The Green Girl's Updated Motivational Collage

The Green Girl decided it was time to update her Motivational Collage.

Since my last collage, I did manage to accrue 54 out of the 60 professional development units (PDUs) required per three-year cycle for my my PMP certification.

In terms of dreaming and following my heart, I took some chances and ended up with some bumps and bruises along the way.

My updated collage reflects the following:

• Heal
• Balance head and heart

My number one focus right now is an amelioration of my mind, body, and soul.

A significant portion of this healing process will be the rehabilitation of my right heel. I've been struggling with Achilles tendon bursitis (retrocalcaneal bursitis) since the beginning of this year.

I believe finding a balance between my head and heart will be an integral part of this journey for me.

Healing comes from taking responsibility:
to realize that it is you – and no one else –
that creates your thoughts, your feelings, and your actions.
Peter Shepherd

Really Big Free Half Marathon Las Vegas Race Report

The Green Girl did the inaugural Really Big Free Half Marathon Las Vegas at Lake Mead National Recreation Area at the beginning of this month.

This race was the brainchild of the io events race management company. The strategy was to offset the registrant costs to the race sponsors.

A refundable deposit of $50 was required during registration.

Really Big Free Marathon Las Vegas Starting Line at Lake Mead National Recreation Area

According to the Really Big Free FAQ, all runners who crossed the Starting Line with their timing chips will be refunded in the form of a $50 check four to six weeks after the event.

Fellow Sole Runners Barb, Kerri, and Sandy, also participated in this race.

Sole Runners Sandy, John, and Barb at the Really Big Free Marathon Las Vegas Starting Line

We arrived at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area just before sun rise to see Kerri off for the marathon.

We quickly discovered the fortuitousness of already being there for Kerri's early marathon start when the half was delayed due to logistical parking and traffic problems.

Really Big Free Marathon Las Vegas Half Marathon Starting Line

At one point, the race organizers even announced there was a possibility the race could be cancelled.

The course was along the scenic rolling hills of the River Mountain Loop Trail.

I went into this race undertrained and without any expectations since I'm still dealing with the Achilles tendon bursitis (retrocalcaneal bursitis) in my right heel.

The course was along the scenic River Mountain Loop Trail

To avoid aggravating my heel, I started off easy and maintained a steady jog throughout the race.

The slower pace enabled me to relax and enjoy the beauty of Lake Mead.

Since the course followed the River Mountain Loop Trail, it was easy to follow and all crossings were clearly marked.

Sole Runner Barb taking a post-run dip in Lake Mead

The aide stations were well stocked with water but there appeared to have been a shortage of sports drink.

At the finish, a number of runners took a post-run dip in Lake Mead in lieu of an ice bath.

I really enjoyed the inaugural Really Big Free Half Marathon and look forward to participating in future Really Big Free events.

Update: As of Friday, January 4th, 2013, the following message appears on the Really Big Free Half Marathon Las Vegas Race website:

This is the hardest message we have ever written.
You would think that business is business but THIS business represents years of real blood, sweat, tears, memories, and sacrifice. The past year we’ve pushed ahead with the attitude that failure is not an option, emotionally vested in a business and industry that has slowly realized it is not as recession proof as was once touted. Our emotional commitment to our races blinded us to some serious problems such as significantly increasing race organization costs, increasing regulatory red-tape, declining participation numbers, sponsorship cut-backs, and our burgeoning debt.
We forged ahead, investing in the races waiting for the economy to improve, sponsors to follow through on their promises, and for there to be a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel – yet the reality is, at least for us, there is no hint of glow coming from the path ahead. Aggregate participation numbers have been significantly down for the past year and numbers going forward look even worse. And it’s a struggle many race organizers our size are sharing. At this point, our credit cards are maxed out… and with some vendors having been paid and others still waiting we find ourselves in a tough spot with our backs against the wall; we’re broke, and we’re facing a dire and unfamiliar situation that appears to have only one solution; after nearly 7 years of organizing races, we’re closing our doors. This closure means the cancellation of the Really Big Free Series.
As for refunds - we're working on it and we hope to have a time table available in the coming weeks.
For those of you who have supported us through the years we are so grateful – we wish we could push on; we’ve poured our hearts into this company and the prospect of not organizing races is just heartbreaking.
See you down road,
~Karen & Richard
#########################
You may email us at contact@ioevents.com / or call our office at (928) 855 - 4887.

