Marta's Page

Hometown:

Placentia, CA

About Me:

I grew up in the outskirts of inner city L.A., met my husband at age 15, and raised 4 children (Anthony, Vanessa, Robert, and Andrew), have 2 grandchildren (Michael 3 and Kayla 1). I love running, yoga, gardening, reading, writing, almost every sport or game, camping, traveling, hiking, cooking, spending time with my family and friends, sewing, comedies, laughing my head off at my funny grandkids and scrap booking. I have a BA in Comparative Literature from CSUF and am currently editing other writer's work. The English language is crazy complicated. I am always frustrated with mankind's inconsideration and rudeness toward each other but have remedied a lot of that frustration by meeting the nicest people through running! That's about as interesting as I get.

Favorite Races:

LA Marathon, San Jose Rock n' Roll Half, Catalina Buffalo Run, Peter's Canyon Trail Series

Personal Records (PR's):

San Jose Rock n' Roll Half: 2:10, L.A. Marathon 5:12.

Favorite Place to Train:

Anywhere. I like to change it up because there are so many beautiful places to see. I run a five mile loop in my neighborhood at least once a week. It has 4 nice climbs and a scenic downhill. The Anaheim Hills River Trail is great for long runs. I like running into people I've met through running on this trail. My friend Dione and I run the Fairmont connector 5 mile loop in Yorba Linda. We've been trying to make the steep loop for a couple of years and haven't yet succeeded without a little walking. Our goal is to run the entire thing on a weekly basis. I love running along the beach trail and lately look forward to the trip I make to Long Beach to run with Beach Runners on Saturday mornings.

Completed Races:

San Diego Rock n' Roll Marathon, L.A. Marathon, Calico Ghost Town 20 mile run, Catalina Island Buffalo Half Marathon, Sequoia Trail Run, Agoura Hills Half Marathon, San Jose Half Marathon, Peter's Canyon Trail Series-twice, Disneyland Half Marathon, Orange County Half Marathon, H.B. Distance Derby-twice, Placentia 5K - twice, La Habra 5K, Mary Castle's Firecracker 10K, Coaster Run 5K and 10K.....

Running Goals:

I would like to finish a half marathon in under 2 hours and a full in under 5

Post run indulgance:

The amazing cheeseburger! I've recently learned to leave the french fry alone. I've also recently learned not to undo my hard work by pigging out after a race. A lovely bean and cheese burrito hits the spot! I'm trying also to remember that a casual swim is an ideal reward and healing as well. Getting together with fellow runners to brag about our success in also a satisfying indulgence. I've recently learned that Chi agrees that my best is the best! Whoo-hoo...now I can continue to be happy about my good time, even if it's the worst in the group!

Other sports I like to do:

turbo kickboxing, cross fits, tennis, swimming, hiking, volleyball, bowling, darts, yoga, shooting, kiting, people watching, wrestling with my grandkids, Jiu-Jitsu (only when watching my kids), eating (although I'm trying to move that into a different category to enhance my running experience). I'll remove it when I am a little more successful.

What I'm reading:

Recently finished A Beautiful Boy, Tweak, and the Chi Running Book. I am now reading The Power of Now and The Girl with the Pearl Earring. I like to read 2 or 3 books at a time; something inspirational, something fun, and something educational.

Music picks:

Oh my! everything Gwen Stefani, Mariah Carey's "Bye-Bye", almost all Fergie. I love Martina McBride when I'm not running. Oldies remind me of my husband drunk singing in his twenties, so I smile when those are playing. I love Rod Stewart cause he was a hot shot and is aging with grace. I like some hip hop because it gets me going. "Cyclone" reminds me of dancing with my daughter in Vegas. Only because I never heard it before then and it has a crazy-get-moving beat. Carrie Underwood is kicking butt and I saw her win American Idol. I'm looking forward to watching the success of a lot of AI winners. I like poetry and prose in songs like "Concrete Angel". That one reminds me of me and how my husband saved my life. I am an equal music opportunist. Anything good catches my attention!