La Vida Es Un Carnaval - HAPPY 2012

(English follows Spanish text)

Todo aquel que piense que la vida es desigual, tiene que saber que no es así, que la vida es una hermosura, hay que vivirla. Todo aquel que piense que está solo y que está mal, tiene que saber que no es así, que en la vida no hay nadie solo, siempre hay alguien.
-Ay, no hay que llorar, que La Vida Es Un Carnaval, -Y es mas bello vivir cantando. -Oh, oh, oh, Ay, no hay que llorar, -que la vida es un carnaval -y las penas se van cantando.

Everyone out there who thinks that life is unfair needs to know that's not the case, because life is beautiful, you just have to live it. Everyone out there who thinks they are alone and is feeling bad, needs to know that's not the case, because in life no one is alone, there is always someone. Ay, no need to cry, because Life Is A Carnival, it's more beautiful to live singing. Oh, Ay, no need to cry, because life is a carnival, and your pains can be alleviated through song….

… and running…

2011 is over. Started pretty much with breast surgery in January to remove pre-cancer cells… when can I run again Doc? I asked. “Use common sense, though I know runners have none…” he replied.

Year ended as the best running year I’ve ever had. Stats are pretty neat, with all the races I could run: Across the country from Washington State to Florida, and across the globe from home at 48° parallel north to daughter’s home at 48° parallel south in New Zealand. PRs in most of the distances… I’ll let the numbers talk to you.., and remember: Life Is A Carnival... and your pains can be alleviated through song….  and running…

Have a great 2012.

2011 Stats

52 races	Distance	PRs
3	Marathons	4:44:04 – 10:51 min/mile
1	30K	3:16:05 – 10:32 min/mile
1	15 Miles (24K)
21	Half Marathons	2:07: 21 – 9:43 min/mile
1	10 Miles (16K)
1	15K	1:31:12 – 9:47 min/mile
3	12K
7	10K	56:22 – 9:05 min/mile
2	8K (5 Miles)	48:50 – 9:50 min/mile
1	3.8 Miles
9	5K	26:19 – 8:29 min/mile
1	3K
1	Relay 187 miles

                       

0	Injuries
0	Blisters (one tried but didn’t succeed)
2	Partial black toenails (Coeur D’Alene Marathon and Tacoma Narrows Half)

Here a summary of all my 2011 races.

 

Triple Crown

An invite to Miami Beach for a seminar triggered the Florida racing calendar check. Two possibilities: Mangrove Marathon in Cape Coral, and Inaugural Latin Music Rock and Roll Half Marathon in Miami Beach.

Because Florida’s heat, I was hesitant to register in either one of them. I have faced most of the weather elements, having run in snow, hail, 60mph winds, 20F… but I have never run this distance at high 70’s. Though I know I needed to run slower, I was concerned and fearful of dehydration, hyponatremia, and all those things related to a hot day race. Specially, because when you are a Seattle inhabitant, you never experience situations like those, and not knowing how to deal with them really worried me.

Mangrove Marathon was tempting. I could check Florida in my 50 states quest as complete. But logistically, it wasn’t too appealing. Race location was 2.5 hours of where I was staying while Rock & Roll Half was at 2 miles. Also, as I am training for Houston (January 15^th) I want to put all my efforts on Texas. It seemed a no brainer.

In order to triumph over my “heat” fears, I clicked the register button the last day of online registration with the note to self: Go and Learn It. As a “heart rate strategy” runner I should not be too concerned as the effort should dictate my run and pace.

During my Miami visit, I took the opportunity to visit close friends from childhood, high school and college. I had a fantastic time. On Saturday my good friend Chucho and his wife China took me to the expo at the beach (first shock) to pick up my packet. It was a nice afternoon at high 70’s with a nice ocean breeze; nice for a stroll by the beach but not sure for running a 13.1. After the expo, they invited me to my carboloading dinner and dropped me at my hotel. I prepared all my racing gear, bib, chip, and after a shower, went to bed with the normal non-sleep hours before a worrisome race.

Race start was scheduled at 7 am, so I left my hotel at 5:45 and jogged the 2 miles to get there. When I arrived I was drenched. It was 77 F/25C. If this was at dawn, I could not imagine how it would be when the sun came out.

