From Struggle to Strength – Cycling and Running at Ironman 70.3

Ironman triathlon race

After sharing my swimming experience in the last blog post, it only feels right to write about the next two parts of my triathlon journey: the 90km bike ride and 21km run. Unlike swimming, which has always been my weak point, I used to consider cycling and running my strengths. But this race was a […]

1.9km Swim at the 70.3 Ironman Da Nang

Da Nang, Vietnam

Completing a 70.3 Ironman is no small feat. It’s a journey that tests every part of you—physically, mentally, and emotionally. For me, the most intimidating part of this journey wasn’t the 90km bike ride or the 21km run. It was the swim—the 1.9km stretch of open water that had once filled me with anxiety. But […]

From Zero to Ironman 70.3

Sunset

As Ironman Da Nang 70.3 is approaching in a few days, I can’t help but reflect on the journey that brought me here. It’s been less than a year since I started training for my first Ironman race in Vietnam, and yet it feels like I’ve lived a lifetime in that time—mentally, emotionally, and physically. […]

Youth Empowerment and Ironman Training

Wild flowers

Empowering Youth Through Volunteer Work At 9:30 PM, I wrapped up an inspiring workshop for Palace of English X-peaking, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping high school students, especially those from small towns across Vietnam, improve their English. The theme of the workshop was “How to Connect with Others and Build Long-Lasting Relationships”. Sharing stories, […]

Riding Through the Heat and Diving Past Fear

Binh Thuan, Vietnam

Day two of our triathlon training camp in Bình Thuận was packed with excitement, growth, and a few jellyfish stings — but above all, it was full of joy. Early Morning Wake-Up Call The day began at the crack of dawn. My roommate, and now honorary sister, Nhan, gently woke me up around 5 AM […]

Open Water Swim, Jellyfish, and Resilience

Phan Thiet, Vietnam

Saturday morning greeted me with a mixture of excitement and lingering fatigue. I had been battling a cold for over a week, coughing often and feeling the effects of intense work, training load, and responsibilities from my role at the UWC Selection. My body felt slightly drained, but my spirit was more than ready for […]

Embracing the Swim Journey

Beautiful ocean

After a long and demanding day at work, I rushed home, cooked a simple yet satisfying dinner, and prepared for the part of my day that both excites and intimidates me the most—swim training. I’ve never considered myself a strong swimmer. In fact, it’s the part of triathlon I struggle with the most. But with […]

Facing the Open Water Day 2

Nha Trang, Vietnam

After a restful—though slightly uneasy—night, my team and I rose at 4:00 AM, ready to take on our second day of training. Despite not sleeping well due to an upset stomach (thanks to some adventurous seafood), I was genuinely excited about our long open water swim ahead. The ocean, the sunrise, the cool morning breeze—it […]

Nha Trang Swimming Training Camp

Swimming in Nha Trang

Every journey begins with a single step—or in my case, a much-needed massage after a long week of work and training. A Friday Evening Ritual: Massage Therapy for Ironman Recovery After wrapping up a hectic Friday at work, I headed to my regular massage therapist for a two-hour upper-body treatment. The intensity of my swim […]