Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Tuesday Night

I went for a trot around Santa Monica Tuesday night, with a lot of frustration to release.

It turned out pretty well. No real body aches or pains and felt pretty energized.

I did decently time-wise; but, still want a lot faster. The night runs make it hard with the stop lights, the uncertainty on footing, etc.

Still, not too bad and better than expected.

33:45 of running
2.91 miles
11:35 pace

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Take the Galleon

Saturday means long run day.

This time the weekly email said the target was to go to Galleon, a street down Speedway in Venice. It would be further than I have run since the 2010 LA Marathon (my high has been 8.1 miles).

I was unsure I could even make 8.1 after the abdominal strain and not running Thursday plus prior episodes of trouble.

I reached the rally point for the LA Running Club and started to stretch. During the announcements, those of us running the LA Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon received a new goal: The Jetty. Hmmm.

So, I set out and headed south and actually felt pretty good. This pleased me! The fear of abdominal pain was departing and some hope was arriving for a change.

I cleared the Santa Monica Pier and kept down to the fancy hotels. No major accomplishment yet as this was the normal course. I crossed the city line from Santa Monica to Venice (always a change in culture with the tourist shops, the marijuana "clinics," etc.). Still, nothing too noteworthy as it was the normal course.

I saw the flagpole at Windward and still felt pretty solid, which surprised me. I turned and headed down the old favorite, Speedway.

Speedway always reminds me of like trying to gain a sneak view of life for the rich and bohemian. Anyways, it is a public street and I can run on it and I have, do, and will do.

I continued on and went past my prior former turnoff point and kept going. It did seem kind of weird running alone in LA Roadrunners territory!

Eventually, I saw the signpost for the original destination, Galleon. I had taken the Galleon! I still felt decent; so, I continued south. The ability to just keep running when I did not expect to be able to was a huge boost.

Soon enough I saw the ivy and the fencing and knew the Jetty was approaching. I felt a relief and headed onwards and reached it and had a little celebration, drinking water.

This run also saw the resumption of mid-run eating, with a whole package of Clif Bar Shot Bloks, black cherry flavor, going down. I had not tried black cherry before; but, no stomach issues and taste was fine.

After my mini-celebration, it was time to head back and I started north reversing course. There were a lot of APLA runners coming towards me for some reason; but, no major problem. My main delay was due to cars on Speedway pulling in and out for parking.

I felt good being able to run, even if slowly, this far considering, and was happy to cross the line back into Santa Monica.

I wondered how it would be on the Ocean Avenue ascent; but, first was the windy part of the beach trail and then the climb up the pier. I felt a burst of energy going up the pier, which was nice and welcome. Then, it was Ocean Avenue. It did not trouble me much at all which was a good sign.

Soon enough, I had crossed the remaining distance and was back at the LARC base. I stretched, downed some pretzels and Gatorade, and chatted a bit. I felt pretty happy considering. Even more encouraging was I ran faster, even thougn it was slow, than I had the cutback week.

I had taken the Galleon!

11.2 miles of running
2:20.11
11:43 pace

Friday, July 23, 2010

What to Do

I was scheduled to do 45 minutes of running Thursday.

I did not do it.

I faced a decision ... do running I need to do to get ready or hope the abdominal muscle pull I reaggravated can heal up and feel better for the long run Saturday. Again, it was the question of when is an injury a no-go injury.

I decided to try and get ready for Saturday; but, it is frustrating.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Wednesday: Woes and Weird

I set out this morning for another training run dark and early around south Santa Monica.

Immediately, it all seemed a struggle, just not much energy or more worryingly even enthusiasm.

I headed towards Santa Monica Airport and felt a twinge, right where I had pulled a muscle July 4, and from then on it was sore.

I slowed and tried to just keep going. Unfortunately, it was another survival run.

I trotted around the area and as I headed home saw something moving in front of me.
It turned out to be a raccoon out foraging. When a car approached, I saw it disappear down a storm drain! A storm drain?

I made it back a bit disappointed; but, I guess some miles, even if very slow, are better than no miles.

35.12 of running
2.71 miles
12:57 pace

Monday, July 19, 2010

Heat!