I had half a bagel and a banana, talked to some locals, joined the Half Fanatics for the photo, went to the bathroom (nice ones in the lifeguards’ headquarters) and at 6:45 am went to my corral, #3. Worth to mention that I didn’t recognize a single face (imagine that). After the national anthem and the announcement that Shalane Flanagan was among the elite running the course, Celia Cruz’s song “La Vida es un Carnaval” hit the speakers, to prepare for the start of the race. This song is a salsa song that my son and I always dance together. I definitely was in a Latin Music Race and felt moved. Back to my roots.

3 minutes after the first wave we were set to go. The race started in South Beach, 11^th & Ocean Drive. We turned left to go over to Washington St. I was absorbing everything I could absorb from the pretty urban development that Miami Beach has become. I was trying to drop my heart rate to 150 but was stuck at 162. I could be in trouble if I didn’t get it down, but it was really hard to achieve. At mile 2 I am still in 160, and I knew what was coming would not be pretty. In my climate, I normally run the first 3 miles at ~80% between 148 - 152. Here I am at 88% in a hot race just at the beginning with a slower pace. We turned on pretty Alton Road, to direct ourselves to I-195 to go towards Miami City. This is the first time ever that I ran on a freeway. Though the extreme right lane was closed and reserved to runners, I was very cautious and wondering what would happen if a distracted driver, driving at 70 mph, swirled the steering wheel.

This portion of the freeway (causeway), over Biscayne Bay, was nevertheless beautiful. Miami City skyline to the left, and the gorgeous bay to the right. Miles 4 to 6 were good, I got a sort of impulse and ran those miles really good. We took exit 2B and entered in 2nd Av. Though it was not an attractive area, it had a lot of volunteers and people cheering for us. Volunteers had hoses connected to fire hydrants so we could just take a quick shower and refresh ourselves. At mile 7 I started to feel spent. Heat had got me, and I needed to slow down more.

The run took us through the Arts District of Miami City, and I continued absorbing the architecture, the landscaping and everything so different from my home town. Just before mile 10 we climbed the A1A, another freeway (causeway) that would take us back to Miami Beach. Here we ran with the nice view of cruise ships, Watson, Star Palm and Hibiscus Islands.  After leaving the viaduct over the water, we entered back in Alton Road, for the final mile. I felt that sense of satisfaction. I was about 10 minutes slower of my regular range, but that was not as bad as I thought. When we got to Ocean Drive with 1st street, I knew it was now one kilometer to go, and indeed the 20K sign was there. Finish line was located at the beach by Ocean Drive and 6th, so 6 more blocks, and I would have a hot half in my pocket. At 5th my heart was pumping, and though I had my max heart rate of 183 I was not able to get the speed that I normally get at the end of my Halfs in cool weather. My pace was 10:20, which was pretty good considering the new experience. I saw the crowd; we left the street, to start running on the beach, sand beneath my feet. I crossed the line at 2:23 getting 14th place out of 87. Got my rock and roll medal, and as my third Rock and Roll of 2011 (Arizona, Seattle, Miami) I got the Triple Crown.

November, And The Account Of The 11th Month

The month of November proved to be busy after baby Halloween arrived to the world. Family came from overseas to visit; weekends were baby oriented; a new birthday moved me to a new running bracket; and a turkey was on the table for our traditional Thanksgiving.

In the meantime, I kept running. The highlights of the training were the 2-hour runs at 4 am at mid 30’sF with my nephew Federico, plus the races were it was understood, he would participate, because, “when will you have the opportunity to run with your aunt again?”

November 06th

The day the clock falls back. Anything is Possible including running back in time...

A race to run negative times. Race started at 1:50 am and I finished at 1:16 am, before the race even started... It was fun to see the clock in the finish line with negative times. The female winner ran in -41:00. I ran in -33:03. It was cold (38ºF/3ºC) but FUN! Venue: UW Campus.

I won the division and placed 16 out of 75 female!

 

November 12th

Mom arrived on the 11^th and on the 12^th I told her “I have to run a Half Marathon, I’ll be back at mid morning”. Veterans Half Marathon was organized by First Call Running Group just a few miles from my home, starting at Bothell Landing. The course, one of my favorite training routes: gorgeous Sammamish River Trail. The scenery, the most stunning fall landscape

Met my good running buddy Marie, and went to conquer another half distance. The run was nice, and though it was not the race where you have all the crowd, and city movement around, it was a race that let me perform much better than if a Lizzie’s solo run.

