My New Plan

The other day I went out to lunch with my friend Sandy. We went to one my favorite places, Bill's Pizza, located at the start of the Boston Marathon in Hopkinton.

Stock photo

Sandy is a 3 time marathoner, a Half Ironman finisher and has numerous other race finishes under her belt. In other words, she is one hardcore lady. But most importantly, she is my good friend.

Over lunch we were discussing races and running (what else). We discussed upcoming races including her 4th marathon, Chicago. Which she is running for TEAM PAWS by the way (donations are welcomed). I admitted to her that I want to do a fall marathon. I know I said I wouldn't do one. But as fall marathon training is picking up, I'm starting to feel left out. I still plan on running with those who are training, just was going to avoid anything over ten miles if possible.Which she then said I'm suffering from FOMOOM (fear of missing out on Marathon) or something like that ... LOL. It's funny, but not funny because it's true.

I feel lost without a goal. Without something to shoot for. Someone suggested to me I just do a couple of halfs. That's all good and dandy, but I feel like I can do a half any weekend, you know?.... It's not challenging enough.

Ok.... not that brilliant....

So I have come up with an idea. I have a couple marathons in mind that I would like to do. One, not all :) . My plan is to run with those who are doing a marathon. I will train with them. I want to feel it out. I want to see how my body, my feet hold of on some long runs before I actually decide on doing one. Not sure when I'll decide, but I guess I'll know when I know. Once I decide, then that will determine which one of the few I have in mind I'll do.

That way, ONE -  I'll have a goal to shoot for. TWO -  if I dont decide to do one, then at least I know that I gave it a try. I'll feel better trying than not. If anything, most of these marathons have a half option. I can always switch and still race if I need to.

So that's it. That's my plan. We'll see how it works out. Keeping those fingers crossed!


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Dont forget you can still vote for me to get on the cover of Runner's World Magazine:
Click HERE to vote! (you can vote everyday! wink, wink,..)
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Have a great week everyone!

Tri-State Running

I'm soo behind in my blogs... :(

Last Saturday, we debut our running club shirts at the Running with the Beavers trail race!

Some of us did the 5 miler, most of us did the 10 miler.

Tri-State Running for those that dont know, is a running club that was started by myself and my friend Joanna as a way to get local runners together. Through Facebook, it started out with 10 runners and has exploded to over 170 runners in less than 6 months. And growing!!

We had ordered our shirts a while ago, and they just happen to be ready the day before this race so we picked them up and distributed them the morning of this race. Since our inception back in October of 2013, this is the first time that we raced as a group at a race. The shirts just happen to be a plus! On July 12th 2014 Tri-State Running became official in the running world! We came in 3rd place as a group in this race!!

I am so proud of being part of Tri-State Running. It's a local running club that we started when there was none in of the surrounding towns. Not only has it benefited me, but others as well. No longer will runners from our community need to run alone. Through our FB page they can find other runners to run with or share training plans with. It's free to join and we plan to keep it that way.

I see a bright future for this club. We have many plans in the works. Stay tuned as we share our Journey with you!

If you happened to be from our local area (MA, CT or RI), please join us for our weekly Pub Run. It's a laid back easy 5k or 5 miler. The choice is yours. Its not a race and we leave no one behind. Then join us after for some socializing and some drinks afterwards. More info on our FB page.

Find us on Facebook!!

Hope to see you local runners at our runs!!

Runner's World Cover Contest

So I submitted an entry to get on the cover of Runner's World Magazine. How exciting would this be!!!??

I know there way more qualified people and way better stories out there than mine. But hey, what do I have to lose? How great would it be to end an already awesome year with my ugly mug on this cover for the world to see ... LOL

Please get your clicking fingers ready and vote for me!!!

photo by "Photos by Suzette"

*****Click on this Link to vote!!****

4th Of July Race

Today I, along with many from our running club, ran the Leonide J. Lemire 4.9 Road Race. The nations 2nd oldest road race (Boston being #1). It's the 3rd year I have run this race. Its the first time that it wasn't in the 90's hot and humid. It was probably in the upper 70's at race start, a bit humid but manageable.

I haven't "raced" a race in since before Boston. It was actually the 15k Boston Tuneup race early April the last time I did. I came into this race today with the mindset to have fun with my friends and have a good time. As any runner would, I quickly got into race mode right before the race. My right calf was feeling tight all morning, but that wasn't stopping me. I was sizing up the competition and planning my move.

Race started at 9am on the dot and I was off!!! I ran well the first 2 miles, all under 7min miles, but come mile 3, I was done. I had to walk at the infamous West St hill. Everyone that has done this race knows the West St hill. And if you do not know, you quickly get schooled on it. Its a tough 1/2 mile hill that does just about everyone in. I started questioning my training the past couple weeks on this hill. I really need to get healthy and really start training well before my next road race. I was really upset with myself at this point. I honestly believe this is the first time I really struggled at a race to the point where I was like "WTF is wrong with me?!" My body was not up to this race today. I knew it coming into it, but yet, I still went for it.

I honestly could not wait for this race to get done. I started out way to fast and died out towards the end. At the end I was so happy I was done.

I was hurting!!!

I came in 20th over all and 4th in my age group. Not bad honestly. But I still feel I could have done soo much better. I honestly saw 2nd in my age group doable. It just slipped away at West St.


After all was said and done, and I look back at it now... it wasn't a bad race. Yes, I could have done better. Yes, training could have been better. But I did not do bad at all. I'm my worst critic. I think most of us as runners are. Thats how we get better or faster. We challenge ourselves. That is the lesson I took home with me today. I need to get healthier so I can get better. Healthier being the key word. I need to get healthier first.

The best thing about this race is the raffle they have afterwards. The big joke is that you can walk away with toilet paper or laundry detergent at the end of the race. They raffle off just about anything you can think of that was donated to the race.

Many from our group won prizes from the raffle. 

I got a Webber Seasoning kit. Aw yeah!!

Overall, I was not happy with my time or performance of this race, but I'll take it for what it is. I know I'm not at 100%. My body is just not with it right now. But I gave it my all. Nothing more that I could do. I had a great time with my friends and that was originally my goal.

So it was a win, win...

Until next time... hopefully a better race.

- Jose