10 Miles....no, no just 9 (pancakes still were needed) :)

This past weekend our TFK team (DONATE DONATE DONATE http://www.runwithtfk.org/Member/PublicPage/74) went up to Van Cortland park in the Bronx. I remember this run from last year and it was amazing. Thinking back I was so excited about the run, the hills were tough but it was such a great run and its a lot of fun to get out of the Central Park every now and again. We arrived via Blondie's chariot the train ride alone is reason not to make the trip out there but after each run we get Carrot Cake so totally makes it worth the trip.

Yummy right?

Any who we arrived just in time with Vane, LD and Mags we warmed up and split up into our groups. Vane, Mags and I were in the 9:30 to 10:30 group and Blondie and LD went to the 8:30 group (yes, they are a lot faster).

As we started Mags, Vane and I felt great. It was super humid and as we started off on the back trails I felt the sweat in places I didn't think I could sweat. But I was prepared and ready to go. I think that I start to block out bad memories because man were those hills a lot harder than I thought. The hills were a total of 3.1 miles long and these were a lot harder this time around. I have to remember that I do NOT like running in this heat. It wears me down both physically and mentally on this past run I kept telling myself "you can do this keep going". Which I did, I did it at my own pace it was so humid that I didn't want to push it so hard I would pass out...ok that might be a little dramatic..lol. Once the hills were done we had another 6 miles to go but this was on flat land and I was looking forward to that as we ran to get some water our coaches said not to do 10 miles only 8 it was too hot. i thought to myself "they are right, but lets see what my body can do".
I ran and I was feeling good when I got to the where Coach B was I took my GU and asked him if I should keep going, he said "do what your body tells you, do 9". So I did I ran a to the 9 mile marker and I was feeling great. I had a bottle of water in my hand which I kept throwing on my head and chest to keep cool. As I turned around running alone it was nice. Although I love running with Vane sometimes it nice to run alone and take it all in. I paid close attention to my body, breathing and form which I have realized I have the marathon shuffle..workin on it workin on it. This is what I see when I run in Van Cortland

Let me know if you ever want to run up there..happy to take any virgin's :)...lol.

As I was running I saw Coach Sid, who told me that my partner in crime got hurt...she is suppose to update her blog so make sure you bug her so she will send her a note @ http://vanerunsnyc.blogspot.com/

Till next time..or a funny life experience happens...keep it moving.
<3 MM

Holy Canolie is it HOT!

Guys its been so super hot outside and I just don't want to run. Who would? Only the crazy nuts that do not realize its CRAZY to run in this weather. As I see people running in this heat, all I can remember is last year's NYC Half Marathon, and if you read my blog, you know it was a killer. This heat is brutal but I have to put on my big girl panties and get it done. I will be running with my team tonight and doing speed workouts (insert crabby face). I know I have to, especially if I want to hit my target time for the NYC Marathon this November. I really need to get it together and work it out. With that said, I think this posting says it best.


I also have the Queens half marathon coming up and as my lovely sotto coach Vane reminded me yesterday, we have not run more than 5 miles. Yes, that is a huge problem. A half marathon is 13.1 miles so just doing 5 miles is kind of a road block in my training. And I really want to either keep my BK half time of 2:14 (So proud of my PR, once again Gracias Vane) or beat it by at least a couple of minutes.

It has been a record heat here in NYC and with everything going on, I have a lot on my plate and on my mind (lol) with that being said life keeps moving along. Time does not stop for anyone. I, along with Blondie and Vane, went to visit Nortie in Bmore this past 4th of July weekend and her Birthday Happy Bday Nortie. Being there made us all open up our eyes to what we really want out of life. I think I realized that as much as I love NYC, I don't think I want to be here forever. I know... Shocking, but it is true. I am not sure where I will be going or when, but I have realized that a change needs to be made. With that being said, I am doing a lot of soul searching and trying to find out what I love, or at least something I like, and also locations. Here is what is at the top of my list and in no particular order:
B-More
Dallas
San Fran, still need to visit to confirm so this is a MAYBE
Spain
ATL, man this might be heaven for me...maybe I can find Slim or Q from 112 and one of them can finally fall in love with me and sing in my ear all night...lol wishful thinking.

