5/6 - Race for Literacy

Today my friend Dena and myself along with my boys went to run in the Union Tribune Race for Literacy charity run... The 8K started near the Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park, then runs down scenic Highway 163 (closed, of course) and finishes at Pantoja Park on G Street in downtown San Diego. It was a great run and Dena and I had a blast...

Every year, thousands of families and friends gather to participate in the festivities of the Union-Tribune Race for Literacy. All proceeds benefit the San Diego Council on Literacy, which provides reading programs to more than 100,000 San Diegans.

I have to say another successful day of running... and for another great cause!

Be looking out... 21 mile run coming up this weekend!

5/5 - Torrey Pines Run

Today was a great day to be out there on a run.... My boys were going to be at our 2nd aid station and I had something to look forward to half way through my run... to see their smiling faces... Not once but twice! We started this run out easy leaving Torrey Pines Resevoir Beach going North up towards Del Mar... I don't know if I ever told you guys this BUT I HATE HILLS! This hill lasts for awhile but it's manageble... but I still don't like them... As we are going into Del Mar I am running with Gary-the-Brit and we are chatting as usual... keeping a steady pace as we go and as I continue to take pictures along the way.... At mile 2, I lose Gary to the bathrooms... I told him I would slow down so he could catch up but I didn't see him again until were were entering Solana Beach near the train station... so we ran together from around mile 4 until just before mile 6... he turned around at the 12 mile marker turn around but my handy dandy Garmin said I had not reached my 12 mile turn around... so I continued on... I think he just wanted to get ahead of me!!! I was happy to see my boys at the aid station both times I passed it as they are great encouragement... They were having fun giving our runners water/gatorade as they came by.

On my return 6 mile trip to the start I am running solo again and I am just enjoying the run... the weather was awesome, my running felt great and I had a chance to kind of think about things that are going on in my life. We come to a point in life were we are just struggling and that is exactly where I have been the last few months... Just trying to find one self is hard and a huge struggle. But in this short time I feel I have a lot to be thankful for... I have a great family, I have amazing friends, and I have the two most wonderful boys in the world to be thankful for... I know it's been tough for me but all that I go through only makes me stronger. I also think of the people that I am running for and the ones that have lost their battle... and it makes me realize; I really don't have it that bad...

Today I had the best run in a very long time where I felt there was no struggle, there was just complete contentness and a free spirit... I finished my 12.26 mile run in 1:50:35 and only took around 70 pictures during the run... Not too bad.

I keep my faith, I keep running and just enjoy my experience...

In Memory of:
Mike Acosta - My dad's brother
Frank Medina - My great uncle
Papa Joe Gonsalves - Family Friend's Father

In Honor of:
Matthew Dean - recently relapsed and has 15% chance of survival
Michelle Larson - recently relapsed and went through 2nd bone marrow transplant
Julie Fuller - 7 years in remission
Sarah Zdanowski - 4 years in remission
Vince McGrath - 2 years in remission

4/28 - 18 Mile Run Lake Hodges

Today I have to say was a rough day... It started out being a perfect day to run 18 miles in Escondido along the trails but the sun decided to come out and make it tough on me. We ran three courses today and the first one was running along Highway 15 and under it to the run along the lake... it's a nice out and back to the trail head. I am in charge of taking pictures for our team and I took about 114 over the course of the 18 miles... Yes, I know it's a lot of photo's but you know there are a lot of newbies out here making memories with each mile and I love capturing them.

Ok, back to my run... So did the 3 mile out and back and was back at the trail head for the next somewhat out and back... this is the part that was tough... The trails are so much nicer to run on but harder to train on... make sense? Probably not but to us runners we know there is a difference in how your body is reacting to the trail opposed to the streets... I took several pictures along the way.. of runners, signs, a rock and somemore people... it's funny I think I am distracted during the run with taking pictures that I sometimes think the run goes by quicker.

I am just about to head back on the third section of the run which we head out towards our coaches house which we conveniently have an aid station. By this time, I am struggling as I feel two HUGE blisters in each of my shoes... One isn't feeling so hot but I try to ignore it... Mile 13 is looking rough but I trug on and manage to finish the last 5 miles with some very bad feeling feet. I know it's the small things that I sacrifice to train, fundraise and run the marathons in honor of the people who are unable too...

After 18 miles, two blisters and a nice little sun tan I completed another training run and it's just getting closer to marathon day.

Keep checking back for more updates... I have a 12 mile run this weekend and then on May 12th I will be completing my longest run of the season; 21 miles.

4/21 - 11 mile training run

Our Saturday run was located at Miramar Lake...and today I was sweep. Sweep duties are basically you have to be the last person back in... We had teammates running 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 miles out here... I had to be the last one... I only ran 11 miles today due to some major stomach issues but I managed to help my teammates along the way... I ran with several people this day but mainly stayed with Gary the Brit... It was more likely that he stayed with me since I lost my breakfast half way through the run... It was a tough run but I was running for a cause and we had some bad news with one of our honored teammates that he has relapsed and his chances of survival is 15%.

4/18 - Track, Track, Track

Ok, so I know everyone knows this but I really do not like the track... But, I did it anyways! I ran in circles last night chasing the finish line... Coach had a great work out of 12 - 400's doing relay's with someone else on the team... It was Fun... Jennifer and I teamed up and had a great work out... My calves were cramping but it felt good... I wish I could say the same thing about my stomach but I can't! We all had a good time though and that is what this is all about... Running for a great cause and helping others that are unable too.

The Train Run - 16 Miles

What a day!!! I can't even begin to tell you how exciting this run is... How many times do you get the chance to ride up on the Coaster from Solana Beach to Oceanside and run back to Oceanside with 300 other runners?? Only with the TEAM do you get this experience!

We started out the run from Oceanside at 7:30 and it was almost a perfect day for a run if you just take out the sun portion of it... David and I ran together the whole way and we always tell eachother that we will stick together... And this time we did!!! Along the way, we talked and chatted and then there were those moments of be quiet I am in pain... SO don't feel like talking... But, we both got through it... Even with David pushing me up the hill into Solana Beach. :-)

I actually cut this run short of the 18 that I was supposed to do due to my IT Band being inflammed but I managed to get it massaged and work it out to where it somewhat feels normal... I was a little disappointed in myself but I knew I was doing the right thing...

Be looking for more... This weekend we are only running 10 miles... and then our next big run of 18-20 will be on 4/28!!! So excited!!!

Dear Friends,

On Thursday April 5th, 2007; my Grandpa lost one of his younger brothers (my tio) to an infection while fighting Leukemia; his name was Frank Medina and he was 67 years young.

September 4, 1939 - April 5, 2007

Today I am asking for all your support in helping me fundraise for my Tio Frank and to put a little extra towards helping fund the research for blood cancers. One day, we will find a cure. As I continue on my training schedule I have 56 days worth of training left until I take my very own venture through a 26.2 mile course in San Diego for the Rock N Roll Marathon. I have a closer purpose to a great cause that I have been involved with for the last two and a half years and I will run this one for my Tio Frank and all the honorees' that have been affected by this blood related cancer.My Tio Franks funeral is today and I was told that his rosary was very touching yesterday... So I am looking for donations in honor of him as he was a great MAN!!

FOR ONLINE DONATIONSwww.active.com/donate/tntsdh/RunDeborahRun