On Sunday morning I ran the 10k El Mojo Isleño in Salinas, my fifth race in the 10k Challenge. I didn’t realize the two July races were two weeks in a row. I was sure there was a week in between until last week, when I was deciding hoy to get to Salinas so early in the morning. I did the only thing I could do, I spent the night at my aunt’s house which is a lot closer to Salinas than mine so I didn’t have to wake up so early. 

We got to the race with more than enough time to get a good parking spot and was able to meet my friends before the race.

The race started off well, I was taking it easy because, even though it was only 6:30 am, the sun was burning but I was following the plan I talked to my coach about. Everything seemed fine, until I heard the one hour and twenty minutes pacer and saw them pass me. That was my wake up call, I couldn’t let them get past me because I was not going to take longer than that on a flat route, even in the summer heat. 

After I reached the 3rd mile, I took the boost of energy I brought with me, to give me that little push I needed to keep going without slowing down. It was starting to get difficult, the sun was shining bright and it was getting very hot but that gel and having water with me kept me going.

I knew I was getting closer, but I heard the pacer behind me again and I knew I couldn’t slow down; I looked at my watch and I still had time but I couldn’t slow down. I knew I could make it and knowing I wasn’t far gave me a little strength during that last mile. 

Finally, I got to the finish line in exactly one hour and 20 minutes. Not my fastest time  but it was still one of my fastest and considering how hot it was, I’m pretty impressed. 

Later I got to watch the FIFA World Cup Final and was very happy to see Spain win for the second time. 

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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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