Cross Training -- Mora Vasaloppet xc skiing (2/14/2010)

Living in Minnesota to train for a spring marathon or Ironman triathlon endurance sport has been considered a disadvantage to many and those who do not live in the snow/ice north country, so as for training the RAAM held in June. I found it not exactly a disadvantage, as long as you find alternative endurance sports, such as xc skiing, to train and stay in shape. With that mentality and training plan, one can not only come through some of the toughest winters, but also enjoy winter cross training/xc skiing.

So, on Sunday (2/14/2010), I joined hundreds of local xc skiers and skied my favorate Mora Vasaloppet to also memorize the late King Vasa of USA (the symbol of Mora Vasaloppet) who passed away the very same day last year. Little did I know, GOD had a plan for me to get through this race -- within 500 feet from the start of the 58Km race, someone stepped on my left pole and broke the pole. All that was going through my mind was: I still got two legs/skis and my right arm/pole; and this could be great for building legs for RAAM. After soloing about an hour, I started to see skiers ahead of me, and they gave me the loudest cheers after I passed them. And, just before the finish line, I saw a kid of probably 5 or 6 years old who was skiing ahead of me in his 13km race. I wanted to give him a huge hug -- He made my day -- I was not soloing at all.

Also, congratulations to a few local club cyclists who also raced Mora Vasaloppet: Diane Hemstad, Andrea Potyondy-Smith, RJ Ochman. Great race!!!

Recap on RAAM seminar (1/23/2010); TSH/Velo Viet groups training 6-hr ride (1/30/2010)

1) Thank you note:

A week after I got back from the RAAM rider/crew seminar in Sacramento, CA, I realized that RAAM is never a solo effort. At the seminar, a soloist's crew member asked me during the lunch break, "You look so calm, aren't you nervous after hearing all that?" I said no, "I have many friends and supporters back home to help Team Strong Heart for something very special. I'm not scared at all." Within last week, Silent Sports Foundation received over $1,000 individual donations. Thank you.

2) Training note:

I thought spinning 6 hrs after the 12-hr sim ride on 1/16/2010 would be easier and 1/2 effort. Yes, and no. The length of time is obviously much shorter, which still allows me to test out a few more products, but the intensity feels like someone once told me about how he felt after crossing the Mississippi River, i.e. about 1,000 miles left to go (about 2/3 through), and the adrenaline just kicks in again. Thanks to the Velo Viet HPTeam members (Quang, Craig, Mark, Karen, Greg, Jorge, Jody, John, (I know I missed at least one more name), and those who drove all the way but got stopped by a local fitness club's bad policy/judgment/unfriendliness..., otherwise, TSH/Neil and VV/Brian)...I'm very thankful to be able to meet friends, ride fun and with the intensity standard they set out.

My next sim ride will be just prior to the V-day, Feb. 13-14, @ 9pm-5am, i.e. a night sim ride (indoor spin 8 hrs, location TBD). If you are interested in riding it or riding a part of it, please drop me an email at xu.amy@dorsey.com. Hope to see you then.

Team Strong Heart Mission Contest kicks off -- Jan. 22, 2010

Bill Beckman (far left on the finish photo), our Education Chief of 2010 Team Strong Heart (also our 2008 Race Across America co-crew chief), has launched our first edition of the Team Strong Heart Mission Contest among the schools Bill teaches as well as the other schools in Osseo school district. While merit awards will only be given to the top three contestants, this Contest provides the history and updated information about the Team Strong Heart's mission to help Camp Odayin in race across America. The Contest also helps build bridges among our youngsters living in their normal health and Camp Odayin kids who suffer cardiovascular diseases. A group of contestants plan to visit Camp Odayin along with Team Strong Heart members this coming July.

Taste of RAAM -- first sim ride 1/16/2010

If there is a moment that I can say I could do it by myself, it is a lie. My first sim ride was simply a blast. I cannot remember how many stories were told, how many rumors were passed around...and how many friends and families showed up at Trailhead shop, rode with me, and cheered me on. THANK YOU. Also, I really appreciate many generous donations and support. Above and beyond, I want to thank Pam, Larry, Paul and many Trailhead folks for everything they did, from food, drink, fuel feeds, audio/video, to gathering door prizes, silent auction and raffle items, etc. Also, thanks to the ones who bid on the silent auction items.

From early in the morning starting at 7am, Neil's donuts, Pam/Paul's coffee, Carol and Neil's ride and stories on "Grand Escape" to "Grand Torino", to Pam's fuel supplies, Kenny's BIG choloate bar and stories on HHH, to Eric/Melinda/Steve/Andy/Kenny/Melissa/Pam/Jorge/Larry's rides to keep me going, and movies after movies, I was able to get through my 4x3-hr ride/break plan under total control. Gladly to report, I'm not as sore as I had expected. However, this is a first sim ride, not an actual RAAM ride.

Saddle sore is no lie, and I felt it at the last 1 hour (after about 11 hours riding). But planning ahead in how to deal with it before sore happens definitely helped me overcome it, at least at this first sim ride. Hope to do this again soon.

RAAM elements

Riders are often asked about what the elements are to have a good experience in racing RAAM. I have been giving more serious thoughts lately as many have told me that riding solo is an entirely different animal from riding in a team. Besides elements involving training, I'd also focus on the elements that would cause a bad experience in racing RAAM or any other endurance sports. These elements are quite common yet often avoided:

1) Saddle Soars

2) Heat

3) Other Extreme Weather Patterns

4) Night Vision

We sometimes deal with these elements when they occur. Lack of preparation and/or recognition in itself can be a huge risk in having a good experience in executing a race plan like RAAM.

(Photo: Unexpected RAAM race course detour due to the flooding of the Mississippi River during RAAM 2008 -- Team Strong Heart 2008 riders and crew working on a plan B)

Have you visited Camp Odayin?

If you have not visited Camp Odayin, you may not know that it is a summer camp for kids with heart disease. The camp is located Cass Lake, north of Brainerd, MN. The camp provides outdoor, athletic, and creative activities in a safe environment for these kids with heart disease. Camp counselors/staff are volunteers including professionals with trained medical background. To learn more about Camp Odayin go to http://www.campodayin.com/.

Team Strong Heart is a team of cyclists who have joined together to take on the challenges of helping Camp Odayin kids and the Race Across America. Team Strong Heart's mission is to raise awareness and money to help Camp Odayin. Team Strong Heart members with the tremendous help from their supporters and sponsors accomplished the mission and Raced Across America in 2007, 2008, and 2009 and raised thousands of dollars for Camp Odayin.

Every summer in July, Camp Odayin has a guest/visitor day. Team Strong Heart members and supporters are invited to visit the site. It is about 150+ miles from the Twin Cities.

WHY solo

Here are my TEAM STRONG HEART support crew and teammates who participated in our 2008 RAAM mission. Truthfully, I never thought I'd ever solo RAAM without my teammates/partners and support crew...maybe only a few knew why...it is for our Camp Odayin kids...My journey to this mission had started in the fall of 2007 after TEAM STRONG HEART accomplished their RAAM journey for Camp Odayin. Since then, with all the supporters, donors, sponsors, Team Strong Hearts continued this mission in 2007, 2008, and 2009. I'm honored to once again represent Team Strong Hearts in taking on the challenge of RAAM in 2010 to continuously support the Camp Odayin mission. Even though this solo effort is one of the toughest challenges in my life, it is this mission, the journey, not the result that matters. And, I know from the bottom of my heart that this journey will continue to bring Strong Hearts together to accomplish a common goal.