My Quest to 50 +1, 13 Down 37 More to Go (Maine)

My Quest to 50 + 1 (PR)

13 Down 37 More to Go

Maine (Mount Desert Island Half) 13.1 Miles

In 38 Days I will be running my 21^st half marathons in Mount Desert Island Maine.  I will also be celebrating my friend Farah’s birthday which is on race day and she is also running the half. This race will be one of the most scenic races I will run, I hear that the views are breathtaking and so are the hills haha. 

I have also been training for the NYC Marathon in November so I'm prepared for this half and looking forward to completing my 14^th State. I can always hope to set a personal record but sometimes you never know until race day how are going to feel.  My training has been good so far and I’m going up to 18 miles this weekend. I have had one or 2 runs that I didn’t feel my best but I think a lot of it is mental for me more than physical, I need to work on that.

For this race I am running for a charity Operation Jack which is a foundation to encourage parents, relatives and friends of those struggling with autism to find a positive outlet by leading an active lifestyle that promotes awareness and raises funds for autism-related charities.

I will be traveling a few days before the race so I can take advantage of Maine and go for a hike in Acadia National Park which has been on my bucket list for a couple of years now.    

Along with my running I like to cross train with weight training and boxing. I need to get back into my spinning routine also, it helps when I’m marathon training and need to work on incorporating it back into my schedule. Ahh not enough days to all the workouts I want to do haha.  

Well until next time Happy Running!!

My Quest to 50, 37 more to go! 120 Days Until TCS NYC Marathon 2015

120 DAYS TIL NYC MARATHON 2015

NOVEMBER 1, 2015

It's been a few months since I've written, my last state I ran was Massachusetts Memorial Day weekend, which was my 13th state. My quest to 50 has been put on hold for a few months but hoping to complete 2 more states by the end of the year.

My focus now is on the TCS NYC Marathon 120 day from now and working towards beating my time back in 2013 where I finished 4 hours and 10 minutes. I can say that year was an amazing year and I felt awesome during the race and to see my cheer zone at Mile 18 & 22 was awesome. I am looking forward to my training and see how far I can push myself without injury. I have to stay focused on getting my runs in and staying consistent and also cross train which is just as important as the runs.

This will be my 4th full marathon (26.2) and my second time running NYC. I can say NYC is one of the best places to run, the streets are full of spectators and you can't help but smile the whole way, when you're feeling tired you have their spirit pushing you along with your fellow runners.

I added a few photos from my 2013 Marathon to see the look on my face and how amazing I felt.

 

Let the Training Begin!!

My Quest to 50- Massachusetts 13 Down 37 to Go +1

MY QUEST TO 50

13 DOWN 37 TO GO +1 (PR)

BOSTON RUN TO REMEMBER HALF MARATHON

13.1 Miles

May 24, 2015

This Memorial Day weekend I ran my 20^th Half Marathon (13.1 Miles) fulfilling my 13^th state on my quest to 50. I ran the Boston to Remember Half Marathon honoring fallen heroes both in law enforcement and the military. 

This race didn’t do so great, I started off by forgetting my music so this was a first for me running that many miles with no music to zone me out, my Garmin watch was wacky and I usually have a hard time pacing so I was pretty much all over the place without relying on my watch. All I can hear is the breathing of other runners and their feet hitting the pavement. I can say that running through Boston was very scenic running by the river and the financial district and other neighborhoods which I thought were so pretty, of course NY is still better haha. I didn’t feel as if I trained for this half and haven’t been consistent since my last big race the North Carolina marathon in April, guess I just needed a break. This break I actually felt it, by mile 10 I felt that I was done, guess I needed that music to motivate me more but was just thinking NO MAS (No More). I finished at a decent time but definitely need to get back out there and get into training mode.

I had a great time in Boston the one night I was there and saw some familiar faces that I’ve met through other races that were representing the NYPD and some other friends I made overnight. Also my friend Keysha who I know from HS that I’ve grown closer within the past year and we only reconnected just last summer when running brought us together.

 

So what’s a trip to Boston without checking out our rivals the Boston Red Sux stadium? Before heading back home after the race we decided to do a drive by to Fenway Park and take a picture by the stadium which was fun. 

I’m hoping to complete at least 2 more states by end of year, traveling to other states and signing up for races can get costly overtime so have to try and keep it to a minimum. Hoping to stay within the New England area and race in New Hampshire and Maine.

Until next time Happy Running!!!

My Quest to 50- North Carolina 12 Down 38 to Go!