Saturday morning meant it was time to visit the LA Running Club for the weekly run.

Unlike prior weeks it was a morning of bright sun and heat. The waves looked quite inviting.

I set out on a shorter run and headed south along the dirt. I soon felt glad to be carrying a water bottle with me. The Santa Monica Pier which was the original goal was crossed and I headed a bit further than initially planned reaching the #1 LA Roadrunners water station at the hotels.

I gulped some water and headed back. I was doing alright; but, it seems rather sluggish and lethargic when I tried to run or especially accelerate.

I made it back, gratefully got some Gatorade and pretzels, and began thinking.

56:37 of running
4.36 miles
11:50 pace

Friday Night Lights

I ran Friday night for a few reasons.

One being I needed to as my scheduling had been off due to events. The other being I needed to release some energy froma lot of recent frustrating events.

I set out for Clover Park and the airport area again. I am used to running in the dark; but, nighttime is a lot different from pre-dawn. Far more people are out and about. There is much more traffic. It is noisier.

Still, I ran around and tried to get some miles in for the evening.

It was a decent run; but, not great. I was glad to just release the energy and feel at least momentarily productive.

31:27 of running
2.56 miles
12:16 pace

Friday, July 16, 2010

My Running Tour 2010-2011

LA Marathon - March, 21, 2010, Dodger Stadium to Santa Monica FINISHED!
All Star Game Charity 5K - July 11, 2010, Anaheim Stadium FINISHED!

Upcoming

Baldwin Park Pride of the Valley 5K - August 7, 2010, Baldwin Park
LA Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon - October 24, 2010, Los Angeles
LA Marathon - March 20, 2011, Dodger Stadium to Santa Monica

Marathon 2!

Well, I am excited as I am now signed up for the 2011 LA Marathon and 2010-2011 LA Roadrunners.

Hopefully, I keep learning new things and do much better.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Paradox of Running

I set out Wednesday, dark and early, to run a bit. It is a cutback week on my schedule from LA Running Club, which helps!

I got up and felt relatively good and set off to run around the Pico Neighborhood and Santa Monica Airport.

I felt I was doing decently and physically felt alright considering. My muscle pull was making its presence felt; but, overall, knee was not acting up, felt strong, etc.

Then, I reached a red light and looked down at my Garmin ... oh, oh. Not so good pacewise. Just disappointing as I felt faster.

I continued on and completed the run; but, the paradox of feeling better while doing worse is bothering me.

32:13 of running
2.73 miles
12:44 pace

Monday, July 12, 2010

All Star Medal


After the race ...

All Star Game!

Sunday, I managed a day off from church work and headed back to the homeland, Anaheim!

Dark and early I set of for the All Star Game Charity 5K & Fun Run at Anaheim Stadium (a.k.a. Angel Stadium of Anaheim), host of this year's All Star game as well as home to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (a.k.a. California Angels, Anaheim Angels, ....).

It was exciting, though I was nervous after Saturday's troubles. I arrived early as they were still setting up registration.

Soon enough, I began check-in to find my name listed TWICE. This made it a bit more challenging to get my bib; but, it all worked out and I got my bib, chip, and shirt! I was surprised there was no swag bag.

I stretched and tried to keep loose. I also visited the few sponsor booths and managed a free shirt for my efforts.

A treat was I got to meet up with a high school classmate; so, we found each other amid the crowd and spoke a bit. Servite forever.

Soon enough, it was time to go to the starting area. It was kind of disorganized and I could not get in the right corral since it meant having to climb over a barrier, which seemed less than wise with my muscle pull.

Finally I got in the over 12 minutes corral and soon realized there were problems. Little kids, people who obviously could not keep a 12:00 pace, etc. were way ahead of me in corrals. Oh well, this was not really a race for me, per se. It was more recovery run, working on form, and enjoying the experience.

They introduced numerous cancer charity speakers. Their groups benefited from Major League Baseball's event. Then they introduced old familiar names ... Harold Reynolds, Reggie Jackson, Tim Salmon, Bobby Grich ... I am a devout Dodgers fan; but, still, it was neat.

Finally the horn sounded and after a few minutes I reached the starting line and began picking my way through the crowd. It was Servite track all over again.

