Kevin Kwak's Blog

The 10th Anniversary Los Angeles Triathlon started its race with the Professional group as early as 7AM in Venice Beach. I was there to witness the pros go at it straight into the treacherous waves without much struggles though the current did push them off course slightly. The spectators and newbie triathletes were a bit shaken witnessing the powerful current dragging the pro triathletes to the left side of the first red buoy. The race director quickly noticed the condition of the current and gave instructions to all following groups to run 100 yards further down the beach and start swimming so that by the time they reach the first buoy, they would be on the right side of the first buoy and safely swimming counter clockwise of the buoy.

Hopefully there will be youtube videos hitting up shortly previewing the six-eight feet waves pounding the swimmers without mercy. If you have Facebook, you can read more about the wave conditions directly from the triathletes over at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Los-Angeles-CA/Kaiser-Permanente-Los-Angeles-Triathlon-Presented-by-Herbalife/73208873200
Here is a clip of the wave conditions:

A crucial technique I should have learned to tackle the devastating waves was the “dolphin kick.” Not only does this save you energy compared to using the freestyle approach, you gain more distance helping the swimmer pass the waves. But this year’s water was really rough throughout the entire course as the sea was not calm due to the wind.

The muscle-burning intensive-cardiovascular endurance sports day finally arrived and I was thrilled all morning long along with the other 2,500 participants this year. To summarize my first experience with the LA Triathlon is “killer waves!” The treacherous current was incredibly strong this year compared to the past two LA triathlons according to several LA veterans (was it because of the tsunami?). I got pounded waves after waves forcing me to run back to the shore and run 100 yards to the right as the powerful currents were grappling swimmers to the west side passing the buoys within seconds. After seven unsuccessful attempts to get over the thunderous waves, I was asked to give my timing chip to one of the officials as all the last age group finished the ocean swimming. So how was the water condition this morning?

Gale force winds of 30 to 35 mph today caused problems for boaters off Dockweiler Beach and in other parts of the Santa Monica Bay, authorities said.
Ten boats were rescued by lifeguards from the Los Angeles County Fire Department for issues ranging from capsizing to becoming separated from their docks and starting to float out to sea, said Inspector Frederic Stowers.
Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/10/busy-day-for-la-county-lifeguards-results-in-rescues-of-triathlon-athletes-boats.html

I have to admit that I was under prepared with the first triathlon especially with the ocean swim. And after seven tries, I knew I did not store enough carbohydrates during dinner and a bowl of oatmeal with a bar of Power Crunch was not sufficient for the intensive swim. Should have went to that swim clinic Triathlon Lab had the past week at the Venice Beach. apparently I missed valuable tips and techniques on how to approach and overcome the initial waves. Valuable lesson learned. hundreds of visitors visit my blog and if anyone is interested and/or on the border line of trying out for your first triathlon, read on as I will share my personal experiences and knowledge I gathered to this day.

Here are some of the topics that will be blogged throughout the week.

• ocean swimming
• expo (pre-race day and late registration)
• event day
• practice routine
• olympics triathlon
• registration fee and other associated fees

To end the blog entry with a happy note, I finished the 10th anniversary LA Triathlon and earned the medal. My time though will not be registered as the swimming portion was not completed. I think I will get back to pool training throughout winter and train harder and smarter to finish next year’s Olympics triathlon. I learned a valuable lesson today and I shall conquer the ocean swimming with full energy and ease.

Korean-American Coalition is proud to announce the first ever Korean BBQ cook off festival in Los Angeles, CA on August 8, 2009. The first annual Korean BBQ cook off will start at 12PM at the “Summit on Sixth” condo parking lot, 3223 W. 6th St., Los Angeles, CA 90020. Lot of programs and attendees will be present to celebrate the delicious and famous Korean BBQ!

The Korean American Coalition – Los Angeles (KAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1983 to promote the civic and civil rights interests of the Korean American community. KAC endeavors to achieve these goals through education, community organizing, leadership development, and coalition-building with diverse communities.

The Korean BBQ cook-off is partnered with Yelp.com and sponsored by the following companies: California Country Club, the U.S. Census Bureau, The Chadwick, allkpop, Coors Brewing Co., and the Good Samaritan Hospital.

Come eat Korean BBQ from the best BBQ restaurants of K-Town. Entrance is free so come one come all! The best part is, you don’t have to come with your Korean co-worker/friends. There will be various parking lots near the summit, just make sure to use your ears/nose to find us. (shouldn’t be hard) Hope to see you all there

*Mystery eating contest starts at 2pm, you won’t want to miss this…

*Cook-off starts at 5pm

*Update (7/23) 10 confirmed restaurants are participating in the competition including Byul Dae Po (Star BBQ), Ham Ji Park, Jinju Galbi, Mu Dae Po, Park’s BBQ, So Hyang, and Soowon Galbi

*Update (7/21)- Pulitzer Prize winner Jonathan Gold has been confirmed as a judge for the cook-off.

