Just a thought

A couple weeks ago we went for a run in Cuyamaca after our run I stopped at the lake just to sit there and take it all in. The wind was blowing and it was cold. I could hear the water and the ducks splashing and they looked like they were having fun. 

I was wearing my North face Jacket it was that cold. There was no else around probably because it was chilly and early. Its always in moments like these that my heart swells with gratitude for all that is before me. Nature is such a gift. It's almost as if that moment I have any doubt about my life and how well I am doing as a mom that moments like theses bring me back to the rawness of it all. Its simple as simple as sitting here in the cold. Whats important is right in front of me. My children ,family and friends. Making sure I let them know how much I admire them and how grateful I am to have them in my life. 

The ducks reminded me of of my brothers and sisters and I playing in the back yard of our old house. There was a lot of noise and tons of distractions but we somehow always managed to have a great time.. Just thought I would share. 

Under the Weather

Here I was being so careful trying so hard not to get sick. I have been taking good care of myself and just like that I got it. I got that cough and fever I have been hearing all about . I hear people coughing in the store and at coffee shop and now me in my house !! So here I lie on my couch feeling tired and just not like myself. No running for me but the bright side is it is just a matter of time before I get better right ? This is what happens around my house when I am home all day. I made lemon pound cake and a huge super yummy salad that even my kids ate. I super cleaned Jacks room and re organized my running bag oh and I also cut up all the card board in the garage. I think I need to just sit here. I do have a race on Saturday. I am running the Sycamore 50k. It is a 8 mile loop race in Poway. I am going to really focus of my nutrition so I can see how I feel . I am working on trying to see what I will end up using at Western States. This race is local and not that long so I figure it is a perfect race to really start focusing what I am eating. Have a great day and thanks for reading ..

I heart the outdoors

It is a little nuts how something I knew nothing about growing up has become such a huge part of my dreams. I love what spending time outside gives me. It nourish my soul. It really is not about running anymore its just about finding time to get outside with my kids or by myself and just explore. There is new found interest in me to look around. I am lucky that this awesome trail is only an hour and half drive from my home. Who knew that the girl who loved lip stick and heels would learn to love running shoes and sun screen. Not me !! Have a wonderful Sunday ..Have you found something that just tickles your fancy that you just never thought you would love ?? 

The PCT

When I started running with the Trail Crashers (the awesome group I train with ) I used to always arrive 5 minutes late. I know that's bad but I was really trying to be on time my problem was I was always getting lost. Where the hell is this mountain. That's what I would be yelling in the car !!!! I am much better at directions now. I started late yesterday but this time it was because I did not hear my alarm. I would rather miss my alarm then be late because I got lost. I was sad not to start with my friends but I knew I would see them soon. 

I started running up and they would be on there way back soon.  It is so much easier to push yourself ( this is for me ) when my friends are pushing themselves. I took so many pictures on the first half on my run because I alone. I stopped way more then I should of but man it was so pretty out there. That's me saying HI !!! universe you are simply awesome. 

 This is just so beautiful to me. It feels so magical and I feel like my swells up when I am out here.

I finally found my group and the PCT blessed us once again with its beauty. There was walkers ,hikers and runners out here. These are the images I imagine at 4:30 am when I my alarm goes of. This is what gets me out of bed. 

Happy Weekend

This past week Jack and I and my dad went on what turned out to be a very long hike. It had been raining the day before so I thought the weather would be nice. We went out to Lake Poway and the plan was to walk the 2.7 mile loop. I brought 1 bottle of water and my plan was to walk and carry Jack. 

We ended up walking for about 5 miles but it felt like way more. Some how we took a wrong turn and it was so hot. I felt so bad for Jack but the positive side was I carried him most of the way.  We played his favorite song over and over on my phone and some how even though we where melting we made it. The highlights of our hike were Jack yelling at his grampa to run and my dad running and hiding. Then jack coming around the corner only to clap when he found my dad. It was so cute. 

I was proud of my little man for powering through this hike. I was so proud of myself for carrying him most of the way .. Next time I will check the weather but we did have a great time.. Now its time to go to bed as you know tomorrow is Saturday . My favorite day of the week because its my long run day in the mountains with my friends.. Happy Trails 

My Now

There is this feeling I can't seem to chase away. It fallows me everywhere I go. The thoughts that linger in my head keep remind me to take theses moments in. They only happen once. My children will only be this age now. I will never be younger than I am today. I try and make dinner at least 5 nights a week. We all sit together for at least 40 minutes and as I sit there with my family I look around and I know this is a special moment in time I need to hold on too. My kids will only be with me for a short time and I am living it now. I crave to hold on to these moments. 