Got 4^th place in the division out of 14 runners. This was my last race in the current bracket.

November 17^th

My birthday…. NEW RUNNING BRACKET…!!!

November 20^th

This weekend was the turn for a short run. There were no prospects for a long run and  Turkey trots’ short races were the only ones available over Western Washington. Federico, who’d arrived on the 14^th, ran his first 5K ever, on a cold but sunny day, launching his American racing career over Seattle runners’ paradise, Green Lake, at Green Lake Gobble. It couldn’t happen in a prettier place, where 3.1 miles are run around a dazzling calm lake reflecting, as a mirror, the deciduous trees, with their naked branches.

In regards to my performance, I was curious if a PR could be in my pocket as this is one of the fastest courses in W. WA. Though it wasn’t, I ran pretty good, and clocked 26:55: for an 8:40 pace. 

Got 8^th place in the division out of 82 runners.

November 26^th

Seattle 5K, part of the Seattle Marathon Races. I have never run this race before. For the last 5 years, I go to Seattle on Friday after Thanksgiving, to pick up my Marathon or Half Marathon packet, and dedicate Saturday to rest around my husband, turkey leftovers, and a couch in front of the fireplace. But, Federico was here, so, why not to entertain with another downtown visit, run a 5K, and get a little speed work before my Half Marathon on Sunday?

The race is relatively small, with a couple of thousand runners (I assume the rest were laying around family, turkey leftovers, and fireplace ). This is not a fast course as it is in downtown Seattle, which is hilly, but fun nonetheless. I clocked 29:07 for a 9:22  place. Got 4th place out of 39 runners.

Federico had had two races in two weekends in a row, and probably was wondering, if it was time to leave the country before I drag him into my weekend’s race folly.

November 27^th

My race, Seattle:  My first marathon in 2007 and the race that brought me back to long distance running. My first half marathon in 2009; and, after two exact years, I was logging my 35^th half marathon. I felt proud for this, because it has been a lot what has been learned and achieved in 35 races in the span of 24 months. It has been a committed and enthusiastic challenge that led me to fall in love with this distance.  This day, I ran with a unique passion, my 50th race of the year, my 35^th half in lifetime, and my 20^th half in 2011, . The rounded stats made it more special.

Once, a great Venezuelan entertainer, Renny Ottolina, said that to love a place, you need to know the place (emphasizing the meaning of “knowing”). I love Seattle’s course because I know it by heart. I know every single inch of it, and with all its hills and possible rain, snow, or hail, it’s simply mine. It’s the race I call home. It’s the course that taught me what a marathon teaches to a runner, it’s the race that taught me that no matter how hard things are, if you set your mind and your heart to it, you’ll succeed. And because I ran it with that one of a kind passion, it was a fantastic race, having a course PR of 8 minutes, finishing strong, and placing 23^rd out of 127.

With nothing but gratitude, I closed the month. November, And The Account Of The 11th Month.

Halloween Baby

I went to run my Halloween Half on October 29, while daughter-in-law was in labor. The chances were high that I’d change category from mom to grandma that day.

The race, put together by Bob and Kristina Salazar, was another of their many combo races that attract around one hundred people to enjoy any distance of their preference, from marathon, to a mile, including a duathlon, or a triathlon, depending on the location of the race. This one was done for first time in Lacey, making it new to all of us. The run would have no goal in particular as it was nothing but a training run of ~16 miles (I have already run 2.5 miles before the start). There were some funny costumes. I approached a cow and after knowing her pace, I picked the goal to chase the cow.

The gun went off, and we directed ourselves along a beautiful course flanked by gorgeous, super tall evergreens. I ran at a comfortable pace as a training run, with my regular strategy of running a mile at a time, and by effort.  The cow passed me from the beginning and I lost sight of her. There were three marathoners close but ahead, and I tried not to lose them. One of them had a very nice running form, and that was goodness for me as I tend to emulate. Just feet away of the half mark I saw the cow turning around, probably one minute ahead of me. I knew that I had high chances to pass her in the next 6.5 miles. At mile 10 I passed the marathoners (nothing to be proud of, they had to double the distance), and at mile 11.5 the heels of the cow were ready to be stepped on. I passed her and I pushed my pace to get my fastest mile. I crossed the finish line at 2:14:17 and completed my Half Marathon # 33.

