Week 24: Rain, Rain Went Away ... Then a Dog Did Play

Saturday came and it meant another long run with the LA Roadrunners. This time it was a relatively short 10 miles (that is just incredible to write ... 10 miles in May would have been a tad long). I am still working to complete the Los Angeles Marathon.

It had been raining Friday night and rain was forecast for Saturday; I had brought along the always fashionable trash bag as well as my windbreaker. It turns out I did not need them! It was gorgeous.

Group 7 has been getting smaller and this time it was only 41 strong (vs. 75-80 a few months ago).

Because of the forecast rain and the already likely existing mud on the San Vicente Urban Obstacle Course, we headed south. My partner this time was the fellow Knight of Columbus, Danny, who was back with the group after a few weeks.

It was kind of a lackluster run; I think part of it is the early energy dissipated in Venice's quiet zones. The group was basically moving along without too much change. We cleared Venice and entered the now familiar environs of Marina del Rey, including the single file passageways.

As we neared the turnaround point, it got a bit crowded with other Roadrunner groups to and fro as well as the dreaded LA Leggers. Still, things were pretty smooth. I was running decently and my knee was not bad at all.

Also, the group was not losing people like last week. It was a bit cooler, though sunny, which helped. The group stayed quite together and intact.

The group was heading back home at last. We were on the Venice Strand when my partner killing talents reappeared.

As we passed a many with a large dog, the dog bolted ... and upended my partner, who ended up on the ground. The dog's owner was frankly a jerk as well as irresponsible, hurling a bunch of "colorful" language at us (hmmm, the law says owner must control and LEASH dog). I thought he might even want to have a go; so, I was semi-preparing myself. My partner did make it back to his feet and finished along with the group. Yeah! No serious damage thankfully.


We made it back and did the usual stretching. Our senior pace leader then said we looked good. He also started providing more information on parking and the shuttle. Finally, he went into next week's run ... He provides a lot of information.

Afterwards, it was off to the land of bananas and Gatorade. I changed shirts (I had sweated up my Roadrunners one a lot for some reason) to SERVITE black. I got my icepack on and then went to reload.

I also met a loyal reader in person ... and then got called away. Alas.

1:55.08 of running
10:43 pace (dog attack slowed Group 7)
10.74 miles ... .74 extra!

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!

Week 13: Lucky 7 Goes 7 in My Lucky 13

It was another cutback week for the LA Roadrunners.

This week was a lot different with totally overcast sky and a lot fewer people, perhaps due to it being a mere seven miles?

Anyways, Running Group Lucky 7 (Magnificent 7) was soon off and headed north to California following the usual Santa Monica Pier departure route. I felt fine, which was a relief after a meal of turkey, potatoes, and champurrado at Knights of Columbus Christmas party the night prior! My running partner came quite late; but, it was alright and we went back to the caboose position prior to the group starting. Lots of Tiger Woods jokes and comments could be heard. Despite not much sleep due to neighbors being loud at 3 a.m. - 4:30 a.m., I was still alright, and happy with Servite's playoff win!

Due to the short route, we turned back at California and headed back and into Venice. It seemed quite a short run, even if seven miles was unthinkable in April. My knee did act up a bit after the second water station; I think I need to keep moving!

Since it was no one's longest run, there was not exactly the sense of accomplishment and the group acted normally (my old Group 8 had a big group outing to go eat breakfast this morning ...)

Still, it was good, even with a dodgy knee. The motivational speaker helped me a lot. She made a lot of good points, even though she is not a runner, for marathoners. It has been a harsh year for me and this may have been a big help to refocus. I have been doing this for a lot of reasons and will be reflecting on them a lot tonight. Also, interestingly, she mentioned God ... frequently! In marathon training? Who would have thought it?

Anyways, I am glad I did the run. Another day closer, Diosmediante, to the Los Angeles Marathon ....

Time of 1:25.34 for 7.19 miles at 11:54 pace!