My First 5K

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This past weekend I competed in my first 5K. That is about 3.1 miles. I had never done it before and thought why not?

The youngest age division was 12-and-under. It was a very different start than when I do the 1-mile races. The start was very very casual. They didn’t give any announcements, just all of a sudden a horn went off and tons and tons of people just started moving. There were a lot of people walking, pushing strollers… I was nowhere near the front and tried to just weave my way through all the people. I knew that my time wouldn’t start until I crossed the starting line, but I was excited to get going.

Once I got past the starting line, I took off. There were so many people to go around. I noticed as I ran by, I overheard several comments. Someone said, “Hey look at that little guy- good job buddy!”

Another man pushing a jogger said to his baby, “Wow look at this kid, I hope you are like that one day.”

Several people just said, “Way to go, kid!”

I thought that was nice.

The track had several cones so I knew exactly which way to run. After each mile, they also had an announcer tell you the gun’s split time. After the first mile, it was 7:50. After the 2nd mile it was 14:25. I came into the finish at 22-something. My official race time was 21:10.

Somewhere during the 3rd mile, I saw someone ahead of me who looked like he could be in my age division. He looked 11 or 12. I decided to try to catch up to him. As I got very close, he saw me and started sprinting away.

I kept increasing my pace and about a minute later I caught up to him again and passed him. I thought he might try to catch back up with me so I kept my pace high but I wasn’t sprinting. He never did catch up. Later, I found out I placed in 2nd and he placed 3rd, 30 seconds after me.

Have you watched Secretariat? I saw it a few weekends ago. I sort of felt like Secretariat during that part. Secretariat comes from behind and then increases his lengths ahead of who he passes. That was such an inspiring movie.

Anyway, I had a blast at the race and hope to try one again soon.

There was a really nice man at the end of the race who said he felt awesome during his entire race and not a single person passed him, until I did. He wanted a picture with me. He was really nice 🙂

A Runner Named Meb

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I just finished reading an article from yesterday’s San Diego Union Tribune. I am interested in it because it talks about a runner, and I love running. The person’s name is Meb Keflezighi. He ran the 5 boroughs of New York and won it. He was the 1st American to win since Alberto Salazar in 1982.

Towards the finish line, he said he felt a sense of relief that he had done it. In his 12th attempt at that distance, he won a marathon. Until then his silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics represented his awesome achievement.

He also did one in New York and one in Boston. He said it was a blessing. He also went to about 20 National Championships!

Meb had a vision for himself before he ran. Before his New York victory, he had not run a good run in Boston and took third. He started getting worse and worse. His appearance fees started dropping.

At the 2008 trials he broke suffering the pain. The sport moved away from Meb. He had a lot of injuries and people started to doubt his ability to do well anymore.

But Meb is not a quitter. He does not take the easy road ever, and challenges don’t affect him. Meb says that he is now fit and is setting a goal on a 10 miles training run in September.

I admire Meb’s passion.

Soccer Rocks!

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I know I talk a lot about running. I also really enjoy playing soccer. This year was my first time playing competitive league. I love being part of a team. My teammates are all great players and I’ve worked really hard to improve my technical skills.

I’ve learned a lot by watching everyone else who are all so talented. While I have played various positions this year, it seems lately I’ve been playing mostly center midfield. It’s been a great learning experience and I would love to score a goal soon!

IronKids Nationals 2010

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…Continued from previous journal entry (October 4, 2010)…

The IronKids event was such a fun event. I want to do it again next year. Here are some pictures from the event. It went by really fast and I had a great time traveling with Dad.

Based on my performance at the San Diego Qualifier, I was supposed to come in around 38th place. I ended up taking 30th. An improvement! I had a blast and would love to do it again next year.

Heading to St. Petersburg, Florida!

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Excerpts from my written journal (October 2, 2010)…

I have just left the San Diego airport and I am sitting on the Southwest airplane. We are way above the clouds. I ordered an apple juice and it tastes great! I am on my way to Florida to compete in the IronKids Nationals.

I am very excited and proud. My Dad is proud of me too. My mom is at a conference and my sister is at her friend’s house, so it’s just me and Dad.

(later..)

We are about to land in Phoenix and then take off on another plane. The next plane I board will take longer because it will go to Florida.

I have just boarded the next plane and it’s another Southwest plane. It’s going to be about five hours until we arrive. I can’t wait to land in Florida and see what it looks like!

I just ate some Ritz and chips ahoy cookies and boy, it was phenomenal! I had some apple juice also.

In about three hours, we will arrive in Florida.

I just finished a couple of courses in Mario Kart and I won almost all of them. I was Luigi for every single course. I played Figure 8 circuit, Yoshi Falls, Cheep Cheep Beach, Luigi’s Mansion, Dessert Hills, Delfino Square, Waluigi Pinball, Shroom Ridge, Mario Circuit 1, Moo Moo Farm, Peach Circuit, Luigi Circuit, Donut Plains 1, Frappe Snowland, Bowser Castle 2, and Baby Park.. in that order.

We will probably be in Florida in two hours and thirty minutes. When I get there, I will be begging for food!

I have just woken up from a LONG nap and there is about 45 more minutes until we land. Then, I’ll be in Florida!

Yay we are in Florida! I just got into our rental car and it is a silver Hyundai. We are driving across a lake on a bridge. My Dad got off at the wrong exit so now we’re headed to the right exit so we can find the hotel.

We have just arrived at the hotel.

to be continued…

Why do you run?

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I get asked this question a lot. My answer is always the same.. I like running because it’s fun and rewarding. Watch this cool video.

IronKids: Young Triathletes

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Last month, I decided to enter a triathlon here in San Diego. It was the IronKids Triathlon. I had never done anything like it before. All I knew was that I love to run and I know how to swim and ride a bike… So I tried it. Wow, it was hard! I had so much fun and was surprised to find out that I had placed 4th which qualified me for Nationals. I guess I’m going to St. Petersburg, Florida in October!

Here is a clip from CBS about the events being held all around the country.

Why Running Is Fun!

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Yesterday I ran in the 2010 Junior Carlsbad Race. Anyone can participate even if you can only crawl. This was my second year and it was a beautiful day.

I get butterflies in my stomach at the starting line because there are so many kids and you don’t know what’s going to happen. I dedicated my race to my dog, Cash. Exactly 1 week ago yesterday, he died suddenly and I miss him terribly.

During the last stretch of the race, I was running side-by-side with another competitor. I thought about Cash and I felt like he gave me an extra boost of power. It was just what I needed.

I love you, Cash!

Click here to see the results from yesterday’s race.

Watch video highlights from the race: