America's Finest City Half Marathon (Last of Triple Crown)

I ran my 4th Half Marathons this year and I want to share what I learn to my teammates. Here are a few key points that I want to mention.

1. Make sure you have enough sleep. Since I still have jet lag from Hong Kong I was having a tough time driving down to San Diego. If I wasn't going for the triple crown, I will probably just park aside and sleep.

2. Make sure you get yourself enough time to pick up your BIB. I am usually very good at doing that (I took a day off to pick up my BIB for LA marathon on Fri). But this time I left LA around 1:20pm. With 2 hours to San Diego I should be there by 3:30pm. Wrong... I didn't get there til 4:30pm. I was stressing out and I was lucky to pick up my BIB before 5:00pm

3. I did the right thing but having a simple Sat. I checked into the hotel, got dinner/breakfast, got water in a supermarket, then went back to the hotel to prepare.

4. Lay everything out. Check, re-check, and double check

5. If you are checking out the hotel on the day of your race. Pack everything the night before so you are ready to check out before you head out to the race in the morning. I know sometime I will have enough time to come back for a shower, but why bother. If you are late in the race and you are hurt... this will only add more stress unless you are willing to pay for another day.

6. Get there early! I got to the parking lot early to take the shuttle to the starting point. lot of parking, lot of time for me to make last minute adjustment, no waiting at the bus, no waiting at the restroom.

7. Warm Up before the race. I don't care how slow you are 'planning' to run. When the gun goes off, you are going to run like a horse. If you do your warmup, you are less likely to get injuries. I didn't warm up in LA (because I was waiting for the restroom... remember point #6) and I got hurt... big time!

8. Easy on the downhill. People try to go faster on downhill. For me, I just keep the same pace so I don't hurt myself.

9. Listen to your body, feel your sweat. AFC wasn't that hot but it was very humid. When I put my hand on my back it was soak. I know I sweat a lot so I drink more water... but... at I find out later, I didn't take enough salt.

10. When you don't listen to your body, you pay for it later. When I was at around 12.5-6, my legs started to cramp, so I needed to slow down and take it easy. Remember I said I sweat a lot... well I drink enough but I didn't have enough salt on my body.

11. When you don't feel well. Stop and Rest. Well for some reason I was feeling a bit dizzy when I was at 12.8. I slow down and take a break. I saw a few people pass out along the way and I don't want to be one of them... well at least not in my TNT jersey. It's a disgrace to my coach.


My time: I was expecting to go under 2:20 but oh well

Overall Place	Sex Place	Div Place	First Name	Last Name	Sex	Age	City	State	Time	Pace	Bib	Gun Time	10K Split	Year
4724	2590	440	Louis	Kwan	M	30	Monterey Park	CA	02:27:29	11:15	1004	02:29:37	01:03:43

I finished my first ever Mt Wilson Trail Race and loving it!!!

I am so happy today because I completed the Mt Wilson trail race and I did a lot better than I thought. For those of you who don't know where Mt Wilson is... Mt Wilson is the mountain north of Pasadena where all those antennas stick out. Mt Wilson is the first 'big' mountain I ever hike. It is 15 miles round trip with 4500ft of gain. I guess I consider a hike 'big' if it has over 4000ft of gain.

So for the last few years I am constantly amazed by how people run up on the Mt Wilson Trail. I think the trail is very steep and I don't know how people do it. I have a lot of respect for those people because I can only dream doing something like that.

Fast forward a few years. I graduated from the Wilderness Travel Course and I am now a Sierra Club rated leader. Yet the thought of running the Mt Wilson Trail is still too insane for me. All these uphill... how can people do it???

Well things started to change in Sept 2007 as I joined Team In Training. I started training for the Los Angeles Marathon and I started running on the trail. I was like... wow... I can actually run on the trail. I do think that running downhill is bad for you but I like the thrill of running on trail.

So few months ago I registered for the 100th Anniversary of the Mt Wilson Trail Race. The current version of the trail race doesn't actually go all the way to the top. The exact course has changed over the years due to trail damage caused by erosion, earthquakes and fire. But the current trail is approximately 8.6 miles in length and has an elevation gain over 2100 feet with the turn around point at Orchard Camp.

