Raptor Claw!

Although I have been working hard to hold Tia back, I definitely understand why she is so excited about the future of the Raptors. Not only is the attendance spectacular, but I've noticed that we spend a lot of post run time just hangin out. It is a sign that we are bonding as a team and building that camaraderie that we will need to help each other get through the more difficult runs in the future. So once again, a giant "Raptor Claw" for all who continue to make the Raptor team stronger.

First of all, I was 'blazing' not flaming just for clarification. I like the timing runs it fires up that competitive spirit even if you are competing against yourself. It adds an extra motivational factor and we will need all we can get. I too want to give a shot out to Christy. I think we need to create an award for the fastest Raptor!

Also want to thank Emma for pushing Andrew around and for committed enough to hang out with all us old people.

It's All About the Bling

Every once in a while I go online to look at the various finisher medals for the marathons. I know it should be all about the run but sometimes I need the medal to give me extra motivation. I love the thought of seeing Las Vegas for the first time and getting that extra heavy medal. I am one of those people who only loves running while she is running (walking-no need to comment Earl). I always enjoy it but it takes that extra effort to get me started. During my runs (walks) I think of how fast I will be in Dec. I think of what it will feel like to complete another half marathon. It is all so exciting. After checking out the other marathons, I wonder if I can complete three halfs next year or--a full (crazy though it may seem). All I know is I want another heavy medal and I haven't earned the first one yet. Is there a support group for medal addiction?

Hello, My name is Katrina and I am a marathon medal addict.

Clarification: The Rock and Roll Marathon series gives extra medals for people who complete more than one of their events in a year. The 26.2 medal is for completing two half marathons . The 39.3 is for completing one full and one half in one year. The triple crown is for completing any three Rock and Roll events in one year. You can view the other heavy medals at

http://www.eliteracing.com/heavy_medals/combos.html

100 Raptors!

It's been a good week and the running addiction is quickly growing on me. It's summer time which means that if I miss my 4:30AM run that it's okay, I have until about 6AM to get my run in place.
The summer means lots of changes for me and my running.

Our family was approved for Tucson Community Supported Agriculture, which is a pre-paid veggie program that supports our local farmers. I know that it doesn't seem that great to people who are not fanatical about veggies like I am but at night before I go to bed, my last thought is that Friday I'll get to go and pick up my share!

I have noticed that I feel better when I eat a full meal of organic veggies and some pasta. I usually have lots of energy left in my legs for the final push in.

We will also be starting a weekly run meet up on Wednesdays which will help make many of us more accountable for our week day running.

I have to echo Earl on many of his sentiments as far as attendance goes, last season sometimes it would be a total of 3 of us and on the good days 7. It is so nice to know that 5-11 people are out on the course along with you experience the heat and mileage. I know that I get a lot of credit from the Raptors for the work that I do here but I have to tell you that it's all for you.

I began the Raptors because I knew that I had a hard time working out and that it was nice to know that someone was there at the finish who just experienced what you did. I never thought about the size that it would get. I love the Raptors! I love what they have done for my life and my health and my mind.

I have built lasting relationships with many of the veteran and new Raptors that I couldn't imagine my life without a Saturday run. It's a part of my lifestyle. I was floored one day when one of the Shelby kids woke up on a Saturday and said "It's running day."

It's Running Day. Think about all that has changed within in yourself. On Fridays I know that "I have to run tomorrow." Or that "I have to drink more water today." Or that you are one of the few people who understand that even at 6:30AM the heat is still a factor. Or that you tell people, "Well, in my running group..."

Commitment and Dedication run deep in the Raptors.

Thank you to Earl, Lisa and Jasper who are consistently making me slow down on my planning for our group. Earl often tells me to just get through this one season at a time. Just an FYI: in my mind I have plans for 4-7 years down the road when the Raptor count is up in the 100's. Won't that be a sight? 100 raptors running around Reid Park in white shirts with a Raptor head on it!

In my ideal world I would quit my job and just organize Raptor training. I guess I have to work for Team in Training to pull that off.

5/30- Tia V. Jasper The photo challenge

Earl has been chatting up everyone on how bad my shots are but let's have a vote here:

I don't think this is such a bad shot. Everyone is happy and having a good time.

This one is taken by Jasper. Can you tell it's different photographer? I can't.

We had a 3 mile run that we timed. Christy lead the troops with a blazing 9 min 33 seconds. She said that she didn't think that she could do that again but I think she's on her way to becoming our fastest Raptor ever.

