June Lake Olympic Tri-Anna-2019 (1st Olympic Distance!)

Date/Location:	7/13/19, June Lake, CA
Distances:	1.5km S – 40km B – 10km R
Time:	3:16:31 (33:30 – 1:07 – 1:32:09 – 1:34 – 1:08:10)
Place:	1st, F 1-14; 9th Overall (out of 69)
Teammates:	OLY – FCA: Robin Soares; Sharley Simpson KIDS RACE – FCA: Ariel Soares LONG COURSE – FCA: Troy Soares

I start to walk out to the water. The water isn’t that cold and it looks pretty clear. There is a big rock in the water and I climb it before I start. I look over all the swimmers and see a girl about my age I met yesterday. I go over and talk to her. This is her first triathlon but she is on a swim team and has been running and biking. After talking to her I go over to the start with my mom. We get water in our wetsuits so they will come off better. The announcer starts to countdown. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Go!

I start to swim. I feel good in the beginning but I remember that I have a long way to go. I try to draft off people in the beginning, but they are either too fast or to slow. I enjoy the swim. It is very clear and I can see the bottom of the lake. I see a lot of big sticks that have sunk to the bottom. After a while, I turn at the first buoy. The next buoy is a long way away. The water starts to get deeper. I draft off a swimmer ahead of me for a little while. The swimmer then goes to the side. I don’t follow her because I want to go in a straight line. As I get close to the next buoy, I start to see so rocks underneath me. But the rocks aren’t that high up. I get to the buoy and turn around it. A guy behind me goes on the other side of the buoy without knowing and we sort of collide.

There are two more buoy's ahead of me before I turn into shore. As I am swimming, I try to draft but it doesn't go that well. After some time, I start to see the bottom again. I look at the bottom of the lake while I swim. I see something moving and realize it’s two fish swimming together. I have reached the buoy and head for the last one. I feel a little bit more energy and keep swimming. I make it to the last buoy and go around it. I start to swim into shore. I see the rock that I climbed before I started swimming. I use the rock as a buoy and swim towards it and the arch. The bottom of the lake is getting shallower. I wait until my hand's touch to stand up. Once my hands touch the sand I stand up and run towards the arch.

Before I get there, I take off my wetsuit. I run through the arch and put on my flip flops. From there I run on the sand around transition and then into transition. In transition, I put my socks and helmet and take off. As I am running out of transition I remember I forgot my arm warmers. But I am warming up so I continue without them.

I start biking up a hill and put my bike shoes on. I continue biking. I make a turn and start to bike around the lake. I'm biking on the road I saw cars drive on while I was swimming. We go down a long hill and I enjoy it. It's a little cold because I still wet from the swim but the wind is drying me off. I go to another hill and there's a sharp turn. I'm in the bike lane and when I make the turn I skid a little bit on the debris. Praise the Lord I didn't slip!

I continue down the hill and bike through a town. Up ahead I see a car and truck at a stop sign. One of the cars goes and I'm sure the other car will wait for me to pass. The car does not wait though and doesn't even look in my direction when it starts to drive. I have to slow down in order to not run into the truck. I somewhat go around the truck. A biker behind me comes up and says “what a jerk”. I'm pretty sure she got slowed down by the truck too.

We go down another hill and I enjoy it. The hills are nice but I know that uphills will come. I see a waterfall up ahead, it's very pretty. There's water coming out of the rocks and then the waterfall goes right back into the rocks. There are a lot of small lakes along the road and it is pretty. We are biking around another lake now. The lake is not as big as the lake that I swim in. Looking ahead I see the mountains which are very pretty. The road looks like it is going between two of the mountains. I continue at my speed passing some people and others passing me. I make sure to drink my electrolyte water to keep hydrated. As I get closer to the mountains, I finish my first water bottle. I keep biking while switching my two water bottles. Now I can grab my other water bottle better. 

I bike through the mountains and continue. I'm on a flat road and I can see the highway in front of me. I also see an aid station coming up. As I get closer, I try to  decide if I should grab water or not. There is a biker getting water and both people at the aid station are helping her. It wouldn't be a fast transition to get water, so I decide not to.

I keep biking and make a sharp right onto the highway.  I am biking on the side of the highway and it is bumpy. There are a lot of cracks on the road. Up ahead I see a hill. It looks steep but not that bad. I bike towards the hill and start climbing it. A guy doing the long course goes by me and say “I like your handlebars.”  I say thanks and look at my handlebars. My handlebars are orange and his are orange too. I call back “I like your handlebars too”. I keep biking uphill and bike around a turn. As I go around the turn I see the hill continues even farther. I am already tired and I don't want to go up the hill. But I know I will eventually get to the top. I continue drinking my water and biking.