I started training for this race soon after I finished the LA Marathon. I ran sections of the trail and my body was holding up... well sort of. Since I hiked the trail numerous time I have a very good sense of where I can run and where I should just hike. I am nervous, excited, and ready. I don't really care about my marathon time but I really want to do well on this race.

Then the Sierra Madre Fire came. Our Sierra Madre was burning!!! When I found out the Wilson Trail was burned I was devastated. Luckly the fire was under control after a few days.
So a few days after the Mt Wilson Trail Race Committee rescheduled the race to June 7, 2008... 6 days after my San Diego Rock n Roll Marathon *_* I wasn't too thrill because I wanted more time to recover from Rock N Roll. But hey... at least the race didn't get cancel!!!

Wanting to recover for the trail race. I did everything I can think of. I started off by drinking the muscle recovery stuff that big time hiker likes Mars Bonfire uses after my marathon. I then went on a 2 hours massage on monday... which is very painful. I told her I just finished a marathon and I have another race this sat. I told her the massage doesn't have to be comfortable, it just has to work!

Game Day

I started out running and my legs started to get tight so I started to hike. I got to 1st water and took pictures with Sarah.

Sierra Madre SAR Sarah Hess

I then continue up to Orchard Camp and I got there 1 hr 16 mins into the race. I was surprised with my progress. I took some pictures and I started to run downhill. I was running at a very good pace until I hit the 1st water again. I guess by then my leg are getting tired. I slow down because I know if I don't slow down I may push myself too hard and fall off the cliff. My left foot also started to bother so I just go very slow. I made it down to the trail, walk the uphill on the street and then started the final descent. I was kind of tired but I was abled to pick up my pace. I spirit the last 200 feets or so and got a good finish.

After Thoughts

Well I am happy that I did well. I think I own this to my hiking friends and Team In Training. Without them I wouldn't be able to do what I did today. Well I have been running for cancer so today I ran for my hiking friends. I could of do a lot better but I am just glad to finish... espeically since I finished a marathon 6 days ago and that this is my first time. I'll try to cut at least 10 minutes next time. We'll see what happen.

Lisa Carlton's Story

This is the story of the woman who I ran for. I am giving her family my medal to let them know that they didn't fight the disease alone. We all fought for her and we will continue to do so until we find the cure.

My Story is very simple. I have cancer. Same as many other people in this world. At first it seems a little unfair. You shouldn't have to be sick the same time you kid is. Of course, Joshua is my hero. I look up to him every day and know that if he has the strength to get through chemo, then so can I. I think he was lucky though, he didn't know to be afraid.

Ok, I hope I am doing this right. Hi everyone. I finally made it home last week. I feel like I have been gone for months. Looking back I'd have to say it started in October when we moved into the conference room. There were several days where I had severe itching on my hands and feet. So bad I had to take benadryl for days. Then my neck swelled, as everyone remembers. Remember that funny doctor? His office called today and left a message wondering when I would like to schedule my surgery to remove the lymph node in my neck!! We already talked to his office in December and let him know I was in the hospital to have surgery. Nice to know he has been paying attention. My official diagnosis was given to us the end of last week. I have Non- Hodgkins High grade Large B cell Lymphoma. I have another meeting with my oncologist tomorrow to discuss the treatment. It will need to be aggressive, like the cancer. They talk about it going into the brain, so they want to put chemo in my spinal column. Lot's to talk about. I only have 1 goal and that is to stay alive for my children. It makes sense that this is an aggressive form of cancer because it seems like it came out of nowhere and moved so quickly. I am trying to be real and open with my daughters. I have every intention of living through this, but they know better than anyone that there are no guarantees. If they can lose their father, they can lose their mother, too. I will take every edge that I have. Eating all healthy foods, using a medical hypnotist, and praying every day for God to carry me through this. I am truly blessed to have the love and support of so many wonderful friends and a beautiful and devoted family. This sucks, but is the way life is. Complaining won't get me anywhere, but fighting hard will..