I went to the car to check the phone, to only find out the text message:  “no news”. After eating the as-usual-great-food provided by the organizers I drove to the hospital, where the labor process continued to be slow. Because it was going to be a long night, and I live one hour away, my son told me to stay at his place. It was great to be able to help with some chores, and take care of Wally (the puppy).

The night passed between, getting up, checking the phone, and falling asleep. The baby was definitely in her comfy place and didn’t have much intentions of getting out. At 6 am my son told me my daughter-in-law had started pushing. At 8 I left to the hospital, and got to the lobby of the birth center at 8:18. Texted my son, and 5 minutes later, I heard “twinkle, twinkle, little star” melody on the hospital speakers. I immediately thought: “This must mean something”… And I got the text message: SHE IS BORN!!!.

Peyton Elizabeth Moreno, Oct 30, 2011, 8:23 am, 8lbs 11oz, 20 inches. Welcome to the world.

One day short of Halloween, but with my medal in hand, she is now my Halloween Baby.

 

Life’s Short. Run Long.

My friend Shannon and I had both scheduled a 20 miler for the long run. We met on a wet, wet, very wet, morning, at one of the best running spots in Western Washington: East Sammamish River Trail by Redmond. The temperature was warm, in the high 50’s and the drizzle was constant but lovely. I told Shannon that we should split up if she needed to pick up the pace. She is way faster than me and her marathon is around the corner. I was not going to hold her up. Training is training and we gotta do what we gotta do. I was concerned because I was physically and mentally tired. I was coming from a 17 miler last week, with a lot of hills in it, and I worked this week about 12 hour each day. Add to that recipe a daunting 20-mile run, and I could drag my feet any minute.

We had so much enthusiasm that the first 8 miles were pretty much unnoticeable. Runners and bikers were all with smiles on their faces, and jolly “good morning” came out of my mouth every minute. I dare to say that the smiles and sense of happiness were due to various factors: All of us on that trail love what we were doing. People would not jump out of their bed on a 100% rainy day to do something they don’t like. The weather was perfect for running, with all and the drizzle. We were in a place with gorgeous scenery: poplars on the right, and a calm river, a slew, on the left, with plenty of ducks and geese guarded by trees with the colors of fall: red, orange, yellow. The reflection of the trees on the peaceful waters was striking.  The mist around the evergreens on the mountains made the place simply magic.

Before my watch beeped on mile 10, I asked Shannon if she wouldn’t mind to go farther, maybe 0.5 miles, for me to show her something. She was OK, and asked what. I told her she would have to see it by herself. For sure, it was going to be worthy, something with a lot of meaning, especially for us runners; something to make us pause, and have a reflection. I have shared this before, and wanted to share it with her. The watch beeped, and the bench was right there, a bench with a bolted pair of bronze running shoes: a memorial for runner Liz Duncan, who, 3 days before her 27^th birthday, was killed by a car, while running.  As Shannon said, a fellow runner gone too soon.  And then you pause, think, and ask: what are the things that really matter?

We turned around and continued with our journey, now into regressive mode. Boy, don’t you love that? My legs started to feel tired at mile 13. At 14 Shannon says: only 6 more. At 16 I said Dieciseis, and Shannon started repeating the word. Then the mileage countdown became a Spanish class. Diecisiete, Dieciocho, Diecinueve, VEINTE (20). We were done. My first 20 miler of my marathon season was complete. 12 weeks to go. 

A lovely run, with fantastic company, terrific surroundings, and delicious weather. Life's Short. Run Long.

Dedicated to Liz Duncan.

The Ninth Mile: Kyle’s Mile

It was springtime when Tony Seabolt started sharing about a new race in the Pacific Northwest: Race For A Soldier.  The cause was worth the effort of coordinating something that was definitely bigger than us.

Kyle Marshall Farr came back home “safe” from Iraq, but no so safe. He had PTSD, which sadly claimed his life. His mom, Leslie Mayne, an admirable woman, decided that Kyle’s death would not be in vain. Her mission was to get the necessary reform to help our military men and women suffering PTSD. She was determined to make Race For A Soldier, an instrument to bring awareness to our communities, military, and government that PTSD is a heartbreaking reality costing the lives of our men and women that have served for our freedom.

