2012 New Year's Resolutions!

Welcome to 2012! Can you believe it? I hope this year does not go as fast as last year. This might sound cliche, but this is going to be the best year yet, I can tell. So on to the resolutions:

1. Run in at least 5 races (any length).

2. Run 400-450 miles 

3. Write on my blog once a week. (I need ideas)

4. Eat Healthier (I need a nutritionist)

5. Have more patience 

6. Try a new cuisine

I know this are probably so easy, but I am looking forward to getting them done and completing other one's as well. 

If you feel that I should include other resolutions let me know. I am open to almost anything... :)

See you soon,

Nats

Making Guava Pastries

I spent most of the day on Saturday making guava pastries (pastelillos de guayaba) for a cookie exchange party I am attended yesterday. Guava pastries are a Puertorrican delicacy. I grew up eating them and it wasn't until recently that I became interested in making them because I was craving them and I knew I was not going to find them here. So I went on the internet and found an easy to make recipe. Here is the recipe:

1 puff pastry sheet cut 1 or 2 inches
guava paste cut in 1/2 inch squares
cookie sheet
parchment paper
sugar

Preheat oven to 375
Put parchment paper on cookie sheet
Put guava paste in the middle of the puff pastry
Close the puff pastries as if they were ravioli or that they look like squares. Make sure they are closed really well.
Put the puff pastries on the cookie sheet ( leave about 1 inch in between)
Bake the puff pastries in the oven for 15-17 minutes
After you take out the puff pastries, sprinkle powdered sugar on top of them.
Enjoy...

Assembling...

They look like ravioli's

Ready to be baked

In the oven

Ready!

Ready to eat! Yum.

Merry Christmas to all!

I hope you like them as much as I enjoyed making them and then eating them... I hope you all have a Happy Holiday Season..

See you soon,
Nats

Fill the Shoes 5k

On November 5 I ran my second 5k. This time was different because I was not running with one of my running partners, but I was running with James and 2 of my friends in The Fill the Shoes 5k in Kingstowne, VA. I ran my first 5k in September and my time was 33 minutes flat. After that race I knew I wanted to get faster and that I could do better. After I signed up for the race I decided to keep the same training program, but concentrating in getting faster.

After a couple of weeks of training I started to notice that I was running a little faster. I was beyond excited because I knew I was going to be able to beat my last personal record, I just did not know by how much (since I am new at running). I knew that when the race came I  wanted to keep my last time or run it at least 1-2 minutes faster (I was really aiming for 31 minutes).

The Wednesday before the race James and I decided to run the race course to get a feeling for it before the race. It was a cold afternoon and a new course, but I was able to run it in 31 minutes. That made me feel better. I was going to be able to beat my last time.

The day of the race came and it was a really cold morning. I was nervous because I did not know if the cold would affect my time. Needless to say it was so cold that I think that my body decided to run faster and I finished the 5k in 30.08. I was beyond excited when I crossed the finish line and saw the time. Why? you ask. The last .25 mile was hard because I started to hit "The Wall". I wanted to quit, I was cold, I was hurting and I just wanted to quit, but then I saw James (my savior) waiting for me and I told him "I'm tired", but something came over me as soon as he started to run along side of me, I knew I could do it...

Official result

Running has changed my life and I am excited that I have been able to start racing. Racing keeps me motivated to keep on running. I was never a competitive person, but running has made me understand how to become better at something and not to quit, even when I want to.


See you real soon,
Nats

Blessed Me with Blessed Friends

Hello again, it's been a while. I've been busy with work and social events...

This week I've been remained more that once to count my blessings, so here is my number one blessing: friends...

Friends and family are the one constant in our lives. Sometimes we make friends and sometimes we loose friends. All we have to think about is that your true friends will accept you for who you are, even when you make a mistake. I've been lucky enought to have great friends who have always been there for me and I've been there for them as well. I'm lucky of all the awesome,sweet, sincere, and loyal friends I have in my life. I am glad continue to meet new people and establish new friendships...

So to all of you of whom I call a friend thank you for being in my life. You have made it a better life and I enjoy your company.


So if you have friends that you haven't seen in a while, or you've had a problem with, contact them and re-establish that friendship...


See you next time,
Nats

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