Francisco's AIDS Marathon Update--June 12, 2006

[Guest guest]

Hello Sponsors and Friends:

It's been a while since my last marathon update. Last Saturday, June

10th, I hit another milestone in my marathon training. My pace group

and I ran 23 miles in just 4 hours, 56 minutes. It was a perfect day

for running in San Francisco—overcast, but not too cold.

We ran in and around Golden Gate Park and the surrounding

neighborhoods. As usual, my pace group and I had fun, talking and

laughing our way as the miles went on and on. At one point or

another, we each " hit the wall. " For me, it came at about mile 18,

my legs felt like cement blocks. It was great to be running with my

pace group because I was encouraged to keep on going. Every two

miles, there were water volunteers who cheered us on and provided

water, Cytomax, pretzels, trail mix and Gatorade. And every 45

minutes, I refueled using GU, an energy gel for long distance

runners. My GU was yummy—Belgian Chocolate! By mile 21, I'd gotten

a second wind, my stride opened up, and when we made it to the end, I

was feeling great.

After the run, we walked a quarter mile to cool down, then returned

to camp for the post-run feast. We then headed out to Ocean Beach to

soak our legs in the Pacific Ocean. After 23 miles, those icy waves

felt great. Later on Saturday, I treated myself to a massage, and on

Sunday, I was a bit sore, but today, my legs are fine. The next

three distance runs are going to be easy. Next Saturday is an 8-mile

recovery run, followed by two Saturdays of 10-mile runs.

The next LONG run will be our Celebration Run—26 miles on Sunday,

July 9th! Now that I've run 23 miles, I know I can do 26. I'll be

well prepared for the San Francisco Marathon which will take place on

July 30, 2006!

I wish to say a special " thank you " to my sponsors. This achievement

would not be possible without your support!

Lam, Mona Wentling, Valley Relocation & Storage, Atlantis

Black, Tamra Doughty, lba Peña, Gemma Nimedez Arbas, Steve Blow,

Hilda Losada, Weiss, Vizoso, Al Carbonetti, Ron Hagar,

Ron Roberson, Peggy Moser, Kaiser, G Agar, Peggy

Zavala, Kathy Pelayo, Gordon Sexton, Camozzi, Lyle Burkard,

Shadow Morton, Joe Iser, Esther , Wagner, Janet Yabut-

Balolong, Roman, DeSimone, Benita , Dueñas,

Barbara Hillis, Warren Boyd, Ma, Serrano, Leo

Fernandez, Norah Ojeda, Ernesto Andalis, & Joyce Caravayo,

Steve Drew, Craig Olson, Bill Alan Tyler, Bradley ,

Blaine, Pezzi, Saint , Francis, Andrei

Boulware, Jerrie Landry, and Sylvia Craig.

My personal fundraising total is $2,850.00. This season's San

Francisco AIDS Marathon total to date is: $872,909.00

If you still would like to sponsor me, it's not too late. Contact me

for details.

Francisco Caravayo

2005 Half Marathon Finisher

Loser of 153 lbs

Winner of a new life