Regret

I have made it a rule of my life never to regret and never to look back. Regret is an appalling waste of energy... you can't build on it; it's only good for wallowing in. --Katherine Mansfield

This is great. One of lifes pleasure is to enjoy life without experiencing regret. Do you want to be 80 years old and wonder what if? What if I took that turn? What if I made that decision? I look back in life and sometimes find myself wondering. I have to stop that and say, NO, not today! No Regrets. The decisions you made in the past might not have been the right ones, but those decision you made have made that person who you are today. Be proud of who you are. The experience you have made is what makes you the type of person you are.

Life is so short that you live your life in fear, you would not have lived your life to the fullest. Live life without regret. Take that chance.

What is Regret, it is a sense of loss, disappointment and disatisfaction with ones self or the desision one made. This notion can become very unhealthy and create a very negative enviroment.

I found this great article in Askmen.com Here are 6 ways to avoid regret.

1- Think things throughList the pros and cons when making a decision. This will minimize the risk of potential regrets. Sleep on it and you may find that a decision comes easier after some time has passed. It is true that some things are out of your control, but if you don't plan, you may be setting yourself up for negative consequences.If you move across the country on a whim, you may have serious regrets if you discover a zero vacancy rate, a flat job market and an exceptionally high cost of living. Weighing the positive and negative aspects of any decision won't always protect you from mistakes or adverse circumstances, but taking the time to do an assessment and formulate a plan can help shield you from potential regrets.

2- Be decisive Once you have made a decision, let it go. Be confident and banish self-doubt. If you decide to buy property or stocks, do your research, make an informed decision and live with it. An unexpected drop in the market may be a disappointing temporary setback, but don't let it discourage you too much. "Hindsight is always 20/20." (Billy Wilder)

3- Accept eventsAccept reality. Life is a series of events that unfold before you. Some are good and some are bad, but you must experience the bitter to enjoy the sweet. Woody Allen said: "My one regret in life is that I am not someone else." I hope he wasn't serious. Nevertheless, we all need to recognize things we cannot change and learn to expect and accept the consequences of our actions.For instance, if you were passed over for a promotion or were dumped by your dream girl, accept it. Try to figure out what you could have done differently and then move on. It is really easy to look back and see what you ought to have done, but don't let it become an unhealthy habit. Let go of feelings of regret.Take action and lose the loser attitude

4- Take actionAssess any regrets you have and rectify what you can. If you feel you didn't travel enough while in college, plan a trip now. If you're married, modify your dream trip and bring your wife along. Even if it's not the backpacking tour you wish you had taken after graduation, a trip to Europe as a couple could be an even better substitute.Have you lost track of old friends? The Internet has opened up great opportunities to find lost friends, no matter how long it has been since you've seen them. If something is important to you, don't get stressed over it -- take action.

5- Be positiveChange your outlook. Understand that if you are happy now, it's probably because you have experienced certain things. You are the result of your past experiences and your positive acceptance of them. It is always difficult to be positive in the face of tragedy but, when a friend or relative dies, try to focus on the good memories rather than regretting things you did not have a chance to say or to do together.It's good to grieve but try to be positive, not regretful, in your attitude about life.

6- Lose the loser attitudeDrop the "would have, should have, could have" mentality. We would all be healthier if we could train ourselves to eliminate the words "I should have" from our vocabulary, because they almost always carry feelings of guilt. Avoid mental stress by getting rid of any defeatist attitude.If you missed a deadline at work, accept the consequences and take corrective action. Prepare a timeline for your next project and you will be a winner, not a loser. Maybe you "should have" done that last time. Forget about it. It's over. Move ahead. "Don't let yesterday use up too much of today." (Will Rogers)

don't worry, be happy Everything that has happened to you in the past has happened for a reason. It's good to learn from history so that it doesn't repeat itself, but don't dwell on it. Focus on the present and the future. Worry only about things over which you have direct control.Enjoy life and live every day to the fullest. As Mark Twain said, "Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do... Explore. Dream. Discover." For the good of your body and mind, don't live with regret.

http://www.askmen.com/fashion/body_and_mind_60/82_better_living.html

Adventure Expo 2008

I took a trip today to the Adventure Expo to get some info on some travel information. I wanted to get some information on Hiking trails in Hawaii and suceeded. I also took a camel ride with Stob and invision long desert treks in the Sahara.

Eric decided to go surfing and did pretty good.

