Nice Start to the Week

With the Roadrunners training guide for the Los Angeles Marathon, it basically tells you when and what to run (when/time/level/distance, etc.). So, they also include offdays ... Monday or Tuesday plus always Friday.



I tend to run on Monday due to scheduling. I set out this morning early (like 04:15). I set out on my more or less chosen 30-minute route around Santa Monica and did feel a bit of "workout" lag at the start; but, this went away as I got more into the run.



It was an amazing scene though with so many stars in a clear sky. It was great. I even encountered a speedwalker out early and we both commented on how perfect conditions were.



I did feel a bit of soreness, more lactic acid than anything, in my calves later; but, it soon went away.



All in all, it was not a bad start to the week.

On Sunday Morning ...

It is Sunday and so another training run. I did not have Gwen Stefani or No Doubt singing "Sunday Morning" in my head though.

The Roadrunners manual called for 30 minutes and so off I went.

It started a bit slow as my legs seemed to have built up some lactic acid overnight; but, once I got moving, it was fine. Plus, the morning was so beautiful. There were dozens of stars in the perfectly clear sky. I was happy and it was a good start for a busy day.

My pace was even better ... 11:52 for 2.71 miles on 32:12. I was pleased that the longest run of my life really seemed to have no major aftereffects! This Los Angeles Marathon is looking possible!

Week 10: The Dirty Dozen!

This week's long run boldly went where I had not gone before ...

It turned out to be an absolutely spectacular morning, crisp, clear and bright. It was magnificent even before setting out on the run. It was time for the weekly Roadrunners trot.

Before heading out on the run, I made my first use of BODYGLIDE ® anti-chafe balm. I have been starting to have problems on the longer runs, especially since I have classic sprinter thighs (i.e. built-up). The idea of having chafing for the Los Angeles Marathon was not a positive one. It was simple to use and turned out to work very well. I am happy to have that issue solved , definitely.

Also, before setting out on the run, I did another experiment and had a Clif Shot chocolate flavor gel. I liked the taste. I do wonder with the gels if they will be messy on a long run or during the marathon. I am also learning that with any of these nutrient combinations during running that it is NOT the Popeye Effect, i.e. an instant burst of energy akin to Popeye's strength increasing after eating a can of spinach. It seems much more just refuelling like with a car. I had no problems with the gel and any aftereffects, which was a good sign.

During this run I was back to the GU strawberry chomps, the ones I think of as Gummibears. I feel comfortable with them now and since this was my longest run ever did not want to experiment too much. They seemed to work well. They are bulkier than the gels; but, they are also cleaner.

The run itself was incredible. I felt much more relaxed and better than the previous cutback week. My running partner and I had a fun conversation as we rolled up to the Santa Monica Pier and onwards to the north of Santa Monica

I just felt so good. My knee was not an issue. I was enjoying the ocean views, the waves, and even the crazy people. Soon, my Group 7 was at The Totem Pole.

Then it was off to the edge of the abyss, Adelaide Street, with nice canyon views and big homes. Shortly, it was on to San Vicente Boulevard. I opted to run down the median preferring grass to concrete due to prior bouts of shin splints.

It was really fun running down the median, with the extra challenges of avoiding tree limbs, roots, signs, and metal grates/holes. This led to a game with people near me of calling out hazards. SIGN! ROOT! HOLE! SIGN! SIGN! HOLE! and on and on. This continued until the turnaround at 26th Street.

I also managed a soccer move! A pinecone fell suddenly right at my right foot. Instinctively I managed to sweep it off to the side in a single motion. Ah, the wonders of being a fullback.

I felt so comfortable I had not noticed the incline, which turning around I suddenly saw! The good part was turning back was downhill. It meant we were also running the last four miles of the marathon route, which is reassuring.

Heading down San Vicente, we soon saw the ocean, meaning Ocean Avenue and the final turn of the marathon! What a sight with the azure ocean and sky. Running down the street I also picked what I hope will be the landmark to start a final sprint ... California Avenue! .4 miles from the finish line on Santa Monica Boulevard.