Lisa has 3 children
Daughter Katie is graduating from high school this june
Daughter Kalie just turned 11
and Son Joshua just turned 4.

Here is Joshua's story

Joshua has a condition called X-linked Hyper Igm. Basically, he is missing 2 of the 3 components of his immune system.

When he was 6 months old Lisa took him to the doctor because she felt he looked pale and just wasn’t ‘right’. The doctor told her to take him straight to the hospital that moment. He had pneumonia and had to be intubated and put on a respirator. He was diagnosed soon after that.

The best treatment for this condition is a bone marrow transplant, and he was put on a list. He was matched with a donor of umbilical cord blood. He had to have extensive chemotherapy to kill what little immune system he had so it would not fight the new bone marrow. This was when he was one year old.

He spent several months in the hospital, in isolation. The doctors were giving him huge amounts of steroids to help his lungs heal from the pneumonia, but the steroids were also suppressing his new immune system and preventing it from ‘grafting’.

When he finally came home he was on oxygen 24/7 and was taking 12 different medications, some up to 5 times a day, plus 3 breathing treatments a day. He could not go outside, they could not have anybody at the house, no immunizations, and they wore (and still wear) a mask if anybody even thinks they are coming down with a cold. They can’t even open the windows because the wind may blow in germs. He could not eat anything fresh; only processed food because of the risk of bacteria.

There were several times when Lisa did not know if Joshua would live. Any mistakes they made in his care could have cost him his life. He turned 4 on May 25, one day after Lisa passed away. He will probably always be on oxygen, and his health will never be normal, but his survival is Lisa’s greatest accomplishment.

At the same time Joshua was fighting his battle, Lisa’s ex-husband (father of her 2girls) was dying of kidney cancer. Lisa took him into her home & took care of him. He passed away in her home. So her daughter’s have lost both parents.

Joshua’s father was at Lisa’s side & was a constant support for her.

Lisa’s parents will be taking care of the children.

I am not posting Joshua's pictures but if this will help you understand how cancer sucks, let me know and I will show you.

I asked if there is anything we can do to help Lisa's family with this hard time and I haven't heard anything yet. If you want to help in some way let me know and I will keep you up to date on this. If you want, you can write a card for Lisa's family and I will forward it to her family.

Louis

Second Marathon: San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon

term to help you understand the blog
TNT: Team In Training
Honored Teammate: Blood Cancer Survivor

Since I got injured during my LA Marathon (knee problem starting mile 7), I did not count that as running the 'marathon' because I was power walking half the time. I figured in order for me to share my marathon experience with you all, it's only fair for me to run another marathon so I registered for San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon

Well My fun run got serious when my teammate told me her coworker Lisa Carlton passed away from Non-Hodgkins disease around May 24. She was 38 with 3 kids. Although I never met Lisa in person but I ran mile 18 for her when I did LA. It was surreal because I just ran for her 3 months ago and she's gone now. I decided to ran San Diego in memory of Lisa Carlton.

When I ran LA I had the whole 'I Run 4 Food' and 'Part Time Runner Full Time Hiker' theme going

No fun stuff this time, just Lisa

Game Day
I got to the starting line at 5:00 am to give myself plenty of time to stay loose and warm up. I wanted to look for the Team In Training San Gabriel Valley team but that seem to be impossible because there are several thousands runners all with Team In Training jersey. Well I was lucky and bumped into the team. I took pictures with Honored Teammate Virginia and Gordie before I head out to run. Gordie is running and Virginia (You can download her bio here) is cheering

Honored Teammate Virginia and her husband Van

Honored Teammate Gordie

I started the race by myself at around 6:30 am. At around mile 3.5 I bumped into Gordie and his teammates. I joined force with them and continue our journey.

At around mile 9 Gordie's teammates were starting to pull away. I had a lot of strength to go faster but I decided to run with Gordie because I don't like the idea of having a honored teammate running by himself... plus I will only go just a little bit faster if I were to go at my own pace. I figured it's better to run in pair than running by myself.

