Turkey Trot 10k 2013

The Turkey Trot 5k/10k has been going on for years and I finally managed to catch one. I figured what was a great way to start the holiday but with a nice little 6+mile run through Downtown LA before I stuff myself with holiday goodies.

It wasn't so bad. In fact, I think the race was well-organized and fun. There were plenty of vendors and booths. The trucker hats were cool (I now have something to thrash during my training runs) and the crowd was just big enough (seriously, I don't think many people would want to do this on a holiday.) In fact, the hardest thing was trying to get out of my warm bed and drive east to Downtown LA.

 

 

And speaking of hard, that is just the kind of liquor MC Foley hit right before the race. Yes, that is a flask, my friends. But I mean, her blog isn't called Alky to Athlete for nothing. I likened her to the Drunken Master of any old school flick. She just happens to be at her best when she got a little bit of happy juice in her!

 

 

 

The overall run was pleasant. There were some hills but they were not too bad. If you are doing the 10k you are pretty much doing the course twice, which is not so bad because then you know how where to map yourself. The volunteers are a mix of highschool and college and they are all very friendly and encouraging. I certainly enjoyed myself and the fact that I only paid $20 from Living Social made this event even better.

Dedicated this medal to all the friends who took the time and energy to train me out of love. Love the fact that people step up and see me trying to meet my goals and they go out of their way to help me reach it...

 

 

Double Trouble.. my sis and I off to WeHo to get mimosas.

(Isn't she a bad influence on me??)

2013 Chinatown Firecracker Bike/5k/10k

(All pics by me)

I have participated in the Chinatown Firecracker event for a couple of years but never have I ran the actual race. Melinda and I did the 5k (we were toying with the idea of doing the 10k but I felt like I was coming down with something so I asked her if we just did the 5k) and it was amazing! Now, what makes this run challenging is that it is mostly up hills. Completely doable but one has to practice with elevation before taking on hills.

The registation orientation was pretty simple. We signed up online and we went the day before to pic up our number and our goodie bags. This year's goodie bag was a backpack that was designed by Shepard Fairey's design company. SO AWESOME!

We got there an hour before the race started and found street parking just in time. Started off the morning with early performances and warm up by the Clipper cheerleaders and set off a thousand firecrackers.

The start and finish.

Got my Endomondo app to measure our route.

The medal was a bit small than what we anticipated but it is nicely designed nonetheless.

We finished the day with dim sum with friends who we bumped into at Empress Pavillion.

Overall, it was an amazing time. Next year, I am doing the 10k. I think I have found my yearly ritual. What a wonderful LA event to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. I LOVE MY CITY!

Warrior Dash 2012

Oh the things I get myself into. With much convincing, I have signed up for the first race of the year- the Warrior Dash





Warrior Dash is a 5k run with lots of obstacles and.. mud. What a way to keep myself motivated throughout the year; not only am I having fun but I am promoting being in good health, challenging myself, taking back my health as well as fundraising for good causes.
I will be running with Jenus, Darrin, Edward, Chris, Erica and 12 more folks this Saturday. We will be climbing walls, crawling under barbed wire, hurdling over obstacles, swimming through mud and aftwards, celebrate with turkey legs, music and lots of beer.
My cousin and I started Team Breast Mode. We are raising funds for St. Jude's Children's Hospital. 100% of the donations are going straight to the hospital and it is all tax-deductible.

So why BreastMode and not BeastMode?

My cousin Jenus and I are running/getting dirty/hopping over fire/climbing walls on March 31st, 2012 at Warrior Dash.

It will be our first time so why not make our bruises and muddy clothes more meaningful, we both have decided to run for greater cause.

The concept is simple: Jenus was going to the gym and posted it on her Facebook page. To show her enthusiasm, she was saying she was going all out, beast mode! But with a slip of a thumb, she accidently typed "BREAST MODE."

Hence, the birth of the Guzman coined term: We're going BREAST MODE.. which is ... ahem... harder than going balls out.

Our Team Breast Mode grew and now we have Joyce, Penny and DeAnn. I just finished the design and Blacklava Clothing will be printing these shirts up this week.

These t-shirts will be our uniform and a short run will be going on sale after the race. 

Here we go! This whole week is nothing but eating right, warming up and getting myself mentally prepared for the big race.. and doing this for the children!

By the way,  we are running with these guys!