The Por Vida training participants ran around the Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert, Calif. on Saturday, October 18, 2014. There is only one more training session before the Run With Los Muertos 5K on November 1, 2014. Photo: Courtesy of Run With Los Muertos

Entry 5 — October 22, 2014

JOHNNY FLORES / Coachella Uninc.

Saturday was the second to last session of the Por Vida 5K training program. The training was broken down into nine minute running intervals, with a minute in between the intervals to rest. The training was held at the Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert, Calif.

Last week, I was unable to attend due to the SAT, and so I embarked on a reflective run around my neighborhood. But this week was my week back, and I was glad to see my fellow trainees.

This training session was unlike any other. For the first time in all of the Por Vida training sessions, I found myself stopping and out of breath.

The fatigue from being out late hanging with friends finally kicked in. Although, I did find myself stopping in between the intervals, short of breath, I did not give up. I haven’t given up the past few sessions, and I certainly wasn’t going to give up now.

Next week is the final session. It is going to be held at Veteran’s Park in Coachella, Calif. Trainees will run around the actual Dia de Los Muertos course.

While I will not be able to attend due to the ACT, I feel confident in my capabilities as a runner to be able to run the course. November 1 cannot come any faster. I am ready to take on this 5K.

For more information on the last training session, call Run with Los Muertos at 760-777-1622 or Live Well Clinic at 760-771-597