Hard Miles

Hey guys,  I am stilling running :) currently, at the hardest part of the training.  Every run moving forward will consitst of a Half a Marathon. Today's goal was a 14 Miles run. Had lots of Facebook family cheering me on.  " Thanks Guys"!  The run was great, the Chicago humidity Suxs!  Got a serious calf cramp at 13.4 Miles into my goal. well almost reached the goal.  I made a sudden rush for the cold water of Lake Michigan  it was needed! But i did make it past my Frist Half Marathon! OH YEA!

Ice water after a long run is perfect. It takes away the inflammation and relaxes the muscles. You do not seem to wake up as sore. Chicago Lake Michigan water if everyone can remember is a tub of ice. After every run I walk into the lake deep enough to reach my waist (which is not much since I am short) and standing/squat/ walk a bit for at least 20/30 minutes.  The water is ice cold it’s so cold it burns a bit but after 10 minutes it starts to feels warm.   I start to go deeper to reach colder water.  Try it after a run its great. Ok guys until the next run.

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Tortoise and the Hare

Today was a great run.  I started a new training program that will enable me to complete the Chicago Marathon in 5 1/2 hours.   I am training to run 12 minute miles.  Today I was scheduled to run a little faster than normal,  some days are faster then others.    As, I was running I could hear foot step catching up to me from behind,  My Hubby's was passing me up.    

I continued to run and started to sing to the music on my iPhone. "Quiero estar contigo mi "Morenito",  [I want to be with you my little brownie].  My husband slows down to join me in my run and at my pace.   He had this BIG cheesy Smile on his face.   By the way my husband has dark complexion so Morenito would be his color.  Morenito Men are just "HOT"!   As I am singing my song, my hubby is running by my side, but the moment I stop singing that song.  He took off like a FIRE CRACKER!

" I see how it is" I yelled as he took off. 

I keep telling my hubby I will continue to run at my pace,  because I am going to pass him up at the 16 miles.  While the paramedic is pulling out the cardiac paddles for his butt.  Dont worry,  I will make it up to you. On your headstone it will read “Crockpot Paella wins Boiler Beaner" here she has placed her Metal.  Aww You know I am just kidding Mi Amor, You know Que Te Amo, [love you].

 But love has nothing to do with it! LOL

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Oreo Cookies

I have never been a bad eater, as most of my family says “You will not find crap food in Monika's house".   My kids love to visit their aunts and uncles on the weekend.  Guess why! they have Oreo cookies and Candy, chips and crap!

During one of our family gatherings, Isaac was looking for chips or cookies in the kitchen cabinets.  My daughter Cindy says to Isaac “you will not find that in this kitchen”.  Number 1 Rule: you bring that crap with you.   

He found what he believes to be a container of Brownies from Whole Foods!   This is the store i do most of my shopping.   The container says dairy free, wheat free, gluten free; he paid no attention to the label since he could see they were brownie...    He took one bit out of the brownie and said “what the hell is this, it taste like crap”.     Cindy replied “that’s what my mom calls sweeties”. 

It’s funny but every one that visits brings soda, and SWEETIE! (Cake, cookies, chips, etc....).   

The reason i am telling the story is because I recently weighed myself and found I had gained weight! How, it beats me.   As, of today very serious training, more fresh food and water. NO COFFEE.   

I am a morning person, and working out at 5 or 6 am was never a problem.   I feel like the energizer bunny, after a workout. 

I haven’t been myself lately,  I think I might need vitamin.  Check out how I'm feeling!  

Alright, I have a 10 days trip to Hawaii in September and I plan on wearing a small bikini.  Wooo Hoooo.... OK!  “So lets get our shit together”   NEED SOME HELP HERE !

GOT TO KEEP RUNNING!  My Motivation:  Hawaii, hot beaches, waves, pineapple with liquor.  

Open to suggestions J

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Freaking Out

Call it old age, or call me a whip.   I have been thinking out this year’s marathon more than I should.   I have never been concerned with speed, my thoughts are as long as I complete the marathon I am good.   And I have to admit last years marathon was hard but I did complete it, that was my only goal. 

Just in case you’re laughing, I didn’t see you at the finish line! J

As a new marathon runner its hard to know what is good and what isn’t.    Like every sport everyone has advice and there are always books, books and more books.     I am trying to keep my sanity as I train and try not to overdo it.  I have always been a health nut, of course the regular 5 or 6 miles run on the theadmill but I never did imaged I would become a marathon enthusiast. 

I enjoy the run, the time alone to think thing out.  The control I have over myself and the feeling of my accomplishments when I am done.  

I was running 5 miles run yesterday and I was supposed to run 2.5 miles, and when I reached the mile marker I was suppose to turn around.   I started my run by listening to a sermon on how we should be the best at everything...   Geezzz am I obsessed with perfection. “no”.  I just like to hear positive words as I run.  For some reason I started to remember high school and all the things I had planned to do with life.  Like I was reviewing my plan.

Then I jumped to the birth of my daughter Monica.  I was remembering that I took some pictures of her at Humboldt Park surrounded by dandelions, which of course I now know are weeds!   I love that picture.   I know you are saying “get to the point”, well my point was I got so deep into the thoughts that I blocked out the run.   I had passed the 2.5 miles marker and I noticed that my breathing was in tune.  My legs didn’t feel heavy and I was running in sync.   That is my point as an amateur runner, I don’t need to over think my run or focus on the need to be a 10 minute mile runner.  That will come with time and experience.   The reason for my runs has always been health, entertainment, and to reduce migraines from stress.

Stress, because when I run, I solve problems, I organize my day.   I remember what I have forgotten to do.   I clear my head and have a clear perspective of a lot.

