1st Marathon: LA Honda Marathon-RACE REPORT

1st Marathon: LA Honda Marathon

Date: 3-18-2012
Total distance: 26.81
Time:4:01:02
Average Pace: 9:00/mile
Fastest mile: 7:23 (last mile)
Slowest Miles:
9:51--the first mile was hard getting out!!
9:36 ( mile 15--Ran with my Buggarhead for a couple hundred meters--AWESOME. Gracias Fabiola and Thanks Peter for being there to cheer with my little #1 motivator!!)

At the start we were really excited and READY to go!!!

How did it feel? Well... I must thank Dana for getting me through the race!
My left knee and left groin hurt for just about 19 miles. First city we went through was CHINATOWN!!! Super cool and we were out in about 7 minutes...haha. The smell of DIM SUM was DELICIOUS. Then we ran through little Mexico and Koreatown. We got through the first 4-5 miles without even noticing. We were laughing at mile 6...joking that we got a nice warm up in and were about to get started on a 20 run...haha.

Around mile 10 I started to hurt a little...felt like I had to actually start making an effort. Then I started focusing on seeing my little buggarhead at mile 15! I kept trucking along... through HOllywood, enjoying the scenery. I caught a glimpse as I was heading down the sunset strip of Peter's head beanie! I knew my buggarhead was around there! As I got closer he ran straight toward me onto the course and I gave him a huge hug!!! Ayyyy I loved it!

From Marathon120318

Right after that I started struggling a little again...once the excitement of the reunion wore off and reality set in that I still had 11 miles to go! Running through Rodeo DRIVE was pretty cool!

Before I knew it, we were at mile 18...I was like..WOW...pretty cool. The next two miles I started feeling better. By the time I got to mile 20, I was FEELING really good. I started to PICK IT UP...so I thought...but now that I look at the time (i didn't...lol, I just didn't slow down.)

Miles 21-22 I was happy and cruising, the pain in my knee had gone away of I had grown numb to it. Then Miles 23-25 felt a little long. Even though they were the most FAN populated portion of the race, along the course that I had run with my TEAMMATES the past couple weekends...it still felt long. Once I passed mile 25...I started to pick it up, and headed straight to that arch!I smiled the whole Last mile! It was a great feeling to know that I was finishing...and finishing strong. The road was lined with Fans on either side. I felt like they were all cheering for me...I felt like a celebrity...a star....a HOLLYWOOD STAR, my own RED CARPET EVENT!!
I wanted to run under 4:00 hours...and I got there at 4:01. And that was JUST FINE FOR ME!
I felt great when I finished...

Only now, hours after the race, am feeling the effects! WOW does my body hurt, hamstring, back, KNEE (left)! But i'm happy to report- NO BLISTERS, NO SHAFFING, GOOD PICTURES, GREAT MEMORY!

RUN MARATHON- 

crossed of New Year's resolution list and LIFE bucket list =)

THE BIG DAY IS HERE!!!

Coincidence, fate, destiny....complete madness...whatever you want to call it...I made it here today. I'm heading out to run my first MARATHON, 26.2 miles at the age of 26.25!! YUP that is how old I AM TODAY...and Nico is 26.1 months old TODAY...and as my sister so AWESOMELY pointed out last night when I couldn't sleep....TODAY's date adds up to...i'll let you guess:

I drove the course yesterday after packet pickup and I was EXHAUSTED! But today is a new day...and I have so much to look forward to! 

TODAY IS GOING TO BE A GREAT DAY!!!