This week the award for WAY FASTER RAPTOR goes to Earl, flaming it up at 13 minutes 22 seconds which I believe is a personal best.

Other notable Raptors include Lisa, Jasper and Katrina who both beat their previous time! Congratulations Raptors!

Katrina gave us a little scare with her asthma acting up but she quickly recovered. Roger is still adamant that there was some cheating going on last week.

Emma also took some initiative to push our little Andrew in the Begay jogger which is swears made her faster.

The Raptors voted for a weekly Wednesday evening run at 8:30PM. See you at the park!

Raptor Claw!

Weekly Question

What is your hydration plan? How do you plan to stay hydrated on the summer runs?

(To respond- click on the comment button below)

Who's Having The Best Week Ever?

At least as far as training goes. The start of official training has proven quite successful.
This week's activities includes:

Including the run Sat I will have worked out for 5 out of 7 days.
12 miles running not including Sat. 15 min per mile pace 12 mpm fastest mile
12 miles bicycling
15 minutes in the pool - Swimming is hard and I'm trying but it appears as if Black people have a
genetic predisposition not to swim well. I'm just sayin.
4.5 hours weight training

As of Friday morning I was down 4 lbs which probably equates to 1 lb of actual weight loss, but that's good. I suspect I will achieve my 2 lbs of weight loss for this week by Sunday morning.

I am going to try and average around 4 days per week of exercise. 5 days doesn't give me body enough time to recuperate at least not in it's current version. But, all in all it was a great inaugural week. How did everyone else do?

All Done.

Finally finished my recount of my experience during the TUCSON MARATHON 2008. If you want to know what I went through check it out.

It Has Begun!

First, let me give a shout out to Tia for all her behind the scenes efforts at making the Raptor Running experience enjoyable and successful. The "Raptor of the Week" and "buddy system" ideas are great and it is why she gets paid the big bucks! I, for one, appreciate her physical and mental efforts.

Second, I would like to thank Daniel. Although the "Raptor Claw" started out as good natured ribbing, it is quickly morphing into the de facto symbol of showing positive support for our Raptor teammates.

Also, take a look at the new information in the Raptor Blog called the Coach's Corner. I will be adding weekly links to provide general information that could be useful to our training efforts. The latest link is "Running Foods". This is a list of foods that can be both healthy and support energy requirements for our training efforts.

Finally, I know I've said this before, but it deserves repeating. Congratulations to all of the Raptors for there efforts up to this point. Our attendance for weekly runs has been OUTSTANDING! Even when the time was moved to 6:30. I am really proud of the dedication everyone is showing, and I am excited at the prospects for the future.

It Has Begun!

Now that we have received our official training schedule is seems as if our training has begun in earnest! Not to belittle our efforts thus far, but having received an"official" schedule seems like the level of accountability for our training has been raised.

Weekly Status (5/26/2009)

Worked out 4 days which included bicycling, weight lifting, and swimming. And a brief respite in the whirlpool woohooo! While I have been working out successfully (I am probably as strong as I was back when I was in college), my eating habits have completely derailed my weight loss efforts. One thing I have learned is, as you get older no amount of exercises can overcome poor eating habits. I have to get this in check. Which is what I am working on as I move forward. In order for me to accomplish my goals I have to drop some of this weight I am carrying around. As a result, I have set a goal for my running weight to be 240 and I am now 278. So as a part of my weekly status I will report my training status, my weight progress and my motivational indicators.

Weight: 278
Motto: Make Lemonade!
Power Song: Bringing Sexy Back (Justin Timberlake) I'm recycling this one since it has worked before.

Raptor of the Week: Lisa Marie Tsosie

Lisa Marie Tsosie
25 years old
Manager at Jonathan's Educational Resources
Completed Shiprock Half Marathon
Currently training for P.F. Chang's Full Marathon

Favorite Running Song: "Come on Feel the Noize" by Quiet Riot & "Hot and Cold" by Katy Perry

She runs because she can. I also gives her reason to wear tights and not be a superhero. J/K. At the end of the day she knows she accomplished something all by herself.

Current Running Goal: To finish
Worst Case Marathon Scenario: I might not get to the start line and I might not finish. Time is not important, finishing is.
Best Case Marathon Scenario: To finish and still be standing.

