Cancun Spring-Break 2015

Arrived to Cancun on Saturday and went running on Sunday morning. Stayed a week at the Royal Solaris Cancun, which is located on Km 19.5 Kukulcan Avenue. Sunday, we ran south on Kukulcan Avenue. Had to run on sidewalks for about 0.8 miles and then we ran on a bicycle trail. This bicycle trail ran for about 5 miles (my guess). We usually ran for three miles and back. Saw just a handful of other runners and walkers. 

On Wednesday, my right knee was hurting while running. Not sure why. I had to walk/run, mostly walking. Was the pain caused by going up and down sidewalks? I rested on Thursday because I went scuba-diving. Friday's run was a lot better, no pain on the knee!

I changed my diet for the whole week. Tried to have a very healthy breakfast (scrambled eggs) and ate lots of fruit in every meal every day! Tried to stay away from junk food.

Sunday Run: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/725665485
Monday Run: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/725665522
Tuesday Run: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/725665546
Wednesday Run: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/725665585
Friday Run: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/725665620
Saturday Run: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/725665648

Amana Freezer Run 5K

January 24, 2015. 10:00 AM. Go! I heard somebody shouted when I looked at my watch and saw ten o'clock. Pushed the start button on the Garmin and started running. No time to see who was around me. Just go. Wanted to run at sub-seven MPM pace, but didn't know if the Garmin had a screen on the lap pace. Before we got to the first mile I realized this lady Elizabeth was running next to me. I just tried to maintain the fast pace. Then, I was running behind this guy in a sweatshirt and baggy pants. He made me feel like we were just jogging. But we just kept going. Saw this other girl with the blue shirt way ahead of me and impossible to catch. Decided to maintain the pace and maybe she started too fast and would burn at some point --that did not happen. Got to East Amana and turned left and then right. Then up around these street blocks.  It was all uphill, but finally we got to the highest point. Of course, now we were able to take a break running down. Then the long road again. Kept moving as fast as I could. Saw a silo at the distance.  I knew we had to pass the silo before making the final left turn. Kept moving. Nobody was passing me, but the people in front of me were gone. Hard to run alone. Finally turned left and saw the finish line. Sprinted as fast as I could. Saw the clock, and saw time was almost 22 minutes. Tried to finish before the clock hit 22.  Came fourth place in my AG. No medal.

Mile 1	6:58 MPM
Mile 2	7:17 MPM
Mile 3	7:13 MPM
Final 0.1 miles	6:32 MPM

Garmin Connect: http://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/681447404
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/FreezerRun/timeline
Results 2015: http://fitnesssports.com/Jan.races/FreezerRun/15/Amana-Freezer-Run_5K-%2391CE.html

1000m Repeats

Decided to run in the indoor track last Friday morning with the running group at the Rec Center. 1000 m repeats consisted in about four laps. The idea was to run the first three laps at a fast pace, and then sprint in the last lap. Ran in my new Newton Distance III shoes. I could feel a little bit of pain on my left foot, but it was minor, so I continued running. 

1000 m	4:14 min	6:48 MM
1000 m	4:08 min	6:39 MM
1000 m	4:17 min	6:53 MM

I didn't know exactly how many intervals the group was planing on doing, but three intervals were enough for me. The group did two more 1000's.

I have several goals this year, but the most important one is to stay injury-free. Not really sure how to do this, but I will pay more attention on this. Having two stress fractures last year was just horrible. I don't ever want to have another stress fracture. I am putting my trust to Newton running. I'll stay with these shoes for 2015 and I hope they help me improve my running form and stay injury free. 

Back to Running

Started running again while spending Christmas vacation in Pennsylvania. Started by walking a minute and running a minute. Now, I have been able to run continuously without stopping. However, left foot started hurting somewhat this morning. Time to slow down. 

I am taking Assen diving this afternoon. Ideally, I'd love to get my body in the water and try to do some laps in the leisure pool. 

There is a 5K race in February 24th, the Amana Freezer. Not sure how fast I can run, but it's only a 5K. Need to warm up properly and just run for fun.  Try to pace somebody. 

Discipline

Disciplined people do things based on a plan. They set a goal and follow the plan until they achieve their goal.  I see many disciplined people everyday. I know several runners who are very disciplined. I see them everyday at the HRTC. They show up early in the morning, at the same time, and they train hard. They are consistent. They are achievers. They will accomplish anything they want.

We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort. --Jesse Owens

Christmas Party at Borlaug

The Orff Club played some Christmas songs at Borlaug's gym for all students and parents. It is so fun to listen to these talented kids perform such beautiful music. Sophia is not in Orff Club yet because she has to wait to be on third grade. Sophia had a party in her classroom and watched a movie. 

Friday is our rest day. Karen and I went walking for a couple of miles this morning. No running or elliptical machine this morning. I bet my legs will thank me for that! No wind. Although it was cold, it was bearable.
Fasted this morning and went to the hospital for a blood test. Let's hope my sugar levels are normal. 

Doctor appointment

The Garmin failed again. I tried to get it started, and it kept going from one screen to the next. No way to stop it. I had to put it in my pocket and forget about it. It feels so weird to exercise without it! Went to the doctor for a normal check up.  Lungs are fine. Heart is fine. I'd wish I could say the same thing about my feet! 

Exercised at the CRWC while Assen was diving. Ran/Walked on this programmable treadmill. Walked for one minute @ 18 MM, and ran for 0.1 M @ 14 MM. Feet behaved properly. I hope I can do some running tomorrow at the HTRC. 

Sophia and I learned a little bit about coding.  It was a nice tutorial in the computer.  I hope we can keep learning a little bit more. It would be great to be able to create our own apps.