Both of us are getting tired but we continue to push forward. By mile 17.6 we actually passed the 3 teammates that we were with. I guessed one of them was having issues and needed to slow down. I continue to follow Gordie until mile 21. Coach Karla was there and run with us until mile 22.5. When we were at mile 23 something we saw Coach Katie and Gordie was kind of beat up by the run. I was thinking about running ahead because Gordie was planning to just walk the rest of the way. But then I figured I ran with him for the last 20 miles... why leave him now. So the two of us walk together and we finished the marathon in 6 hours.

Is running a marathon tough?
To a lot of people running the marathon is the toughest physical thing they ever done... especially when Sarah and Elaine said the exact same thing during the last few miles of the LA marathon.

To me, I am happy to say that some of my hikes are tougher than marathon. I think my body is better adopted for these kind of abuse because of my hiking experience. If hiking for 15 miles with 7000ft gain don't help with you endurance, I don't know what will. Trips like Mount Baldy + 3Ts, Iron Mountain, Antimony and Eagle Rest, and Mount Shasta really beat me to the ground. I didn't really struggle during my marathons... but when I was doing Mt Shasta, I was so drained that I was ready to quit. I remember crying at the ridge because I wanted to do it so bad but I just didn't have the strength to do it. Well long story short I pushed forward and got to the peak with my friends because it was too dangerous for me to go back to the campsite by myself.

(left to right)Roberto, Wayne, Katie, and I summited Mount Summit 9 hours after we started (we hiked in sat and started the camp 3am Sunday morning). We didn't get back to the car til 7 pm. It was a 18.5 hours day for me *_*

So what I really learn from this Team In Training Marathon experience?
I learned a lot during the last 9 months. Before Team In Training my knowledge about cancer is very one dimensional. As the season progress my coaches and teammates started to share their stories. I learned that kids can have cancer just like everybody else. I also learned that although we haven't find the cure, but we did developed drugs that battle them. Medical breakthrough like Gleevec gave Virgina the break that she needed. Also emotional stories from Coach Kiley and Team Captain Gail made me realized how lucky I am. I started donate more money to other non-profit organization and I think that's a good thing. I think I donated over $500 this year to various causes.

My Final Thoughts
When I tell people I ran marathons they are very impressed. To me, marathoners are regular people doing what they like. Training with TNT make me realized that a lot of people are doing stuff 100X harder than running a marathon but they didn't deserve the credit that they should receive. What I did was nothing. If you think running a marathon is tough, try Chemo! Look at people around you... cancer survivors, single parent, people with disability, policeman and firefighter... or just normal parent trying to raise their children... those are the people that we should be impressed. Me? I am just a hiker who want to know if hiking is tougher or if running a marathon is tougher. I got my answer and I didn't disappoint my hiking friends. I don't think running the LA Marathon and the San Diego Rock N Roll marathon is an accomplishment, but fund raised $5100 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is an big accomplishment for me. And every single one of you helped me with that accomplishment. Thank you for your support. I am sure Honored Teammate like Virginia and little Tyler are happy with what you did.

This is just a fraction of what I experienced. I tried to write down as much as I can but being a very bad writer doesn't really help. If you want to know about my experience you can always give me a call.

Please read Lisa's story

Louis

I did it

Finished the Marathon with Elaine and Sarah


I will tell you guys what happen in detail later. But I just want to let you guys know that my knee sort of gave up at around mile 10 and I basically have to power walk the whole thing. I know something will probably give up, but I didn't see this one coming... this soon. Anyway, I will be ok. Talk to you later

The Rashhh

Rash: an eruption or efflorescence on the skin.