The excitement of the race was in crescendo with the passing months.  Race For A Soldier shared the progress not only of race events but also of available therapies where race funds will go.

When finally October 16 arrived, all wheels and pulleys were in synch for a perfect race. Hundreds of volunteers have worked to mark this day as the beginning of something truly important. The venue for the race was the gorgeous town of Gig Harbor, and the course one of the prettiest courses I have run.

I put a running team together with the goal of representing our military. Running Force was assembled and each of us would symbolize our forces wearing their colors on race day: Shannon (Army), Susan (Navy), Angie (Air Force), and myself (Marine Corps).  

The opening ceremony was remarkable and after an emotive national anthem we were set to go. The first mile mark was The Mayne Mile, representing Kyle’s mom. As a mother, I can't imagine how she has gone through all this process, but she has, and has gone strong.  The cheerful company along the way was fantastic. The beautiful rolling hills, whether they were steep or not, plus the multitude of volunteers with yellow shirts and American flags flanking the runners, made this one of the greatest races I’ve run. 

Then I got to mile 9. A mile marker that was simply stunning: Kyle’s picture on his football uniform, #9, Kyle’s mile. I had to stop, touch the picture, kneel, and pay a small tribute. If I had run the first nine miles embedded in this race purpose, the four miles left were more emotional now.

Tony was there when I crossed the finish line, we hugged and I felt in that moment Leslie's and race organizers’ success. Tony introduced me to Leslie, and between tears, in a very sincere moment, I only had to say: God Bless You. She hugged me tight and told me, I saw you at mile 9. I could speak no more. She was living proof that there is hope in the face of despair.

May this race be just the beginning of something big to help our military in need. This is beyond Gig Harbor, and beyond Washington State. I see the potential and need for this race going across the country, from north to south and from sea to shining sea.

May all the miles run for our men and women serving in the military symbolize what Race For A Soldier symbolizes: The Ninth Mile: Kyle's Mile.

The Ninth Mile. Kyle's Mile

The Mayne Mile

Team RUNNING FORCE: Sharon (Army), Susan (Navy), Angie (Air Force), Lizzie (Marine Corps)

With Leslie after the race

With Miguel, Race Planner Chief and Coordinator

How wonderful to run a race that means and represents something way bigger than our own little worlds. Leslie, God Bless You. Miguel & Tony, and all volunteers, thank you for such an amazing work. This objective has to cross our country, from north to south, and from sea, to shining sea. Love you all.

Beautiful medal. It represents what/who we are running for!!!


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I ran a very good race and felt strong running the hills. Did 4 miles prior to the race as my marathon plan had me scheduled a 17-miler. I clocked 10min/mile. Steady.

"Worm" And Fuzzy

Regressive Countdown - Week Fifteen -
10/03/11 - 10/09/11 -
Week Total: 25.5 miles -

Houston Marathon training has officially started. Because I am swamped with work I will not be able to join my running group in Green Lake, so I will be training alone with my own plan, which will be based on Furman (what’s new). I will do my best to hit Furman’s paces for key workout #3, and I will add some mileage with easy runs. I will be closely monitoring how off my PMP (Planned Marathon Pace) is and will adjust accordingly. Trial and error, right?

Week started with a couple of very short and easy runs as I come from three weeks of resting; then, my favorite workout: Intervals.  Plan called for 4 x 800 at 5K –30 pace, which is 8:15. I averaged that for the first three 800. The last 800, however, started at 7:50; 300 left to go I did 7:25, 200 to go 7:00, 100 to go 6:30. How did it feel? As if my heart was going to burst out of my chest.  And that’s exactly why I love speed workouts, because I know I give it all… !!!

Scheduled long run was a 15-miler, and I was planning on doing it the way I love to do it, with a race. Also, the only way that I had been able to hit Furman’s pace is in races.

The race was in Elma, about 100 miles from home and I doubted about going. It seemed painful to drive 200 miles “just” to run 15 miles. I wanted to sleep in as I had worked a lot of hours during the week; I was so tired that I went to bed at 6:30 Friday night and fell asleep right away. The good thing is that I slept 12 hours!!! As the race would start at 11 am I would have plenty of time to get there. The decision was made, when at 7am I asked to myself: What is better? To drive almost 4 hours total to run a nice race, and have my social gathering with runners? Or, to run close to home at a sloppy pace and have available more than 3 hours playing stupid computer? Better for me was to hit the road.

