And... another 10K done!

It is Sunday and the hour/time was moved forward last night, so we got one hour less sleep... I really don't get why we have to do this... the total savings per home, not per person is of 19€ a year... come on... all this hussle for 19 euros? I really struggle with time changes, both in the fall and now... anyway...

Went to Figueres this am to run the 2ª Cursa Urbana de Figueres, a 10K with 6 steep and loooooooooooong hills. It was raining at the start and did so for over 25 minutes but it didn't bother much at all ;) Out of the 6 hills I "only" walked 1, so I'm quite happy about that. I was slow, as usual but I felt good. I finished in 1:11:44 and in place 333 out of 378, not bad. I had bib #1, what an honor and what a responsibility! It was nice, well organized, great atmosphere, lovely place... all was good. At the end, hot (and thick) chocolate and cake, a sandwich, an apple, water and a t-shirt, lovely and with reflectors, by the way!

And well... I've done lots of thinking. Not that I haven't done so before but lots more. It is a fact that the "backpack" (my over-weigh) I carry, makes me drag along in many ways. I think it's time to slowly but surely get rid of it. Obviously, just by losing weight I'd go faster. If we add the training, I'll get faster for sure! I need to do it, I want to do it, I have to do it, I (guess) can do it. I'll just try to cut on sweet stuff and keep exercising and take it a day at a time, set little goals and see what happens. I think I can, no wait, I know I can!!

Another 10k (this one here at home) next Sunday, April 3rd and another one in Barcelona the other Sunday, April 10th. I've also signed up for a 15K on April 25th (Easter Monday) and would like to run the half in my city on May 8th. If I want to do that, I obviously need to up my mileage (I think it's been 33km for me this week, yay!) and make "sure" I can finish within the established time by the organization. We'll see!

Went for a jog/walk with Paula yesterday and it was great! We saw lots of tadpoles at the end and we went today to get some to take to school to observe how they transform! Awesome!

Progressive again :p

I went running again on Wednesday. I had spent all day on a day trip with the 5's. We went to the Cinema Museum in Girona and then to have lunch at the park in Fornells. It was a great, lovely day. The trip went really well, the kids were mostly good and it was interesting and fun! I got home and I was just plain exhausted. The previous night had been a nightmare. Pol couldn't breathe and kept waking up poor thing. He spent over 3 hours at the ER in the morning with Toni. His oxygen saturation was 95% when he got there. They gave him cortisone and "underwent" 3 inhaler masks until he reached 97% and was allowed to go back home. Back to the ped this am and lots of "whistles" can still be heard in his chest but he's better. He's a champ!

So, back to Weds. I was exhausted, falling asleep while standing. Yet I decided to go out. I could tell my warmup walk was slow, I was literally falling asleep, but kept going. Made it to the start point and started. After about 5 minutes I thought it'd be a terrible training run but I kept going... well... it turned out to be a great run. Slowish but great and... to my surprise, progressive! I added a hill there too! I got home and I was wide awake, LOL, feeling great! It was nice!

Today... I wanted to go out. Toni went to pick Paula up, I put Pol in bed and wanted to get changed. Jan wanted mommy so I stayed with him. When Toni got home and I got dinners fixed, I couldn't find my running gear... it was 9:21pm already and I decided to call it a day... by the time I'd get changed and going it'd be really late and I didn't feel like coming back home at 11:30pm and still having to have dinner, so it'll have to be another day... I don't tink tomorrow is a good day as I have the race on Sunday but... you never know!

Meeting my bestest friend Hyland for breakfast tomorrow... I just can't wait. She's such a blessing. I love her to bits! Might go for a walk/run on the bike path with Paula after lunch :D

Minus 3

That's the number of toenails that I am missing right now... my goodness... they became weird after my first half on Feb. 6th and 2 fell off today, the other one did a few days ago... my feet look gross... not that I have nice feet at all but without toenails they're even worse, LOL! But I take it as a trophy, kind of ;)

I went out for a run today... I was exhausted after going on a daytrip with the 3 year olds, all day, with 75 kids... guess no more needs to be said... but I put little Pol in bed and headed out... OMG... what a GREAT run... I loved it. Temp was perfect and somehow I managed to run every km a bit faster than the previous one, finishing my last km in 6:32 which is just amazing... I am sooooooooooo happy... I did pay attention to my running, trying to pick up my feet and move them forward, lengthening my stride but wow... I never thought it'd get so "good" (for me!). I loved it and it's given me confidence... can't wait for my next run which should happen on Weds.