A little pre-race inspiration

Sunday March 18th, 2012 over 20,000 people will meet at the historical Dodger Stadium, not to watch america's favorite pastime but instead to start a journey few will ever take on and even fewer will ever complete in their lifetime. They'll rise before the sun mentally and physically preparing themselves for the grueling day that lays ahead of them, the 26.2 miles across one of america's most developed and populated cities Los Angeles.
Whether you've spent your whole life here or you're just visiting for this special occasion, as you run this course you will see parts of L.A. you've never seen before, blocks of buildings you've never seen, stores you never heard of and restaurants you'll want to go back and try some day. The streets will be filled with thousands of unfamiliar friendly faces sprinkled in will be a few that you do know friends, family, co-workers and neighbors, all will be cheering you on as you make your way across the city to the ever beautiful Santa Monica Beach finish line.
Like life that finish line won't come easy, around ever turn will be a surprise, some good a like leveled road with maybe a slight decline allowing you to catch your breath, others just waiting to stick it to you demanding you to push harder just when you felt you pushed your hardest. As you work through the hills of Downtown and Hollywood plenty more will be waiting for you in Century city and Westwood reminding you of just how much you love having a car in this city with its crazy gas prices and a greater appreciation for all those cyclist you see everyday commuting to work and around town.
You'll want to take a break, you will want to quit, but you won't let yourself, you're focused and determine to complete this challenge set before you to be added as yet another reminder that you can overcome anything you set your mind to. This isn't a graded test to see who can do the best, this is pass or fail and your results are the only one that matters. Over the last year you ran for fun, ran for training you've spent time with others who have the same goal of completing this course, you shared drinks created bonds gained inspiration and have given it while sharing stories of you, your training and your motivation. On March 18th on the other side of that finish line not only will you be standing where you want to be, but will also be standing tall as the person you want to be. I wish you all the best at the 2012 L.A. Marathon, and just remember run YOUR race not the next guys. I can't to hear your stories of triumph.
Kristian Michael
Asst. Organizer of
RunMDR / Marina Del Rey Running Club

TRACK MY RACE

Tomorrow is RACE DAY! You will be able to track me if you like through this website:

http://www.lamarathon.com/runner-info/race-day-tracking/ 

Now don't expect anything crazy! But I hope to impress myself...and be done before they open the streets up for LA TRAFFIC!!!

Here goes NOTHING!!!

Here's a map so that you can kind of see where i'm at when you get those updates!! =)

1st MARATHON----2 days away!!!!

So this morning, a Friend sent me an email that really made my day! 

She sent me a PDF of a presentation she saw...where the subject was RESILIENCE. She told me: 

"Each of us has our own story, our own setbacks and our own triumphs...and its all apart of our journey through the "human condition." Its amazing to see how resilient humans are and can be."

Here is the definition of RESILIENCE: 

Getting stuff done when ______(aka poop) happens!---keep in mind i have a 2 year old YAK BACK that records and repeats everything i say, so I must now START SPELLING things...lol. 

Thanks Brit! Resilience truely is the ability to recover or adjust to misfortune or change (i don't know about the easily part)....and i truely hope that it means the capability of a strained body to recover--to bounce back--after being subjected to all kinds of stress-- like ASPHFAULT, ANOTHER BODY, and NO SLEEP!! 

This slide was so beautiful I just had to share it all! Resilence is what enables us not only to survive but to thrive despite our changing enviornment. That's the thing about CHANGE...it's the only CONSTANT IN OUR LIVES. Nothing ever remains the same....I guess that's why my blog's description says:IN ONE MINUTE, MY WORLD CHANGED! NOW I BEGIN TELLING MY STORY OF HOW I CHANGED WITH IT. 

 There are a lot of things that I thought I would never be able to do, but just as this marathon keeps proving to me, THE HUMAN CONDITION is INCREDIBLE....i'm amazed at what I have been able to achieve and continue to do besides the emotional and physical setbacks. I don't want to be a person that is constantly blaming those circumstances that surround me...for my inability to live a fulfilling life! Its always our choice! It's our choice to thank those around us who give us the opportunity to stop everything and start over from scratch. It's our choice to look at the things that are making us suffer or causing internal conflict when we look in the mirror and CHANGE that about OURSELVES. We are the only ones that should be amazed at who see see staring back at us in the mirror every morning (wink wink).

As the reality of this marathon creeps closer and the pain from my bike accident 14 days ago still hasn't allowed me to run more than 8 miles...I realize that success and failure are subjective. Sunday morning's race will be run to push my limits--obviously the physical ones, but my limits of courage as well. I'll be needing a MONUMENTAL amount of courage for this next chapter as one story ends and another one beautiufully begins. I will need courage to not back out, and NOT GIVE UP on myself, on my goals, on my dreams, and on the future that I see! I need courage to continue to love my life and be thankful for all the amzing people in it who challenge me everyday to BE BETTER. 

