R’n’R 13.1 – Joyfully Pursuing Something Challenging

I wasn’t sure what it was. My whole me - heart, brain, soul, mind - was looking for something. Without even realizing I started with new things, from professional development to tune up some skills, journaling, nutrition, learning about recipes and twisting 180 degrees and percent my approach to life and running & training. I needed to separate myself from the pain and "hard effort" association to any activity.

Rock and Roll Dallas Half Marathon was my BIG G, “To be able to run it again and HAPPY!”

• HAPPY because: I am able to run this year vs being off road last couple years
• HAPPY even though: it will take me longer than the  1 hour 27min 46secs at a 6:46 pace 3 years ago

Event started car-pooling with friend Hector, who I offered myself as his co-pilot to enjoy some runners’ chat before race. As he has a trip to Buenos Aires, my home city, on mind he got me!!! I arrived little bit earlier than planned. I must confess I had a nightmare with traffic and catching the shuttle. I was a nightmare mixing a race in Buenos Aires, missing the “colectivo” (bus) that got me little bit nervous. 

Luckily we are in USA where logistics almost always work perfect. I felt very relieved once we parked and got the shuttle at the Fair Park. Runners were all around getting on their corrals. We got to warm up at the starting line with elites around, something very inspiring!

Another cool thing at the start happened when I was dropping my warm up clothes on the side of the corral and a lady around asked me if she could take them. It made me happy that someone was going to get and use those clothes!

I started with corral 2 set to finish in 1:45. Too fast? Too slow? No idea. I do not like to make race maths. I was just going to run respecting what my running angel had for me. My only promise to running angel was to smile at least every mile and in front of cameras. Started running and went front of corral and passing some runners. Mile 1 one, mile 2 and 3 and 4… I knew my BOYZ “W-Cheeling Team” were going to be cheering for me somewhere around there. I found them just before mile 5. It was amazing! They had built a banner I couldn’t read however my kids’ faces yelling GO MOM! Made it so special!

Mental splits? Math always makes things funnier, especially with running. So decided to set it at 5 miles + 2x(2+2) + 0.1 J. It worked perfect! W-Cheering team after the 10k, then again around 15k and again close to 11 mile. Wow! There totally exceeded my expectations. They were everywhere! I also got other running friends cheering go ROXANA, and one singing “Roxanne…”.

Mile 11, just couple more to go! Time to kick it hard? Hard for what? To set PR? Not this time. Just hard to finish happy! And I did so! Stellar end for my BIG G, meeting the race pilot Hector, the local most famous runner RunnerBwoy – Mojo – Mark, plus Angela, plus Julie and husband.

It was amazing! I really appreciate all, from being able to train, race, being with friends and specially having my BOYZ living the experience. As Deena Kastor mentioned at the EXPO: “Every Mile Teaches US a Lesson” and biggest lesson from running is to “Joyfully Pursuing Something Challenging.

That’s all about!

 

 

Dash Down Greenville 5k – BE Humble AND Proud (Contronym?)

I ran this race on 2010, 2011 however due to other events and/or injuries I wasn't able to run 2012 and 2013. So this year it made me really happy the fact that I was feeling healthy to run it, both as runner and runner's mom. We arrived hour earlier to be able to park and warm up nice.

While doing so we got to see Enoch Nadler, an amazing athlete, on his 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials. That really motivated and fired us! We went to start line, dropped our personal cheerer Lucas. National Anthem, count down and GO! Mom started few seconds behind the front, not sure about Nick who as most of the times dissapears at the start line.

Be Humble! Once a Brazilian Manager, CK, told me. “Be Humble! Do less, think more”. Even I've kept this phrase and humble word on my mind for years, I've never got to understand it. Few nights ago I had a dream. I do not remember too much, just my, also Brazilian, first running Coach O, yelling me “Be Humble! Do less, think less”, and that is what I am doing these days.

Today while working on this blog I've realized why humble word was blur on me. Even not an official contronym, single words that have two contradictory meanings, there is a humble side I am looking forward that includes: being modest, no arrogant, courteously respectful, low in height, level, etc.; small in size. However I am totally opposite of being humble by not being proud, having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience, destroying independence or confidence and so on!

Coming back to the race Dash Down Greensville 5k. Nick was somewhere, if in front of me, plan A, I was going to pass him or meet him at the finish line. Otherwise plan B. Mom started running, just happy with what I have, full commands keeping all under control. Push but relax, all settles down. Saw friend Frances in the front and we got to run some together, moved forward chasing some fun green socks, mile 1, mile 2, found fried Hector. Moved forward, got friend Dawns cheers! And kept the fun for the finish line! 2 minutes faster than previous 5k and 200% more relaxed and feeling better. Then time for plan B and go get back for Nick and push him at finish line (another of my finish line pleasures for now). Found him and when he kicked I was not able to keep with him. He had such an strong finish!

After the race we got to see some friends and even not expecting award, when I went to to check results I found I had gotten 2^nd for my AG. Nick was 9^th on his AG.

I am on the same phase, both as a runner and a runner’s mom trying my best to be and teach:
“Be Humble: as an individual who does things without regard to personal gain”
"Loose yourself and give yourself. Things will come"

Nick could have gotten his own. Just need to listen more.