Pacific Crest Trail

This morning I woke up at 4am and slowly got up. I was dreaming that I was coking a really good dinner. It was a dream because lately my dinners have not tasted so good. I finally made it down stairs and started filling up my water bottle when I accidentally let it go and there it was water all over the kitchen floor. I was so tired. I finally got all my stuff and got out of my house. I needed to be on the road by 5am. As I was driving to Penny Pine watching the sun rise over mountains an 80s song came on and there I was overcome with emotion and crying. Happy tears 

Life is so funny when you least expect it you get a huge real dose of emotions just thrown on you. I just cried for as long as I needed too. 

I arrived at 6:50 and run time was at 7am. I was cold but so happy to see my friends . I jumped out of the car and a couple minutes later we started running. My left calf was so tight I did everything I could not to cry. I just ran slowly and just tried to keep up with my friends. I have noticed that after an hour my legs seem to walk up and I feel way better. Today it took 2 hours and after that my legs felt way better and I was able to run with out pain. It also got warm quickly and I struggled but I got it done.  This shit is hard and I hope it gets easier or I get stronger. One thing is for sure no matter how hard the run is I have to try.and give it my all. Some weeks I suck and other weeks I am ok. When I am ok I am just super grateful I finished. Today we ran 20 miles and I am just happy I was able to finish with a smile on my face. I hope you have a chance to get outside this weekend and thank you fro reading my bog. I like sharing my journey. 

So many miles so little time

It is no secret that saturdays are my favorite day of the week. I have hours of running to look forward too. This saturday was no exception. We all met up at Penny Pines at 7am. This means that I need to be in the car by 5 am. I wake up at 4 am so I can be in the car by 5am. I don't really mind it and that tells me I must really love this sport. I arrived on time and lucky for me so did everyone else. So off we went I think there was 11 people. I started near the back and the one thing I remember really well was how freaking cold it was. 

It was so cold that even with gloves and a hat I just ran as fast as I could so I would warm up fast. This is my friend Nartaya she started her training this weekend for the PCT50. 

So its one big happy group running along the PCT. There was so much snow on the ground . This is the most snow I have ever seen on the PCT. It was awesome. I felt like I was playing tag. Except no was ever chasing me I did the chasing :) becuase I was it. 

I got a new pack. ( Valentines Day Gift ) I had so much fun you guys. Every time I show up to run on saturday I am left with the feeling of I belong in the mountains. Its like eating your favorite vegetable and knowing its so good for you and it's supposed to be in your mouth sort of thing. Did that make sense ? I am not sure but I just love how free it feels to just go. We ran for 18 miles and it took us a couple hours . Yes, it was hard it is always hard but it still somehow manages to get easier. I would not trade my the training part of my journey for anything. 

This past Monday we ran in Fall brook. This is a really hard, kick your ass into high gear and get ready to sweat your butt of run. Needless to say I would be lying if I did not wake up Monday morning trying to talk myself out of showing up.My brain ( Gloria you ran 28 miles this past weekend its ok not to go)  I finally just got in the car and went even though all me wanted me to stay home. Not because I was tired just because I knew I was going to get my ass kicked. I know I can do it but OH MAMA !!!! its so hard. Not wanting to show up is the lamest reason not to show up. The only reason for me not show up is if I am exhausted or injured. I was neither.

                                                     See the perfect mountain climbing  training up and down.

THis run is either up like this..

or down !!! I am owe so much to my friends who also show up and train there butt off. So I feel like my training for Western States is off to a great start. Showing up is half the battle the other half is putting one foot in front of the other and not stopping. 

I love these people. I am learning so much from them . In the last 7 days I ran on the PCT in 30 degree weather with snow every where to 80 degree in San Marcos to 90 degree in the hot sun going up steep mountains in Fallbrook. Getting outside always makes me happy…Hope you are having a great week too.

