Week 16: Boxing Day Run

Today was another long run for the LA Roadrunners, just today was different ... there was no LA Roadrunners officially as the school, used as a base was closed.

So, I opted to go for the long run form my parents' house in Orange County. It started later than normal due to an early morning trip to John Wayne Airport.

I set out and felt so-so with my knee and also just a lack of energy from Christmas and all.

I did get in some hillwork and the scenery was a nice change. Not often I see horses or heck houses with decent yards on my Santa Monica runs.

I decided to head down and back some residential streets and then to a larger street towards eastern Anaheim. Upon finding an open gate, I went into Esperanza High School, the nearest public high shcool and looked for their track. I thought the track may be a good option to ease the pounding on my knee.

I found the track and frankly it was in terrible condition as was their field, which was a surprise. Still, I was two miles in and surviving; so, I began going old-school ... laps of the track.

I kept going but I was struggling. I was definitely not on LT target pace; but, felt some miles was better than no miles. So, round and round I went, remembering why I normally do not do track laps unless I am racing! It was so dull, especially as it is not my high school. I tried to think about other things that have been causing issues lately; but, no good today. I did see some aircraft headed into John Wayne Airport; so, that was a welcome change.

I kept going round and round with brief stops for Powerade (yeah!) and back at it until hitting 6.6 miles. I then began heading for my parents' house, which meant even more hillwork, passing a tractor on a strawberrry patch and other odd sights.

I got home ... knee was sore, time was bad; but, I made it. I did not make the target time; but, I did make the miles at least. I also got concerned about the battle damage and am thinking I may need a break this week.

I ran for 1:33 for 8:08 miles at 11:35 pace vs. my target of 10:30; so, disappointing to say the least.

I will have to see how it goes this week, if I do go and not rest my knee. May be I will go back to Group 8? At least next week is a mere five miles; so, I think I can manage. I guess the frustration is I am really trying and right now the results are not as good as I want. It is still better than I could do in May; but, hobbling around is a bit demoralizing.

Home Run!

Well, Thursday, it was off very dark and early to my parents' house in Orange County. it is quite amazing how little traffic there is on the 10, 60, and 57 at 4;30 a.m.! !Me gusta mucho!

Still, Thanksgiving Day or not, the LA Roadrunners manual for marathon training had a run scheduled. So, once I was back in Yorba Linda, I set off in the weird feeling of a daylight solo run!

It was just incredible, with light Santa Ana winds, sunny, warm, ... very, very nice. Also, lots of real hills to go up and down for extra credit (I wish). I went by my kindergarten school even. Also, the inspirational smell of horse manure ... well, may be that was a drawback.

It was great though being in the homeland and getting to train on some different terrain. There were also some friendly joggers and walkers about, which was a nice change.

I ran 11:46 pace for 41:29 or 3.53 miles according to the Garmin 305 electronic conscience. While I was able to speed up due to running in the light and not having to be careful about tripping in the dark like at home, I was still happy as this run had a lot more hills than normal.

Not a bad way to get Thanksgiving Day going ... home run indeed.