Back to the Dark Side

This week is another cut back week for the LA Roadrunners, which means a bit less and easier training for the Los Angeles Marathon.

I decided to run this morning in lieu of Tuesday again due to work; so, back out into the darkness! Ah, the sweet comfort of staggering along hoping not to fall over dodgy sidewalks.

I felt a bit better than Sunday; but, still some residual soreness. I did make up for a slow start and some knee pain as the run went on and even got some hillwork in to boot.

Today yielded 2.58 miles in 30:55 for a 11:57 pace.

It still feels odd to be running this aerobic (a.k.a. slow) pace as well as the long-distance way of running (not on the balls of the feet). It is so very different from track where I could feel the power and basically accelerate and know it. This feels more laborious; but, it is supposed to help with endurance, which is obviously key. I am hoping two days off consecutively will give my legs a bit of a break and refresh them as this is basically the 1/2 way point of this journey. Hopefully, the best is yet to come.

The Day After

Today was the second consecutive day of running in daylight (third if you ignore Friday's off day). I am beginning to feel less like a vampire! Since it was an off day for my CCD class, I got to sleep in a little as well as make my run early but in the sunshine. The LA Roadrunners guide has it down for 30 minutes.

I also experimented a bit. I decided to walk down to Clover Park by Santa Monica Airport where I sued to run. Since the park is open at 6 a.m., I could legally go for a trot. I like the park as it has nice grass fields to run in as well as some airplanes to watch along the way. I also hoped it would loosen my legs a bit.

I started to trot and it still felt sluggish after the walk. I could still feel the "workout soreness" from Saturday; but, I kept plugging along. Even a brief sprint did not help which was disappointing.

For a little while, my pace was 10 seconds off the goal which was not good; but, I began to feel a bit better 15 minutes in and it slowly got down into a good range. I was still enjoying being out in the sun and the nice weather, even with the soreness. I finished up at 30:05 (went very much by the clock instead of usual returning home) for 2.52 miles at 11:57 pace. It was not ideal; but, it worked.

Week 12: Cruisin' after Thanksgiving

Well, the LA Roadrunners do not stop for holidays; so, I left home home dark and early and despite light showers on the car I just washed, I got home in time for a quick nap before getting up to eat and change for ... the weekly long run. I also did not get much sleep Friday nigth due to leaving early, being home home, and also monitoring Servite's victory in the football playoffs. Once a Friar ... ALWAYS a Friar. The things I do for training for aiming the Los Angeles Marathon.

Despite the earlier light rain, the weather was great. The waves were pounding, slight breeze, and some nice sunshine. I was eager to go despite little sleep and a recurring bout of soreness in my knee. I did have a good feeling as I heard some of my favorite U2 songs on the radio before I left home. I also played my now official theme song for all of this journey.

Soon enough Lucky 7/Magnificent 7 was off, fewer in number than normal; but, still sizable. The group headed north as usual and crossed the Santa Monica Pier; but, we turned back at California Avenue due to the Santa Monica Gobble Wobble run! I actually wanted to do that one; but, it was only 5k/10k and too short for training. This also meant no San Vicente Urban Obstacle Course. It was a bit disappointing as I wanted to see how my body reacted to it after doing the Yorba Linda hillwork Thursday. Still, some things never change and my running partner and I talked McCourts gossip again.

The group was soon enough back at the starting point and then headed deep into Venice, well past the Venice Pier. Having British blood and lots of it, I was glad to see Union Jack Street.

Next came my first excursion as a runner to Marina Del Rey. It was very interesting and pretty. Lots of nice condos and hotels. Nice inlets with water. Amazing yachts and boats. I think I could handle living there.

It did pose some interesting challenges with narrow passages necessitating single file running and even stoppages due to oncoming runners/walkers. Also, there was some car dodging.

The group wound through sidestreets and along the yacht anchorages until reaching the Marina Del Rey Marriott and then the library and the turnaround point. Soon, it was back along the same passageways and back to the basecamp at Venice.

I was really happy as I now hold the family record for distance as well as having completed an unofficial half marathon. The group ran 14.2 miles at a 11:58 clip in 2:49. Not bad for a post-Thanksgiving Day cruise.