MY QUEST TO 50

12 DOWN 38 TO GO

North Carolina Marathon

26.2 Miles

April 12, 2015

A few weeks ago I ran my 3^rd full marathon in North Carolina. I completed my 12^th state on my quest to running 50 states. I set a personal record for this marathon by 1 min but I can say this was a hilly tough 26.2 miles. I could have finished with a better time but duty called and had to stop at the porta potty, my very first time stopping at a porta potty for a big race haha and when I had to start up again legs were so tight :(

This was the second year that Rock N Roll hosted the Raleigh Marathon, not sure if it lost popularity last year because of the hills but there were a lot more people running the half marathon compared to the full marathon. When the course split at mile 8 there were hundreds of people going toward the half route and a handful of people running towards the full route. I was one of the handfuls that went toward the full. At one point during the course I was the only one on the road for a few miles, no spectators no runners in front or behind me, a lonely hilly road. Along the route I got to talk to some runners since there were so few of us, some were feeling ill puking along the side of the road, some had stopped to stretch and massage their legs because of all the hills, I know I definitely felt it on my thighs. All in all I had a good race even though I’m still complaining about the hilly course, did I mention there were lots of hills haha.

My mom and my youngest sister Cadence were there to support me this time around for my marathon. We drove from NYC, what a long ride and we even tried some NC BBQ. We went to this place called The Pit which was televised on the Food Network so it was definitely a must try, lets just say the ribs, candied yams and the mac and cheese were finger lickin good. Post race we stopped at a restaurant called Cracker Barrel and that country fried steak was delicious. When I visit someplace I always like to try the best eats in that city.

                                                        

I recovered pretty well from the marathon, was sore for 2 days and then I was ok to go boxing on day 3 and felt great. I’m happy that I recovered well and experienced no injuries, just a few weeks before I was experiencing hip pain and I rested it and it got better and then with my new Asics sneakers I had pain on top of my foot, I’ve never used this brand  before which I’m not pleased with.

Now I have to decide where my next state will be, I’m working toward the East Coast right now, would love to travel cross country but will save up for that and maybe plan something perhaps end of the year or next year. Right now I have my sights on Maine, New Hampshire, Maryland and Boston.  

Next Stop Boston!!

My Quest to 50- Michelob Queens 13.1 March 21,2015

MY QUEST TO 50

11 Down 39 to Go

MICHELOB QUEENS 13.1 HALF MARATHON

MARCH 21, 2015

This weekend I completed my 19th Half Marathon in Queens, NY. The race this weekend was the day after the first day of spring and the route was covered in slush and ice and snow was falling from the trees from the sun. I woke up to a chilly morning, it was low 30's wasn't looking forward to running this race and dealing with icy conditions. I met some my sole sisters from Latinas in Motion running group before the race, as we were waiting for the race to start after a 15 min delayed start I was thinking too myself this will be an easy run, didn't want to fall and slip on ice and injure myself. 

Once the race started it was a slow start at first but after about mile 4 I started to get into a rhythm and decided to go out and race it and try and set a personal record, why not. I always try and make a better time then my last race, see how far I have come and how far I can push myself. My official race time was 1:48:02, 10 seconds better then my last half marathon last October. I started running in 2009, and completed my first half marathon in 2010 with a finish time of 2:00:31, I'm happy to see I have progressed and gotten better and learn new things about my body and how much I can push it.

I have yet to decide which will be my next Half Marathon which will be #20 but in the meantime I am working toward my next goal in 3 weeks, I will be running my 3rd Marathon in North Carolina and this will be my 12th state toward my 50 state running goal.

Until next time, happy running!

My Quest to 50- Winter Marathon Training- North Carolina-53 days til race day

My Quest to 50

North Carolina Rock N Roll Marathon (26.2 Miles)

Winter Running

I am 8 weeks away from my 3rd Marathon and my 12th state on my quest to 50. I will be running the Rock N Roll Marathon in Raleigh, North Carolina. Looking forward to making this trip with my mom and my sister and visiting family. I haven't ran a full marathon since 2013 but hoping I can set a personal record for myself. 

First, I can say that this marathon training has been tough, we have had a brutal winter here in NYC and getting out there in freezing temperatures you need a lot of motivation.  There are the 3 D's that what keeps me going Desire, Determination and Dedication. Just last month I ran a 15 miler in freezing temps feeling like 6 degrees.

My winter running has been done in my brooks gore-tex sneakers which I love and has been the best investment, they have kept my feet warm and dry with the conditions we had. I have a 18 miler this weekend coming up, hoping to stay on pace goal. This training has tested my limits and I have actually have gotten used to running in the cold. Today I ran in 25 degrees and thought that was ideal conditions, in the past I never ran outdoors when the temps were below 35. 

I've added some pictures from my runs this winter besides Central Park I ventured to other places to run such as Randall's Island and Calvary Cemetery in Queens one of the largest cemeteries in the US.

My First Indoor Triathlon 1/4/15

Happy New Year!

I started the New Year on a posivite and physical challenge. I completed my first indoor triathlon on Sunday January 4 at the Lifetime Fitness facility in Long Island.

The triathlon was a 10 minute swim, 30 minute bike ride and 20 minute run.  I can say that the swim was my hardest challenge and that's the most I've swam for that long a time. Like that saying goes, "What doesn't challenge you, doesn't change you"! I am going to work on my swim and sign up for an outdoor triathlon this year.

Have to thank my friend Keysha for getting me to sign up with her and met some amazing new people during the event.

Along with working on my swimming I will continue training for my marathon in April in North Carolina.

Until next time, commit to be fit!