After what seems forever I see the top. There's a lady in front of me and I reach the top as soon as she does. I say “finally we get to the top” and she agrees with me. I thought I would enjoy the top of the hill but it is windy and it's almost like I'm still climbing the hill. There is a small downhill but it doesn't feel like one because of the wind. Up ahead I see one biker climbing up a steep hill and I think, when is this going to end. But I realize other bikers are turning before the 2nd hill, so that must be someone else on their own bike ride.

As I get closer to the turn, my Dad comes up behind me. We talk and I tell him I'm drinking a lot of water. I turn right then onto a road. I know I am close to transition. There is another hill up ahead but it doesn't look as bad as the highway hill. I see my Dad start to climb the hill ahead of me. I get to the hill and start to climb. The hill is a little tiring but it's not that bad because I know the transition is close. A lady and I go back and forth on the hill until we reach the top. At the top, my Dad goes straight because he's doing that half Ironman course and I go right. It's downhill and I start to recognize the campsite area.

I continue biking down the hill and get closer two the downhill to transition. I almost missed the turn because no one's really directing it and I don't know if it's the correct one. But people start yelling at me as soon as I don't turn right away so I turn. I go downhill and take my feet out of the bike shoes. I slow my bike down and jump off. I run into transition and rack my bike. My mom's bike is a little too close to my side so I kind of have to push it over as I'm putting my bike on. I take my helmet off and put on my shoes, race belt, and hat. I grab my gels and start running. I take a quick detour to the restroom and then run out of transition. My sister, who's volunteering, cheers me on as a runout.

I run down some steps and onto some sand. I run across the sand to a single-track trail. On the trail, I take one of my gels. I run on the trail until I see aid station up ahead. At the station, I grab water and turn to run up a steep hill. The hill doesn't look that bad, but it is covered in sand. As I'm running up, I feel like I'm slipping backwards a little bit. It is a calf killer and I walk some of the hill. I see people running down and they are going fast. Too bad I can't go fast upward.

After a lot of climbing, I finally reach the top. I run on the road to the next aid station. I grab water then continue. I go downhill and it is a fun break. As I am going downhill, I see my Dad biking uphill on the half Ironman course. He says good job to me and tells me to drink water and pour water on my head. I smile and say ok. After the long downhill, I go up a short hill which leads to a small downhill. I see a turn sign and turn over and get onto another single-track uphill. This is also covered in sand and does not look fun. I run up it to the next station.  As I get closer to the aid station, a man at the aid station says “wow you're really old” just to be funny. The truth is that I am the youngest competitor. At the aid station, I grab water and an orange. I then continue up the hill. It looks like it's never going to stop. It reminds me of climbing up from the river at home except with sand. I run some but mostly walk it. My calves are really sore. A lady at the front of me is fast walking up the hill. I don't know how she could fast walk when you keep slipping a little bit backwards from the sand.

When it gets a little bit flat I pass her in a man ahead of me. But then it gets steep and I walk a little bit. When I finally get to the top I start to run. There is a pretty Pond and it looks very inviting because I'm very hot. I take a gel to get some energy back. There's an aid station up ahead and I get water and an orange. I go through the trees a little bit and then start going downhill. The downhill is like switchbacks and you have to be careful you don't go too fast or you might run over the edge. It is really rocky and I try not to trip or fall. My ankle hurts a little bit but I just try to relax it. As I'm running downhill I have to stop sometimes because I'm going so fast. Since I got water to aid station I start to have some cramps. After a little bit of running the cramps fade away. It sometimes feels overwhelming because of the pain, cramps, and the heat. But I just go to God and he helps me not to freak out about it.

After about a half-mile going steep downhill the trail widens out and is a gradual downhill. A half-marathon runner passes me he's going very fast.  I see an aid station up ahead and run towards it. The downhill is still steep but not as bad. I grab water at the Aid Station and someone asks if I want water on my back. I say yes and a man puts a water-filled sponge on my back and I feel refreshed. I am at the bottom and I run on a sandy trail next to the road.  After running on the sandy trail I cross over where I crossed before and start heading back. I'm getting excited because I am almost done and I can't wait to be done because it is very hard.

I run up the hill and then get a nice downhill. There's a long uphill ahead and since I already walked a lot, I challenge myself to run all the way up it. As I run up the hill my legs hurt. I don't want that slow me down so I push through. I get almost the top and there is an aid station. I stop just to grab water and continue on. I pour the rest of the water on my head and it gives me new energy to keep running.