The road to Elma, once I turned west in Olympia toward the beaches, was beautiful. I had never driven that highway which was all flanked by thousand of evergreens. It made the drive an outstanding one. The race would start and finish in Vance Creek Park which is a small beautiful park surrounding a pretty man-made lake or pond (Bowers Lake, and Lake Inez). I registered, and met, of course, known people (Kristin) and talked with others about our favorite subject.

The same people that organize the Rochester races, Bob and Kristina Salazar, put this race together. I love them because they are very small races with events for all: Marathon, Half Marathon, 10 mile, 10K, 5K, 1mile, Olympic Triathlon, Sprint Triathlon, and Duathlon. Yes, all this at the same time, and at the end, all of us gather to have nice food and talk about how did it go, what’s next, and what have you.

I planned to run 2 miles prior to the race, but talking with people here and there I consumed some of my time and only ran 1.4 miles (the perimeter of the lake was 0.6 miles, and from my car to the lake 0.1, so I ran two loops). I planned to run another loop after the race.

The course was out-and-back, flat, and I went calm and without hurry. Plan was to run average a 10:30 min/mile pace as my long run. Temperature was warm, in low 60’s, but in the way out we had a nice 5mph breeze that acted as a personal fan. Of course, I knew what it meant; I would be hot in my way back.

Because I have never ran this course before I had the “wondering” factor, and the wonder began from the start when I saw for first time in my life these big fuzzy “worms” along the route. It was a Sun City, Yakima Half Marathon déjà-vu; exactly a year ago. Is this a case where worms go once a year, the second week of October, to cheer the runners on? Are the Eastern Washington naked slugs because is a desert, and Western Washington fuzzy because the rain?

These “worms” were beautiful: black, orange, black, all dressed up for Halloween. They were fuzzy, which makes them right away no-worms, but caterpillars, but as the first impression to me was a worm one, worm they were! I continued my race just looking for more worms. I saw tons of them. I was so curious, that I knew as soon as I got home I would go to Wikipedia to learn about them.

Race was good, the volunteers fantastic, nice to see the marathoners (saw Kristin a couple of times, their course was out-and-back twice), but nicer knowing that I didn’t have to run the whole distance. I had good negative splits, though I confessed I got several times lost in my “worms” thoughts. At the turn around my weather prediction was correct. My personal fan was gone and I was hot. About mile 8.5 I poured water on my head and face; talked a little with the volunteer and her nice little boy who had his private camper in the trunk of mom’s car. Continued my race, and pushed the pace speeding up about 20 sec per mile. I passed a marathoner who told me “You make it look so easy”, I turned my head and told him: “That’s because you are running 26 and me “only half”… I ended well at 10:24 pace; ran another loop around the lake to complete my 15-miler; got my trophy; ate a black forest ham/cheese sandwich; enjoyed the post race party, and happily thanked for making the decision to drive that far.

As hubby was fishing in American Lake, located in my way to home, I stopped, he picked me up at the boat launch and we went for a gorgeous boat ride with majestic Rainier in the background: Great ending to a race that was "Worm" And Fuzzy. 

The "worm", actually a beautiful caterpillar: Isabella Tiger Moth

Kristin at mile 25.5

Hubby and his friend coming to pick me up at the launch

Majestic Rainier from American Lake

The Gift Of Running

I went for a weekend of fun being this my last week of “resting” before Houston training. A fun weekend equals to back to back 10K races, Saturday and Sunday; nothing to shoot for other than a tempo run, and to meet friends and new people. On Saturday I would run Project Athena 10K race in Redmond, and on Sunday I would run Pace Race 10K in Kirkland. 

I confess that I was planning on going to “another” race... then I read the stories on Project Athena's web site. This organization helps survivors live their adventurous dreams, with entry fees, airfare, coaching, and specialized equipment, in an attempt to help them reach their goals.

