Saturday normally is a day for running with the LA Running Club; but, this time it was off to Baldwin Park for the Pride of the Valley 5K.
So, I headed off down the 10 to the 60 to the 605 and got to Baldwin Park. I then headed to where the race was to start at Morgan Park. I found the pre-registered booth and checked in as usual at the last column when everything is alphabetical.
Last year, there was a goody bag; but, this year just a shirt ... but a decent one. There was chip timing though this time. I stretched out and talked to a few people. There did seem to be fewer runners this year than last.
The start was kind of a mess. The entrance to the course narrowed, creating basically a mosh pit and destroying a free run.
Eventually, I got loose and kind of went for training run cruise control. I was using the long distance running form rather than the old sprinting/power run form.
I found I was starting to pass people from 1 mile onwards. Passing the first mile mark, I was behind last year's time. I still was no too comfortable though and was glad to get the water at about 1.6 miles in the race.
It seemed like I was still fighting the aftereffects of the cold and trying to get my knee loose.
Eventually, around Mile 2.5, I felt better and got moving as others started to fade.
I made for the final turn and tried to power up more; but, the reaction was not quite as planned, with may be half of what I wanted coming. I saw the balloon arch and knew the end was nigh and picked it up for a last sprint.
I crossed, stopped my Garmin, and just walked a bit and headed for the bananas and water (no Gatorade!).
In the end, it was an o.k. run. I had run decently; but, it was not great.
3.01 miles
27:53 of running
9:02 pace
Showing posts with label Baldwin Park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baldwin Park. Show all posts
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Hazardous Duty
I had my first run this morning since last Saturday's 7.72.
I wanted to run this week; but, first it was a little collection of blood under the skin of my foot bothering me. Then, I somehow picked up a cold. So, no running ... alas.
I was asked to run Friday at a Catholic schools' jog-a-thon. So, I got out my trusty Garmin (duh), my original old Brooks, normal shorts, and then the supplied t-shirt (heavier than normal ...).
It also became warm in Baldwin Park. The whole school above first grade first walked a lap of the course. (The kindergartners had a separate bike lap area).
Then, we started. They had an interesting course running through gaps in buildings and some chokepoints. They also wanted the walkers to stay to the right and the runners to the left.
On the first lap some kids immediately went walking ... others set out on full sprints.
It was hard to run, especially with the really little kids., since I knew colliding with a kid was not going to turn out well ... for them. So, I tried to be really careful. Also, the chokepoints took away momentum. The kids were nice and friendly; but, after lap 1 many walked and they were all over (not just on the right side).
Around lap 4 I was in cruise control and had a kid just stop right in front of me. I slammed on the brakes and something happened in my lower back as it got tight.
I kept going but slowed a bit.
It was still fun and a decent workout.
35:31 of running
10:28 pace
3.39 miles
I wanted to run this week; but, first it was a little collection of blood under the skin of my foot bothering me. Then, I somehow picked up a cold. So, no running ... alas.
I was asked to run Friday at a Catholic schools' jog-a-thon. So, I got out my trusty Garmin (duh), my original old Brooks, normal shorts, and then the supplied t-shirt (heavier than normal ...).
It also became warm in Baldwin Park. The whole school above first grade first walked a lap of the course. (The kindergartners had a separate bike lap area).
Then, we started. They had an interesting course running through gaps in buildings and some chokepoints. They also wanted the walkers to stay to the right and the runners to the left.
On the first lap some kids immediately went walking ... others set out on full sprints.
It was hard to run, especially with the really little kids., since I knew colliding with a kid was not going to turn out well ... for them. So, I tried to be really careful. Also, the chokepoints took away momentum. The kids were nice and friendly; but, after lap 1 many walked and they were all over (not just on the right side).
Around lap 4 I was in cruise control and had a kid just stop right in front of me. I slammed on the brakes and something happened in my lower back as it got tight.
I kept going but slowed a bit.
It was still fun and a decent workout.
35:31 of running
10:28 pace
3.39 miles
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Week 20: Three Degrees of Separation?
Saturday was another day for a LA Roadrunners long run ... all to try to finish the Los Angeles Marathon on March 21. With less than two months to go, it is getting more intense, plus with the storms of the past week it just felt different!
The conditions were great for me. Some complained of the "cold;" but, I was happy. I also found out one of the pace leaders was originally from Toronto; so, we both agreed that it was DEFINITELY not cold. It was sunny and clear, with wonderful views of high waves breaking onto the beach. There were also large puddles many places, fallen palm fronds, and lots of displaced sand and dirt. It was post-storm So Cal to perfection.