For me personally it was good as my knee while bothersome did not become beyond use and although I could feel the lactic acid, I was able to keep going and keep with the group, talk, etc. I did use the GU Chomps again during the run to keep my energy level intact.

After stretching Alan the senior pace leader was great and brought out muffins and orange juice for a belated celebration of his birthday as well as Thanksgiving. Then I went to the school for the traditional Gatorade and bananas and even extra bananas as there were lots left over due to people off on holiday.

All in all, it was a good day. I ran and kept up despite some physical obstacles. I like my group. I hope when the pace quickens I will still be alright with it; but, right now, I am and I am doing my midweek running.

Home Run!

Well, Thursday, it was off very dark and early to my parents' house in Orange County. it is quite amazing how little traffic there is on the 10, 60, and 57 at 4;30 a.m.! !Me gusta mucho!

Still, Thanksgiving Day or not, the LA Roadrunners manual for marathon training had a run scheduled. So, once I was back in Yorba Linda, I set off in the weird feeling of a daylight solo run!

It was just incredible, with light Santa Ana winds, sunny, warm, ... very, very nice. Also, lots of real hills to go up and down for extra credit (I wish). I went by my kindergarten school even. Also, the inspirational smell of horse manure ... well, may be that was a drawback.

It was great though being in the homeland and getting to train on some different terrain. There were also some friendly joggers and walkers about, which was a nice change.

I ran 11:46 pace for 41:29 or 3.53 miles according to the Garmin 305 electronic conscience. While I was able to speed up due to running in the light and not having to be careful about tripping in the dark like at home, I was still happy as this run had a lot more hills than normal.

Not a bad way to get Thanksgiving Day going ... home run indeed.

Watch the Turkey Run

One of the questions I have been asked when people find out I am actually training for the Los Angeles Marathon is ... "Are you crazy?" Well, the answer is likely yes; but, not because of the running! So, yet again some turkey was running around early this morning in my neighborhood..

I set out again this morning for the scheduled Roadrunners run of 50 minutes. It started out a bit slowly as my knee was sore and seems to need to be warmed up before it gets feeling better; but, soon I felt a lot better and for the first time this week felt good out there running.

I was doing well pacewise according to the Garmin 305 electronic conscience and also it was nice weather with clear, star-filled skies (for those wondering, Thanksgiving Day weekend traffic at 4 a.m. is non-existent!).

I ran into Los Angeles and then back to Santa Monica, down to Santa Monica Airport, back for some more hillwork, and then over to Virginia Avenue Park and then home. Overall, it felt good and I did well ... 11:58 pace, 4.24 miles and 50:41 run. So, encouraging!

I hope to run in the morning as well as scheduled, just a different spot. Then enjoy a Thanksgiving Day and off Friday.

Hopefully Thanksgiving Day is a day of rest and enjoyment and blessings for all ... and a good day for the Roadrunners!

A Wobble and It's Not Even Thanksgiving

I have run the last two days for the Roadrunners program, opting to take Tuesday as a day off from running. It has been a bit challenging.

Sunday I got up dark and early as usual and just felt listless. I still set out and six minutes in the electronic conscience that is the Garmin 305, started giving a low battery warning and soon upped and quit. So, I was back to the Stone Age of using a wristwatch. My knee was also acting up a bit and there was still some soreness from the almost 13 miler. I still managed to do the assigned 30 minutes; but, it felt more like a survival run than a thrive run.

Monday was a bit better, though my knee was acting up again. I ran up and down the Pico Neighborhood for 3.26 miles in 40:04, a tad slow at 12:18 pace. Still, I was going and with some better luck at traffic lights, I think I could have had a better time.

So, it has been a tad challenging and frustrating the last two days to not be doing and feeling better; but, a marathon is indeed a marathon and not a sprint. I still hope and plan to finish the Los Angeles Marathon on March 21, just may be hoping for a few less days like these.

Week 11: The Almost Run

Saturday was another long group run for the LA Roadrunners training program for the Los Angeles Marathon. The weather, while not as perfect as the week before, was still quite nice with a slight breeze, good temperature, and a good dose of sunshine.

I had gotten a surprisingly good night's sleep and felt ready to go. As I prepared for the day, twirling the ideal, I came upon "California Love" by Dr. Dre and Tupac and with its West Coast, West Side, etc. lyrics, it seemed a good sign.

