NEXT TARGET...
Mar 11, 2010
ITBS & SAMURAI QUOTE...
It has been already 39 days without almost any running and biking due to my ITBS and, up to now, my recovery does not look to well...,I am still going to physio sessions, stretching and swimming sessions, but now, I have 4 options to move ahead:
Options>
Option 1: A cortisone injection into ITB,
Option 2: 5 weeks regenerative injection process into ITB,
Option 3: Laser FP3 technique during my vacation in Spain (June 2010),
Option 4: Surgery to release IT.
My thinking about each option>
Option 1: I will decide next week after two or three more physio sessions
Option 2: After, option 1, could be an option but still not convinced about result.
Option 3: If I am still not recovered, I will do it in Barcelona.
Option 4: I hate surgeries and almost 100% discarded, as of today.
http://www.time-to-run.com/injuries/thebig5/itb.htm
Please, friends and readers...your opinion and personal experience will help to decide to select my next steps...I am quite desperate!
Finally, I want to share one excellent article about Samurais, from Ironecu...experimented ironman!! http://mitadmundoim.blogspot.com/2010/02/ensenanza.html
"Father, I have a question that torments me - Kan Be honest - before I loved you not say that today is a day of joy. But it agrees with what I just said.
- Yes son?
- Yesterday I told my friends of the people that I would become Samurai, who would learn the secrets of our art and that I would become the mightiest warrior type that exist - Kan's eyes were riveted on the crackling fire - and the other kids laughed at me, told me I was a wimp, it was all lies and to be careful that it is safer to give me the true samurai beat a liar and then I would throw on the fire. Do I have to be generous also with those kids father?
- Son ... - An understanding smile lips furrowed old Samurai, he had been the same in his youth and knew the same people who criticized and ridiculed today his son, tomorrow would be his most fervent admirers for his courage and bravery - Hay an easy way to avoid criticism ...
- What is father? - Asked excitedly Kan
- ... simply not be nothing and do nothing, get a job of sweeper and kills your ambition. It is a remedy that never fails.
- But Father! That's not what I want, I want to be strong and powerful as you, have aspirations and dreams that I meet in life. And I only have this life to make those dreams come true How do you ask me that?
- Then Kan, take great care with the thieves of dreams - mysterious Kazo said.
- Do the thieves of dreams? - The child Samurai fearful look around - What are they? "Demons of the night? Duendes "evil? "Beings dark?
- No son, are your friends and people close to you - your child's eyes watched him with a sad expression, as if the world had just fallen over - Do not worry, they are only friends of yours, who want to protect ill-informed, want everything good for you and you will not grieve, so try to stop all projects to do, lest you fail and hurt.
- But then they are like the ghosts of fear and failure, want my love and I still violate the most damage that may exist. Steal me my dreams, my ambitions and therefore the most powerful weapons that have to achieve what I want. If you never try ... never make it. It is true that if I try I fail, however, also can be successful and achieve what I want!
- That 's son and also inadvertently have just discovered your three most powerful weapons.
- What? tell me - his enthusiasm at the prospect of having more weapons was enormous.
- The first Enthusiasm, if you believe in what you do and you really like and you can achieve anything you believe with all traces of your being.
Kan nodded, afraid to interrupt his father.
- The second Pushover! You have to learn and work, learn and work and then ... teaching, learning and working. Only with the work you'll get your goals. If you intend to take advantage of people only find failure, however, you work with honor, as a team and always trying to improve yourself ... there is nothing that can stop you.
Khan put his hand on his heart and promised himself, in utter silence that always work with honor and that nobody would stop.
- And third the Constancy - Kan's eyes asked her father which was the record, perhaps not the same as the push - Constancy son, is the ability to hold on and keep working hard times to come the times good, consistency is always the Art of Go! You've just started now and tomorrow will start practicing with the Samurai. At first, after every workout, your muscles will hurt you and you're tired, you'll want to leave everything behind why we think this is too hard for you. But if you are constant and continuous learning and practicing, gradually your body will adapt and develop, as well as your mind. And see how things will ever get easier, and get more results and more easily. Every beginning is hard son, and only if you have success Contante insured.
Kazo saw his young son nodded sleepily. It was late and had learned more today than in his entire life. The old Samurai took his young son and now an apprentice of his art in his arms, lifting, despite his advanced age, as if it were a feather. His son heard him whisper something like "Thank you papa!" before falling asleep. The general overall really wondered if his son would follow the letter all the advice they had learned today. I knew that if he did so reach even higher than he, general of generals, had made it.