Places I would not go, also in no particular order:
L.A
Florida - Only because of the weather. Otherwise it's perfect and is home to the greatest football team EVER! Go Miami Dolphins!! :)
Houston


This weekend is the last weekend of World Cup and it's a little sad. Our crew will be getting together to watch the championship on Sunday and then I will be putting my drinking cup away. This last month has been a killer on my liver.

With love in running,
MM

Picture from BK Half

Here we are Vane and I running the BK half...when I hit my PR!!

THANK YOU VANE!!! ;)

Rock it out!! :)

Holy Bonkers!!

Holy Bonkers,
Its that time again already? How did that happen?! Yes people, it is that time again. I am raising money for my NYC team - Team For Kids. I know that many of you donated last year and I cannot thank you enough. You helped me train to run one of the toughest marathons ever, but you also helped children all over the world fight childhood obesity.

http://www.runwithtfk.org/Member/PublicPage/74

If you can donate please do so and follow the link. Thank you so much in advance. Your donation helps so many children. This year I promise to update you all with more stories on the children you are helping.

Happy Running :)

You've Changed...and Change is the only constant.

I don't know why, but last night I finally let my emotions out. All of them. And I have to admit that I felt like a new person this morning. I woke up with a smile on my face. In love with the chance of new opportunities and new interest in everything from work, life and especially love.

I wont lie, I was bummed by the fact that things didn't work out, but what am I suppose to do, be upset forever? No, you cant live your life that way. Plus I did that once and I wont do that again (see from every relationship you learn something). Last night it all came together for me. I realized that things happen for a reason (There is always a reason. The point is do you want to see it or do you ignore it?). My situation didn't work out but that's ok, because for the first time in a long time I opened up my heart and that right there is a mini miracle in a way. Maybe not a mini miracle but it did make me see that I am ready for love and the next chapter in my life.

On my way to work I had my ipod on and I started listening to Keyisha Cole and then I heard a song that I hadn't heard in a long time. Its called "You've Changed". Now this song is not what happened in my situation, but it did open my eyes even more. People change. One day you're up, one day you're down. Either way, you need to do what makes you happy. Here are the lyrics to the song. I love them so much that I have the song on repeat. I hope you enjoy it!


**Keyshia Cole, You've Changed**
I already heard your side of the story now hear mine,
Ima tell you why cause you changed when you got doe no you listen

I remember like yesterday the very day I met you,
you was lookin fly I was actin shy so when you walked by
I ignored you good thing you turned around and asked me my name in an instant
my attitude changed swept me off my feet you were so sweet feelin kinda deep
you amused me gave you my number next day you called askin if you can see me
so I said alright you can stop on by it gave me butterflys,
30 minutes knock knock its you I'm glad to see you but I keep my cool from day one
I fell in love with you but now I ask myself who are you.

[Chorus]
You changed You changed you got doe and changed you got doe and you changed baby
you changed it wasn't the same you got doe and you changed you got doe and you changed what was I to do.

You were never there why should I be there, their know one there to hold me I am workin hard
and late these are the day's when a girl like me needs lovin if he's not
then someone else is getting what he causes you wasn't takin care of home
left me there alone so whats a girl to do when she's feelin in the mood we were together
but we grew apart thinkin with my mind and not my heart packed up all my things left the engagement
ring
cause from the looks of things I can't do this live this life that I call my life
and if this is what is like being your wife I'd rather be your friend then through thick and thin
but now it's the end my sufferin.

[Chorus]
You changed You changed you got doe and changed you got doe and you changed baby
you changed it wasn't the same you got doe and you changed you got doe and you changed what was I to do.