I continue running upward and then I get to run down a little bit. Up ahead I see the downhill Sandy trail to the finish line. I'm very excited that I'm almost done. I hit the sandy trail and it is a steep downhill. I run down jumping over rocks as I go. I see others walking up the hill and I know how they feel because I had to walk up it too. As I'm going downhill I almost run into someone who was also running downward. It is a tight turn and I am going very fast. I don’t run into her, but say sorry for almost running into her.

There is a little flat spot and then it's downhill again. I can see the aid station up ahead but don't grab anything because I'm so close to the finish line. I run around the aid station and get onto a small trail. I can see the finish line at the end and my mom and sister waiting for me. I run on the trail and then onto the sandy beach. It's so sandy it's hard to run. I get into the finish line shoot and I am running as hard as I can through the sand. I finish pointing into God. It was a hard race and God kept me stable through it all. My Mom and sister both did well in the races and my Dad did amazing in his Half Ironman with God's help.

Praise The Lord For He Is Good His Love Endures Forever.

June Lake Kid’s Triathlon-Ariel-2019

Date/Location:	7/13/19, June Lake, CA
Distances:	100m S – 2mi B – 1mi R
Time:	20:17 (3:45 – 1:48 – 7:37 – :30 – 6:35)
Place:	2nd Female, 1st Femaile in Category
Teammates:	OLY – FCA: Anna Soares, Robin Soares; Sharley Simpson KIDS RACE – FCA: Ariel Soares LONG COURSE – FCA: Troy Soares

SWIM

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Go! I start swimming.  I am one of the only ones wearing a wetsuit. I go as fast as I can trying to get in front of the pack. I go around and orange buoy and start heading back. I'm in second place right now. Right behind the first boy. I swim in between the two orange buoys I started at. Then I swim until I touch the ground. I start running in the water. I run on the sand and back into the water to the place where I put mom’s flip-flops she let me borrow. As I take off my wetsuit, kids in my race pass me. I get on the flip flops and run into transition.

BIKE

I get my shoes on and my helmet on and bike out onto the bike course it’s kind of hard to follow the race course. I keep passing people. I go around a turn around. I pass the transition and go up a hill. I bike faster and faster. I see a turnaround up ahead. I bike around the turnaround and start biking fast again. I can see the people ahead of me and the first-place girl. I bike as fast as I can. I know that transition is close so I bike faster. I see transition so I slow down and I get off of my bike and run with my bike to my transition spot.

RUN

I take off my helmet and start on the run. I go down some dirt steps with a bunch of rocks. I almost fall. And then I’m on a trail. I can see the first-place girl ahead of me. I run faster through a trail with plants on both sides. I can see the aid station far ahead of me.

There is a boy ahead of me. It looks like he has a cast on his hand. I can also see him holding his side. Looks like he has a cramp. When I get closer, I can hear him crying. As I pass him, I tell him to take slow breaths. I get to the aid station and get some water. I start heading up a very steep hill. I can see the girl walking at the top. I start running faster until I get close to her. I think she heard me coming because she turns and looks at me and starts running. I go around the turn around. I start getting closer and closer. We start going back down the steep hill. The girl starts to slow down on the hill, so I pass her. I go as fast as I can down the hill. I go back to the trail and now I can see the Finish. I hear someone behind me and I know they're close so I go even faster. I start running to the finish. It is very sandy so I can't go that fast. A boy behind me sprints past me. I sprint as fast as I can into the finish. I am the first girl overall and third overall over everyone.

June Lake Triathlon–Half Ironman (Troy)

Date/Location:	July 13th, 2019 – June Lake, CA
Distances:	Swim 1.2miles – Bike 52miles – Run 13.1miles
Time:	5:51:44 (36:07 – 4:09 – 2:48:57 – 1:36 – 2:20:53)
Place:	1st 50-54M (out of 3); 6th Overall
Teammates:	OLY – FCA: Anna Soares, Robin Soares; Sharley Simpson KIDS RACE – FCA: Ariel Soares

We arrive at incredibly beautiful June Lake.  And what a treat to run into Whit Raymond, one of our favorite announcers in triathlon.  To have such a lively, talented announcer at a small event is a great privelege.

After the race meeting we set up camp and I start complaining and worrying – mainly about the significant wind blowing, it will surely chill me on the bike, and I don’t have the right jacket, and I didn’t get enough sleep, and my foots going to hurt like last week…

I wake up in the middle of the night and it’s completely still and quiet.  The full moon is reflecting off the water and the snow covered parts of the mountain.  This "Oh! Ridge” campground has been the quietest we’ve ever stayed at (maybe because it’s all athletes and everyone races the same morning).  I sleep very well.  Thank you, Lord.

