Week #11

This week was full of rain, every single day. It was a wet week and my knee was swollen due to all the rain, but I was able to complete my workouts at the gym. This training week ended with a simulated triathlon in honor of Louie Bonpua, an Ironteam member who lost his battle against blood cancer.

I completed an olympic distance triathlon (a quarter of my ultimate goal). The distances were a 1500 yard swim (60 laps), a 27.4 mile bike which included Pig Farm Hill, and a 5.4 mile run. I had a great swim completed 60 laps in 34:52. I had a great bike and was able to make it up Pig Farm Hill. I felt stronger than I did two weeks ago. As soon as I made it to the top of the hill, it began to poor. I took that as a sign of I just did that! The run was good I used a run 1 mile, walk 30 secs method to complete the run portion.


In preparing for an endurance event, a number of factors are key. Two big ones are hydration and nutrition. The day/night before, I need to be eating foods that are high in carbohydrates and low in fats and proteins. I need to be drinking water constantly, every 5-10 minutes, thoughout the day. My breakfast the day of an event is two egg sandwiches on wheat bread. My hydration and nutrition for the event is carefully planned out. I eat breakfast 2-4 hours before I start. I have a water bottle for the swim. A full camelback for the bike along with 1 or 2 bottles of Perpetuem (liquid food). I also carry a pack of shot blocks (electrolyte chews) and 2 cliff or power bars for calories and energy. I have a hand water bottle for the run and carry another pack of shot blocks. After the event, I drink a recovery drink within 10 minutes of completion to enhance my glycogen storage and aid in my muscle reparation.

Why do I do all this? It's simple really, because it matters. I lost my dad to cancer and it's very important to me to make a difference, fight to improve others' lives and raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society so there can finally be a cure for cancer.

Although I never had the opportunity to meet Louie, I know him. His legacy lives within the Team in Training (TNT) family. Louie joined the Leukemia and Lymphoma's TNT as an honoree, someone surviving the disease and provides motivation to participants. Louie insisted on being a TNT member too. He began training for his first triathlon. His actions motivated many he touched, which included those he met in person, through email, visitors to his website, and even through the many news stories published about his strength and courage to battle his way through triathlons. Louie always had his smile. He even joined the Ironteam because he wanted to "show people that you can still live, even when they tell you you're going to die". He wanted to prove that there is no reason to give up hope, and he did. On August 26, 2001, Louie crossed the finish line in Penticton, British Columbia. Louie wanted to conquer the Hawaii's Ironman next. But first there was this relay that Louie had been nominated for - the Olympic Torch Relay. Louie's teammates nominated him to carry the Olympic Torch when it came through the Bay Area. Louie was hospitalized only 3 days before the Olympic Torch relay. There was no way, Louie was not going to miss this once in a lifetime opportunity. He was going to carry that torch. The doctors finally agreed to let Louie out of the hospital for this honor. Louie shocked all his fans by the torch for those .2 miles even though he was in pain from the rapid advancement of his leukemia. He was so happy holding that torch and walking the crowd towards the Golden Gate Bridge. Louie passed away a few days after the Olympic Torch Relay, fighting for every last achievement, living life to the fullest every second, and doing it his way.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/VineFIrn10/dbache