Normal Service

Tuesday marked the resumption of midweek running.

I finally felt at least a bit motivated to set out; so, I did ... dark and early in Santa Monica.

I was trying to work on my form as had been discussed at the Saturday workshop. I also wanted to see how I would feel.

I was feeling relatively comfortable and felt like I was faster coasting around Santa Monica Airport's perimeter.

Reality was different ... I was not faster.

Still, it was nice to feel I was doing well ... and half the game seems to be mental (if not more).

32:20 of running
2.70 miles
11:59 pace

Sunday Sun

Sunday morning was a post-long run run.

I felt a bit better and no really significant soreness, which was a plus.

I headed around Clover Park and Santa Monica Airport and made it back home to get cleaned up for the day.

30:88 of running
2.51 miles
11:26 pace

Plugged Nickel

Saturday meant another chance to run with the LA Running Club.

Since there was a strength and stretching workshop I wanted to attend at 8:30 with one of the board members, I cut short my run to a nickel ... five miles.

I started out decently; but, it just was not a good run. I was wondering if the engine would stop working before the Santa Monica Pier!

I kept on to the hotels, took in some water, and crossed the bikepath. I just felt like the weather ... blah.

I was going, but not well, when I hit the turnpoint at Ocean Park. I headed back and was really just trying to move forward. It was far from a classic.

I made it back thankfully, just down from how I had run.

I did go to the stretching and strength workshop which was quite good. I also got some technique hints.

So, it was a plugged nickel of a run; but, I got my two cents in at the workshop.

1:02.11 of running
5.24 miles
11:51 pace

Looking for Consistency

I set out Sunday early for a little trot. I chose the normal Sunday route around the Santa Monica Airport's northern end and Clover Park.

I felt decent; but, it was not powerful or confident. It was akin to the rather dull, June Gloom, weather.

I finished and made it home; but, just need to get it going better ... much better.

A tad off of last week again:

2.87 miles
32:59 of running
12:21 pace

Continuing ...

Saturday came and I set out again to meet up with the LA Running Club for a long run. Between events and just feeling down/fed up with a lot of things, it has been hard to get myself motivated to run midweek, which is scary.

I reached the Totem Pole and waited. None of my usual possible partners were there; so, I set out on the usual 8 Miler heading south.

It was overcast again; but, there were a lot of pedestrians as well as muddy paths, which made the trip a bit harder.

I felt alright starting and past the Santa Monica Pier; but, then felt a bit drained for some reason. I continued past the Venice marijuana shops, reaching Windward, then Speedway and went to the next sidestreet for the turnaround.

I chugged back to the origin, feeling rather nothing ... not pain and not good ... just there.

At last I made it ... just a bit slower than last week and a little bit further.

They did have a representative from Top to Top there; so, I signed up for the raffle.

8.03 miles
1:34.32 of running
11:45 pace

A Bit Better

I set out for a post-long run trot Sunday morning around south Santa Monica.

I did not really have a goal in time or distance; so, it took a bit of pressure off.

I actually felt better than expected and felt faster than expected, which was a nice surprise.

The reality was I was not as fast; but, at least it felt decent. That is a bit of progress. I was also faster by a bit than last Sunday; so, that was pleasant.

2.70 miles
33:05 of running
12:16 pace

Blowing Off Steam

I have had a hard week this week with a lot of nonsense on many fronts, particularly work.

I had not run since Monday and was sore Tuesday and Wednesday; but, I was kind of looking forward to running Saturday, even while wondering if it would be another painful trial.

I met up with the LA Running Club at the Totem Pole as usual and prepared. I set off on another solo mission of eight miles. I just needed to think and running helps.

I headed first around the Totem Pole, tapped the knees hopefully, and headed south towards the Santa Monica Pier. Much like I was feeling, it was all cloudy and overcast and no breeze. I was doing alright, considering.

I ran into Mitch from LA Roadrunner Run Group 7 on the way. He was recovering from injury and broke off at the Casa del Mar. I continued onwards after a pause for water.

I headed down into the familiar south Santa Monica and Venice stretch. I hit Windward and went a bit down Speedway before turning around to return to base. I stopped for water again.

I was chugging along alright, a bit slower than the downward leg though.

I crossed the pier and up to Ocean Avenue. The paths were often muddy which was a bad combination when mixed with sand from the beachfront part of the run.

I made it back ... not in great time or condition; but, I made it ... and a bit faster than last week.

Live to run another day.

8.00 miles
1:32.23 of time
11:33 pace

Holiday Haul

Since Monday was Memorial Day and besides being a day to remember those who sacrificed so much, it was a day off from work, I was able to go for the first time to the LA Running Club event held every Monday.

It is basically a 5-Miler which starts from the K-Swiss store in Santa Monica. I arrived and saw the senior pace leader of LA Roadrunners Group 7, Alan; we had a nice chat.

It came time to run and as we started ... I noticed Garmin must have been thrown by being indoors; so, I was unable to get it to measure data correctly.

I got off reasonably well; but, soon felt laggard. Perhaps it was just the overall tiredness I have felt lately, the late afternoon start, the resuming running after so long, ... I just was not going well.

I chugged along and followed some others; instead of the normal route to the Totem Pole, they opted for the beach run due to holiday crowds on Santa Monica Pier.

I was far from graceful and just kept going and turned around at Back on the Beach. Somehow, I made it back as my knee started to get sore.

Then it was time for Gatorade and bananas.

Not the best run; but, I guess some struggling miles are better than no miles.