• I like to take naps in the middle of the day when it's warm. I prefer to be warm than cold. I don't drink as much water as I should.
• I have 2 orange striped cats named Starla and Bugsy that keeps me up at all hours of the night with their acrobatic acts at 2 in the morning.
• I enjoy all types of books and I am also able to read several at one time. Several meaning more then 5.
• I am convinced that John Mayer will some day have my children, let me make that clear, HE WILL have MY children, not I will have his children. (Tom says it will be a scientific break through. So I told him "YEAH, So be ready!") (Tom is my best friend who recently moved to Texas).
• I like to crotchet when I have the time. I also like to knit but I hear that I do it wrong but, the way I figure is, if it stays together and it doesn't look too bad then it's all good :).
• I also like roman noodles and cauliflower.
• I use to don't like to run but have now find a new joy in it now.
• I also finished my first half marathon early in May.
• I wake in the middle of the night sometimes and realize that I am in MY OWN apartment by myself. WOW!!! That fact still amazes me all the time.
• I HATE TO COOK period, it has been preplanned that I will never have to cook in my relationship with another person. Let me clarify that statement: I can cook and bake but if you would like to keep your kitchen recognizable and still standing by the time I'm done cooking then just don't let me cook.
• In high school Chem. I almost burn down the science wing on two occasions, luckily I have reflexes like a cat, okay better so that whole incident was never a full blown act, made public (until now) or mentioned in newspapers. So yeah, I just don't cook, but in my apartment I do once in a while and if I ever cooked for you then you must be pretty special to me, or VERY BRAVE :)
• I also like old trucks.
• One of my favorite things to do is organize stuff, paper, areas, rooms, suit cases for traveling, etc. I have personally packed, 3 luggage bags, 2 pillows, 3 folding chairs, a 6 foot folding table, a sewing machine, 3 12 packs of soda and several misc. items all in a standard car truck.
• Tetris is one if my favorite video games.
• I also enjoy gardening, I enjoy growing flowers more than vegetables and herbs.

Okay Recap: Warm good, Cold bad, has crazy acrobatic cats, John Mayer will have MY children, loves noodles, amazed at live alone, cooking= Apocalypse, packing Houdini, green thumb. That's about all I want to share with you at this moment :D If there are any question. Please keep all questions to yourself :) J/K Just ask, the way I see it, if you can ask me then I can at least answer. But you never know if the answer is true, mauh mauhhhhhhh *evil laughter :)* Run on!!.

5/23- 5 miles and a RAPTOR CHAPTOR

One the best things about being a Raptor is the recovery after the run.
We usually take time to decompress about our week and talk about how our time on the road works to help us during the week.

This week we are at The Begay Bungalow. The Begays provide some nourishment after our 5 mile run.

The weather was nice and cool giving us just enough cloud cover to be comfortable.

Our route took us under 2 bridges and near lots of bikes. From my understanding Camille is still having difficulty staying on her side of the path.

We are started to run in groups of people with our same pace.

This morning prior to the run a gentleman asked if he could have a sip of our water and I told him no problem.

Then he wanted to know who the RAPTOR were. I should have given him our cheer but I didn't. I explained our group and he wanted to know how he could learn more and I give him our website.

It always reminds me how unique our group is and how supportive we are for each other. For example, our exercise buddies are working well. Some people during the week are having trouble working out consistantly but your excercise buddy can help check up on your progress. Props to all the excercise buddies! Jasper even called Sue at work to make sure she was working out.

Others followed their progress on Facebook.

Last year, the Raptors was run on a less than 40 buck budget and we didn't have water stations other than a Wal-Mart jug of water and we've upgraded to this-----> A wonderfully cool Igloo water cooler! We've come a long way from a shoe string group (especially with Coach Earl trying to set up a Raptor "Chaptor" in Texas!)

Thank you Raptors. Keep your Raptor Claws up!

"Schedule your time now, for a Katrina Shelby-Rancho Sahuarita Home Tour...wait, nix that idea

After a usual bout of incompetence, I am now able to actually write on the blog with the rest of you...thanks for that Tia ;). I have to say, I really enjoy the whole training experience. Never being an athlete or even a regular exerciser, I now have the ability to actually move my feet and keep them going without keeling over. At first it was very hard for me. The starting time wasn't the issue, but the actual motivation was. At first it sounded like a really great idea, training and enjoying the company of others. As the time to start training came closer, I started thinking to myself, "Is this something that I really want to do?" But as time has progressed, these things have slowly slipped into the past. I now actually have a GOAL!!! The company is great and encouraging and I have something "AWESOME" to look forward to everyday, even if I do get lost in Rancho Sahuarita (with an experienced team member).

*In Katrina's defense, her internal GPS was broken. It was in a meltdown after completing the 2009 AIMS tests.

