Seattle is a nice city. what I noticed were friendly people, coffee shop on almost every block, and tons smokers.
Everything closes early so hard to get out to try the good food or bars. I’m here for a training session with Safeco. We are in the office from 8am to 5pm. Half of the restaurants are closed by 5pm. My luck but yelp has been my savor to finding good things in this city.
Turning point.
Recently I have had some realization to what is and isn’t important to me. What things I want to hold onto. While other things I want to wrap up and move on from. It’s great to have a busy life but sometimes you need to reassess the things you are invovled in and whether it’s all worth. There are things that we initially think are meaningful, but after a while and in hindsight, those things actually wasn’t close to thought it would be. So as of late, decided to complete a few things and move on to making lift a little simpler.
Here is a list of goals I have had the past 5 years:
1. Complete graduate school. Check. Completed 2007
2. Earn my CPCU designation (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter). Consist of 8 exams. Check. Completed 2008
3. Earn my CLU designation (Chartered Life Undewriter). Almost check! 7 of 8 exams completed. Intend to finish by June 2010
4. Run a marathon. Check. Although, I am running my second one one June 5. Takes a lot of training. It’s been about 6 months worth. I might call it quits after I complete this next one in SD
5. Purchase a home. Check. 2007
6. Find a career I enjoy. Check. Started insurance 2005
Most of these were things that I assumed will make me a successful person. If I achieve it, success will come or will help define me. Most or all of these entailed hard work, perseverance, and dedication.
Education – I’ve always felt a little insecure with myself in my accomplishments here. I never felt like I had enough knowledge or education. I was trying to prove to myself something. That rejection letter from UCLA back in high school had left a large scar. It was the school I wanted to go to. Ever since, I have been trying to fill that void. After UCI and taking a year off I went to graduate school at Fullerton. I felt that was the best fit for me since I was in sales and it wouldn’t make any sense to go to a school like USC where I’d pay a mortgage for going there. After completing graduate school, it actually made me feel even more empty. By the time I finished graduate school, I was already one year into working at Access selling insurance and financial products. From that point, I felt thay getting the CPCU, CLU, and CHFC would be great to help me be well versed in an industry I will be in for many years to come. There would be a total of 20 exams for these. I took one each 2 months. I kept at it and now I am at the point of completing the 2nd one, CLU. I’ve come to the conclusion that I do not want to attain the CHFC designation. Going through so much testing, it wasn’t all worth it. I could get the same knowledge by work experience and reading articles within the industry. I didn’t feel like I needed to add that one more title to the end of my name was now necessary. It is enough. I would like to focus more on growing my book of business and having more free time read industry news that are more applicable to me. It’s the first time I realized that I have enough of formal education. It’s time to let it go!
Marathon – my friend Ron from church introduced me into more of the 1/2 and full marathon. We started train together and he motivated me to run my first full marathon in February 2009. It was one the best and worst thing I’ve ever done. To feel that broken was horrible, but it taught me I can improve so much if I just trained hard. So as I am now training for my second marathon, it’s going along very well. I’m able to keep up with Ron much better than last year. I have to say that crossfit has helped me out very much in getting me ready. I only run 1 time a week compared to 3-4 times last year. I do crossfit about 4 times a week and then run a long run on Saturday or Sunday with Ron. Anyway, this will probably be the last marathon for a while.
My realization recently is that I’ve poured my heart and sweat into many things that will make me a better person. I don’t regret doing any of the things I have set myself out to do and have accomplished. However, I’ve come to realize how I want to live my life has changed in the past 2-3 months. I get a lot of signs that are reminding me of what I am thinking lately. From the messages that I hear from service lately at church. I feel like the pastor or the speaker is talking to me directly. Or even something simple like what Eric mentioned tonight at crossfit that just keeps reaffirming what I want more of now:
Make life more simple. Live, laugh, and enjoy.
Yesterday, 10 mile repeats. 8 minutes on and 4 minutes walk…..
This coming Saturday, 19 miles run.
…..
Can’t seem to shake off the injuries lately. Something must be wrong with my training, nutrition, or sleep. But I’m thinking it’s not the latter since I’m getting plenty of rest. Nevertheless, I’m still PR’ing on my lifts. Last weekend, at the USAW lifting competition, I was able to increase my snatch from 163lb to 170lbs. After each snatch lift I was surprised it felt so light since I only had lifted 2x the past 4 weeks due to my injured shoulders. 
That 170 lbs was my goal for the year. Proud of it! It’s right above my body weight. So now I will just have to make a new goal. 180 lbs?
Run went well today. First 9 to 10 miles was at a 8 minute per mile pace. Last 3 miles though felt like I ran out of gas. Couldn’t get a good strong stride for that stretch. Will continue to train/strengthen quad/hamstrings for endurance. Unofficial time: 1:48 and change. Waiting for official time.
San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon: June 6.
Huntington Beach Half Marathon tomorrow. Looking for a time that’s between 1:40 and 1:45.
Just got back last night from Park City, Utah. Another good trip out there. Good times with friends. We discovered The Canyon’s this year. They have a lot of good long runs. The snow wasn’t as good as last year, but still had an awesome time. Best runs were the ones where we went over and under bridges. I have taken a lot less photos of the snow and snowboarding this year. However, I managed to make an effort just to take some crossfit pictures:
Can’t wait for Whistler, Canada next year. Count down has already begun!
Here are some of my goals I set for myself for 2010:
General:
1. Finish CLU (Charter Life Underwriter) designation by May – June. Three of eight test to go
2. Finish San Diego Rock & Roll Marathon under 4 hours
3. Accomplish sales income goal
4. Be nicer to my parents
5. Travel
6. Be more selfless
Crossfit Goals
1. 5 straight muscle ups
2. 10 second hold on hand stand
3. 340 lbs deadlift
4. 100 double unders
5. 170 lbs snatch
6. 200 lbs clean and jerk
New personal record for unofficialy half-marathon run this morning. Training run was 13 miles at 1 hour and 43 minutes. My original goal for half marathon was 1:45.
At the o-lift developmental competition, had to step on the scale. Here are my results:
September 17: weigh in @ 77.5kg
December 6: weigh in @76.8
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