UPDATE ON TRAINING

What: USA Men and Women Olympic Trials
Where: Downtown, Houston Texas
When: January 14th, 2012 8:00a.m.
Distance: 26.2 miles
Top 3 men and women will qualify to represent the United States at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London in the Marathon.


I am currently in the city where the Olympic Trials will take place. Yes, I am in Houston, Texas. Winters in Alamosa, Colorado can be quite chilly (Just this week the highest calls for 25 and lows -23) Two months ago, me and my Coach agreed that it would be best for me to head to Houston 6 weeks before the marathon trials to avoid the low temperatures.

This decision was an easy one as I had the most amazing people to support me. At home my older sister Norma and Immigrant Resource Center agreed on taking care of the tutoring program and in Houston the Coach and members of the Rice University Cross Country and Track Team whom I met back in 2008 at the Houston Half offered a place for me to stay.

Its been already two weeks since I arrived in Houston and quite honest I could not ask for a better setting. Becky Wade, who send me an open invitation to come and stay at her place in Houston has been amazingly supportive. She made sure I was well situated before she left for vacation. She showed me around and let me borrowed her bike. Also, she introduced me to the most wonderful hosts, Lennie Waite and Allyson Pye. They offered for me to stay in their place as they had an extra guest room I could use.

Im so amazed of how accommodating all of them have been. The location is amazing, I can get to the Olympic trials course either by running (3 miles) or by bus. It only takes 10 minutes to get there by bus and the bus stop is just around the corner. Also, I can run from home to run around the loop at rice university and Hermann park.

Thanks to Rice Cross Country Coach, Jim Beven, I am allow to use to the Rice University's training room facilities.

Most days I have to train on my own. Sunday has been my lucky day as Ive been having company for the past 3 Sundays.

Im excited and confident about the upcoming trials. As long as I follow the training schedule, take care of the little things, and believe my best marathon is yet to come I know the trials are going to be amazing.

Today, after the 22 miler, I can tell my training is coming around and my body is feeling stronger as the days go by.

I am so greatful and thankful for all the love and support given. By far, the best Christmas present one could ever ask for.

Happy Happy Holidays!!!

BE PART OF SOMETHING GREAT

Great news! 12 kids from Club Penguin made it to the 2011 USATF Cross Country Junior Olympics. The race will take place on December 10, 2011 in Myrtle Beach, SC at the Whispering Pines Golf Course. So if you live there or know someone from the area please invite them to come and cheer for our youth. I can not express how happy and excited I am for this group of kids. I have seen them train hard for the past two months. I have heard heartbreaking and successful stories along the way. Stories that they will treasure for the rest of their lives.

For many of them, this will be their first trip to a national meet. Perhaps, the first time they get to leave. the valley, the state of Colorado, get on a plane, or be in a beach town. As many of us know, it takes time, money, dedication, effort and a group of people to make wonderful things happen. This would not be possible if it was not for the penguins club coaches, (Peter DeLaCerda and his wife Ronda DeLa Cerda), parents and volunteers. They all have work hard to keep this group of kids motivated and in shape to get to where they are now. A a wonderful example of team effort.

If you want to be part of this kids journey and contribute to this program, you can do so by making a donation to the club. All the kids are currently raising money to pay for their expenses to this meet. So, if you are interested please send me an e-mail and I can provide you with the necessary information of how you can send the club your contribution.

Anything you can donate will help. My e-mail address is zoila@in-the-arena.org


Let's help this kids have the experience of their lives and be part of something GREAT!

The very best to all the kids that will be representing us in Myrtle Beach, SC.


INDIVIDUALLY

Joseph Borup
Derek VanBerkum
Olivia Hayden
Luke Haefeli
John Haefeli
Karlee Smith
Olivia Hayden


AS A TEAM

Brayan Flores Gomez
Christopher Blinzinger
Dallas Hackett
Elijah DeLaCerda
Kason Smith
Kolten Hillis