'ike loa

Today was the first day of the training season.  We start off with our “expo” where we introduce the team to each of the sports within triathlon – swimming, biking, and running and the appropriate equipment to use.  There are the basics such as needing something to swim in, googles, a bike, a helmet, and running shoes.  But beyond that there are so many things to choose that can improve your performance in an event.  Simple things such as wearing a hat while on the run.  Or choosing the right bike.  While a mountain bike might get you through an Olympic distance course, such as Wildflower, it isn’t even

something you would consider on a half-ironman distance event.  

The coaches also talk about nutrition and the good and bad of what to eat.  Much of it is sound common sense but some of it really helps gain an edge.

The coaches have a wealth of knowledge and experience that they share and what we learn is very valuable.  Though I have participated in a number of triathlons, I always seem to catch something new with each refresher.

After the expo, the Wildflower Olympic team went off for a short ride while the long/half teams went for a 20 mile or so bike ride.

As my bike was still in the shop at Trek getting service (and way over due), I went for a run with a few members of the half team who were unable to ride.

Go Team!

This is the first entry of my new blog `ike loa.

`ike loa means “to know very well indeed, knowledgeable, versed, wise” and this blog is a journal of my experiences and wisdom gleamed from those experiences.  And lots of wisdom has been gleaned… sometimes long after the experience.

Life is full of retrospection and growth.  We grow from our relationships, our jobs, and our struggles.  Everyone and every experience further shapes our being.   Loftier goals can bring greater rewards but also result in spectacular failures.  And through those failures we achieve the deepest growth. 

This year, my mind and body was ready to face new challenges.  So for 2009 I have joined the TNT San Diego Vineman 70.3 team as a participant and as a mentor. Vineman is a half-Ironman distance triathlon and training will be challenging and long.

I actually completed this event in 2006 in 7 hours and 23 minutes training on my own but to do it with Team In Training takes the sense of accomplishment to the next level as I know that I am working and training hard for an extremely worthy cause  I also have a personal goal to beat my previous time by 45 minutes — something that I can do with the help of the Team, coaches, friends and most importantly, our honored teammates.

Balancing training, a more than full time job, and two kids is going to be an uphill battle for me. But the challenge that I face is nothing compared to those that face the challenge of facing andfighting and living with blood-related cancers.  Cancer just doesn’t affect one person — it affects entire families, friends, and even communities.  While it is tragic that anyone has to face cancer, knowing that 5000 children won’t make it through this year is a bitter stab through the heart.  I can only grab and hold my own children tighter!

The reward of life is the journey itself.  For many of us, we don’t give much thought of the day to day and instead we look to the very end, to the finish.  We worry about what the end will be like and how long away it will be and plan for something that seems remote and distant.  But for many others the journey of surviving a single day is their ultimate reward.   It is for those whom I am struggling for this year.  Those whose lives I want to bring a sense of future.  Those are who I am volunteering my time, energy, and physical endurance to find the cure…

Join me and help me and my teammates with our cause.

Go Team!