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)