Today I took a look in the mirror and finally told myself that it was time to really focus on putting more effort into my training. I have the best coaches in the world, +Richard Kalasky , @Carlos T. Hill, @Kristen Schuldt, @Debo Condo and a AWESOME support team of runners who are part of @O2EA Fitness and Endurance Training.
My journey started back in 2012 when Coach +Richard Kalasky invited me to a runner's meeting at what is now Run Colorado Run. This meeting turned out to be life changing for me. It seems I agreed to be a part of @TeamDetermiNation of Denver's American Cancer Society and running in The Phoenix Rock n Roll Marathon which will be on Jan 19, 2013. Okay, Me run a marathon 13.1 miles!!! I got home and said omg what have I done.
As in most training I was involved by going to meeting and getting out on the weekends to be with the running group. But somewhere in the middle of the over 14 week training before the race, I lost focus. Did the training have ass and did most of my running on a treadmill. Even on a treadmill I never got to 13.1 miles.
Jan 19, 2013 came and wow my lack of training really showed as I struggled to keep pace and was so thirsty during the entire race. My body was in pain but I keep moving mile after mile. We I finally got to the 13 mile marker the leg cramps began and it was a struggle to get to the finish line. But something special happen during the race that I must talk about now. There were spots along the race while Team DetermiNation coaches were there to help keep our spirits up!!!! Just seeing them gave me a boost of energy that keep me going and yes at the end of the race some were there to help bring me home!!!!
Wow what a feeling it was to cross that finish line. My official time was over 3 hours but I finished my first half marathon!!! So now I was hooked!!! I told myself that I will have to improve my finish time for my next marathon. Colfax Half Marathon in Denver, Colorado was my next marathon challenge. I did work hard on my training program but still not at the level of dedication that is required for me to run entire marathon and not take so many walk breaks.
I did a few 5K and 5 mile races before the Colfax to get me into learning how to train right. I did reach my goal of being under 3 hours in the Colfax Race. I was done in 2:38:44 it was almost an hour off my Phoenix time. I was so proud! One race that really challenge me was The Slacker Half Marathon which the course is mostly downhill. I did finish it under 3 hours but OMG my body was done. My knees were like butter but it was crazy race.
And now my I'm preparing for another rock n roll marathon - Denver! My training started so and so but now August 14, 2013 I have stepped it up!!! The race is Oct 20th and I plan to complete the race at 2 hours are less!!! I joined Life Time Fitness so that I would have good equipment and no excuses for getting in my workouts!!!
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