Personal Stories

Some of our Raptors have their own blogs, check them out:
http://cpmorales.blogspot.com/
http://10milesrainandicebath.blogspot.com/
http://tiajas.blogspot.com/
http://averagemansview.blogspot.com/
http://mkostin.blogspot.com/
http://suesblogcom.blogspot.com/


Enjoy your week.
Tia

In my defense........

It was really great getting to run with the team on Saturday. Everyone looked so nice in their designer Raptor Racing shirts. They will come in handy on days when the temperature isn't 1oo degrees. My pace on Saturday was 16:30. I want to at least get it to 15 minute miles in the next month or so.

I know that I have been slacking off in my training but all that is about to change. In addition to my workout partner checking up on me every week, I have enrolled in two Nike+ challenges. Who knows...maybe I will win one.

Now, let me clear a few things up. First of all, I did not get lost on the trail last week. I wanted to show Chris the nice houses on the streets close to the lake. Plus one wrong turn does not make a person (completely) lost. Second , Chris did not have to get me back on the right trail because I wasn't (really) lost. I knew exactly where the lake was :) . Recap....I did not get lost again. History did not repeat itself (exactly).

Here's to a week in which everyone trains...(raise beverage glass here).

I am back!!

I am so excited that I am back running again getting ready for the next marathon. Sue and Christy are my challenge and I like that because they push me to do more, but I miss running with a buddy, wait a minute Elizabeth is back. Yay!, but I have to say Elizabeth that you have a month to shape up because we need to keep up with the young ones.

I am excited to say that running is becoming part of my routine even though is hard to do it during the week. Chris, my husband, has promised me that we will be running at least 2 times a week now that he is out of school. He knows that I am serious about it and he tries his best to support me. We tried running together but unfortunately his need didn't let him keep going.

Anyways, this is a fun group, I get to do something different and I really enjoy it and the best part is that we don't get to talk about work........

See you next week!!
Tila:) (Maria)

5/16- 1st River Run

The Raptors were in good spirits this week in preparation for our first run on the River. We had an amazing turn out. Only missing 3 Raptors. Our team is going strong.

We aimed to start out at 7AM but really hit the trail at 7:30AM. After a team photo (minus Earl and The Vettas) we were all decked out in our snazzy team shirts we were ready for our run.
The sun beat down on our backs and on our raptor backs, next year I think we will be donning a white shirt with red lettering. Too hot for us in these thick shirts. Maybe next year we can even afford tech shirts.

I was stopped twice by people wondering what we were doing out "en masse". I stopped to talk to a gentleman about who the Raptors were and he was excited that we were out and about. Another gentleman asked who the Raptors were and then promptly asked if I knew a Jazz guitarist by the name of Begay from Oklahoma.

Everyone was on the same mileage and we learned a little more about how we spread out as a team. Steve, Sue, Christi, Jasper (plus 22 pounds of Leia), Lisa, Tia, Mary, Elizabeth and Maria, Emma & Nicole, Chris, Jamie, Katrina, and Camille.

After the heat, it was decided that we need to bump the time back to 6:30AM. Beat the Heat.

We also had assigned people to check up on our teammates on a weekly basis to make sure we are doing our weekly workouts.

Next time we get stopped, I am going to say-

Everywhere we go
people want to know....

who we are.

So we tell them..
We are the Raptors, the mighty, mighty Raptors.

What is the hardest part about training or being a Raptor?

This is the response to a group survey.
What is the hardest part about training or being a Raptor?

Finding the time to run on the week days!-Jasper

Continuing to work out regularly during the week has been the hardest for me! -Christiana

Getting up Saturday mornings -Pat

I find being apart of the raptor running group not difficult at all. It actually gives me a reason to get up early on Saturdays and I enjoy seening everyone bright and early! I love the raptors. I find the support on the runs helpful, encouraging and the fact that others know what I am going through is nice. Always knowing someone will be able to explain running things and give me good advice is a being comfort. Go raptors!! -Lisa

Marking the path early before the Saturday run. -Tia

Only Because I'm Sick!

This week was a total bust! I only worked out 1 day, just pathetic. However, in my defense, I was sick, and still is a little. But I am going to have to push through it this week.

Unfortunately, on Sat. I will be out of town so I won't be able to run with you guys. See you in two weeks!

Weekly Motto: "We can rebuild him — we have the technology."
Power Song: "Blame it on the alcohol" Jamie Foxx

Jello Please

Today was one of my first recovery runs since Shiprock and it was a hard one.

I stayed up a bit later than I wanted to last night and drank 2 glasses of wines so I was a bit sluggish today.

