This is the first of several Q & As with athletes competing in World OutGames, July 24 to August 2 in Copenhagen

Name: Kien Tran

Home: Castro, San Francisco

Hails from: Michigan

Relationship Status: Single 

Favorite City: San Francisco

Spotted on a typical SF Friday night: Moby Dick bar shooting pool

Sports: Softball, track & field-training for 100, 200, 400 and 800 M at the World OutGames
 
So Kien, those races are grueling. What’s your workout regimen? 
 
I have a weight trainer and a long distance running coach. But I am more of a sprinter–and sometimes marathoner. We do 8 x 200 meter repeats with one minute rest in between. By the time we’re done, I feel like I’m gonna puke.

What’s your goal this year in Copenhagen?

My goal is to have fun–and not get hurt first and foremost. [laughs] I’m doing six races and shooting for five metals in the 30-34 age group.

Tell us about your injuries at GayGames Chicago
 
I pulled a hamstring in softball tournament that spring and did physical therapy for, like, six weeks straight and then I pull the same hamstring at the Sacramentao track meet a week prior to Chicago. In Chicago, I did ok in the 400 M in the simifinal but in the 100 pulled the same hamstring. I tried to run the 100 final the next day but wasn’t able to finish despite all the vicodin and Ibuprofen. I had done the pole vault really well at Thomas Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I thought I’d take it up again. After the hamstring pull, I figured I’d give it a shot anyway. Boy, was that a mistake! I got three-quarters the way up but couldn’t get enough momentum to go over the bar because of my weak hamstring. On the way down the pole bend, I let go and got knocked in the forehead. I needed ten stitches. Bloody mess. When I came back I had a bloody white bandana around my forhead, and the track official came up and said: “You can’t compete any more!” I told her the doctor said it was okay, could give her a note, and that I was doing this at my own risk. I ran the 100 meters and crashed about ten meters before the finish line. I literally skidded to the finish line, but I finished–last. [laughs] Finally, a friend came up and told me he was taking my shoes away. I said I guess that’s fair. This isn’t working. I spent the rest of the games limping around Chicago with a huge bandage, getting sympathy from cute athletes.

What make you so driven?

Regardless of my sexuality, I’m an athlete. I’ve always trained hard, and athletes train to compete.

Even in gay sports, which at times can be more fun than competitive?

Well, back in high school and college I couldn’t really be myself. When I came out my freshman year in college–a Catholic college remember–it was a little lonely experience. No one was hostile or mean, there was no gay bashing, but just a lot of discomfort. I never felt part of the pack. I would run either in front, setting the pace, or behind. Or I’d train on my own.

That took guts–to come out at that time and place

Well, I told my parents first, and when they completely accepted me I didn’t really care that much if anyone else did. My mother never could understand why some families disown their own kids. To her my coming out just contributed to love and understanding.

You have a big family

Yeah, I’m one of ten. So to speak.

You’re the only one?

All I can say is yes… for now [laughs]

So gay sports were a way to compete post college?
 
One week after graduation I was in SF. [laughs] Actually, I was on way to peace corps, but i got stuck here, and accepted a job. I’d knew about the Sydney games then but couldn’t afford it, so I joined Frontrunners, which was really great, and then later started playing in the softball league. Sports are just so much fun again. You know when you are a young kid, and innocent, and you can do whatever you want because everyone is completely non-judgmental? No one cares how you throw the ball or what you say. Well that’s what it feels now to compete in the gay leagues. Nobody puts you down; they lift you up.
 
How do take your training regimen to Copenhagen when you have such a long flight and will surely arrive jet lagged?
 
Whenever I land in a new city, the first thing I do is lace up my running shoes, put a $20 bill in my sock, and head out for a five mile run. That’s where I start checking out the bars, cafes, parks, and so forth and get my bearings. No matter how tired I am from the flight, I go–then I know where I am. When I’m done I grab the $20 and get a meal. One time, a long time ago, I lost the $20 [laughs], and couldn’t get anything to eat. I also find a local Vietnamese place to eat and meet the people running it. I’ve already found one–and I know because of the common language they will give me the lowdown. There is one place called Le Le and I am looking forward to eating there.

Do you go out at night during tournaments or competitions?

I socialize on the field, and then maybe go out for a drink with new people I meet. It’s an amazing way to make new friends, people are very open, and they have nothing to lose so inhibitions tend to go down. The first thing I do is find a pool bar, and then some cool gay beaches, of which there are many in Copenhagen.

What about hooking up?

If I meet one special person to hang out with, that’s cool but it’s not necessary to enjoy the time at all. 
 

Say you make new friends in Copenhagen, and they plan a trip to visit you in SF. Where would you take them?

Delores park on a sunny day with the beautiful view, with beautiful men tanning and fanning. [laughs] Grab coffee at Cafe Flore. There’s better coffee in the city, but the people watching in that location is incredible. I’d take out a week pass at Gold’s Gym across the street from Flore. I’d take them to Moby’s for pool. It’s a friendly neighbhourhood bar that’s a great place to grab a drink with friends–then maybe we’d end up dancing at Badlands or Trigger. The new Cafe might be good too. For dinner I’d take them to Cote Sud, Thai Chef, or Thai House Express. I also like Home and Chow farther down on Market Street in the Castro. Check out Books, Inc., on Market and eat in the same little mall, Sushi Time, a hidden gem.

You live in the middle of the Castro. Do you think it’s a friendly place?

People tend to be a little protective. Many people don’t really know how to interact. It’s that whole thing where they think that if you are talking to them you are trying to pick them up–or that if they are friendly to you, you will think the same. You have to break through that if you are a visitor, but it can be done for sure. Once you have, there is nothing more popular than a visitor to the Castro. [laughs] I love running into to friends, at the gym, on the street, in a bar, wherever. Seems like it happens every block or so. 

Where do you run?

I go straight up Twin Peaks behind the Castro. It’s a little over a mile, and you are rewarded with an incredible view. If you run just as the sun sets, it’s like ascending to heaven. You can watch the sun compete with the fog over the city.

Heading to Outgames or already there? Submit your hot shots of athletes to the  GayCities summer photo challenge, and win cool prizes!