The groups headed out to the Strand early and without even roll call, Group 7 (Lucky 7/Magnificent 7) was on its way.

I felt a little twinge in my knee but nothing serious and the trot towards the Santa Monica Pier felt comfortable and soon it was the climb up the incline.

It was the usual fun conversation with my running partner as the feet kept moving. Then, police car after police car went speeding by along Ocean Avenue (now known as the finish line!). The group advanced and came to the California Incline where the Santa Monica police actually blocked off traffic. This made the crossing to Adelaide much more interesting as cars were apparently being diverted. The waterstop at the Totem Pole sure helped though.

Again, the group passed the wealthy homes of the area with gorgeous views before turning to San Vicente for the San Vicente Urban Obstacle Course! Luck held again as no one in the group, including myself, fell victim to the signs, grates, holes, roots, and other obstacles. Despite the gradient up San Vicente, I felt good. It is also good to know this is a significant part of the actual 2010 marathon route!

Soon, it was time to turn back at 26th and head back from whence the group came. Again, no problems and I relied on some GU Chomps to see me through. Back down passed the still blocked California Incline and the Pier and onto the Strand, I felt good. The group followed the norm and into some Venice sidestreets and back to the starting point. I do think a pace leader cut the route short a bit though as my electronic conscience Garmin 305 said it was 12.96 miles, so agonizingly close to my goal of doing 13.1 miles and completing an unofficial half-marathon. The pace was good at 11:47 and time of 2:34.29. In fact, the high pace was 9:00! Yeah! Also, the group was definitely speeding up later in the run, rather than slowing. A bit amusing was us going through the finish line for the LA Leggers! They were giving their runners MEDALS! I am not sure if they also did 13.1 or what; but, it was interesting.

The senior pace leader said the group is doing very well and running together. He also warned that some are in way too high of groups and will have problems when the pace is increased. I think I am alright as I pass the self-test questions. I hope I am anyways! He also said to feel free to eat at will over Thanksgiving Day! Ah, guilt-free eating and all it took was running and running and running and running.

For me it was an almost run ... almost 13.1, almost 100% no pain ... I just need March 21 to be not almost.

Afterwards, I did have some "workout soreness" in my calves and quadriceps; but, that is a positive in that it means muscles are building.

A Bit Sluggish

Today was another mid-week training run under the Roadrunners schedule for the Los Angeles Marathon.

It has been really nice in the pre-dawn this week and again this morning it was a star-filled clear sky as I set out for a 45-minute run (added five for missing five yesterday).

Today I did have a little knee pain, especially at the start; but, I came through the run. It did feel a bit sluggish overall. I managed to go to Los Angeles and Santa Monica, under a freeway (the 10), by an airport (Santa Monica), and more.

I managed 3.72 miles in 45:12, a bit slower than the target pace. Today there was a lot of stops at lights and then I forgot to restart the Garmin at one! So, I really ran about 48 minutes. The good points were practicing hillwork and just being out there going about business. It was not the ideal run; but, they can not all be, right?

I Would Run 800 Miles ...

Today was another mid-week run. I misread the schedule though, seeing last week's, and did 45 minutes instead of the new high mark of 50. Still, it was a good run under another star-filled, clear sky. I got in my hillwork and my time and right on pace: 45:10 of running for a pace of 11:58 over 3.78 miles. Because it was a long run and a short night, I used two of the GU Chomps for a little energy boost. I also saw a few early morning arrivals headed into LAX; I checked later and apparently they were part of a wave from Hawaii! I now will also do an extra five minutes tomorrow (45 vs scheduled 40).

I also got an interesting email from the very informative senior pace leader for Group 7 (Lucky 7/Magnificent 7). He said in training we will run over 800 miles! He does seem pleased with the group, which is good.

All of this has me thinking of the Proclaimers song, "I Would Walk 10,000 Miles," just for the Roadrunners and the Los Angeles Marathon, may be it can be changed to "I Will Run 800 Miles So I Can Run 26.2 More."

Spanish Word for Today

While I started training for the Los Angeles Marathon this year, I have been working to learn Spanish for a few years now and poco a poco I am making some progress (or pocito a pocito). One step has been to try to learn one new vocabulary word a day. It can be serious, useful, funny, never-to-be-used, slang, anything.

