This summer is a little different, new and exciting. I am back in Southern California for some sea level training. I will be here for the month of June. The beauty of it is that besides getting to train with more oxygen, faster paces, this camp gives me the opportunity to reconnect to the past, to my early beginnings. It is wonderful to drive around the streets that welcomed me into this country, pound on the paths I ran over and over again before transferring to Adams. Its been a week since I arrived and each day has been very special.
Last weekend upon arrival I spent the night with one of my best friends. We had the opportunity to catch up and visit. She also got to see what its like for me to prepare and execute a race. I ran the Fontana 5km where I ended up in a very close 2nd place against an athlete I raced in College and former Team USA teammate at the 2007 World Championships, Mary Akor. Our competitive drive took over and we both ended up running fearless and nailed fast times 16:30 and 16:31. The whole experience was very special as my former junior college Coach, Dave Fier, was there waiting at the finish line just like in the old days. It felt just like when he used to bring us to this race 18 years ago. Im very grateful to have this opportunity. What a way to celebrate this amazing journey. Now, I feel each training and competition is a celebration of what the body has been able to help accomplish through the years, the endless memories and the friendships along the way.
Looking back there is nothing I would change. Each experience gave me the tools to tackle life and I can only envision myself looking back 20 years from now feeling the same way. Happy for the choices I made, the friendships I kept, the paths I ran.
This weekend I entered a local 10km road race in Long Beach. When I was heading to the starting line I came across one of my high school teammates, Julie - The conection was instant, we hugged and agreed to meet afterwards so that I could meet her children and visit more with her and her dad who was goint to be there to walk his first 5km after a recent stroke. Mr.Hitt was the man who in very kind words explained to me a smarter way to compete before the startr of CIF Finals in 1998 where I ended up finishing a close 2nd.
I want to run competitively, give good marks without forgetting what the sport has given me. I'm with Julie Feld, today was a great day. Being able to hug her, hug them Walt Hitt, to tell them in person the impact they made in my life was wonderful. I wish for more unexpected reunions like this...
"Today is a great day. Dad finished his first 5K since his stroke in April. It was awesome! And to make a great day even better, we had the pleasure of watching Zoila Gomez win the 10K. It was a wonderful unexpected reunion with my high school teammate!" Julie Feld
Then the story did not end there..
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| The fearless Sharon.. We would leave everything on the field during our Junior College days. So glad to see her again! |
"So I thought I was having Santa Ana college days flashbacks while running 10k today. Chasing 1st place female, her running style was all too familiar...and then it turns out it was indeed Zoila! She was the reason I usually took 2nd when running against OCC back in the days. So good to see you my friend. Great racing memories with you! Some things never change" Sharon Moreno
What a way to celebrate this amazing journey called life. Now, I feel each training and competition is a celebration of what the body has been able to help accomplish through the years, the endless memories and the friendships along the way.. A huge family reunion indeed..
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