20 miles

yesterday morning i ran 20 miles as part of my marathon regiment training...it was much better to say the least. my right calf was slightly okay...not 100% yet it was loose enough to run comfortably...i think the nimbus 13s were key... i ran around the waterfront, the canal crosscut to mcdowell and around papago park - very scenic indeed. hilly which changes it up a bit...it was a good one..so happy i got in my mileage - now i taper...race is in three weeks! jan 20, 2013 is almost here!

new years eve! tonight at the talking stick - attending raven event gala ! bye bye 2012, hello 2013..

2012...

a few more days, then 2012 will be in the books...next week is going to be busy...going to ring in the new year at raven events new years gala at talking stick..so looking forward to it....then on thursday my bud, denise will be having her going-away party...:( -bummer..yet she will continue to inspire whereever she stages..very good person...brandi's bday is on saturday too! she has emerge as a young aspiring person,daughter, and mother...she will be rock to the blackveil brides..courtesy of us...tomorrow, i will plan to get in my long mileage run...hopefully i can hit the 20 miler...need to squash this knot in my right calf...and excitng news...carm got some new brooks running shoes at sole sports last night...she will be preparing to run a 5k paint run at tempe next month with charnissa and company...so exciting...it took a big momentum boost and encouragement not from me but from fellow ladies to get her motivated...i believe she had in her all this time...so happy for her...its starts..

krya marie with new kitchen set...

kyra was very happy to receive a new kitchen set from santa! and even

buttercup was curious as to which was hers...

she receive a number of gifts too...(bones, playballs,)

great moments..

girl writing on camelback...

dec. 25...camelback mtn....the simplicity of writing captured! the backdrop was incredible...the sun's ring...so neat...so much to say about his photo...its very inspiring, very uplifting...there is plenty to say about this...

day +2

december 27, 2012...few days after christmas...all good! its been quite the festive setting with family, the kids...we gathered on christmas here at our home in scottsdale....with all the fixings...prior to the big dinner, we gift exchanged (baby kyra and brandi got me a knife) - it was neat! i was very happy with the healthy smiles...as parents, that is my simple request -to have an appreciation for the simplest. it is heavenly to sit back and look at katlin, breanna, brandi, and braden laugh and talk to each other as a family...love! and baby kyra, she is such a doll...she really enjoyed her gifts and the company of her cousins and aunties...carm's sister carmelita came with her family and all the kids to be part of celebrating jesus...in addition victor and his mom came too...lots of food!  yea

christmas 2012

merry christmas to all - and may the great spirit bless your heart and soul...give your strength...
enjoy this time with family...
...xoxo

special

last night we donated a few winter clothing, such as scarves & mittens,  to kimberly and her drive to raise awareness & bring light to a special group of children, particularly navajo children who are currently residing at st michaels special education association living homes...when she spoke of their setting, the song 'skin' from sixx am was in my thoughts.  i begin to think of folks i have not met. i wonder how they see a world around them...how the shield of family has been lowered or maybe its there yet become so use to a pattern, the concept of love is eroding ;  it must hard on the families when they themselves are face with such reality...i could not even judge...there are just no words...how can i help them let along their child...what are we to do as a whole...as a community to provide the necessary care and support that will enable them to feel and grow with love...

i feel through our efforts and Kims along with the ASU Winter Clothing Drive team , we are making a difference...i hope with this little contribution it will keep a child, a young girl or adult,  from feeling the coldness of the wind ...


from 'skin' by sixx am
"Just rise above this
Kill them with your kindness
Ignorance is blindness
They're the ones that stand to lose

'Cause they don't even know you
All they see is scars
They don't see the angel
Living in your heart

Let them find the real you
Buried deep within
Let them know with all you got
That you are not your skin"

20 miles of Rhythm & Power....