The group continued down on to the pier and back south along the boardwalk. Soon, after a small excursion to Venice sidestreets, it was back to Windward and the finish. I felt fantastic. I had run my longest run ever and had energy left for more. The stretching was done and it was off for the now traditional Gatorade and bananas.

A few hours later I did feel a bit sore; but, it was the good "workout" sore vs. the bad pain. I was just happy to know I had come this far. It is not 26.2; but, 12.1 is still pretty good compared to April level.

My group finished 12.11 miles at a 12;04 pace in 2:26:08. That includes when we slowed for water stations, red lights, etc. Towards the end we definitely sped up and I kept up!

The film The Dirty Dozen has a theme of a bunch of misfits being trained to a common goal: killing Germans. Roadrunners takes people and one misfit, namely me, and trains us for a common goal, the marathon. So, for me this Saturday was The Dirty Dozen, 12 miles!

Friday the 13th

Today, as are all Fridays, is an off-day for the LA Roadrunners training for the Los Angeles Marathon, since Saturday is the long-run day.

Although the extra hour of sleep is always welcome, it does feel weird. My legs actually feel "heavy" today and I think it might be due to NOT running this morning.

Shame really as 13 is my lucky number ... and the way this year has gone for me (i.e. a disaster), I would likely have had a great run! Aye, Friday the 13th ...

Thursday Trial Run

This morning was another training run, a 40-minute trip according to the schedule.

I again tried the GU Energy Gel Espresso Love variety before setting out and again no problems digesting it. Overall, it was a fairly smooth run, which was a good sign for Saturday.

I am also learning where the sidewalk is uneven, which is proving important in the pre-dawn!

It is still a strange feeling seeing a mostly empty Pico Boulevard. There is usually activity around Trader Joe's; but, otherwise, I see few people at all besides the odd driver passing.

I took out a street map and began looking at the course. It should be challenging, as if 26.2 miles would ever be easy, but fun as well. Godwilling, come March 21, I will be on that Ocean Avenue straightaway, sensing the end of the Los Angeles Marathon ... and feeling the need!

Gu for You? Gu for me!

This morning was the longest training run for the week, excluding Saturday obviously.

I was up dark and early and headed out, with a new twist. I tried a GU Energy Gel before starting. It was "Espresso Love" flavor. It tasted alright, a bit like honey to me. I am not exactly a frequent visitor to Starbucks and know next to nothing about espresso; but, I thought I would give it a try, especially as the wrapper said it had caffeine. The Roadrunners pace leaders and visiting nutritionist had mentioned the GU as well as caffeine in their talks and advice sessions. They also said it could sometimes upset stomachs; so, I thought I would try it on a relatively short jaunt.

I felt pretty comfortable trotting around the Pico Neighborhood. It is amazing how open it feels without the traffic.

I also did not have any trouble with the GU Energy Gel at all. I am not sure if it had much of an effect energy-wise, though, for a relatively short run. It does seem like it would be a bit sticky trying to keep using them throughout a real long run or the Los Angeles Marathon; but, I will continue experimenting and trying them. I did like my trial of the GU Chomps, which kind of reminded me of a runner's form of Gummibears! I also plan to test the Bloks.

I was also pretty happy that my knee seems to be slowly improving. There are still times of pain; but, it is less often and less severe.

Anyways, I ran 3.78 miles in 46:10, which is not too bad. I added some hillwork as well, which I am being reminded of as I see Temple in downtown Los Angeles as well as thinking about prior trips to Dodger Stadium.

It was also a bit of a reflective run since it is Remembrance Day and Veterans' Day ... Lest We Forget.

The Course of Course

Since the Los Angeles Marathon released information on the course for 2010, I have started paying closer attention to the relevant areas.

For example, this morning I went past Temple in downtown Los Angeles and the Cathedral of Our Lady Queen of the Angels. Thinking of it now much more in running terms I noticed it is will be uphill trek there. (Hence, the need for Roadrunners hill training!)

I also can not get Randy Newman's "I Love L.A." song out of my head, especially "Santa Monica Boulevard ... WE LOVE IT!" Maybe I can get Sheryl Crowe's "All I Wanna Do" with its reference to Santa Monica Boulevard as a mentally-playing alternate?

Oh well, the game continues ...