Race morning, attitude improved, read the Bible, kiss Robin goodbye and head to the 7am start for my race.  (Robin & Anna will start the Olympic at 8am and Ariel the kids’ race at 12).

There is no wind at all.  The water is glass.  The volunteers are cheerful, no lines at the porta potties and everything, including the shuttles of athletes who didn’t camp, seems to be running smoothly.

Although there’s about 250 racing all the events, only 50 of us get ready for the Half.  I talk to a couple guys doing this hard course for their first one.  I jog a little and my foot hurts.  I spend a good amount of time stretching and then down to the water.  It feels really cold this morning!  I wish I had booties… until I go to the start area it feels much warmer, like 65.

I run back to pray with Robin, Anna, and Ariel.  I appreciate their prayers for me and I pray I remember it’s not my race, my life, my goals.. it’s the Lord’s, which should free me from worrying about it and instead focus on Him so others can see Him through me.  I’m reminded of the song “Crown Him” which says,

“It’s not my life, to live. It’s not my song, to sing. All I have, is His For all eternity” and goes on to say “It’s not my weight, to bear..”  worrying is the heaviest weight.

The Swim

I feel ready.  There’s only 30 of us starting.  Go!  I start calm and relaxed.  It’s easy to sight and the water is so clean and clear.  We go around the short sprint course and then head out for the Olympic course.  I’m breathing deeply, and sometimes every 2 strokes instead of 3 or 4 because we’re at 7500 ft.  Racing at altitude is like missing every 5th breathe so have to make up for it.  A woman behind me is swimming backstroke.  Amazingly she’s drafting off me without being able to see me!  That is a good way to get more air.  A guy next to me is swimming with only the lower 1/2 of a wetsuit.  The swim course is wonderful.  The shadow of the mountain blocks the sun so sighting is never a problem.  Most of the course is shallow.  I see a couple fish darting around and lot of rock formations below.  I think about God.  I’m joyful.  I’m calm. Sometimes I feel like I might get cold but I actually stay comfortable to the end.  I see 30 min on my watch and hope I can finish soon.  I push more at the end but mostly the swim was low effort which should help the rest of the race. 36:07. 11th place.

After a jog through the entire transition site (to make it fair for everyone) I put on only my light jacket (I’m not cold and there’s no wind, thank you, Lord!) and am happily off on the bike.

The Bike

Immediately I can sense the thin air by how fast I accelerate downhills.  Biking at altitude is a thrill because the speeds are faster.  But even more so on this course because it’s so beautiful!  Along June Lake, through the cute town of June Lake with people starting to sip coffee under awnings.  Along Gull Lake, sailing under evergreens… It really does feel like a “Tour de France TT below the Alps” as a previous athlete wrote in his race story from last year.

Curving along the base of mountains, I make it through one really sharp turn and hope Anna negotiates it ok in her race.  Then I catch view of Horestail Waterfall above to the left. Amazing!

Then Silver Lake on the right and the huge Grant Lake which seems to drop off the edge of the hills at the end.  It’s a little chilly but warming up a little.  I think of Anna and hope she will be comfortable in her race suit.

Now onto the shoulder of Hwy 395.  Even though it’s a main freeway, it’s a very wide shoulder and not concerning.  I’m warm and take off my jacket.  It’s a slight climb for 6 miles and I try to be efficient and take it easy.  It was such a beautiful easy cruise along the lakes that I’m looking forward to doing the 2nd loop!  After a short difficult climb to June Lake, and insuring I’ve finished 1 large bottle of Vitargo, I excitingly start the loop again now with Olympic Distance riders to pass.  Through all the scenic spots this time I try even more to take it all in.  I also remind myself “stay calm, stay calm” so as not to push.  The race starts with the run.

I think about Robin and Anna who are somewhere ahead on this loop.  I calculate what Anna’s times might be and then look way ahead and see a yellow outfit climbing up Hwy 395!  Yes!  That’s her!  I yell a couple times but she can’t hear me.  I’m supposed to be going easy but I push more hoping I can catch her before she pulls off to the bike finish.  I catch her right before the down-n-up to the finish.  “So glad to see you, Anna, how’s it been?”  “It’s going great.  But that was a big hill.  I wasn’t able to get water but my 2 bottles will be enough”  Thank you, Lord for keeping her safe in her first Olympic Bike leg.