my annual 20 mile run is coming up....christmas eve, monday morning... the last few years, i seem to have this long mileage run around christmas...(all fitting for rock n roll marathon!) - i'm really looking forward to running it and preparing - and wish & pray for great recovery as it has been such a blessing to run this season with no major pains or injuries... This week has been fairly easy, a rest week for me (after the 30K) - now i am feeling rested and ready to rock...i will be hitting the deck tomorrow morning to activate the body...(on camelback)...all of this prepping the soul...
...i recall how it felt when i first ran a 20 miler years ago...it was strength and character building...awe...xo

December 12, 2010 ‘diary sessions’  

Determination at 20 miles

Saturday morning, early 6 am...Endurance Rehab Stage North Scottsdale...the stage: DC Ranch & Grayhawke

...the dark sky reveals a distant light...it’s graceful, almost spiritual watching the blue dawn overtake -  shadows present and long in length...the pounding of pavement is percussion, in tangent with my breath...the animals see the darkness with comfort & circulate without trying…I know some of their precious secrets though not all of them...just a peek…

Around mile 17-18, i could feel my body breaking down…me and my thoughts…seeking a different power now - one i have not felt for a while. You know when the body is pushed and 'everything' is removed, all that is left is the ‘will’, ‘passion’, and ‘determination’.   I was saying 'I can do this' - there is a certain truth to my breakdown...i am gaining strength…

…rhythm & power…

AIA Celebrations Gala

great times always at the AIA Gala - 2012....

Jhenifer and Carmen....looking great ladies!



AIA Holiday Party 2012 - Architects Celebrate!

what a night with friends...fellow colleagues, architects...we are all in this together...certainly

enjoy attending these settings - and as group, we were able to send donations of food to those in

need!  see  you next year!

rb

desert classic 30K...peoria,az

this morning i PR'd my 30K!! clock time showed 2:30:05...it was good considering the work and momentum going in...overall, i stayed a set pattern of hydration and electrolytes...my only discomfort was right arch acted up due to walkway incline...i compensated by running on the gravel portion which fairly flat for the most part...now, as i write, my legs feel okay...not hurting or cramping so that is a good sign - let me tell ya, i have longer mileage coming up..ie. christmas eve 20 miler!! yes lets do this...

1st Friday Dec- 7

Dec. 7, 2012 - Roosevelt row..First Friday...what a wonderful setting ...people and place - the energy around is such an inspiration...to me, there is a special culture that exist.  I find it very enticing, inspiring, and motivational - at the same, i can question though accept the imagery of being different - that's what make this setting so motivational and appealing - the food at carly's, the best pear panini...after, i almost paid for some zombie protection..though changing into a wolf is just an emotion away : )

the musical performances live are stunning,a solo guitarist...a girl playinng the piano ala ala evanescence, fly leaf'ish - love her voice - and off course some good rhythm guitiars from the rock group; it moved me -literally.  The artwork is special...the creativity is simple & bold though completely creative...it moves me to know peoples emotion as i figure it out (or at least try to...) - the food and liquids are festive..the people are street goe'r veterans...a company i am comfortable in...ahh, another good night with the community..
a image from monOrchid gallery...good night here indeed - xo

15 miles!

i had a great 15 mile run yesterday...ran it in 1:59:50 and my splits were:
at 15K  - 1:13:15
13.1   - 1:44:01

not too bad...its suppose to be a training mileage run...not a race! : )  what's up with 1:44:01!!!!

love it!!
lets do this..

rb

Dec 2, 2012 - Fiesta Bowl 1/2

December 2, 2012 – Fiesta Bowl ½ Marathon.

