Every year, the city has a charity run to raise money for the The Talbert Family Foundation, which provides financial help to families who suffer from cancer. A nice boy in my grade at school, has Leukemia, and this year I am running to raise money for his family. The run is 5 kilometers long on the streets. Most of the course is set on hilly streets, and so I have to get into better shape to prepare for the race. The race will be on the morning of Nov 11. 
To prepare for the race, I have been running 3 days a week. I have been trying to find places with many hills so I will be prepared. This weekend, my mom took Hannah, Michael, my dog Romeo, and I to a the mountains above our home for a run. I am not sure exactly how long the trail was, but I think it was around 5k. The trail was perfect to train on because there were many steep mountains. I ran until the trail ended with Romeo panting and running beside me and then turned around and ran back. It was a very enjoyable run because I was able to see beautiful views of our whole city below. Even though it is October, we had a gorgeous clear sunny day with not even a single could. Hannah and Michael, brought along their bikes and biked with my mom running slowly behind them. My siblings complained most of the way back because it was too difficult for them to pedal. They ended up having to carry their bikes most of the way. For me, it was a great way to spend the morning exercising.
Have you ever trained for some type of activity?
What do you like to do for exercise?
Dear Miriam,
ReplyDeleteLike you, I am going to enter the community race for Matthew. What a wonderful way for all of us to support our friend!
We really have had some gorgeous weather lately. We took Buck out for a walk, and we all enjoyed being outside.
It looks like you were above the valley on your outing. By any chance, we you up on Mulholland?
See you at the community classic!
Your proud former teacher,
Mrs. Y♥llis
@Mrs. Yollis,
DeleteThank you for your comment. I hope we see each other at the race. We were actually above Mulholland. There is a side dirt road that goes all the way up to a hiking trail, and we could see the houses on Mulholland from where we hiked. Many people bring their dogs and allow them off the leash to run the trails. Romeo really enjoys this place as he can run free, but he comes home really dirty.
Sincerely,
Miriam
@ Miriam,
DeleteI thought it looked familiar! Was it dirt Mulholland by the school or at the other end of the valley? The reason I ask is because we often go up and hike at Mulholland at the other end of the valley. We were talking with the ranger up there. He said that all dogs must be on a leash or there is a $300 fine! Look for the signs just in case! :-)
I will look for your family at the community event. I'll be walking with a group of teachers from school.
:-)
~Mrs. Y♥llis
@Mrs. Yollis,
DeleteThank you for replying back to me. It was by the school and the entrance to the trail is on Old Topanga. The trail has a sign to keep dogs on leash, but no one keeps their dogs on the trail. Luckily, there are no rangers!
One time while hiking at Malibu Creek Park (when we just got Romeo), we didn't see the sign saying no dogs allowed and we took Romeo. That day, there were many rangers around and we got a very expensive ticket. From this day forward, when we see someone with a dog in the park, we warn them so they won't get caught.
Sincerely,
Miriam
Miriam,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post! I love that you are raising money for a boy at your school, and in the meantime, you are getting even stronger and healthier by all of the preparation for the race. I have never trained for a race, but I do Zumba and run to stay in shape. Teachers often forget to take care of themselves.
Keep up the wonderful writing. You are an inspiration! I am going to put your blog on my class blogroll if that is okay. Your blog is such a great example for my students.
Warmly,
Mrs. Young ( 4th grade teacher in Northern California and friend of Mrs. Yollis)
Dear Mrs. Young,
DeleteThank you for your wonderful comment! Running is so much fun for me. I like to run everywhere my family goes hiking, and sometimes I see snakes slithering on the ground as I run.
Thank you so much for offering to put my blog on your blogroll.
Sincerely,
Miriam
Thank you so much, Miriam for also taking the time to visit my blog and comment on it! I can't wait to show my students your wonderful work.
Delete@ Mrs. Young,
DeleteThank you so much for your reply. I enjoyed your blog and will stop by from time to time.
Miriam
Aloha Miriam,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful friend you are and everyone benefits! I have run many races in my life including three marathons so your preparation is so important. From what you have said Miriam, you should be ready.
The one thing I want you to remember is it's not about how fast you run it's that you finish and have a great time. Don't begin to run faster if runners pass you. Run your pace and be happy and think about Matthew.
A hui hou my friend,
Mrs. jacobs
@Mrs. Jacobs,
DeleteThank you for wonderful comment. Three Marathons is very impressive! What was your best time? How many days a week did you practice?
Thanks for the tips! I try to pace myself the whole race and then sprint the last 400 meter. Some people start off the race too fast and then are too tired at the end.