*Update (7/9) – we just received confirmation that the Mayor of LA will be attending (As a possible cook-off judge?)

The primal urge of grilled and smoked meats transcends cultures and continents. Los Angeles is home to some of the best Korean BBQ restaurants in the nation, a blend of Korean technique and American ingredients. The First Annual Korean BBQ Cookoff will showcase the best Korean barbecue restaurants and dishes – hand-picked by a team of experts – in the largest social enclave for Koreans in America.

Please feel free to pass along to friend, co-workers and family!
“I might not be Korean, but I love me some Korean BBQ!”

You can find additional information at the koreanbbqcookoff.com.

The online research still continues as I prepare for this year’s triathlon. My training schedule has not been finalized yet as I had other priority work that needed my time. I did though manage to find out the second triathlon I might register for depending on my physical condition by March. Why March? The registration for the Nautica Malibu Triathlon opens on March 2, 2009 online. And the race date is Sunday, September 20th, 2009. Funny thing is several years ago, I completed both my first and second marathon race in the very same year: 20th Los Angeles Marathon and 1st Las Vegas Marathon. I might as well complete my first and second triathlon this year too!

The Nautica Malibu Triathlon is sponsored by Toyota which is also one of the sponsors for the Los Angeles Triathlon. The triathlon is a half-mile ocean swim, an 18 mile out-and-back bike course, and a 4-mile run. The triathlon starts off at the beautiful Zuma beach, then you transition into biking where you get to ride on the pacific coast highway right next to the beautiful pacific ocean, and finally transition into the running course which is also on the pacific coast highway. How awesome is that! September will be nice and sunny.

The registration fee is $125 plus $10 for non-USAT (USA Triathlon) members. I was also looking into getting a full wetsuit for the triathlon races and the entry level wetsuit starts at around $150. So was a wetsuit really necessary and was wondering if I could also use it for surfing if I pick up in the future but unfortunately the material of triathlon wetsuit is too thin for surfing and diving as they can rupture or tear.

Can you believe how nice the weather is here in Southern California in this time of the year? I just love the sunny outdoors and can’t imagine living in the east coast because of the freezing weather. So I am staring outside at work and wishing how I could get in the car, go to the beach and ride a bike next to the pacific ocean.

I finally made the decision to physically train hard this year to participate in the 10th Anniversary Los Angeles Triathlon taking place in Venice Beach down to Los Angeles Downtown Nokia Theatre LA Live. I have high anticipation for this event as it is my first triathlon competition and the last time I participated in a high endurance sports was the 20th Los Angeles Marathon.

The Los Angeles Triathlon offers various categories (self-explanatory) for its competitions:

Individual-Olympic Distance
Individual-Sprint Distance
Relays (sprint and olympic)
Professional
Elite Amateur-Olympic Distance
Collegiate
High School Student
Bike Event Only

I am signing up for the Individual-Sprint Distance. The difference between Olympic and the Sprint Distance is the distances. Sprint triathlon consists of 0.47 mile swim, 12.4 miles bicycling, and 3.1 miles running. The Olympic is twice the distance of the Sprint triathlon (0.93 mile, 24.8 miles bicycling, 6.2 miles running).

Since this will be my first attempt to complete this high endurance physical sports, I been perusing the internet for every useful information: beginner’s training, nutrition, training schedule, and the right equipments. Speaking of equipments, this is not a cheap sports to partake as I will lay down the estimated costs to completing the Sprint triathlon.

Registration fee = $150
Wetsuit = $100-200
Bicycle = $300-500
Bicycle Helmet = $50
Running Shoes = $100
Sun Glasses/Cap = $100
GPS/Heart Monitor/Watch = $200
Training Book = $20
Food and Supplement Nutrients = N/A

I don’t know if I want to invest in all the above items because I may not continue this sports after 2009 but who knows, they say you get hooked on it after your first triathlon. This is a rough estimate and who knows how much the food alone would costs. Triathletes must have proper nutrition and we eat a lot throughout the training days. A wetsuit is optional but the majority do use one to trim down their time. The temperature in the month of October may be a bit too chilly though to swim shirtless so there is a slight chance that I need to pick one up and if I do, I can happily use it for surfing and other ocean activities in the future.

Being a neophyte, the swimming aspect is most frightening because I have not experienced ocean swimming for half a mile straight. Better start on those calf and hamstring stretches because I sure don’t want leg cramps in the middle of the ocean swimming.