"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go"
T. S. Eliot

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Tuesday Morning Run

Had to get up very early in the morning to take Pedro to the airport (3:30 AM). Dropped him at CID airport at 4:00 AM and headed back home to get ready for the six miler. I felt very sleepy. 
First mile was tough because my legs were stiff, but they eventually warmed up and had a good run. Weather is perfect in the mornings. It gets too warm in the evenings. Felt a little bit tired but overall pretty good. 


Calf started hurting a little bit, but pain sometimes goes away. Walking at the Woodpecker Nature Trail helped me bunch the other day!

Sunday, May 29, 2016

18 mile attempt --Hills to Lonetree

Sunday morning. Calf was not really hurting even though it is still injured. Longest run previous to today's was last week's Kewash Nature Trail Half marathon. I knew it was going to be tough. I wanted to try it going slow, but running with my running buddies is hard to ask them to go slower. Started running in Hills by Dan's house. I really didn't know which way we were running and where the water stops were, which didn't help. I thought several times about stop running and start walking. It became a reality in the very last leg, still with five more miles to go...

The plan is to run Dam to Dam next week and ten more miles the next day.  I hope I can do that. I should stay with the group and do not try anything crazy. 

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Wednesday Morning


Leg was hurting this morning (left side of the calf). I did not feel like running, so I just walked to McDonalds and back home. There were times where leg did not hurt, but others when leg hurt more. 


Rode my bike to the track and met the RunningWild group in the evening. Legs were still tired and stiff. But I was able to run slow.

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Kewash Nature Trail Half Marathon

Kewash Nature Trail Half Marathon 2016
May 21, 2016
TIME: 1 hr 49 min 48 sec
Pace: 8:24 MPM
Garmin Connect: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1177723473

It's not exactly a road race nor a trail race. Kewash nature trail is very flat with soft land.This is the third year is organized by local Becky Harkema from Washington, Iowa. Half marathon started at 8:00 AM. First mile is road race in downtown Washington. Then, the course follows on the nature trail which is straight and very flat. There are several water and gatorade stops during the course. I also saw a porta-potty available close to the trail. A professional photographer takes pictures when runners are passing the famous bridge (that's in about mile three). There is a cone at the middle of the distance and we have to make a u-turn. It is fun to meet the runners ahead of you going to the cone and runners behind you after passing the cone!
The problem is when we get to Main Street. There is nobody there to tell you which is Main Street and which way to go and you are so tired it is easy to make the wrong turn. Everybody who finishes gets a medal and there is plenty of goodies to eat after the race. Awards are given to runners while slow runners are still arriving. Very informal award ceremony. Overall, a good race to run when preparing for a marathon!

Got up thinking I was not going to be able to run because of the pain on my left leg. Took a shower and started to feel better. Drove to Washington and got my bib number. Tried some walking and moving to get warmed up before the race. Race started at 8:00 AM.
I thought I was moving slow, but ran first mile in 8:23 min. Second mile was in 8:14 and third in 8:16 min. Tried to slow down a little bit, but I liked chasing runners.


Thursday, May 19, 2016

Thursday Run

My friends wanted to start running at 4:45 AM this morning. I got up at 5:00 and felt extremely tired and my legs were hurting. I felt pain on the side of my left leg and also on my right thigh. I went outside and did some walking and a little bit of running.
Not sure what the problem is. It might be wearing sandals when I run on hard pavement. It might be wearing dressing shoes during the day.  Today, I brought my vibram dressing shoes to be more comfortable. I hope they help. I might do some running this evening while Sophia is in gymnastics. 

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Tuesday Morning Run

I planned on running four miles this morning. So, gout up and headed outside. Started walking for 5 to 10 minutes to warm up and then started jogging slow. Ran into Zack Baker who was running very fast himself! Arrived to mile one before the bridge on Mormon Trek and then headed through the bicycle trail towards City Park. Kept going until hit mile two. Then, headed back home. 




Sunday, May 15, 2016

Get Moving for Healthy Kids

Sophia and I ran this 5K race this morning. I felt very good going that slow and felt very proud of my beautiful daughter. I kept pacing and coaching her during the race. I am so proud she received her very first running race medal, third place age group 7-9 years old. I kept telling her all finishers are winners, but she pushed herself to her limits for the last 100 m. Excellent job Sophia! She ran so fast I almost couldn't keep up with her!


Saturday, May 14, 2016

Saturday Ten Miler

According to my marathon training plan, I was supposed to run about 14 miles. Because of my past calf injury decided to run ten miles only. The first couple of miles were the hardest. But things got easier after warming up.


Saturday, May 7, 2016

Mexico City

Sometimes I get to eat lots of fresh fruit, but sometimes I indulge myself eating high-fat tacos and Mexican food. Not easy to eat healthy all the time.
Finished reading the book Crimenes Que No Olvidare by Alicia Ximenez Bartlett. All the stories were awesome, but the last one was one of the best. I would love to read another book by the same author.
Calf is getting better, but it is taking its time. I have been running/walking. Taking it easy. I am looking forward to run a good Half Marathon on May 21st.
Visiting ULA-Coacalco.
Not sure what we will do this evening. I do not mind going for a walk again. Gotta keep those legs strong. I hope this light training will benefit my legs.

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Mexico Ghandi Park

Calf still hurts. However, went walking/jogging for about 3 miles. Very slow running most of the time. Gotta get better. Lots of massaging and diclofenac.
Had some great fresh fruit after exercising, cucumber, jicama, and pineapple. Really good. Also drank chia with lemon water.

Monday, May 2, 2016

Red Shoe Half Marathon

Decided to run in shorts and sandals. Not sure how fast to go...  Started going too fast. First mile was done in 7:30 min. Second mile was another fast mile in 8:05 min. I was waiting for Dan who kind of got behind. He was a lot smarter than me. Third mile, my calf was in pain!  There was no way I could keep running. Had to start walking and felt pretty bad about it. Thought about DNF.
But, things improved when I decided to jog very slow. Followed a couple until mile 9. Then, I decided to go on my own a little bit faster. Last mile was finished in 8:42 min. and the last leg was done in 7:53 pace.
Lesson to learn:  Start slow. Go behind my pacers, not ahead of them!  I will try to recover fast enough and be ready for the Kewash Half Marathon on May 21st.  I do not intend to PR the next Half Marathon, but take it as training for Grandma's Marathon on June 18.


I plan to go swimming this evening. My legs need a lot of rest. Fortunately, my legs feel better today. I couldn't feel my legs last night. They were so weak.