The police had done a nice job making the course clear and the streets of Anaheim are in far better condition than Los Angeles. I was not going all out; but, I was working and also feeling much better than expected considering Saturday. I began picking off runners as well.

One big issue was people who should have been behind me in placement were not and they would stop suddenly or take pictures or walk slowly or just not up to the 5K that day. I almost ran over several.

Running along to Orangewood, State College, Katella ... it was fun. The Gatorade and water helped as well.

Eventually, after a relatively easy little hill, that claimed a lot of people ... it was back to the stadium parking lot.

Then came the real fun, getting to run on the warning track. I felt a burst of energy and good for whatever reason and started passing people and speeding up. I definitely had negative splits.

Then it was out after doing the loop. (One cool thing was the announcers randomly announcing runners in the stadium over the public address system).

I turned the corner and saw the finish line and put a little sprint on ... and finished!

This race also offered a very nice medal (for a 5K!); so, i picked that up, water bottle and some banana pieces.

5K complete! Not a P.R.; but, it felt good and much better than Saturday.

31:12 of running
3.12 miles of running
9:57 pace

Saturday Struggles

I had not run since Monday evening when I arrived at the LA Running Club event Saturday. A pulled muscle had driven me to the sidelines; so, I was a bit leery.

I set out on an eight miler decently heading south to the Santa Monica Pier on another overcast day.

I reached the pier and had a sinking feeling, just a massive drop in energy. Still, I kept on, just slower, and in some pain as the muscle pull made its presence known.

Eventually, I reached the trunaorund just beyond Windward in Venice and headed back.

I struggled mightily. The wheels were not working well and it reverted back to survival run-level.

Finally, I made it back to the start.

I got some Gatorade and pretzels and perked up a bit. I then spoke with representatives from KSwiss who were helpful with some ideas and made it seem a bit better.

Still, what might have been ...

1:41.57 of running
8.04 miles
12:41 pace

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Pulling the Wrong Way

Monday was a holiday and a rare chance to run with the LA Running Club from the KSwiss store.

Several members suggested differing lengths. Having struggled lately while running I opted for the Totem Pole and back, more or less south to north to south Santa Monica.

I set out at a decent speed; but, I still did not feel full power. When I climbed the Santa Monica Pier I really began to feel sluggish.

I reached the Totem Pole and headed back. A short while later I felt some soreness above my right hip and quickly realized I had pulled the dreaded something muscle, which made for an interesting return.

I eventually made it back to KSwiss and enjoyed some strawberries, pretzels, a banana and Gatorade; but, I felt frustrated again.

1:02.37 of running
5.31 miles
11:50 pace

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Slowly ...

Saturday was another run for the LA Running Club.

Despite it being July, it was overcast and grey, which actually made it easier to run with cooler temperatures and fewer tourists on the Strand.

I set out still trying the new stride ... and feeling new aches and pains: ankle, knee, etc. Ugh.

I ran the usual route south to the Santa Monica Pier and the back north to the Totem Pole. I did have Mitch along for part of it which helped a lot.

I felt a bit better than usual; but, still, I am a long way from what I would like to be able to do and that just adds to the frustration.

1:33.52 of running
8.10 miles
11:35 pace

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Run by Night

I have slowly resumed really trying to do better with mid-week running.

I made a run around Santa Monica Airport and Clover Park Wednesday night. I needed to run and just release some pressure.

I was also working on my stride again.

I felt decent, juts not near the peak, yet again.

My stride is slowly changing, which I hope helps long-term.

40:23 of running
3.56 miles
11:23 pace

Saturday Strides

Saturday meant another run with the LA Running Club.

Again, it was overcast and not the most inspiring of days; but, seeing the waves breaking was nice.

I have been experimenting with my stride and initially felt more powerful and faster. I am also trying to get in better shape ...

I ran and did the usual turnaround for the eight miles. My goal run was actually much less; but, I made it.

I felt a bit fatigued and just laggard on the way back to the LA Running Club base. I had hoped for better; but, it was decent.

Afterwards, I had a nice chat with the LA Roadrunners Senior Pace leader for group 7, Alan.

1:33:51 of running
8.03 miles
11:42 pace