My first "real" run in several months was yesterday during practice! I ran well for my first time since running my race in April and my first time actually training in over 4 months. I ran four miles with a minute break between the first and last two miles (our coach had to document our times and separate us into groups). My first two miles I completed in 14:20 (not great, but okay) and I came in third place while my last two miles I completed in 15:05 and came in third once again. I am not sure when I will fully recuperate from my knee ailments, as well as other debilitating issues, but for now I am going to strive for improvement. My goal is to run two miles in at least 13:20 min/sec and to run three miles in 17:00 min/sec. However, I do enjoy bodyweight strength training, so I will have to balance these exercises in order to accomodate my goals and my schedule. My debilitating issue aside from my knee pain has prompted a decrease in my fitness capacity, but I am sure that my future appointment with a specialist will aid in the resolution of this issue. I plan to spend my summer as an intern at Children's Hospital, advance in my schoolwork by taking AP courses online, and run as well as improve in all of the aspects of my life.
Currently, I have just complted all of my required AP exams for this year and I plan to prepare even more extensiviely for my upcoming AP courses (US History, English Language, Calculus, and Chemistry). I am quite distruaght at my productivity which has diminshed, as a result of some personal issues. My running endeavors have been halted at the current moment since I have not been feeling well. I hope that I am admitted into the SMARTS program since it seems like a worthwhile summer program that will probably bestow me with an illustrious amount of experience in the science and mathematics fields.
In my opinion education is not a vital factor in success. A proper education acts as a vector to success, but you must know how to properly apply your knowledge in order to succeed. There are numerous examples of individuals who did not attend a prestigious university or received what is considered a proper education and they are quite successful (i.e. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, etc.) Education is perceived as absolutely necessary, but in reality the correct education that is based on preferances, which is hard to define, is more effective. But other aspects of learning should not be ignored. I do not belive that our education system is to blame, but rather the lack of initiative of the school to inspire an adavnced cirriculum. Until now they have realized this and will implement such aspects with the common core regime.
A few weeks ago, I completed a 5K in Los Angeles. It was a wonderful experience, since it was my second race. Although I hadn't ran in a few months, I quickly adjusted to it, and I ran at a comfortable pace. When my family and I arrived verything was already set up and volunteers where passing out snacks and such. I was incredibly nervous since there were various athletic individuals preparing for the race. I have always wondered why many individuals purchase advertised "running" equipment such as specialized backpacks. I mainly run with an adequate shirt that is not comprised of cotton and running shorts. Anyhow, when the race commenced I ran, but my legs were incerdibly stiff. Since I do not like eating anything before a run, I became a little light-headed, but this feeling soon dissipated as I continued to run. My two older brothers, my twin and my older brother who trains for triathlons, were ahead of me, since they had been running and training. I ran by the Staples Center, a cool plaza with a target, and I veered to the right when I was approaching 7th street. The city was a spectacular sight, specially in the morning with no cars in sight and very little people on the sidewalks, but this soon proved to be a disadvantage since the calm ambience made me feel a little lethargic. I then began racing with a twelve-year old competitor, and we then completed the race at the same time. Overall, I enjoyed this experience, and I hope to race much more often during the summer.
HEART OF CITY 5K
OVERALL PLACE
