Spooktacular 5k & 10k – 24 Hours and a minute

Another weekend with a race for Son & Mom. StephenvilleLions Spooktacular 5K & 10K. Almost 120 miles away from home, a good reason to plan a full day trip and adventure spending night in a hotel. 

There were also other couple special facts. Even previous Son & Mom races could be included on the book, this particular race was going to be first one with the fiction running book on mind; and last one before mom’s surgery week after.

Departing time: Friday, Oct 24, 2014 at 5:24 pm. Mom knew they were going to catch peak hours but important tasks such as checking out and printing hotel information, race schedule, race location, race courses, places to visit, eat and activities to do after race as a way to reward son for his effort and company. Additionally, as running fiction book will be based on Greek mythology stories, something running mom is totally ignorant about, driving time was wisely be invested on listening and learning about Greek Gods and Goddesses. So extra minutes added to get audio book into mom’s phone.

All set up. Time to leave home. Car engine turned on. It took only few miles for Greek crew to fill the car.  Gaia and Uranus followed by the Titans. Cronus with his five brothers and six sisters, followed by one-eyed Cyclopes. Gaia convincing son Cronus to do something terrible to his father. Too much! After a couple chapters mom decided to lock Greek Gods inside mom’s phone and switch to music. Since he has already learn everything about Greek mythology in school, instead of listening the audio book with mom, Nick was reading his 39 Clues book.

“Nick, would you mind if I put back the Calculating God audio book you listened part with me the other day?”, asked mom that didn't want to bother son on his reading.

“No. please put that back” said Nick. “I want to listen what is happening with those aliens”. “Great!” replied mom “I am glad we like we can enjoy the same audio book.”

It was already time to leave aliens and paleontologist in the car and go grab something for dinner. We had been driving under the stars for a while. We stopped in Granbury for some delicious Asian food after which we drove for almost an hour more until our final destination, Stephenville. Time was moving fast so son and mom went to bed. No TV.

Wake up call at 6:00 am. Son and mom had breakfast. Hotel was only few blocks from race “We have time to drive the course” said mom. 15 minutes after they arrived at race’s start & finish location with a view of 5k and 10k courses. Lot of hills up with few hills down. Several turns but perfectly marked with blue for 5k, white for 10k and yellow for the half. “After driving it, this 10k course felt like never ending” thought mom, “anyways, last three green miles (surrounded by trees and country land) end with a sweet downhill mile and only few yards up hill to cross finish line are going to be the ‘this is what you are here for, mom!’.”

Packages picked up. Cute lion bibs immediately clipped in and rest of items dropped in the car that was parked next to the start/finish line. Special feeling from smaller running races. No rush with logistics, well almost no rush.

“Come on, mom! Hurry up! Let’s start warming up!” yelled Nick.

“Ok! Let me finish getting ready” replied mom.  And in few seconds son and mom were jogging together. Just mile and a half plus few drills, but Nick with some “Achilles issues” decided to do it by his own rather than keeping with mom.

Starting line. Half marathoners departed at 8:00 am, 10k runners 8:10 am and 5k runners 8:20 am, what gave son the chance to relax and watch mom depart, then race, recover and wait for mom at the finish line. 

“It’s going to be a full 6.25 miles, mom. Relax, and no matter the pace, find yourself” mom thought. Starting line with a voice counting “7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 go!”. One man and two ladies in front of mom. “Patience, pace should (or might) come”. One lady less in front. Now it was mom and a cute blond lady. “Can I keep with her?” mom was wondering for like mile and a half until she realized and told herself “No, you have another gear. Time to apply it without fear” and took over the lead hoping to keep it to the end. And she did it! Second mile, third mile and last three miles “this is what you are here for, mom!”. Then last mile and “run without fear”. Final last quarter mile and “run with fire!”. Mom crossed finish line with son there, cheering with a bottle of water and a big hug for his mom.

“Good job, mom” said Nick.

“How did you do?” mom asked.

“I started in front but then a couple guys passed me. I couldn't keep up because of the hills and my Achilles and …”.

Mom didn't let him continue. “It’s OK. Nick” she said. “Did you try your best? Are you happy with your own performance?”

“Yes, mom.”

And mom’s wishes of Nick placing touched the sky. Son & Mom victory. An overall female lion trophy for mom and a first for his age group lion paw medal for son completed another awesome Son & Mom running event.

