If it's not broken in ...

Well, it was Sunday and time for another run for the LA Roadrunners' schedule, 30 minutes of post-long run running.

I had another task as well. I went Saturday to buy replacement Brooks shoes as my original pair were pushing the barriers recommended by the pace leaders. With the mileage climbing and the Los Angeles Marathon coming, I decided it was time to invest in a new pair. I now needed to break them in a bit and Sunday seemed like a good chance.

I also got the rare daylight run since CCD class was cancelled due to the school's open house. So, I get to see the light and some extra and much needed sleep!

I changed the pattern a bit and walked to Clover Park to try and loosen up my knee. I set out for the 30 minutes. The arch felt much better; the knee was not so good.

It was also strange as the run is supposed to break up the lactic acid from the long run; but, mid-way through my calves and quads seemed to go from no feeling to dull soreness.

Anyways, I slowed down a bit. I got the run in, just off target. Back to the live to run another day idea (I had seen the Top to Top store motto of "Running is Life. Pain is optional" on Saturday!

The shoes definitely still feel new and not all yet broken in; but, there is plenty of time.

Another notable thing was the Garmin's total passing 300 miles! I should have had a little ceremony like when players get 1,000 hits or 2,000 points.

At the end of the run, I did manage to get the always fun steaming head effect going!

32:05 of running
10:59 pace
2.97 miles

Week 2: Running Four Miles is Fun!

Well, they say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Perhaps a marathon begins with getting proper shoes? With that in mind, I went to a running store and was fitted. They were quite helpful, despite my lack of knowledge on distance gear. They watched my gait and even they said, "Sprinter." Oops. Anyways, I am not equipped with some Brooks shoes that I will be breaking in and using next week.

Saturday marked the start of the second week of training with the LA Roadrunners. Because of a slightly tender and bruised knee and also not sleeping much the past week, both due partly to the festival at my parish, I decided to stay with Group 8 (a.k.a. GR8 Pace as it has been dubbed or for me, the Eighth Army). It was quite overcast; but, it is still nice to see the waves as you head off from the start. I quite quickly felt very comfortable at the pace (target 11:00 per mile) and my knee fears disappeared.

I just had a really nice, relaxing time running. The group leaders are so friendly and funny. Soon, some of the stresses in my life were at least temporarily relieved and I was cruising. The group only had to do a bit further than last week (4 miles vs. 3.77 actual); so, it did not seem daunting running to just south of the Santa Monica Pier.

Soon enough, it was back to the rally point and some stretching. I felt like I could have gone much further for the second week in a row, which was a good sign. The group ran a 11:05 pace which is a shade faster than last week and apparently works for the pace leaders.

Afterwards, I spoke with the pace leaders and asked some questions. They all said I definitely can be in the run-only groups (yeah!) and should give Group 7 and may be even Group 6 a try.

I felt so relaxed and at peace out there, as well as happy with progress since May. It turned out the four-mile run was the easiest part of the weekend, vs. the endurance contest that is the parish festival. I am hoping the running continues to yield that sense of calm and may be even happiness and achievement.

Meanwhile, I think I have my theme song. It will get some trials ... It will not be the old standby metal or hard rock. I guess may be it is kind of a good song for change and needing to change.