A friday thought

This morning I went to the park to work out. I was not able to make it to my gym because I had a sick little boy all night and I ended up going to bed at 4am. Then from 4am on it was more of a sleep with a little boy laying on top of me sleep. I canceled my gym apt and slept in. Then later in the day when he wanted nothing to do with me and just wanted his dad I went for a short run or maybe I just wanted to get outside. I always start of slow I am a person that does things slow and I slowly adapt and running is no different even if I do it every day. I ended up running for an hour and just tinkling about lucky I and grateful I feel that I get the opportunity to train with friends who are willing to teach me and each other what they know about this sport.  I also find it surprising that I have changed so much . I never thought I would so excited about my Saturday long run but I am. I am really excited about getting up at 4am so I can be at our running location on time. I am excited about knowing I will be spending most of the morning out in the wilderness just running around. I know it will be hard but it is just that feeling that I crave. The feeling of knowing that I am slowly getting stronger. I took this picture of my girl friend last week. It looks so perfect . The trees the sunlight gleaming through the trees and a strong female running.  Tomorrow will be another glorious Saturday that for me includes a long run with friends. What does your Saturday look like ? make it a good time. 

My Grateful Heart

This was one of those moments. Life slowed down and I was taken back in time. I used to sit in that same chair my son is sitting in with my dad when I was young. 33 years later I found myself looking back in time. Its my son sitting next to him. Time goes by so quickly. It is so important to make the best we can out of each day. Today the best for me was having this moment. Seeing it and being able to observe it. I feel my gratitude so deep with in me. I know no one is here forever and that it is so important to say I love you every day to those we hold close.  My heart felt so full as I sat with these two. I love when it is the simple things that mean everything . Today this moment was everything. 

Welcome February

The month is of to a great start. I love it when you actually do what you set out to do. Even if its just for 1 day.  Today we went on a crazy run. I can tell I am getting stronger on the uphills. The trick is practice practice practice. The weather has been a little crazy for San Diego that always makes for fun running weather. The goal for this week is to run 60 plus miles. It's one week at a time for me. Small goals are always more attainable. So I would say that Gloria has officially started training for her first Western States 100 mile endurance run. 

Thank You January

We made through the first month of 2016. I had a couple goals I really want  to make habits and I am on my way. I am working on eating healthier. This month Jack and I had a healthy smoothie 25 days out of 30. That's good. I keep it simple Spinach, pineapple, banana for now. I did add cherries for about a week. I feel healthier :)  Something has to change when it comes to my eating habits. I think slowly I am making life time changes.
I did lots of running and hiking and walking this month too. I really want to hike more with my kids and I we got out a couple times this month. That is a big deal when you have teenagers . So Thank you January for all your blessing. I can also say this was a thinking month. I spent a lot of time just writing down stuff in my journal. Some months I feel like there is a real need to write it feels so healing. On to The Love month. Here we go !!!

A little bit of today

This entire day felt just like that movie. The one I can't shake. Sometimes it feels like I am just standing here watching the whole thing play out but other times I know I am the one that is driving and taking everyone along for the ride. It's funny how today will simply be a memory . I want to hold it in my hand and never let go but children are that perfect reminder that everything changes and everything is only temporary. It is up to me to take bits and pieces from each day and put them away in that special place in my heart. These memories feel like a movie. 

A sweet day for three

Today was a great day. I went down to visit my family and then   my dad went for a really long walk with little man. Spending time outside makes all of us happy. We walked for a couple hours and I did not bring the stroller. Instead I brought a magnifying glass and little plastic bag. Then some crayons and a train. A couple things to keep him busy on our walk. He loved each little thing as I introduced them to him. The bag was a big hit. He put little things in it and then took them out.  Walking with a 2 year old requires a little imagination but its so much fun. You have to have lots of snacks too. Food makes everyone happy.  

Reminiscing

                    Yesterday I ran late in the evening. I did not think about the fact that maybe I should take my head lamp. I did not even think about the fact that it was dark out side but off I went anyway. I was hoping to run for a little bit over an hour or so. The thought that filled my head was wow if I did not run I would be inside of my house and I would be missing this amazon night. It was  beautiful. The sky was a deep blue and the air was just a bit cold. There is a lot of traffic by my house but I put in my head phones and a little Bob Marley and I was instantly transported away. I ran to the hills by my house and did not think twice about how dark it was and that maybe I should stick to the side walk instead I ran up the hill into the mountains just thinking I need this movement I want the solitude and good all of this was.
Two miles later I took this picture and realized I needed to get home and down from this mountain so I turned on my phone light. Thank God for iPhone and I slowly made it back. I was fine I did freak myself out a little bit just because it got so dark so fast. I did not tell my family where I was running. (not smart ) I was thinking on my way through the rocks and mud and hills about my only other night time run during the San Diego 100 miler. How well it was marked and how I could use some of those marking now. I was thinking about the SD 100 race director and all the time effort it takes to run a race. How much work goes into pulling of a perfect event and how much confidence and joy they give us by making it safe and feeding us and the volunteers how amazing they are. I will always remember this lady Karen holding my face during SD100 and looking in my eyes and telling me I believe in you Gloria . You can do this. That's all I needed to hear and I needed that. When don't we need that. I made a couple a stupid choices last night but I had a great time running and hiking and reminiscing..