I don't think you guys want to see any pictures, so I am just going to tell you what happen. Two weeks ago I hosted a BBQ because my aunt and my uncle won't be in LA on my Marathon Celeberation BBQ. I made some crab salad and it tastes pretty good. Hours later, I started to develop this rash and I know it's from the crab. I had that crab thing before and I swear I was ok the last time. It's 2 weeks after that and I am still itchy... I should of listen to the Coach... nothing new... =(

Well... this is it! My Last TNT Spring Sat Training

Terrythe Teammate and Nicola the Mentor

That it!!! I just finished my last training. Again, I didn't push too hard today because I want to have more time to recover from my injuries. I think I will be ready to go in two weeks but I am a bit concern about a few of my teammates. 1 got sick and 2 got injuries pretty bad. I am hoping that they can recover in time to join the race.

Second to the Last Sat Training

My Honored Teammate Little Tyler

After last week's 18 miles, the team is kicking it today with only 12. My body wasn't feeling it today and my legs were bothering me, so I just took it very slow. We had a little cupcake party after the training and Little Tyler was there to show us support.

Team In Training 18 miles training

I did 16 today because I didn't do my 16 miles training (I was at Carlsbad running the half marathon). So after the training I try my first ice bath with 2 bags of ice (ice bath helps you recover). It's actually not that bad.

Carlsbad Half Marathon

Pasta Party on Sat night. Just look at all these green and purple

Running next to the ocean is so refreshing!

I bumped into Leah parents, so I borrowed their signs. Go Leah and Greg



Pam, Jennifer, and Erin showing off their Medals!

Being Louis, I went to eat Shin Sen Gumi after the race

This weekend I went down to Carlsbad to run the Carlsbad Half-Marathon along with 8 of my teammates: Jennifer, Pam, Erin, Greg, Leah, Sheri, Emily, and Daisy. This is THE RACE for them because they are not doing a full marathon. I got down to Oceanside/Carlsbad in the early afternoon to do some sightseeing and picked up my BIB (race #6407). I then joined my teammates for the pasta party. I wasn't really full at the pasta party so I got a sandwich after. =P

On game day I got to the starting point ultra early and it was cold, I checked in my bag and did some warm up exercise. I finally get a hold of my teammates and we headed toward the starting line. All my teammates are in high spirit and we yell go team just in time for the race to start.

I walked the first mile with Jennifer, Sheri and Coach Matt. Sheri was having some issue with her MP3 player but I wasn't able to help her out. After mile 1 I said bye to them and I start running. After a while I caught up with Leah and Greg and I took a ton of pictures for them. By then we ran pass 3 bands already. There are a lot of music and a lot of people are cheering. You tend to forget the pain and keep going. And it's just so beautiful running by the ocean!

At mile 4 I saw the San Gabriel Chapter Cheer station. It's nice for them to drive all the way to Carlsbad just to give moral support. I also saw Leah's parent and I told them to expect Greg and Leah in any minute. I continue on and I caught up with Erin. Poor Erin was stuck waiting in line for the restroom *_*

After sometime I spot my Web Captain Holly and I took a picture of her. By then I think we are at around mile 8 or 9. I continue with my journey running at my pace, taking pictures, and cheering for other team in training runners by yelling 'Go Team' (I think this is a San Gabriel Valley thing because others TNT runners look at me kind of funny). So you know, I am just doing my thing and this lady ask me if I want a picture of myself. I told her sure so she took my camera and run ahead of me and snap this picture below. Let's just say that I am glad she gave me back my camera because I won't be able to catch up with her if she take off.

When I reach around 13 or 13.1 mile I start running... fast! I passed a lot of people and I feel very good about it. I heard Pam and others yelling my name but I am too focus to look. I race to the finish line with the time of 2:25:50 (11:08 per mile pace). I think I will run this next year to beat the time. After all my teammates come in, I drove back to LA.

Carlsbad Send Off Video

With the help of my cousin Billy, I made this for my Carlsbad Teammate.

Carlsbad Send Off Video

Mount Baldy Snow Hike

crampons: 12 point spikes tie to your boot. model: Katie

unknown skier hiking up with the ski

It's windy and cold at the top

I planned this hike a few weeks back because this Sunday is the only week that I can hike Mt Baldy. With the high mileages training coming up (16, 18, and 20 miles), I definitely want to stick with the training schedule and not do anything on Sundays.

