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