Sincerely,
Miriam
Aloha Miriam,
DeleteOn June 21 of this year I celebrated my thirtieth year of running. This might be something that you enjoy and continue.
My best marathon time is 4:31, my worst 4:41 so you can see that it pays to be consistent. Run your race Miriam. I look forward to hearing all about it.
A hui hou,
Mrs. Jacobs
@ Mrs. Jacobs,
DeleteWow, that is a long time to run. I am really impressed that you remember the exact date that you started to run. I began running when I was around 4 years old. My grandpa would take me to the track field and I would run around and around. I have always loved to run, but now I prefer the streets or trails. I find the track pretty boring unless there is cheerleaders practicing.
I can't imagine running for over 4 hours. What do you do to keep yourself from feeling tired? Do you pick up snacks during the race? Was you scared on your first marathon? Do you think we will try another one?
Best,
Miriam
Dear Miriam,
ReplyDeleteI was so touched by your post. I think it is wonderful that you are running for Matthew.
Getting in shape for a long run is a lot of hard work. It sounds like you have a great training schedule set up for yourself. When did you start training? Were you a running before this? I am not much of a runner, but I do love playing volleyball every week and going for walks.
I would love to hear how the race goes!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Watson (K/1/2/3 teacher)
Sointula, BC, Canada
@Mrs. Watson,
DeleteThank you for your supportive comment. I love to watch volleyball, but unfortunately, I am too short to play well. I started training at the beginning of October, but I have ran a lot before then too.
I will make a post about race day. I hope you will visit again.
Sincerely,
Miriam
Dear Miriam,
DeleteThanks so much for writing back! I'm not very tall either and so I was always the setter on the volleyball team. The setter is the one who sets up the play for the third hit or spike.
Does your school have a volleyball team? We normally have throw ball (a lead up game to volleyball) for students in grades 4 and 5 and then volleyball for students in grade 6 and 7.
I will be sure to visit your blog again :)
Sincerely,
Mrs. W
Dear Miriam,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations for training for a 5km event for such a great cause! I have trained for many fun runs ranging from 5kms-14kms. I am very impressed that someone your age can run 5km!
I'm sure you will find that you will be very prepared for the day because of your excellent training. This is always a good idea so you don't get injured and can do your best.
How is money raised for the event? Do people sponsor you for running or does your entry fee go towards the The Talbert Family Foundation?
I hope you will do a follow up post so we can see how you go in the run.
Good luck!
Mrs M☀rris
@Mrs M☀rris,
DeleteThank you for your thoughtful comment. I am very impressed that you have run a 14km! Was the 14km much harder than a 5km? Maybe next, I will train even harder and run the 10km. It is twice around the same course.
The money is raised both through sponsorship and entry fees. I will definitely do a follow-up post.
Sincerely,
Miriam
Dear ★Miriam★,
DeleteThank you for your excellent reply. You must be very busy typing up all these replies.
I have to say the 14km was much harder than the 5km. Luckily I had done training runs up to 18km before the event so it was manageable. It was a hilly course, like the one you're doing. The 14km fun run was a famous race in Australia called The City to Surf. It goes from central Sydney to the beautiful Bondi Beach.
I hope you enjoy your 5km and decide to do more fun runs!
Can't wait for that follow up post.
Your friend in Australia,
Mrs M☀rris
Dear Mrs. Morris,
DeleteThank you so much for your quick reply. It is so nice to get all these comments and support for my run. It makes me want to try even harder to do well on the race.
I would really like to visit Australia one day. It sounds beautiful.
Best,
Miriam
Dear Miriam,
ReplyDeleteI really feel this is a wonderful thing that you are doing. Your post really moved me because of what you what to do for your class friend and his family.
I really hope you raise heaps of money for this family. Somehow from reading your post it appears you sure are ready.
I did train once many years ago for a fun run and I have to say that I did enjoy the fun run when it arrived.
Have a super day.
From your pal down under,
AA
@AA,
DeleteI appreciate that you always comment on all my posts. The school wants to give him a nice graduation gift and there are 129 students from the school running in support of him. I really hope he gets well soon.
Sincerely,
Miriam
Dear Miriam,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post to read for I really love the that you are helping someone in need.
It is always nice to help someone.
Hope you have a fun day and you get a lot of donations.
From BB.
@BB,
DeleteThank you for always following me on my posts. I also agree that it is nice to help some one in need. I hope you read my post about the race.
