With all the new challenges ahead of me, as well as the good things that has happened to me in 2014 so far, it is only right that I take a step back and return to my old stomping grounds in the armpit of America. Five years ago, I ran my first half marathon in Long Branch, New Jersey as part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team-In-Training. It certainly was a life-changing experience because for the first time in my life I met some selfless people all working very hard to raise money for research to find a cure for blood cancers. These were the same faces I saw out on the course today.
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| Throwback - Long Branch Half 2009 |
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| Familiar faces - Long Branch Half 2014 |
The last month has been quite challenging for me.
The increased demands from my construction work, and the recent passing of my friend Dr. Helen Zhao, made it hard for me to train as I needed. But I did what I had to do. I arrived at the starting line late, after picking up my bib and checking in my gear at the Late Truck. The race was already underway so I was stuck to bob and weave through traffic with the 2:20 pace group. The course cleared up for me at about mile 3, and from there I held a pretty solid, Boston qualifying type pace. That still didn't stop me from giving high-fives, hugs, and shouts to some of the familiar faces along the route. Judging by the circumstances, a 1:31:25 performance is one that I am certainly proud of. Along with some of the things I've just mentioned, the course itself was not as flat as many might think:
- Inclines at the bridge and some of the turns through the town.
- Slight grade inclines on long straightaways that required plenty of work to gain speed.
- And a strong cross wind during the last mile along the beach straightaway that also required hard work towards the finish.
It's also worth mentioning that my focus was on recovery and injury prevention, therefore, the reason I wore Mojo recovery compression socks. My upcoming schedule demands, which includes some big building projects and an overseas trip, will not be pleasant if I get injured. The socks did, as expected, slow me down slightly, but the benefit is that I didn't feel any calf strain during the race.
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| Mojo Recovery Compression Socks |
Five years ago, during my fundraising campaign, I came up with the quote:
"The joy of giving and working for a cause greater than yourself is truly a blessing"
It was a blessing to see all the familiar faces and selfless people along the route today. The same emotions I felt in 2009, came back today. Their motivation and cheers made me ever so grateful. Today wasn't about PR's or running my fastest half marathon. Rather, I dedicated today's run to my friend Helen. She came to the U.S. from Shanghai, China, to be her best. She fought in a land foreign to her to study, work in NYC, and finally sustain her health. The evil beast called cancer eventually cut her young life short. Helen's struggle was certainly not in vain, because of the selfless people I met at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Northern New Jersey Chapter, the same people out there motivating my run today, working tirelessly to raise funds for cancer research, I am confident there will be a cure. No doubt in my mind.
