Friday Futility

It was a cutback week for the LA Running Club training schedule; so, less runs and less distance were planned.

I had planned to run Thursday evening; but, the all too clear sound of numerous police cars in the area gave me sufficient reason to alter the plan.

I set out on a planned short run and fairly soon realized it was not going to be an easy one. It was and is an unsettling feeling.

I continued onwards around the Pico Neighborhood, taking in the relatively busy evening compared to the much calmer pre-dawn. It is amazing how the neighborhood changes over a few hours, though there are constants like the doughnut store being open.

I ran towards Santa Monica Airport and Clover Park, seeing a few business jets. I felt quite lethargic and knew the statistics for this race would be less than stellar.

I kept going and headed for home.

I finished and faced disappointment ...

30:49 of running
2.42 miles
12:45 pace

80 for 1

I had taken a day off as my legs were unusually sore after the intervals. Thursday evening I resumed running.

The schedule from LA Running Club called for 80 minutes of aerobic pace, a decent run, to prepare for the LA Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon.

The evening was pleasant and there was even a slight breeze. I set out along Pico before heading towards the Santa Monica Airport and Clover Park areas again.

Setting out was relatively easy. I did have to dodge bikes, dogs, walkers, etc. that are not normally around at pre-dawn runs. I trotted south and then entered the airport area before heading for the welcoming lights of Clover Park after about 20 minutes.

I then began doing the laps around the park. It helps not having to stop for traffic lights, having a relatively level surface and also knowing the landmarks. The park also nicely provides water!

So around and round I went. I stopped at 40 minutes to take in water and a Clif Shot mocha flavor to see how I did with it as well as needing energy.

I must have been somewhat focused on running as I finally noticed a nice Citation jet had been replaced by a King Air on the ramp by the park. Normally, I would have noticed the slightest move.

The mocha Clif Shot seemed to be a boost as well. A bit messy to try and use; but, it tasted great!

So, I did the 80 minutes and felt decently. I still need to get faster; but, 80 minutes is not bad.

1:25.34 of running
7.21 miles
11:54 pace

Woeful Wednesday

Wednesday came and armed with my revived Garmin I set out again for a scheduled 70 minute trot in Santa Monica.

Monday had seemed such a good run; but, Wednesday quickly felt awkward. I ran around the Pico Neighborhood, Clover Park and Santa Monica Airport.

I just felt drained energy-wise and the run reflected it as I really struggled on what should have been a challenging but doable trot. I just could not achieve a good, comfortable pace the entire time.

I made it back and stretched before sitting and just thinking about what had happened and the frustration and inconsistency.

1:13.42 of running
5.58 miles
13:13 pace

Heating Up

Due to scheduling this week, I was able to take a rare midweek run in the daylight. In fact there was lots of daylight in the morning.



It was a long run for a midweek trot, 60 minutes. It was also a clear morning and quite warm!



It did seem a bit odd running around the neighborhood in the sunshine; but, it was also nice seeing things in a different light (bad pun) as a runner.



I felt pretty good setting out and hit a few side streets before going east on Pico Boulevard to incorporate some hills into the trip.



I then turned for the Santa Monica Airport and Clover Park for a few laps and some water!



I was feeling relatively good and much better than last week, even with the longer run.



I made it back home and was quite happy to take my now soaking wet shirt off and take in some water and Powerade.

1:02.30 of running
5.31 miles
11:47 pace

Tuesday Trot

Tuesday was a short run again; I set out for a brief trot around Santa Monica, Santa Monica Airport, and Clover Park.



I ran in the evening due to scheduling issues.



I felt better than I had for a while and relatively comfortable.



Afterwards, though, the knee was rather sore.

35:30 of running
3.05 miles
11:38 pace

Sunday's Sortie

I took another brief run Sunday evening, heading out around Santa Monica, Clover Park, and the Santa Monica Airport.

I felt somewhat better than Saturday, which was encouraging. I did find it hard to get a good pace going with a series of traffic lights and people walking dogs.

I was happier though overall with the effort and results. My knee felt better after being quite sore for a few days.

I ran around the airport area, seeing all the nice business jets, and then headed home. I felt a bit of energy drained at 25 minutes in; but, it was decent.

The time was not as big a differential and improvement as I expected vs. Saturday; but, it was alright.

31:43 of running
2.71 miles
11:41 pace

Midweek Mission

It is a cutback week for my training; so, less running and less running time.

I gave myself a spare day and a half still trying to fight off a cold; but, it has not been too successful.

I set out Wednesday evening for a brief run around the Pico Neighborhood, Santa Monica Airport and Clover Park.