Sincerely,
Miriam
Dear Miriam,
ReplyDeleteI've been where you are - training for a cause, that is - but I didn't start exercising until I was 23! You are way ahead of the game!
My favorite part of running was that you could go where others couldn't. Your run was easier than the biking because it was a great trail for a run. And I always thought I was doing it for all those people who couldn't, either because they were sick, elderly, or out of shape. I liked to run where there were beautiful views like you described. That was where I found my peaceful time of beauty.
So enjoy the training - it might end up being tougher but more fun than the actual run! Good for you - take pride in what you're doing!
Take care,
Mrs. Kirr (from IL)
@Mrs. Kirr,
DeleteThank you for your comment. You are my first commenter from Illinois!
I also like to enjoy the beauty of nature and looking from the top of the mountains to see the roof tops from tall buildings. My least favorite place to run is on a track. It makes me feel like horse running around in circles. We sometimes go so my mom can keep an eye on me since she can't keep up with me on a trail.
Sincerely,
Miriam
Dear Miriam,
ReplyDeleteI am very impressed by your efforts to help a good cause, especially as you know someone who needs help. I am glad to read you are training for the run. Being prepared is important.
The trail you were on is the sort of trail I would walk if I were nearby although I don't think I'd see kangaroos as I do on walks around here. I don't think I would try running the 5km. I enjoy walking distances but only at a steady walking pace.
I hope you have fun and see Mrs. Yollis there. :)
@RossMannell
Teacher (retired), N.S.W., Australia
@Mr. Mannell,
DeleteThank you for your lovely comment. I can't even imagine seeing a real kangaroo. It is not exciting seeing them in the zoo. I would really like to visit Australia and New Zealand, and It is too bad that it is such a long trip from the USA. I also enjoy walking when the trails get too steep to run. When walking, I have the time to look around and try to find small bugs and interesting birds.
Sincerely,
Miriam
Dear Miriam,
ReplyDeleteWe all like what you do and support you in every way, it's great that you will help a friend. I hope more students from your school will participate and it's very important that people are not indifferent to others.
You are a good runner and your Grandpa Eugene always say that he can't keep up with you as before it was not difficult.
I also like this trail and recently me and your mom were walking with the dogs, beautiful views and you can see the whole valley.
Love you,
Grandma Tanya
@Grandma Tanya,
DeleteThank you for your comment. 129 kids from the school will be participating in the run. I like to run with Grandpa Eugene and it is too bad you will be on vacation during the race.
Sincerely,
Miriam
Dear Miriam,
ReplyDeleteI admire how determined you are to run in the race! I don't think it is a competition, but it is good to raise money for Matthew.
I have trained for my audition for soccer club. I practiced every day with my dad in my backyard so I could make it. The moves were challenging, but when I showed up with confidence, I nailed all of my moves and got in! I was jumping with joy because I accomplished my goals.
Good luck!
Sincerely,
Mia
@Mia,
DeleteThank you for your lovely comment. It was so nice to get a comment from you. I miss seeing you at school. I am glad you made it to the soccer club. It is fun to train for any competition. I hope you have fun.
Sincerely,
Miriam
Dear miriam,
ReplyDeleteI admired how good and how much effort and enthusiasm on all your hobbies.
I love to play tennis but I don't like so much competitions and too I dance I had a school musical of Mamamia the movie and I danced it was one of my best experiences of my live.
well I hope you visit my blog again I have put some new things.
luck with your blog I love it.
sincerely,
Tatiana
Dear Tatiana,
DeleteThank you for your lovely comment. I also love to play tennis although I don't compete. I used to do ballet and I loved it but I had to many activities so I stopped. I now play piano, run and swim. I hope you visit again!
Sincerely,
Miriam
I have always wanted to do something like that but really hear where I live all the places like that are to dangerous.
ReplyDeleteIt will sound a bit strange but the thing I like the most of execise is that you get thinner and you burn calories... I think it sounds a bit strange but.. that is me!
I am a bit obsed in getting 6pack. I hate when I feel that I am getting a bit fat.
I am the same as your brother and sister every time I go on my bycicle I end up pushing it all the way couse I am to tired to do more.
Sincerely,
naomi
(really I never put sincerely naomi but I saw that eveybody wrote that so I decided to do it)
Good job
ReplyDeleteThe farthest I've ever ran is 2k
keep up the great work
sincerely,
Jalen
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteGreat job ! I have trained for cross country and soccer. I think the farthest I have ran is 2k I think.I hope the run raises a lot of money :)
ReplyDeletekeep on running :)
From, Emma
Keep up the great work:)
ReplyDelete