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
Showing posts with label Pacific Ocean. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pacific Ocean. Show all posts
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
When Saturday Comes
Saturday meant another LA Running Club run. It was scheduled to be a cutback week, so just about 60 minutes or so.
It was again overcast and kind of dull, even the Pacific Ocean waves seemed quieter.
The group seemed smaller as well, perhaps due to a paceleaders meeting for LA Roadrunners!
The goal for my training day was the Santa Monica-Venice border and return.
I set out fairly fast until about the Santa Monica Pier. Then, I began to feel drained mentally and physically and it became a struggle. I just could not feel a good flow or motion, even though my form should be better.
Near the turnaround point, my calves began to feel like they were weighted with lead. It was not a good sensation.
I resorted yet again to survival running and just trying to turn my feet over and keep going.
I felt a little surge of energy crossing California Incline and to the end; but, it was still not dominant power.
All in all for what was supposed to be an easy run, it was very frustrating and depressing. Still, six miles was a lot more than I would do a year ago.
6.17 miles
1:13.26 of running
11:52 pace
It was again overcast and kind of dull, even the Pacific Ocean waves seemed quieter.
The group seemed smaller as well, perhaps due to a paceleaders meeting for LA Roadrunners!
The goal for my training day was the Santa Monica-Venice border and return.
I set out fairly fast until about the Santa Monica Pier. Then, I began to feel drained mentally and physically and it became a struggle. I just could not feel a good flow or motion, even though my form should be better.
Near the turnaround point, my calves began to feel like they were weighted with lead. It was not a good sensation.
I resorted yet again to survival running and just trying to turn my feet over and keep going.
I felt a little surge of energy crossing California Incline and to the end; but, it was still not dominant power.
All in all for what was supposed to be an easy run, it was very frustrating and depressing. Still, six miles was a lot more than I would do a year ago.
6.17 miles
1:13.26 of running
11:52 pace
Friday, January 22, 2010
Santa Monica ...!!!!!
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!
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!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Week 6: SURPRISE!
Today was the first week of the second build-up phase. After last week's three-mile cut-back week, it was back at the building up of resources for the big day of the Los Angeles Marathon. So, thankfully, I did my mid-week running despite it being dark and one day nice and wet!
Before the weekly trek to the Strand and even the motivational chant, the leaders announced a surprise. It would not be seven miles ... which was the plan and even emailed Thursday. It would be eight! Eight miles. One water station. Nice warm, sunny day. "Surprise, surprise, surprise" as Gomer Pyle used to say when I was very young.
Soon my Group 7 (Lucky 7/Magnificent 7) was rapidly heading to the Strand and eventually we were off. It was such an amazing day with the warm, warm sun along the beach (even if I would not dare enter the Pacific Ocean after a storm!). I felt really comfortable and for once even had a talkative partner which really helped.
We even player Roadrunners gossip, namely what effect the pending Frank and Jamie McCourt divorce which has been spread all over the paper just in time to distract from the Dodgers' playoffs, will have on the Marathon since they own it! Hopefully, it stays as it is as I am happy with the Roadrunners program and the idea of doing IT (the marathon).
We headed north and got to the water station, where I began using my first nutritional chews ever during a run. Think gumdrops meets energy drink. Soon, it was up on the Santa Monica Pier and to Ocean Avenue and a spectacular view of the sea. The group headed north further and further to the really affluent areas of Santa Monica crossing Wilshire, Arizona, California, etc. all the way to San Vicente! Then, it was turn around at the famous totem pole and head back.
I really felt comfortable and only a bit of tenderness in my knee. I think being in the group really helps and the nice weather as well, even as my shirt got rapidly soaked in sweat for the first time as a Roadrunner.
Heading south of Santa Monica Blvd., I thought I would honor my neighborhood and turn my cap around, keeping it that way until Ocean Park Blvd. You can take El Guerro out of the Pico Neighborhood; but, ...
