THE BEST OF 2013

 The after school tutoring program: This program has been a complete success thanks to the partnership and help of volunteers. To Immigrant Resource Center, Tierra Nueva Apartments, Norma Gomez, Beatriz Garcia Waddell, Roxanne Reimer, Cristina Mace and 3rd grade retired teacher Minnie Lopez.  This was our third year with the program. The highlight, our children. They have become more social, responsible and independent which had led to better grades. We are very proud of our In The Arena kids in Alamosa.

Run With US and ITA!: Kids really enjoyed the Run with US and ITA! summer program. The kids averaged 3km of running or walking per session. They enjoyed walking, biking or jogging to the playground at the elementary school which was 1km away.  Sprints, playing tag and monkey bars became their favorites. Definitely, we all are looking forward to do this again in this upcoming summer.

                                                                            New Programs: This year Roxane idea came alive. We added the reading and crafting programs along with the Girls Circle and Boys Council.  Roxane was able to meet with 5th and 6th graders once a week to have a discussion on a series of books they read over the summer.

Individual and Group Mentoring: The get
aways with a few kids over the year were amazing. This year, on my  free weekends I always had a group of kids joining me on an adventure. We either had an indoor meet or biked around town. Tour the Adams State University Campus or enjoyed the airplane show. I cheered our middle school and high school athletes at some of their meets or just had that serious talk. We celebrated our moms and could not help having an all out  party on Halloween.

Apperances and Speaking Engagements: 

Mile Fun Run: Always a blast to watch and support  our elementary school kids during their Mile Fun Run. This always gives me an opportunity to socialize with them and their teachers.

High Valley Community Center: This year I was able to visit the Center in two occacions. The first one was to share my athletic story with kids and the second one was to teach kids about my life and traditions in Mexico. For the second one, my sister Norma and my nephews came along. Norma explained how to make tamales and show how to make tortillas. At the end of our presentation, we treat them with fresh tortillas, homemade tamales and rice. I loved it when while eating kids would come up and say: "You are the famous athlete right"

Adams State High School Camp: Another year speaking at the High Altittude Cross Country High School Camp. I love sharing my running story with our youth. Athletes come from all over the USA and like years in the past, their reaction notes were so moving. Its my hope that all of them accomplished their goals.

Boys and Girls Club: Spoke at the annual fundraiser breakfast for Boys and Girls Club in Alamosa. I also spend some time with kids from Boys and Girls Club in
Birmingham, Alabama at the Division II Indoor National Championships.

Training: 2013 has been good to me.  I've been able to run  consistently and pain free since August.  My goal is to build a strong base to be able to compete again at the highest level.  I'm happy I can train. It feels amazing to lace your shoes and run.Today I run 14 miles, my longest run since the trials in 2012. By far, the best therapy out there. Work schedule permitting, I want  to start doing some small 5km and 10km races in the coming months.

Special Guest: 

We had Polish Olympic Marathoner, Karolina Jarzynska.
Adams State Graduate and Runner from France, Vanessa Roy
Adams State Graduate, Div II Champion, College Proffesor, Janelle Olson


For more pictures click HERE

Getting to know Polish Olympian Marathoner, KaKarolina Jarzinska

ON MY WAY TO THE FINISH LINE

Yesterday, after almost two years of not competing, I had the amazing opportunity to jump into a 5km road race in downtown Oklahoma City. It was an odd, yet a very exciting day. Yesterday, I witnessed, felt and understood that no matter what kind of fitness or what type or athlete you are, at the end of the day, the satisfaction of completing a race and crossing a finish line is the same for all.

It all started 4 months ago when while sharing my story with a group of kids from the High Valley Community Center in Del Norte Colorado  one of the kids came up to me after my talk and suggested me to visit Dr. Michelle Richardson from Creede. The young men assured me she made miracles and that her or her husband would help me figure out the root of my injury. I listed to the young men and proceeded to make an appointment to see Michelle. She made a few adjustments and gave me a few suggestions. Since then, I've been able to run consistently. I train at least 6 times a week for 7 to 8 miles a a day. Longest run to date has been 14 miles in 2 hours.

My goal has been to gradually regain my fitness and remain pain free. So far, so good.

I know its going to take me a while until I get back to prime shape, but I am willing to go through the slow process. I feel that if I keep the consistency and remain healthy, I have a shot of qualifying to the 2016 Olympic Trials. This set back has allowed me to look back and appreciate all  the accomplishments until the 2012 Olympic Trials. I look back and Im very proud of all the miles, workouts and the races done. I want to be able to experience that one more time. I want to know what it feels to run fast again.

Saturday, December 14th was a great day. It was the day, I stepped on a starting line since January 2012. It was a local 5km in Oklahoma City. Home of my younger sister Alicia and her husband Luke. It was so much fun to go through the process again. It was wonderful to have my brother in law racing and my sister waiting for us at the finish line.The night before the race I was anxious. I was afraid I would fall into a deep sleep and sleep in. That fear of missing an important date. The morning of the race was epic, 25F and 30mph winds and to make the race more exciting, I missed a turn a km to go. This event took me back to my junior college years, click here and you will understand what I am talking about. Well, after I found my way to the route, I found myself speeding my way out to the finish line.

See, this race was not about a place or time. It was about breathing, stridding, fighting, competing, enjoying and having a blast. It was about giving my body and myself a chance to experience  racing  again. That's exactly what I did, I raced and had fun. In the race I could recall every single kid I've cheered on during a mile fun run or a XC race. I had ITA members Oscar and Miguel in mind that last km as both were somewhere in San Antonio, Texas competing at the  XC Junior Olympics. Before we left town, we challenge each other. I was going to do my best to better their times. My official finish time was 19:55, so once I get back to Alamosa I am taking both to dinner. Miguel finished 17:54 and Oscar 19:22.

After the race, I decided to run the course backwards as a cooldown. To my surprise, I found several kids still in the course. The best part of the day came when I tagged along one girl and encouraged her to the finish. An hour later, her mother came up to me to thank me for helping Madeline. She told me that the first thing Madeline told her after she cross the finish line was "A nice young lady helped me and encouraged me to finish" Madeline and her friends were part of "Girls on the Run" This would be my 3rd participation helping Girls on the Run and in three different states. First, Colorado, next Texas and now Oklahoma.

Racing again was one of the best feeling ever.  I did exactly what I intended to do:  I had fun, I raced my heart out and gave it my all. This experience reassured me that running and racing  is something I  I love and it is and will always be part of who I am.