Finally Got Rid of Fatty Liver Disease and Journey to my first Marathon

Me finishing the Sun Run 2013

In December of 2012, I was overweight, and I didn't take care of my body. I was also struggling with Fatty Liver Disease. One night when I got home after school at 2 AM,I turned very sick, and couldn't move. I was sent to the Emergency Department when I found out that I was suffering from an infection. At that moment, I decided that I needed to make a change.
  Along with the infection, I was struggling with Fatty Liver Disease since I was very young. It was discovered one day when I was starting high school by accident when my mom was doing a check up via ultrasound when the doctor suggested for me to check up too. At the time, I was borderline obese and the doctors wanted to make sure I was healthy. Since then, a heavy burden of weight kept me down. I had some insecurity issues and not to mention, year after year, the depressing thought of having the Fatty Liver Disease inside of me.
Starting with running a 10km (Sun Run) non-stop as a goal. I practiced for that tirelessly and starting with running 2km non-stop, it quickly became 10km.

Finishing the Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon

  I thought I should challenge myself some more, and I signed myself up for the 2013 Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon. For that, I trained tirelessly, and even though I was unable to run a full 21km non-stop, I was able to finish it with some walking. After the half-marathon finished, I learned about the BC Children's Hospital and Grouse Mountain's campaign to help fund-raise for the hospital, I decided to challenge myself to do 50 Grouse Grinds and fund-raise and raise awareness for the Hospital at the same time.  

Completing 50 Grouse Grinds

Starting with having trouble to do one Grouse Grind non-stop, I was able, over the span of two months and tire-less training to complete all 50, with the last 12 Grinds completed within 6 days back to back (so 2 grinds/day). After the Grouse Grinds finished, I lost about 25lbs of weight, and I wanted to become faster and a better runner.
   I decided to challenge myself by running the half-marathon faster, and I trained for the 2013 New Balance Fall Classic. I would go out training in the rain, snow and during class to train. After 3 months of hard training, I was able to beat my own time for the half-marathon and complete the Fall Classic 25 minutes faster than my first Half-Marathon.

Fall Classic Half Marathon

  After the Half-Marathon is finished, I wanted to do a fundraiser for Burnaby Hospital Foundation (for the way they inspired me when I was sick to make a change and also so that they can help out more people). I decided to take on the grand daddy of all races, which was the full marathon.
   It was very difficult because being at 42.2km, the full marathon was not an easy beast and I had a lot of doubt (like, what if I can't finish? what if I can't train for it?). I decided to not think about what I can't do and decided to focus on what I can do, and I told myself as long as I try my best, I am happy.

Finishing within the top 5% of all Sun Run Finishers in 2014.

  Starting with running 10km everyday to running 21 to 30km on weekends, I gradually increased my mileage. I would sometimes run from Metrotown to UBC, or do a loop around Burnaby's town centers (such as Metrotown-Brentwood-Lougheed-New West and back to Metrotown). Eventually, the miles racked up, and I accumulated about 800km of running in 2014. It was very difficult to balance life and school with the marathoning. I often find myself running at weird hours and in weather that was pretty extreme.

Finishing at the Vancouver Full Marathon

 I am proud to say that with a finish time for 3hrs and 42 minutes, under pouring rain, I was able to finish my first full marathon. After my full marathon, I took about two weeks off before I challenged myself to go even faster on the half-marathon.
  Recently, I completed the 2014 Vancouver Scotiabank Half-Marathon in June with a finish time of 1hr and 32 minutes, which was about 11 minutes faster than my last half-marathon. Also, for the first time ever, my test result for the Fatty Liver Disease was negative.

Finishing the Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon in 2014.

