IGLA Championships 2008

I finished last or next to last in all my events (200m, 100m and 50m breaststroke), but it was a joyful swim meet. It was great to see all my teammates setting records and simply kicking ass. Our Pink Flamingo performance was awesome! Best of all, Dan came down to see me swim. He was probably bored to tears waiting around for me 100m event, but he never complained. We had an amazing time on the rooftop bar of the Beacon Hotel.

Umbrella (Acoustic)

Eye candy. I think they sing too.

Manners still matter when you're poking on Facebook

LONDON (Reuters) - Should you reject a friend on MySpace? How do you ward off an old lover on Facebook?



Social Network Golden Rules

1. You don't have to make friends with people you don't know. Think before you poke.

2. Wait 24 hours before accepting or removing someone as a friend. The delay will help you gather your thoughts.

3. Birthdays, engagements and weddings are not "virtual" events. Always send cards or phone friends when there is an important event.

4. Think before posting a friend's photo what you would feel like if it was you.

5. Think carefully about your profile picture. Would you want it to be appearing in your local newspaper?

Ultramarathon

There will be blood, sweats, tears, cramps, and blisters during my first ultramarathon July 19-20. It's all you can run in 24 hours. I plan to run 50 miles in 12 hours.
I did my only slow training run today. It was difficult to go slower than my marathon pace. I will probably do a run / walk combo and keep moving until I reach my distance goal.
July 19 is only five weeks away!

Frontrunners 1 Mile Run/Walk with Pride

I won second place overall at the Frontrunners Philadelphia Pride Run!!! It was a rare one-mile road race, with two turns. The start was on Locust St. between 12th and 13rd Sts. We made a left turn on 11th, a right turn on Market, and the finish line was right after 5th St.

The winner was in a class of his own, zooming out from the start and leaving everyone behind. Comcast Jeff was second for the first 5 blocks. I passed him just before we turned on Market St. I slowed down a bit once I got on Market St and realized that the traffic was not fully blocked. I fully expected Comcast Jeff and other runners to pass me. I saw the finish line, hearing Addie screaming "Is that Anh", and never looked back.

My time was 5:50 minutes, same as my mile at the Penn Relays. I was exhausted but not as sick as how I felt after the Penn Relays.

Wissahickon Trail Classic 10k

Wissahickon Trail Classic
Originally uploaded by reflexblue

It's going to be a long time until I sign up to run another trail race. I struggled throughout the Wissahickon Trail Classic, especially while going uphill. I kept pace with the pack during the first climb, but I walked up every single hill afterward. The last climb was so painful that I had to use my hands to stabilize my thighs.

I ran well during flat and downhill sections, thus I finished around 55 minutes, or a minute better than my time at the race last year. However, the painful uphill experience has taken the fun out of trail running for me.

Humbled in King of Prussia

 

Since I ran the Broad Street Run in 74 minutes, I thought I could easily run the King of Prussia Suburban 10 Miler under 80 minutes. It took me 88 minutes. It was a hilly course, so I went out at an 8 minute pace with a plan to have even split. I was on pace by mile 6 but I started slowing down. Both Eric and Comcast Jeff passed me. I walked quite a few steps at the last hill. My finish was strong, so I regret not giving my all for the last climb.

Eric has the next 6 days to brag, since we are going head-to-head again at the June 7th Wishahickon 10k Trail Classic.
Jeff and I will race again on June 8th at the Frontrunners Philadelphia 1-mile Challenge.