The group was soon back into Venice and I sighted a typical SoCal sight: a marijuana "evaluation" clinic next to "Botox by the Beach." Ugh. Just what we need to show tourists, right?
The group headed for a small bit into a quiet residential area in Venice before returning to the boardwalk. I really felt tempted to sprint; but, resisted ... for now. Old habits die hard.
The group got back to the starting point. The senior leader who is great mentioned the training schedule is being changed and the midweek runs upped and also that the actual route will be out in two weeks!
It was time to get back to the school where the Gatorade line was longer than usual! It was also time for a banana and some nuts. I then visited the second charity exhibition. Charity work on this is one thing I still have to determine.
It was then off for home.
I felt a quiet kind of satisfaction at the end, eight miles on a warm day, and I still had a lot of energy in the "gas tank." It feels like progress!
Life has been a real challenge the past few months; so, progress on any front is welcome. Still, for a time today, I felt progress and it felt good. Godwilling, it continues. I am not sure who the patron saint of marathons is, if there even is one! I think regardless I will go with St. Michael, my patron saint, and someone with wings (as well as a sword for difficult times!).
Before the weekly trek to the Strand and even the motivational chant, the leaders announced a surprise. It would not be seven miles ... which was the plan and even emailed Thursday. It would be eight! Eight miles. One water station. Nice warm, sunny day. "Surprise, surprise, surprise" as Gomer Pyle used to say when I was very young.
Soon my Group 7 (Lucky 7/Magnificent 7) was rapidly heading to the Strand and eventually we were off. It was such an amazing day with the warm, warm sun along the beach (even if I would not dare enter the Pacific Ocean after a storm!). I felt really comfortable and for once even had a talkative partner which really helped.
We even player Roadrunners gossip, namely what effect the pending Frank and Jamie McCourt divorce which has been spread all over the paper just in time to distract from the Dodgers' playoffs, will have on the Marathon since they own it! Hopefully, it stays as it is as I am happy with the Roadrunners program and the idea of doing IT (the marathon).
We headed north and got to the water station, where I began using my first nutritional chews ever during a run. Think gumdrops meets energy drink. Soon, it was up on the Santa Monica Pier and to Ocean Avenue and a spectacular view of the sea. The group headed north further and further to the really affluent areas of Santa Monica crossing Wilshire, Arizona, California, etc. all the way to San Vicente! Then, it was turn around at the famous totem pole and head back.
I really felt comfortable and only a bit of tenderness in my knee. I think being in the group really helps and the nice weather as well, even as my shirt got rapidly soaked in sweat for the first time as a Roadrunner.
Heading south of Santa Monica Blvd., I thought I would honor my neighborhood and turn my cap around, keeping it that way until Ocean Park Blvd. You can take El Guerro out of the Pico Neighborhood; but, ...
The group was soon back into Venice and I sighted a typical SoCal sight: a marijuana "evaluation" clinic next to "Botox by the Beach." Ugh. Just what we need to show tourists, right?
The group headed for a small bit into a quiet residential area in Venice before returning to the boardwalk. I really felt tempted to sprint; but, resisted ... for now. Old habits die hard.
The group got back to the starting point. The senior leader who is great mentioned the training schedule is being changed and the midweek runs upped and also that the actual route will be out in two weeks!
It was time to get back to the school where the Gatorade line was longer than usual! It was also time for a banana and some nuts. I then visited the second charity exhibition. Charity work on this is one thing I still have to determine.
It was then off for home.
I felt a quiet kind of satisfaction at the end, eight miles on a warm day, and I still had a lot of energy in the "gas tank." It feels like progress!
Life has been a real challenge the past few months; so, progress on any front is welcome. Still, for a time today, I felt progress and it felt good. Godwilling, it continues. I am not sure who the patron saint of marathons is, if there even is one! I think regardless I will go with St. Michael, my patron saint, and someone with wings (as well as a sword for difficult times!).
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