ONE TOUGH HALF BY PATTY ABRANTES

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Patty at the Embarcadero near the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, CA

July 29, 2012, 5:30 AM-start time for the first half marathon at the Embarcadero for the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Marathon.

One of my college friends and I decided to do the First Half Marathon. It was initially a planned mini vacation for my birthday weekend, and my excuse to spend my weekend with friends in Norcal. Someone asked me why I would want to torture myself on my birthday? Haha! I laughed but really didn’t think of it that way. It was more of a treat and a personal challenge for myself, and what better place than up in the bay area crossing the Golden Gate Bridge!

It was another misty, cold, and foggy morning in the city as we started. In fact the sun never really showed up throughout the entire race as expected. But the worst challenges were the numerous hills that literally kicked my ass! I was still feeling it the next day.

The group crossed the Starting Line around 6:30 AM as we waited for other waves of runners to start sooner. I was part of Wave 8- I guess you could call us the slow pokes as we signed up to finish 13.1 miles in 3 hours, which meant running at a 13min per mile pace. I must say I tried to work on my speed and had this as my goal, but towards the end of my training, I only got to about 13.45min per mile. What I really should’ve done was train for those nasty hills! Lesson learned for this race…I suppose this was why The Wall Street Journal called it (in 2010) “the race even marathoners fear”.

There were a couple of hills towards the bridge and the bridge itself was a slow upgrade hill to the other end and back. Then off to the Richmond area, which had at least 2-3 other hills to be conquered! But there wasn’t any giving up then. People passed me, left and right, and at some point I saw the local police taking down signs from the streets as I ran through the 10-11 mile markers. Finally, I saw the greeneries from Golden Gate Park and what a relief! Haha! Another mini hill to the finish!

I finished in 3hours 12min! I am grateful for my overall physical health and spirit. It reminds me that being alive is a wonderful thing as I start another year in life. Happy Birthday to me!

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Patty Abrantes is the Director of AADAP’s Olympia Academy and is a pioneering member of Team AMP and a finisher of the 2012 Honda LA Marathon.

ALL THE MARATHON FUN FOR A SHORTER RUN!

Posted on July 20, 2012 by aadapinc

Team AMP is happy to announce that the Honda LA Marathon is going to have the 2-Person, Half-Marathon Relay available for the 2013 edition. The 2-person relay will allow couples the opportunity of sharing the 26.2 mile distance, each running 13.1 miles. This is perfect for runners who are not ready for a full marathon, but want the excitement and the challenge of being part of it. Finisher medals will be given to both runners once the second runner cross the finish line.

Please share this wonderful news by posting it on your Facebook wall and on your friends wall. Thank you very much.

Please contact Team AMP Coordinator Paulina Hong at phong@aadapinc.org or amp@aadapinc.org for more details.

GET $50 WORTH OF RUNNING GEAR FOR $25

Posted on July 19, 2012 by aadapinc

There’s a living social deal at A Runner’s Circle for 50% savings- I just got it:

http://www.livingsocial.com/deals/395998

Enjoy!

Paulina Hong

Team AMP Coordinator

IT’S OFFICIAL! TEAM AMP IS NOW AN OFFICIAL PARTICIPATING CHARITY OF THE 2013 HONDA LA MARATHON!

Posted on July 9, 2012 by aadapinc

The AADAP Marathon Program just got word from the LA Marathon’s Community Relations Manager, Tracy Schuster, that they have approved Team AMP’s application to become part of their prestigious roster of charitable organization who wish to leverage the 2013 LA Marathon as a tool to raise funds to support the program.

In her email to Paulina Hong, AADAP’s Development Director and Team AMP Coordinator, Ms. Schuster said that she’s thrilled to have Team AMP join the 2013 LA Marathon and hopes that Team AMP’s excitement will continue to build up throughout the season. “I look forward to working with you and helping to make 2013 a great year for you and your cause. I wish you all the best in your fundraising efforts.” Ms. Schuster said.

Team AMP will officially start training on October 6, 2012 and is currently recruiting interested individuals to join the team. If you are interested in joining Team AMP or would like more information, please email amp@aadapinc.org.