A boa constrictor

RAGBRAI XXXVI Route announced

Ragbrai just announced the route for this year bike ride. Check out www.ragbrai.org. These are only the last town of the day, no details have been announced yet as far as the other towns we will be passing through. What looks like is that it will be a hilly one and will be about 471 miles. Hope the wind stays on our back.

Wonder what his story is

I was looking through my old travel album and came upon this picture of this man. I remember thinking about what his story is. I took a trip back in 1999 to Banff National Park and did a little bit of hiking when I came across this man. Very interesting. I was fascinated to know what his story is. But back then, I did not approach him. I wished I did. I bet he has some fascinating tales. Just thought I would share this would you.

Waimea Canyon

If you know me well, you know that I love the Grand Canyon hike. I have done it 4 times already. I have now discovered this little gem of a Canyon that I must do. WOW.

Here is a description, taken from a site on Hawaii hikes

Waimea Canyon is the largest canyon in the Pacific and truly a dramatic sight to behold. The

canyon measures 10 miles long, 1 mile wide, and more than 3,500-feet deep. It was carved thousands of years ago by rivers and floods that flowed from Mount Waialeale's summit. The lines in the canyon walls depict different volcanic eruptions and lava flows that have occurred over the centuries. Even though smaller than the Grand Canyon of Arizona, Waimea Canyon rivals the beauty. Numerous lookouts and hikes offer terrific views of every aspect of this natural wonder.

Kalalau Trail

Ok, it is official, this is defintely the trail I am going to do.

Great pictures and very scenic, a bit strenous, but Hey I can do it.

Hawaii (Kauai) - Na Pali Coast Trail

I was trying to find a good hike to do when I am in Honolulu in December when I will be running the Honolulu marathon and a friend of mine from Alaska came up with this fantastic trail.

This hike is different, extreme as a day hike, and one of the best of the Hawaiian Island. This 11 miles Kalalau trail (one way) follows the Na Palie Coast with incredible views of five lush valleys, waterfalls, and ancietn Hawaiian ruins.
The option is to backpack and hike the 11 miles to the beach and camp at the Kalalau beach. What makes this hike different, in addition to its beauty , is the trail can be we and tricky. The repetitive up 400' down 400', makes it for a challenging hike.

Expectations

Message of the day:

Never expect people to act the way you want them to. You will set yourself up for major disappointment.

The most Beautiful Bike Ride in America

The most beautiful bike ride america will occur on June 1, 2008. My training will begin on Feb 4th. Check out that elevation map. This will be the 17th annual bike ride around the lake for 100 miles. Looking forward to it.

Keys to a Successful Relationship

Achieving a successful relationship or marriage. I know it is strange to write about this in a blog that is mostly about adventures in hiking, running and cycling, but I thought i would put this out there to the world. Knowing so many failed marriages and relationship I thought it would be fitting to point out some of the things I have learned in the past. I do not, in no way, claim I am an expert in relationship. Far from it, but I do try.

1. Having a Good communication and honesty. I don't know how much I can stress this. If you can not talk to your partner in an openly way about things then the relationship will be bound to fail. when you have things on your mind and let them go without discussing it, it will usually manifest itself elsewhere. Without communication, many will hold a grudge. Holding a grudge is definitely not productive for a relationship. One important rule about communication is to talk in a respectful manner. Talking is great but if you don't do it with respect, it is pointless. Another aspect to communication is listening. Not only is talking good, but also being a good listener and understanding.

2. Don't let things fester on, resolve it now and don't hold it in. It will come back years later. This is related to communication. If you have something in your mind, bring it up and resolve it. If you are unhappy, then bring it up. You don't want resentment to come up later.

3. Keep your passion of the relationship alive. Just because you are comfortable or married doesn't mean it end there. You want to keep the flames of love burning. Once the love fizzles out, then it is harder to ignite that flame of passion again. Keep alive and burning.

4. Compromise. Every relationship requires a compromise and agreement. You are not just one person, you are 2 people, a partnership a team. Have it her way now, later agree to have it your way the next.

5. Trust. You need to trust each other. If you don't, then there is a problem. You know you are in a good relationship when you don't have to worry about your partner cheating on you. You don't worry when your partner is working late. If you start becoming suspicious of your partner then that is not a good sign.

6. Dependability - Having a partner that is dependable and reliable will give you a great sense of security within the relationship. When times are tough and you hit rocky patches in your life it is important to know that somebody will be there for you.

7. Individuality - Knowing that your partner is also different with different likes and dislikes is also important. Not allowing yourself to stifle your partners hopes and dreams and likes and allowing your partner to pursue hers or his interest is important.