Fairly soon into the run, I noticed I still felt lethargic and even sore. I am not sure why as a 5K Saturday and a brief run Sunday should not be that trying.

I continued onwards and just tried to work on form as this was clearly not going to be a classic.

I made it around the loop and returned home frustrated once again.

32:23 of running
2.65 miles
12:15 pace

Sunday Run

Sunday started early as I left my parents' home in Orange County at 04:00 to get back to Santa Monica and then go to church to take care to the day's tasks.

I got home at 7:45 p.m. at last and decided to do a short run.

I set out and soon got a beep from Garmin ... a low energy warning and then it rapidly went blank screen.

I was not amused; but, I decided to try and run a Garmin-free trot. I headed around the area to the Santa Monica Airport and Clover Park.

I was hoping to feel relaxed without the electronic conscience; but, the opposite happened. Without my guiding light of timing guidance, I began to feel lethargic and slow.

My calves and thighs were sore; it was not good. The evening was nice and pleasant but the running was frustrating.

I continued onwards just kind of aimless plodding before heading home.

The lesson from this was there is a lot of room for improvement and I need to look at the causes of the problems very quickly.

Thursday Trial

After Wednesday's disappointing run, it was time for another try Thursday evening. I decided to try the same route as Wednesday. I was concerned that after Wednesday's struggles that I would be even worse Thursday; but, I needed the work, to vent some frustration, and wanted to see the results. So, off I went.

Initially, my calves felt a bit sore; but, overall I felt better than expected. I was going along decently. I reached the Santa Monica Airport area and felt good. I started the two laps at Clover Park and was happy to find I had a decent rhythm going and did not have a repeat of the 30-minute-fade from Wednesday.

I completed the laps and then headed on the way home. One difference in the night runs vs. the pre-dawn is there are even a few joggers, pedestrians, and more importantly dogs to be aware of to avoid problems. The pre-dawn has its own issues; but, sidewalk traffic is not one of them.

I made it back home, checked my Garmin, and felt relieved. The results were much better than Wednesday and physically I felt better.

Afterwards, I thought about the two runs. It really frustrates me not to be doing better, not to be more consistent, and being so unsure what will happen each time. I used to be very good at the mind games in high shcool runs; but, this is a harder time and needs to be fixed quickly.


53:28 of running
4.55 miles of running
11:49 pace

Wednesday Wobbles

I felt a bit better; so, I set out Wednesday evening for a run.

The plan was to try for a bit longer trot and go around Clover Park and the Santa Monica Airport. It was another overcast sky for the run.

I started and felt relatively strong, which was encouraging.

One issue with running at night vs. pre-dawn came to the fore again ... frequent stops due to traffic lights. This seems to really affect my momentum and flow. It is definitely an area to improve.

I cruised around the northern end of the airport, even seeing a business jet with a Canadian flag! Then it was onwards to Clover Park. I did two laps of the park. Lap #2 proved more of an adventure; I suddenly felt drained and sore ... I looked down at my Garmin and saw I was on 30 minutes.

It was very discouraging.

Still, I kept going and finished the lap of the park and then back along the northern end of the airport. I made it to the end of the loop and started to head back home and got there.

I had run alright; but, I was and am a bit disappointed in the results, especially pace. Lots of work to do ...

53:03 of running
4.30 miles
12:20 pace

Wednesday: Woes and Weird

I set out this morning for another training run dark and early around south Santa Monica.

Immediately, it all seemed a struggle, just not much energy or more worryingly even enthusiasm.

I headed towards Santa Monica Airport and felt a twinge, right where I had pulled a muscle July 4, and from then on it was sore.

I slowed and tried to just keep going. Unfortunately, it was another survival run.

I trotted around the area and as I headed home saw something moving in front of me.
It turned out to be a raccoon out foraging. When a car approached, I saw it disappear down a storm drain! A storm drain?

I made it back a bit disappointed; but, I guess some miles, even if very slow, are better than no miles.

35.12 of running
2.71 miles
12:57 pace

Paradox of Running

I set out Wednesday, dark and early, to run a bit. It is a cutback week on my schedule from LA Running Club, which helps!

I got up and felt relatively good and set off to run around the Pico Neighborhood and Santa Monica Airport.

I felt I was doing decently and physically felt alright considering. My muscle pull was making its presence felt; but, overall, knee was not acting up, felt strong, etc.

Then, I reached a red light and looked down at my Garmin ... oh, oh. Not so good pacewise. Just disappointing as I felt faster.

I continued on and completed the run; but, the paradox of feeling better while doing worse is bothering me.

