MY PLATE

Yes, lately there has been too much

good on MY PLATE. After my trip to London,I immediately embarked in a new project. My very fist full time job ever, Coaching.

This job could not come at a better time. I've been disable to train at a higher level for the past 8 months  and this opportunity along with  my Community service with In The Arena and Run With US!  have kept my plate deliciously  full.

  I do not believe in coincidences, I believe in causes. Yes, my health issue had a reason. If I was 100% healthy and in a competitive mood most likely I would not taken the oportunity to be part of the best Coaching staff in the nation, The Adams State University Cross Country. Not being able to train and compete also left me economically short handed. So, as you can tell this job came at the perfect time. Running has been and will always be a big part of my life, therefore I am very greatful to have the opportunity to share my knowledge and experiences with the young group of men and women of Adams. Having the chance to work along side my long time Coach Damon Martin is indeed another blessing in my life.  A new commitment, a new responsibility and so far wonderful journey. Yeah!!!

 

My brother Arturo Javier Tutoring Math :) 

Arturo, Jorge helping with reading, and Norma with Spanish

On the civic aspect, ITA after school tutoring program is rolling again. Now with new changes (positive ones) in schedule. We will start tutoring Mondays to Thursdays from 5:00- 6:30p.m . The first hour will be devoted to homework and the last 30 minutes will be all about being active and putting into practice all we learned in the summer with Run With US!, so the last half hours the kids will have an active activity.From time to time, I will spend a few minutes to go over some nutrition and goal setting tips from RWUS! with the kids. We have to keep the information fresh just like our dinner plates. This past week we had extra help. A few of my brothers and sisters were in town and  spend some time with my ITA tutoring kids.

Alicia Reading Monitoring Group Reading

6 Year ITA member, Nephew Brayan reading for my little nice Eli

In the name of all of our kids that beneft from this program, Thank You Tierra Nueva, Immigrant Resource Center, In The Arena and Run With US! for contributing to make the after school program better and better each year. Our kids are excited to work hard this year and achieve some goals they set this summer during RWUS! Quite honest, Im am amazed of how much can be done when one is not fully training. Even though, I've been out of the competitive Arena for a while and at times miss it, I am very happy and excited to utilize this time to explore  the professional side. No doubt there is indeed time for everything in this life and today Im absolutely happy to a full PLATE!

Me reading to our kids :)

ITA~RWUS!~LONDON 2012

It all starts with a DREAM. I am a dreamer. My dreams date back when I was a child. Therefore, I truly believe all of our kids deserve to dream and as adults, mentors, it is our resposability to inspire and help our youth get as close as possible to their dreams. When I was 7 or 8 one of my dreams was to run away from home, meet new places and travel all over the world. Then, there were no imposibles and day dreaming was my thing.

"Zoila!" "Becky!" We crossed paths again in London during Womens Marathon!! This World is quite small. The best surprise ever! 

 Back then the Olympics were not in my sight. Sports were out of the picture. My dream was to become a Jornalist. At age 16 my life changed significantly upon my arrival to the USA. Here I learned English and fell in love with Running. Then Olympics came into the picture. "I want to become an Olympian" 2008 I was the USA Olympic Alternate after taking 4th at the Marathon Olympic Trials. So close, yet so far from that dream. During these years, there was only one organization that took me in and believed in me, In The Arena. Together we have reached over 30 thousand kids. I have been able to share my story to thousands of people nation wide and in many ways I have grown not only as an athlete, but as a person. So much to be thankful for!!!

With Olympic Rowing GOLD Medalist,Caroline Lind, outside the Olympic Village 

 After a rough year and missing my chances to make an Olympic team, RWUS! come into my life. Giving back and teaching our kids the things I know has been very rewarding. This summer I had a blast!! and it is my hope that more athletes get involve.

RWUS! Summer Program with our Kids from Alamosa, Colorado 

 Being in London as an spectator is the best thing that could have happen to me. This experience has given me the opportunity to see and appreciate what I have accomplished as an athlete since I become a professional athlete (2005).

A great friend from Poland, Olympian Karolina Jarzynska and her Coach Zibi Nadolsky 

 I do have the most amazing friends and I have been surrounded by extraordinary people. I have been part of the best TEAM in the Wold 3 times (TEAM USA)in the past 3 World championships (Osaka 2007, Berlin 2009, Korea 2011. I have been all over the world, Yes, I have been living my childhood dream.

Im a Fan!!

I might not be a journalist, but there was no day in London that I did not chase someone to get a picture or wonder around in a city to find my way. Being a small part of London 2012 as an spectator and being next to the Olympic flame assured me that Im heading on the right direction and that my ultimate calling is reaching out to our youth. They are our present and our future. They need us as much as we need them.

A night at the Olympic Stadium, London 2012 

 More than ever the flame to inspire our youth is burning inside me! Proud of In The Arena and RWUS! & @usatffoundation. I am so looking forward to reach out to our USA Olympians to give a hand on this DREAM.

London 2012 does not end here. London 2012 will end once we reach Rio De Janeiro as an athlete, an spectator, or mentor. London 2012 is already In The Arena and will be Running With US! in this amazing journey. Thanks ITA~ RWUS! and London 2012 for such an amazing journey!!! BE, DREAM, BELIEVE!!