After the race ...
Monday, July 12, 2010
All Star Game!
Sunday, I managed a day off from church work and headed back to the homeland, Anaheim!
Dark and early I set of for the All Star Game Charity 5K & Fun Run at Anaheim Stadium (a.k.a. Angel Stadium of Anaheim), host of this year's All Star game as well as home to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (a.k.a. California Angels, Anaheim Angels, ....).
It was exciting, though I was nervous after Saturday's troubles. I arrived early as they were still setting up registration.
Soon enough, I began check-in to find my name listed TWICE. This made it a bit more challenging to get my bib; but, it all worked out and I got my bib, chip, and shirt! I was surprised there was no swag bag.
I stretched and tried to keep loose. I also visited the few sponsor booths and managed a free shirt for my efforts.
A treat was I got to meet up with a high school classmate; so, we found each other amid the crowd and spoke a bit. Servite forever.
Soon enough, it was time to go to the starting area. It was kind of disorganized and I could not get in the right corral since it meant having to climb over a barrier, which seemed less than wise with my muscle pull.
Finally I got in the over 12 minutes corral and soon realized there were problems. Little kids, people who obviously could not keep a 12:00 pace, etc. were way ahead of me in corrals. Oh well, this was not really a race for me, per se. It was more recovery run, working on form, and enjoying the experience.
They introduced numerous cancer charity speakers. Their groups benefited from Major League Baseball's event. Then they introduced old familiar names ... Harold Reynolds, Reggie Jackson, Tim Salmon, Bobby Grich ... I am a devout Dodgers fan; but, still, it was neat.
Finally the horn sounded and after a few minutes I reached the starting line and began picking my way through the crowd. It was Servite track all over again.
The police had done a nice job making the course clear and the streets of Anaheim are in far better condition than Los Angeles. I was not going all out; but, I was working and also feeling much better than expected considering Saturday. I began picking off runners as well.
One big issue was people who should have been behind me in placement were not and they would stop suddenly or take pictures or walk slowly or just not up to the 5K that day. I almost ran over several.
Running along to Orangewood, State College, Katella ... it was fun. The Gatorade and water helped as well.
Eventually, after a relatively easy little hill, that claimed a lot of people ... it was back to the stadium parking lot.
Then came the real fun, getting to run on the warning track. I felt a burst of energy and good for whatever reason and started passing people and speeding up. I definitely had negative splits.
Then it was out after doing the loop. (One cool thing was the announcers randomly announcing runners in the stadium over the public address system).
I turned the corner and saw the finish line and put a little sprint on ... and finished!
This race also offered a very nice medal (for a 5K!); so, i picked that up, water bottle and some banana pieces.
5K complete! Not a P.R.; but, it felt good and much better than Saturday.
31:12 of running
3.12 miles of running
9:57 pace
Dark and early I set of for the All Star Game Charity 5K & Fun Run at Anaheim Stadium (a.k.a. Angel Stadium of Anaheim), host of this year's All Star game as well as home to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (a.k.a. California Angels, Anaheim Angels, ....).
It was exciting, though I was nervous after Saturday's troubles. I arrived early as they were still setting up registration.
Soon enough, I began check-in to find my name listed TWICE. This made it a bit more challenging to get my bib; but, it all worked out and I got my bib, chip, and shirt! I was surprised there was no swag bag.
I stretched and tried to keep loose. I also visited the few sponsor booths and managed a free shirt for my efforts.
A treat was I got to meet up with a high school classmate; so, we found each other amid the crowd and spoke a bit. Servite forever.
Soon enough, it was time to go to the starting area. It was kind of disorganized and I could not get in the right corral since it meant having to climb over a barrier, which seemed less than wise with my muscle pull.
Finally I got in the over 12 minutes corral and soon realized there were problems. Little kids, people who obviously could not keep a 12:00 pace, etc. were way ahead of me in corrals. Oh well, this was not really a race for me, per se. It was more recovery run, working on form, and enjoying the experience.
They introduced numerous cancer charity speakers. Their groups benefited from Major League Baseball's event. Then they introduced old familiar names ... Harold Reynolds, Reggie Jackson, Tim Salmon, Bobby Grich ... I am a devout Dodgers fan; but, still, it was neat.
Finally the horn sounded and after a few minutes I reached the starting line and began picking my way through the crowd. It was Servite track all over again.
The police had done a nice job making the course clear and the streets of Anaheim are in far better condition than Los Angeles. I was not going all out; but, I was working and also feeling much better than expected considering Saturday. I began picking off runners as well.
One big issue was people who should have been behind me in placement were not and they would stop suddenly or take pictures or walk slowly or just not up to the 5K that day. I almost ran over several.
Running along to Orangewood, State College, Katella ... it was fun. The Gatorade and water helped as well.
Eventually, after a relatively easy little hill, that claimed a lot of people ... it was back to the stadium parking lot.
Then came the real fun, getting to run on the warning track. I felt a burst of energy and good for whatever reason and started passing people and speeding up. I definitely had negative splits.
Then it was out after doing the loop. (One cool thing was the announcers randomly announcing runners in the stadium over the public address system).
I turned the corner and saw the finish line and put a little sprint on ... and finished!