Today I saw an ad on the back of a bus for a Spanish-language music station in Los Angeles and saw a new word, one that seemed quite fitting ... MARATON!

So: YO QUIERO A CORRER UN MARATON.

Maraton is my word for today!

Nice Start to the Week

With the Roadrunners training guide for the Los Angeles Marathon, it basically tells you when and what to run (when/time/level/distance, etc.). So, they also include offdays ... Monday or Tuesday plus always Friday.



I tend to run on Monday due to scheduling. I set out this morning early (like 04:15). I set out on my more or less chosen 30-minute route around Santa Monica and did feel a bit of "workout" lag at the start; but, this went away as I got more into the run.



It was an amazing scene though with so many stars in a clear sky. It was great. I even encountered a speedwalker out early and we both commented on how perfect conditions were.



I did feel a bit of soreness, more lactic acid than anything, in my calves later; but, it soon went away.



All in all, it was not a bad start to the week.

On Sunday Morning ...

It is Sunday and so another training run. I did not have Gwen Stefani or No Doubt singing "Sunday Morning" in my head though.

The Roadrunners manual called for 30 minutes and so off I went.

It started a bit slow as my legs seemed to have built up some lactic acid overnight; but, once I got moving, it was fine. Plus, the morning was so beautiful. There were dozens of stars in the perfectly clear sky. I was happy and it was a good start for a busy day.

My pace was even better ... 11:52 for 2.71 miles on 32:12. I was pleased that the longest run of my life really seemed to have no major aftereffects! This Los Angeles Marathon is looking possible!

Week 10: The Dirty Dozen!

This week's long run boldly went where I had not gone before ...

It turned out to be an absolutely spectacular morning, crisp, clear and bright. It was magnificent even before setting out on the run. It was time for the weekly Roadrunners trot.

Before heading out on the run, I made my first use of BODYGLIDE ® anti-chafe balm. I have been starting to have problems on the longer runs, especially since I have classic sprinter thighs (i.e. built-up). The idea of having chafing for the Los Angeles Marathon was not a positive one. It was simple to use and turned out to work very well. I am happy to have that issue solved , definitely.

Also, before setting out on the run, I did another experiment and had a Clif Shot chocolate flavor gel. I liked the taste. I do wonder with the gels if they will be messy on a long run or during the marathon. I am also learning that with any of these nutrient combinations during running that it is NOT the Popeye Effect, i.e. an instant burst of energy akin to Popeye's strength increasing after eating a can of spinach. It seems much more just refuelling like with a car. I had no problems with the gel and any aftereffects, which was a good sign.

During this run I was back to the GU strawberry chomps, the ones I think of as Gummibears. I feel comfortable with them now and since this was my longest run ever did not want to experiment too much. They seemed to work well. They are bulkier than the gels; but, they are also cleaner.

The run itself was incredible. I felt much more relaxed and better than the previous cutback week. My running partner and I had a fun conversation as we rolled up to the Santa Monica Pier and onwards to the north of Santa Monica

I just felt so good. My knee was not an issue. I was enjoying the ocean views, the waves, and even the crazy people. Soon, my Group 7 was at The Totem Pole.

Then it was off to the edge of the abyss, Adelaide Street, with nice canyon views and big homes. Shortly, it was on to San Vicente Boulevard. I opted to run down the median preferring grass to concrete due to prior bouts of shin splints.

It was really fun running down the median, with the extra challenges of avoiding tree limbs, roots, signs, and metal grates/holes. This led to a game with people near me of calling out hazards. SIGN! ROOT! HOLE! SIGN! SIGN! HOLE! and on and on. This continued until the turnaround at 26th Street.

I also managed a soccer move! A pinecone fell suddenly right at my right foot. Instinctively I managed to sweep it off to the side in a single motion. Ah, the wonders of being a fullback.

I felt so comfortable I had not noticed the incline, which turning around I suddenly saw! The good part was turning back was downhill. It meant we were also running the last four miles of the marathon route, which is reassuring.

Heading down San Vicente, we soon saw the ocean, meaning Ocean Avenue and the final turn of the marathon! What a sight with the azure ocean and sky. Running down the street I also picked what I hope will be the landmark to start a final sprint ... California Avenue! .4 miles from the finish line on Santa Monica Boulevard.

