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

Target for Tonight ...

Target for Tonight is a phrase R.A.F. Bomber Command used to use before setting off on a mission in World War II against the bad guys. Those guys were tough, loyal, and resilient and committed to completing the mission.

I hope I can be like them Sunday. I have not had the best week of sleep between events, work, and just some nerves (plus stupidly drinking a sports drink right before trying to sleep!). So, Target for Tonight: SLEEP!

I have been trying to mentally prepare. I now am facing the idea of heat ... not a pleasant one.

Also, normally, this weekend I would be in Anaheim for the Religious Education Congress and right near my old native land ... and Servite. So, I am trying to do the next best thing ... bring Servite to me!

First, I found out a classmate is running as well. That's two of us! The brethren are present. if you are not a Friar, it does not make sense ... if you are ... well, you know.

Second, I am thinking back to how I did things at Servite Track. Different races; different strategies ... I remember some of the key moments and our training,. The Bowl. Glover. STICK! Hell Week. We were taught the mantras: Mind over Matter; If You Do Not Mind the Pain; It Does Not Matter. Mind Over Matter; if You Do Not Mind the Heat; It Does Not Matter. We were a pretty tough crew.

I also remember for whatever reason I always ran my best in the worst conditions: very hot, very "cold," or messed up track. I have no idea why; but, I did. It became a matter of pride!

I want to have that feeling Sunday. I am not bringing warm-up gear; I want to feel the "cold." I am 1/2 Canadian after all! My focus will be moving forward. I may struggle; but, I will work.

Servite sports also were big on team. LA Roadrunners is not quite there (we were basically brothers on the teams at Servite); but, it has some similarities.

I want to run to complete the ThinkCure! pledges and remember what happened in 2009. I want to be able to go past my old office where I was discarded like garbage ... and show them it did not break me. I will complete the Los Angeles Marathon.

I also remember the first time I ran a 3.5 at track I struggled; I struggled the last two miles of the 20-miler as well. But, I learned lessons. I am also feeling better now. I think I can do better.

I have also got a mental boost set-up. I do not think anyone will be there watching me; so, I will be my own support.

I am trying to do my best to eat right, drink the water, etc.; but, I also am doing my mental work.

For me, Servite is important. It taught me so much, besides academics.

On Sunday I will be thinking as a Friar once again.

DESIRE.

DEDICATION.

DETERMINATION.

DISCIPLINE.

WE ARE SERVITE.

CREDO.

Week 16: Boxing Day Run

Today was another long run for the LA Roadrunners, just today was different ... there was no LA Roadrunners officially as the school, used as a base was closed.

So, I opted to go for the long run form my parents' house in Orange County. It started later than normal due to an early morning trip to John Wayne Airport.

I set out and felt so-so with my knee and also just a lack of energy from Christmas and all.

I did get in some hillwork and the scenery was a nice change. Not often I see horses or heck houses with decent yards on my Santa Monica runs.

I decided to head down and back some residential streets and then to a larger street towards eastern Anaheim. Upon finding an open gate, I went into Esperanza High School, the nearest public high shcool and looked for their track. I thought the track may be a good option to ease the pounding on my knee.

I found the track and frankly it was in terrible condition as was their field, which was a surprise. Still, I was two miles in and surviving; so, I began going old-school ... laps of the track.

I kept going but I was struggling. I was definitely not on LT target pace; but, felt some miles was better than no miles. So, round and round I went, remembering why I normally do not do track laps unless I am racing! It was so dull, especially as it is not my high school. I tried to think about other things that have been causing issues lately; but, no good today. I did see some aircraft headed into John Wayne Airport; so, that was a welcome change.

I kept going round and round with brief stops for Powerade (yeah!) and back at it until hitting 6.6 miles. I then began heading for my parents' house, which meant even more hillwork, passing a tractor on a strawberrry patch and other odd sights.

I got home ... knee was sore, time was bad; but, I made it. I did not make the target time; but, I did make the miles at least. I also got concerned about the battle damage and am thinking I may need a break this week.

I ran for 1:33 for 8:08 miles at 11:35 pace vs. my target of 10:30; so, disappointing to say the least.

I will have to see how it goes this week, if I do go and not rest my knee. May be I will go back to Group 8? At least next week is a mere five miles; so, I think I can manage. I guess the frustration is I am really trying and right now the results are not as good as I want. It is still better than I could do in May; but, hobbling around is a bit demoralizing.

We Go to the Pier!

Today I received emails from Lucky7 and GR8 pace leaders with the information for next Saturday's run ... we cross the Santa Monica Pier and get to head north! It includes some uphill running.

This sounds fun.

This morning I ran in the wonderful weather and felt so calm, despite everything else swirling around me.

Then I see the email on the Pier! Somehow I am recalling the landmarks from the track days, especially Hell Week's grand tour of Fullerton and Anaheim: Glover Stadium, Hillcrest Park, Hunt Wesson plant, The Bowl, ... now, The Pier!

Somehow this marathon seems to be helping to dig deep and recall old challenges. May be it is a way of preparing anew?

Why Am I Doing This?

Tomorrow, I start my first official training session with the Los Angeles Roadrunners http://www.laroadrunners.com/ which I hope leads me to completing my first marathon in just 27 weeks, the 2010 Los Angeles Marathon!

Why am I doing this? I am not sure there really is a specific reason.

Inspiration? I know a few people who have run marathons and they seem to be still inspired by the challenge.

Exercise? I definitely hope to be in better physical shape, and may be even mental shape, after the first one. I have had a few pains while just doing conditioning since April; but, I already am seeing positive results.

May be it is because I enjoy running? In high school, I ran for the Servite track team and ran a huge variety of races: the 110 and 220 sprints, the 440 (1/4 mile) challenge, the awesome and mighty 880, the long-haul 1-mile and 2-miles and then the 4 x 110 and 4 x 440 relays with the legendary "STICK!" calls. Something about running just has always made me excited, even if my previous longest run was 5.8 miles around Anaheim and Fullerton in Hell Week.

Challenge? It has been a difficult 2009 for me for many, many reasons. The goal of preparing for, running in, and completing a marathon has become a bright spot.

Some other reason? The last few months have been diffiult and made me reflect on life. I am thinking of my all-time favorite movie, "Chariots of Fire" and the quote by Eric Liddell on running: "I believe that God made me for a purpose ... , but He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure."

I hope that is why, ultimately, I run.