I hope you have enjoyed that reading!
Talk to you next post,
"XTB" Xavi.
Mar 7, 2010
ITBS UPDATE & NEW RACES...HM HONG KONG 2010 RESULT!
About my ITBS...a very slow and desperate recovery, I will try to reinforce with physio sessions during this week in Hong Kong, as just my strecthing is not working too well...anyway, I will keep focus on just core strength and swimming during March's month at least...NO RUN, NO BIKE...
But, despite of that not so good new...I have selected 2 new challenges for my next months, especially close to the end of the year, to be really recovered from ITBS injury by that time.
First one, Garmin Barcelona Olympic triathlon, October 17th, 2010, with 6 of my Finance Checkpoint Systems colleagues, as Nicolas, Steve, Sergio, Patrik, Omar and myself...and who knows, may be more by this date joining for the first triathlon! I am extremely happy about this race because I will be cheered by all my family and friends, as Barcelona is my city!!
http://www.garminbarcelonatriathlon.com/index.php
Finally, I don't know, if I will be ready for 70.3 Ironman Phillipines, August 22nd or Japan, September 19th...but at least, I have my 70.3 Ironman target set-up, if injuries allow me, let's cross-fingers!
Last but not least, I attach my "injured" Half Marathon Hong Kong last Sunday February 28th...first 6Kms, quite good result...then, ITBS, killed my pace (+1'30''/km)!
Over-all Pos-ition Gen-der Pos-ition Cate-gory Pos-ition Cate-gory* Race no. English Name Chinese Name Country Official Time Net Time 10km Time Half Way Time 30km Time
919 843 259 HMM1 60182 GARCIA XAVIER Spain 01:57:24 01:56:37 00:34:51
Talk to you very soon,
"XTB" Xavi.
Feb 28, 2010
HALF MARATHON HONG KONG...ITBS
Today, I have run my third half marathon...with still some pain on my right knee to test, if I could run HM in 21 days on my Ironman 70.3 Singapore...
Quick race report...until Km-6, again very nice running sensations, but just after that one, my knee started heating and hurting a lot for next 15kms...yes, I did finish the half marathon, I believe in 1h56' or something similar, as I reduced more than 1'30'' my pace...I will update with official results as soon as they publish those.
"Where is the limit?" Today, I found it at least for my right knee, I will need to rest without running for at least 2 to 3 weeks and keep going with my stretching, ice, physiotherapist visits and, I still can swim and train my core strength.
Finally, I have decided and communicated to Singapore Ironman 70.3 organization that I withdraw from this race...I have different feelings and thinking, very unhappy and unsatisfied for not reaching my second goal and being forced to delay it, but, I really believe, if I will someday during this year to participate in a 70.3 Ironman race, where, I will be 100% ready for it and without serious injury!
Btw, I have decided to change my blog quote...and I will use at least for March's month..."Timely withdrawal is a victory." Napoleon Bonaparte.
"XTB" Xavi.
Feb 24, 2010
NO HAY MAL QUE POR BIEN NO VENGA...
In English, that Spanish quote means: "There is no misfortune that it doesn't come because of good"...let me quick explain.
I attach results:
TAI TAM LONG DISTANCE AQUATHON
Results
Name Race/Category Bib No.Overall
Xavier Garcia Male Swim 30-39 138 4
Place Category Time Swim Swim Rank
1 00:32:37 1
Anyway, this Sunday I will try my third Half Marathon ever...and try first to finish it and if possible under 1h 55'...due to my ITBS.
Talk to you very soon,
"XTB" Xavi.
Feb 18, 2010
OLDEST IN MY AGE GROUP AND STILL ITBS INJURED...HIM SINGAPORE?!?!?
Today is my birthday...I will really try to enjoy my last 30's year and follow "Carpe Diem" leit-motiv!!!
My first and last running training after 17 days rest of running, that is what happened....very good sensations for my second serie x 12' running...but getting into 9th minute....my knee said: "Stop now!! Please!!" and I behaved...until that moment average pace of 4'10''/km and very good sensations!
Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Aberdeen Field track 12' x 3 serie 2...injury killed me after 9' running!
Btw, I have measured my rest heart beat rate...and the result is 40...wow!! I was under shock for several minutes...and my wife, too!! haha
Now, I have my clear training zones defined...using data from last weeks:
http://www.calculatenow.biz/sciences/heart.php?rhr=40&mhr=184&submit=Calculate+Zo#zones
Finally, I attach two pictures from my last and first ever Half Marathon Moutnain: KOTH Hong Kong Island, where last 5Kms, I started limping due to my ITBS...