32:13 of running
2.73 miles
12:44 pace

Run by Night

I have slowly resumed really trying to do better with mid-week running.

I made a run around Santa Monica Airport and Clover Park Wednesday night. I needed to run and just release some pressure.

I was also working on my stride again.

I felt decent, juts not near the peak, yet again.

My stride is slowly changing, which I hope helps long-term.

40:23 of running
3.56 miles
11:23 pace

Normal Service

Tuesday marked the resumption of midweek running.

I finally felt at least a bit motivated to set out; so, I did ... dark and early in Santa Monica.

I was trying to work on my form as had been discussed at the Saturday workshop. I also wanted to see how I would feel.

I was feeling relatively comfortable and felt like I was faster coasting around Santa Monica Airport's perimeter.

Reality was different ... I was not faster.

Still, it was nice to feel I was doing well ... and half the game seems to be mental (if not more).

32:20 of running
2.70 miles
11:59 pace

Sunday Sun

Sunday morning was a post-long run run.

I felt a bit better and no really significant soreness, which was a plus.

I headed around Clover Park and Santa Monica Airport and made it back home to get cleaned up for the day.

30:88 of running
2.51 miles
11:26 pace

Looking for Consistency

I set out Sunday early for a little trot. I chose the normal Sunday route around the Santa Monica Airport's northern end and Clover Park.

I felt decent; but, it was not powerful or confident. It was akin to the rather dull, June Gloom, weather.

I finished and made it home; but, just need to get it going better ... much better.

A tad off of last week again:

2.87 miles
32:59 of running
12:21 pace

Run to Live?

Sunday was originally going to be an 8-miler with LA Running Club since I did not have CCD class.

After Saturday's debacle and frustration, I thought it best not to try it as it was to be a group run and not a solo mission.

So, I set off on a little tour of the Pico neighborhood and Santa Monica Airport area.

My calves and thighs felt sore pretty early on; but, at least it was daylight.

I went around and got back on a modest run. After Saturday, it was an improvement; but, it was not anything to be proud of finishing.

32:18 of running
2.68 miles
12:03 pace

It's Baaaaaack

This morning I finally got a chance to try running again.

I had decided to rest my knee and the past few weeks have seen various levels of difficulty and soreness.

After giving it 30 days of relative ease (no running since the Victory Run), I got up dark and early this morning for a test trot.

I took a little lap around Pico and then towards Santa Monica Airport. Nothing too spectacular or fast; but, I made it. A little sore.

The speed was not very high; the senior pace leader for my LA Roadrunners group had said restart slowly (in fact this pace was probably quicker than suggested!). Plus, I was not sure what to expect and felt better having some success than risking disaster.

The big thing was starting again. Now, to see what tomorrow brings ...

31:09 of running
12:04 pace (slow :-( )
2.58 miles

Last Sunday Run

Well, this morning it was time for another post-long run run. Actually, it was the last one under the LA Roadrunners schedule except for a slightly longer run next Sunday! (Something about a marathon ...)

I felt pretty comfortable and headed out for a scheduled 30 minutes. My knee was a little sore; but, it was nothing unusual. I did get into Los Angeles before heading back into Santa Monica and was hitting LT pace until the traffic lights began taking their toll as usual.

I headed down to Santa Monica Airport and environs, taking in the relative quiet. I could hear the muffled sounds of traffic from the 10 freeway; but, that was about it. Suddenly, a helicopter came in; so, I watched it for a brief stop and then got going again.

I made it home and then took it all again. Progress.

My pace is a bit off; but, still, it is much better than a few weeks ago.

31:09 of running
2.75 miles
11:21 pace

30 Minutes of ...

Today was the last individual running day for the week. Saturday is the last LA Roadrunners group run as the Los Angeles Marathon draws closer.

It was kind of odd this morning as I did not want to run at all; but, I got up and going, thankfully.

I set out dark and early on an abbreviated M1. With the wind blowing, I decided to go with a windbreaker.

I felt pretty comfortable going around and was right around LT time once I got the wheels turning. I was relieved to feel this way as my knee has been a tad touchy in non-running hours.

The stoplights took turns tormenting me and one long one on Bundy and Pico is just a pace killer. Still, I cruised around the route, which still includes some smallish hills. After leaving Los Angeles, it was back into Santa Monica and then towards the airport. Today there were two park ranger vehicles looking about; but, no worries.

I made it home and got cleaned up for the day. I was a bit off target pace-wise; but, I was also faster than last time.

I also know for whatever reasons I run better after eating, in a group, and in the daylight ... all three of which were not happening this morning.

Hope is coming.

35:04 of running (a bit over target)
3.17 miles
11:04 pace