but improvement. I'm learning a lot and hopefully more is to come.
Jay, for believing in me and investing in me as a young pro. Your work behind the scenes to obtain sponsorship is invaluable and I really appreciate it. We should have more training camps!
Jason and John, you guys had killer races this year as 50+ year olds. My jaw always drops every time I see you guys race. You guys inspire me to be the best that I can be but keeping it fun and rad at the same time.
Creighton, when I saw you ride your bike over those hills at Wildflower I was just blown away. The stuff you have to go through is hard to fathom. Your words of encouragement at Wildflower camp always stayed with me and I appreciate your support.
Brad, thanks again for your support. The shoes are awesome! hanging out with you at expo before races is always a highlight.
My sponsors, Argon 18, Newton Shoes, Xterra Wetsuits, Castelli, and PacWest Athletics and teammates.
Until next time, I need to grow some skin and get my knee back. If everything goes well, I will see you at the races soon.
The last couple years I've made a lot of sacrifices to make things happen for triathlon. I never did any internships with engineering during summer because I was always training. I never went on vacation or long road trips friends because I was always training. I was always napping in my bed or sleeping while my friends are out partying and living it up. There were days when I wanted to quit. There were more days when I doubted if I made the right choices with my life. While all my friends have legitimate jobs already, I'm here chasing a dream that's is still to this day net negative (Vineman 70.3 2014 was grea, but I'm still quite a ways to get paid). But again and again when I find myself full of doubt and distress, 20 minutes into a long bike work out torture assigned by Keith, I'm in complete peace. There's no negative thoughts in my head, I'm just enjoying myself out there. I love every second of it. There's definitely still doubt in my mind. There always will be doubt as to whether or not I'll ever make it. But this race has eradicated 80% of that doubt and I can say I have no regret going forward. As cliche as in sounds, I'm going to follow my heart and do everything I can to make it happen. Maybe I am foolish. But at least I'm just listening to Steve Jobs and staying foolish.
If you've made it this far, I thank you for taking the time to read my story for this race. With that I'd like to thank my parents and my sister for their unconditional love and support. I'd never take your support for granted.
Keith, for all your words of encouragement, guidance, and most of all your training. Ever since we started working together, it has been nothing but improvement. I'm learning a lot and hopefully more is to come.
Jay, for believing in me and investing in me as a young pro. Your work behind the scenes to obtain sponsorship is invaluable and I really appreciate it. We should have more training camps!
Jason and John, you guys had killer races this year as 50+ year olds. My jaw always drops every time I see you guys race. You guys inspire me to be the best that I can be but keeping it fun and rad at the same time.
Creighton, when I saw you ride your bike over those hills at Wildflower I was just blown away. The stuff you have to go through is hard to fathom. Your words of encouragement at Wildflower camp always stayed with me and I appreciate your support.
Brad, thanks again for your support. The shoes are awesome! hanging out with you at expo before races is always a highlight.
My sponsors, Argon 18, Newton Shoes, Xterra Wetsuits, Castelli, and PacWest Athletics and teammates.
Until next time, I need to grow some skin and get my knee back. If everything goes well, I will see you at the races soon.