Legit member of the Fire family

I finally signed and sent my letter of intent to run for SouthEastern University, making me part of the Fire family. 
Before I signed, Coach called me on Tuesday night to talk about my past experience and to gauge how serious I was about running for the fire - I was absolutely stoked. Before we ended the conversation, he threw in an offer that jolted me like an unexpected pothole in the middle of a race. "I know that it isn't much, but I would like to offer you $500 on behalf of SEU for running on the cross-country team". My jaw almost slammed to the ground. After being deflated on Senior Awards night, I thought that the rewards that I reap from running would just involve endorphins.  I must of stuttered my appreciation in about a hundred different ways before hanging up.
After that phone call, I was on fire - I spent the better part of the evening transferring my logs onto the computer to send to Coach as well as my racing stats. Coach's biggest mistake was saying that I could email or text him at any time if I had questions - I have spent the past two days blowing up his phone and inbox.
I am extremely glad to have a sense of direction now - Coach told me to lay off tempo and interval running and to focus on increasing my mileage. Last week I ran 20.56 miles, so if I increase my mileage by 10% each week, I should be in good shape by the fall.
Summer = 11 weeks = increase mileage by 10% each week = 40 miles per week by the fall

In other news, I have added a College page to my prayer journal - where I am basically begging for miracles. My biggest request is to graduate from SEU without debt. My impending request is for my future roommate - I find out who she is tomorrow! I also am praying for my Coach, who is moving down to FL in July but has yet to find a house.
Another one of my prayers is that all of those around me - my Coaches, professors, peers, and teammates, will find in me a cause for joy.

The LORD will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them.      Deuteronomy 28:12

 

Wake up call

Tempo Run
.62 mile warm
3 miles, 24:49 (8:06) (8:33) (8:10)
.75 mile cool


After watching college cross-country races on Youtube, I have come to the conclusion that in order to place in the top ten for smaller meets (think 120 runners) you need to race in the 18 minute zone. To place between 10 and 30 you need to clock within the 19 minute zone. To place between 30 and 50 you need to be in the 20 minute zone. After that, you can fall anywhere between 60 and last place.
 At my current level of fitness, I would probably be bringing up the rear in a collegiate race. This is definitely a wake up call for me. If I can whittle down my time to 22 minutes by the fall, then I will be alright. If I eventually get to the 21 and 20 zone, then I can place higher. If I dig deep and find a miracle, I can break the 20 zone.

I have never been in a situation where I have allowed myself to go all out, to dig deep mentally and physically. I was a decent runner in highschool, placing between 10 and 20 something out of 70 in meets, but I just didn't dig. Was it the fact that the team was in a state of reconstruction? That my work-outs weren't long or challenging enough? I have a few theories, but I know that I enjoyed serving as the Captain for my team, watching the confidence of my teammates grow as they passed new milestones. I remember one Freshman runner who was estatic when she ran her first full mile without stopping. Another runner who had never imagined that she could run from our school to the beach and back, but found herself running the route on a weekly basis. When I become discouraged over my times, I remind myself why I run - to help others improve, to inspire others, to be a source of encouragement, and to experience a certain kind of freedom that only comes with running shorts and sneakers.

Running reminds me of my full dependence on God and causes me to thank Him for the mere ability to run. I am blessed to be have been born in a family that can afford things I take for granted such as running sneakers. I am blessed to be born in a society that doesn't forbid women from basic freedoms such as lacing up their sneakers and heading out the door. And although I may have questioned it at times, I have been blessed by going to a high school that doesn't have a windfall of funding or a well-oiled running program. Because of it, I avoid looking down on others and have learned the importance of humility in leadership.

Romans 12:7-8

"If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly."

