Author: Huy

I watched TV all day and just finished running a few miles a couple of hours ago. I was thinking that I haven’t posted any recent pictures of Rosco. It’s been way over a month, so here are two pictures of Rosco:

Here he is chasing his tail.

Rosco chillin’ in the hallway.

I got today and tomorrow off from work. Besides running there’s nothing to do with my days off. With bordem I decided to format my desktop computer and re-install my OS. I was planning to do this sometime next month anyway.

It’s almost noon and I barely left my room all monring besides using the bathroom. I’ll probably go catch a movie this evening or go for a short bike ride.

Some of you may already know about the new addition of the streaming radio. There are also others that I’ve implemented such as the feature to add comments to my blog entries due to a reader’s request. This was an original feature that I started with the blog, but I removed it since there were some issues that it had with my custom scheme of the site.

Next to the ‘Add Comment’ is the Permalink. The Permalink is a feature that generates a URL link where you can use show other people a particular blog entry instead of the searching for it.

As of today, I have removed the webgame from my blog. I thought it was something people really didn’t care for. I have replaced it with FAQs. This section will contain commonly asked question from some readers such as: questions about my quotes, movie rating scheme, website functions, and streaming radio.

Over the weekend I bought this portable bodyfat analysis. The box of the device says its accurate to about 0.1%. The device measure the bodyfat by sending a bioelectrical signal through the body to determine the percentage. I’ve been checking my bodyfat percentage the past couple of days and it has average about 5%. I sometimes question the accuracy of the device because 5% is low and is usually reserve for world class athletes or mal-nutritioned individuals in third-world countries.

I’ve added a Streaming Radio section on the right side menu. I’ll be listing an album or a playlist of my songs from time to time. Just click on the link. Again, I recommend having the lastest Winamp or Windows Media Player.

Update: A friend of mine said that iTunes also works with the Streaming Radio.

I’m currently testing out a live streaming radio broadcast software. You can go ahead and check it out by clicking on THIS LINK

When you click on the link your supporting media play will open. Recommend you having the latest Winamp or Windows Media Player.

On Saturday they had a Running convention at the San Jose Marriott Hotel. Dean Karnazes was the key note speaker. He’s the author of the book, “Ultra Marathon Man”. I got a chance to speak with him and his wife and even his son. He also autographed my book for me as well. Just two weeks ago he finished a 350 mile run and yesterday he ran the Silicon Valley Marathon.

He has a ton of amazing accomplishments including:

-Running 350 miles non-stop.
-2004 Ultrarunner of the Year by Competitor Magazine
-Ran 146 miles through Death Valley to Mt. Whitney
-Winner of the 2004 Badwater Ultramarathon: considered, ‘The World’s Toughest Footrace.’
-He is also featured in many a publications such as Men’s Health, People, National Geographic, GQ, Times, and others.

You can also check out the website for his book at http://www.ultramarathonman.com

I slepted early the day before and woke up at 5am. I was already dressed with my running shorts and shirt under my sweats. I just had to pin my bib number. I went outside my house and jogged for about 2 and a half miles to warm up. The morning was cold and my fingers were freezing. After my warm-up run I got into my car and drove downtown. I stopped by a 7-11 and got myself a donut and two redbulls. I actuallly finished the donut and the rebulls before I drove to the parking lot wich was about two stop lights away. By this time it was already 6:10 and I can see a large crowd at the starting line. I parked my car and headed out.

When I got to the starting line there were people stretching and warming up on one side and on the other there was a huge amount people waiting in line to use the restroom. I stretched a bit and did some sprints to warm up as the morning was cold. It was finally time to start. The announcer was talking about something, I wasn’t really paying attention, and I was just waiting for the race to start. Then finally, the announcer counted down and the race started. I was about 10 feet from the starting line as the runner’s up front are the pro runners which usually finish the race at a ridiculous time.

I started off nice and steady with a pace of 7:30 per mile which is about 5 seconds faster than last years average mile pace. I hit my pace near perfect as my first two miles times were 7:28 and 7:29. I continued on with my pace and I was on track. If I can finish with this pace I can definately beat last year’s time. I don’t usuallly drink any of the water at any of the stations until I start feeling a bit thirsty or dry. It wasn’t until about mile # 4 that I grabbed some water and a packet of energy gel. I sipped the water and threw the cup away. I was unaware how the cold was affecting my hands. I couldn’t pinch my energy gel and tear it open. My fingers were numb and curled up holding the energy gel. I had to hold the gel with the bottom of my palms and used my teeth to rip it open. I was successful, but I also squeezed half the gel onto my neck and shirt. The rest I was able to consume.

Things were fine and dandy. I was sipping water about every other water station till I got a major cramp in my left calf muscle at the begining of mile # 8. I was in pain and had to run on my left heel (keeping my toes pointing up) to keep the cramp from happening again. My mile time suffered and dropped to about a 10 minute pace. It took about a mile for my cramp to completely go away where I can resume my normal pace. Since I was so far behind in pace I couldn’t just pick it back up where I left off. I had to slowly gain my pace back. Around mile # 10 the motherload of cramps hit me like a Mack truck. My left and right calf along with my left hamstring and even my lower back cramped up all at the same time. I stuttered my step and was stumbling a bit. I slowed down to a jog of about a 12 minute pace. I was in pain and running slower was the only thing that lessened it. At one point I wanted to stop and just walk, but I promised my left I would never walk in any race.

I finished the race with the pain and cramps. When I crossed the finish line I fell to my knees. Both my legs were cramping so bad. Someone gave me a bottle of water and a cup of fruit smoothie (It was the best smoothie I’ve ever had). I was on my knees for a couple of minutes, but I finally managed to pull my self up and head towards the massage tables where I got a 20 minute massage (It was the best massage I’ve ever had). After the massage I headed over to the first aid station and got a bag of ice for my leg and sat on the cots and watched the other runners finish.

I’ve never experienced that kind of muscle cramping before. I probably didn’t drink enough fluids the days before. I hope this story doesn’t discourage anyone from running and everyone should definately give a half marathon a try. I’ll be doing it again next year hopefully sans the cramping.

I ran the half marathon last year and I did pretty good as a guy who just barely started long-distance running (2 and a half years). Plus, I had three month training with Spartans Running Club which helped out a lot.

My time was 1:37:25. The 13.1 mile is grueling; mentally and physically. I’ve been busy lately and haven’t had the time to train as compared to last year, but I have been running an average of 8 miles everyday for the past 3 and a half weeks. I feel comfortable that I can finish strong, but I don’t know if I will be able to beat last year’s time. With my new shoes and some weight trainning I’ve been doing the past couple of weeks I can probably squeeze out a decent time.

Over the weekend I had some time to add movie covers onto each of the movie reviews I have covered on my blog. It adds a bit more of image content and it should help readers see what the movie is about from the DVD cover or movie poster. So future movie reviews will have a DVD cover or movie poster.