Starting:
after 20Kms mountain running...finish line:

Talk to you very soon!
"XTB" Xavi.
Feb 14, 2010
ST.BALDRICKS:CANCER CHILDHOOD HKIS EVENT APRIL 22ND!
As you know, I am trying to support and help, CANCER CHILDHOOD foundations and events, using my sport challenges...and this time, I found a nice rainsing funds event for St. Baldricks Foundation, in Hong Kong, on April 22nd in my daughter's school HKIS.
I have created my team to raise funds by this date and you can just click any of both links below to donate any $ you wish to support that great cause!
Event link:
http://www.stbaldricks.org/teams/mypage/teamid/66167
or
Participant page:
http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/participantid/375310
Feb 10, 2010
ITBS, VO2MAX, CANCER CHILDHOOD...AND 100 POSTS!
Let me go topic by topic:
1. ITBS, yesterday, I went to check my injury and received my first ultrasound massage but physiotherapist did not tell me estimated time to be recovered....but, will try my best to get recovered asap and be ready fro HIM Singapore 2010! He suggested me to train lots of swimming and core strength while my injury is not yet recovered...to keep fit for my second challenge!
Btw, out of top 5 running injuries, I got already two of them (ITBS and Shin splints...may be my weight is still not helping too much!!)....let's cross fingers to stop that trend asap!
Check-out this article out:http://www.time-to-run.com/injuries/thebig5/index.htm
Btw, today I have bought my first swimming wetsuit, Orca Sonar...commnents about it from some follower or triathletes will be more than welcome!...I am counting the hours to get into Hong Kong frozen water tonight!

2. VO2 Max and Body fat scan...I attach summary of both tests for your review, but, still 24% of my body weight is fat...I don´t want to imagine when I was 115Kgs 8 months ago (13Kgs more than today...)
VO2 Max SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Ambient Data:
Height (m)
1.92
Weight (kg)
103.1
BIA Scales (body fat %)
17.9%
Temperature (°C)
21
Pressure (mmHg)
763
Humidity (%)
61%
Test Results:
Aerobic Threshold (beats/min)
156
Lactate Threshold (beats/min)
164
Maximum Heart Rate (beats/min)
184
Blood Lactate at Maximum (mmol/L)
8.8
Speed at Maximum (km/h +gradient)
18 km/h @ 1%
VO2 max (L/min)
4.94
VO2 max (ml/kg/min)
47.9
Maximum Ventilation (L/min)
156.5
Body DXA Results Summary:
Region BMC Fat Lean Lean+BMC Total Mass % Fat
(g) (g) (g) (g) (g)
L Arm 298.29 1173.5 4254.4 4552.7 5726.2 20.5
R Arm 301.52 1189.7 4257.6 4559.1 5748.8 20.7
Trunk 1006.79 12929.1 35887.0 36893.8 49822.9 26.0
L Leg 718.91 3976.6 12757.7 13476.6 17453.2 22.8
R Leg 695.08 3973.7 12018.6 12713.7 16687.3 23.8
Subtotal 3020.59 23242.7 69175.2 72195.8 95438.5 24.4
Head 726.01 1087.1 3710.1 4436.1 5523.2 19.7
Total 3746.60 24329.8 72885.3 76631.9 100961.7 24.1
Sub-
Region
BMC Fat Lean Lean+BMC Total Mass % Fat
(g) (g) (g) (g) (g)
R1 63.64 1795.4 5001.9 5065.5 6860.9 26.2
Net 63.64 1795.4 5001.9 5065.5 6860.9 26.2
TBAR1209
Still a long way to improve!!
3. Cancer Childhood Organizations...just 250Euros raised year to date, (after 2,500 Euros raised on my first challenge), looks a poor result...but, I know we are in full "economic downturn"...that is why, from now until March 21st, any amount above 5 Euros can be donated to Fundación Caico (Spain) and Children´s Cancer Foundation (Hong Kong) and will go to Km-0, of course, if you want to buy 1Km for 50 Euros, the kids will appreciate very much your kindness!! Look at the right side of my blogsite: ¨HOW TO DONATE 1 KM?¨and just click to one of both organizations...you can donate any amount using VISA card secure process or bank transfer.

Btw, there is another event for St. Baldricks in Hong Kong and in other places in the World...and yes I am going to shave my head, too!