Kids are good. Went back to the beach on Sunday afternoon and they had a whale of a time. Will have to post some pics as there are really good ones! Pol's full of a cold, hoping and wishing it doesn't go down to his chest. Paula and Jan are doing good so far!

The race that won't be :(

All my fault, just my fault... I haven't trained... I can't go to a half just like that. Anyway... I did go pick my bib and runner's bag and took the kids to the beach to run and play... they loved it! It was so exciting seeing all the race atmosphere, all the athletes, the banners, the signals... hope that makes me think and I get going!

Paula and Jan slept at school last night. They celebrated what they call spring night when kids sleep at school to welcome spring. They had a whale of a time! I picked them up today at 9 am and then went to see a couple of Paula's friends on a gymnastics exhibition.

After Pol's nap, we went to Calella to pick the race package and since we couldn't find a park for the kids to play in, we just went to the beach. Today is the day when the moon's closest to the earth in 2 decades... well.. got to the beach, and the moon was just at the horizon, all red and lovely and it started going up, up, up... it was lovely! The kids chased the waves... it was fun!

I have my bib number: 819, the t-shirt and a towel plus a bag... at least I've go that !!

A lovely afternoon. Great weather expected again tomorrow so I might take them to the beach again when it's NOT dark and then park. They love being outdoors and it's great for them too!

Pics are from the kids at the beack. Aren't they cute?

Feeling alive!

Yes... I did it... I went out today... it was 10pm already and it had been pouring it down with rain all day (yesterday too!) but... it stopped just as I got out there (not that the rain would have stopped me!). And yes... it was great! Awesome! Amazing! Super! I loved it! Finally... I did it... I took that first step... I was slow, yes, but I did it and the enormous sense of accomplishment upon doing it, is priceless... wow... I feel alive!

I saw a motivation video for triathletes on FB and loved it and I needed a little push... total workout time was 51 minutes I think... I can surely fit an hour every day, can't I? And seeing what's happened in Japan makes me think how lucky I am and how we complain about things when we really shouldn't... I hope I keep it going.

Races coming up: March 27th Figueres, April 3rd, Girona and April 10th, Barcelona... Bombers... the best race I've been to so far! I had a half this weekend but I ain't ready... might go for a few kms, we'll see.. I'll pick up my bib and runner's bag on Saturday but won't run it. I am not ready and I don't want to injure myself!

So... back at it and for good I hope!

I Cursa de la Dona de Girona

Today, a first edition of a race was held in Girona. It was a 5K and I went with Paula. It was my first run in a month :o IT WAS GREAT! I set off slow, as usual even more so after not having run for a month and Paula started getting ahead... I was a little worried to not see her/have her with me but she was going with the flow. At K 2.5 I caught up with her. She had a side stitch, my poor little thing. So we walked some and run some. We finished in 36:10 which I consider and excellent time! I'm so proud of Paula (she is too!) and of myself too. After it rained ALL day nonstop yesterday, the sun was shining today and the temperature was lovely! The race was tiny but extremely well organized and with a lovely course. I really enjoyed it!

After the race we headed to Barcelona for lunch with my brother and his kids. The kids had a great time. After lunch at a restaurant we went to a park to play for a while. It was only a tiny one but they loved it!

We headed back and dinner will follow shortly and early bedtime... they should be exhausted!

A lovely day with gorgeous weather and a lovely run... can't ask for much more!

Time to get serious

So, another week's gone by... I'm getting old :p

It's raining. Has been all day. It's 6:31pm and it keeps raining... oh well... Toni and Paula went shopping in the am. The boys and I stayed in. We figure that all "covered" places, such as the mall or kiddie's places will be packed, so we're staying in! The boys don't seem bothered about it :p

Pol slept until 10:30 am :o and he took an over 2 hour nap :o I woke him up... this kid's only sleeping, LOL! No wonder he's got so much energy with such nice rests, LOL!

Dad was in hospital from Tuesday March 1st until last Wednesday and then into a hospital-home and it seems like he's going back to hospital on Monday. We had to go celebrate my sister's birthday tomorrow (she's 43 on Monday) but it's been cancelled as dad's so bad. So we'll see what happens... he had a huge stroke almost 2 years ago and since then it's one thing after the other...

