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2008
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Location:

Washington,DC,USA

Member Since:

May 01, 2008

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

One marathon: 4:08; Half marathon PR: 1:48:30; Ten-miler PR: 1:23; 8k PR: 39:00; 10k PR: 46:51

 

Short-Term Running Goals:

Lose 10 lbs. to get in shape to run faster and --> Qualify for Boston!

Race calendar:

May 18: Capitol Hill Classic 10k (50:23)

June 14: Lawyers Have Heart 10k (48:20)

July 12: Caribbean Sounds 10k (50:23)

July 14: Bastille Day 4-miler (30:55)

July 27: Riley's Rumble 1/2 Marathon (1:48:30)

(Stress fracture/broken jaw break)

Nov 9: Veteran's day 10k (46:51!!!)

Nov 27: Alexandria Turkey Trot 5-miler

Dec 6: Gar Williams 1/2 marathon

Dec 14: Jingle All the way 10k

February 14, 2009: Myrtle Beach marathon? (goal: 3:40!!!)

Long-Term Running Goals:

Finish a 1/2 Ironman before I'm 40 years old

Finish 10 marathons in 4:00 hrs or less by the time I'm 40 years old.

Run the JFK 50-miler

Personal:

Just another single 30-year old Argentine girl living the American dream in Washington DC and trying to run faster. Graduated from Southern Utah University in 2003, then moved to DC. I have a full-time job as research economist for an association in the transportation industry and I'm attempting to get my Master's degree in Economics from Johns Hopkins, part-time, while keeping my sanity!

More adventures in my personal blog

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Adidas Supernova Sequence Lifetime Miles: 12.00
400 m race pace800 m race pace1500 m race pace3 K race pace5 K race pace10 K race paceLactic ThresholdAerobic ThresholdMarathon PaceBase IIBase IRegenerationTotal Miles
0.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.0012.000.0012.00

WHAT A DAY!!!! Ivan dropped me off at one end of the park, and we agreed he'd pick me up at the other end. He went off to wonder into the town to get food to make me dinner, as I went off for a speed-hiking/trail running all over. I think he was happy, and I was definitely happy. We are good friends and had agreed beforehand that since we don't have the same interests, we would each do our own thing most of the time anyway, so we could both have a good time and enjoy the park that we both have been wanting to see for some time. 

The hike/run was a magical experience. The views, the colors, the rocks, the lakes, the ocean, the island, the blue sky, everything was just absolutely perfect. I wanted to cry. I felt God's presence all over the place. I'm no longer a religious person who goes to church (though I was raised very Catholic), but I certainly am someone that experiences God's presence in every aspect of my life. With every step, with every view, I kept thinking "Thank you God for my legs. Thank you for my knees. Thank you for my eyesight, for allowing me to see the beauty that you laid out for us." I could hardly breathe of how happy I felt. I ran whenever I could (the terrain is super-duper rocky up there), and hiked the rest. I passed EVERYONE around. Not one soul passed me. I know some people think you can't enjoy the land when you go fast, but I disagree - you can totally do both! I don't need to stop to enjoy myself.

As I passed a couple hiking with a baby and chit-chatted, the guy asked me where I was from. When I said Argentina, he told me Jorge Luis Borges was one of his favorite authors. What a great thing to hear! I was expecting he'd say something about soccer, about the economy, about Evita Peron... but I just love it when people tell me about Borges, our Argentine gem in the international literature, and one of my favorites as well (not an easy author to read in case you were wondering...)

Ivan picked me up at the place and time agreed upon, we went back to the campsite and he made a fire and cooked some great dinner.

I found myself thinking something that every once in a while, when I feel lonely especially, I wonder: could I be with someone that doesn't like to hike/run/enjoy the wilderness? Could I just trail run and hike by my self some weekends, go camping alone, and come home to a significant other that enjoys staying home and read, cook, and then enjoy a meal together at dinner time? Even though I enjoy hiking and being outdoors on my own, it's such a big part of who I am, that I think the answer is no. In a relationship it's important to have "your own things", but some things you just need to have in common with your partner, and to me, hiking and enjoying the wilderness is a big one. I can run, bike, swim on my own... Relationships are all about compromise, but there are some things that are non-negotiable.

Thoughts?

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From mikemac on Tue, Oct 14, 2008 at 23:24:02

I agree. Running is my time to get away and think, not that I need to get away because I have a wonderful life with my wife and childeren. But it is a time to clear my head. But you know what? It would be great to have a running partner (spouse) from time to time. Time to just enjoy one anothers company and talk. With all the hustle and bustle....that time is limited somewhat. Time to yourself is important but doing things together is where its at. Take it from someone who has been married for 24 years this Oct.13th. ME!!

From Aaron-PSU on Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 10:34:41

Lucia, It sounds like you had both a spiritually and personally enlightening trip. I'll say it again, I'm a wee bit jealous. In my opinion, as tough as it may sometimes be, finding a partner for life should be about the commonalities you hold together. For you, I know that finding someone who loves the outdoors is very important. Also important is not only to how you interact as individuals, but where and what you want your future to entail. In my opinion, relationships also need to have what I would call "it". The "it" I suppose is that feeling of the soulmate. The one individual with whom you are eternally happy with and never want to be without. Time spent running, going to sporting events, volunteering, pondering, and doing things on your own is totally ok; we all need a little "me time" to keep ourselves sane. Mike is correct in saying that doings together is where it's at. These are all the expressed written opinions of Aaron and only Aaron. Sorry for using all the little " " words. :)

From Lucia on Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 11:18:48

Thank you for your comments!

Aaron, I think you hit three very important points there. 1: commonalities, 2: future, and 3: "it" (call it chemistry, attraction, love, etc.) When I was married, although the 1 and 3 were great, the #2 was missing, and like you pointed out, it's a crucial point. When we're young and inlove we think that's all we need. As grown-ups we realize it's a wee more complicated than that, right?

From mikemac on Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 15:45:43

You get out of it what you put into it....as long as you are not the only one putting in. (make sense??)

From Kelli on Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 18:50:57

I have to add that differences are good in a marriage, as long as you are understanding and accommodating. I kind of feel like my husband has invaded my world by running with me---sometimes it really aggravates me. I try not to let it bug me, but it was my ME thing and now it is a WE thing. I love that he comes with me (and protects me from dogs and snakes and kidnappers!) but sometimes I just want to be ALONE!

From Lucia on Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 18:59:23

That makes sense, Mike.

Kelli - I know what you mean. It's a balance between doing things together and on your own. It can be done!

From Kelli on Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 19:16:45

We have been married for 16 years, so I hope it can be done! I seriously have to ban him from running with me every once in a while just for a break. But, life is a balancing act, and you just have to figure it out! The running together thing is fairly new to me, so I will get it worked out in my tiny brain!

From jill on Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 22:27:40

kelli, your words are ringing true. My husband has woken me up at 5:30 am for the past 2 days. It is upsetting since this is my sport. we met cycling - we were both about 35 miles from home on a training ride, separately, and we met. It was wonderful for about a year- then he became more of my Coach than my buddy.. so I stopped. Now I am running. I want it to be mine. I dont want the same experience. However, 1, 2 and 3 are there. So, we must be doing somethign right! Talk soon kids! lucia, your posts about Maine are beautiful- I can feel your excitement! Talk soon.

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