tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59134288275481678632012-02-15T23:27:42.131-08:00One runner's adventures in the solitude of the local Santa Ana Mountains and on the roads of Southern California.Jonnoreply@blogger.comBlogger411100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-13391439808501831002009-06-06T12:00:00.000-07:002009-06-06T12:00:18.629-07:00

I spotted this rattle snake today along the side of the trail about 50 yards away from the Limestone Canyon Sinks. I saw him when I stopped to relieve myself along the side of the trail along a section of trail where there is a side of a hill bordering the trail. The snake was lying on this hill up at my chest level not more than four feet from my face when I spotted it at which point I backed

Jonnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-78148411938326105052009-05-01T08:48:00.000-07:002009-05-01T09:45:02.085-07:00

I completed the Big Sur Marathon last weekend in 4:42. Unfortunately, Meredith couldn’t make the trip so I drove up alone on Friday and back on Sunday after the race. I met Karen and her husband John for dinner in Carmel on Sat. night. Karen was worried about her training but she pulled off a 4:15 in spite of the hills and wind, only 15 minutes off her BQ time last December on a much faster

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-38863651587175296522009-02-21T17:06:00.000-08:002009-02-21T17:06:47.720-08:00

Mike, Eric and Doug (carpool buddies) posing at the Elsinore overlook after the WTRS 21k.We finally got some decent weather for the final 2009 trail series race. It was mid 50's at the start with partly cloudy skies. I was going to take it easy and just work a little on the uphills but I felt good so I ended up racing if you can call power walking up West Horsethief at 20 minutes per mile pace

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-30568533539651325562009-02-17T18:20:00.000-08:002009-02-17T18:33:48.282-08:00

I ran up to Silverado Motorway almost to Modjeska Peak on Saturday. We hit the snow level at Main Divide and encountered up to three inches on the ground near the peak. Needless to say my feet started to get a little cold. The temperature was around 40 degrees and partly sunny with no wind. I really enjoyed seeing and running in the snow. Our roundtrip mileage was just shy of 20 miles.Joining me

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-30252736951978165682009-01-25T14:04:00.000-08:002009-01-25T14:09:39.113-08:00

On the way up to Saddleback Peak via Holy Jim.We ran the 5 miles up Holy Jim and then hiked the last 3 miles up to the Peak. The visibility was so good we could see the Malibu coast. There was still some snow on the ground from the big dump over Christmas week. Downtown LA was pretty clear with very little smog in the distance. We ran the whole 8 Miles back down and my quads were sore for the

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-29152828081471937282008-12-21T12:47:00.000-08:002008-12-21T12:48:55.060-08:00

I actually ran my smartest and gutsiest marathon while having an extremely BAD day. It started when my glands felt swollen on Friday after the drive up to Sacramento. I took some Vitamin C Friday night and woke up feeling ok on Saturday morning thinking that I had averted the disaster of being sick on race day after 7 months of training. I drank more OJ and relaxed on Saturday keeping off my feet

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-34275618640881347042008-07-01T15:55:00.000-07:002008-07-01T16:03:17.069-07:00

Pics from my recent trail run up at Big Bear. I wasn't racing just running for fun. We had perfect weather and a whole pack of Trailheadz at the race. I think we were putting our best foot forward in the picture below.

Jonnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-17404739148406235762008-06-15T12:59:00.000-07:002008-06-15T13:07:03.237-07:00

After last Sunday's 15 mile Holcomb Valley trail race on my way back to the Big Bear Motel 6, I spotted Ryan Hall out on a recovery run (per his blog). He was following his brother on a bike and running at midday. He was cruising along at what I estimate to be sub 6 minute per mile pace. I got this picture as I drove past with one hand out my passenger window. I wish I had some video footage.

Jonnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-4821319566689316052008-05-20T11:08:00.000-07:002008-05-20T11:08:32.260-07:00

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-87355643697493476252008-05-20T11:04:00.000-07:002008-05-20T11:08:39.520-07:00

Wow, picasa2 software makes uploading pictures so easy. We had a fun 10 mile run/hike out at Limstone late yesterday afternoon. You can see the Limestone sicks in the background.

