It’s Wednesday morning. My legs feel like bricks. My breath shallow. The usual bounce in my stride has vanished.
Today’s tempo run hit me hard.
Just a few months ago, I could comfortably run at a 5:30km/h pace, gliding through sessions like today without much thought. But things change—and not always in the direction we hope. This morning’s tempo was short: 4 x 800m at a 4:30 km/h pace. In theory, manageable. In reality, brutal. Even after a gentle 5km warm-up, I felt unready. My breath short, my legs unresponsive.
But I wasn’t surprised.
The Aftermath of Ironman: Recovery Takes Time
After completing the Da Nang Ironman just weeks ago, I made a conscious decision to pause. My coach and I agreed on a two-week recovery phase: no intense sessions, just gentle movements, time to let my body and mind rest. At the time, it felt necessary—and it was.
But today reminded me just how steep the climb back to form can be.
Yesterday, I trained twice—cycling in the morning, swimming in the evening—and it clearly left its mark. My body hasn’t bounced back as quickly as I hoped. Still, despite the physical strain, there was something deeply valuable about today’s tough session. It reminded me that just maintaining where you once were—in fitness, in work, in life—requires enormous effort. Growth? That takes even more.
A Parallel Journey: Building Sunny Valley
While my physical body is rebuilding strength, another kind of journey is just beginning. And it fills me with joy.
This weekend, I’ll be joined by two dear friends, Dex and Kien, as we kick off a new chapter for Sunny Valley—a media platform I’ve been dreaming about. It’s my corner of the world to share inspiration around mind, body, and spirit. And I’ve realized: I can’t do it alone.
-
Dex will support podcast planning and editing. He’s brilliant, thoughtful, and brings structure to my creative chaos.
-
Kien, a media student in Ho Chi Minh City, will be leading our social media efforts. With a successful TikTok and experience in media campaigns, he brings fresh energy and expertise.
The three of us have known each other for years. I invited them over for lunch this weekend—we’ll cook together, brainstorm, and build the foundation of what’s to come. It reminds me of The Lord of the Rings—one of my all-time favorite film series—where Frodo, Sam, and their friends set out on an epic adventure. They faced trials and laughter, forged stronger bonds, and came back changed. I always see life this way: an unfolding adventure shared with good people.
On Stress: The Good, The Bad, and The Transformative
As I struggled through my tempo intervals this morning, I remembered a concept from someone I admire deeply: Dan Martell. Though I’ve never met him, his work has shaped how I approach life.
Dan talks about two types of stress:
-
Distress, the negative kind—anxiety, fear, overwhelm.
-
And eustress, the positive kind—the pressure that challenges and propels you to grow.
That run today? Pure eustress.
It was hard. But I chose it. I welcomed it. It’s part of a greater goal—to build a strong, resilient body and mind. And that kind of stress, as difficult as it is, builds character.
I’ve noticed that when I regularly engage with eustress—whether through fitness, learning, or building Sunny Valley—I develop a buffer. I become more grounded, more resilient to distress. The chaos at work, unexpected life turns, or emotional turbulence—they shrink in scale. I think to myself, “If I survived six hours of heat and hills in the Ironman, this email can’t break me.”
Why We Do Hard Things
People often ask me, “Why train so hard?” or “Why do you push yourself like that?” The answer is simple: it’s training for life. Not just in endurance, but in clarity, patience, and courage.
-
That morning run reminds me I can show up when it’s hard.
-
That podcast planning session teaches me to collaborate with heart.
-
That 7 p.m. swim session reinforces discipline, not motivation.
The things we do—especially the hard ones—shape who we become.
Grateful, Always
Despite how challenging the day has been, I’m filled with gratitude. Grateful for my body, even when it’s tired. Grateful for friends who believe in the same vision. Grateful for the opportunity to build something from scratch and put it into the world.
This phase of rebuilding—physically and creatively—isn’t easy. But it’s meaningful. And I know that the energy I put in now will ripple into the future.
A Book Recommendation for the Journey
If you’re looking to dive deeper into these ideas, I highly recommend Dan Martell’s book, “Buy Back Your Time.” It’s not just a productivity book—it’s a guide to designing a life you don’t need to escape from. One that is filled with purpose, intention, and space to grow.
We often think that success or fulfillment comes from ease. But in truth, it comes from choosing the hard things—the early mornings, the difficult conversations, the long road of consistency.
Today, I ran slower than I used to. But I ran. I showed up.
And that matters.
So, wherever you are on your journey—whether you’re bouncing back from a race, rebuilding your dream project, or navigating everyday stress—remember: it’s okay to feel the weight. What matters most is that you keep moving forward, even if it’s just one small step.
Your next chapter starts here.