So Katie, Roberto and I were at the trail head at 7:00am. After putting on our shell pant, gaiters, crampons, crampons, ice axe...etc. we started heading out at around 7:45am. The first part is on the road and we don't really have to use crampons. Since I don't want to get any injury at all (Coach Matt will kill me), I decide to use my crampons so I don't fall on ice.

What use to be a 4 hours summit took me 5 something hours. It was cold, it was very very windy. And you know what, it's tiring walking on snow with crampons. My initial summit plan was to stand up at the top and take a picture with my Team In Training Jersey. That didn't happen because it's too cold and windy at the top. As I was going up to the summit, Katie was coming down already because she said it's too cold and windy near the top. She stayed up there, took a few pictures and head down. Roberto too was up and down in no time. As I was near the top, it was so windy that I almost got knock over a few times. This other person I met turn back because he doesn't have crampons/ice axe and he was having no luck kicking his own steps because there were just solid ice near the top. I am so glad he made the right decision. Unlike that other guy, I pushed for the summit... just because I can =)

When I got near the top (a few feets away), I shelter myself behind the first stone barrier I can find. I lie behind the barrier so I get less wind exposure. I then dig my crampons on the ice to make sure I have purchase. I was having a hard time setting my axe on the ice but I did it some how.

I was cold but I decide not to put on more clothes because I know everything I take out from my backpack will just fly away because of the wind. I took 2 pictures, a short video clip, and head back down. I decide not to get to the top top (a few feet away) because I was concern about my safety. I feel like if I move a few steps to the top I will lose my footing. There was no one at the top and I definitely don't want to lose my footing. I kind of regret about not being at the top top because I didn't get to see the other side of the mountain. But then I guess I just want to go down and I just didn't care at the time.

stone barrier during summer time. I only get a fraction of that today because most of the barrier was covered with snow *_*

Roberto was waiting for me near the top so we went down together looking for Katie. We didn't see Katie at this section near the top so we assume she went down to the ski hut and wait for us. Roberto and I took a break to have lunch because it was like 2 something and we both were hungry (We usually have lunch at the top but that didn't work out as planned). When we got near Ski Hut I saw this dad with his daughter and her bf struggling to head down. I learned that the dad twisted his ankle and he was basically lamping down the mountain. He asked for some painkiller and I gave it to him. We offer to walk them out but he refused most of our assistant and he just ask us to call his wife telling her he will be late.

A few hours later, we got back to our cars. What we didn't know is we have to sit though traffic from hell for another hour before we get back to the 210 freeway. Apparently all the city people drive up to Mt Baldy area for snow play. Katie made a comment about how city girls look pretty and fashionable on the snow. I think she just wanted that pink jacket (just kidding).

About the Dad and his daughter and her bf: In my personel opinion, this Dad is totally not responsible and put his daughter and her bf in danger. I can go on and on about it. The biggest thing that bother me is that the Dad has crampons/boot but the daughter and bf have tennis shoe on. I figure if you have crampon, then you probably know that hiking on snow with tennis shoe is a very stupid thing to do. Your feet can get very cold and you may have frost bite. So I don't know why on earth he took his daughter and the bf up to Mt Baldy. Don't get me wrong, the 3 of them are in great condition... much better than me, but they are not well equip for snow travel. I think they are very lucky because nothing really bad happen to them. It could of been a lot worst.

Erin almost get hit by a golf ball

Team picture... more people show up this time


Erin is holding the golf ball that almost hit her. The yellow sign say something like there is a risk running next to a golf course... *_*

This is the weekend before the Carlsbad Half Marathon and we are doing 8 miles run. Nothing special... until near the end where a golf ball missed Erin's head by a few fts. I ended up picking up the golf ball and give it to Erin. Damn Golfer... practice your swing in a range!

Orange County Half Marathon: My first Half Marathon

I don't know what I am pointing =P

Today I completed my first half-marathon (13.1 miles) and I am pretty happy about my time. My chip time is 2:20:26 and that's a 10:43 per mile pace. It's not fast by any standard, but I am training to maintain that pace for 26.2 miles. It was a good decision to run fast today, because rain started to pour down about half an hour after I finish... *_*

chip time: Each runner has a computer chip attach to the shoe. Your personnel start time won't start until you step on the timing mat at the starting line. So if you are way behind the starting line, you don't get time until you cross the starting line.