Like my friend Brittney said: Each of us has our own story, our own setbacks and our own triumphs...and its all apart of our journey..."


I hope that you all get to experience a "MARATHON" challenge that will force you to PUSH YOUR LIMITS....a challenge that will humble you and at the same time help give you a LIVING reminder of what RESILIENCE truly means!

Picture was taken on our first run together...can't wait for the post race cheers

With that said....HERE's to an amazing MARATHON--rain or shine!

Happy 26 months!

Happy 26 months NicoLico, Nicolon, Pumpkinhead and now buggarhead!!!!!!

MY GOSH how time flies!!! The first picture is of Nico at -18 weeks old (in utero) and Here is the picture of Nico NOW! I'm still amazed at the MIRACLE that LIFE is! Doing some spring cleaning I found a mini journal I kept in the Peace Corps where I wrote: It think having a little person walking around the world be really cool. I know they take a lot of work, but I guess if the time is right, I'll be ready''.
My maternity instincts must have been in full gear when I was writing this..haha, but I was right! It is very cool to know that I'm gonna leave this world with a child that is THE BEST PART OF ME! I was also right about the HARD work it takes to raise a mini me, but I also knew that I would be ready when the time came. Maybe that's why God puts women through pregnancy and delivery--to give us the opportunity to see a glimpse of the sacrifices and the unconditional love it takes to be a mother! Everyday I learn something new from my little blessing....and Now I only hope to be able to give him EVERYTHING he'll need to grow up a LOVING, SPECIAL, TALENTED, HEALTHY, and SPECIAL baby boy!!

MONTHLY UPDATE:
Consistently Inconsistent= That's been the theme this month. Even though consistency at this age with "routines" is what is recommended, Nico's life has been FAR FROM a SET ROUTINE but amidst everything, I must say that I take solace in knowing that soon I'll be able to provide more consistency and more of a set routine--like the one we were working on up to a couple months ago.

Changes this month:
Sleep Habits- generally his bedtime has been pushed back a little and the TIME CHANGE has thrown him for a loop as well. The decreased sleep hours may be leading to some of his Night mares (night awakenings) and some of his behavior in school (Teachers addressed PUSHING as a new issue- and had to put him in TIME OUT=(, but the teachers and other mom friends say it comes with the "MINE" stage that he's in right now. I just have to keep an eye on it a make sure that it doesn't continue to develop and that he realizes that it's NOT okay to push kids off the top of the slide)

There have been a lot of Good changes too!!!
He'sLOTS OF TALKING! He is definitely putting two an two together. Its amazing the things he is connecting. He's so amazing. Yesterday some of his little friends came over and I brought out the tunnel for them to crawl through. When he got to the other side he came out and said- SURPRISE!!! You can imagine my surprise when I heard him! WHAT A BIG BOY!!

Fabiola (my aunt from Colombia) has been visiting for the last couple weeks and he has taught her more english than she's ever learned in her whole life! One funny phrase he keeps saying and I don't know where he got it from is: "No HI...HEY".


Eating habits:
Definitely hasn't been a good eating month! We are back to picky! Still loves the DINO CHICKENS but everything else is HIT OR MISS! Fabiola obviously worries but I know he isn't going to go too long without eating--he's got his MOMMA's blood!

Things he is able to do now:

• He is able to put his shoes on and take his shoes off by himself. When people come to the house or even when it's just us, he looks for all the shoes he can find to put them in the SHOE BASKET by the door! My little buggarhead is too cute.
• Understand directions.
• Almost open the front door (eeeekkk).
• Opens the refrigerator at schoool to get his LUNCH BOXcarry his lunch box to and from the car when we leave daycare.
• Tell me where he has an OWWIE- when he gets hurt and then comes over to me so I can kiss it, and tells me "all better" and runs off!!!
• How can i forget! He can COUNT!!! loves counting everything. He can count 1-10 in spanish, but english we still need to work on...His english numbers generally go something like this: 1,3,4,5,6,7,9...7,9,10
• He can repeat the whole alphabet in english and spanish when I say it to him...unless he gets distracted by a dust particle or a sound.
• he can UNLOCK my iphone, and move the screens over until he finds the Talking TOM app, and then click the X that comes out with all the other purchase options to start playing with TOM! CRAZY!!! (this one has me the most impressed of all his new "tricks". Fabiola can barely use my phone to call, and Nico is playing games, like he was born with the phone in his hands.