Balance

This is my sister Carmen. I used to visit her all the time but I don't anymore and I need to. It is one of those things I know I need to do but I just don't. This last month I have been feeling this big restless. Like the universe is talking to me.   A huge part of me feels like I need to grow and change and be nicer to myself.  I am going to visit my sister tomorrow. I miss her and I know she misses me. I am going to see my grandmother with Jack and hope that brings me some peace. I have mail I need to send out to very special people. I love sending happy mail packages. I need to figure out how to find more balance in my life. I have been completely obsessed with running lately and I need to think about some thing else too. Ahhhh this is a weird post I know but I feel like I just need to share. Sometimes we get lost or swallowed into our passions but there is hope. I feel like first you need to be aware that you are being obsessive then make a plan to change. My plan is to spend time doing other things. I am still running but for the next couple weeks I will be writing about other stuff. Why because I need to create a bit more balance in my life… I need to give back. Tomorrow I will start. 

A quick update

This week was weird. I was all over the place . I did have a couple of awesome runs.
 This one is quickly becoming my favorite. The first 3 miles are a killer. My calves felt like they were going to burn off but that's the beauty of running eventually the burning sensation goes away and I was left with my heavy breathing and lots of up hill to go. My favorite thing about this run is how hard it is because eventually if I just keep working hard and showing up it will get easier. I love that. What a beautiful place to run. I think we ran to the top of the hill in the middle of the picture. There pockets of cold air on this run. The only other time I have run through pockets of cold and hot air was during the San Diego 100 miler. So this run takes me back in time.

 My official training started this week for W.S. That is exciting. It is always super exciting to have a training schedule (yes)  but way more exciting that this schedule is for W.S. (CRAZY)  if you ask me. 

Ultra Ramblings on not giving up

"You see those tiny switch back way in the back ? " Robert asked me. "no" I replied feeling really grateful I did not have my glasses with me and grateful we stopped for a second so I could catch my breath. This whole training thing is not easy and some runs just hurt more than others.   This week we ran on a Thursday and I heard it would be a  hard up hill and an awesome fast down hill. You may thing I was excited for the fast down hill but that is what scares me the most. The up hills are hard but I am in control . The down hills if I ran them correctly would mean I would have to let go and in my mind probably fall and this is why  I needed to show up. If it scares me I need to practice.
The whole up hill run was great except I felt like my calves where on fire. I was singing Kings of Leon on my way up. Except my lyrics where. My calves are on fire over and over. After a while it went away and I felt good. Feeling good does not mean I was not struggling it means I was not hurting at all. 

I definitely feel all excited and giddy inside when I run . I feel like its a big event. I know it is a training run but I still feel like ," Hello G  how grateful are you ? to be here in the mountains getting your butt kicked with your friends," that was my brain. I feel incredible. I feel like I do when I take my kids to the mountains or a park. When my family goes out to really fun dinner and everyone is happy. I feel like Man this is special or when I get to go to a play. I feel so incredibly grateful for this day.

The view was amazing and this was the point where I thought OK its 7 miles up and then they told us oh no we still have a little bit to go..( my brain was yelling but you said 7 ) but i acted totally cool . On the way back Robert told me to lean forward into my run. I tried this and my down hill improved some. I keep telling myself I have to believe it for it to happen. So I keep envisioning myself crossing that finish line.
Here is what I learned if your scared to try something ..anything because your fear is failure . My advise is to take a deep breath show up and try. If you fail try again and use that failure to fuel your drive. It is such a great feeling to check something off that little gremlin in our head that tells us we can't. The truth is we can if we keep trying keep learning and keep showing up. We can do amazing things. Sometimes if your like me the only way to believe it is to conquer it. 

It started getting dark so we finished up as fast as we could.
 So until next time challenging run. You might win but I will be dammed if I don't show up.