Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Race for the Fallen Video - Part 2
Disclaimer: The political views of Robert Seo, the actor, may or may not coincide with those of Robert Seo, the triathlete.
CLICK HERE if you missed the first episode.
To find out more information about my fundraiser or to donate, please click below.
DONATE
If you are having trouble viewing youtube, click HERE
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Chino!
Oye Chino!
I hear this all the time as I walk through the streets of Medellìn. I initially would go out of my way to correct them and say "No, soy Koreano!" Then I realized that they don´t intend to be hurtful or racist and that instead they think China is a continent.
As I look back now, I think it´s funny how I was so sensitive about my race. I volunteer with underprivileged kids at Casa Karah (aka I play with really cute little kids). At first, I was very surprised that the kids would call each other racial slurs. Hey morocho (brown one) come here! Yo negrito (little black one) pass me the ball! But then I realized that they weren´t racial slurs, but rather terms of endearment! It is amazing how they acknowledged the differences and then appreciated them.
It seems Colombia´s race relations is light years ahead of the US´s. Before I realized this, my roommate, Luz Dary, asked me if she could go to the US and call an African-American a negrito or an Asian-American a Chino. I laughed at her and told her that we would consider her ignorant if she did. But looking back, maybe the joke´s on us and we´re the ignorant ones...
I hear this all the time as I walk through the streets of Medellìn. I initially would go out of my way to correct them and say "No, soy Koreano!" Then I realized that they don´t intend to be hurtful or racist and that instead they think China is a continent.
As I look back now, I think it´s funny how I was so sensitive about my race. I volunteer with underprivileged kids at Casa Karah (aka I play with really cute little kids). At first, I was very surprised that the kids would call each other racial slurs. Hey morocho (brown one) come here! Yo negrito (little black one) pass me the ball! But then I realized that they weren´t racial slurs, but rather terms of endearment! It is amazing how they acknowledged the differences and then appreciated them.
It seems Colombia´s race relations is light years ahead of the US´s. Before I realized this, my roommate, Luz Dary, asked me if she could go to the US and call an African-American a negrito or an Asian-American a Chino. I laughed at her and told her that we would consider her ignorant if she did. But looking back, maybe the joke´s on us and we´re the ignorant ones...
The True Test
During basic training at Parris Island, one of my drill instructors would frequently ask us, "when is the true test?" This question was usually poised towards the end of a long, hard day of training.
The answer: When you´re hungry, exhausted and feeling sorry for yourself.
His point was that anybody can start the day fast and furious, but who you really are and what you are really made of shines through if you can put forth the same effort in the end as you did in the beginning. Though it takes a lot more effort to follow through to the end, the results are exponential.
I ask myself the same question towards the end of every workout to make sure I finish strong.
To find out why I´m training or to donate to my cause, please click on the below link.
Race for the Fallen
The answer: When you´re hungry, exhausted and feeling sorry for yourself.
His point was that anybody can start the day fast and furious, but who you really are and what you are really made of shines through if you can put forth the same effort in the end as you did in the beginning. Though it takes a lot more effort to follow through to the end, the results are exponential.
I ask myself the same question towards the end of every workout to make sure I finish strong.
To find out why I´m training or to donate to my cause, please click on the below link.
Race for the Fallen
My Favorite Quote
"`Cause I think we can make it, in fact, I´m sure, and if you fall stand tall and come back for more."
-Tupac
As I was listening to my ipod on shuffle today, the song "Keep ya head up," by Tupac came up and my thoughts drifted to when I heard the song in Iraq. There were times during the war when I really didn´t know how I was going to make it back home given the situation. During one of those periods, I heard the song on my discman (ipods hadn´t been invented then) and immediately derived strength from the quote´s meaning.
"Cause I think we can make it"
This shows that he was doubtful at first but has a positive outlook on the future. He has hope! But as he mulls over what he just said, he grows more confident and concludes...
"in fact, I´m sure"
...that he WILL make it. He will not let the situation determine the outcome, the decision is his. And the decision is made.
"And if you fall stand tall and come back for more."
You will get where you want to get, but also keep in mind that you will face difficulties. Whenever you "fail," don´t get down on yourself, make sure you pick yourself back up and carry on.
Lo and behold, I made it through the war and came back stronger for it. As I have struggled the past several days in my training, I lost sight of how far the right attitude and perseverance can take me.
Now I know I can make it, I´m sure of it.
To find out why I am training for the Ironman Triathlon or to contribute to my cause, please click on the below link.
Race for the Fallen
-Tupac
As I was listening to my ipod on shuffle today, the song "Keep ya head up," by Tupac came up and my thoughts drifted to when I heard the song in Iraq. There were times during the war when I really didn´t know how I was going to make it back home given the situation. During one of those periods, I heard the song on my discman (ipods hadn´t been invented then) and immediately derived strength from the quote´s meaning.
"Cause I think we can make it"
This shows that he was doubtful at first but has a positive outlook on the future. He has hope! But as he mulls over what he just said, he grows more confident and concludes...
"in fact, I´m sure"
...that he WILL make it. He will not let the situation determine the outcome, the decision is his. And the decision is made.
"And if you fall stand tall and come back for more."
You will get where you want to get, but also keep in mind that you will face difficulties. Whenever you "fail," don´t get down on yourself, make sure you pick yourself back up and carry on.
Lo and behold, I made it through the war and came back stronger for it. As I have struggled the past several days in my training, I lost sight of how far the right attitude and perseverance can take me.
Now I know I can make it, I´m sure of it.
To find out why I am training for the Ironman Triathlon or to contribute to my cause, please click on the below link.
Race for the Fallen
Doubts
From the moment I signed up for this race, my mind has been filled with doubts on whether I can do this. At times (especially lately), these feelings of uncertainty have caused a lot of stress. But I realized that nothing I do until I cross the finish line will completely extinguish these thoughts. The best thing for me to do is to channel my anxiety into my workouts to ensure I succeed. I just wish it were easier done than said...
To see why I am training or to donate to my cause, please click on the below link.
Race for the Fallen
To see why I am training or to donate to my cause, please click on the below link.
Race for the Fallen
Monday, March 16, 2009
Still Out
I still haven't been able to run because it it is too painful to do so. I have self diagnosed myself with plantar fascitis on my right foot. Though it's gotten a lot better over time (acupuncture works!) it's still not 100%. I'm starting to get concerned about the run portion of the race...
In addition, I've had some bad workouts the past few days. I'm guessing it's poor nutrition but I've felt especially lethargic and groggy on the bike and in the pool. I loaded up on carbs today so hopefully this will turnaround tomorrow. My morale is definitely suffering though.
In addition, I've had some bad workouts the past few days. I'm guessing it's poor nutrition but I've felt especially lethargic and groggy on the bike and in the pool. I loaded up on carbs today so hopefully this will turnaround tomorrow. My morale is definitely suffering though.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)