Running Again / XC Trip
- Ryan Tsang
- Sep 30, 2019
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 1, 2019
Intro:
It's been awhile since my last post, so I thought I'd touch on a couple different things. A lot has happened and I've learned a lot as well. I've been training consistently again for the past few weeks, and I recently traveled to Oregon for the first time with the 'Iolani cross country team. I had a great time. In the first part of this post, I'll touch on how my training has been going. Then I'll talk about the trip.
Part 1:
My training has been going pretty well recently. Over the summer, I wasn't really able to run much. Part of it was health, part of it was because of travel, and part of it was just being plain busy. I had a lot of fun this summer, as well as many new experiences. The time off was definitely a major roadblock for me though.
Going into August, I was in the worst shape I've ever been in over 3 years. It was definitely humbling to be in that position again. It felt like beginning of sophomore year when I was trying to get back in shape after not running a single day during my freshman year of college. I could barely run 8 minute mile pace for 3 miles. This time, I could barely hold 7:45 pace for 3 miles. The lowest point was on a run with the 'Iolani athletes last month. The route was set to be extremely challenging: around Diamondhead crater, up a steep hill in Kilauea Ave, and up an even steeper hill in Wilhelmina Rise. The total run was supposed to be 8 miles and on top of that, we were running slower than 8 minute mile pace. I wasn't even able to finish the run. By 5 miles, I was feeling so burnt out that I had to stop. I couldn't even hang with the high schoolers. Imagine what getting dropped after not even running 8 minute mile pace will do to your confidence.
Although it's been challenging, it hasn't been as discouraging as it was the first time around. God was with me then, and I know he is now. Since mid August, I've been able run more consistently again. I've been working back up to my normal training block of 6 days a week. I've never been much of a run by "distance" guy, but I've mostly been doing a combination of 45-90 minute runs. I haven't added any speed work or other workouts yet. Right now, I am focusing on building up my base. I don't know when I'll be in acceptable racing shape yet, but hopefully it'll be by December. Last week, I ran in the 'Iolani Invitational Community 2 mile race and ran 10:10. That's a super fast time based on where my fitness is at right now, but by no means am I satisfied with that. The effort to get that result wasn't easy and I know I still have a long way to go. All in all, I am progressing the way I always have, slow and steady. I can definitely tell I am starting to get back in shape. Stay tuned...
Part 2:
The 'Iolani Boys Cross Country team went on a trip to Oregon last week. This was my first time in Oregon and my first year tagging along on the xc trip. It was a great week of running, sightseeing, and team bonding.
The athletes ran great. I'm super proud of their performances. Right off the plane, we drove up to Willamette University for a college visit. That same afternoon, the boys competed in a hard core cross country race. The terrain was super challenging and actually looked quite fun. I wish I could've ran on it. The course was super narrow and included a two foot deep and even longer creek crossing. The course may even have included a cougar.
Some of the other highlights of the trip were visiting the Nike World Headquarters campus and visiting the University of Oregon. Just two days later on a quick turnaround, the boys raced another 5K on a more traditional course. The race yielded more great performances. Personal bests or not, the boys all ran well.
In the mornings, I woke up at 6:30 every day to get another run in. Every place I visit I try and run to explore a bit. My most reliable form of transportation has always been my legs. Our house was located in Beaverton, so I mostly ran around that area. If you're ever in the Beaverton area, you have to check out Tualatin Nature Park. It's a nice central forest trail area with a bunch of trails. I ran one hour plus loops on the trails during our time there.
On our last day in Oregon, we drove up to Eugene for a college visit at the University of Oregon. U of O has a really nice campus. I can definitely see the allure of it. I got to see my friend George who I met back in Kenya. George has been training super hard and recently walked on to the University of Oregon XC/TF team. He definitely has a great career in running ahead. It was good catching up. After the tour, we ran on the famous Steve Prefontaine "Pre's Trail." Pre's trail is a very nice wood-chip covered trail right near the university. The team ran an easy two loops on the trail, which was equivalent to almost eight miles. It was supposed to be an easy run, but the athletes ended up picking the pace up past threshold pace. Lunch was at the famous Track Town Pizza. Their menu consists of pizzas uniquely named after running events. A few items are called "5000 Meters, 100 Yard Dash, or the Track and Field Combo." The pizza was pretty good, but to me, there's no way to measure up to a New York pizza.
The trip was really fun, and it was a really good bonding experience for everyone. The team is really a family. Families aren't perfect. They have fun, they disagree, they fight. But at the end of the day, we're all there for each other and support each other. It was a really nice opportunity to fellowship and build community with the other coaches and athletes. It's crazy, but this is my 4th season on the coaching staff. The team and Coach Jack took a chance bringing me on back then when I was nothing special. The relationships I've built here with the other coaches are lifetime friendships. I look up to all the coaches in different ways. It's been great growing as a person and athlete alongside everyone. I owe it all to pay it back to the sport.
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