I was running a 13:34 pace most of the way which an emphasis on my jiggly hips and outer thighs. I also felt run down like I just came off the 13.1 miles yesterday. My muscles were empty and run down.

While I was running this morning, I began to think about my training and how to get faster and I've devised a plan. I am planning to recover these next 3 weeks and then work my way up from 2 miles into 4 mile runs on the weekdays at a 11:50 pace.

I will begin week one in 3 weeks, run for 20 minutes at a 11:50 pace and increase by one minute every 2 weeks until I reach that goal.

So week 1: Monday- quick workout 11:50 pace for 20 minutes, Tuesday- easy run 45 minutes, Wednesday- Dance workout DVD, Thursday- 50 minute 12:40 pace, speedwork after, Friday- rest, Saturday- long run, Sunday- rest.

Week 2: Monday- 11:55 pace for 20 minutes, Tuesday- easy run 45 minutes, Wednesday- rest, Thursday- 50 minute quick paced run, speedwork, Friday- 20 minute easy run, Saturday- long run, Sunday- rest.

Week 3: Monday- quick workout 11:50 pace for 21 minutes, Tuesday- easy run 45 minutes, Wednesday- Dance workout DVD, Thursday- 50 minute 12:30 pace, speedwork after, Friday- rest, Saturday- long run, Sunday- rest.

It may not make me a faster marathoner but it will increase the difficulty of the training run weeks.

We'll see how long this lasts. I am excited to get out my Jell-o legs phase ASAP but patience is the key.

5/9- No Outlet

Another week and more heat. This week brought on our first run with the high to hit 100 degrees.

It also was the first week that we reversed the course around that crazy Sahaurita maze we lost one of our Clausons via a turn that looked similar to the one that Katrina lives on.

Even Katrina (who lives in the neighborhood that we run in) got lost for the first time this season. Luckily, she was with Chris who we are sure got Katrina back on course.

We had 3 runners on recovery from their run in Shiprock. They ran 2 miles and took time to make sure that people didn't get lost (too late).

Tonight we have our first support team meeting and social event.

NOVA Marathon Challenge @6PM

and...

t-shirt presentation!

Start to Finish

I used the restroom for the second time before I got on the bus that would take us to the start line. As I was sitting there beside Tia when I began to feel nervous, scared, and excited about the half-marathon. I was nervous because I never ran over 10 miles before that event. I was scared because I remembered how I felt after I ran 10 miles (dizzy and clammy). I was excited because this would be a new milestone in my life.

As we rode the yellow school bus from the start to finish line, I saw the course that I would have to run. I made sure to take some mental notes of landmarks along the way. There was a warehouse near the last downhill stretch next to a housing complex; a slight turn before the last downhill stretch; the junction to Red Mesa which at that point I felt it was already a long distance; abandon wood structures left from a Navajo summer ceremony; a large shallow valley; and finally the volcanic dikes that connects to the Shiprock monument. Immediately after we got off the bus, we got in line to use the restroom again.

At the starting line, there were people stretching, jogging, deep breathes, and running or sprinting. We stood and waited at the end of the main starting line. I was worried about starting out too fast and burning out before half way point or sooner. So at the start of the half-marathon I forced myself to run at a very slow pace up the slight upgradient hill. For the first mile, I was feeling very comfortable that I considered skipping my one minute walk but I reconsidered since it was only the first mile. After I took my one minute walk, I started to pick up the pace towards my training pace. The five minute per mile marathon runners started passing me at mile two, and they gave me additional motivation to complete strong.

I ran, according to my Nike+iPod system, a steady pace of 11min51sec per mile for the remaining distance. I was pretty much a solo runner nearly the entire distance of the half-marathon until mile nine. Before mile ten, I started to gain on the stragglers who either started out to fast or hit a mental barrier. There was a guy limping and a lady whom seem to struggle with motivation.

I knew that I was on the last stretch when I past the warehouse near the housing complex. I could see the finish line when I got off the main road and hit the dirt path towards the finish line. I finally made it and feeling good! I don’t remember looking at my finishing time but I remember that Izzie was at the end. All I need to remember is that I started and finished with the love of my life.

The new loggo very cool, can wait to get my t-shirt. I'm very proud of Tia, Jasper and Lisa for the Saturday marathon. Go Raptors!!!

UPDATE

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up, that Part III of TUCSON MARATHON 2008 in the Raptor blog season 1 has just been updated. Check it out.

I came to finish!!! I am mortal!!