This morning I awoke to the alarm thinking it was a work day -then I quickly rose to race day thoughts! It was here already - in a matter of hours I will be running Scottsdale road then Hayden.  I was nervous however training thoughts would take over and I kept focused – I kept telling myself my regiment the last three weeks has been great…stretching, diet, hiking, recovery workouts, etc;  eyes still tired, bedhair & I  felt full from previous night’s pasta as I started to prepare oatmeal, banana, and toast breakfast;  need some coffee…

“…my race gear was set; darkness and an emerging light my front;  this race was going to rock; the stage was great…hearing music and PA announcements fills the air. Runners everywhere - probably feeling the same nervousness...the energy of race plans in the air…smiles…lots of laughter…eyes rolling at the thought of those porta-potties lines..,i begin to think last year’s performance and how it was very difficult (and painful)…I kept to a simple thought of being so thankful and blessed- thankful I was able to bounce back after that awful IT Band/Knee Pain Injury…in my head i played over and over my mantra…keeping it simple and preparing for  the deck…”

Yes!! I did it…I ran a great ½ marathon…I ran in 1:40:15!! Just 23 seconds to my PR!! AHH!! No worries…am so grateful for running a comfortable pace;  at the start was good…just warming up…eww, still felt a bit full from the food however I came prepared…something a bit different was carrying my bottle of cytomax…I thought of how it would strain my arms but it did not…I guess I am use to carrying a  bottle of electrolyte fluid…I needed it the 2^nd half (like after 8 miles)…when we switched onto Hayden, I felt very loose and warmed up…I thought of taking off yet I wanted to stay in control of the pace and run smart…I knew the last 2 miles would be good  fight…after I saw my 10 mile time…I was like yes..i am on pace…at this moment, I was happy because my legs /knees were good…greased up…no pain (unlike a year ago)…hitting the dips at camelback was fun…the little uphill felt like a mountain…that part skewed my pant briefly though i fell back into my rhythm approaching Indian School.  this is where I trained so I knew this part of the course was crucial…I ran it a bunch of times...thoughts: almost finish…and I knew I would be seeing Carm and family coming up at Osborn.   My left hamstrings began to tighten and could feel a cramp ready to explode…I kept saying to keep it simple..relax…one more mile…at Osborn, I saw Carm, Brandi, and Kyra – they were my cheerleaders!  It was fast after this…maybe not in time..but my body kick in…running hard…body feeling the work (I call it strength, not a breakdown)…I past the pedestrian bridge feeling very good…the rest was met with cheers, bells..and crossing the mats…

I finished in 1:40:15 (2^nd Best ½ Marathon time)

the truth is inside...

ready for my 8th 1/2 marathon...

sunday, dec 2, 2012 will be the day i run my 8th 1/2 marathon at Scottsdale Fiesta Bowl -yes! i recall last years performance...and i am very confident this year will be full of joy and high fives...i am believe in a good race -taking my positive attitude not too mention my full hard training into the morning...i am so thankful my body (and knees) are where they are...full of health..greased up, and ready to rock...lets do this...

katie

Katie bug, my baby girl.!

Baby Katie is doing so much good for herself as a young 7^th grader…she is excelling in her academics along with the strings program (violin) and under this new reality of being a young student emerging from elementary to the star studded halls of middle school (under the grasp of teenage social theatres, there is stress and anxiety)….believe me, so many acts under the 'teenage  theatre drapes', especially in chic, vibrant setting of scottsdale.  recently she tried out for volleyball;  It was her first time participating in a physical sports activity with the school…so happy for her playing and learning about teamwork, we purchase all the right gear for her. She was very excited about this…about ‘belonging’…after the tryouts, she along with others found out did not make the team – she felt bad considering she along with other girls put in about three weeks of good hardwork. and they did not pass to go on to the next stage! She felt bad and we comfort her with words and the hope for future opportunities.   well they come fast! Second, she tried out for cheering spirit team…you can imagine the excitement for her even though it was slightly different and a challenge for her timid personality; the different part being she feels this sport or team is just for the dolls or folks with small frames but no, anybody can try out and it will up their team efforts and participation that will enable success – and should not be judge on how people look or the alignments beyond the participants;  you know, after the hard work and tryout, she along with her friends did not make the squad…they became emotional because they really wanted to be part of this group and travel to all the area middle schools cheering on the basketball teams…they wanted that yet it was not to be as they did not meet a certain ‘criteria’ of participation or whatever else these parent-teacher coaches score on…the effort and willingness to do as they requested was there yet for katie, they mentioned she needs to smile more and needs o be more vocal and outgoing...?

