THE POWER OF ASKING

Thank you Alamosa Parks and Recreation for making this events happen!

I have always encouraged my kids to ask. Ask for a favor, advise, a hug, food, or simply ask out of curiosity.

Kids from ITA tutoring protogram 10 and under ready to get the fun started.

I guess that has been something I have never been hesitant to do as I've learn to ask at a very early age. I clearly remember when I was 6 yars old when one morning I had to stay with one of my neighbors and I asked if she could prepare some homemade red chilakiles. Make story short, the wonderful lady did. She prepared them from scratch. sUntil this day, those are the best red chilakiles and lesson of caring I have ever had.

A windy and cold afternoon did not stop them from showing up to race

This past week, I had plenty of events to attend. Two of them were the High Altitude challenge races for kids sponsored by the Alamosa recreational center. An event, that has become a tradition for all kids from tutoring program. To my luck my vehicle was at the mechanic and the van I used in the past to transport my kids to this events broke down several months ago. For the first race, Mayra one of the neighbors came to my rescue. She let me borrow her van and helped me bring some kids on her other vehicle.

Magi and Tayler partner up for second race.

For the second race, I decided to simply look into my contact list and call people to see who could help. Then surprise, surprise! My Coach, Damon Martin, came to the rescue and agreed to partner up with ITA. Coach Martin provided me with a 15 seat passenger van to bring the kids to the last two races of the series.





Amazing how one thing led to another, at the race a mother of 2 year old, Tyler Dokon, asked me if one of my kids could pace her son. Here is when Magi one of my girls from the program volunteered to pace the little kid. Magi was one of the girls that initially needed a ride to the race.

Magi and Tayler

For the third and last race, without anyone asking, voluntarily Magi joined Tyler 400m into the race to pace him. After the race, the little kid gave Magi a handmade Thank You note and an invitation for her and all ITA kids to a Halloween party on the 28th.I guess that is what I would call socializing, making friends, meeting people, being a community, helping others, you name it.

Tayler crosing the mile finish line in personal best of 14:13.42

Tayler's dad happens to be a professor at Adams State and told me he would love to help me get some students to come and help with tutoring. If that works out.. What a bonus!

Its amazing how the power of asking works. One thing led to another one. The personal memories and experiences we all take from the high altitude challenge will be ones to remember.



To all the kids that participated and all people involved THANK YOU!

My CHAMPS!

Results from High Altitude Challenge Races can be found here:
http://www.alamosarec.org/

TUTORING AND MENTORING

Im a very proud Athlete, Tutor, and Mentor for In the Arena. An ordinary day for me would be an AM Workout followed with breakfast, errands, nap, lunch, 2nd workout, weights, tutoring, dinner, then free time to mentor.

The nicest thing about working for In the Arena is that I get to develop and design my programs and own working schedule. My job is so rewarding and motivating that there are days when without thinking about it I have already spend 5 to 6 hours of tutoring and mentoring.



Just last week one of my girls from the tutoring program came by my apartment and asked me if I happen to have an action picture of her. She needed a copy for an assignment they were working on her 6th period class. So I had her come in and help me find some pictures of her on my computer. After a couple of hours of laughing and sharing stories about all the pictures we found she finally chose one. I did not have a printer at home and it was already 9:00p.m for us to go to the store and print a copy. So, I told her I would make sure she would have a copy of that picture before her 6th period class. That night I went to bed with a mission. Next day after my A.M. workout and breakfast, I trully enjoyed seeing my girl, Karen Aguilar, smiling and feeling supported when I came to her school with a copy of the action picture she needed. That morning, I felt accomplished as I knew I was doing exactly what IN THE ARENA strives for. Then, once again I realized I was at "work", I was "In the Arena"



That day the fun and excitement did not end there. After my second workout, I had plan to take my kids from the tutoring program to a local XC race. The support I had from kids and parents was overwhelming. Parents came along to help me monitor and cheer on the kids and the kids response to the opportunity was amazing as all of them raced their hearts out.



After the race, we hustle back to the apartments to take advantage of the last 30 minutes of tutoring. Fortunately, we were able to stay in the office longer. So, my kids did not only had the opportunity to experience a cross country race for the first or second time, but they were able to finish their homework for next day.



So if you were to ask me what is it that I do for a job besides being and athlete? My answer would be: "On my free time I trully ENJOY and LOVE tutoring and mentoring kids"