They're Watching Me ...

Today was another pre-dawn mid-week run. It was another clear, star-filled, well relatively, sky as the wind was actually blowing a tad.



I brought out my Garmin GPS unit and decided to try to run to now run to pace goal as I learn more of the ins and outs of it. After having it locate satellites (rather nifty feeling knowing the thing on my wrist finds satellites!), I started off determined to add the new tool to the training. This proved a tad frustrating, especially in the dark.



I set off on what felt like the pace I wanted; but, the unit would say too fast, too slow ... and then there were traffic lights, etc. It got a frustrating trying to adjust to speed and I found it a lot less enjoyable to run with "watch the clock" joining "watch for bad drivers" and "watch for fallen tree limbs" as goals. I just wanted to get the McCourt soap opera out of my mind!



Finishing was a bit disappointing as the unit said I was 30 seconds too fast per mile; so, I slowed down and then halted for a traffic light ... Soon, I was way OVER the goal. In the end it was a run of 45:12 for 3.39 miles of aerobic running.



I am just placing my faith in this system as the aerobic concept and not stretching prior to starting is so foreign to sprinting. The Roadrunners sent an article about how humans are actually designed for long-distance running; but, modern surfaces and shoes (oh, oh) lead to problems.



Still, I hope I will become more accustomed to the unit and running with it and make the training better. Anything that helps me finish the marathon ...

Week 7: Into the Fog of ... Running

The new training week for the marathon began and with it was a new distance ... nine miles!

So, it was off to the school to begin and energy revved up as the chant started.

Mile 1 ... It's Just For Fun

Mile 2 ... It's Good For You

Mile 3 ... It's Good For Me

Mile 4 ... Give Me Some More

Mile 5 ... I'm Still Alive

Mile 6 ... No Tricks

Mile 7 ... I Think I'm Running to Heaven
Mile 8 ... I Feel Great
Mile 9 ... Doing Fine
Mile 10 ... LET'S DO IT AGAIN

Then there is an ending about "We Are The Roadrunners" ... although in my head it has been, is, and always will be, especially after last night, "WE ARE SERVITE!"

Next it was rally with the group and head to the strand. Group 7 tends to arrive earlier than most; so, we get some information before then waiting our turn to launch. Today there were no clipboards; so, no sign-ins!

Soon enough the group was on its way. It was semi-eery with some fog. I try to notice some new landmarks each time; today is was an Australian barbecue place; I resisted the urge to make prisoner jokes or suggest it move next to Men's Central in downtown Los Angeles.

The last time I ran nine miles it was around a track at Santa Monica College; I was alone and I felt a bit drained a well as isolated. This time it seemed so much easier! I was happily chugging along, even if it felt slow. Up hills; down hills. Up the Santa Monica Pier; down the Santa Monica Pier. I still turned my cap backwards for the Ocean Park to Santa Monica Boulevard stretch.

After the new habit of visiting the Totem Pole, the group went past San Vicente into a rather affluent neighborhood in the northern Santa Monica Hills on Adelaide Street before turning down to 7th and then on to San Vicente and returning to Ocean Avenue. By then the sun was starting to emerge from the fog and it was getting warmer; but, I really had no problems at all with energy. I have started eating the little nutritional supplements while running, which helps. It is certainly a different mindset from an 880 or a 2-miler.

Then it was back down Ocean Avenue and heading for home base. Towards the end the group went past the rally point and onto the sadly named Speedway, where I still feel the urge to sprint. Then it was back onto the Venice Boardwalk and to the rally point.

It was a good run; it set a new distance mark for me ... 9.17 miles in 1:48:29 according to the new Garmin 305 GPS tracker which got its first use. It does seem odd knowing satellites are locking in on this little gadget!

I had never run that far; so, for me it was progress and it felt good. So far, this really seems doable. I hope it is March 21 .... when the old sprinter goes for the Los Angeles Marathon.