Back to the hotel. Hot tube that was actually cold but fun. Packing and checking out took only few minutes, then we were in Granbury square, enjoying a delicious lunch, doing some shopping and going to the Jail (Museum). Nick wanted to tell his classmates “I went to jail last weekend.”

Arrival time: Saturday, Oct 25, 2014 at 5:25 pm. 24 hours and a minute from departure. Not even a wasted minute of high quality time for son & mom together making mom feel strong before her scheduled “hardware removal” surgery few days after.

 

note: mom made the chart with record time for her age.

MK5K 2014 - His Medal Offer, THE Biggest Prize

I'm a truly believer "Things happen for a reason. We might not understand at the moment but in time it will make sense to us".

Beautiful morning. Team W, Running Mom & Son driving to the Mary Kay 5K race. Nick in silence reading Paladin Prophecy while mom yelling and singing “Can you hear me?” together with Enrique Iglesias on her iPod.

They parked. Several runners warming up around. Nick couldn't resist and joined friend O’Neil already on his 6^th warming up mile. Even mom had already registered, she still needed to pickup bibs. Registration sign. That is where I’m supposed to go, thought mom. Volunteer asked mom to fill a registration form which running mom only filled with her name.

Relaxed warming up, checking running course. 2x (2x (hill down & up)) take it or take it.

Starting line. Mom & Son next to each other. All ready to get set & go. Mom chasing Son. Nick flew away! Mom turned on her “Keep CALM and find YOUR ZONE” button, got the first hill down and up, reached Nick and they ran together the second hill down and up while taking about Ashli & Judah, 11 and 9 years old speedy friends, taking a good lead. After the 2^nd hill up, Mom started catching rhythm and got little bit ahead.

Race course with repeated 180 degree turns was great for faster runners to see how far ahead from competitors they were, as well as for slower runners to enjoy the live show of top runners speeding on the other side of the road.

Running mom got little bit mesmerized watching James Jackson and Vesko Rajovic after their first flat turn. With their very light running form barely touching the ground, they looked like flying! Second flat turn. Mom was wondering about Nick. She wasn't able to spot him after the turns. Was he too far, or too close? I’ll find later, she thought. Still one more 2x (hill down & up) ahead. Hill down, and way up when she got to see Laura Nelson coming down on her way to the finish line. She looked really strong! Turn around and last hill down and that delightful burning experience after that last hill up.

Finish line! Catch your breath mom! And cheer for Nick. He was really close and finished very strong. Go Nick! She screamed leaving everybody around her deaf.

Mom didn't have the slightest idea about results and times. Her Garmin got on strike again during warm up. Race awards was going to be a surprise. Mom’s biggest desire was for Nick to be called, and he was! Mom couldn't stop screaming when she heard his name called for the 3^rd place medal on his age group.

Mom loves races’ hardware and this Mary Kay 5k black & pink medal for the race's 10th year looked really good. So, when they announced her age group winners without calling her, she expressed her sadness to Nick who immediately pulled his own medal and offered it to her. That filled mom's heart.  No need of any black & pink medal. Big prize was just that moment.

Anyways, before heading back home mom checked results and found she had placed and they gave her a black & pink  medal.  Volunteer at the registration table had registered Mom & Son again from paper form rather than pulling their data from the system missing mom’s age.

Problem solved, with 2x (2x (hill down & up)) under the hat, 2 medals one for Mom & one for Son, PLUS the biggest prize ever. Son pulling his own medal and offering it to his mom.

TDF 10k – Coins For the Mental and Physical Buckets

Beautiful morning, the last one of this summer. Tomorrow it will be fall, for 2, maybe 3 weeks and then it will start feeling like winter in TX. As the book Champion’s Mind I am reading tells, “Performance is result of training, 90% mental and 50% physical”. TDF one of the “Classic” races in Dallas and great opportunity to have fun while adding coins to the mental and physical buckets.

I am finally feeling healthier! Toes getting fixed [thanks to Dr. Allan Sherman] & muscles feeling good [thanks to listen to your body]. Cardio is another subject these days :-)

Got at the Arboredum just on time to watch the 20kers depart. Then I started warming up, greeting friends, even Doc and amazing runner, Logan Sherman whose strides show before race were a perfect inspiration. 

