ITA AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING PROGRAM

After weeks of discussion and preparation, the "ITA After School Tutoring Program" in Alamosa has successfully started. On October 12th,2010, tutors and students gathered for the first time at the Tierra Nueva Apartment main office.
The last two weeks have been a great success. We (parents, students and tutors) are delighted for this opportunity. I have never seen so many kids show up with a smile on their face to do homework. The fact that they decide to stay for the whole hour and thirty minutes we open the center makes us,tutors, proud.
Its wonderful to see older kids take leadership and help out the younger ones. Yes, Im excited and very proud of this new project. It will not only impact our youth, but parents, teachers,a whole community and an ITA athlete that believes in them.

Thanks to In The Arena, San Luis Valley Immigrant Resource Center, Tierra Nueva Apartments, and volunteers for trusting and helping me make this project a reality.

Meet the new group of children and adults I will be working with for the rest of the school year.

NEW PR IN CHICAGO/ MARCA NUEVA EN CHICAGO

Chicago Marathon

10-10-10

Photo by Victah Sailer

Ante todo quiero agradecer el apoyo de todos aquellos ( Mi entrenador Damon Martin, Power Bar In The Arena, Strands.com/Mizuno, Atletas de Adams State, Mi familia, y a German Silva) que de una u otra manera contibuyeron a que hoy pudiese conseguir una nueva marca personal en en el Maraton de Chicago.

First and foremost, I would like to THANK to all the people (My coach Damon Martin, In The Arena, Strands.com/Mizuno,Power Bar, Adams State Athletes, My Family, and German Silva) whom in one way or another backed me up. Your contribution allowed me to be able to achieve a new personal mark at todays Chicago Marathon.

Con el Gran German Silva- With the Great German Silva

Increible haber tenido a oportunidad de correr y aprender de uno de los grandes, German Silva.. Gracias a Dios hacer posible esta gran coinsidencia.. Por siempre llevare conmigo cada consejo y cada tip. Sin german,  hoy no hubiera podido decir lo mismo de esta gran experiencia en Chicago.. 

Close to the finish/ Mas cerca a la meta

Photo by Ben Rigby

Incredible to have had the opportunity to run and learn alongside  one of the gretest in the sport, German Silva. I thank God for making this coincidence happen. Each advise and tip will remain with me forever. Without German today I would not be able to say the same of this great experience in Chicago. 

All photos (c) 2010, Paul Merca.

So proud of my temporary tattoo on my left arm :) In The Arena the organizaation that has supported me the most. To all the kids and youth I have crossed paths so far. Thank you for giving me a reason to run for and a motive to make the best of opportunities like this. Chicago 2010 will be one to remember for decades to come.. Orgullosisima de mi tatu temporal en mi brazo izquierdo. In the Arena la organizacion que mas me ha apoyado. A todos los ninos y juventud  con la cual he cruzado camino  hasta ahora, Gracias por darme una razon y motivo para correr y aprovechar este tipo de oportunidades. Chicago 2010 sera sin duda un evento que recordade por decadas... 

Im so happy to head back home with a new PR of 2:32:51.
Feliz de regresar a casa con un nuevo record personal ...

Split	time of day	time	diff	min/mile	miles/h
05K	07:48:13AM	00:17:48	17:48	05:44	10.48
10K	08:06:00AM	00:35:35	17:47	05:44	10.48
15K	08:24:02AM	00:53:37	18:02	05:49	10.34
20K	08:42:15AM	01:11:50	18:13	05:52	10.24
HALF	08:46:14AM	01:15:49	03:59	05:52	10.25
25K	09:00:16AM	01:29:51	14:02	05:48	10.37
30K	09:18:15AM	01:47:50	17:59	05:48	10.37
35K	09:36:42AM	02:06:17	18:27	05:57	10.1
40K	09:55:12AM	02:24:47	18:30	05:58	10.08
Finish	10:03:16AM	02:32:51	08:04	05:56	10.14