Back to the Dark Side

This week is another cut back week for the LA Roadrunners, which means a bit less and easier training for the Los Angeles Marathon.

I decided to run this morning in lieu of Tuesday again due to work; so, back out into the darkness! Ah, the sweet comfort of staggering along hoping not to fall over dodgy sidewalks.

I felt a bit better than Sunday; but, still some residual soreness. I did make up for a slow start and some knee pain as the run went on and even got some hillwork in to boot.

Today yielded 2.58 miles in 30:55 for a 11:57 pace.

It still feels odd to be running this aerobic (a.k.a. slow) pace as well as the long-distance way of running (not on the balls of the feet). It is so very different from track where I could feel the power and basically accelerate and know it. This feels more laborious; but, it is supposed to help with endurance, which is obviously key. I am hoping two days off consecutively will give my legs a bit of a break and refresh them as this is basically the 1/2 way point of this journey. Hopefully, the best is yet to come.

The Day After

Today was the second consecutive day of running in daylight (third if you ignore Friday's off day). I am beginning to feel less like a vampire! Since it was an off day for my CCD class, I got to sleep in a little as well as make my run early but in the sunshine. The LA Roadrunners guide has it down for 30 minutes.

I also experimented a bit. I decided to walk down to Clover Park by Santa Monica Airport where I sued to run. Since the park is open at 6 a.m., I could legally go for a trot. I like the park as it has nice grass fields to run in as well as some airplanes to watch along the way. I also hoped it would loosen my legs a bit.

I started to trot and it still felt sluggish after the walk. I could still feel the "workout soreness" from Saturday; but, I kept plugging along. Even a brief sprint did not help which was disappointing.

For a little while, my pace was 10 seconds off the goal which was not good; but, I began to feel a bit better 15 minutes in and it slowly got down into a good range. I was still enjoying being out in the sun and the nice weather, even with the soreness. I finished up at 30:05 (went very much by the clock instead of usual returning home) for 2.52 miles at 11:57 pace. It was not ideal; but, it worked.

Week 12: Cruisin' after Thanksgiving

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.

Home Run!

Well, Thursday, it was off very dark and early to my parents' house in Orange County. it is quite amazing how little traffic there is on the 10, 60, and 57 at 4;30 a.m.! !Me gusta mucho!

Still, Thanksgiving Day or not, the LA Roadrunners manual for marathon training had a run scheduled. So, once I was back in Yorba Linda, I set off in the weird feeling of a daylight solo run!

It was just incredible, with light Santa Ana winds, sunny, warm, ... very, very nice. Also, lots of real hills to go up and down for extra credit (I wish). I went by my kindergarten school even. Also, the inspirational smell of horse manure ... well, may be that was a drawback.

It was great though being in the homeland and getting to train on some different terrain. There were also some friendly joggers and walkers about, which was a nice change.

I ran 11:46 pace for 41:29 or 3.53 miles according to the Garmin 305 electronic conscience. While I was able to speed up due to running in the light and not having to be careful about tripping in the dark like at home, I was still happy as this run had a lot more hills than normal.

Not a bad way to get Thanksgiving Day going ... home run indeed.

Watch the Turkey Run

One of the questions I have been asked when people find out I am actually training for the Los Angeles Marathon is ... "Are you crazy?" Well, the answer is likely yes; but, not because of the running! So, yet again some turkey was running around early this morning in my neighborhood..

I set out again this morning for the scheduled Roadrunners run of 50 minutes. It started out a bit slowly as my knee was sore and seems to need to be warmed up before it gets feeling better; but, soon I felt a lot better and for the first time this week felt good out there running.

I was doing well pacewise according to the Garmin 305 electronic conscience and also it was nice weather with clear, star-filled skies (for those wondering, Thanksgiving Day weekend traffic at 4 a.m. is non-existent!).

I ran into Los Angeles and then back to Santa Monica, down to Santa Monica Airport, back for some more hillwork, and then over to Virginia Avenue Park and then home. Overall, it felt good and I did well ... 11:58 pace, 4.24 miles and 50:41 run. So, encouraging!

I hope to run in the morning as well as scheduled, just a different spot. Then enjoy a Thanksgiving Day and off Friday.

Hopefully Thanksgiving Day is a day of rest and enjoyment and blessings for all ... and a good day for the Roadrunners!

A Wobble and It's Not Even Thanksgiving

I have run the last two days for the Roadrunners program, opting to take Tuesday as a day off from running. It has been a bit challenging.

Sunday I got up dark and early as usual and just felt listless. I still set out and six minutes in the electronic conscience that is the Garmin 305, started giving a low battery warning and soon upped and quit. So, I was back to the Stone Age of using a wristwatch. My knee was also acting up a bit and there was still some soreness from the almost 13 miler. I still managed to do the assigned 30 minutes; but, it felt more like a survival run than a thrive run.

Monday was a bit better, though my knee was acting up again. I ran up and down the Pico Neighborhood for 3.26 miles in 40:04, a tad slow at 12:18 pace. Still, I was going and with some better luck at traffic lights, I think I could have had a better time.

So, it has been a tad challenging and frustrating the last two days to not be doing and feeling better; but, a marathon is indeed a marathon and not a sprint. I still hope and plan to finish the Los Angeles Marathon on March 21, just may be hoping for a few less days like these.

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.