Starting line for a “whole 10k” around 6.25 miles. No way were they going to miss the course this year as it happened previous year. So we started. I needed to focus on getting in the 10k zone, no matter my pace, no matter other runner’s pace. Couple miles on, I got to pass few runners and amazing kid, Jorge Mejia's. Turning back on the trail side for a while, then little turn and I ended up on the paved trail facing coming 10k runners. Something wasn’t right… 

Where were 10k runners going? Oh! They were up there! I missed a turn. So I had to keep calm, even take a couple walking breaks and find way back to 10k course. Once there, I passed few runners again including amazing Jorge Mesias' runner and got to cross finish line very out of breath, which means I wasn't taking really easy.

Once I recovered breath, I went for a little cool down against 20k finishers. I didn't want to check results, however I took a little look and surprisingly I found I got 3^rd Master, and then another surprise, they called me for the awards and they are sending me a check! 

Exceeding expectations race, not only Coins for the Mental and Physical Buckets, but also for family (husband taking care of finances these daysJ)

Running, 90% mental and 50% physical! 
RUN HAPPY OR DO SOMETHING ELSE

ps: Thanks Francisco Pullido for the chat, great pictures and support at the finish line

Dog Days Relay 3K x 3 relay - Team Work, So you better Run

Run fast for your mother, run fast for your father

Run for your children, for your sisters and your brothers
Leave all your love and your longing behind
You can't carry it with you if you want to survive

The dog days are over

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
The horses are coming
So you better run

Are them? Not yet in TX! So, you better divide and conquer.
Step by step, still getting adjusted to North Hemisphere's summer after month hiding in the sweetest South Hemisphere's winter, plus back to school. Plano Pacers Dog Days Relay 3K x 3 relay, shorter distance race with all the fun!

Mom invited son to race. His mission, either to pace her running the 3rd leg or to provide a fast young legs to any team in need of. We got to the park. Mom checked with her running team and a couple gentlemen, 75 and a 50 years old, looking for a 3rd leg. So Nick's important running mission for the day was set as part of a three generations, 138 points team (Mom's was 164).

Starting line. Nick was 1st leg of his team. He started very strong. Not so sure what exact time, since Plano Pacers new clock had a little issue, Mom's first leg mate, Tellie arrived, and second leg, Angela started. Short time after Nick completed his first leg in 14:07. WELL DONE NICK! And when Angela arrived mom departed.

The dog days are not over, or done yet in TX. However you are part of a horses' team, so you better run. I started just behind a great runner, Joshua Thompson and even he was getting further and further it really motivated me to be patient and keep going under control. Just 3km, however no matter the distance, my little runner's experience has tough me to be patient. All comes :-)

 

And it came! Almost getting the finish line and got Nicholas next to me cheering me and running next to me while recording a video. 

What awesome experience!!! I felt and feel so blessed! It is just my RUNNING MOM DREAM COME TRUE! THANK YOU Nicholas for your company and support. I LOVE YOU! And THANK YOU Angela & Tellie for making me part of your victorious team!

Run in BA - Runner Fest 5k - No cash, no problem... if...

No cash, no problem? That might be the case in USA but in Argentina where credit cards are only used in very few and rear locations.

“We know that it’s the people who are struggling that really need the personal loans... No matter how well you've planned your budget and spending strategies, they can still be thrown off by one unexpected events or other emergencies… Our online system makes it easier than ever to request a loan. The entire process is quick and convenient…”

One Sunday more, last week in Buenos Aires. It was Lucas birthday also Children’ Day in Argentina. Running mom found Runner Fest race which seemed to be a fun way to start the day before evening party. Again on our way to the Rosedal in Palermo, on the tollway when mom realized she had left all her argentine pesos in the house. No cash? Coming back? No way. I have credit cards and few dollars. Let’s try to make it!

First stop for the $12 tolltag where I was able to use a “bill me later” option. Second stop while parking at the race location and the security guy asked me for $60. I do not have cash I told him. I forgot to get some pesos but I have some dollars. Could I pay you with them? I asked. And here is when I felt my Angel de La Guarda was with me all the time to help me. The guy replied me, sure I can exchange you some money. How much do you need? I handed him 10 dollars, he gave me 90 pesos (not too bad exchange rate that was fluctuating from 8 to 10 pesos per dollar) so I was able not only to pay him but also to have some cash for the tollway back home and extra.