This race also offered a very nice medal (for a 5K!); so, i picked that up, water bottle and some banana pieces.
5K complete! Not a P.R.; but, it felt good and much better than Saturday.
31:12 of running
3.12 miles of running
9:57 pace
Saturday Struggles
I had not run since Monday evening when I arrived at the LA Running Club event Saturday. A pulled muscle had driven me to the sidelines; so, I was a bit leery.
I set out on an eight miler decently heading south to the Santa Monica Pier on another overcast day.
I reached the pier and had a sinking feeling, just a massive drop in energy. Still, I kept on, just slower, and in some pain as the muscle pull made its presence known.
Eventually, I reached the trunaorund just beyond Windward in Venice and headed back.
I struggled mightily. The wheels were not working well and it reverted back to survival run-level.
Finally, I made it back to the start.
I got some Gatorade and pretzels and perked up a bit. I then spoke with representatives from KSwiss who were helpful with some ideas and made it seem a bit better.
Still, what might have been ...
1:41.57 of running
8.04 miles
12:41 pace
I set out on an eight miler decently heading south to the Santa Monica Pier on another overcast day.
I reached the pier and had a sinking feeling, just a massive drop in energy. Still, I kept on, just slower, and in some pain as the muscle pull made its presence known.
Eventually, I reached the trunaorund just beyond Windward in Venice and headed back.
I struggled mightily. The wheels were not working well and it reverted back to survival run-level.
Finally, I made it back to the start.
I got some Gatorade and pretzels and perked up a bit. I then spoke with representatives from KSwiss who were helpful with some ideas and made it seem a bit better.
Still, what might have been ...
1:41.57 of running
8.04 miles
12:41 pace
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Pulling the Wrong Way
Monday was a holiday and a rare chance to run with the LA Running Club from the KSwiss store.
Several members suggested differing lengths. Having struggled lately while running I opted for the Totem Pole and back, more or less south to north to south Santa Monica.
I set out at a decent speed; but, I still did not feel full power. When I climbed the Santa Monica Pier I really began to feel sluggish.
I reached the Totem Pole and headed back. A short while later I felt some soreness above my right hip and quickly realized I had pulled the dreaded something muscle, which made for an interesting return.
I eventually made it back to KSwiss and enjoyed some strawberries, pretzels, a banana and Gatorade; but, I felt frustrated again.
1:02.37 of running
5.31 miles
11:50 pace
Several members suggested differing lengths. Having struggled lately while running I opted for the Totem Pole and back, more or less south to north to south Santa Monica.
I set out at a decent speed; but, I still did not feel full power. When I climbed the Santa Monica Pier I really began to feel sluggish.
I reached the Totem Pole and headed back. A short while later I felt some soreness above my right hip and quickly realized I had pulled the dreaded something muscle, which made for an interesting return.
I eventually made it back to KSwiss and enjoyed some strawberries, pretzels, a banana and Gatorade; but, I felt frustrated again.
1:02.37 of running
5.31 miles
11:50 pace
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Slowly ...
Saturday was another run for the LA Running Club.
Despite it being July, it was overcast and grey, which actually made it easier to run with cooler temperatures and fewer tourists on the Strand.
I set out still trying the new stride ... and feeling new aches and pains: ankle, knee, etc. Ugh.
I ran the usual route south to the Santa Monica Pier and the back north to the Totem Pole. I did have Mitch along for part of it which helped a lot.
I felt a bit better than usual; but, still, I am a long way from what I would like to be able to do and that just adds to the frustration.
1:33.52 of running
8.10 miles
11:35 pace
Despite it being July, it was overcast and grey, which actually made it easier to run with cooler temperatures and fewer tourists on the Strand.
I set out still trying the new stride ... and feeling new aches and pains: ankle, knee, etc. Ugh.
I ran the usual route south to the Santa Monica Pier and the back north to the Totem Pole. I did have Mitch along for part of it which helped a lot.
I felt a bit better than usual; but, still, I am a long way from what I would like to be able to do and that just adds to the frustration.
1:33.52 of running
8.10 miles
11:35 pace
Thursday, July 1, 2010
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
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
Saturday Strides
Saturday meant another run with the LA Running Club.
Again, it was overcast and not the most inspiring of days; but, seeing the waves breaking was nice.
I have been experimenting with my stride and initially felt more powerful and faster. I am also trying to get in better shape ...
I ran and did the usual turnaround for the eight miles. My goal run was actually much less; but, I made it.
I felt a bit fatigued and just laggard on the way back to the LA Running Club base. I had hoped for better; but, it was decent.
Afterwards, I had a nice chat with the LA Roadrunners Senior Pace leader for group 7, Alan.
1:33:51 of running
8.03 miles
11:42 pace
Again, it was overcast and not the most inspiring of days; but, seeing the waves breaking was nice.
I have been experimenting with my stride and initially felt more powerful and faster. I am also trying to get in better shape ...
I ran and did the usual turnaround for the eight miles. My goal run was actually much less; but, I made it.
I felt a bit fatigued and just laggard on the way back to the LA Running Club base. I had hoped for better; but, it was decent.
Afterwards, I had a nice chat with the LA Roadrunners Senior Pace leader for group 7, Alan.
1:33:51 of running
8.03 miles
11:42 pace
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