SFP Editor: Why did you decide the run the Marathon?

Albert Hsieh: It was the 2001 Marine Corp Marathon, I was woken up by the cheering from those spectaculars while runners were running through my neighborhood. I went to the finish line for some reasons i don't remember but I was so touched by watching those runners running across the finish line and making memories of their lives. I believe it's an achievement of one sort, and I know I want to be one of them someday. I'm not a regular runner but I've enjoyed running whenever I have a chance ever since I was a kid.

SFP Editor: How do you train for a Marathon?

Albert Hsieh: I run 3 miles at least 3 times a week on the treadmill in a gym (so that I can eat as much ice cream as I can) before I joined St. Jude marathon training. With St. Jude, I just chose one of the many time-goal training plans and basically I try to follow the plan. To build up the distance requires a lot of runs, so keep running, run safely, run wisely, and run with motivation are the keys to train for a marathon.

SFP Editor: Why did you choose to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital?

Albert Hsieh:St. Jude is one of the charity groups participate in Marin Crops Marathon. I simply want to run for not just a self-accomplishment but a good cause, and I was inspired by many friends of mine, who also did this kind of physical-challenging events to raise money for charities. The required fund raising for a St Jude participant is the lowest among all charity group, which produce less pressure to the participant for doing the fund raising effort in addition to the highly physical training. Once you are with St. Jude, you'll find there are a lot of touching stories with St. Jude family and many touching stories with St. Jude runners, which made me think it's a right group to be with and also kept me coming back for the second time.

SFP Editor: When/why did you move to Washington, DC?

Albert Hsieh: I moved to DC in early 1997 after I gained my first master degree from Penn State University in 1996. a college buddy of mine was here in DC and I thought the job market is much better in DC than it is in Stat College.

SFP Editor: Describe life in your homeland of Taiwan - how would you describe the country?

Albert Hsieh: Taiwan is a small island considering its population. There are not many natural assets but people. People who are polite, friendly, well-educated, and hard-working. A beautiful land with sea shores, mountains, plains and valleys. Taipei, my home town, the most-known city in Taiwan, is as modern as any big cities in US. You won't be a stranger when you are in Taipei due to its globalization. As many of you might know, Taiwan has been in a very unique situation with the military threat from China and the very few recognition from the global society even with its world-class economy and well-developed democracy. the unfortunate situation resulted from the war world II should not be resolved with another war, I sincerely hope.

SFP Editor: What is most different about life in the US compared to Taiwan?

Albert Hsieh: I have to say it's the environment, the luxury of land that people in Taiwan would never be able to enjoy. Also, the language, not the obvious difference but the consequences of using different language. The way you live your lives depends a lot on the use of language. I believe I could live my life in a more vivid way if my English is as good as my Chinese.

SFP Editor: What do you find most intriguing about the US?

Albert Hsieh: The four seasons, well, enough said. The enormous land. In 5 hours, you can travel through Taiwan from top to toe. the people - who are more opinionated, independent, and patriotic.

SFP Editor: What do you miss about Taiwan?

Albert Hsieh: My family, friends. The real Chinese food - not the westernized one. language - the effective way that I used to have with Chinese.

SFP Editor: Have you participated in past Marathons?

Albert Hsieh: 2002 Marine Corps Marathon - my first one and I finished it in 4:13:24

SFP Editor: What advice would you give to those who would like to run the marine corps marathon?

Albert Hsieh: Keep running!! besides, I strongly recommend people especially the first-time marathoners to join a charity training program or a local running group to meet people to train with and meet people who are experienced in running and can give you tips in running. to train a marathon is a long process. Most of the training program out there are about 20 weeks. you have to have your mind set and get motivated, otherwise it's not an easy task for most of people. The Summer heat and humidity make it worse, so it's very important that you have your way to keep up with the training plan. Believe me, the time you reach the finish line, the feeling is indescribably awesome and you won't be able to feel it until you make it.