Inspirational Qoute of the Day

Here is a really good one, that I truly believe in.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. - Mark Twain

H.U.R.T 100 - Ouch

Ok, here is a good one and it will hurt. Imagine doing 100 miles for hours in Hawaii. A race called Hawaii Ultra Running team. Participants will be running a 20 mile loop this coming Sunday for 100 miles. Depriving them of sleep and eating strange food. Some runner have falled off cliff, broken fingers and chased by wild pigs. The trail goes through natuaral obstacles that will test every runner. It will surely hurt. Runners are equipped with headlamps and run all day and night. Usual time is around 35 hours.

Here is the website

http://www.hurt100trailrace.com/

Tribute to Sir Edmund

Sir Edmund died today. A great loss for all.
Born: 20 July 1919
Birthplace: Auckland, New Zealand
Died: 11 January 2008
Best Known As: The first man to climb Mount Everest

Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa guide Tensing Norgay were the first humans to reach Earth's highest point: the summit of Mount Everest in the Himalayas. They reached the top at 11:30 am on 29 May 1953.

Edmund has made many contribution to the Sherpa all the way until his death. Setting up schools and funding.

Although there has been a huge controvery as to who really was the first to summit Everest. Some Experts claim it was George Mallory of England who went missing in 1924 trying to summit Everest. The last known sighting was only 800ft from the summit and Mallory's body lay undiscovered for 75 years. It has never been proved whether they were on their way up, or had completed the climb and were on their way down.

George Mallory

Oldest climber to sumit Mt Everest

Katsusuke Yanagisawa (known in camp as Yanagi) is a 71-year-old retired junior high school teacher from central Japan. Yanagi scaled the 8,850m (29,035ft) Himalayan peak, breaking the record set by a 70-year-old Japanese man in May 2006.

This guy is incredible and my inspiritation for when I am at that age.

Hiking to Base Camp on Everest

I found out the EMS provides hiking treks to Base camp at 17,000 ft in the spring for about $2280 a person. Not too bad at all.

http://www.emstrek.com

This trek is geared toward the fit enthusiast who wants to experience the excitement that lures people every year to climb Mount Everest. This trek fits in the scheme of a “once in a life time” adventure, which will not only surpass your expectations but will be unforgettable as well

Conquer your Fears

Fear sometimes is all in your mind. Fears are only conquered if you confront them. You will see that it was not that bad at all. Of course having said, I started to think about my own fears and the fears of hiking the PCT. Here are a few.
1. If one of my re-supply package did not get into one of my supply town or got lost. How many days would I have to wait.
2. Getting massively lost and way out of the trail.
3. Hitch hiking into town with some baddies that will have some not so good intentions.
4. Slipping on a slippery slope and missing the trails.
5. Confronting a bear again and getting attached again.
6. Rattle snakes, rattle snakes and more rattle snakes.
7. Starving to death.
8. Not finding water
9. Stuck in a snow storm for days.
10. Getting injuried without a way to get out.
11. Liking the wilderness sooo much, that I would not want to come back to civilization again.
12. Dehydration in the Navajo dessert
After all this, I am still excited about the notion of hiking the PCT. In fact if I had enough time off and money, I would go for the triple crown and do all of them, PCT, CDT and AT.

Later

Who Wants to do Antarctica?

This would be a very cool and probably cold marathon. Can you believe it all booked up until 2010 and it is 40% filled.

Here is a bit of a description from the website

You will come face to face with icebergs, penguins, seals and whales while exploring the most pristine corner of the planet. Historians and scientists will provide lectures on board ship and wildlife excursions during landings in remote areas among seal colonies and penguin rookeries and at research bases.

http://www.marathontours.com/antarctica/index.shtml

Everest Beyond the Limit 2

Started to watch the Discovery Channel 7 episode special on the hike to Mt Everest. Great stuff.

I will have more update soon

http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/everestbeyond/everestbeyond.html

PCT Map

Here I am posting the full map of the PCT trail. Imagine hiking all that. This would be the ultimate adventure for sure.

Ragbrai 2007

Just thought I would post a picture at the end of Ragbrai of 2007 by the Mississippi river. I posted this probably because this is where I would like to be right now. Ahhh good times.

Near Yosemite 2003

Here is picture I took between Yosemite and the Sequoias. Not really sure exactly where. This is one of my favorites.

