Today’s training session was one of the most challenging I’ve experienced recently. As a triathlete preparing for an upcoming race, every session matters—but some days truly push both your body and your mind. Today was one of those days.
The night before, I studied my training plan from Coach Dong. Usually, Wednesdays are reserved for tempo runs—steady, consistent pace over a longer distance—while Fridays are sprint sessions to build speed and explosiveness. However, today’s plan was a hybrid: tempo meets sprint. It looked intense, and it was.
After a 2-kilometer warm-up, I launched into a grueling interval structure: 200 meters sprint, followed immediately by 400 meters at tempo pace, followed by 2 minutes of rest. This cycle was repeated 10 times before the cool-down. It wasn’t long before I felt the fatigue setting in. During the final two laps, my legs were sore and heavy. The tightness in my hamstrings and calves made every stride feel like a mountain. But I dug deep and pushed through to complete the session.
The Importance of Coaching and Listening to Your Body
As always, I shared my running data with Coach Dong right after the session, along with a note about how tough the last two laps were. What makes working with a master coach like him so valuable is not just his training plans—but his analysis and explanations. He reviewed the data and gave me detailed feedback.
He explained that since I didn’t train consistently the week before and am currently on my menstrual cycle, those factors likely affected my performance. His ability to break down physiological and mental patterns from my training data is something I deeply appreciate. It helps me understand my body better and, more importantly, teaches me to listen to it more attentively.
This is something many female athletes overlook—how hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle can significantly impact training performance. Instead of pushing through blindly, having a coach who understands these factors makes all the difference. Some days, when I’m especially exhausted, he’ll simply tell me to rest. Recovery is part of training too.
The Power of Mentorship Beyond Sport
After training, I shifted gears to my professional work, which went smoothly. But the evening held something particularly meaningful: a meeting with the UWC Vietnam Selection Committee team. I’ve been volunteering with UWC (United World Colleges) for almost 2 years now, and each year brings new stories, challenges, and decisions that remind me why I do this.
Today, we had to make a difficult call. One student’s family, concerned about the destination country not being as developed as they’d hoped, decided to withdraw her from the program—despite her passion and commitment. It was heartbreaking.
But with every door that closes, another opens.
We revisited our list of waitlisted candidates and unanimously agreed to offer the scholarship to another deserving student—a girl from a disadvantaged background who dreams of changing the world. I remembered her interview clearly. Her eyes sparkled with determination. So, we made the call.
Telling her the news was emotional. On the other side of the screen was a young woman whose life had just changed forever. The opportunity to attend a UWC school is not just an academic scholarship—it’s an entry into a global network of change-makers, thinkers, and doers. For many of these students, it’s their first time leaving Vietnam, and in just a few months, they’ll become global citizens, representing the country on an international stage.
Empowering the Next Generation of Global Leaders
Volunteering for UWC isn’t always easy, especially when juggling training, work, and personal life. But moments like this—when you get to be part of a life-changing journey—make everything worth it.
As we wrapped up the call, our team reviewed the rest of the students’ paperwork, making sure everything is in order for their visa applications. In just a few short months, they’ll be on their way to schools in different corners of the world, from Europe to Africa, Asia to the Americas.
It’s humbling to think about how their paths will evolve. Some will become scientists, some educators, some artists or entrepreneurs—but all will carry with them the values of peace, sustainability, and intercultural understanding that UWC represents.
Yin Yoga and Mindfulness to Close the Day
To wind down the day, I joined a yin yoga session. After such an intense morning run, my body craved deep stretches and stillness. Yin yoga helps lengthen tight muscles, calm the nervous system, and restore balance—especially useful when training hard.
With soft lighting and gentle poses, I allowed my body to release tension and my mind to process the day. As I settled into savasana, I thought about how full my day had been—challenging, emotional, rewarding.
I feel a mix of nervousness and excitement for tomorrow’s training session. The race is getting closer, and with each workout, I’m building both physical endurance and mental resilience. Despite the fatigue, there’s a strong sense of purpose driving me forward.