With all the rain ... and now thunder, lightning, hail (!!!!), and whatever else the past few days, I think I need something else non-weather-related for the blog ...
So, I checked my snail mail yesterday and the City of Santa Monica had sent "Seascape" newsletter with a front page article on ... The Los Angeles Marathon! They even have a webpage http://www.smgov.net/lamarathon/ The city is also seeking volunteers for the ever popular and vital water stations (I may have to pressgang some people!). We enter Santa Monica at Mile 23 and finish at Mile 26.2 .... 3.2 miles. !VAMANOS!
This morning, I read the free Santa Monica Daily Press http://www.smdp.com/ and they had an article mentioning that the owner of the Los Angeles Marathon and my beloved, if troubled, Los Angeles Dodgers, Frank McCourt, said that the marathon will continue coming to Santa Monica on the Stadium (Dodger Stadium) to the sea (The Pacific Ocean!) course. Many Roadrunners, including myself, were worried about the marathon may be in trouble since the McCourts are divorcing. So, that was encouraging!
Showing posts with label McCourts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label McCourts. Show all posts
Friday, January 22, 2010
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Week 12: Cruisin' after Thanksgiving
Well, the LA Roadrunners do not stop for holidays; so, I left home home dark and early and despite light showers on the car I just washed, I got home in time for a quick nap before getting up to eat and change for ... the weekly long run. I also did not get much sleep Friday nigth due to leaving early, being home home, and also monitoring Servite's victory in the football playoffs. Once a Friar ... ALWAYS a Friar. The things I do for training for aiming the Los Angeles Marathon.
Despite the earlier light rain, the weather was great. The waves were pounding, slight breeze, and some nice sunshine. I was eager to go despite little sleep and a recurring bout of soreness in my knee. I did have a good feeling as I heard some of my favorite U2 songs on the radio before I left home. I also played my now official theme song for all of this journey.
Soon enough Lucky 7/Magnificent 7 was off, fewer in number than normal; but, still sizable. The group headed north as usual and crossed the Santa Monica Pier; but, we turned back at California Avenue due to the Santa Monica Gobble Wobble run! I actually wanted to do that one; but, it was only 5k/10k and too short for training. This also meant no San Vicente Urban Obstacle Course. It was a bit disappointing as I wanted to see how my body reacted to it after doing the Yorba Linda hillwork Thursday. Still, some things never change and my running partner and I talked McCourts gossip again.
The group was soon enough back at the starting point and then headed deep into Venice, well past the Venice Pier. Having British blood and lots of it, I was glad to see Union Jack Street.
Next came my first excursion as a runner to Marina Del Rey. It was very interesting and pretty. Lots of nice condos and hotels. Nice inlets with water. Amazing yachts and boats. I think I could handle living there.
It did pose some interesting challenges with narrow passages necessitating single file running and even stoppages due to oncoming runners/walkers. Also, there was some car dodging.
The group wound through sidestreets and along the yacht anchorages until reaching the Marina Del Rey Marriott and then the library and the turnaround point. Soon, it was back along the same passageways and back to the basecamp at Venice.
I was really happy as I now hold the family record for distance as well as having completed an unofficial half marathon. The group ran 14.2 miles at a 11:58 clip in 2:49. Not bad for a post-Thanksgiving Day cruise.
For me personally it was good as my knee while bothersome did not become beyond use and although I could feel the lactic acid, I was able to keep going and keep with the group, talk, etc. I did use the GU Chomps again during the run to keep my energy level intact.
After stretching Alan the senior pace leader was great and brought out muffins and orange juice for a belated celebration of his birthday as well as Thanksgiving. Then I went to the school for the traditional Gatorade and bananas and even extra bananas as there were lots left over due to people off on holiday.
All in all, it was a good day. I ran and kept up despite some physical obstacles. I like my group. I hope when the pace quickens I will still be alright with it; but, right now, I am and I am doing my midweek running.
Despite the earlier light rain, the weather was great. The waves were pounding, slight breeze, and some nice sunshine. I was eager to go despite little sleep and a recurring bout of soreness in my knee. I did have a good feeling as I heard some of my favorite U2 songs on the radio before I left home. I also played my now official theme song for all of this journey.
Soon enough Lucky 7/Magnificent 7 was off, fewer in number than normal; but, still sizable. The group headed north as usual and crossed the Santa Monica Pier; but, we turned back at California Avenue due to the Santa Monica Gobble Wobble run! I actually wanted to do that one; but, it was only 5k/10k and too short for training. This also meant no San Vicente Urban Obstacle Course. It was a bit disappointing as I wanted to see how my body reacted to it after doing the Yorba Linda hillwork Thursday. Still, some things never change and my running partner and I talked McCourts gossip again.