So, maybe it's been an eye-opener, or maybe what I needed... I don't know... then I saw Deloris posting on DM and how well she's doing. Lots of inspiration on DM, and lots from Deloris, she's progressed so much... she's amazing!

So I will run that 5K in Girona tomorrow, bringing Paula along and will take it from there. My half on Sunday next week is totally out of the question as I haven't run in a month but there'll be more races to come. If I could keep training 3 days a week plus a weekend day I think I'll be back on track. It's all a matter of organization. My goal? The Barcelona marathon in 2012, held March 20th... a year to go. Guess I can do it, we'll see, if not, NY 2013 for sure!!! Lots to do before that though :p

It's about time I took care of myself and loved myself, I've got enough reasons to do it!

I saw a dietitian on Tuesday and really liked him... he's going to teach me how to do things properly which is good... unlike other diets, he's teaching me how to eat so I can eat a bit of everything and even go to a wedding if needed and eat as much as I want :D Maybe things are starting to look up!

On Thursday, Paula's coach told me how good she was at the competition and even how the main coach was amazed with her floor routine :D :D :D (it's grand, coming from her!!!) and how she works hard to achieve things... when something doesn't work out she'll try and try and try and try and keep trying until she gets it, instead of getting a kind of blockage (what happens to me, LOL)... it was nice to hear... also she said she's very secure and a gymnast you can count on and that she's to be in the podium in every competition as she's got what it takes to be there... yes... I'm drooling all over, LOL!

And... the videos ;)

Here are the links to the videos we uploaded on youtube so that our families could see her!

Vault: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoUK-oe_S6c

Uneven bars: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAnfRLTvqbg

Balance beam: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD9zQIMJsyA

Floor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMpZDtSoyEI

Prize giving ceremony: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrfBiQqqN4A

So that's it. Time to keep on working hard and enjoying herself :D

Floor

Balance beam

Uneven bars

The vault!

A champion at home :p

We went to Vic on Sunday. Paula was competing, 2nd phase of Inigym 2. She did a great competition. When she finished I was very happy with how it all turned out, but I did not expect what happened next... prize giving "ceremony"... 1st place... Paula Verdú... OMG... my princess... she WON the competition... it was soooo exciting to see her on top of the podium, first time on #1, amazing... it was such a wonderful moment... I was in tears (needless to say) knowing how happy she was and how much she wanted that. Well... it's given her such confidence and so much energy... it's great! I'm amazed... she's come a long way. She did a good competition and I guess luck was on her side, although she's working really hard at it too! We don't know what will happen in the future but really, who cares... she's done it and wether she does it again or not doesn't matter as long as she keeps enjoying gymnastics as much as she's enjoying it now! But it's really given her a "boost" and that's just great! Also, her team placed 2nd, only at 0.1 from the team that placed 1st. The coaches were very pleased, so were we!

So, I am posting some photos... this needs to be spread :p

CONGRATS Paula!

Afternoon in Banyoles

So, after Pol's nap, I took the kids to Banyoles (Toni's mom fell in the am and he went to see her, nothing major but...) to the Parc de la Draga. They just simply and absolutely loved it! We spent the afternoon there. I went and picked my bib up for the race I will NOT be racing tomorrow (due to Paula's competition, anyway I haven't been training...) and headed back. They had a whale of a time, got tired and were great once back home! Gotta love them!

All in bed now, of course and amazingly enough, Paula's sleeping... no need for a "tranquilizer", LOL. She can't wait to compete tomorrow. I just hope she does well and is happy with her performance!

Pics are from the kids in Banyoles and then Paula and Jan before going to bed :D

Marathon

This is what someone in a newspaper posted. She's never run a marathon or won't do so but she says she admires everyone as she's seen it close. She gives 42 adjectives for the marathon... simply amazing. Just wanted to share, although it's in my mother tongue, català, and not in English! I loved it!

42,195

Són: 1. Passió. 2. Constància. 3. Paciència. 4. Ganes. 5. Força. 6. Silenci. 7. Energia. 8. Confiança. 9. Inconsciència. 10. Generositat. 11. Emoció. 12. Egoisme. 13. Dolor. 14. Imprevistos. 15. Ànims. 16. Potència. 17. Ambició. 18. Esforç. 19. Llibertat. 20. Il·lusió. 21. Reptes. 22. Suor. 23. Rivalitat. 24. Por. 25. Somnis. 26. Dubtes. 27. Aspiració. 28. Seguretat. 29. Companyerisme. 30. Dolor. 31. Plenitud. 32. Competitivitat. 33. Complexos. 34. Voluntat. 35. Penediment. 36. Heroïcitat. 37. Solidaritat. 38. Feblesa. 39. Previsió. 40. Prudència. 41. Alegria. 42. Glòria i 195 sensacions més, que són absolutament indescriptibles.

