I SEE ROADRUNNERS!

Saturday was a change. I had been heading to the the Totem Pole for LA Running Club meets; now, I was wearing a LA Running Club shirt but headed to Venice.

Why? It was the first day of LA Roadrunners 2010-2011!

So, I was back into the familiar Westminster School parking lot. I had pre-registered and happily took my forms to the Pre-Registered line. I even began seeing a few familiar faces.

Soon enough, I was registered and had my new medium-blue Roadrunners shirt, schedule and binder, and the now mandatory shoe tag. Ready for Round II!

I then walked around a bit talking with a few fellow LARCs and Group 7s.

I then visited the exhibitor displays. Not being much for coffee, I skipped Don Francisco's. I visited the booth for the Halloween 5K at the Westwood VA Center. I am thinking about that race as it means some more work on those hills. KSwiss was there as well, with the unmistakable truck. I then visited some of the charities ... Meals on Wheels, Think Cure!, and LiveStrong. There were others; but, those interested me especially. I even managed to get some free kit and things like a water bottle.

There were some presentations; but, they were basics and for totally new runners. So, I headed back out and chatted some more.

I then remembered I still needed to get my LA Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon work in; so, I headed out ... to the Strand and Windward! The Roadrunners might not be running; but, I am running.

The schedule was for a 5K on fast pace; so, I set out north towards Santa Monica. Pretty soon, it was obvious this was going to be a mediocre run at best.

I was running along the very familiar trail but somehow I was not focusing well and thus not running well.

I kept trying to pick up speed; but, it was not coming. I was going, but not at the desired rate.

I reached the traditional water stop and turned back to Windward. I kept trying and trying to accelerate; but, there was no results.

It was difficult mentally and becoming difficult physically, for what should have been a very easy run.

Finally, the last .2 miles I managed to get a kick going and managed to get some speed passing the collection of denizens in Venice. Then I reached the flagpoles and called it a run after the frustrations.

38:33 of running

3.43 miles

11:15 pace

Labor Day Laboring

Labor Day was a welcome day off from work and an opportunity to run with the LA Running Group. I went to meet them at the KSwiss store in south Santa Monica for the late afternoon excursion.

I set out and decided to adopt a medium pace, meaning I was soon left for dead by the fast runners. Still, I was doing alright and headed north. The ascent up the Santa Monica Pier was a tad more complex due to the huge number of visitors enjoying the evening.

I felt alright and was keeping my pace along Ocean Avenue, reaching the turnaround at the Totem Pole, which meant time for some water.

The return was a solo run basically, even as I was encountering many other non-LARC runners.

It was very nice seeing the sunset over the Pacific Ocean; it is hard to beat as a running environment.

I returned back to KSwiss and enjoyed the nice pretzels and drinks. It is a nice way to end a run.

It then dawned on me that I was the very last one to return. The rabbits had blown by me and those slower, including even the walkers, had taken the short option. Humiliating, that.

Still, I enjoyed the run.

1:00.00 of running
5.39 miles
11:08 pace

The Jury Is Out

Monday was my final day of jury duty in Inglewood, thankfully. Getting out at 4:30 p.m. meant I could for once make it to the LA Running Club Monday night run at KSwiss store in Santa Monica.

It was still quite sunny and also and more importantly quite hot. I also felt a little tired from the day; but, off I went. I kind of settled in an in-between spot between the fast runners and the not as fast runners and the walkers. In essence, I was alone. The goal was to get to the Totem Pole and back.

It felt a bit sluggish going up and I resorted to the water bottle a few times. Still, it was nice to be running. I reached the Totem Pole, stopped for water, and then began the descent back to KSwiss.

Somehow, I suddenly felt quite peaceful and gained energy. May be it was the beautiful sight of the setting sun with the Santa Monica Pier, the bay, the palm trees ... I felt really good while running, a very wonderful feeling after all the struggles. It might have been hot physically; but, mentally, it was quite refreshing.

I reached the pier and saw one of my former Confirmation class students at her job; so, that was a bonus.

I continued onwards and downwards reaching Main and then the KSwiss store. Then it was back to the Gatorade and pretzels.

Still, I felt good ... that was a plus.

59:38.03 of running
5.32 miles
11:02 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

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