Fitness 4 All Trick-or-Treat 10k Race Report

Fitness 4 All Trick-or-Treat 5k/10k Finisher Medal

The Green Girl participated in the Fitness 4 All Trick-or-Treat 10k yesterday.

The race benefited the National Marfan Foundation. 75% of the race registration fees will be donated to the organization.

The event was in memory of Laura Coughlan Siqueiros , the wife of fellow Sole Runner mentor, John Siqueiros, and in honor of a young man, Ethan Johns.

Laura had planned this race to share Ethan's Marfan syndrome story but unfortunately, she passed away from Marfan syndrome complications earlier this year.

Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder of the connective tissue that can affect the skeleton, eyes, heart and blood vessels.

Ethan Johns at the Fitness 4 All Trick-or-Treat 5k/10k

People with Marfan syndrome are at risk of aortic enlargement. Without proper treatment, the aorta (the large blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart) could enlarge and could tear or rupture. Aortic ruptures are usually fatal.

Possible Symptoms of Marfan Syndrome

Heart and Blood Vessels (Cardiovascular system)

• Enlarged or bulging aorta, the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart (aortic dilation or aneurysm)
• Separation of the layers of the aorta that can cause it to tear (aortic dissection)
• “Floppy” mitral valve (mitral valve prolapse – MVP)

Bones and Joints (Skeletal system)

• Long arms and legs
• Tall and thin body type
• Curvature of the spine (scoliosis or kyphosis)
• Chest sinks in (pectus excavatum) or sticks out/pigeon breast (pectus carinatum)
• Long, thin fingers
• Flexible joints
• Flat feet
• Teeth that are too crowded
• Eyes (Ocular system)
• Severe nearsightedness (myopia)
• Dislocated lens of the eye
• Detached retina
• Early glaucoma
• Early cataracts

Other Body Systems

• Stretch marks on the skin, not explained by pregnancy or weight gain
• Sudden collapse of the lung (spontaneous pneumothorax)
• Swelling of the sac around the spinal column (dural ectasia). This is found with CT or MRI scans of the back

Sole Runners Hiroko, Krishna, John, and Isabelle at the Fitness 4 All Trick-or-Treat 5k/10k

Laura was passionate about raising awareness of the symptoms of Marfan syndrome so undiagnosed cases might be identified and lives could be saved.

The morning started off chilly but as the race time approached, it really warmed up.

The scenic race course was along the Long Beach Shoreline Pedestrian Bikepath.

Volunteer Karla at the Fitness 4 All Trick-or-Treat 5k/10k Halloween aide station

A number of runners were dressed in Halloween costumes to celebrate the holiday spirit.

The aide stations were Halloween themed complete with trick-or-treat baskets filled with treats.

It made my day when I was able to snack on a Reese's at Mile 1.

Laura and John Siqueiros at the 2010 Seal Beach 'Will Run 4 Cupcakes' 10k by Betty

It was a beautiful day to do what we all love in memory of Laura and in honor of Ethan.

Those we love don't go away, They walk beside us every day, Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed and very dear. Unknown

Run Like It's Recess 5k Race Report

The Green Girl ran the Run Like It's Recess 5k this morning at El Dorado East Regional Park along with a number of Sole Runners.

The Run Like It's Recess event featured a 5k run/walk, 1k kids run/walk, and 50-yard Toddler Run.


The race benefited a local school, Newcomb Elementary.

The morning started off with some light drizzles but the sky cleared up as the race start approached.

Run Like It's Recess 5k backpack, shirt, and goodies

The event was well staffed with volunteers and the late registration process went smoothly.