Beat the Heat

Progression Run
7.46 miles, 1:17
mile warm-up (10:18)
5*1 mile with 2:50 minute recovery in between (9:25) (9:01) (8:11) (7:43) (7:39)
cooldown

As I began my run around 6 in the morning, I spotted four or five bunnies chilling on someone's front lawn, hopping around like their presence was of no one's concern.
During my recovery time after mile 3, I tried one of the chocolate gels that I received at the Saucony Spring Training run. No bueno. The warm pudding-like liquid made me want to throw up. Gels are definintely not for me - I prefer consuming solids such as sports beans when my body needs to refuel during a run.

I have no idea how people consume these while running marathons...I would barf everywhere

This heat is baking my brains - please excuse the brief post

Went for a run with my friend Madison, who just so happens to be the Captain of her school's soccer team. It is way more motivating to run with someone else beside me, myself, and I.
In the afternoon, I went over to the beach with Tina and Erin and was able to cover a few more miles. The heat is seriously affecting my splits as well as my overrall energy levels - I need to start waking up early for my work-outs to save my remaining brain matter from being fried in the heat and humidity.

2.4 miles, 28:19
(9:22)(14:22)

2.03 miles, 19:22
(9:44)(9:16)



Blueberry Crisp that I baked for dessert - used whole wheat all purpose flour, old fashioned oats, smart balance butter, brown sugar, and fresh blueberries.  My family devoured the entire dish in a matter of minutes.

My Final Day of Highschool

My last day as a Bulldog was pretty stellar. I only had to stay for two hours for my finals, and when I checked Pinnacle afterwards my exam grades were as follows: A, A, A, A, A, C+, A. Math is obviously my achilles heel.
 I practically ran out of the school once the Principal came over the loudspeaker, announcing that all seniors had to leave campus immediately. My sister, who is a freshman, told me that they caught a senior still on campus during A lunch and forcibly removed his presence.
After going home, clearing out my worn-out school bag, and grocery shopping for my mom, I drove Crystal, Tina, Cat, and Karen over to the beach to meet Madison for a run.

The heat took it's toll on us, leading to many walking breaks and slower splits, but it was great to run with a group. Our moving mob caught some attention from beach goers - one guy cheered for us, "To *** with the boys! Keep moving girls!" Talk about stellar crowd support.

3.4 miles, 44:05 minutes
(11:40) (13:03) (15:42)

Saucony Spring Run

This Saturday has been pretty sweet - I went on a group training run with a local running store and was able to run faster longer than I would if I ran on my own. Saucony also sent a representative down to offer runners an opportunity to test out their kicks. An avid fan of the Progrid Guide 4 series (you can read the full soliloquy of my passion for these shoes here) I decided to test out the Guide 5. The upgrade was lighter than the 4 but had more cushioning. As a taller athlete, I love sneakers that give me a sense of stability and comfort - You won't see me donning minimalist slip-ons unless I am running on the beach's shoreline. My only complaint regarding my experience was that the test trial Guide 5 had normal laces, making the fit less glove-like and causing the inside arch of my right foot to become blistered.  With my Saucony's I have Yankz laces that give my sneaker's a glove-like fit, allowing them to hug the sides of my narrow feet.
For speed work the Saucony rep recommended the Kinvara, at 6.7 ounces it retains a sense of support and has the same Progrid cushioning that I love so much in my Guide 4's.

6.79 miles, 1 hour
(8:50) (8:16) (8:39) (8:50) (9:14) (8:44)
I need to start out slower at the beginning of my runs so that I can finish strong. Negative splits should be my main goal in every run.

Some of the freebies I received at the training run: a sneaker key chain (so cute!), gels, a sticker, and a Saucony bag. My mom also bought me a post-run powder that you mix with water to speed muscle recovery.

I am currently praying that God will give me direction concerning competing in cross-country for college. I know that it will be hard work and that I will have a challenging schedule, but I want that sense of camaraderie and competition. Cross-country would enable me to learn the running routes in my new environment while training with a team. I have already applied for consideration, now I just need to wait, run, and pray.