Night before- I recieved loads for texts wishing me luck for my run and convicdence that I would finish from my supports. So I was ever happy. I was not really nervouse about the run because it was another run, just with a larger running group and in a new place and of course a little longer :). But other then that I end up crawling into bed around 11PM Tucson time and lucky enough I'm an old lady or atleast have the habits of them, so falling asleep was easy minus the fact I was thirsty. At about 12PM I had this strange feeling of something crawling on me so I woke up to Tia asking me something, I can't remember but I swear in the moment I could totally comprehend what she was saying but now I couldn't remember. Then I went back to sleep.

4AM- I wake up to Tia moving around the room and just turned up my ipod and caught some more zzzs. I then wake to Tia telling me to wake up and the excitment of race day. I took my shower as always and then sliped into my running gear, really debating if I should wear my shorts or the long bottoms. So after a few moments ended on the choice of wearing both, worst thing I take one off because it's hot, best leave everything on. (now looking back on it all, one of the best calls of the whole thing, not like the bloks) After dressing ate a peanut butter sandwich, so tasty!! Off to the starting line. Got in line for the bathroom, the best advice, laugh but it's true. We got there early and got our packets. It was an amazing feeling to see and hold my first number for my marathon and then look at the shirt I would soon be able to say "Yeah I ran it and finished!" After adjusting my number and all my gear I got in line for the bathroom again. Then we waited for the bus to take us to our starting line. The bus ride was okay, just alot of nothing but monumnet far into the distance. To think all this preparation has been done so that I and a few hundred people can brave the elements and find true inner strength to complete our herculain race as mortals.

mile 1: Okay there was the gun, walk it, don't want to not finish, last in not bad, someone has to be. You're here to finish. You've run 10 miles before and all you have to worry about it bathroom breaks other then that, that run was smooth sailing and hey it even rained then too. So it's good, nice and slow is how the turtle won!! Okay walked .2 miles I think I'm ready if not then slow and walk it again. It's raining, that's okay, I've trained in the rain and it was a good run, so no new terrain here. :)

mile 2: Yeah now 12 more!! Cool. Okay I should of shuffled my playlist a little, it's okay. Trying to text my supports in Tucson on my progress, nothing. :( bummer, I had signal a minute ago, damn!! oh will, I'll just keep making them and at the end of the end of the race my phone will mail them all out at them time I was writing them. Genuis!!! Man look at all the people in line for the restroom, hahhaha I pass them. More rain.

mile 3: Okay 2 down and just 11 more to go. I wonder if the last 3 miles will really kick my butt? Okay game plan, just get to 10 miles and then think it's just one go around the park. I've done that loads, I can do that, worst case, I'll just run for 30 more minutes after I hit 10 miles. Sounds good. Good plan!!! Water sation and my first strawberry blok!!! MMM bloks, so tastly, I could eat these all day!!! Save a text. All the people who I passed at the restroom all past me at mile 3's restroom stop :D hahahah. More rain.

mile 4: I wonder if I should take off my layers?? No, you run better when your warm, and you don't know if it will be cold all of a sudden, okay layers stay as is. Water sation and my second blok!!! MMM bloks.

mile 5: Damn it, there's a rock in my shoe, okay problem solved, hit the pravement again. Water sation and my third blok!!! MMM bloks. More rain.

mile 6: Just 7 more miles or 4 to ten and then 3 after. :) Tricking the mind and the body will follow :D. Water sation and my fourth blok!!! Bloks really really chewy.Man there are loads of people here at the half way mark, don't forget to run the mat. Done and done, okay I have registered a half way time :) Yeah half.

mile 7: Man it feels like they added a few more yards to this mile, alot longer then all the others. Would they really do that?? Maybe *rised eyebrow* Water sation and my fifth blok!!! Is it possible that the Bloks can make me heavier?? I feel heavier. Oh yeah half way!!! Gatorade!!! MMM!! On second thought I'll hold off for a while might need it at the next mile. Hey guess what, more rain.

mile 8:Water sation and my sixth blok!!! Last one for the time being, oh I think I'm going to be sick, movement and all those bloks not a good idea. Okay I'll wait a while to eat more bloks.

mile 9: Don't want to eat a blok. Okay note to self, John Mayer is great for listening in general but not on mile 9, SKIP 2 songs. Now is a gatorade time and walk a little.

mile 10: Okay Lisa, just 3 more miles!! You've done that before, run in the park, one foot in front of the other remember. I bet Jas and Tia are almost at the finish line. I hope their run has been good. I'm glad I'm all bundled up :). Water sation.

