Work was tough and challenging this week. It started off rough because I had a 6am flight to catch and was up at 4:45am. Not a very good start to the week sleep wise. Work was insanely busy for the first part of the week which burned me out. My weakened immune system, plus the stress of work plus the drop in temperatures caused me to get sick. Right now I have a runny nose, sore throat and a bit of a headache. Anyone believe in the power of prayer and healing?? I've asked some close friends and family to keep me in prayer specifically with the sickness that I'm experiencing.
I did a lot of reminiscing this week about where I've come from athletically. It's been a 13 year journey since I started in athletics. Up until jr high I was the typical Chinese kid who played piano, went to speech arts, Kumon, Chinese school etc etc. Everything BUT sports! Finally in grade 7 I had the chance to try out for vball. I was hesitant to try out for a sport that I'd never tried but Scott K said it'd be easy! over 24 people tried out (50% of our class), and so they made no cuts....I was on the 'A Team". If it wasn't for that experience I may never have joined basketball which i absolutely loved for a period of 6 years. My coach at the time (Ken Miller) was a no nonsense-let's beat them with hardwork-a strong defence is the best offence kind of guy. He was also my track coach and this fall I may have the opportunity to coach with him. This is a critical time in my life when kids may have lower self esteems for whatever reason and through sports I felt ALIVE and found something I was GOOD at.
midway through university I challenged myself with a 5km race on Mother's day and I've been hooked ever since! My first 10km race was the Terry Fox run at Firebag and I continued to train at site and ran the Calgary 1/2 Marathon. Vancouver 2008 was my first Marathon and was also a BIG lesson in patience, pacing and humility.
I almost missed out on triathlon because I didn't know how to swim! I ran into a girl, Catherine (who i didn't know at the time), just outside our house. she was walking home from swim practice and I was finishing up a run. I started talking to her because I saw her UCTC (University of Calgary Triathlon Club) Jacket. She gave me the final push and convinced me that I could do a triathlon. The first year was still a struggle and I ended up breastroking most of my first sprint distance race. Eventually things clicked and i raced my first half ironman in Calgary. It was HOT during the run but was good prep for the Philippines where it reached 35C plus HIGH humidity on the run!
This year I focused more on the bike was able to put together a solid race which qualified me for Ironman Canada! It was a tough decision whether to take the spot this year or not. My plans were to race in 2011 so I could have more support from family and friends. I signing up for 2010 because I was feeling healthy and trained strong since January.
Most Ironmen need a 'drive' of some sort to complete the 140.6mile course. Some are chasing a spot in the World Championship and some just want to Finish. Others are battling weight loss or suffered a recent divorce. MY drive has been my #1 fan, My Grandma. When she was still living at home she always asked me where I was going when I was leaving the house. I always made her guess. So she'd guess swimming.....then biking....then running...usually it'd be one of the 3 but every so often she'd be wrong because I was going to school or work. She always said that I needed to find a girl who was just as active :). I think about her alot during my long bike rides and sometimes my runs intentionally go through the Confed graveyard so that I can stop by to visit. This was a big reason as to why i decided to race this year. Although it makes me sad to think that she's no longer here I'm assured that I will see her again since she came to know Jesus while she was in Calgary:)
This post came from an e-mail which had 4 versions. The versions were for coworkers, friends, family and people who would be in penticton. I seriously tear up every time I edit which has been about 20 times now.
This is a special weekend for me because it's the biggest physical challenge I've ever faced, but also special because it will bring some closure to a tough year.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Heb 12:1-3
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