My group has gotten smaller, 52 now vs. 70-80 before. I am not sure if they moved to faster groups, slower groups, or no groups. We set out and headed north as usual. I passed my friend from church and did the now ritualistic invitation to come join in the fun, which for some reason he always refuses.
We headed north to the hotels and the usual water stop; but, the group then turned around and headed south due to the mud and dampness on the usual route. I again passed by my friend and he again somehow held out against temptation to join in, despite it being only 10 more miles.
At this point, my partner-killing tradition came to its usual effect. My normal partner was back, which was nice as we chatted heading north. He was recovering from a pulled hamstring two weeks before. Soon, though, it was causing serious pain along with some prior injuries to his back. He said he was dropping off and the tradition was revived.
I was running solo for a spell until another runner filled in the slot. After talking for a bit, we found out we had quite a few things in common. We are both Knights of Columbus (Fourth Degree), I knew his mother from my new job, and he had been married at the church at my new job (St. John the Baptist in Baldwin Park). So, that was a small world moment!
We continued on and I felt pretty good. My knee was a bit tender; but, not throbbing pain or intolerable. We headed south into Venice's sidestreets and then into the Marina del Rey area. It is amazing seeing the huge boats and yachts, as well as posh hotels, present. I saw one boat with a Union Jack and one with a Canadian Maple Leaf! Yeah! The route did seem more crowded than normal and a lot of the time we went single-file due to vehicle traffic, runner traffic, or flooding/storm debris. I experimented and found it was not really possible to draft very well compared to track races. Alas.
I did get some very nice views of snow-capped mountains through gaps in the hotels and condominiums. Quite a decent reward for the journey, even if I could not touch snow.
Eventually, we came to the library at Marina del Rey for the turnaround. We were going to get water before; but, somehow, there was miscommunication and we ended up doing an extra loop! The horror. In the end we did get the water and that is what matters! I also saw how the waves were coming OVER the breakwater/jetty, which was pretty impressive.
Even more impressive was I saw my normal running partner ... he was still chugging along, just slower!
One of the pace leaders told us to be sad as were down to the last 5K. Heck, most people get t-shirts and prizes for running 5Ks! We get told to be sad? I guess that is a sign of progress, right?
We kept going and soon enough got back to Windward starting point. I felt pretty good. My calves did feel a bit drained; but, it was not too bad.
Back at the school I went and got an ice pack for my knee and took the recommended Aleves. I was heading to the promised land, the land of Gatorade and bananas, when I heard, "Hey!" I was called over by a woman who then asked, "Do you go to St. Sebastian's?" I replied no; but, instead St. Anne's. It turns out she is the granddaughter of one of the choir members at the Saturday night Mass. She is in a different group (Run/Walk 3); but, always nice to feel a connection besides running to all the people in grey shirts! So, another small world moment.
I waited and met my running partner at the promised land. He finished the run! He struggled and was hurting; but, he finished. He is also off to the hardship post that is Maui next week; so, I may need a new sacrificial lamb partner.
Later in the day, my calves and hamstrings did begin to feel heavy. I took a bit of a walk to Clover Park and back just trying to get the blood flowing. Hopefully, the feeling is better soon.
Anyways, it was another run done. This had a lot of unexpected meetings; but, it got the job done.
2:13.45
10:40 pace including waterstops
12.16 miles!
The conditions were great for me. Some complained of the "cold;" but, I was happy. I also found out one of the pace leaders was originally from Toronto; so, we both agreed that it was DEFINITELY not cold. It was sunny and clear, with wonderful views of high waves breaking onto the beach. There were also large puddles many places, fallen palm fronds, and lots of displaced sand and dirt. It was post-storm So Cal to perfection.
My group has gotten smaller, 52 now vs. 70-80 before. I am not sure if they moved to faster groups, slower groups, or no groups. We set out and headed north as usual. I passed my friend from church and did the now ritualistic invitation to come join in the fun, which for some reason he always refuses.
We headed north to the hotels and the usual water stop; but, the group then turned around and headed south due to the mud and dampness on the usual route. I again passed by my friend and he again somehow held out against temptation to join in, despite it being only 10 more miles.
At this point, my partner-killing tradition came to its usual effect. My normal partner was back, which was nice as we chatted heading north. He was recovering from a pulled hamstring two weeks before. Soon, though, it was causing serious pain along with some prior injuries to his back. He said he was dropping off and the tradition was revived.
I was running solo for a spell until another runner filled in the slot. After talking for a bit, we found out we had quite a few things in common. We are both Knights of Columbus (Fourth Degree), I knew his mother from my new job, and he had been married at the church at my new job (St. John the Baptist in Baldwin Park). So, that was a small world moment!