Mai he fet una marató i no crec que mai en faci cap. Però n'he vist unes quantes de ben a prop. De tan a prop que m'han fet plorar i m'han fet emocionar. He vist aquells cossos, al límit, travessar la meta com qui trepitja l'Olimp. He vist homes plorar com nens i nens córrer com homes. Dones demostrant-se que poden i vells demostrant-ho als altres. He vist nois que no han necessitat cames i noies que n'han necessitat quatre, per acabar. He vist pares que carregaven els fills a les espatlles i mares que buscaven entre el públic el seu pare, ja ancià, per dir-los: "Ho he aconseguit". He vist cames que es rendien a pocs metres de l'arribada i voluntats que podien més que el propi cos. He vist somnis fets realitats i vanitats fetes miques. He vist sang, suor i llàgrimes, però també somriures, abraçades i plors de felicitat. He vist l'orgull i la decepció, el reconeixement i la solitud, el patiment i la joia. Però jo mai no he fet una marató i no crec que mai en faci cap. Per això només puc provar de descriure amb paraules el que passa pel cap d'aquells valents que en un moment o altre de la seva vida s'han atrevit a cordar-se les vambes per demostrar que sí, que ells podien. I han pogut.

TATIANA SISQUELLA

My beauties :D

Almost set

I've handed the costume over, the boys had their hair cut, lunch has been fixed and eaten. Pol is napping. About to go get Alina's bday present and fix Pol's lunch/snack for tomorrow. Laundry is hanging outside in the sunshine. Almost done :D

Saturday

And so much to do!

I had to meet with a teacher Paula had in P5 to lend her a spiderman costume at 11 but she overslept and we're meeting at 11:30. Taking the boys for a hair cut at 11:45, cooking lunch, doing laundry. Need to get Alina's present for her birthday party tomorrow, get our lunches sorted out for tomorrow while we are away since the competition is at lunch time and when it's over, Paula will be starving. I need to fix Pol's lunch for tomorrow so that aunt has everything ready. More laundry and I think that might be it. Need to take the kids somewhere in the afternoon so they can release energy...

Tomorrow the marató de Barcelona will be held. I was supposed to debut this year but no way, I slacked so much :( I will be with them in the distance! I'd signed up for a race in Banyoles but since we're going to Vic, I have to skip that too :/

So, off in 20 minutes to deliver the costume, running to have the boys' hairs cut, back to fix lunches... geez... I'm running my own marathon today, LOL!

Friday...

End of white week already... geez... time goes by soooooooooooooo fast :( Still... lovely week with the kids and doing this, that and the other. Paula and Jan are loving gym camp (only 3 hours left of it...) and get really tired! Pol's enjoying his time at home with me :D

We're off to run some errands before picking Paula and Jan up and might have to take Pol back to the doc's as he's still breathing heavily. He's in great spirits but, it's weekend and...

Going to get everything ready for Sunday... Paula's competing in Vic and she's soooo extremely looking forward to it. Funny how she loves the pressure whilst mom's a wreck, LOL! As I always say, it's not a good luck issue (luck is an issue really but...) but an "enjoy yourself and love what you do" issue. And that's what she does :D

In the mean time, Jan and Pol will be doing great things that they love too (other than watching her sister and rest of gymnasts...) so mom and dad can pay attention to Paula while the boys are having a great time... can't get much better really! So grateful to have wonderful friends and an awesome family <3

Time to get going! :D

Busy morning ahead

After 2 easy days at home, I have a busy morning tomorrow... lots to do, so I'll be up bright and early, kiss the kids goodbye and get ready to go run all my errands with Pol. Should be fun!

Gotta get things ready for Sunday, to leave Jan at the birthday party (and rest of the day) and Pol with his aunt Magda and his cousins Anna and Pau, so we can head to Vic for Paula's competition... so exciting. She can't wait! Neither can I, LOL! She's so looking forward to it... she likes pressure, it's funny!

Pol's in bed and has been for a while, time for Paula and Jan!

Why do I do it?