For Katie, we shared the importance of character, humility, effort and teamwork – and the passion and power of who we are as individuals.  I knew she was feeling pretty bad about her efforts; she was fragile.  As a parent, need to share a certain way so she understands and reflect…I am thankful for the blessings bestowed upon us…I shared my running as a blessing..it’s not my place to say I am better when I can run at 7:30/mile for 13 miles….i share to offer inspiration…and to generate a motivation already within us…it needs only to be un-keyed or un-latched…we all have this within our control…our power is our will…and the  effort we put will reward us with an operational tempo not found or given – but earned. i love you katie lauren - you are a beautiful young lady with special gifts...!   dad

r&p

7:45 pm


great tempo run ! 8 miles in 59:33:23 (7:26/Mile) on thursday night...so happy its going well...i am staying positive..and planning for a great race in two weeks...keeping it simple...

green trees...

pretty much green all around here in Reston, VA- been here for three weeks now, other than a quick trip home over the 3 day weekend last week.  its a different setting here though there are similarities to my az pattern (starbucks, safeway, banana republic, target)- howfunny...yet that is what keeps it simple...i am on a temporary detail here for work...one of the highlights is staying next to the W&OD trail for my running.  i am in my 11th week...my 1/2 race is next week on Oct. 27!! i am so  excited to run...i miss myfamily ..to be away this long is difficult...emotionally connection to carm and our babies; even though they are adults yet for my baby katie, i still miss em much...good thing i will be home next week...got to stay strong...and be ready for the next evolution..

celebrating with friends and family..

so fun last night..we all gathered at casablanca..southbridge waterfront scottsdale..it was so neat..carm and i enjoy the company with family and friends...it was great to see my dlr group teammates! richard is arizona registered architect!

r

Richard K. Begay, Jr. (Diné, Scottsdale and Tselani-Cottonwood-Chinle Agency,Navajo Nation, Enrolled Tribal Member)

Begay received his Professional Bachelor of Architecture Degree (cum laude) from the University of Arizona’s School of Architecture in 2001. Richard was previously employed with DLR Group Architects and JCJ Architects – both national architecture and engineering firm.  Begay oversaw multiple projects from early discovery/programming to design phases and eventually into construction documents and post-construction.  Richard’s passion is centered on maintaining relationships; providing lasting commitments and invaluable service to clients, partners, contractors, and education professionals. 

Some of his Native American professional portfolio includes Twin Arrows Casino-Hotel Interiors, Salt River High School, Indian Oasis Baboquivari Auditorium, and Senator John Pinto Library at Diné College Shiprock Campus.  In addition Richard has established strong lasting relationships with Phoenix area school districts such as the Saddle Mountain Unified School District, Phoenix Union High School District, and Paradise Valley Unified School District with their facility upgrades along with new construction. 

Begay’s extensive community service includes speaking particularly to  Native American high students about culture, the spirit of place, and education; His outreach services includes collaboration with university students, professional and non-profit organizations and also volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and Chances for Children - Arizona. Begay also has been featured in a film documentary on Native American architecture. 'Aboriginal Architecture - Living Architecture' (2005 Mushkeg Media, Montreal, Quebec, Canada) is feature length documentary that explores how living cultures influence many forms of art including architecture.

In his own words: When I think about creativity, I have a tendency draw from my childhood experiences. Memory submerges me to my late-grandmother's place playing in earth, on earth, with the earth; 'constructing' tree houses and defensive forts; in addition, we fabricate rather archaic weapons made out of juniper branches. In some notion creativity or design was occurring yet to my cousins and I we were consumed with our randomness of simply playing. Who knew tactile exploration became our paradigm for learning. An example of our juvenile creativity: We gather tree sap from ponderosa, pinyon, and juniper, mix it into the size of a baseball, put it on the end of stick - LIGHT it up to SEE and HEAR all those small fire drops. A magnificent display of colors - reds, greens, blues, oranges, yellows, limes, and whites!