Savor Summer

 As Summer approaches, I have to start waking up at the crack of dawn for my runs. Here are some reasons why:
8 AM-5 PM = Hades.
6 PM - all night long = Gnats.
4 AM - 7 AM = Calm.

9 AM - 10 AM
4 by 1 mile repeats with a 2:40 minute recovery in between
Splits: (7:06) (7:39) (7:54) (7:48)

The mantra "savor the pain, savor the fight" was running through my head during the last split when I thought I was going to pass out from heat stroke. This pain-embracing motto reminds me of the training method I need in order to compete. There will always be a fight between my mind and my body when I push out of my comfort zone. My body sometimes cries and screams for me to stop while my inner being tells to to keep going, to go faster, to take down one more mile. You can only listen to your body so much when you train competitively - listen too much and you will not see improvement.
However, it also holds true that if you ignore your body, you will eventually crash and burn. There is a difference between sore, excusable pain and sharp, injury-induced pain. It just takes time and experience to tell the difference.
I also have to keep in mind that I am young - I am able to accomplish things that will be genetically more difficult for me to achieve when I am older. It is best to savor the rest of my todays so that in the future I will be stronger from my yesterdays.

As summer approaches with the hope of college in the distance, I have an opportunity to break my self-inflicted barriers - the excuses that keep me from giving my all in everything that I do.
I am not too tall/short/skinny/fat to surpass my goals. Sometimes I pass runs because it is too hot/windy/humid. A little planning can fix that. I simply need to destroy the word "too" and my excuses crumble to the ground like dust.

The source of this profound post can be traced to the fact that:

1. I earned my drivers license today, and am feeling more responsbile/independent.
2. SEU is starting a cross-country team in the fall, and I have contacted the athletic director and sent the athletic eligibility form, making me more critical of my times and excited about the prospect of competitively running in college.

The work-out doesn't end with the run - injury prevention, core conditioning, and strength sculpting sessions will keep you on the road longer.

Senior Awards Night and Photo Fright

The lighting in my highschool's auditorium isn't fantastic, just warning you. Thanks to my Dad for the photos though - he braved not so great lighting, an unfamiliar camera, and some jostling around to get them.

Scholar Athletes
Sports represented from left to right: cross-country & track, softball, football, volleyball, swimming & waterpolo

Me with the Principal



small PL8's and a big date

You can probably guess what major date I am recapping - Mother's Day. I celebrated the hard work of my Tias and Mommy by eating dinner with them at a small restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale known as PL8, where you basically order a bunch of appetizers and share it with your peeps. Perfect for when eating out with friends or in my case, the female side of my family.

Macaroni and cheese topped with fried bacon. What is shared can't kill you, right?

Garlic bread drizzled with balsamic viniagrette

Sweet potato and almond hash - I ate almost the entire plate

My Abuela, Me, and my cousin Erin

Post-dinner at my Abuela's

Prom 2012 Recap

After enduring peer pressure, beration, and even pleading from certain sources, I acquiesed to attend Prom. It took a Grande Caramel Machiato (nonfat milk, no whip, double shot of espresso), a packet of milk chocolate caramel brulee pieces, and two Pina Coladas (non-alchoholic) to keep me alive past my established bedtime.



For dinner at Prom they had buffet tables strewn with corn dogs, sushi, mashed potatoes, pasta, bread, strawberries dipped in chocolate, and assorted mini desserts, but the coffee had taken away my appetite (it contained about 11 grams of protein).

I spent my time shrieking at how beautiful my friends appeared, hugging everyone whose name I knew, and occasionally dancing. I learned that when all else fails, just move your hips.

I woke up around 7:30 AM with aching feet, blisters on my ankles, and a song by Shakira playing in my head.  There is no way that I am slipping on heels again for the next ten days.



Who needs bracelets when you can just wear flowers? Thanks goes to my cross-country and track friend Danny for the corsage.