The group was soon enough back at the starting point and then headed deep into Venice, well past the Venice Pier. Having British blood and lots of it, I was glad to see Union Jack Street.
Next came my first excursion as a runner to Marina Del Rey. It was very interesting and pretty. Lots of nice condos and hotels. Nice inlets with water. Amazing yachts and boats. I think I could handle living there.
It did pose some interesting challenges with narrow passages necessitating single file running and even stoppages due to oncoming runners/walkers. Also, there was some car dodging.
The group wound through sidestreets and along the yacht anchorages until reaching the Marina Del Rey Marriott and then the library and the turnaround point. Soon, it was back along the same passageways and back to the basecamp at Venice.
I was really happy as I now hold the family record for distance as well as having completed an unofficial half marathon. The group ran 14.2 miles at a 11:58 clip in 2:49. Not bad for a post-Thanksgiving Day cruise.
For me personally it was good as my knee while bothersome did not become beyond use and although I could feel the lactic acid, I was able to keep going and keep with the group, talk, etc. I did use the GU Chomps again during the run to keep my energy level intact.
After stretching Alan the senior pace leader was great and brought out muffins and orange juice for a belated celebration of his birthday as well as Thanksgiving. Then I went to the school for the traditional Gatorade and bananas and even extra bananas as there were lots left over due to people off on holiday.
All in all, it was a good day. I ran and kept up despite some physical obstacles. I like my group. I hope when the pace quickens I will still be alright with it; but, right now, I am and I am doing my midweek running.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Week 9: Five Mile Milk Run ... Until the End!
This was the latest cut-back week; so, it was a now modest five miles on the schedule for the Roadrunners Los Angeles Marathon plan. It was a "milk run" run.
It has been a difficult week for many reasons and the energy was just lacking. I think may be the fact that I KNEW I could do five miles and had done it before perhaps lessened the enthusiasm.
At least the session started with the Roadrunner cadence which helped. Motivation. Dedication. Aye.
The morning was semi-overcast to match my energy level. Still, Group 7 (Lucky 7/Magnificent 7) was off and headed north going along the Strand to the water stop (with the weekly promises of menudo and/or coffee and doughnuts from Captain Jesus). Then it was up the Santa Monica Pier and further north to Wilshire. As is the new tradition, I kept my cap backwards from Ocean Avenue to Santa Monica Blvd. and vice versa on the return. My group partner and I had another discussion on the Dodgers and the McCourts debacle.
It seemed like a normal return leg when the group seemed noticeably faster through to the end. It turns out the reason why it seemed noticeably faster was because the group was noticeably faster; the pace leaders changed it to race pace for the last mile! So, it was nice to feel some relative speed. I need my sprinter/semi-sprinter fix!
My Garmin electronic conscience said it was really 5.61 miles (vs. scheduled five) in 1:04:24 for a 11:29 overall pace.
Afterwards, I spoke with the senior pace leader and he said they were pleased as the group responded and no one fell off the faster pace. He also said he felt if the group was going on race pace the entire way on a longer run, they would normally see up to 50% drop out/back rate.
Anyways, it was more Gatorade and bananas and then a presentation nutrition with a list of vitamins I had never heard of and seemed a bit intimidating to me as well as my wallet.
I am glad I ran as I needed it; but, the sense of achievement for setting a new high in distance was gone obviously. This week's run was more just survive than thrive; but, may be that is a good thing every few weeks so the edge is there when needed.
It has been a difficult week for many reasons and the energy was just lacking. I think may be the fact that I KNEW I could do five miles and had done it before perhaps lessened the enthusiasm.
At least the session started with the Roadrunner cadence which helped. Motivation. Dedication. Aye.
The morning was semi-overcast to match my energy level. Still, Group 7 (Lucky 7/Magnificent 7) was off and headed north going along the Strand to the water stop (with the weekly promises of menudo and/or coffee and doughnuts from Captain Jesus). Then it was up the Santa Monica Pier and further north to Wilshire. As is the new tradition, I kept my cap backwards from Ocean Avenue to Santa Monica Blvd. and vice versa on the return. My group partner and I had another discussion on the Dodgers and the McCourts debacle.
It seemed like a normal return leg when the group seemed noticeably faster through to the end. It turns out the reason why it seemed noticeably faster was because the group was noticeably faster; the pace leaders changed it to race pace for the last mile! So, it was nice to feel some relative speed. I need my sprinter/semi-sprinter fix!
My Garmin electronic conscience said it was really 5.61 miles (vs. scheduled five) in 1:04:24 for a 11:29 overall pace.