Robin is probably starting the run, Anna is heading to T2, and I get to go along the Lake and through town a 3rd time (which is so cool) and then turn along the back June Lake to the finish.  It’s very hilly along the back but I didn’t realize it provides great viewing of the run course and runners!  At first the trails don’t look so hard, but then I see a ferocious trail climb and even the climbs on the paved road look hard.  And there’s Anna!  Looking strong despite the heat and hills.  This is a cool bike course!  A big descent to T2 alows me to stretch, finish drinking, and pull out of my shoes.  2:48:57 bike, 9th fastest and now in 9th place.  Dismount.  Lose a shoe, go back and get it, change into my new NB 860’s (since last week’s Crown City Classic run proved the 880’s weren’t helping my injury).

The Run

I start to the trail but remember my plan to take a bottle. I go back, grab a bottle and hope the timing mat doesn’t get confused.  Starting through the spectator area I already notice my foot feels so much better than last week!  Thank you, God!  I see Ariel cheering for me which really makes me smile.  I’m feeling optimistic to take this crazy trail climb they told us about.  But wait, it’s sand!  A steep climb in sand.  The great news is that I’ve been practicing walking steep parts lately.  So I power walk the slippery climb.   Many runners are flying down.  I try not to get in their way.  I’m really happy about the effort and pace I’m able to put out walking and soon am at the top.  I drink my bottle and then fill it 1/2 way up at each aid station. 

The wind has picked up now and I’m thanking God for it.  Imagine that, I was cursing the wind yesterday and now it’s a blessing because it’s cooling me off during a hot, hilly run!  I see more Half Ironman athletes biking and many Sprint and Olympic runners coming back.  Way up ahead I see Robin coming up the road.  I yell but she can’t hear me.  I turn onto the ferocious, sandy hill climb and start my power-walk and then turn-around to see Robin down below on the road, “Good job, Robin!  Anna’s about a mile behind you”  she waves and smiles.

I’m breathing super hard and drinking a lot of water, and pouring it on me.  This bottle is great!  The trail keeps climbing!  I can’t believe it.  I’m passing many that are resting along the trail but my power-walk really allows me to keep going and doesn’t hurt my foot.  Thank you, Lord.  They said this course was like Wildflower but at 8000 ft.  But it is much harder.  It’s almost a joke that someone could run up this, but maybe they can.

It is all worth it at the top!  Running through meadows with low-ground-cover and patches of wildflowers.  Small lakes back-dropped with snowy mountains.  A light cool breeze under a bright sun.  People are happy to stop and let me pass.  I guess everyone wants to rest.  I stop and stretch my hamstrings and try to get a rock or something out of my shoe.

The best part – downhill!  It starts calmly, zig-zagging through beautiful single-track, but then intensifies with steeper sections and almost getting out of control… and then it just drops off!  Some sections I have to carefully step down rocks.  And then back to very steep sandy descending.  This can be very dangerous, but I always love challenging downhills.  I feel excited and trying to descend faster than others gets the adrenaline going.  Wow!  Finally at the bottom.  I take Heed and water and start the run along the road back to the start.

At the spectator / finish area, where we have to go do it all again, I’m actually looking forward to it!  The walking worked so well and the running along the top was so fun, it’s actually appealing!  Thank you, Lord, only you can turn something daunting into fun.  I see Robin, she’s so happy for me and tells me she was able to win her race and Anna did well, too.  I ask Ariel how she did and she laughs because she hasn’t raced yet. 

A good time seeing family and now back up the climb.  Now there aren’t many runners out.  I see some Half Ironman runners coming back behind me.  Others Olympic runners are walking.  I’m also taking Endurolytes which they provide at the aid stations.  I hit the huge climb again.  This time it is more work and the pace slows a little but I push through.  Thank you, Lord!  I stretch at the same rock, take a Honey Stinger and then hit the big descent.  Stomach gets a little uneasy.  Starting on the trail/road back, for the first time, I’m feeling fatigued and uncomfortable.  But I ease up and feel good again.

Now I’m overwhelmed with humility and regret for my attitude yesterday.  I have a great talk with God.  I realize how faithful He has been and unfaithful I’ve been.  I ask for forgiveness for my worrying yesterday and plan to start over and trust Him more next time.  I realize that having a bad attitude beforehand ruins even a good finish because of regret.  So the only way to finish the day completely good is to start with a good attitude beforehand.  It’s a special time repenting and feeling God’s encouragement along that hot and hilly road.

