Last post of the year

****Running Goals for 2007*****
- Improve 2006 numbers, (1080) in 20% at least
- To run my second marathon and set a better mark (!)
- End the year training for my third marathon in Miami 2008
- Keep posting on blogger :S

December numbers:

90 miles 20 running days of 31.

2006 ended with 1080 miles total.

After and during taking the medication my performance decreased a lot. It was a shame to step back precisely when everything was going so right. It lasted 10 days and it wasn't that bad but seem like this medicine affected my sleep and made me very anxious. I just wasn't on the mood to run, but still try my best effort. Cancelled running four days in a row and then came back easily running five days in a row, then resting 2 and this last week ended with 36 miles in 6 days running that were not perfect, but done. The spring training wasn't completed... I completed only 9 of 12 weeks and missed many of the speed session from the second season, "again".

December... a very busy month. It mean all sorts of parties, not to mention school holidays and with kids at home everything changes. I had no longer my mornings and instead of that I become in to my daughters driver and tour guide :D

I spent a lot of time on the Internet I confess, but with my slow connection I could only made the basic research for Christmas presents and until two days ago the presents for the 6Th of January when we Mexicans celebrate "Los Reyes Magos" (it is when baby Jesus received presents from the three wise men). Kids receive toys from them, so they are on the way! I have always to buy on line, there is nothing available here.

Thanks D for recommending me the Oklahoma marathon I really appreciate it, the thing is that I wasn't able to start training on time. I choose Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, May 20Th! I will have to start training on January 15! Have anyone run that one?

Happy New Year for all of you my inspiration from the Internet. It is amazing to discover how important is the state of mind. This days I was absent form the blog sphere but when running many of you were still inspiring me in more that one way! The best for you and your family!!

Glutes on the run

It was a productive week that ended with 24 miles.
Since Thursday I noted something different on my glutes but until Friday and then again on Saturday, was that I started using and enjoying it. After about two miles into the run there is some new energy coming from my glutes and make my run stronger and easier. Maybe I think is like my strike has grown some maybe only a bit in length and that should aloud now this muscle to move better and for that reason now I can use them. I feel like the rest of my leg is useless now that I can use my glutes for pushing. It's energy is crucial. What a nice sensation. Seems like everything takes me long to happen and for that reason I can almost watch how my progress goes on...
On Friday I had to go for a speed session but missed it again. Instead of that I ran in what seemed to be a tempo run which had the best mile in 9:20. It was a great run. On Saturday I could felt the effort and change the run for the afternoon and that gave my legs a chance to run the last day of my running week. The start wasn't that nice but it ended full of renewed energy!

In other notes, I finally visited the doctor to receive the results of the studies, I was busy yes, but the truth is that as I felt recovered just didn't paid attention to it. I have gastritis coming from a bacteria and the treatment is with two different antibiotics. I didn't wanted to take them as some internet research I found saying it is common in this countries but exactly yesterday morning I started having some nausea and stomach discomfort. Hope this doesn't change my runs that at the moment are going so well... What a time for this to come, but still I should focus on the future and think of this as a part of the taking care of my health now and not in the middle of a marathon training. :-)

5 under 10 and 147!!

More numbers. It is good to watch them sometimes :-)

My schedule said for today an 8km race. No race of course but still tried to go fast and strong. For the first time ever despite of had stopped several times to recover set a good time for me. Looking at my chart I see that the average is 9:53 the last mile was around eleven so for the next race I will have to start easier to complete as strong as at the beginning. Still I tried to end with a negative split. It was a short one, but still I felt good while doing it.
It is the first time that I complete 5 miles with this numbers, good day! I know for most it is a turtle pace but still I was going -as it should be- only against myself and I think it was good. I know that with some more concentration I could be doing even better.I have to translate those stops in to slower pace. Another detail to remember is to carry my pack with water. My mouth felt dry for moments and I was feeling some thirsty.
Those stops that I made in fact helped me, then I needed them. My heart rate was very high and making it to go down by stopping felt good.
The 147 is what my scale read today. I know my weight goes up and down depending what I drink also, but still I hadn't seen that number since maybe last year, so the 'DETERMINATION' month worked... To be honest, the determination wasn't as strong as should be. It is a process and with my visitors, sharing meals with them... (By the way I read an article that mentions that if you eat in groups for business for example, it is harder to follow your diet, seems like you eat more if you eat in groups). But I can say that the process is working. Lately I am not puttin in my mouth junk food that easy, but not only because I think I shouldn't, but because I have no more carvings for it. My friend who is a personal trainer, is a vegetarian also. She used to tell me that she can not eat certainly foods as they appear too sweet or too greasy. Is this finally happening to me? Hope so, fingers cross :-P

Ending the year with hope and energy!!!

New month, new chances, lots of energy!!! Happy but absent from the blogsphere... That's the only bad part.
We received a visit and I was very busy. The truth is that is not that I was completely unable to write, but writing in english need some more concentration and inspiration still. Also I don't like to write my blog if I can't read yours. That's about writing, but not for running!
I didn't miss any of my scheduled runs. I found myself happy to wake up early to run still inspired from blogs like Jen's who says she needs to end her training at 6.30. I was very dedicated this days, I am happy for that. My legs feel strong and the weather conditions are better than ideal, what else can I ask for?
November ended with 120 miles. Of 30 days I ran 24, rested 5 scheduled and skip 1 for a forced trip to Santo Domingo.

The trip worth the shame, you know what? It was for applying for an american visa. And we receive it!! Of course I am happy as it means now I can travel "close" from where I live, to run marathons!!! That's the reason that finally moved me to apply for it. I hate doing any kind of papers :P specially as it means cancelling running, but still looking for papers questions, grrr. Now that's done and I can say now that I am looking for a flat course. RW have some options, I want to run at the end of april or in may. Could you recommend any, please?