What I like the most from my running now is that it has united my family.  My kids have gain interest in running;   we planned a few 5K’s together.   I give them credit; I know they love me if they are running in cold weather with me during the Santa hustle last year.   Its sweet to see them matching my soxs or running next to me.  I guess health is not the only reason to run now.    

I guess this is what I need to remember instead of worrying about the marathon.   

I will admit I have become a bit selfish, I was searching for long distance runs last night and my husband as me why.    Well I answered I have quite a few long distance runs, if I am going to run a 14,16,18,20 miles during my training, it would be nice to get a metal for them. 

Thanks for hearing me out!   Join me in a run J

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Lost My Groove!

Sorry Troops, I haven’t had the opportunity to write, I seem a bit off lately.   What is up with the cold weather and all the rain?  This time last year I was full force in training and kicking butt.   I am running but I can’t seem to find my grove?   I do not know at what given point, or what race I lost it at!  BUT I NEED IT BACK! 

Running, especially over long distances, requires a great deal of recovery.  After a few runs, I could not walk off a small curb, for four days without my legs buckling due to weak muscles.   This last run I was waiting patiently behind a head bopping, music dancing, energy for the next year teen runner!,  This was very humbling,  Hello! I hear the inner voice say, OMG, are you old! Get it together.  I know I have a lot of training to do But, I just can’t get into the rhythm.   This experience made me ask myself, why does running require so much recovery? Does recovery just take time? How can I recover quicker and easier from racing and running?  I need to slow down and get there when I get there!   Anybody hear me out there?

So who ever finds my Groove please return it!  I miss it L

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New Running Shoes

Last year about two month before my marathon I decided to purchase a new pair of running shoes. I was wearing my second pair of Brooks and they were looking a little old. Now, bear with me because I know what you’re thinking, the older the gym shoe the better they feel. I had heard about the Running Store by one of my siblings, and once I got to the store the sale Rep asked me questions like; how long do you run, what type of running you do, what are your future plans and if you feel any aches or pains after your runs.

Ok, now after the 21 questions they make you take your shoes off. You stand on this pad and that indicates how you proportion your weight on your heals when you stand. It was also explained that this helps decide the best type of shoes to run in. Then I got a 3 minute run on a treadmill while my feel and heals were being recorded. The concept is used to determine how you land on your feet and to see how straight your heal is, as it is aligned with your ankles. Please do not take all that I am saying as 100% straight from the horse’s mouth, I am trying to repeat what the guy was telling me as he did the test. Then, they will let you preview the recording and show you how your feet landed. For some reason I tend to point my foot a bit out when I land during my run. They suggested two styles of shoes for me that gives me extra stability. Then they heat some insoles and they fit them to your feet. This will give your feet better arch support with your gym shoes. The reason of this long explanation will be given soon.   

They recommend both Brooks and Asics IGS. I enjoy running in Brooks, the shoes have no weight and they feel roomy. When I say roomy, I have a penthouse of wiggle room for the piggies. Since I already had a pair of Brooks I purchased the Asics IGS. They felt snug but comfortable. I decided to wear them and walk in them for a while to break them in and get used to the style and comfort before the marathon. 

Frist let me say I am a self-conscience person. If I am not 100% comfortable in what I am wearing I feel the other 7 billion people in the world will notice. These gym shoes have a funny look to them. The laces start at the far right and as they work themselves up to the top they all finish at the left side of the shoe. This makes it seem as if my feet point at each other. Now do not get me wrong, they are comfortable but again I felt a bit pigeon toed. So I didn’t wear these for the marathon. I pulled the insoles out of the new shoes, and inserted them into my old pair of Brooks, and this helped me run those 26 long, agonizing, arduous, sweat-induced miles. This brings me back to the beginning. It is definitely more comfortable to run in your warn shoes. I have just started training in my new Asics IGS, which I purchase last year. They seem heavy when I run, and  needless to say by the end of the run I felt soreness due to the weight of the shoe. The good thing is I have all summer to run in my pigeon shoes and break them in for the  next 26 mile run, this October.   

Note: You must give your marathon shoes some millage before the long run.

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Chicago Marathon 2011

I ran the Chicago Marathon last year for the first time. A group of friends from our church do this every year. The Team is call Run 121, They run and raise funds for World Vision Children. I have to say the experience was a painful one. Running 26 miles is not easy and the training was difficult.  By the 20th miles i was promising my kids i would not do it again. As my daughter Moni would say" sure that’s what you say now. But next year we will be here again cheering you.

I cannot say i did great timing, or that I came in looking, like all the athlete. My only goal was to finish and it seem to take for forever. There were moments where, I wanted to sit down on the side walk and say "ok, I did my best".

I believe what you start, you must finish. I set my goal to complete the marathon, to Finish.  Even if I was the last one to cross the finish line.  The experience of crossing the finish line was very emotional, I didn’t know if I should cry, laugh or lay down. :)

God has blessed me with some awesome kids, they played a major role in this; cheering for us, giving us encouragement, they joined me at one point to run alongside me. God help each and every one of us all the way and kept us safe.

Well, my friend Dave send out emails to the running team and said have you decided to run a race for Team World Vision yet? Have you built up enough courage to go for it???


Yes, I am nuts and we're doing this again! My Family will be running the Rock N Roll Chicago Half Marathon August 14 with me. And, In October my husband and I will run the Chicago Marathon for the second time.

I have started a new trend in our family. Moni, Cris and Efrain and I ran the Santa Hustle last year (Dec 4, 2010). It was cold!

In January Cris, Efrain and I ran the New Year's Dash in 22 degrees weather. Its given our family yet another great opportunity to have fun and create some lasting memories.

We will be starting our official training April 2, 2011, join me in my journey of running by reading my journal.

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