  Currently, I am trying to finish a couple more grinds to 100 total lifetime Grouse Grinds to help raise awareness for the Canadian Liver Foundation so that they can help out Canadians that are struggling with Liver Disease. Please visit www.liver.ca for more info on how you can help them!
   I would like to say thank you to everyone who have supported me so far. You do not know how difficult it is to go out in crazy weather or when you suffer injuries (such as tendinitis, stress fractures not to mention a continuous supply of blisters). Your words of encouragement is what keeps me going and ultimately you are my inspiration. This journey is much more than a simple blog post can do it justice, however, it does summarize it.
Currently, as of July 8th, I am 31 grinds away from 100. I will be updating my progress on my blog with the heading "Journey to a Marathon". Stay tuned :D

Fresh Donuts!!! (Honey's Deep Cove Review)

     A few years ago I came to Deep Cove to go canoeing, and I came to this place. At the time, I was not expecting anything (being located in a tourist attraction and all) expect high prices and average food. My expectation was proven wrong when I walked into the store. I got a ham and cheese scone and the moment I took a bite into it, I fell in love with it.
    Both craving the ham and cheese scone and the hiking trails near Deep Cove, I decided to come back here with my friend today. This coffee shop and bakery is authentic and vintage as its been around for quite a while. Just the feeling of it, the decor and the fact that it's located in a small town setting makes this Coffee Shop/ Bakery really likable.
   We were a bit disappointed today because after hiking, they were sold out of the ham and cheese scone. To be fair, it was World Cup day and tons of people are here watching and cheering on their own teams. The line up to get in was super long and the place was crowded. They had a huge screen TV placed outside and there was a huge group of people all cheering for their own teams. Actually to be honest, I am not sure if everyone had their own team. It seemed like everyone cheered for Costa Rica and when Costa Rica scored a goal, the crowd went wild. For the most part, I think some people who supported the other teams were too scared to cheer for their own teams so instead everyone just cheered for Costa Rica. I guess the phrase "if you can't beat them, join them".
   When it comes to the actual baked goods, their doughnuts were very special. Unlike huge fast-food doughnut chains, Honey's actually made their own doughnuts and if you go at the right time, the doughnuts would be still warm. The texture of the doughnut is very soft on the inside and not overly greasy or sweet. I would really recommend the doughnut.
   Also, as I mentioned earlier, the scones that they have are pretty good. The scone I got today was a fruit scone. I'll admit, the fruit scone was sweet and the layer of sugar and icing on it was unnecessary. That said, personally, I try to avoid sweet foods because the fat tends to go to places where you do not want them to go. Because of that, I am not too big of a fan for the sweet scone.
   However, one thing I must mention is when it comes to service, this place can be lacking. While I was waiting in line, something, like a piece of plastic from the straw of my juice box fell on the floor. As I was bending over to pick it up, one of their staff members who was sitting grunted and picked it up and handed it to me. To be fair, it was my fault for accidentally dropping the thing, but the attitude was not necessary. Also there is a strict enforcement of no outside food.
   Overall, the baked good of this place is pretty special and the setting is special. The service could be a bit better, but I would definitely visit this place again because of the scone :) 

McDonald's Lonsdale Quay / New Coupons are up!

Yes... it is junk food and I am not saying I support it, but sometimes when you are on the run, or if it's at a weird time during the night (like those crazy work nights),  I would grab a quick grilled chicken wrap at McDonalds. You can always ask them to not include any sauces inside the wrap. This would reduce the amount of fat in the wrap. Considering that the wrap without the sauce, is only grilled chicken with lettuce, cheese and the tortilla, it is pretty good in terms of health. I was returning home from Grouse Mountain one day when I was hungry. The Seabus wasn't going to be here for another 30 minutes, so I decided to go in and grab myself a chicken snack wrap, grilled with no sauce. That said, this location is just a typical Mcdonalds. The plus side is that there is a good amount of seating and restrooms here.

