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.
Showing posts with label U2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label U2. Show all posts
Saturday, November 28, 2009
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 ...
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
I Want To Run
It was an interesting run today; I felt so sluggish yet my times around were actually too fast and I had to slow down to follow the training guide.
Perhaps it was the weather, which was so nice? Perhaps it was having survived the tsunami alert following the American Samoa earthquake? (The effects in Santa Monica were minimal to say the least). Perhaps it was just I am getting accustomed to this non-sprinting-style more and more and despite it feeling slow ... it really is not! I barely even broke a sweat which was really amazing.
Oddly enough, the "song in my head" for today was U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name." The song opens with "I want to run ..." Hmmm. It is a song that talks about continuing on despite struggles; somehow it seemed appropriate.
Hopefully, come March 21, I will feel a bit sharper for the Los Angeles Marathon and the running will be more energetic; but, if today was a sluggish result, I could accept it!
Perhaps it was the weather, which was so nice? Perhaps it was having survived the tsunami alert following the American Samoa earthquake? (The effects in Santa Monica were minimal to say the least). Perhaps it was just I am getting accustomed to this non-sprinting-style more and more and despite it feeling slow ... it really is not! I barely even broke a sweat which was really amazing.
Oddly enough, the "song in my head" for today was U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name." The song opens with "I want to run ..." Hmmm. It is a song that talks about continuing on despite struggles; somehow it seemed appropriate.
Hopefully, come March 21, I will feel a bit sharper for the Los Angeles Marathon and the running will be more energetic; but, if today was a sluggish result, I could accept it!
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