Happy 26 months buggarhead!! I love you with all my heart and can't wait for the adventures we'll share this MONTH !!! I know you will make it all a game, continue to make me laugh with your "tickeles" and faces...and give me all the strength I need to ROCK my MARATHON THIS WEEKEND- I'm gonna run one mile for every YEAR OF MY LIFE and every MONTH of your LIFE!!!!

LUB LU!

NEXT RUN......20 miles!

Oh my gosh! I just got a little freaked out! This Saturday i'll be running 20 miles!!!!

This week I've run a total of 0 miles =/ because things have gotten a little hectic around here. But this weekend, Nico may have to join in on this 20miler unless I think of something before Saturday morning. Either way...once running 20, 6 more miles may seem very do-able.

Just like the training for this marathon, you can only take life one step at a time....

cause if you look at the whole picture---YOU'LL DEFINITELY FREAK YOURSELF OUT!!

Assignment for today: Breathe Breathe Breathe....

(repeat infinity times)

RACE!! Less than one month away!

In 26 days I will compete in my first FULL MARATHON!

Saturday I ran 16 miles on my own, 8:38pace....feeling good, feeling strong, finding different "targets'' to motivate me to get my mind off the TOTAL distance, finding reasons to be thankful for the people in my life and the things in my life.

This 16 mile run went SO MUCH BETTER than the 16 miler I ran just 1 month ago. I am happy to say that I ran it 1 minute per mile faster than 1 month ago...crazy how fast your body conditions and adapts.

I'm starting to remember what this felt like.

Training for this marathon has made me even more thankful for this great outlet that I have. Running has truly been a gift that has helped mold me, my work ethic, my perspective on difficult situations, and my approach to life in general. I guess when it's the ONE THING that has remained "constant" in the past 20 years...it's hard to not weigh in on most of life's events, decisions, and results.

I honestly think that being a runner has made me the strong person that I am today. I'm glad that this marathon, is yet another feat that I'l be able to add to my tally of running accomplishments in what has been a lifetime of running.

Marathon training...the mileage GOES UP!!

It takes a certain kind of people (crazy probably) to decide to train for a marathon. I've been a runner my whole life and the IDEA of TRAINING for a marathon has been a difficult one to swallow.

I know that if Brittney Love wouldn't have approached me about this marathon and joining her friends on training runs...I probably would have postponed my marathon debut again.

How fortunate am I to not only have a group to train with but do MY LONG TRAINING RUNS with ocean views. Last weekend we ran from Hermosa Beach to Playa Vista and back on a 16 miler---my first time going over 13. The last 3 miles were walk/jog of me because my knee and IT band hurt....but I finished.

This weekend we ran 18miles---another first. It was a spectacular run!

At the start of the run...when we took this picture, Brittany said. "Hey guys, we are almost done!" We all looked at each other and realized that she was delusional...since we hadn't even taken A STEP toward 18miles....however that's the type of MENTAL strength you need.

It was a difficult run, besides the obvious 3 hours of pavement pounding.  When you have 3 hours to THINK about things...and you can't just TURN OFF your brain...it's makes breathing efficiently little harder; however all those thought running around my brain made the first half of the run breeze by!

This what my 18 mile run looked like...Driving this would have felt long! But every part of it was beautiful. Since moving to LA I had always wanted to run on San Vicente...this treelined road on the north side of Santa Monica with a grass center path that "i thought" went for miles and found out that it actually goes FOR.E.VER!! I had never gotten a chance to make it there to run, and the grass patch isn't very stroller friendly...BUT I'M so happy I did.

At Mile 10, this guy(whom I thought was a random stranger--playing Volleyball, but ended up being a co-worker of the girls I was running with) started yelling at us..."i have jello shots!". At first I didn't think he could be talking to us so I looked away....but then I heard Brittany go..."OHHH DO YA!??!?!" And the guy sprinted over on that sand like if he was on a rubber track. In seconds the 3 of us had 3 jello shots with a GUMMY inside. Obviously not the best choice for a pick-me-up snack with 8 miles left to run, but what the HAY!! It was delish...gummy was clutch. We thought...maybe being partially drunk would help numb the physical pain that would shortly KICK IN. 