New Year Rose Parade Run

The new year run totally amaze me. People are sleeping on the street like in a disaster movie and numerous people run with us for like 10 feets... of course some of them were half drunk

I seriously didn't see the sign *_*

I went running with a tons of Team In Training people today. we start running at 5am from the end of the Rose Parade route all the way back to the starting line. It's 5 miles long and it took me around an hour because I need to wait for some traffic lights and I was waiting for others. After checking out floats, some run back to their cars (another 5 miles) while others take the public transportation back to the car. Since I have a half Marathon on 1/06 and my ankle is bothering me, I took the Metro. Long story short, I had breakfast with the gang, check out the parade, walk from lake to the finish line to get my car. Car was tow and I have no cell phone... and I end up walking back all the way back up to the Lake to get my car back. The kicker is Matt flagged me down on Walnut right when I am about to reach the tow place *_*. Since I have been walking for so long, I just continue walking =P So ya, I covered the most distance today out of everybody!

Happy Holiday

2008 San Gabriel Valley Spring Team In Training (partial)

The San Gabriel Valley Team In Training and your humble blogger like to say happy holiday to you all. Please eat, sleep, and eat some more. You can leave the exercise to the team. Some of the team members will start the new year by running the Rose Parade route at 4:30am on new year day. So yes, leave the running to us!

Running on your birthday

Today it's Dorian and Anna birthday, but guess what... they made it to the training.

They are the one that are passing birthday cookies.

I ran 12 miles today and I feel fine... til I finish. I don't remember twisting my ankle, but when I stop, it started to hurt... a lot. Just like the good old hiking day, I was pretty much limping the whole day. Lucky, my car is right next to me... instead of 7 miles away =)

I hope my ankle recover in time so that I can do the New Year Rose Parade Run. I have been looking forward to it and I definitely want to do it! We'll see how it goes.

First time icing after the training

I made my Goal... $5000

This is what I told my coaches, captains, mentors, and my honored teammates:

Hi all, I got some donation the last few days and I was at $4943 today. When I come back from the Hill training and I got another $57! I still need to send in my checks but I unofficially made it! I probably are not as excited as some of you because I am cold and I am hungry (It was raining that night and I went to my training... outdoor!) I just want to share this great news with all of you. There is no need to pad my shoulder because every single one of you made this possible. Without our coaches, the manager, the different captains, mentors, my favorite teammates (all), and our most respected honored teammates, there won't be a team. And if there is no team, somebody like me wouldn't sign up. So Yes, we should each pad our own shoulders. I'll try to see if I can get more donation in, but as much as I want to earn that 6 pair of dress socks and the Tiffany bracelet for my future wife, I don't think I will make $10,000 (unless I start eating Mag and Cheese = Maggot and Cheese) Now I am going to cook that steak, see you all on Sat.

Louis

P.S. My other teammate Dorian made her $5000 mark a few days later

Happy Holiday to my Mountain Friends

For people who knows how to read a USGS topo map, I just want to say Happy Holiday and be safe in the Wilderness. I have been busy kicking cancer's butt. But once I finish the LA Marathon, you'll find me on the trail once again.

I want to have a piece of hiking with me when I run, so I will be wearing my Mountain Heardwear Cap during my trainings and the marathon =)

My new Mountain Hardwear Cap: I picked the same color because I know Wayne must of pick that color so that he can hike faster.

Louis a.k.a. Little Wayne

2007/12/23: Unknown location that all of you have been to

SIR Wayne Bannister (2008 HPS Committee: Mountain Records)

2007/07/15: Wayne's HPS List Finisher on top of Smith Mountain

Fail Attempt: I tried the picture with a bagel... it's not the same!