I had no idea what this race would entail. The opening ceremony was all about the survivors. They told a short story of each survivor running the race. At this point when I heard the stories, I thought I still got it easy with my breast cancer, because what others have endured had no comparison. Cynthia, the main featured survivor suffered the tragic loss of her two teenaged children, Chrissy and Carlos, 1.5 years apart, in 2005 and 2007. Project Athena had inspired her when she needed it the most, and she would be running her first 10K. While I was listening to this, I thought about giving my run to Cynthia and accompany her throughout the course. I asked her coach if I could run with her by her side and she said “of course”.

We started the race, and there we were Cynthia, Melissa (Cynthia’s coach), Amy, a young girl that has had too much at her young age, and me. We ran, jogged, walked, pushed, to the next post, to the next “blue garbage can”, to the guy with the red shirt (oh wait, that’s a moving target), to where the photographer is, to the overpass, to the bridge, and little by little we advanced a quarter of mile, half a mile, a mile, two, three, four, five, six. And Cynthia got to the finish line, and she wasn’t last which was one of her goals. It was a moment that I would never forget. I thought I was giving and I was the one receiving the gift from such strong woman.

As I told the foundation creators: "I went today to what I thought was another race, but I became so inspired by your foundation and by the amazing stories that were shared in the podium, that have nothing but gratitude for what you are doing. Stories like Cynthia's are extremely tragic, but it's beautiful to see what you've done for her and others. From the bottom of my heart, thanks." 

And this foundation was in certain way the answer to my need to give back what others have done for me. I offered my support to help other survivors in Western Washington to achieve their running goals and to run the race of their dreams.

With Cynthia.

From left to right: Melissa, Cynthia, Me, Amy

On Sunday, being in a happy bubble for the beauty of my Saturday’s experience, I went to run Pace Race in Kirkland. I saw my co-worker Brian and we chatted for a while, mainly on the surprisingly low number of runners.

I went simply for a run and a hilly workout (Kirkland is very hilly). Temperature was 50F, perfect. As soon as the gun went off I settled my heart rate for a hilly 10K which is higher effort than a regular 10K. Surprisingly, I felt good throughout all the race and never ran panting or hyperventilating. The race was fantastic, I ran the first three miles which are mostly uphill very good and had a fantastic downhill at mile 4. This mile, three years ago, cost me the quads which are obviously way stronger now. I finished in 58:18 and got second in my age group.

Mile 1 – 9:46  – HR 167

Mile 2 – 10:10 – HR 170

Mile 3 – 10:04 – HR 174

Mile 4 – 8:44 – HR 177

Mile 5 – 9:02 – HR 180 (98% of max heart rate)

Mile 6 – 9:04 – HR 183 (all effort)

Mile 6.2 – 1:25 – HR 188 (!!! This is 103%)

This was a successful weekend with great results, especially Saturday, when I thought I would be giving, and I was the one that received the gift. All these living experiences are nothing but a consequence of The Gift Of Running.

2nd in my age group

With Brian

Chocolate And Wind

I decided to take 2 to 3 weeks off after the Moro Marathon and before starting my Houston Marathon training (race on Jan 15, 2012). I still would run my scheduled races during the weekends, but the week would be free of running. And for the lazy gal I am, this was awesome.

A bunch of Sole Sisters, and other runners teamed up to run You Go Girl in Tacoma mid September. Ginger, one of our über fast girls, put the team together, and because she likes chocolate, we would be in brown: Chocolate Covered Runners was the team’s name. Our Sole Sister’s Captain Jessica would turn 40 that day, and that would be a great reason to run with her and celebrate afterwards (i.e. beer). Tony Seabolt, the guy in the PNW who does whatever for his running girls, would be adding also one more year to his life. Double beer!

We met for a team photo, and then we took off to run at our own pace. 

This race was one week after my New Zealand marathon so I took it as an easy long run. The temperature was in mid 50s but it felt muggy to me. At the end of mile 3 I was not feeling well. I was heavily sweating. Fortunately by my mile 4 it started to drizzle and it felt nice and cool after that. I went as I normally go now by effort and though I didn’t have negative splits, the hills at the end were not as bad as they could’ve been if I’ve run by pace instead. 

