5k & 10K CITY CHAMPIONSHIP / STILL PLUGGING AWAY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

How do you pick up the pieces, or they say get back on the horse after being away from racing (competition) for a while, well just like Nike would say, just do it. The last time I raced was November at the Thanksgiving Day Run, running the 5K. I was in great shape and did a lot of cross-country races in the 5 and 10K during the fall including the Duke City 10K. I also ran in the Masters Indoor Races that were held in Albuquerque. But when I came down with that dreadful shingles the enthusiasm dropped tremendously even the training when I hadn’t run for four weeks straight. You get these thought in your head that you shouldn’t push so hard, or racing or over training because the health problem, so slow down quit racing. Well here comes some races that I really enjoy being part of in the community and would like to hold my title as the overall winner in the City Senior Olympics 5 and 10K. I knew I wasn’t in that great of shape, hadn’t done anything past a six mile training session and a few intervals. The amount of miles were maybe 20 miles for two week. So I change my attitude and went their thinking that I was going to do the best that I can and run smart.

The race was in the middle of town in a safe area where there were no streets to cross except a road that entered the hotel. This course was on a bike trail along the channel, flat and fast course with a 5K out and back. Weather was at 45 degrees no wind with sunshine and clouds.

As the race started out three men took out running fast in front of me so I just let them go. Knowing my  pace I ran according to how I feel, sort of a somewhat hard pace. Through the whole race I ran tough but I ran my race (my pace) not worrying what place I was in. At the end of the 5K you stop or proceed a second time out so actually it is a 5k and 10K race in one if you signed up for it. Two of the men that beat me in the 5K stopped and the 50 year old that was way out in front of everyone was on a record time of 42 minutes for the 10K. I felt pretty good the first 5K running at a time of 24:36. I kept the pace thinking that I would try to pick it up the pace with 1 ½ miles left. At the turn around point with 1 ½ miles left there was a couple of men 30 or 40 meters behind me. It was hard but I thought I had to pick it up to beat them. To do that I focused on lifting my knees up and pumping my arms. I didn’t widen my stride because that usually tires me out so I basically think of a faster turnover. With about ½ mile left I could feel my hips hurt a little from the repetition of running. Knowing that I was almost done I pushed as hard as I could thinking someone was coming up on me. Finished, with a negative split of 24:26 just 10 second faster than the first 5K.

Advice in running a 5 or 10K, knowing what shape your in and your pace. Start slower than you normally do if your not in your best shape.  Do it for fun and think about how your going to boost that metabolism by pushing yourself at a race and how healthy it is to be with your friends and out in the fresh air exercising.  

To your health,

Coach Lucille

C

Chuck Fuller and Lucille Brasher won their age-group in the 2017 City Senior Olympic Championships 5 and 10K Road Race. Lucille 24:36 5K, 49:16 10K (2nd overall)

RUN FOR THE ZOO IN ALBUQUERQUE

One of the most popular Fun Runs in Albuquerque with three different races, the 5K in 4 waves, 10K, and ½ marathon. It was like an April Fools day on May 1, 2016. There was wind, rain and a few flurries of snow coming down. People were wearing earmuffs, long tights and jackets or thick long sleeve shirts. A few were wearing shorts but with long colorful sock that seemed to be very popular these days.

At the age 61 you're pretty much thinking about running hard and try running a good time for your age but usually not a PR, that just doesn’t happen except if you are new to running. Well it happened to me which I really didn’t expect it. With this type of weather you think of running smarter so you try harder. Running this 10K I actually felt pretty good the first three miles and came across with a time of 21:30. I was thinking oh no, I better slow down but I didn’t. My time slowed down a little but not my intensity, I was still pushing hard when I came across the 10K finish line with a time of 45:21, the last 3.2 miles in 23.51. Knowing that my last mile was going to be hard I hung in there unfortunately one women past me. I tried to keep up with her but her pace was faster and my legs felt like heavy weights holding my knee down. A man about my age came up behind me the last half mile and said nice job. I really wanted to stay with him so I picked up the pace sprinting in the last 200 meters, unfortunately he saw me and said “oh no you don’t” and sprinted ahead of me looking back so I wouldn’t pass him.

HA! HA! that’s funny! You can have it fellow I don’t care.

Final result was 35th Overall of 669 participants

6th women out of 378

1st in 60-64 age group    

2nd Female Master

Pace per mile 7:17

Albuquerque Athletics Track - Youth Track

Keep running! To your health!

JO USATF Cross-Country Nationals In Albuquerque NM

This Running athlete was made not a natural. It took her four years to get where she is today. Jasmine Turtle Morales did it, All-American in the Junior Olympics  USATF Cross-Country Nationals in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jasmine placed 7th in the 13-14 age-group 4K with a time of 15:24.9. Jasmine went through a lot of trial and error with every season, every race, every heart break from every obstacle.  Experience is everything in learning how to run. I remember her first Regional meet in Arizona (running the 3000 meters) she cried 3/4 through the race. When she was running she couldn't breath because she was crying and she couldn't stay up with her competitor. Sometime its hard to put two and two together. Nerves really can play games on your mind but to deal with those nerve and stay relax is the trick. Knowing that your have done everything right to get where you need to be at this point builds confident and that will shine. The only thing you can do is do your best, that's all you need to know at the start line. Have a plan A and then have a plan  B and never give up.  

Through the whole year it was almost perfect from the start. It does help when you have parent that will take her to the park when coach say do this workout when the team wasn't meeting. But Jasmine wanted it real bad and your can see it in her practices every time she came. Running tough at every practice and staying coach-able, an athlete that trusted that she can be better and believed that she could do it. This inspired the others athletes on the team and they would learn from her and try harder. Watch out HS Coaches, here comes Jasmine. 

Jasmine Turtle Morales (14) Albuquerqu Athletics Track