Over the last climb, now I’m excited!  Flat and then down.  I grab a gel and my whole race belt falls off.  I hug my bottle by my side while trying to put the belt on but it falls again and my bottle falls and gets covered with dirt.  Everything is going wrong.  I manage to wash off my bottle top so I can hold it in my mouth while putting my belt on and finally taking my gel.  Ok, re-grouped and back to the fun part… steep sandy downhill.. through the grass.. onto the beach..and painfully quick-step over the sand to the finish!  Thank you, Lord, for forgiveness and provision!  Run was 2:20:53, 4th fastest. 6th place overall.

Not only did the Lord bless my race, but all of our races.  Humbled and grateful.  And a BEAUTIFUL race venue!

Crown City 12K-Robin-2019

Date/Location:	July 4, 2019 – Coronado, Ca – Racing Since 2011
Distances:	12km
Time:	54:49 (PR, 2017, 53:17)
Place:	2nd/40
Others:	5K: Anna & Ariel Soares; Jan Heidt; 12K: Troy Soares

This is our 9th year racing here!  Time has flown by!  Parking is tough this year since we left a bit later than usual and there seems to be more racers. 

Anna, Ariel and Grammie (my Mom) are doing the 5K.  Troy and I are doing the 12K.  This year all racers start together.  Usually they break up the 5Kers and 12kers.  We all pray as a family for the Lord’s favor and blessing. We then split up to find a place at the start.  Anna and Troy head to the front.  I stay back with Ariel to give her comfort in this huge crowd.  I haven’t been able to get in much speed work outside of our once a week runs with our track group.  Not sure what to expect.

I love how this race shows respect to our Flag and country.  We all get to run under a huge American flag at the start. They take the time to read off names of those recently killed in the military.  Then a 13 year old boy plays the national anthem on his trumpet.  Anna has been doing the same at swim meets.  I’m sure she’s impressed as well.  Then there the yearly speech from the race director taken from the movie Independence Day.  He puts his own twist on it for the runners.  Great fun!

The top runners start but they stop our group as we approach the start line.  It’s a bummer to be separated from Troy and Anna.  We’ll have to wait a few minutes.  Ariel feels bad for holding me back but I tell her it’s not a big deal since it’s chip timing. 

Ready and go!  Ariel and I hold hands and run under the huge American flag together.  Then I say goodbye and run ahead.  It’s not long before I hear her voice behind me “hi Mom!”.  “Wow, Ariel, good job!  Be sure to pace yourself”.  She stays behind me for a bit and points out Troy in the crowd ahead of us.

I’m catching Troy within the first 3/4 mile.  That means his Achilles is not doing well.  I run alongside him and pray that the Lord will make it get better as the race goes on.  It’s extremely unusual to see him hindered in a race.  I am sad for him.  He tells me to run my own race. 

Mile 1 is 7:28.  I feel strong.  I know I want to break 1 hour for this race so I must average under 8 min. 

I see Anna heading back and it looks like she is in the top 5 women.  We wave to each other and I tell her “good job!”.  There is a girl that looks about her age right behind her.  I know she’ll finish strong because her focus is on Jesus.

Mile 2 is 7:17.  I continue to feel strong and I’m not straining at all. I have a few Clif Bloks to keep my energy steady.

I see a cat running towards me on the opposite side of the bike path I'm on. We pass each other as if we were 2 humans running. Funny!

Mile 3 is 7:27. I catch up to two Captain Americans. It's overcast but I'm warm. They must be burning up! I'm surprised how good I feel. I am passing quite a few runners as I go along. Thank you Lord!

Pretty soon I see the top runners heading back. There are a lot of strong guys. Soon I see a few girls coming along. One of them looks older than me...it gives me hope that I can continue to run strong as I age.

Finally, the turnaround! Ok, now it's time to see what's left in the tank.

Mile 4 is a 7:15. Good split but will I be struggling soon? As I head back, the crowds of runners are thick. Glad to see such a great turnout!

Mile 5 is a 7:19. Still feeling great! Once I hit 6, it's just hanging on.

I look at my watch and I can see I'm picking it up! Wow, this is of the Lord! I have not been able to train consistently due to busy summer schedules for the girls, taking care of Al, the house addition/remodel and most importantly trying to help Troy train for Ironman and start a new position at work. This is a gift that God is giving me out of His great love for me!

I can see the Coronado bridge! It's almost over!

Mile 6 is a 7:14! I'm negative splitting this the back half of the race. Unbelievable!

I can see a gal ahead quite a ways. I'm going to try to catch her if possible. Great having a carrot out there to motivate me to push!

Mile 7 is a 7:07! Oh my! I dig deep and remind myself the discomfort is temporary. Even though I'm pushing hard, I don't feel like I'm straining.

