Breaking my Running Plateau

I know it's been a while, so here is my new post.

I will be running another 5k on November 5 along side James, which means I'm in training mode. It hasn't been the easiest since I am back at work and taking additional classes. I am following the same training that I did for my first race, so I know it now and it is easier than last time. I try to run the 5 days as it tell you, but some weeks because of class and such I only run 4 times. I just make sure I do the long run, which I think it is important.

For the past month I have been complaining to James about hiting a running plateau. Not in the sense of I can't run farther, but in the sense that I am not getting faster, like I thought I would when I became comfortable with my running pattern.

Last week things changed a little. The training dictates that the day before a long run you run less miles so you are ready for the longer run the next day. So, last SaturdayI had to run two miles. I set out to run it in 22 minutes or around 21:30 since that is what I  ususally average when I run. I started runnning and 3/4 into my first mile I feel as if I'm running a little bity faster than normal. I don't feel winded nor tired, but I feel something. When I checked my watch it look like I was running around 9:30 pace. I was surprised to see that and kept going. My second mile was a little bit slower, but I was able to finish my run in 19:59, that is 2 minutes faster than I've ever done before. That is a Personal Record (PR) and it felt so good.

I know at some point I will get even better and I will break other personal records, but for now I'll take this one. Who would have thought that I could run .25 miles when I first started running, let alone break a PR, but all I know is that running has changed my life in a very positive way. The point of this is that you can do anything you want to do, if you put your mind into it. Also, if you are having a hard time at work, life in general, etc, try to find something that will make you happy, and you'll see how your life can change for the better.

My 2 mile run on 10/15 

My training plan. It is 12 weeks, but I have done it in 4. I do the first 3 weeks and then the last week. 

Until Next Time and keep your feet traveling,
Nats

Count your Blessings

This blog post will not be long, like the last few. Today, I was reminded of how lucky I am and that I should count my blessings. We all go through life complaining about the stupidist things, while there are soldiers that get hurt every single day to ensure our freedom and instead of complaining about their lost limbs, etc, they embrace life.

Today I was remainded that I should embrace life and just live life to its fullest. You should do too.

Until Next Time,
Nats

The Dreaded 30!

Last week I turned the dreaded age of 30! In the months leading up to it I wasn't very happy with turning that age. I refused to let go of my 20's that I've enjoyed so much. I felt as if I was letting go of all the great and not so great memories in the last 10 years. In those 10 years, I've met amazing people that are still part of my life, I've lost 3 family members, got my heart broken and met the love of my life. Are you following why I didn't want to let go?

A couple of months before turning 30 I got a message from one of my cousins saying that she was getting married on my birthday/ her birthday... on MY BIRTHDAY!!! I wasn't thrilled, but got over it quickly because I was able to realize that I will be celebrating my birthday with most of my family, something I haven't done since I moved to the states.

James and I in front of La Capilla de Cristo (my place of prayer)

Traveling feet in Old San Juan

When we arrived in Puerto Rico I was excited about being there, but still not excited about turning that age! James and I got to spend some time in Old San Juan before my family got there and I took both of us to lunch at Raices. Then we just spent time in Old San Juan being silly tourist. That night I got to hang out with my cousin Monica and her boyfriend, my uncle and his wife, my sister, my parents and Jamie at the hotel room. Just a lay low night before the big party the next day.

    Soaking up the Puerto Rico sun                                Traveling feet at the beach... my favorite sand

On Saturday (the day I turned the dreaded 30) I woke up early, went and got a coffee and took a stoll down the beach. I just thought about the last 30 years of my life and how great they had been. That is when I realized that I needed to stop pouting about turning 30 and start embracing the next 30 years of my life, because I knew that I would make them as good or as bad as I wanted. I realized that I was right where I wanted to be, I am in the best shape of my life, and I have a great family and amazing friends and an amazing boyfriend whom I love with all my heart.

Dancing girlies

My cousin and I celebrating our birthday

My dad, my sister and I dancing

My dad and I dancing merengue

James and I dancing merengue

Morales-Ortiz, Morales-Arroyo and Morales-Rodriguez family

Morales-Arroyo, Morales-Troche and Snoddy-Morales family

So after that I set off to have the best birthday anyone could ask for. When we got to my cousins reception, I knew that was excatly what I was going to do. I danced all night, with James, my dad, my sister, my cousins and my cousins girlfriend. They sang happy birthday to me and the 2 other people that were celebrating their birthday on the same day. I had to endure James getting the garter and my parents friends asking when we were going to get married, ect. A great weeding and a greater birthday.

Overall, it was a great day and the best birthday yet. I understood that age is just a number and that even though I am 30 that doesn't mean I have to act like it.

In the rocking chair waiting to eat at Raices.

Until next time,
Nats

Just Life

Life has been busy for me since I started working again. This year I get to work with Kindergarten, 1st grade and 6th grade. I am really excited about working with new grade levels and continue to work with 6th grade which  I already now.

Last weekend Frenchie and I completed our first 5k race together. Before the race I was not thinking about time, place, etc, I just wanted to finish the race at a good time. When the morning of the race came James told me that racing was different than running on the treadmill or outside. I dismissed him, like I usually do (even though he is the expert). When we got to the race location, something inside of me changed. I became competitive as soon as we touched the starting line. There were not a lot of people on the race (maybe 30-50 runners) so I hoped that I would come in a good place.