Why architecture? I have a great appreciation to many forms of expressions. There are plenty of mediums or vehicles to convey our emotions - whether it's art, music, sculpting, or weaving. Much of what I do goes back to listening, observing, and interaction. My dad is quite the inspiration - a genuine nataani. My dad, trained in civil engineering, installed many water and wastewater systems on the Navajo Reservation. When I was 7 years old, we worked in the central part of the Nation laying or staking out lines and recording the terrain. Other times, I watched him put pipes together with other pipes, pipes to couplings, valves, etc. it was quite the composition - 'parts' to a 'whole'. Much of these experiences, including my juvenile explorations, contribute to ethics and perception or intuition. Intuition becomes a special value or a way of falling back on our foundation of whom we are. These values along with our creative spirit allow us to become the artist we endeavor to be.

Enjoy!

Richard – Architect, Designer & ‘Storytelling with Storykeepers’

richard k. begay jr, llc – architects  

3308 design.work.shop studio

friday night..rock and roll!!

motley & kiss friday night..front row, what a way to start the weekend...

august 5

much to say...memories are running too! 

life on the rez

its going to be a lengthy description to capture as much as i can to clearly illustrate home...

old town - albuquerque

Old town…hint of green chilis enchilada (had one) …colorful shades…bright colors radiance…hidden spaces revealing timeless oasis…historical significance….character!

So busy...nice to find solace under this portico…june has been busy…much happening: recently offered potential opportunity in shanghai, china & abq, nm…finishing up book ten of the ‘diary sessions’, developing a theme for photography exhibit 2013,  planning daughter’s kinalda’, studying building systems, training for y-race half marathon & RnR changs jan. 2013, hiking superstitions and camelback mountain every weekend, checking gears and rigs for camping/fishing trip (sleeping bags are mosquito proof, waterproof, love proof, and thermonuclear heat proof hehe), designing a high-performing sustainable learning community with cool design intent and criteria

black rebel motorcyle club...need we say more

really enjoying 'black rebel motocycle club' music...so awesome! 

current playlist - enjoying...

Black Veil Brides;  Birthday Massacre; Hellfreaks; Lacuna Coil; DJ Jim Enez; Sixx AM; Garbage (blood for poppies!); Adele; Black Rebel Motorcycle Club...

i love listening to music and hearing new artist who play  instruments is cool - its totally okay to reach out though i am not so much into the programmed music like pre-recorded though i do like a few good old fashion rap..ie. run dmc..beastie boys,; some of today's music is just so caught up in a media driven engine -  just need to go check out live music and hear the muscians( who are artist) create the magic -  growing up on the rez,  i was expose to my older sister's collection ( disco) as well as dad's country tunes.. i was a sponge to different artists under the a  genre of great  music..was thinking about my  first record i purchase...loverboy....that was back in 82.  how sweet! rolling now w some of today's greats..

song list tonight...my 80s set! yay

song list tonight...
judas priest 'turbo lover'
fleetwood mac 'go your own way'
pointer sisters 'fire'
cars 'just what i needed'
loverboy 'when its over'
motley crue 'starry eyes'

digging in tonight..writing and sketching...had a long day today...now,  i'm un-winding...pencil with no eraser in hand plus sheets of blank paper! listening to muzic! fire is on now...'i say i don't like it but you know i'm a liar'....good night rockers and rockettes! \m/

'tequila' ?

braden...

so proud of braden running with coronado high school track team...he ran his last week at the northeast valley qualifiers at horizon high school...he ran the 1600 and 800 m on tuesday and last night, ran the 3200 m race in a very memorable and amazing race...!! he placed fourth after sitting in the 3rd spot for the last few laps - the last 100 m was tough..yet i did his best and came out strong...so proud of him developing as a runner...he is the one...