Good question, right? Well... I often find myself asking myself whay I sabotage all I do... No answer, at least I haven't found it yet... I run my first half and I haven't run again, I did a tri and sort of have forgotten about it, I do good at uni and stop working, hey... what's wrong with me? When things seem go to right I sort of stop, maybe I don't want to do it? Maybe I feel too much pressure (don't really feel it but could be unconcious...)? Maybe I don't want to do well? Who knows?!?!?

Oh well... I am feeling like getting out there and run again although I know I will have lost endurance buy hey... time to begin again, right?

Kids love gym camp in the am. Paula's got training in the afternoon too. She's competing on Sunday. Pol's taking a nap, I tidied the living room in the am... it's great!

Rain, rain, go away...

It's white week. I worked Monday and Tuesday and I'm off until Monday. Paula and Jan are at gym camp until 1, Pol's home with me (no camps for 2 year olds). Wanted to go out, to the park, for a walk... it's raining... guess we have to stay in. He's ok with it, no hurry to get dressed or anything, but I so would have liked to go out and about with him.

Also, wanted to go for a run today... hope it clears a bit and when hubby's back home I get to head out even if it's only for a few minutes! I really need to get going again... I didn't build up over a year just to throw the towel, did I? Plus I love it!

I watched this youtube video yesterday about a guy doing 500 marathons in 500 days in a row. And he talks about people giving the excuse of not finding time to go our for a run. He does on average, 3:40 marathons everyday, he says he takes away sleeping hours so he can go to work 8 hours and spend time with his family (wife and daugther). The challenge ends on Feb. 13th 2013. He started on Oct. 1st 2010... if he can find the time, heck... I can find 30 minutes, can't I????? He does it to raise money to help mentally disabled people... amazing! He already went all around Spain and in Summer finished a 150 marathons in 150 days challenge... he's amazing... he's lucky he's body's up for it too. He's skinny, needless to say and he's got a funny step too, like waddling kind of but nothing stops him. He changes his shoes every 850kms... so, that's very often. He has sponsors, obviously but the way he overcomes all obstacles, the mental power he has, is amazing... he said a challenge like this doesn't allow bad days or illness... he says he's gone out in freezing rain and a high temperature... seems crazy but it's doable, so has he proved it. He's 38. This is the video (in Spanish) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm7GTTFCufo

And another pure inspiration is Team Hoyt, dad and son, Dick and Rick... amazing... the pure power of love! Any of the videos brings tears to your eyes no matter what kind of person you are, for sure! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDnrLv6z-mM I like this video because it talks about other disabled people... if they can, we ALL can... ordinary people doing extraordinary things... or maybe I should say... super extraordinary people, doing super extraordinary things... I really admire them. Thanks for setting such an example!

Cool design!

Love the design this year... it only gets better year after year... it comes such at the right time... as of March 10th at 5pm I'll be another registered runner in the race and so will my brother! Woohoo!!!!

19,999 runners

Wow... 2,000 more runners in Bombers this year than last... it only keeps growing... wow... even a bigger party... it's going to be great! Just what I needed!!!

http://www.cursabombers.com/

Finding motivation

Hi! Here I am again... I have to say that I am a very lucky girl. I have lots of people who love me and that itself makes everything special :D

I have been down in the dumps for a few weeks now... I wonder what makes that happen. But it's been that way. I feel lazy, unmotivated, just like throwing the towel and I don't like that...

But a few things happened today. First an e-mail from my brother... he's so special, he's so lovely and he so lifted my spirits up... I just love my family and my brother is very dear to me (we're not even 11 months apart, he's the youngest), I got him into running and we go to races together, we don't run together but we go there and get back together... always nice... and despite having to wait 20-25 minutes for me to finish he always congratulates me and tells me I'm a champ. I love you bro!

And then reading Susan's Cowtown Marathon chronicle... she's pure inspiration. I loved it. She's a champ and my hero <3

Then an e-mail from a friend I met while doing a protein diet giving me lovely advice.

And last but not least, getting the e-mail from the "cursa dels Bombers" in Barcelona... the best race I've gone to so far. It will be held on April 10th and because I participated last year and went for my diploma I have a full week to register before it's open to "everyone"... the thing is that I'd have to personally go to BCN and I don't think I can, still I will register as soon as it's open. 18,000 bibs and they fly in like 10 days... it sure is a wonderful race!

So... seeing a bit of light at the end of the tunnel and hoping to be able to pound the streets soon :D