Afterwards, I spoke with the senior pace leader and he said they were pleased as the group responded and no one fell off the faster pace. He also said he felt if the group was going on race pace the entire way on a longer run, they would normally see up to 50% drop out/back rate.
Anyways, it was more Gatorade and bananas and then a presentation nutrition with a list of vitamins I had never heard of and seemed a bit intimidating to me as well as my wallet.
I am glad I ran as I needed it; but, the sense of achievement for setting a new high in distance was gone obviously. This week's run was more just survive than thrive; but, may be that is a good thing every few weeks so the edge is there when needed.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Week 8: Halloween X-Rated Run!
Saturday marked my eighth Saturday training for the Los Angeles Marathon with the Roadrunners. It also marked Halloween! Even better, it was my X-Rated Run! Before I left home, I was happy to catch U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name" on the radio and the line "I want to run ..." It will not be my "official" theme song for the marathon; but, i do like it and it fits.
It was a rather odd start with many runners and leaders missing. There was no rallying chant which was a bit disappointing.
It was just a beautiful day, unlike the previous week's fog, which would have been more fitting for Halloween. My group headed off to the north. One of the pace leaders was dressed in a 1970s disco-type outfit ... truly scary. Three of my old group's leaders dressed up as well. I was a bit more cautious and dressed as a marathon runner ... no one would believe it though. As the group headed off, I began wondering who in Venice was in costume and who was not. I also saw a friend from church and jokingly invited him to join the fun.
This was the longest run of my life, scheduled for 10 miles. I was a bit nervous; but, I also felt some excitement. It is obviously not 26.2; but, personal records still count in my mind.
My knee overall has been better the last few weeks. It has its odd flareups, especially after prolonged time in a seat; but, it is much better than before and my ankle pain from summer is gone thankfully.
The trip up the Santa Monica Pier and Ocean Avenue really felt comfortable. I was using a new type of energy food for a trial and it seems to work as well. The group headed to the new Totem Pole landmark (where I touched the claws for luck) and then on to Adelaide for the turning point.
This week, my line partner warned he was a bit cautious with his calf; but, he made it and we had a nice chat along the way on baseball, the McCourts, Alberta, etc. He did break off early at eight miles; but, he did well.
Then it was off into Venice's sidestreets, including the non-sprinting Speedway and eventually the turnaround point there at Lighthouse Street for the short return leg home.
My group, officially Lucky 7 or my Magnificent 7, went on a 11:48 pace for 10.24 miles in 2:00:53! (So sayeth my Garmin 305).
I was happy. It felt great to be able to go that far and feel like I could go even further! Later in the day I had a little soreness in my thighs and calves; but, I felt the return of the old track feeling of joy as it meant a good workout. Even better was it was not sharp or even lasting too long. So, that is my X-Rated run ... X being for the BIG TEN miles ...
It was a rather odd start with many runners and leaders missing. There was no rallying chant which was a bit disappointing.
It was just a beautiful day, unlike the previous week's fog, which would have been more fitting for Halloween. My group headed off to the north. One of the pace leaders was dressed in a 1970s disco-type outfit ... truly scary. Three of my old group's leaders dressed up as well. I was a bit more cautious and dressed as a marathon runner ... no one would believe it though. As the group headed off, I began wondering who in Venice was in costume and who was not. I also saw a friend from church and jokingly invited him to join the fun.
This was the longest run of my life, scheduled for 10 miles. I was a bit nervous; but, I also felt some excitement. It is obviously not 26.2; but, personal records still count in my mind.
My knee overall has been better the last few weeks. It has its odd flareups, especially after prolonged time in a seat; but, it is much better than before and my ankle pain from summer is gone thankfully.
The trip up the Santa Monica Pier and Ocean Avenue really felt comfortable. I was using a new type of energy food for a trial and it seems to work as well. The group headed to the new Totem Pole landmark (where I touched the claws for luck) and then on to Adelaide for the turning point.
This week, my line partner warned he was a bit cautious with his calf; but, he made it and we had a nice chat along the way on baseball, the McCourts, Alberta, etc. He did break off early at eight miles; but, he did well.
Then it was off into Venice's sidestreets, including the non-sprinting Speedway and eventually the turnaround point there at Lighthouse Street for the short return leg home.
My group, officially Lucky 7 or my Magnificent 7, went on a 11:48 pace for 10.24 miles in 2:00:53! (So sayeth my Garmin 305).
I was happy. It felt great to be able to go that far and feel like I could go even further! Later in the day I had a little soreness in my thighs and calves; but, I felt the return of the old track feeling of joy as it meant a good workout. Even better was it was not sharp or even lasting too long. So, that is my X-Rated run ... X being for the BIG TEN miles ...
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