The group continued down on to the pier and back south along the boardwalk. Soon, after a small excursion to Venice sidestreets, it was back to Windward and the finish. I felt fantastic. I had run my longest run ever and had energy left for more. The stretching was done and it was off for the now traditional Gatorade and bananas.

A few hours later I did feel a bit sore; but, it was the good "workout" sore vs. the bad pain. I was just happy to know I had come this far. It is not 26.2; but, 12.1 is still pretty good compared to April level.

My group finished 12.11 miles at a 12;04 pace in 2:26:08. That includes when we slowed for water stations, red lights, etc. Towards the end we definitely sped up and I kept up!

The film The Dirty Dozen has a theme of a bunch of misfits being trained to a common goal: killing Germans. Roadrunners takes people and one misfit, namely me, and trains us for a common goal, the marathon. So, for me this Saturday was The Dirty Dozen, 12 miles!

Friday the 13th

Today, as are all Fridays, is an off-day for the LA Roadrunners training for the Los Angeles Marathon, since Saturday is the long-run day.

Although the extra hour of sleep is always welcome, it does feel weird. My legs actually feel "heavy" today and I think it might be due to NOT running this morning.

Shame really as 13 is my lucky number ... and the way this year has gone for me (i.e. a disaster), I would likely have had a great run! Aye, Friday the 13th ...

Thursday Trial Run

This morning was another training run, a 40-minute trip according to the schedule.

I again tried the GU Energy Gel Espresso Love variety before setting out and again no problems digesting it. Overall, it was a fairly smooth run, which was a good sign for Saturday.

I am also learning where the sidewalk is uneven, which is proving important in the pre-dawn!

It is still a strange feeling seeing a mostly empty Pico Boulevard. There is usually activity around Trader Joe's; but, otherwise, I see few people at all besides the odd driver passing.

I took out a street map and began looking at the course. It should be challenging, as if 26.2 miles would ever be easy, but fun as well. Godwilling, come March 21, I will be on that Ocean Avenue straightaway, sensing the end of the Los Angeles Marathon ... and feeling the need!

Gu for You? Gu for me!

This morning was the longest training run for the week, excluding Saturday obviously.

I was up dark and early and headed out, with a new twist. I tried a GU Energy Gel before starting. It was "Espresso Love" flavor. It tasted alright, a bit like honey to me. I am not exactly a frequent visitor to Starbucks and know next to nothing about espresso; but, I thought I would give it a try, especially as the wrapper said it had caffeine. The Roadrunners pace leaders and visiting nutritionist had mentioned the GU as well as caffeine in their talks and advice sessions. They also said it could sometimes upset stomachs; so, I thought I would try it on a relatively short jaunt.

I felt pretty comfortable trotting around the Pico Neighborhood. It is amazing how open it feels without the traffic.

I also did not have any trouble with the GU Energy Gel at all. I am not sure if it had much of an effect energy-wise, though, for a relatively short run. It does seem like it would be a bit sticky trying to keep using them throughout a real long run or the Los Angeles Marathon; but, I will continue experimenting and trying them. I did like my trial of the GU Chomps, which kind of reminded me of a runner's form of Gummibears! I also plan to test the Bloks.

I was also pretty happy that my knee seems to be slowly improving. There are still times of pain; but, it is less often and less severe.

Anyways, I ran 3.78 miles in 46:10, which is not too bad. I added some hillwork as well, which I am being reminded of as I see Temple in downtown Los Angeles as well as thinking about prior trips to Dodger Stadium.

It was also a bit of a reflective run since it is Remembrance Day and Veterans' Day ... Lest We Forget.

The Course of Course

Since the Los Angeles Marathon released information on the course for 2010, I have started paying closer attention to the relevant areas.

For example, this morning I went past Temple in downtown Los Angeles and the Cathedral of Our Lady Queen of the Angels. Thinking of it now much more in running terms I noticed it is will be uphill trek there. (Hence, the need for Roadrunners hill training!)

I also can not get Randy Newman's "I Love L.A." song out of my head, especially "Santa Monica Boulevard ... WE LOVE IT!" Maybe I can get Sheryl Crowe's "All I Wanna Do" with its reference to Santa Monica Boulevard as a mentally-playing alternate?