Enjoy

Psychology of PCT hike

How can you describe the psychological factors a person must prepare for.... the despair, the alienation, the anxiety and especially the pain, both physical and mental, which slices to the very heart of the hiker's volition, which are the real things that must be planned for? No words can transmit those factors, which are more a part of planning than the elementary rituals of food, money and equipment, and how to get them.

--Jim Podlesney, in Pacific Crest Hike Planning Guide

Why Hike the PCT?

I have been asked several times as to why do I want to do this hike. This is why:
It is obvious the physical fitness that one achieves on a long hike. Your body knows to become efficient during long term walks and hikes. Your body will compensate and adjust and become more efficient. After weeks of hiking, those miles will seem like nothing.
The Mental fitness also comes with a shedding of the stress and pressure of modern life. Self confidence and self knowledge grow with the journey, leading to a wonderful sense of well being and the feeling that anything is possible. All this works in combination of course.
Some of the attraction of this simple life lies in its immediacy, in the fact that you live only in the present or the very near future. What matters comes down to how far you will walk that day, where you will camp, where the next water is, where you will stop for a rest or a snack. With life reduced, literally, to walking pace, anything more then a few hours ahead is too far in the future to worry about.
Part of the pleasure of simplicity lies in the satisfaction of being self-reliant, of carrying everything I need on my back. It may be only a relatively short time between each resupply point, but for that period I am self-sufficient dependent on no one but myself. This is significant, too. On a long distance hike you are in control of your life. No external schedules or demands impose on your time; no one controls what you do and when you do it. It is up to you how you plan and carry out your hike.
The act and art of camping are important, too. There is a simple delight in creating a temporary home every day in a different place, in knowing you can make a comfortable, habitable space in a few minutes, a space where you can cook, eat and keep warm, and sleep protected from bad weather. There is also joy in the freedom of not having to reach a certain destination, in carrying your house on your back, able to set it down when and where you choose. Like they say it is not the destination but the journey. You also hike your hike.

It's Official, I am CRAZY!!

Not looking to happy about doing the Polar Bear Plunge

Right after the 5k Fun Run, I went over to North ave beach to do the Polar Bear Plunge, but started to have second thoughts. It was very, very cold. The ice on the beach was not very inviting. My friend Sue, pushed me into it, so after much thought, I just went for it. Why, because if I did not do it, I would feel bad and I hate to feel guilty of not doing something that I set out to do. Especially when it comes to any physical activities. I did not have anything to prove with this, and have done it 3 times already. But seeing everyone out there, I could not help but to feel all caught up about it. Here are some highlights

My friend "Ninja" Sue, wondering why would I do this.

North Ave beach in Ice. You had to cross through to plunge

Proof of my craziness. Me among the Icebergs. Yikes!

I hesitated a bit as I approach the icy water, but made the plunge. It was indeed as cold as it looks. As a wave started to come in, I planned to dive into it. And I did. I felt my breath being taken away as my body was not expecting this. My breathing was a bit harder and I lost all feelings of my legs and my foot. Especially my feet. It felt like I no longer had feet anymore. I ran back to the beach to towel down and started to dress as fast as I could. I could not feel my toes any longer. I did not stay that long and could not imagine if I would have stayed longer. A nice lady saw me shivering so she gave me a towel, which was very nice of her. Sue and I ran over to my car and started the heater and the heat seat. I took off my shoes to start rubbing my toes. Here is the painful part, as soon as they started to circulate blood, it started to hurt. I mean really hurt. My fingers also started to hurt also, which I guess were also frozen. I couldn't tell because I was too concern about getting blood circulating in my toes. Afterwards, my body started to shake uncontrollable for about 15 minutes. My body was in shock. I felt fine after the shock was over. Came home took a shower and ate lunch.

By the way, As I was driving to the race this morning, I was stopped by a cop, because I kind of blew a red light. I was thinking to myself, man, what a way to start the year with a ticket. But, no, it did not happen, she let me go. How interesting.

SO, this is how I spend my first day of the year. How was yours?

New Year 5k Run

Ok, I manage to get my butt out of bed and do the 5k fun run. No chip time, since I registered on race day. Those who pre-registered got a chip. I was not too concern about it, since my last run was at the Las Vegas marathon 1 month ago. I knew I was not going to get a PR. I felt very sluggish and slow. It was very beautiful out there but very cold.

Because of the cold, the wind and the snow, my time was not the best. Got in at 31 minutes. About 10 minutes slower then my best time of 21 min. In 2007 I did it in 27 minutes but it was warmer and no snow


The following are some interesting stats


Map of the run

Personal Stat

Heart Rate Stats

Lap stats, at least I was getting faster.