With Jess in her awesome 40th B'day

Mile 1 – 10:02 – HR 160

Mile 2 – 10:04 – HR 163

Mile 3 – 11:03 – HR 164 (this is when I felt the air muggy and I wasn’t feeling good)

Mile 4 – 10:39 – HR 168 (a mist shows up and I am feeling better now)

Mile 5 – 9:14 – HR 165 (a downhill… Lower effort, but faster)\

Mile 6 – 9:43 – HR 168 (Increased the effort, but ran much better that mile 4)

Mile 7 – 10:11 – HR 168

Mile 8 – 10:21 – HR 169

Mile 9 – 10:15 – HR 170

Mile 10 – 10:28 – HR 166 (lowered my effort, for some reason that I don’t remember. Tired maybe?

Mile 11 – 10:29 – HR 169

Mile 12 – 10:18 – HR 176 (a lot of effort and I sped up a little but not much)

Mile 13 – 9:45 – HR 183 (all effort)

I finished in 2:13:32 for 10:12 min/mile. Not bad considering I ran a marathon the week before, and arrived three days before from New Zealand after a 24-hour flight with lay-overs included!!!

Tony and Jess celebrating b'days

Food, beers, and friendship with Tony, Kristen and Marie

Following a week of nothingness I went to run Bellingham Bay Half. I love this course and the race. I was more rested now, so it would feel OK… until I checked the weather for race day. It came with a red bar on top: Severe weather alert / wind advisory. Winds of 30 mph with gusts of 45 to 60 mph (up to 100 km/h).... snapping tree branches, and causing local power outage. Sad to say, the weatherman was right on the money. The winds were so fast that there were points where runners could barely walk. I finished the race with literally nothing left. And I literally puked after crossing the finish line at 2:27:29. I was so dizzy that the medical personnel wanted to take me to the medical tent. They brought me water, and helped me to get the chip off. After 5 minutes I told them I was OK, and simply moved on!!!!

Some of the comments the following day around the running world were:

·        Uli Steidl (marathon winner) battled tough winds…

·        Not all runners were able to get through the race or Sunday's wind without hiccups like Steidl did. Kirkland's Brian Patenaude, who crossed the finish line shoes in hand, struggled against gusty conditions most of the race. "I totally fell off my routine," Patenaude said. "I was vomiting and dizzy. I totally wasn't prepared for the wind. I feel dumb for not looking into it, and I had to take my shoes off at mile 23. I was trying to PR, but I didn't."

·        The wind was horrible...

·        I had the best day yesterday (minus the wind)

·        Fantastic race yesterday (despite the wind.)

·        Great race, great shirt, and great medal... Can you spell W-I-N-D???

·        Thank you for a nice course! Next time, maybe you could turn the wind machine down just a smidge?

·        Where were the mile markers? On the ground !!!

·        The wind almost knocked us over at the waterfront.

You got the idea... and  you will also get the idea if compare Bellingham splits with You Go Girl splits.

Mile 1 – 10:32 – HR 149

Mile 2 – 10:32 – HR 158

Mile 3 – 10:46 – HR 161 (we had here tailwinds of 50mph. Do you think will help? Not really, you think you are going to be run over)

Mile 4 – 10:50 – HR 170 (Now is a hill with headwinds)

Mile 5 – 10:49 – HR 168

Mile 6 – 10:37 – HR 170

Mile 7 – 10:37 – HR 173

Mile 8 – 11:05 – HR 171 – I started dying at this point.

Mile 9 – 12:20 – HR 169 – This is a battle now. At 92% and I am above 12min/mile which I kept for horrible next three miles). Regularly, when running above 12min/mile in recovery runs I am at 70%, below 140bpm)

Mile 10 – 12:15 – HR 168

Mile 11 – 12:19 – HR 166

Mile 12 – 11:36 – HR 173 (Saw the angelical face of niece Angie. This really cheered me on, and helped me to speed up. Thanks Angie)

Mile 13 – 10:45 – HR 175 (My max effort is 183 but with a pace above 10. I had nothing left not even for a sprint. Last week same effort was a 9:45 pace, and for my PR past August, my last mile with this effort was 8:19).

Close to puking...3301 be careful, and how come the wind didn't delete that smile???

Angie and Captain Che America who went to the race to cheer me on... And how much it helped!!!

These were my Half Marathons # 29 and # 30. Every race is different, and the beauty of this difference is that they continue teaching me how the elements can change the outcome for similar levels of effort.

This is how I learn to run better, with Chocolate And Wind.