I'm catching that girl but I don't have enough real estate to bridge the gap. I push nonetheless and make the final turn to the straight away. I can hear the girls cheering. I smile and keep going running all the way through to finish. Thank you Jesus for such a wonderful race!

Crown City 12K-Troy-2019

Date/Location:	July 4, 2019 – Coronado, Ca – Racing Since 2011
Distances:	12km
Time:	1:07:10
Place:	22nd/30
Others:	5K: Anna & Ariel Soares; Jan Heidt; 12K: Robin Soares

I wake up in beautiful San Diego, but find my right heel is bothering more than ever.  I’ve been stretching and wearing different shoes.. it appears to have worsened it.  I’m also very tired.. as usual it seems.

We finallly find parking and I have to make a last-minute decision to switch shoes as the new ones are casuing a blister.

We jog to the start to meet Jan, Anna & Ariel, and my foot hurts a lot.  I stretch, we listen to the great pre-race “independence day” speech, hear the National Anthem played by a 13yr old Boy Scout on the trumpet and his dad on keyboard, and then we pray as a family before our start.

My story from last year’s race started with:

“My concern is my right heel and hamstring. It’s been bothering me.  We all gather and pray. I know each race for me is much more than a personal hobby or goal, rather it’s a chance to test my faith and a chance to be an example for others…. God always uses each race and He’ll use this one somehow and it will be a blessing.”

Today is really going to test if that statement is true.

Go!  We start by running under a giant American flag.  I can see Anna surging way ahead, she’s trying to go 6:30 pace.  Last year I averaged 6:42 pace which was a blessing because of my hamstring and foot issues.  But right away I’m forced to go much slower. 

I’m passed by about 50 runners and I’m asking God what my task is.  I know I’m to always give God my 100% effort, despite what the speed looks like.  And I’m also feeling it’s important to show gratitude to be able to run.  There are disabled entrants being pushed in strollers and of course there are those that couldn’t do this race if they wanted to.  I’m supposed to be ready for an Ironman at the end of the month and yet I feel like it’s my first running race, just barely moving along.  But I’m trusting God that there is a purpose in this and I must have a great attitude so I smile.

Mile 1. 9:17. Robin and Ariel started in the 2nd wave and now pass me.  Robin is very encouraging.  She knows how it must feel.  It’s great having Ariel run with me.  We go the same pace to the 1.5mi turn-around for her 5k.  She sees a “25min 5k” pacer go by and says to me, “That’s looks nice”.  I’m glad she’s comfortable enough to think about going faster.. but can she really catch them?  A few minutes later I say goodbye as she makes the turn-around.  I hope she feels energy and has a great race!

Mile 2. 8:38.  I haven’t looked at my watch, but it feels like 10 or 11 min pace. Very slow for me.  But I run proud.  I focus on good form and encouraging some others around me.

Mile 3. 9:11.  I see the leading men go by, with a young bushy-haired kid charging from a ways back in 2nd.  I wonder if he’ll catch him.  Then I start counting the women to see where Robin is.  This part seems so long.  My legs are hurting, probably from compensating.  I would love to see the turn-around soon.  There’s Robin!  I’m smiling.  I’m making the best of it, thanking volunteers, and being impressed with everyone that can run so fast.  Finally, the turn-around.

Mile 4. 9:02.  I look down and am pleasantly surprised to see I’m averaging almost 9min pace.  that’s better than I thought!  And if I can pick it up, I could go under 9.  Thank you, Lord, for giving me a little carrot to shoot for.

Mile 5. 8:56.  It’s all painful now.  But I know the Ironman will be like this – don’t think about how you’re going to finish it all, just think about keeping this effort and at some point I’ll be done.

Mile 6. 8:57.  Yay, just got to get to the bridge and then a 1/2 mile to the finish.  I’m passing 5k walkers now.  I know Robin, Anna, and Ariel are at the finish line waiting for me.  Maybe Jan is finished, too?

Mile 7. 8:44.  I’m surprised I’m actually running a little faster.  Thank you, Lord.  I’m proud of my effort and glad that I’ve had a good attitude.  I hope those around me see someone pushing hard and having a successful race.  And not someone who is remembering going 20min faster the year before.  Because what I want more than anything, is to hear God say, good effort, good attitude.

Finish:  Robin and Anna cheer for me.  Anna says, “I hope I can always have a good attitude like you, Dad”   Robin tells me great job.  Wow, such great support! 

It wasn’t the speed I was expecting, but it was the race I hoped for.  One to feel good about and celebrate everyone’s accomplishments afterwards.  Robin and Anna got 2nd place, both going faster than expected.  Ariel did catch the pacer and got under 25min for a PR.  And Jan won her age group!