evil must fear good men...

april 21 - was at mile 2 of pat tilman's annual 4.2 mile race this morning - so awesome to see runners, walkers, cyclist...the effort is quite motivational and inspiring...
lets stay to the intent behind this race - support our combat veterans!!
i support dad by wearing gear, EMFGM!!
rich

rain in the face

sunday...5:50am camelback echo trail
up early this morning..had to get out here...rain in the desert is an event worth being part of - the rain reminds of times, as a child, we play outside comfortably as though celebrating the natural waterways - guess you could say we were taught well about the power of this element. it washes away debris, dust and dense clutter(thoughts) - it rejuvenates...the smell of wet ironwoods and damp soil is a 'rare' sense - its healing...its a reminder on how special a balance exist...smiling was my walk...all good now - lets do this!

“Water, water, water....There is no shortage of water in the desert but exactly the right amount , a perfect ratio of water to rock, water to sand, insuring that wide free open, generous spacing among plants and animals, homes and towns and cities, which makes the arid West so different from any other part of the nation. There is no lack of water here unless you try to establish a city where no city should be.” ― Edward Abbey

landscape ethic

today has been quite eventful - especially with issues relating to the topic of sustainability. valley forward's morning showcase at the desert botanical garden was engaging, resourceful, and filled with meaning and purpose. there has to be a 'point of departure' relative to the environment we live in...the earth and all its integrated elements must be fully appreciated before we cut - the exhibits displayed a landscape ethic i found very profound and exciting - it displayed how raw materials start from a source, journey through a closed loop process to become a functional tool, product. the process includes the use of traditional practices and techniques dating back hundreds of years.

great great great great granddaughter to Ganado Mucho & Grayhorse, Chinle Central Agency

Kyra Marie

friday

what a great week for training; i am getting faster...i am believing...rhythm + power!

i n s p i r e d...

this morning, i ran with my old team chances teammates (team scottsdale) at DC ranch's stage - getting ready for the Ryan House 1/2 marathon...it was very nice to get back to that terrain (ahh the uphills,) - i was very happy running without knee pain (hope that is behind me!) - i ran the 8 mile map at 8:50 pace - my time 1:10:46, so quite content with the time considering its my first long run in one month (since PF Changs); after our run, we listened to a pair of great athletes - the stories shared by ariana hilborn and jeremy zarins were motivational! they are very talented...ariana competed in the olympic marathon trials last month with a time of 2:37 - amazing considering she's been running for about four years! and jeremy is quite the stud too! he came in third at Pf changs marathon last month, amazing...both very knowledgeable and cool... ..jeremy set me up with gears & rigs at sole sports...so if you ever need great advice, shoes, GU, etc -visit sole sports in tempe or scottsdale...they are top hand with teams...

'this is who i am' - feb 3 - first friday

(dorothy bringing her art to life...she said her work is very christian based; phone camera)

art captured from words or a frame shot, shall we - last night's first friday was filled with so much energy! creativity was expressed on varying levels....the 1005 warehouse studio is quite the theatre for emerging artist. i enjoyed viewing sculpture, ceramics, paintings, and the music - (the background of this studio is part of a healing process for folks who have behaviorial issues) - i saw the beauty of their creative spirit... a few so simple. others complex yet completely brilliant - what were they sharing about themselves? they were saying 'this is who i am...you see this magenta brush stroke with a sprinkle of marigold...that's me in light'.

later, traveled to urban bean where i had a wonderful conversation with bill timmerman. virginia's bean was hosting a reception for his work....his photography is quite simple yet captures a revealing clue to who we are on this 'sphere'...he talked of the 'starlight' and how contrast can be a powerful frame...i shared my thoughts of photography and my interest with black and white...i expressed my concepts for bringing forth internal emotions through the frame of one's gestures...as well,saw mr will bruder too. good nite!
rb

some call him 6

http://nsixxfoto.tumblr.com/

amazing photography!

day of days II - Jan. 15, 2012

I finished my 2nd marathon on Sunday 1/15/2012 at PFChangs Rock & Roll…so much fun!!
Saw many signs…’pain now, beer later’; ‘there’s a zombie behind you’;
Sharing another chapter.