I was wrong. That shot made for a memory but didn't take away from the pain I felt in my left knee.

The last 7 miles were a struggle (with my knee). They were also a mental narration of what my blog would read and what my Facebook status should read after the run.

At around mile 15 I decided it should be:
There are somethings that no matter how mentally physically and emotionally strong you are-- are downright painful!


At around mile 16.5 I added:  I've been running for 20 years and it was still painful! But because I've been running for that long I knew it was gonna be hard....long... and take it all out of me; but I also knew that I'd get through it...and finish :)


Every time I go out for a run, I am thankful that i've had a pair of shoes as BEST FRIENDS my whole life...that have been by the door ready to go...in all kinds of weather, not judging how fast or slow I will run nor how long or short of a run it will be, and without caring if it's just US or a group..just listening to me rant and ramble about myself, my thoughts, my fortunes, my mis-fortunes, boys, heartbreaks, baby dilemas, work, school, friendships, and even just filling in the silence with a rhythmic pounding.

I hope that Nico too finds solace in a pair of friends like this.

My friends are those Crazy People behind those crazy Ideas!

So as most of you know, I grew up running in south Florida...where at the time...the running community was pretty tight, racing the same races (every weekend, with the same familiar faces, the same committed parents that would drop everything to watch their kids run around...and instill in them the importance of commitment, hard work, and dedication). Among those families that we saw over our years of elementary and middle school running was the RUIZ FAMILY.

Barbie was my age, Frankie was older (don't know exactly how much older..lol), and Nicolas was just a pre-schooler. When Barbie and I started High School at the same school (Our Lady of Lourdes), and continued running...but now as teammates, our families grew very close---weekend trips, summer trips, late practices,  summers at tropical park(2 times a day) early 5:45am practices on saturdays....etc.)

My parents even let me go on my first TRIP ABROAD ALONE (without them) with Frankie as my chaperone. Frankie had invited me to join a co-ed relay for a Fitness Festival in South Beach that won us (Barbie, Jose, Jesus, Miguel) an all-expense paid trip to ITALY for 1 week to compete in the Fitness Festival there! It was an AMAZING EXPERIENCE. That was in the summer of 2001. Since then I knew that they were good people that would make it big! They did!

Barbie, at the age of 25 she opened her OWN DANCE STUDIO in Miami...where she inspires little boys and girls to BELIEVE in themselves.

"All Access Dance Studio stands upon morals and values that will help all students who walk through those doors realize they can be stars no matter where they go. All it takes is a little bit of confidence, discipline, and lots of creativity. Here at All Access Dance Studio we will instill every bit of those ingredients to help all students believe in themselves so they may become the dancers they’ve always dreamed of. We believe in an atmosphere of family and friendship where everyone is important and everyone should be treated like V.I.P. The studio is not only run by experienced dance instructors, but by certified teachers who have gone through intensive training to work well with children and ensure that  everyone gets the most out of each class.  With that in mind, All Access Dance Studio is here for you. Therefore, get up, put on your dancing shoes, put on your All Access pass because this is the place to get you moving right through the red carpet and into the spotlight!"

And her brother Frankie...well where do I start writing about how he has made a HUGE, immeasurable  impact in Florida...and in the running community in General! Read more about him HERE.

My Friend Barbie posted this on Facebook and I thought I'd share....family love is so cute. It's an honor to say that I know these two unique, motivated, passionate, and inspiring characters =)...but best of all...I love that I can call them friends.