Oh well, the game continues ...

Weekly Training

One of the things the Roadrunners program strongly urges is training during the week. They are very good about providing detailed information by stage of running, when, and how much to do. (It does get a bit puzzling as it keeps changing!).

I think I can tell on the long runs who is not doing or only partially doing the training. Illness is one thing; but, I think, especially for beginners, you need to be committed and TRULY committed (perhaps to a mental hospital after for even starting ...).

With a new work schedule and some other obligations, it has been a bit of a struggle finding time; but, I have found a general time slot: pre-dawn, as in waking up (more or less) at 04:00. One thing at that time is the sidewalks and roads are much less crowded for some reason.

So, I ran Sunday and Monday ... and am a bit happy as my electronic conscience Garmin 305 says I was fairly consistent with a run of 2.55 miles (with some hillwork) in 30:24 on Sunday and 2.55 miles (with some hillwork) in 30:42 on Monday!

Now, with the course basically set I think it will be a bit more energizing as I can start to picture places. I am glad it will pass the Cathedral of Our Lady Queen of the Angels and may be La Placita as it goes through El Pueblo de Los Angeles. It will go past my old office building in Century City (oh, joy) and more.

This could be fun ...

Target for Today ...

The Los Angeles Marathon released the course today ...

http://www.lamarathon.com/event/course-map/

So, now I can start visualizing this as I do know parts of the course. Interestingly, the web site suggests planning my strategy ... I think I have mine already: FINISH THE RUN!

Week 9: Five Mile Milk Run ... Until the End!

This was the latest cut-back week; so, it was a now modest five miles on the schedule for the Roadrunners Los Angeles Marathon plan. It was a "milk run" run.

It has been a difficult week for many reasons and the energy was just lacking. I think may be the fact that I KNEW I could do five miles and had done it before perhaps lessened the enthusiasm.

At least the session started with the Roadrunner cadence which helped. Motivation. Dedication. Aye.

The morning was semi-overcast to match my energy level. Still, Group 7 (Lucky 7/Magnificent 7) was off and headed north going along the Strand to the water stop (with the weekly promises of menudo and/or coffee and doughnuts from Captain Jesus). Then it was up the Santa Monica Pier and further north to Wilshire. As is the new tradition, I kept my cap backwards from Ocean Avenue to Santa Monica Blvd. and vice versa on the return. My group partner and I had another discussion on the Dodgers and the McCourts debacle.

It seemed like a normal return leg when the group seemed noticeably faster through to the end. It turns out the reason why it seemed noticeably faster was because the group was noticeably faster; the pace leaders changed it to race pace for the last mile! So, it was nice to feel some relative speed. I need my sprinter/semi-sprinter fix!

My Garmin electronic conscience said it was really 5.61 miles (vs. scheduled five) in 1:04:24 for a 11:29 overall pace.

Afterwards, I spoke with the senior pace leader and he said they were pleased as the group responded and no one fell off the faster pace. He also said he felt if the group was going on race pace the entire way on a longer run, they would normally see up to 50% drop out/back rate.

Anyways, it was more Gatorade and bananas and then a presentation nutrition with a list of vitamins I had never heard of and seemed a bit intimidating to me as well as my wallet.

I am glad I ran as I needed it; but, the sense of achievement for setting a new high in distance was gone obviously. This week's run was more just survive than thrive; but, may be that is a good thing every few weeks so the edge is there when needed.

Night Run

Last night, I did something different for the scheduled Los Angeles Marathon training run; I ran at night. Running in the dark was nothing new since I have been doing most pre-dawn. I did it for two reasons: one easy one of wanting an extra hour of sleep in the morning and one not so easy ... there was yet another fatal shooting in my neighborhood Tuesday night at about the same time as I headed out Thursday night.

My neighborhood in Santa Monica has seen a lot of violence in the 10 years I have lived there. Teens and young men being killed, four being very, very close (as in within a block). I have basically become accustomed to vigil candles and stunned teenagers. It is not pleasant obviously. Murders are not.

So, I decided to run because I needed to and also because I wanted to. I wanted to show that the vermin who cause this mayhem and tragedy can not rule the streets.

