It has been a truly fulfilling weekend filled with self-reflection, endurance training, and personal growth. As I continue my journey in sports and life, I realize more and more how discipline, persistence, and a structured approach are key to improvement. Let me take you through my weekend, highlighting key lessons I have learned along the way.
Saturday: Running, Reflection, and Swimming
Saturday started later than usual, with my alarm going off at 5:30 AM. It was a welcomed change, allowing me to catch up on some rest before heading out for a 10km run at Sala Urban Park. Running in the early morning always gives me a sense of peace and clarity—it is a moment to connect with myself and nature before the day fully unfolds.
Weekly Reflection: A Life-Changing Habit
After my run, I dedicated 3-4 hours to my weekly reflection—a ritual I have followed since 2020 when I first learned about the concept of the Wheel of Life. This practice helps me assess my progress in various aspects, such as health, fitness, relationships, and personal goals. It provides a clear direction and reminds me that self-improvement is a lifelong journey. There is still so much I want to enhance in my life, and having a structured review each week keeps me accountable.
Swimming: Overcoming My Weakness
In the afternoon, I had a one-on-one swimming lesson with Coach Hung. Swimming has always been my biggest challenge in triathlon training. Unlike running and cycling, where I feel more in control, open water swimming still intimidates me. My latest race exposed this weakness when I panicked after being pushed by other swimmers. The lack of visibility and the absence of a solid ground beneath me added to my anxiety.
Understanding my struggle, my primary coach, Ni, and I decided to include two additional swimming sessions over the weekend with a different coach. Coach Hung meticulously guided me through various drills, breaking down my strokes and correcting my techniques. My freestyle form still needs a lot of work—though I can cover long distances, my incorrect form causes unnecessary strain, making my arms sore quickly. Pushing through the pain is not a sustainable strategy, as it could lead to injuries.
Having a coach swim right below me to observe my underwater movements was incredibly beneficial. He identified errors and provided immediate feedback after each lap. The two-hour session was intense but eye-opening. It reinforced a vital lesson: getting the fundamentals right is essential in swimming and life. Without a strong foundation, progress will always be limited.
Sunday: Cycling, Challenges, and Connections
Sunday began even earlier, with a 4:30 AM wake-up call. My plan was to go cycling on the Saigon Bridge with Tung, a new friend I met at the Bàu Trắng race last weekend. Tung successfully completed the 70.3 distance, demonstrating impressive determination and resilience. He shares a deep passion for endurance sports and owns a chain of gyms along with his physiotherapy practice.
Cycling Challenges: The Battle with Hills
Due to a minor injury right before my last race, I took a few days off for rehabilitation. As a result, I had not cycled for a week, making my return to the Saigon Bridge loop quite challenging. Hills have always been my weak point, and the struggle to climb them remains a personal battle. However, just like in life, I know that consistent effort and persistence will eventually lead to improvement.
Training under Master Coach Dong LVD International has been instrumental in setting higher standards for myself while ensuring that I respect my own journey and pace. Seeing experienced athletes effortlessly handle their cadence and speed on the bridge fills me with admiration and motivation. I aspire to reach that level one day. Setting clear goals and striving toward them keeps me driven, even when the journey is tough.
The Power of Simple Connections
After the ride, on the way back, I stopped by Ms. Út’s fruit stand to buy some fruits. She is a middle-aged woman who runs a small stand on my street. Always smiling and cheerful, she immediately recognized me from afar and waved, saying, “Little daughter, come, the coconuts have arrived for you.”
The day before, I had stopped by after my run to stock up on coconuts, but she had run out. She promised to go to the wholesale market early in the morning to restock, keeping me in mind. True to her word, she had them ready for me. Coconut water is an essential part of my post-training recovery, as it is rich in vital nutrients like vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system, and B vitamins, which aid in cell repair and muscle recovery. Because of its numerous benefits, I make it a habit to drink coconut water after every intense workout.
Since moving back to Vietnam, one of the things I love most is the convenience of buying fresh fruits from local street vendors instead of supermarkets. Interacting with people like Ms. Út also teaches me so much about daily life. She mentioned that due to the rising heat in recent weeks, the demand for coconuts had surged while supply remained the same, causing prices to increase from 18,000 VND to 20,000 VND per coconut. However, since I am a regular customer, she kindly offered them to me at 15,000 VND.
As I sat there enjoying my coconut water and chatting with Ms. Út, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. These small moments make life beautiful—simple interactions, kindness, and a shared appreciation for everyday life.
Physiotherapy and Final Preparations
After heading home, I prepared some tea, had breakfast, and worked for a few hours before my physiotherapy appointment. Given my recent injury, I see my physiotherapist, Dũng, twice a week. He is highly regarded in the triathlon community in Ho Chi Minh City and specializes in traditional Eastern medicine. His treatments incorporate acupuncture, cupping therapy, and pressure point massage to aid in recovery.
Beyond his expertise, I truly appreciate Dũng’s energy and approach to healing. Every session with him teaches me something new about my body and injury prevention. He is also the fiancé of my swimming coach, Ni, which makes our athlete community feel even more connected. I feel incredibly fortunate to have such a strong support system of coaches, mentors, and friends who encourage and guide me on my endurance sports journey.
After my session, I took some time to rest before heading to my final training session of the weekend—another swimming practice with Coach Hung. With the weekend coming to a close, I felt physically exhausted but mentally refreshed, ready to take on the week ahead with renewed energy and determination.
