This morning, my running group had a Valentine’s Day 5k. It was a special Saturday long run because it wasn’t only Valentine’s Day but it was the coach’s and a few other members’ birthdays.

It was great seeing so many Freddy’s Runners together. I rarely go on the Saturday morning long runs with the group, but I knew I would enjoy this one. We were randomly divided into couples and we could make shirts, wear matching outfits and name our team.Some people went all out. 

We met in a track in Levittown, Toa Baja and after finishing three laps around the track we went out on the street. I was relaxed running in the street and before sunrise because, just like a regular 5k, we had help from the police, keeping us safe from cars. 

I had three goals for this 5k: 1- Don’t fall 2- Finish in less than 40 minutes 3- Don’t finish last.

I was very careful and the sidewalks and streets were all in pretty good shape so I didn’t fall. I finished in 38:42. I didn’t take any pictures because I didn’t want my team to get a bad score. We were going to be scored according to both team members times, but that never happened, we all won because we ran. My time would have been a little bit better, maybe 37 minutes if I had warmed up before starting. 

After the run we were treated to breakfast in the parking lot. We spent some time talking and kidding around, eating sandwiches, fruit, pinchos de pollo (chicken kebabs) made by another runner in the group, and even birthday cake, to celebrate the coach’s birthday. 

I planned on doing my 5 mile long run this morning but it was raining again. Running in the rain is not a very good idea and getting enough sleep is important for runners, so I decided to sleep a little longer. 

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Published by mariacristinasanfeliu

I’m an aspiring writer still looking for exactly what I want to write about, with a lot of creativity, imagination and desire to write. I studied Writing and Rhetoric at Syracuse University where I explored many different sides of writing through my classes and extracurricular activities in order to narrow my search for an identity as a writer. I have written for Citrus TV Noticias and La Voz magazine, both of which gave me the chance to explore different mediums in which to write in. Through Citrus TV Noticias I also gained experience in translating from English to Spanish and vice versa, which is also something that I would be interested in working on since I am fluent in both of these languages. I was also an intern at Syracuse University Press where I got hands on experience in what goes into actually editing and publishing a book. Through out the last four years I have faced a lot of challenges, which helped chape the person I am today. After being in a tragic car accident, being in comma, having a Traumatic Brain Injury, and being in therapy for over a year, I am a new me, willing to face challenges and knowing how to deal with them. I want to write about my accident and life after it to help others, show them it can be done and help in any way I can.

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