What triggered Dark Ages?

I always knew my country was located in one of the most active geologhical areas on earth. In fact, we are full of volcanos, volcanic lakes and hotsprings. However, I find this video fascinating and scary at the same time!

First Half 2014

I know how that sounds, it is certainly unbelievable how fast time flies by, but what I can be certain about is that 2014 has been quite possitive and remarkable. When it comes to sport, I have had great experiences through racing; in fact, I have gotten unexpected outcomes regardless my lack of training and my new "non-pressure-have-fun-phylosophy". I realised that the least pressured you feel, the more fun you have and the better the result tends to be; I did not think about that 5 years ago, when I found myself injured, sick and worn out of the sport´s pressure. Indeed, I can proudly say I feel happy with what I have accomplished and sometimes I even think I can still be competitive at a high level, and  if I wanted, I could still be fully dedicated to sport, but to be honest, I feel detached from that person who used to think about triathlon 24/7. Now I have new goals, new life perspectives and dreams in regards to my professional development as well.

Reflecting about my past life as a full-time athlete, I realise how much I grew up as a person; needless to say, triathlon always opened new opportunities to me, I got the chance to make endless friendship bonds and race in different venues within and outside my country, which was so much fun and I will always feel grateful for that, I will never forget my teens as an athlete who proudly represented El Salvador. It took a while to replace this endless passion for the competitive sport in 2010, it does not mean I do not hold the same passion anymore, but I think that overwhelming yourself with such pressure is not sane. Taking a step away from my sporting life 4 years ago was the best decision, which also led to open myself different opportunities outside my boundaries!  I will always be proud of what I have accomplised within triathlon, of course, and that will never change. However, I will always hold the statement that being an exchange student in America shaped me in regards to my professional and personal development, and thanks to this experience, I now have a clearer indicator of where I want to direct myself to. 

People ask me whether I miss triathlon at a high level, my answer (hand in heart) NO! 6 years ago I used to measure success with trophies, podiums, medals and race results but now it is different, I deem it on how good I do my work and how much I have learnt from it. I will always strive for new opportunities and give my best in everything I do; I seriously feel grateful for the professional development I have come to build since my return from my exchange program in the United States. Being part of the USAID Transparency and Anticorruption Program was such a remarkable experience; it has shaped me as a professional as well as a person in the most possitive way. I discovered skills that I did not know I had and everyday was such a new learning experience; I could see the need of strenghtening El Salvador´s institutions in order to improving domestic issues. There is always going to be abuse of power of course (I guess that´s human nature) , but if there is an enforcement of civil society participation, then a democratic State will remain stable, with the respect of its citizens and the respect of the Rule of Law. Big thanks to the program´s chief of party, who believed in me and gave me this opportunity, I could not be happier and more grateful of being part of this project, such an honour indeed!!! 

First half of 2014 was full of learning and good experiences, I have enjoyed my job and being a normal athlete; I am looking forward to keeping following this professional path and I am eager to learn more about it. I am also excited about my further training and racing meets, but as I said they will be taken as "zero-pressure-level experiences".

I just wanted to highlight how annoying and unprofessional this interviewer is!!!

My first "Trail Race" of the year

Today I raced in one of the most beautiful archeological places of El Salvador, Joya de Cerén. Regardless my lack of running training, I signed in for the 5k course. I knew the trail  was going to be messy, wet and muddy , specially after a super-duper-hiper-incredibly RAINY night.

The race was scheduled for 8 am yet it was delayed a couple of minutes later! Once we were off, I rapidly placed myself in second, but very close to the 1st girl. I was surprised because I was feeling good and I even could see the first boys 200 meters ahead of me (during the first 2k of course). Once we entered the muddy road, i started to see puddles everywhere, small ones, though! I thought i was going to be okey  since I could just jump in order to avoid them; however, the further we went, the bigger the puddles were, so I was forced run on them since there was no clean space.... Once I got to the return, I did not care about puddles and the mud anymore, I could see the girl holding the 3rd slot was coming far from me so I just ran as steady and confortable as I could ; pherhaps  the hardest part of the race was the final 500 mts. since we had to run over the steep archaeological pyramids, and then head to the finish line!

I am really happy with my outcome today and i also enjoyed the atmosphere that is created when races take place! It is great to see more people involved in sports because It contributes to the promotion of a healthy and peaceful culture, specially after seeing the horrible news during this past weekend.  

Such a fun day indeed!! 

x

Thanks #RunElSalvador & #PhotoRunnerSV for the pictures :)

Tri May

Yesterday I raced my third triathlon of the year. I believe It was the toughest tri I have ever done in years; I kind of knew It was going to be hard, specially the bike part, since It was a pretty much all-hilly-venue, 36.5kms, however, this time the bike was all about suffering!!

I had an excellent swim, pherhaps one the best swims I have done in my entire life, I did not know how but I ended up with the first group jajajaja.. However, once I got out of the lake, my legs felt empty, I ended up riding the entire course solo, I had no power to get anyone´s wheel so the only thing I knew was I wanted to get to T2. Once I started to run I felt grateful and I finished in 3rd slot, which was a great result regardless zero bike-run training throughout the last 3 weeks. 

I am so happy I am still involved in the sport even though I have no time availability for training anymore, only 3 days of the week when I am not a busy bee... Congratulations to all my fellow Salvadoran friends who dared to complete yesterday´s challenge !!! :D

xo

I wish I could have enjoyed the stunning view

Getting to finish line feels amazing

¡Pedaleando por ahí! =)

Culminando nuestro entreno de ciclismo, en un Domingo super caluroso (como siempre) jajajaja,  90 kms Santa Ana-Los Chorros-Santa Ana

Acá sufriendo juntas con mi teammate :) jajajaja #GirlsPower ;)

2014

Hi! It has been quite a few months since i have not blogged formally (apart from some snapshots&videos)...The truth is, I havent yet organised my time in order to write a descent post. However, I can truly say that I am super happy as well as grateful for the new 2014 adjustments :)
Indeed, 2014 brought new surprises and will surely bring new challenges!!!
I got a new bike and a new internship at USAID Transparency and Anticorruption Program, which are the best things that have happened so far. =)
When it comes to the internship, I must express my motivation, happiness and greatfulness, I have learnt so much in such a short period of time and I am soooo looking forward to learning more and more, I will write about my experience in another post, though

I will post later but here i leave some 2014 pictures :))

Minister of Public Works at the Opening Ceremony of the Access to Public Information Institute

Cycling tour 100kms

Beach Run 2014

Swimming training with my good friend

Paso del Hombre 2014

Cycling buddies

My olympian buddy

After 2 h 35 mins swimming in the ocean!!! yes,,, we got sunburnt jajaja

happy to get done with our Leadership Course for Salvadoran Youth #YouthEmpowerment

Semana Santa Swimming