Week 11: The Almost Run

Saturday was another long group run for the LA Roadrunners training program for the Los Angeles Marathon. The weather, while not as perfect as the week before, was still quite nice with a slight breeze, good temperature, and a good dose of sunshine.

I had gotten a surprisingly good night's sleep and felt ready to go. As I prepared for the day, twirling the ideal, I came upon "California Love" by Dr. Dre and Tupac and with its West Coast, West Side, etc. lyrics, it seemed a good sign.

The groups headed out to the Strand early and without even roll call, Group 7 (Lucky 7/Magnificent 7) was on its way.

I felt a little twinge in my knee but nothing serious and the trot towards the Santa Monica Pier felt comfortable and soon it was the climb up the incline.

It was the usual fun conversation with my running partner as the feet kept moving. Then, police car after police car went speeding by along Ocean Avenue (now known as the finish line!). The group advanced and came to the California Incline where the Santa Monica police actually blocked off traffic. This made the crossing to Adelaide much more interesting as cars were apparently being diverted. The waterstop at the Totem Pole sure helped though.

Again, the group passed the wealthy homes of the area with gorgeous views before turning to San Vicente for the San Vicente Urban Obstacle Course! Luck held again as no one in the group, including myself, fell victim to the signs, grates, holes, roots, and other obstacles. Despite the gradient up San Vicente, I felt good. It is also good to know this is a significant part of the actual 2010 marathon route!

Soon, it was time to turn back at 26th and head back from whence the group came. Again, no problems and I relied on some GU Chomps to see me through. Back down passed the still blocked California Incline and the Pier and onto the Strand, I felt good. The group followed the norm and into some Venice sidestreets and back to the starting point. I do think a pace leader cut the route short a bit though as my electronic conscience Garmin 305 said it was 12.96 miles, so agonizingly close to my goal of doing 13.1 miles and completing an unofficial half-marathon. The pace was good at 11:47 and time of 2:34.29. In fact, the high pace was 9:00! Yeah! Also, the group was definitely speeding up later in the run, rather than slowing. A bit amusing was us going through the finish line for the LA Leggers! They were giving their runners MEDALS! I am not sure if they also did 13.1 or what; but, it was interesting.

The senior pace leader said the group is doing very well and running together. He also warned that some are in way too high of groups and will have problems when the pace is increased. I think I am alright as I pass the self-test questions. I hope I am anyways! He also said to feel free to eat at will over Thanksgiving Day! Ah, guilt-free eating and all it took was running and running and running and running.

For me it was an almost run ... almost 13.1, almost 100% no pain ... I just need March 21 to be not almost.

Afterwards, I did have some "workout soreness" in my calves and quadriceps; but, that is a positive in that it means muscles are building.

Week 5: Three-Peat?

This week's long run marked the end of the cut-back week, going back to the same distance as Week 1, three miles. A measly three miles! Was this a dreaded Three-peat? Actually, it feels nice to think that three miles is now essentially nothing; it is definitely different from April! I am running and training during the week which helps.

Still, it was kind of a lackluster run. The weather was somewhat overcast; the turnout was lower (because it was a short run?), and despite the science and reasoning behind it, the slower pace is not the most energizing. So, I decided to pay a bit more attention to the scenery. It really is a plethora of sights with marijuana "clinics," luxury hotels, a Jewish school, vendors, homeless people, tourists, the ocean, pigeon flocks and on and on all filling my "viewfinder." (Of course, there are also groups of the Roadrunners' "archenemies," the L.A. Leggers!)

The 31 runners in the Magnificent 7/Lucky 7 Group were soon back at the start and stretching. I had barely even broken a sweat! Still, the banana and Gatorade were welcome.

It was also the first LA Roadrunners Charity Day where some of the official marathon charities sought runners to help them gain funds through pledges. There were 10; some of the more ambitious even started before you entered the hall (a man in a gorilla costume offering information for an outdoors education group). There were charities for animals, a cancer run, south L.A. youth (A Place Called Home), the American Cancer Society, YWCA, etc.

I spoke with a few, including the youth one. The cancer run is on a Sunday, which is a problem, due to church commitments. The American Cancer Society seemed promising; but, they seek a $1,500 commitment! For someone who works with nonprofits who also need money ....

I also visited with Think Cure, the official charity of my beloved Los Angeles Dodgers and seeker of funding to fight cancer. They were nice. It was also nice to get in a raffle for Game 5 NLDS tickets; the only issue being with L.A. up 2-0 in best of five series against St. Louis, I do NOT want a Game 5 to happen!

Anyways, I gathered some information; but, I have not decided anything yet. It was soon time to head back to Santa Monica.

It was only three miles; but, hopefully, it is three miles closer to finishing the Los Angeles Marathon March 21.

If anyone does want to help a charity through this run, please contact me!