What was I to do, sit around and wait for you to call
when I wanted be in your arms missin you every minute
you were gone you were gone to long doin who knows what who knows where
you act like you didn't care when I wouldn't be here, cause you changed.

[Chorus]
You changed You changed you got doe and changed you got doe and you changed baby
you changed it wasn't the same you got doe and you changed you got doe and you changed what was I to do.

No it ain't about the house with rims and the range
no it ain't about the cars and houses and things
no ain't perpetraintin with the clothes broken promises please.
No ain't about the hype that you given to me.
No it ain't about it, No it ain't about it, No it ain't about it,

Oh no what was I to do about it.

No it ain't about the house with rims and the range
no it ain't about the cars and houses and things
no ain't perpetraintin with the clothes broken promises please.
No ain't about the hype that you given to me.
No it ain't about it, No it ain't about it, No it ain't about it

World Cup Fever!!! ~ Pictures will be added soon~

Hola!!
Yes, I know I have been kind of absent. Sorry about that, but guys, the WORLD CUP is on and unless you have been living under a rock you have to understand that this alone is the best time ever. The world cup comes along every four years and every four years, for a month, I devote as much time as I possibly can to the game. Back in 2006 I was supposed to go with my cousin Laura to Germany and watch the games but that didn't happen due to work (I hate that excuse) and money. Back then I was not where I am now. This year I really don't know why I am not in South Africa rocking my Mexican jersey. Part of me regrets not going, but part of me knows and understands that I had to be here, which at times like this SUCK... but I digress. Right now there is so much going on in my life that I need a little stability. I have to admit that watching the World Cup at work and taking days off to watch the games have not been the most "stable" but hey this only comes around every four years so to hell with it.

On Tuesday June 22nd, I took the day off to watch mi Mexico play against Uruguay with Vane, Dom, Alexis and then Kevs joined in later. The Mexico game was a hard one for me to watch because I really think that we lost it somewhere even before Uruguay scored. Although we did advance to the next round, I really, really am hoping that we can make it past Argentina. I guess we will see how that goes. After the Mexico vs. Uruguay and France (Wimps) vs. South Africa game, we trekked it all the way downtown to another bar to meet up with Kevs to watch the next two games. I wont lie although I am not a fan of Greece and their team. I was hoping they could score at least one goal against Argentina but unfortunally that did not happen. Argentina won 2 to 0. Saturday will be an emotional day for me to say the least.

After that game Kevs of course wanted to keep going and we did we hit up the Rusty Knot. Great bar. Vane and Alexis made friends with the bartender and Kevs made a bet that he will beat Blondie in a half marathon. Is he serious? I guess we will all find out in three months or so.


Mi Mexico will be playing against the Argentine's which I am not a fan of. I will explain later. Really not the place to now, especially not before the game on Saturday. This will be a very tough game for Mexico, but I think we will be able to hold our own. I want Mexico to come out on Saturday and play the game they did against the French, a confident game have my little sunshine "Chicharito" play and score the way he can. If we go in there and play right and hard and if the outcome is not what I want I will still wear my jersey with pride because they played with all they have.

On Saturday our team is running in the Front Runner's Lesbian and Gay Pride Run in Central Park. If you are around you should come out. The race starts at 9:00 a.m. and I am hoping that it will not be that hot out there. Come and support. If you look for me after the race I will have gotten a PR because I will be running to a bar to watch the games.

Keep Running
XOXO
MM :)

NY Mini Finishers

Check out my pictures with Mrs. Kara Goucher with her cute little 5 month old Belly.

http://www.nyrr.org/resources/photos/2010/mini/more/gallery.asp#18


After the race, Vane and I love the bagels and fruit.

http://www.nyrr.org/resources/photos/2010/mini/event/gallery.asp#16

To recap the race, Vane and I pushed way to hard on Harlem Hill, so when we hit Engineers gate and we had no steam left,but we still pulled through it and finished. The best part of the race was that we meet both Kara Gougher and Paula Radcliffe.

Till the next time. :)
MM