If there are really no where to eat, or you are craving for McDonald's these are some good coupons to have :here is the link for the coupons: http://mcdonalds.ca/ca/en/promotions/coupons.html

"Mother Nature's Stair Master" (Grouse Grind Review and Tips)

******************UPDATES FOR 2014*******************
- There are many parts of the trail that have been reconstructed, and stairs have been added. Especially after the 1/2 and right before the 3/4 mark and the last few steps before the finish of the grind. Also if you are using a grind timer, please note that the location of the timer have been changed at the top. You will need to climb up a flight of stairs after you finish the trail to the grind timer.
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It's been a while since my last post and this is what I've been up to. I made a goal to complete 50 Grouse Grinds this summer to help fund raise for the BC Children's Hospital. I am proud to say as of August 10th, 2013, I've completed that goal and I going to share some of the insights to the Grouse Grind on this post.

Here's abit of background, the Grouse Grind is a 2.9 KM trail that goes up the face of Grouse Mountain, with an elevation gain of 853 meters and a total of approx 2,830 steps. It was built a few decades ago by two doctors of North Vancouver who wants to use the trail as a workout for themselves, and since then has become a destination for hikers all over the world. 

It is a misconception that the Grouse Grind is an easy trail with lots of scenery. It is quite the opposite. There is barely any scenery and most of the trail is really steep (on average of 30 degrees up). The trail goes only one way up and you must pay to take the gondola down ($10 which can be purchased at Alpine Guest Services). There have been many incidences (actually during the 50 grinds that I did, I on average see a rescue mission about twice a week), because many hikers who are not equip and fit for the hike undertake it and fall because of health issues. I would not recommend the Grouse Grind to ones who have health issues like heart conditions and also little kids (because of the steep steps).

Here are some tips:

• Make sure to keep to one side of the trail to leave room for people who want to pass you to pass.
• Bring Water and a snack (and don't forget to take away the garbage) so that you can stay hydrated
• Wear comfortable clothing (athletic preferred), avoid jeans or anything that won't let the heat pass or dry quickly
• Take breaks if necessary, but make sure you take it at the side of the trail and not on the trails themselves
• Avoid putting your arms around your hips, it can hit hikers coming up from behind.
• If you are using walking/hiking sticks, be aware of the people behind you. Some places are small and is potentially dangerous.
• DO NOT bring too much stuff with you. It can be very uncomfortable for you once you start sweating.

The Grouse Grind starts at the base of Grouse Mountain, and once you exit the bus (232 or 236) or from the parking lot, you will see the entrance to the grind.  At the start of the Grind, there will be signs, one that points to Baden Powell (which branches off into another trail, the BCMC trail that can also take you to the top, but be mindful because you can get lost here as signs are not clear at some places on the BCMC/Baden Powell) The Grind at the beginning starts off with a steep hill, this hill has very loose rock so be careful when you are walking over it. After the steep hill, the trail will begin to take you deeper in to the mountain. About 5-10 mins in to the trail, the stairs will start. I recommend going up these stairs at a slow but steady pace as this is the less steep part of the trail.

Once you are about 10 minutes into the stairs, you will reach rocks that will start ascending at a steeper angle. You will cross a bridge which will take you to rocks that leads up to the quatre mark. Here, you have a chance to turn back if the trail is too steep or you do not feel well enough to continue. Once you decide to continue, the rest of the trail awaits. 

In about 10-20 minutes later you will reach the half way mark. This section is probably the less steep section out of all 4 sections of the trail. Be sure to go slow and steady and keep in mind that after the half way mark, the trail will become extremely steep.

After the half way mark, you will begin a very steep ascend up a few rocks (you might need to use your hands here). Be mindful that when you need to take a break, you move to the side so that others can pass behind you. About 20 minutes later you will reach the 3/4 mark (here the mark is placed on a tree that isn't so obvious so you might miss it if you don't look up). After 3/4 the rest of the trail is steep but it is fast. Before you know it, you will reach the top! You can give your self a pat on the back once you get to the top and scream "I'm king of the world" because it is a great accomplishment to complete a Grind.

For those who are more hardcore and like to do it often, you can purchase an annual pass ($119) and/or a timer ($20) that can track your time and put your name in categories that show up on the score board.