mile 11: Yeah only 2 more miles left. Water sation." You're here to finish"

mile 12: Water sation, hey look it's a 12 on the road, oh my god I got one more mile!! Cool, nice and easy.

mile 13:Hey look there is Basha's, just got to past that and then straight on to the high school.
WAIT DETOUR!!! DIRTY ROAD!!! I really hope that I don't hurt myself as close as I am to the finishing line. *Looking up* Okay so among all those people at the end is mom, Tia, Haikayra, Izzy, and Jasper. Almost there. Should I run faster?? No, I want to be able to run the P.F. and be able to bounce back to train.
mile 13.1: Man my foot hurts. Man there are so many people here. Hey there's Tia, Oh I'm almost done, I'm going to cry, wait hold it, cross the line first. *Nike Plus" Congrads this is your longest workout ever!!" * *beep, beep* Oh my god I'm done!! Whoa you want my chip okay. Arm shoots out of not where and awards me a shine, yellow necklace around my neck. Cool!! Oh there's mom, and her camera flashes me in the face and I start to cry because she says she is proud of me. Man, I'm hungry, Wow, the flolic acids settling, I'm feeling it in my knees and thighs. MMMM.... where can we find some grub?? Oh I want my crocs, take my shoes off they don't like me anymore!!!

OVERALL FEMALE RESULTS - HALF MARATHON
Place Name Age City/state 20msplit Finish Pace Bib#

119 Lisa Tsosie 25 Tucson AZ 1:38:51 3:10:25 14:32 281

I came to finish and I did with one step at a time!!

* A funny little fact, I was pacing a grandma from mile 1 to mile 6, all I have to say is.... " DAMN grandma's fit!!!" May I be that fit when I'm as old as she is. :D

I Apologize

First, let me congratulate Tia, Jasper, and Lisa, our Raptor Teammates, on the successful completion of the Shiprock Marathon. I am both proud of there accomplishment and honored that they are a part of Raptor Racing.

Next, I must apologize for my lack of activity in regards to blogging. I believe that blogging provides a very necessary outlet for the training process in that it allows you to share your experiences and keep track of your personal progress throughout training.

Up until a couple of weeks ago I was going through the motions of training and I owe Raptor Racing a debt of gratitude, because had it not been for my responsibility to the team I probably would not even have done that.

However, a couple of weeks ago I had a motivational epiphany. About 5 minutes before the start of the Saturday morning run, no one was there. I wasn't that disconcerted since the team is comprised of mostly women :) But by the time we started there were at 10 team members running. And coming from last year were we would regularly have only 3 people running I was really excited to see the level of participation. It really served as a catalyst to get the motivational engine running so to speak. As a result, my weekly training activity has been greatly improved if not in quantity, definitely in quality of effort. As a matter of fact on Tues I ran the fastest 3 miles I have ever run (34:30 total -11:30 per mile BLAZING!!). Unfortunately, it is a bit of a fish tale since the battery on my Garmin ran down and didn't record the training. But nonetheless I am excited and rededicated to the training and subsequently the blogging.

Status (3.75 out of 5):
My week starts on Sunday and I was able to workout Sun, Mon, Tues, Wed. I was sick and recovering from Thurs. through Sat. which was a bummer since I was anxious to build on my new record. I've been getting a lot of weight lifting in and (don't tell my wife) I think I'm at the point where people are starting to notice. I mean I still have this spare tire, but it's off a honda civic and not a Hummer like it use to be.

This Week in Training:

I'm going to take it slow coming off sickness, but I'm feeling good. What I have been doing is speed work. Speed being relative. I have been running an average of 4 miles per workout, but on the last mile I've been doing intervals where I would run a hard .1 or .2 miles then walk .1 miles. I have also been running "hard" miles. Dropping the total mileage down to about 2.5 miles but run one of those miles at sub 11 minute pace. I think this has helped my endurance tremendously. I will continue to incorporate weight training and bicycling and I am going to try and make a more concerted effort to introduce swimming(again) into my cross training schedule.

Weekly Power Song: This Is Why I'm Hot by MIMS
Weekly Motto: I Can and I Will!

Without Rain there are NO rainbows

It was a rough run for me. I was fatigued from the week before the run. I was run down and running on very little sleep. My stomach had also been giving me problems. I was grouchy about the sleeping arrangements and feeling cramped with so many people in the car. I was worried about being away from my baby for the first time since she was born and really thirsty the whole time.

My only focus was on finishing with a 12 minute 30 second pace which would allow me to match or beat my time by at least a minute. Could I do it?

I would have to chop my marathon time by 7 minutes but it would be half the distance. So I figured that it was manageable.