We continued on and I felt pretty good. My knee was a bit tender; but, not throbbing pain or intolerable. We headed south into Venice's sidestreets and then into the Marina del Rey area. It is amazing seeing the huge boats and yachts, as well as posh hotels, present. I saw one boat with a Union Jack and one with a Canadian Maple Leaf! Yeah! The route did seem more crowded than normal and a lot of the time we went single-file due to vehicle traffic, runner traffic, or flooding/storm debris. I experimented and found it was not really possible to draft very well compared to track races. Alas.
I did get some very nice views of snow-capped mountains through gaps in the hotels and condominiums. Quite a decent reward for the journey, even if I could not touch snow.
Eventually, we came to the library at Marina del Rey for the turnaround. We were going to get water before; but, somehow, there was miscommunication and we ended up doing an extra loop! The horror. In the end we did get the water and that is what matters! I also saw how the waves were coming OVER the breakwater/jetty, which was pretty impressive.
Even more impressive was I saw my normal running partner ... he was still chugging along, just slower!
One of the pace leaders told us to be sad as were down to the last 5K. Heck, most people get t-shirts and prizes for running 5Ks! We get told to be sad? I guess that is a sign of progress, right?
We kept going and soon enough got back to Windward starting point. I felt pretty good. My calves did feel a bit drained; but, it was not too bad.
Back at the school I went and got an ice pack for my knee and took the recommended Aleves. I was heading to the promised land, the land of Gatorade and bananas, when I heard, "Hey!" I was called over by a woman who then asked, "Do you go to St. Sebastian's?" I replied no; but, instead St. Anne's. It turns out she is the granddaughter of one of the choir members at the Saturday night Mass. She is in a different group (Run/Walk 3); but, always nice to feel a connection besides running to all the people in grey shirts! So, another small world moment.
I waited and met my running partner at the promised land. He finished the run! He struggled and was hurting; but, he finished. He is also off to the hardship post that is Maui next week; so, I may need a new sacrificial lamb partner.
Later in the day, my calves and hamstrings did begin to feel heavy. I took a bit of a walk to Clover Park and back just trying to get the blood flowing. Hopefully, the feeling is better soon.
Anyways, it was another run done. This had a lot of unexpected meetings; but, it got the job done.
2:13.45
10:40 pace including waterstops
12.16 miles!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
New Place ... New Time
Well, Thursday is not only Christmas Eve, it is another running day, scheduled for 45 minutes of LA Roadrunners training.
This time it was a new environment, Baldwin Park, coupled with LIGHT and eating some left over Pan Dulce from a Posada, so some new variables.
I set out and got a good pace going, though some twinges in the knee. I got settled in though which was good and weather was really nice.
I took a totally unplanned route and just went by instinct. Some streets were free of lights; others I was stopping every block. I was in residential and commercial areas. I even managed to get chased by some little dog; but, it backed off as soon as I stopped and looked at it! :-) There were some less amiable dogs though trying to get over fences for a run at me.
I was doing pretty well and my knee got better as the run continued. I think some of the stops helped as well. It was a bit sore; but, it was tolerable and not as bad as the last long run.
Put up a respectable 4.34 miles in 45:35, which was decent.
In the end I am pretty happy the knee held up and while not perfect by far survived ... plus first run at LT target pace! 10:30 to the dot! Yeah! By old standards that is slow; but, by new survival mode standards, I will take that gratefully.
Feliz Navidad a Todos. Happy Christmas!
This time it was a new environment, Baldwin Park, coupled with LIGHT and eating some left over Pan Dulce from a Posada, so some new variables.
I set out and got a good pace going, though some twinges in the knee. I got settled in though which was good and weather was really nice.
I took a totally unplanned route and just went by instinct. Some streets were free of lights; others I was stopping every block. I was in residential and commercial areas. I even managed to get chased by some little dog; but, it backed off as soon as I stopped and looked at it! :-) There were some less amiable dogs though trying to get over fences for a run at me.
I was doing pretty well and my knee got better as the run continued. I think some of the stops helped as well. It was a bit sore; but, it was tolerable and not as bad as the last long run.
Put up a respectable 4.34 miles in 45:35, which was decent.
In the end I am pretty happy the knee held up and while not perfect by far survived ... plus first run at LT target pace! 10:30 to the dot! Yeah! By old standards that is slow; but, by new survival mode standards, I will take that gratefully.
Feliz Navidad a Todos. Happy Christmas!
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