Off I went past the basically and eerily deserted Virginia Avenue Park. Normally there would be basketball games and such; but, not Thursday night. It was noticeable how many police cars were patrolling the area.

I headed down the side streets, trusting my Garmin electronic conscience to keep me on pace or close to it. I then headed south to Ocean Park Avenue and a niceish commercial area, even with a lot of empty offices. I ran down a sidestreet and towards Santa Monica Airport.

While running past I noticed the business jets, including a Gulfstream G-IV which costs well in excess of $20 million.

It was just a strange run. I felt a bit sluggish, perhaps because it has been a hard week on many fronts. Still, it felt good to be on the Night Run.

Monday ... It Comes After Sunday

This is a cut-back week, meaning it is the week before the final training run for Phase 2 under the Roadrunners schedule for the Los Angeles Marathon.


Because of scheduling needs, I decided to run Monday instead of Tuesday. I tried out a new route; so, it made it a bit more interesting.

It seemed a bit "off" with the time change; but, it went well. I was told also to stop the Garmin unit on stops; so, did my best ... though forgot to restart it once!

So, the end ... officially 2.57 miles in 32:17.

Me vs. the Electronic Conscience

Well, it was Sunday today and the revised Roadrunners schedule has us on aerobic running now. So, off dark and early I went, with my new running friend, the Garmin 305.

I am still working things out with it. It seems a tad distracting checking my wrist, especially as all those sprint years have you focus dead ahead and ONLY dead ahead. Also, the pace monitor has me a bit perplexed. I try to run at the 12:00 target pace; but, with the realities of running on streets with stop signs, traffic lights, etc. even pre-dawn, it is hard and suddenly my electronic running conscience says I am off pace badly! So, being intent on returning to the target pace, ... I SPRINT! That is what I am not supposed to be doing ... not that I mind it mind you. This looks like a question for the paceleaders.

So, my 30:55 minutes of running yielded 2.13 miles. Overall, I was happy and may be that is what the key is to this whole experience.

Week 8: Halloween X-Rated Run!

Saturday marked my eighth Saturday training for the Los Angeles Marathon with the Roadrunners. It also marked Halloween! Even better, it was my X-Rated Run! Before I left home, I was happy to catch U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name" on the radio and the line "I want to run ..." It will not be my "official" theme song for the marathon; but, i do like it and it fits.

It was a rather odd start with many runners and leaders missing. There was no rallying chant which was a bit disappointing.

It was just a beautiful day, unlike the previous week's fog, which would have been more fitting for Halloween. My group headed off to the north. One of the pace leaders was dressed in a 1970s disco-type outfit ... truly scary. Three of my old group's leaders dressed up as well. I was a bit more cautious and dressed as a marathon runner ... no one would believe it though. As the group headed off, I began wondering who in Venice was in costume and who was not. I also saw a friend from church and jokingly invited him to join the fun.

This was the longest run of my life, scheduled for 10 miles. I was a bit nervous; but, I also felt some excitement. It is obviously not 26.2; but, personal records still count in my mind.

My knee overall has been better the last few weeks. It has its odd flareups, especially after prolonged time in a seat; but, it is much better than before and my ankle pain from summer is gone thankfully.

The trip up the Santa Monica Pier and Ocean Avenue really felt comfortable. I was using a new type of energy food for a trial and it seems to work as well. The group headed to the new Totem Pole landmark (where I touched the claws for luck) and then on to Adelaide for the turning point.

This week, my line partner warned he was a bit cautious with his calf; but, he made it and we had a nice chat along the way on baseball, the McCourts, Alberta, etc. He did break off early at eight miles; but, he did well.

Then it was off into Venice's sidestreets, including the non-sprinting Speedway and eventually the turnaround point there at Lighthouse Street for the short return leg home.

My group, officially Lucky 7 or my Magnificent 7, went on a 11:48 pace for 10.24 miles in 2:00:53! (So sayeth my Garmin 305).

I was happy. It felt great to be able to go that far and feel like I could go even further! Later in the day I had a little soreness in my thighs and calves; but, I felt the return of the old track feeling of joy as it meant a good workout. Even better was it was not sharp or even lasting too long. So, that is my X-Rated run ... X being for the BIG TEN miles ...