Time to pick up bib, and another stop. My online payment hadn't made it through. No credit cards, nor dollars accepted, so I had to use my consumer power and tell them it was not my fault but their system and I was there to race!!! :-) They finally accepted and gave me the bib. We dropped Lucas at the bouncing house and went for our warm up. Nick decided to play by himself. Mom lost control of him. Kids 1600m race. I kept yelling at the starting line, but I couldn't find Nick. Did he race? Not sure…

Time for the 5k. Running course? Total incognito. It wasn’t posted online and runners at the finish line had no idea either. Just do it! Mom I thought. So relaxed and took off. Not too hard, not too easy, just run at pressure level and enjoy! Finish line crossed and Nick was there cheering for me and hugging me.

Lucas, super tired, was still jumping at the bouncing house. Time to go eat something delicious as the tutucas we were able to get with the extra pesos we had, plus then, like a water hallucination in the middle of the Sahara desert, an Starbucks appeared in front of us. America! Credit cards accepted! So running mom was able to purchase the most tasteful chocolate glazed donuts for her kids.

No cash, no problem... If Guardian Angel is with you!

Few days after the race i found Nick's pictures online. Now I believe on the 6'09 mile he reported to me. 

 

Lucas feeding ducks with some tutucas

Starbucks' glazed donuts!!!

Run in BA – Carrera Grupos LT - Daughter & Mom, Kms vs. Miles

A gift race. Sunday race in El Rosedal de Palermo, a full of memories location. Running as DAUGHTER, with DAD cheering around and as a MOM with SON racing around. A 7km race for MOM. Not as popular distance among local TX races. Not too long but longer than 5k race. A 3km race for SON, around 2 miles minus a half a lap, that means 7 ½ laps talking in track and field language after TAAF.

Palermo’s Rosedal. Mom and Son warmed up together, picked up our packages, wore bibs and lined up at the starting line. Not any familiar face. I had checked the running course on line, however running there was a different experience. I started on a very conservative way, even race was on known lands, lands/roads I used to jog/drive around several years ago while living there, my mind was making little short circuits with km vs miles. Just 7km, however as American runner my unit is a mile, so 7 units race long race compared to a "five-k", just 3.12 units race!

I had a blast running around Bosques de Palermo that reminded me about lot of adventures.  I finally got to finish hard, almost as hard as like with the best gift ever. As a MOM, with my son cheering for me last meters before the finish line where I got to beat a guy! And as a DAUGHTER with my dad cheering at the end while taking pictures and videos.

An awesome experience! And lesson learnt as Daughter & Mom, Kms vs. Miles. For every kilometer children get to walk, parents had to run miles before. Let's teach our kids by example!

  

   

Grupos LT after race group pictures 

Too Hot To Handle 15k or 5k – MORE with less vs less with MORE

One of DWF’s classic races during summer. As I had raced and enjoyed that 15k few years ago, I didn't even think twice when I got the opportunity to sign up this year. “I can run 9.33 miles!” I thought. But... but should I? or better I switch to 5k? 

What is right or wrong doing? Running MORE under less intensity, a.k.a. endurance vs running less under MORE (higher) intensity, a.k.a. stamina.

Stamina or Endurance? Endurance or Stamina? Which is more important? None but both.

Which one was I going to use this race to enhance the fun to? I wasn't sure. Sincerely 5ks turned to be my most challenging distance races. I kept thinking and thinking specially during those 5 hours assigning bibs to happy runners at the RunOn! TX stores.

Finally on race morning after a good sleep and with a coach's mind, based on current training, goals and feelings I decided to take the race for “stamina” and was brave to switch to 5k. My runners, SandE team kept on the “endurance” 15k side. No matter what pace, just effort.

Race day was perfect. Nick came with me. I didn't offer him to sign up since he is having his TAAF regional the following week. He was though very relaxed and supportive. I enjoyed his company first as my son and second as one of my running buddies. 5k course was as fun as helly challenging. My strategy, as once a coach called Joe told me, “push no strain” and didn’t try to mimic any pace I didn't have. I just focused on keeping the effort and controlling form down the helly hill. I crossed the finish line almost under cardiac arrest, and Nick was there, what gave me three rewards: 

#1 yeah “be happy you are still alive” 

#2 as a mom teach son by example things aren't easy, 

#3 SandE proudly completed the 15k.

We had an awesome after race experience together. We ran cool down watching 15k amazing top finishers that was really inspiring to keep focus on stamina to be able to make better during endurance :-)

Many times there is no right or wrong thing, however you always need to keep focus to do it right.

DO MORE with less or less with MORE. BUT DO IT!

ps: were were so close! Good effort Argentina!