Thank you Lord for a good day.  And God Bless the USA.

Crown City 5K-Anna-2019

/Location:	July 4, 2019 – Coronado, Ca (Racing here since 2014)
Distances:	5km
Time:	19:40 PR! (Previous PR 20:24, 2018)
Place:	2nd (72 Total), 1- 14 Girls
Others:	5K: Ariel Soares, Jan “Grammie” Heidt; 12K: Robin  & Troy Soares

Coronado 5k

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Go! I start to run. I run under the American flag and reach up and touch it. I start running at a 6:35-minute pace. I feel good and confident. I run onto a sidewalk and start passing people. There is a 21-minute pacer behind me. I want to get 20 minutes so I make sure to stay ahead of the pacer. The sidewalk goes along the beach and then under a bridge.

After the bridge, we run on a bike path alongside a golf course. I see a young girl up ahead. I try to slowly catch up to her. At the end of the bike path, I catch up to her. I then turn onto a road and keep running.

I see two girls about my age ahead of me. I slowly gain on one of them. I go by the 1st-mile marker sign and have 2 miles left. I see an aid station up ahead. I pass the girl at the aid station and grab water. The other girl is still pretty far ahead but I keep a steady pace and try to gain.

After a while the turn around comes in view. I see people running back and one is a girl who is about my age. But right now I am focusing on catching the other girl. I get to the turnaround and go around. I gain and finally pass the girl in front of me. I know she is close but I don’t think she will stay with me. I only have that older girl in front of me.

I keep running and then see Mom. She gives me encouragement and I kept running. My mom and Dad are doing the 12k so they are going a slower pace. I then see Ariel and Dad running together. Dad told me I was in 2nd. I keep running and see the aid station. I grab water again and continue running. I pass the 2-mile marker and am getting closer. As I am running, people cheer me on. One person tells me I am in 4th overall. I can see the girl in front of me. She is running strong and I don’t think I can catch her but I am going to keep running fast.

I see the bike path up ahead where we turn. I keep running. I know I’m under my pace and I give thanks to God. We run on the road a little longer until we turn on the bike path. It starts to get hard but I keep up the pace. I run on the bike path until I get under the bridge. I run under the bridge and onto the sidewalk. I can see the finish line and the girl ahead. I know I can’t catch her but I give a good effort. I run by people and turn onto the grass. I run hard in and point to God. I am thankful for Him giving me a good race. I see the girl who was ahead on me and tell her, good job and that I couldn’t catch her. I got 19:40 for my time, and my pace was 6:20. I got 2nd in my age group and 4th overall. Thanks to God I had an amazing race.

Praise The Lord For He Is Good, Is Love Endures Forever!

Crown City 5K-Ariel-2019

Date/Location:	July 4, 2019 – Coronado, Ca (Racing here since 2015)
Distances:	5 km
Time:	24: 42, PR! (Previous PR 29:09-2018)
Place:	9th (72 Total), 1- 14 Girls
Others:	5K: Anna Soares, Jan “Grammie” Heidt; 12K: Robin  & Troy Soares

My Race Story

Written by, Ariel Soares

This is a girl’s race story about finishing the Crown City Classic 5k. Age 10.

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Go! I start to run. Mommy holds my hand as we run under the American flag. Mommy was doing the 12k and I am doing the 5k. They combined races. We got stuck in the 2nd wave. If I finish right behind someone who started in the first wave, which means I would have been ahead of them with my time.

We start to run on a sidewalk. I can see Daddy way ahead of me. I stay with Mommy. We run under a bridge onto a gated path. I start to lose Mommy but try to catch Daddy. So, I run faster and faster and finally I catch up to him. We run together and talk. Daddy is doing the 12k. We come to an aid station. I get a drink of water. I see the mile sign. We keep running.

I see Anna running towards us. We cheer her on. We keep running. We can see the 5k turnaround. I see this girl go past holding a 25 min 5k sign. I tell Dad "that looks good." I get to the turnaround. I go around it. Daddy keeps going because he's in the 12k. I start to run faster because I want to catch up to the 25min girl. I try to keep her insight. I see the aid station. I get water and keep running.

I can see the 2nd mile sign. I keep running and running. Finally, I can see the path. I know there is not far to go. I see Grammie. I wave. I keep running on the gated path. I can see the bridge that I ran under earlier. I go under it. Finally, I catch up to the girl holding the 25-minute 5k sign and I stay with her. I see the finish line I start to sprint. I pass the girl and sprint into the finish line. Thank you, God!