New Year Resolutions

It's that time of year, when we should write down our resolutions for the new year.
1. Run two marathons (Marion in April and Quad-Cities in September)
2. Qualify for Boston Marathon (3 hr 30 min, 8:00 MM pace)
3. Drink less soft drinks and more water
4. Swim at least twice a week

First Day of Snow

Yesterday was the last day of school for the kids. Borlaug had a Christmas celebration. The video rolled in my camera. Assen played a few songs with the Orf Club.

There was snow on the ground and it kept falling from the sky with lots of wind this morning. Decided it was better to run indoors at the UI track. Used my foot-pod to track my chronos. Ran behind an older man who seemed to go pretty fast. We ran for about four miles at an 8:25 MM pace. He stopped first and then I ran one more 200 m lap. 

--Not sure if I should curse you or thank you, but I hadn't run this fast in a long time. He said to me. I told him my Garmin Foot Pod said we were running at 8:25.

Tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown CT

Another crazy shooting this morning in an elementary school in Connecticut. Several children kindergarten age were killed together with their teacher! My heart is broken to know something like this happened in this country, where we live with such abundance. How can somebody dare to take away the live of a child? why? There is no excuse. There is no reason. I pray for peace. I pray for understanding. I pray for accepting each other.
How can we help this never happens again? We need to be aware of those next to us who are in trouble. We need to open our arms and let them know they are not alone. 

12/12/12

I remembered mama Lupita today. Today was her birthday. She used to get up early in the mornings and play a record everytime we celebrated a birthday in our house. Las Mannanitas. She also loved to be the first person to say Happy Birthday to me in my birthday. I have excellent memories of her. I miss her. I'd love her to be alive. 

I-Fly Swim Meet

Assen had a swim meet in the morning. This is the second time he competes. The place was crowded with swimmers and parents coming from different places. I am sure, he will continue to do better as he continues to practice, now two or three times a week.
50 m, free-style, 48:85
50 m, breast-stroke, 1:14:49
100 m, back-stroke, 2:21:31

Boston Marathon

The Boston marathon is the oldest annual marathon organized in the US. The first Boston marathon took place in 1897. It is run on Patriot' Day, the third Monday of April. Runners in the BM need to qualify in order to register. I need to run a marathon in 3 hr 30 min or less in order for me to qualify for BM because I am 50 years old. In order to do that, I will need to run a marathon with a 8:00 min/mile pace.

I ran my first marathon in Saint Louis in April this year and finished it in 3 hr 51 min. It looks like a long stretch to try to finish in 21 min less, but I believe I can do it with proper training. I will need to  avoid injuries, which probably won't be easy.

I am planning to run the first Marion Marathon in April 21 next year.  It will take me 20 weeks to get ready and I am starting officially the training program this Tuesday. I will be running 3-8 miles six days a week and doing a long distance run on Sundays, 10 to 26 miles.

Why am I doing it?  Because I want to be remembered as an athetic person. Runners are special people. Marathon runners are more special, and Boston Qualifiers (BQ) are an elite group. I hope to be an example for my son and daughter. I'd be proud to know if I am remembered by them saying I ran a Boston marathon when I was 50 years old.