A1A 1/2 Marathon

On Saturday, I went to the A1A Marathon Expo at the Galleria Mall. I picked up my race number, my chip and race shirt. We ate with Friends in Training and my family. I was ready for the race.

On Sunday, the wheelchair race started at 5:45AM. It was neat seeing the wheelchairs go. We started at 6:00AM and it was dark. As we ran the sun came up. There were a lot of people running the race like me. My favorite part of the run was seeing Marcela running the marathon and having fun at the race. She was cheering everyone on. I saw lots of men and women cheering me on. They said, “Run Amanda run, you can do it!” It was great to have so many cheering fans. I felt like a super star. Some people took pictures of me running. I also liked running in a park that looked like the woods. We pretend we were running like Pocahontas in the park.

It started to get hot and it was hard to run. When it got hot I drank water and then I dumped water on my head. It helped me cool down. I had an Orange Burst Gu and a shot block. The shot block gave me a power boost.

Mrs. Cameron, my father and my twin sister where cheering me on at the end of the race. When I crossed the finish line I heard my name being called and then they gave a finisher’s metal. My chip time was 2:50. I place seventh in my age group. I was happy to have accomplished my goal!

After I completed the race I had water and got cookies and brought them home. My family congratulated me and I was happy.

The race that I’m doing next is The Disney Princess Half Marathon on my birthday weekend. It will be fun. I want to wear a princess tiara for the race. I would like to thank Jerry Layne of All Customs Creations and Renee Grant from Runners Depot for sponsoring me. Without their help I could not do this race.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

I trained at Fort Lauderdale Beach. I ran 6 miles. It felt like it was a short run. It was an easy run. Next Sunday is the A1A Half Marathon.

I have enjoyed my training. What I liked the most was eating Gu and going over bridges. Gu was cool because it was orange and it is my favorite color. I enjoyed see the view from the bridges. I could see the sunrise, ships and people.

The hardest part of my training was breathing. At fist I had trouble controlling my breathing when I was running. I have learned how to breathe correctly so it is easier now. Sometimes I talk a lot when I run so it becomes hard to breath. Mrs. Bess tells me to stop chatting so much and concentrate on breathing the correct way.

See my answer to last week’s journal topic: What is one goal or hope you have for the future? Explain why it is so important to you.

One of my goals for the future is to complete the half marathon. I am training hard for A1A Half Marathon on February 22, 2009. On weekdays, I train on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday after school. I run intervals. First I run for 2minutes and when the watch beeps then I walk for 1minute. I train for 1 hour and then I stretch. On weekends I train at George English park and then I run to the beach and do my long miles. The furthest I have run was 12miles. I am getting healthier through this process. It is fun to complete a half marathon. I am excited about the race. Completing a half marathon is a challenge for me.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

I did the Maroone Rotary 5K race on Saturday. I finished in 36 minutes. After the 5k race was over I relaxed and I waited for the raffle. My number 135 was called. I won a soccer ball. Then I won 3rd place in the 16-19 year old age division. It was the coolest thing I have seen. After the race I had pancakes, sausages and an orange. The best part of the race was when I won the prizes. I also liked crossing the finish line. It was exciting.

The best part of training is running and walking. That is an interval. After that I feel good. It gives me more energy inside my body to do long miles. We have two weeks left of training until the race comes.

I’m going to be prepared for the race!

See me at the Maroone Rotary 5k Finish Line!

Saterday, January 31, 2009

I did 12 miles on Saturday. After that I felt good training with Mrs. Bess. I was tiered. This is the farthest I ever ran! I started at George English Park and then ran north on A1A. After a mile we turned around and then we went south to Las Olas for ½ a mile. Then we ran back to the beach. Next we ran to 17th street bridge and back to George English Park. We started our run at 5:15 AM.

This week I ate an Orange Burst GU, a piece of granola bar and a Vanilla Bean GU. After my run I did my stretches and I went home and had breakfast. Then I took a long nap.

It was dark, windy and very cold during the run. I had shorts on and my legs were cold. Mrs. Bess tied a trash bag around my waist like a skirt. This helped my legs. On my hands were gloves.

I would like to thank my Dad for driving me to George English Park at 5:15 AM. You are so kind to bring me to the park so early. You are my coolest Daddy in the whole world.

We have three weeks left until the race. I am ready to do 13.1 miles!