I wasn't expecting a goodie bag so I was thrilled when I received a green Run Like It's Recess backpack containing a race shirt, an anti-bacterial gel from the LBS Financial Credit Union (the bottle fits the holder on my Nathan Trail Mix belt), a Newcomb Elementary water bottle, and a Naked Juice berry blast lip balm.

The Green Girl and the Sole Runners before the Run Like It's Recess 5k

I went into this race without any expectations. I'm still struggling to build up mileage without aggravating the Achilles tendon bursitis (retrocalcaneal bursitis) in my right heel.

Before the race start, they warmed up all the runners with some upbeat music and exercises.

Run Like It's Recess 5k pre-race warm-up

As we crossed the Starting Line, my body felt good so I immediately fell into a brisk pace.

I managed to do the first mile in an even 9 minutes but I couldn't maintain that pace beyond Mile 1.

I slowed down significantly on the second mile but continued to try to push myself.

The Green Girl's 5k PR 32:53:55

I wasn't able to make it to Mile 2 without a walk break. I tried to catch my breath and pull myself together before I started running again.

I dug as deep as I could for the last mile and really engaged that ChiRunning lean.

I couldn't believe it when I got to the Finish Line and the clock read 00:32:xx.

Run Like It's Recess 5k Finisher Pancakes

According to Mr. Orange Garmin, I finished in 32:52:55. I unofficially shaved almost two minutes off my 2011 Wrigley River Run 5k time of 34:41.

As I exited the chute, Coach Steve congratulated me on my PR and advised I keep moving since I was breathing so hard.

Mixing the Run Like It's Recess 5k pancake batter

Fresh pancakes complete with strawberries and whipped cream were served to the finishers.

I was pleasantly surprised and pleased with my performance today. And grateful that my Achilles wasn't aggravated.

For the past few months, I've been working with a personal trainer, Chris from Beach Cities Mobile Fitness, to correct my biomechanical running issues through strength training.

It was nice to see that work paying off. Even though I'm not in good running shape, I was able to run a pain-free 5k today and unofficially PR by almost two minutes!

Blog Action Day 2012: Tumaini for the Future

Blog Action Day was founded in 2007 to bring together bloggers from different countries, interests and languages to blog about one important global topic on the same day.

The Blog Action Theme for 2012 is 'The Power of We' to celebrate people working together to make a positive difference in the world.

Tumaini for the Future

The Green Girl met a Kenyan runner, Moses Waweru, last year at the 13.1 Chicago Half Marathon.

Moses is originally from Nakuru, Kenya. He currently resides in the Midwest in Wisconsin.

When Moses visited Nakuru last September, a local school teacher reached out to him.

The teacher explained the parents of the school children in her class could not afford the tuition and consequently, she had fallen behind on rent, and did not have money to purchase ugali (cornmeal) and tea to feed the students.

Moses vowed to do everything in his power to help this teacher keep her school and continue to provide an education for these children.

Moses Waweru with the Tumaini for the Future school children in Nakuru, Kenya

As soon as he returned to the US, he transformed his vision into Tumaini for the Future.

The future home of the Tumaini School

Tumaini means Hope in Swahili.

Moses founded the non-profit organization Tumaini for the Future to provide educational opportunities for underserved youth in his hometown of Nakuru, Kenya.

When Moses spoke to the school teacher, he discovered the ugali and tea served at school is sometimes the only nourishment the children get.

Unloading the Tumaini School building materials

Tumaini for the Future needs your support. $100 US donated to Tumaini for the Future will feed all of the Tumaini school children for an entire month.

Tumaini for the Future is also raising money to build a new school which will be called the Tumaini School. The goal is to raise $10,000. The land and some building materials have already been purchased.

Sole Runners running for Tumaini for the Future

Tumaini for the Future has no administrative overhead so 100% of your donations will go directly to the Tumaini School.

Tumaini for the Future has partnered with Coach Steve Mackel and his running group, the Sole Runners, to help spread awareness.

Sole Runners donating used running shoes and clothing

The Sole Runners also collect used running shoes and clothing for Moses to take back to aspiring runners in Kenya.

Please help celebrate and make the Tumaini for the Future dream come true by spreading awareness to your family and friends.