When the race started a rush came over me and I wanted to do the best I've done yet. The goal was to run as much as possible and not walk as much. Throughout the race I tried not to look at my Nike+ watch because I wanted to be surprised when I reached the finish line. After the first mile we encountered a hill and we decided to walk part of it. Then when we reached the second mile we started to get tired, but I knew that I wanted to do well, so I kept telling Virginie to keep going. Towards the end of the race we had to go up a hill that we do not like at all, even when we walk it, and going up it I saw James waiting for us halfway up the hill. When we ran past him he told us that we were in 9th and 10th place and that is when something in me kicked in and I wanted to keep going and finish at least in 10th place. At the end we made it in 10th place in 33 minutes, a personal best... We crossed the finish line hand in hand. I was extremely happy to have finish my first race and do so well.

After my first race, I am looking forward to racing again, so I can feel the same rush I felt last weekend...

Race Route and stats

Split stats

Lap stats

Until next time,
Nats

Back to my Disney Roots

This past weekend I went to Orlando to visit some of my friends. I did not get to see all of them, but the one's I saw I had a good time with. One of the reasons I wanted to go was to go to a theme park.

On Saturday my best friend Caro, Willie and I went to Downtown Disney (DD). I was so giddy about visiting the theme parks and DD. When we got to DD I realized how much I've missed visiting Walt Disney World (now if there was a way of moving it all to the DC area I would be a very happy girl!!!). What you need to know is that WDW was part of my life for 10 years (that is a big chunk of my life). The first thing I notice was that they changed the Lego Store decorations outside. I wanted a picture of it all. I felt like a kid again. I wanted to take it all in, so I could remember everything. Caro, Willie and I visitied different stores (you know I love shopping). I had a great afternoon with both of them. It felt like all times and I am a sucker for that.

With the Lego Family at DD

Caro and I with Minnie witches hat at World of Disney

That night I met with Agnes and Ramon at Ale House to eat, catch up and watch the Florida Gators game (Go Gators!) I loved every minute of it. Seeing both of them was great specially since I haven't seen them since I moved to Virginia. I enjoyed talking to her like old times and it made me want to work with her again and spent more time with her and her family like old times.

With Agnes and Ramon at Ale House

Before I went down to Florida I asked Willie if he could take me to a theme park one of the days I was there (because I don't have anymore Disney perks). He agreed to take me to Hollywood Studios on Sunday!!! That was perfect because I wanted to check out the new Star Tours attraction...

Sunday morning came and I felt like a little girl going to Disney for the first time (I've been more than 1,000 times). I wanted to go to Hollywood Studios because it is where all my favorite attractions are and they had just reopen Star tours and I wanted to experience it again, even if it meant throwing up in the process. When we got to the park a lot of great memories I have of this place came rushing back. Willie and I went straight to Star Tours and saw that the wait time was 20 minutes, 20 MINUTES!!! (Touring Plans said it was the park to avoid for the day). Jackpot! It took us less than that to ride it and I did not get sick at all, double Jackpot! It was a lot of fun, C3PO and R2D2 take you on accidental trip through different places in the Star Wars galaxy. It was funny and thrilling at the same time. At the end a Cast Member asked us how mcuh did I like the ride and I gave it a 10! (only Rock and Roller Coaster and Expedition Everest have received a 10 from me before).

Let the Memories Begin!

Yay, I'm in Hollywood Studios

After riding Star Tours we walked around the park and took pictures with some characters. We decided to go and ride Rock and Roller Coaster, even if it meant that my neck was going to hurt later. I don't remember the last time I rode it, so I loved it even more this time. I was elated through the entire ride (even if my head was banging from side to side). At one point during the ride I said to myself "I'm in my element". Disney is my element. Some people might not get it, and some might ask why?,  but that is where I created 10 years of wonderful memories with family and friends.

Willie and I waiting to take a picture with Cars

I really like this picture

Toy Story Toy Soldier

Walk this Way!

After Rock and Roller Coaster we rode Tower of Terror, another one of my favorite rides (I know the library movie by heart). Then we went to the one ride that you can never get a FastPass for: Toy Story Midway Mania. The line was 80 minutes but I still wanted to do it (if it would have been any other ride that had that kind of wait I would have not done it). I was sure that I was going to beat Willie, because I am really good at it. At the end Willie ended up beating me but only by 200 points. We had a fantastic time at the park even if we only did 4 rides. I enjoyed walking through the park and stores like before. It was as if I've never left.

The Hollywood Tower Hotel: Tower of Terror

Traveling Feet at Walt Disney World

On our way to Toy Story Midway Mania

Final Score :(

Willie and I while on break from the ride...

After the park we went to Caro and Sam's house because she was going to cook for us. Our friend Mary joined us as well. Mary, Caro and I talked for hours about work, life, love, books and exercise. You name it, we talked about it. That was a great ending to an awesome Sunday.

Caro, Mary and I chit chatting in Caro's living room

This past weekend, even if I did not get to see all of my friends, was a really good one. It was fun and relaxing at the same time. I can't wait until I come back to see them all and visit another theme park. :)

Until Next Time,
Nats