2007/12/22: Team In Training Sat Pratice

Making of the little Wayne picture: Last week I received the cap and I bought the small Pocky all ready to go. But before I knew it my brother ate the Pocky!!! So I have to postpone the picture shot for another week =(

My lastest Team In Training Equipment!

Since I want my friends and teammates to be able to find me in the Marathon, I got this Mountain Hardwear Orange Rain Cap (Waterproof) and this Orange Shirt. I am so happy with the purchase because I always wanted to wear my hiking stuff when I run. I wanted to wear a piece of hiking stuff with me to show people how much I like to hike and this Mountain Hardwear Cap is just solution!

It's nice to hike again

I went to Inspiration Point today. I am very happy to hike on some light snow =)

Santa Monica - Venice Christmas Run - 10K

The SGV TNT saga continues with the 2nd Team Race. Like Janet Jackson, many of us experienced Wardrobe Malfunction before the race but we were abled to figure it out. I took a lot of pictures of my teammates during the race but apparently Heather, Frank, Pam, Christy and Sandra are too fast too furious for my camera. Well... suck to be fast in this aspect =P

Our very own TNT SGV Spring 08 Speed Demon.

Heather: 45:07 total 7:17 mins per mile pace

Frank: 46:13 total: 7:28 mins per mile pace

Louis: 57:04 total 9:13 mins per mile pace

Heather won't stand a chance against me... in an eating contest!

I can only take pictures of these girls when they stand still... because THEY ARE TOO FAST!

(our left to right: Christy, Pam, Heather(middle), and Sandra)

Mentor Patty and I. She checks on me to make sure my training and fundraing are on tracks. She also offers support and advises.

Mission Accomplished!

Caltech Glee Clubs Holiday Concert starting Katie Dunn, Erisa Hines, Devin Kipp and Ravi Prakash

Tonight I went to a concert where 4 of my very good hiking friends are in it. Let's just say they are awesome! If you throw me up there, I think people need to go to the hospital. Good well done all of you =)

Cookie Hamburger Fundraiser

What does it take to get $128 donation? You can do it by eating a cookie hamburger combo. For some strange reasons my coworkers will give me money if I drink half a cup of chocolate syrup, eat honey with french fries, and this Cookie Burger thing with 2 cookies, 2 layers of whip cream, and a hamburger patty. During the challenge, one of my coworker throw me a pack of soy sauce and tell me to eat it with my food. Being a good showsman I pour the soy sauce onto my honey fries. Let me tell you... it tastes weird.

After I finish this challenge, my coworkers told me to do another one of this with Mag and Cheese. I was like... Mag and Cheese? And they were like... yes... maggot and cheese. I can picture a bowl of maggots swiming on the cheese. I do want to get more donations for Team In Training, but I figure I don't want to get sick. So I kindly decline their offer. I did suggest to my coworkers that I may do it with a scorpion or something, but they say Mag and Cheese sounds catchy... *_*

Favorite Quote of this whole thing: When I told my coworkers I am not doing the Mag and Cheese thing, Teo told me "Hey if you don't do it... cancer win!". Thanks Teo... I'll keep this in mind =)

Promotional Poster

Geez that's just one layer of cream

Toooo sweet. At one point I actually was about the choke... but since the only thing I can drink is chocolate syrup, I suck it up and continue

I did it Team In Training, an extra $128 for finding a cure!!!

Bone Marrow Drive

So there is a Bone Marrow Registration today after team training. For those of you who doesn't know what it is, some cancer patients need bone marrow transplants in order to survive. By storing your DNA sample in the bank, doctor can check to see if there is a possible match. I have been thinking for the whole week about this. From what I heard this can be very painful and poses some risks. To make the story short, I finally decided to register because Bone Marrow is something that I can regrow in a few weeks. There are risks involve but hey... if I don't donate to that someone that someone will die.

Teammate Dorian and her nephew Tyler. Tyler is our 5 year old honored teammate who is fighting the Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma diease. He is also Dorian's running coach! Tyler is an UCLA fan, if you guys have some Burins stuff and would like to give it to this little tropper, send it my way and I'll forward it to Tyler. Thanks!