The early morning was exciting…it was like a circus! I started out very comfortable and I guess you could pretty fast…at the 13.1 mile mark, my time was 1:49:45! Felt good and warmed up…going into Scottsdale was okay – still loose yet could feel the body adjust at mile 16. I saw carm; she was ready with the banana and sunscreen...i ran for another two miles at relatively easy pace…then I began to feel my body break …I started to cramp up in both upper thighs! So painful! I was like ‘this is new’; I have not cramped in that location…I was disappointed..wondering if the knee sleeves compressed my upper highs so much that they didn’t know what else to do, (except CRAMP)…I wanted to take em off yet I could not bend over…plus I needed the sleeves to keep my patella from rocking laterally…after mile 20, I entered a storm…or some say ‘the wall’ – I kept saying to myself almost there…i smiled about this knowing I just ran 23 miles…I ran enough to get pass a sign, a streetlight, a crowd, a water station, a bridge – only to be grounded with the ugliness of pain – even my shirt’s ‘dig deep’ slogan was keeping me moving; I saw tempe lake bridge and felt the excitement come...this is part where determination took me…where belief and will took my body down the last stretch…I just kept moving…it was quite the feeling to cross;

Yet now I have the marathon blues,

2012 will be another good story,

There will be a 3rd chapter,

Shall we…

too fast for love..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPJnGCV6634

day of days part II

friday jan..13,2012 - day of days part II

well, the race is two days away! am so excited...filled with so much emotions! at times its hard to control my thoughts; this will be my 5th PFChangs race in a row...my 2nd full marathon - each race has a story - embedded with laughter, pain, anguish, & most importantly the joy of crossing the line! sunday's race will be my superbowl..my championship...my close of the 2011 running season - yet it will be my transition into the 2012 season- and let me tell you, it will be a dedicated one.

you know, the last year, ive pretty much dedicated myself with strenghtening and core workouts in addition to my running program -all to better my own personal endeavors. you see, i had a very bad injury last spring - my runs were low mileage. i could not keep up the pace past two miles - i halted my runs. apparently my right IT band, both knees were weak resulting in harsh, flaring pain under the cap. i've spent a good chunk of time and endless efforts training my body and mind -

in addition to time off, i hooked up with the good folks at Endurance Rehab where i learn how to stretch and strenghten my legs and gluts...it was tough long road from march to june, i basically was there two days a week..i spent my time on the deck (echo mountain camelback - even with 13 sundays in a row)...august was great...the whole month spent with speed/intervals at coranado high track...overall, my body got stronger...i felt loose, conditioned and just ready to rock...(i even ran a 6:05 mile! - could've caught the chicken) ...september, i was smiling...was looking forward to running the YMCA half yet that was not realized as i experienced runner's knee...was so bummed out! what was happening? so much going into this work...i was thinking the race will be here soon...i started to panic yet a good friend told me 'just believe in your training' - i am believing and having faith i will run with comfort and strength....i will give it all sunday morning...i run knowing i put in the effort...i ran hundreds of miles @ tempe town lake; waterfront canal, dc ranch...did hundreds of push ups...hiked camelback echo just about every weekend...ran the waterfront canal many times. as well as many nights at Club Sar (the neighborhood gym)...each time thinking about the race...thinking about last year's performance...thinking about the pain...thinking about my own strengths...my will.

- i am ready for this...it will be a great story- and all that comes with it...shall we?

have the courage to start - and committment to finish!!

eyes close my faith you love my fear away...

give me strength, make me swift with rhythm & power from city to city -lets do this.......DIG DEEP!

night... xo