...10 years laterOn February 2, 2003 the first Miami Tropical Marathon took place, of which now is very well known as the ING Miami Marathon. With just 2,000 runners, 26.2 miles worth of “Miami” streets/bridges/neighborhoods would be shut down for the duration of the event, of which many trying to get to work or leaving a night club at 6am, would find to be an inconvenience. And as for those working or should I say volunteering, of whom were mainly just family and close friends, we had a dirty job behind the scenes. There was no set up or clean-up crew nor was there anyone of whom had the slightest clue how difficult a marathon really was to put on; but somehow we managed with a zip tie in one hand and a permanent marker in the other to make it happen. After the race those few whom took part had so much to talk about but very few would understand. Walking the streets of Miami very few knew about running nor even what a marathon was. I jumped for joy that year when I finally saw a complete stranger wearing one of our Marathon t-shirts. Each year more people started hearing about this “Run through Paradise” and wanted to see for themselves. They wanted to see what Miami had to offer that no car or bus could show them. They wanted to be part of this tradition in the making. Nearly 10 years later this once small running event has attracted more than 25,000 athletes from all over the world and over 100,000 spectators. Walking the streets of Miami today you see over 100s of running clubs getting their people ready for the ING Miami Marathon. You see “Miamians” wearing their marathon tech tees proudly and their spinning medals hanging from their rear view mirrors. People have marathon count downs on their Facebook pages and their status updates are personal running workouts. People leaving night clubs now come out earlier to cheer on the runners and neighbors who live near the course bring out their tables and set up water stops and gel stops for the runners! People who once said they would never “run for fun” are proudly training on the sidewalks all across South Florida to run this event, which is now just a few days away! On January 29, 2012 the 10th annual ING Miami Marathon will take place and it will be bigger and better than ever! Although very few know this my brother Frankie Ruiz was the co-founder for this event 10 years ago. He has never really received the credit he deserves for being the true master mind behind it all. He always says in his speeches this wouldn’t happen with all those who help in this event such as the office staff, the race crew, the entertainment, and all those volunteers and he is absolutely right. But I feel that it takes a true leader like him to successfully put on an event as large as this, year after year. Ten years ago, people thought this idea was crazy, but it’s crazy ideas like this that change the world. Congratulations to all those who helped in these events the past 10 years and above all congrats Frankie Ruiz....you made it happen. RUN MIAMI!

Marathon Update (Race Change)

MARATHON UPDATE

I've postponed my marathon until MARCH 18th,2012

When I'll be running the HONDA LA MARATHON

Your registration is complete!

A couple reasons why I postponed my Marathon Debut:

1. Honest #1 reason: I wasn't 100% committed to the idea of running a FULL MARATHON and so the rest of the reasons followed...

2. I hadn't bought my flight tickets to Miami  for the ING Miami Marathon (since we just got back, I've been adjusting to my new WORKING MOM schedule, and we are preparing for Nico's Birthday)

3. I was considering doing the AUSTIN MARATHON (February19), but I don't have that many vacation days at work accrued...and when we got to Austin, I don't want to be SAVING my energy for racing, I want to be in 100% play mode to hang out with all our AUSTIN FRIENDS....(see you this spring!!!)

4. It's a LOCAL RACE!!! I'm excited to run across the city i've been residing in for the past year! Plus the local aspect has a bunch of perks:

I can sleep in my own bed the night before the race.  

I may take the next day off from work...but I don't have to set aside vacation time for a trip.

I can control my schedule better as we near the START DATE.  

I will have friends to train with who are RUNNING the Marathon as well!  

No Travel required, which means I don't have to sit cramped on a plane BEFORE OR AFTER my FIRST MARATHON! 

5. The Motivation: I'm really nervous about doing a marathon...but now as I am a few days from celebrating Nico's 2nd birthday I've been reflecting on the events that took place 2 years ago as Delivery Neared...and arrived. Those 26 hours of labor (coincidence hehe) were INTENSE... There was a fear of the unknown lingering, especially the nerves of just how bad the pain was going to feel. The last 4 hours were even more intense and the last 2 were the most PAINFUL I had ever felt. So painful that I thought I was physically not going to be able to handle it. But the human body is amazing. I lived to hold Nico lico in my arms minutes after THE MOST PAINFUL moments in my life. He pushed my limits and showed me that he was always going to be there to test those limits, encourage me to be more, be better, and believe in myself.
So now, even though I'm scared of the pain I'm going to feel during the race, I just have to remember that just like those labor pains faded...so will the race pains that will for sure come. However, I can only be as prepared as I can be, hope for the best, and wait for those pains to quickly fade after the race...to only leave FOND memories of a great BUCKET LIST ACCOMPLISHMENT to be crossed off.

Here is the race course:

How bad can it be...lol?!?!?!