Have a look!
http://www.stbaldricks.org/event at HKIS middle school on April 22nd and in toher places of the World to raise funds for this NGO Cancer Childhood.
4, Finally, I have just realized that I have achieved 100 posts...not bad for just 9 months triathlon adventures but of course more to come to keep at least entertaining my 55 followers by now!
Now, is time to rest my right knee due to ITBS...

...to avoid a DNF in HIM Singapore 2010!!
Talk to you in my next post and enjoy the training!
¨XTB¨ Xavi.
Feb 8, 2010
HIM SINGAPORE PARTICIPATION...ON RISK!
Very bad news...it looks like my knee injury is ITB (Ilitiobial Band Syndrome) and tomorrow after my first physiotherapist visit I will have more info about my chances to be ready by March 21st for my second challenge HIM Singapore 2010.
To know more about this injury, I attach a good article:
http://www.time-to-run.com/injuries/thebig5/itb.htm
I am very frustated...but will keep my fingers crossed until tomorrow, and will update you about any new!
Talk to you next post!"XTB" Xavi.
Feb 7, 2010
KOTH & WINTER WARRIORS DRAGONS HONG KONG
Last Sunday January 31st, KOTH, King of the Hills, for me best race and interesting running Half Mountain race ever in my life, of course, is my first one,haha...but the view of Hong Kong from the top of the mountains, specially, Mt. Butler...wow, amazing!
Start...with my Barca running T-shirt!!
Well placed first meters...but no stress!! haha
From Mt. Butler...
Upper Tai Tam reservoir...
Tropical stream...Hong Kong South Island Mountain...
Hong Kong country side...
Lower Tai Tam reservoir...
but...Hong Kong with a small pollution issue!
But also my worst running experience during this race, as my right knee said "no more" after 13kms...and could not get downhill...I just walked those last 6Kms and limped all the way down till Repulse Bay beach...with a lot of pain.
Result was quite good and satisfactory until Km 13th...but due to bike overtraining the day before (100Kms bike on Saturday, where my righ knee started to bother me last 5Kms...) and running for a guy like me not used to long distances has forced me to take last full week to rest.
http://www.seyonasia.com/previous/hk0910splits.htm
Anyway, "Show must go on!"
Yesterday morning, I tried to participate despite of my still injured right knee in the first Winter Warrior Sprint Triathlon training session...and after swimming 750mts not too fast and quite cold weather (my sailing short wetsuit did not help me too much)...and finishing my first bike loop 4Kms on 5th position out of 22, I was forced to stop due to "killing pain" on my right knee again.
During this week, I will visit a sport physiotherapist, suggested by Mike, who treats that kind of injuries for many local triathletes. Let's see, if I can restart again my training, as I just have 42 days until my first HIM!!
Talk to you soon in my next post...and I apologize for so long time without any post but I have been very busy lately.
"XTB" Xavi.
Jan 22, 2010
MY FIRST HALF MARATHON...1H53'46''
Let me give you a little bit of background about my first half marathon last Sunday January 17th:
Before the race:
1. Landed on Saturday morning from Philadelphia...18hours flight.
2. No sleep due to jet lag, I saw 2.00 am, 3.00 am, 4.00 am and 5.30 am I "woke up" to go to my first half marathon
3. Week before quite busy during my week stay in Philadelphia...and just 2 days training!
4. Toe nail right foot very injured...today is totally black!!
During the race:
5. First 2 Kms 5 to 10% uphill,
6. Late start...then zigzag during 1.5 Kms to get some space to run free
7. Too fast first 10K: 47', destroyed after Km-13 and survived next Kms...walk-run a lot!
After the race:
8. Exhausted, but, "quite happy overall" but unsure about my heart average beat ...very high!! I don't really know, if my max. is correct, 182 ...next week, I will do a VO2 max and acid lactate test.
Learnt lesson:
9. Focus on %Max run for next one,
10. Rest better and keep training hard...specially my running for my second challenge in 57 days: HIM Singapore 2010!
I attach my garmin connect for you to follow my race:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/22526019
and the results...overall 351, 72 HM35...
http://www.avohk.org/media/fck/File/ccm2010/ccm2010-avohk-half%20marathon-fullset-results.pdf
Btw, have a look at this video about that interesting challenge about new and old bike technologies:
http://www.daniel-markwalder.ch/webneu/anoceanofsky/index.html
Talk to you next post (which will be just about my next event/race, as I am very busy training, work, family and following 5 rules on my old post)!
"XTB" Xavi.