It didn't happen. I was so dead at mile 3 that it became a fight to get through each mile after that. I knew at that point that it was going to be struggle to get this thing done.

Something changed in me after that point, my other marathons have been more about finishing and I had a goal to finish this one was a grueling task that I just wanted done. It was torture. How could this be fun? How could I love this enough to do it over and over? I was nuts. I knew I was going to cry at the end and make up some excuse for doing badly. Anything to not make it look like I wasn't prepared.


At mile 5, I was hoping that I would slip into that "dead zone" that Earl mentioned at a meeting. That stretch of mileage between the beginning and the end miles, for a half miles 4-9. The miles are just there, there is no significance to them other than pain and self doubt. But no such thing had happened.

The only thing that kept me going was the idea that in 2 hours I would be with my baby girl and maybe eating some Salt and Vinegar chips in the warmth of my car.

At mile 9 about 2 hours in, the rain began to come down in sheets. My whole right arm was soaked and cold. I began to run with my left wrist facing upwards so that my Garmin wouldn't get wet. My shoes were squishing with rain water. The gels were making me sick. The Gatorade on the course was sour. My belly was full of water and I still had 4 miles to go.



I finally gave in and realized that I couldn't run 2 miles in 15 minutes or less. So I modified my plan to finish sub 3 hours. My tank was empty, every time I got enough strength to pick up the pace and trot a little I could only run for 100 yards or less and then walk.


I was even walking into the finish line. I was broken and tired and hungry and slow.


I was expecting Lisa to pass me up somewhere along the course because I was running such a bad race.


At the finish was my mom, I didn't cry at the finish this time because I didn't feel like my accomplishments weren't anything to be proud of.


I hugged my mom and my baby girl. My hubby was off at the massage tent but I still had one Raptor on the course. The Raptor that I worried the most about, when the ambulance passed us on the course I was praying, "Please, not Lisa, Please not Lisa."


They placed the medal around my neck and I was happy that I had enough energy in me to smile.


I had a lousy run then...

Lisa came in and all tears broke loose. It was like the rainbow at the end of the storm. In my mind, I knew that Jasper could make it because he always shrugs off the distance so, I figured he didn't need my positive thoughts to get this done. He was going to finish. I've never seen Lisa struggle physically and I was worried but I didn't let her know. When I saw her finish, I realized that this wasn't my run- it was Lisa's.

I was happier than I've ever been, I crossed my sister. I was a good coach. I could do this. I don't do it for me, I do it for my Raptors. They continuously give me purpose in my distance running.

Thank you Lisa. You made my awful race a race to remember. You made this race seem amazing.

3 Raptors and a marathon (Shiprock Half Marathon)

The Shiprock Marathon is held on the Navajo Nation in northern New Mexico. Lisa and Jasper had been in training for 3 months to run their 1st Half Marathon. Tia had run the Shiprock Half in 2006 in 2 hours 48 minutes and was hoping to beat that time.
The pre-marathon preparation were sub par. Tia's school recently under went a "State" visit and was nerve wrecking for 3 days and also subbing full time for those 3 days. So, she hadn't slept properly in days.

As we traveled through Flagstaff, we realized that New Mexico was one hour ahead so we were running 1 hour late for packet pick up.

When we finally checked into our hotel, after missing the packet pick up we checked into a hotel with only 1 bed so we were like sardines in a can sleeping. Not to mention that there was a leak in the shower ceiling so they moved us to another room with a less severe leak.

In the morning, our wake up called woke us up 9 minutes later than requested luckily Tia couldn't sleep so she was awake for several minutes before the alarms went off.
The night prior we were supposed to do our laundry to wash our technical gear but the washer at the hotel was busted so Tia washed the gear by hand and hoped that it would be dry by morning. Most of the gear was ready but some needed additional drying.

We ate our peanut butter sandwiches and left for the run. Tia counted down the hours before the run and Jas and Lisa contemplated their run.

A slow drizzle began to come down but stopped when we got on the buses for the finish line. The nerves began to work as we looked at the course from the windows of our bus.

We got dropped off at the start line in the middle of nowhere and at the base of the Shiprock.

T-minus 30 minutes, bathroom and chatting.
T-minus 10 minutes, less chatting and more watching.
T-minutes 1 minute, listening to directions from the race director. "If you need help sit down on the left side of the road and someone will pick you up. See you at the finish line."

"One, Two, Ready, Set, Go!"
3 raptors run and it begins to rain. 3 hours later, all 3 Raptors run home.

Keep posted for their accounts.