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-27166814523891712202008-05-16T14:45:00.000-07:002008-05-16T14:54:11.314-07:00

Seems like it's one injury or another, but who ever heard of ischial tuberosity tendonitis? It's tendonitis of the sit bone or more commonly called a pain in the ass. It's actually inflammation of the tendon attachment of the hamstring to the sit bone. Just when I thought I had experienced every running injury possible, I come up with another one. The cure is the usual RICE or rest,ice,

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-59868372053209161932008-05-06T18:09:00.000-07:002008-05-06T18:16:41.918-07:00

I ran my 2nd Boston marathon a couple of weeks ago and it was a fantastic experience. Highlights of the week included having dinner with two of my first cousins and their husband and fiancé, respectively. I also enjoyed seeing a play with Meredith, a day trip out to Concord and Lexington as well as two group dinners with some friends from the South Coast Roadrunners.We arrived in town on

Jonnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-14824785501494197662008-05-06T17:50:00.001-07:002008-05-06T18:13:29.798-07:00

US Women's Marathon Trials Statue of famous race starterGeorge V. Brown - Hopkinton Treadmill test to analyze strideJane, Erika and Amy with post race smiles.

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-72675876948528574562008-03-12T07:49:00.000-07:002008-03-12T08:09:04.991-07:00

Ok. So maybe I've been a bit lax in posting, but I have been running nonetheless. Last Saturday was the final of 4 races in the 2008 Winter Trail Series up at Blue Jay Campground. I drove up with Doug, Michelle Barton's dad and new trail runner, Jannay from the South Coast Roadrunners. I ran the race with Jannay at a leisurely pace except for our ascent of West Horsethief during which I pushed

Jonnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-65743208785725460972007-08-18T14:09:00.001-07:002007-08-18T14:22:32.727-07:00

I ran the 5 miler this morning at the Distance Derby and it was hot, sunny & humid. I finished in 33:29 equivalent to a 42 min 10k. I also won 2nd place in my age group and received a nice looking medal. Many thanks to all the fast guys for deciding to run the 10 miler. The second place runner in my age group for the 10 miler beat my time by 2 minutes for his halfway split. I had calculated that

Jonnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-24071813887283572322007-08-11T14:41:00.001-07:002007-08-11T14:46:10.963-07:00

I've been base training for the past 3 months averaging 50mpw. This morning I ran my 3 mile fitness test at the Woodbridge track and I had my fastest time ever of 24:26 at a steady 140 heart rate. All those miles are going to pay off. Only 2 weeks ago I ran 24:56. I just added some workouts in over the past two weeks and my first test race is the 5 miler at the HB Distance Derby next Saturday. I

Jonnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-13404581657606910162007-06-17T10:52:00.000-07:002007-06-17T11:19:48.414-07:00

Paul, Ted and I drove up to Big Bear on Sat. We brought mountain bikes up for a Saturday afternoon ride before Sunday's race. I found a nice, supposedly easy family ride in my mountain biking guide just past Running Springs and we discovered that the book was outdated and the fire road had been paved. It turned out to be a nice climb and Ted showed off his prowess in the saddle as he easily

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-18624504263530597442007-06-01T10:36:00.000-07:002007-06-01T10:40:10.910-07:00

Tomorrow is the Corona del Mar 5k that I'm planning to run as a tempo run and next Saturday is the Holcomb Valley 15 mile fun run up at Big Bear. My training is coming right along. My base miles are adding up. I finished May with 220 miles including 58 last week. Base training continues through mid-July so I've got another 6 weeks of lotsa miles.

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-88417330112225387862007-05-21T12:04:00.000-07:002007-05-21T12:11:15.649-07:00

It ocurred to me that running with a partner is like dancing and one person has to lead or you'll end up stepping on each other's feet. I prefer to lead since most of my fellow runners seem to either run too fast, or too slow for my taste or at an uneven pace. I can run mile splits within a second of each other on flat courses. Of course if you're going to lead you better know where you're going

Jonnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-22107085607613497022007-05-16T17:03:00.000-07:002007-05-16T17:44:39.962-07:00

Solvang is my kind of town. Yes, I know you're thinking what's a guy gonna like about a little dinky town with a bunch of curio shops. Well how's about 5 bakeries within 5 minutes walk of the finish line. Now you're talking danish.The expo consisted of registration, t-shirt pickup and two vendor booths, one for a new kind of herbal water from Austria and another for wine tasting.Meredith and I

Jonnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-80672006095272427822007-03-12T18:10:00.000-07:002007-03-12T18:17:50.982-07:00

What a beautiful day we had on Saturday. I ended up running and mostly talking the whole race to Eric L. of OCTR. We drove up together with three other OCTR crew members, Skip at the wheel and Nattie and Bei. The other three race together as well. I'm a bit sore today after the run, even though we didn't race and we walked most of the uphill and some of the downhill. We stopped for a picture and

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-71536305461653316562007-03-08T08:12:00.000-08:002007-03-15T09:14:39.966-07:00

Yours truly along with Linda and Tonson after the race. Look at those beautiful medals.

Jonnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-17114941191873436102007-03-08T08:08:00.000-08:002007-03-08T08:11:41.156-08:00

It felt so good to be back on the trails. I led some of the OCTR group on a run at Aliso Woods up Cholla and down Rock-it on Saturday. This Saturday I'm running the final race in the Winter Trail Series up at Blue Jay. My running is slowly coming around as I ease my mileage back up. Last week I ran 27 and this week will be high 30's. I also signed up for the La Jolla Half on April 22 and the

Jonnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-53152730219720058352007-02-27T18:19:00.000-08:002007-02-27T18:22:18.220-08:00

I'm looking forward to my first trail run since mid December. I stayed off the trials while I was getting ready for Shoreline and recovering and my first trail run will be this Saterday at Aliso Woods with OCTR. Those kooks wanted to start at 6:30 but I convinced them to hold back until 7:30.

Jonnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-21520814368691410752007-02-23T14:22:00.000-08:002007-02-23T14:25:27.633-08:00

For my oldest daughter on her recent birthday.Twenty OneOn this day that you turn twenty plus oneA third of your life under California sunMy wish for you is a life free of toilWith love in abundance in a home filled with joyChorus When feelings get hurtAnd we fall out of touchRemember we still loveOur daughters very muchThe lessons I’ve learned are many from youHow to take on a challenge and see

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-13626652761021920662007-02-21T17:55:00.000-08:002007-02-21T18:01:02.813-08:00

After driving out six hours out to Scottsdale on Sunday and seven hours back on Monday I fell asleep by 9:30 last night- Tuesday. I did sneak in a 4.5 miler after work. It seems like it's staying light out later which is nice. We change the clocks on March 11 and then it will be light till around 7pm. I can't wait to go home and relax and hit the sack early again tonight. Yet I'm also getting

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-28540159294955367652007-02-16T18:26:00.000-08:002007-02-16T18:36:38.839-08:00

I figured out how to get the running log on the blog. It comes off another website called www.breakingthetape.com. Now I can track my mileage in five places rather then four. I ran an easy 4.5 last night and I felt great at the start but my heart rate quickly rose above 145 at a moderate 9 mpm pace. I slowed on the return 2.25 to 9:40 pace to get it down to my usual 135. My calves also get really

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-87609672016284518072007-02-12T13:13:00.000-08:002007-02-11T11:02:35.803-08:00

I like orange shirts. What can I say.

Jonnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-34313130251775102412007-02-11T10:57:00.000-08:002007-02-08T19:47:04.584-08:00

It's a rainy Sunday and I'm trying to catch up on my work. My current distraction is deciding what matarthon to run in December. The Rocket City Marthon in Huntsville, Al looks like a winner. It's a small race of about 1,000 runners and the price $45 and cheap hotel $75 make is a bargain. The course is flat, cool to cold weather and the reviews on marathonguide.com are all 5 star. I can use my

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-49500456634090560092007-02-05T11:31:00.000-08:002007-02-07T09:25:12.368-08:00

I started my day by waking up at 4:47. I checked my alarm and realized that I had set it for 5:45. Had I slept until my alarm went off I would likely have missed the start. Yikes. Instead I pulled into the parking lot at Beach Boulevard at 5:30 and started readying myself for the start.My game plan was to shoot for a 1:38 split by running roughly 7:40 for miles 1-4 and then run 7:25 pace. I ran

Jonnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-84867084765101611542007-02-03T10:40:00.000-08:002007-02-07T09:26:44.849-08:00

I'm just about on my way to the expo. My hamstring feels good so I printed out a 3:15 wristband for the race. Looks to be warmer than I like but hopefully it will be cool for the first 2 hours. It's supposed to reach 73 degrees in the afternoon in HB. I slept pretty well last night in spite of the various rashes that are covering my body. I'm auditioning for the itchy and scratchy show.Here's

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-45022106435974472532007-02-01T14:29:00.000-08:002007-02-01T14:35:56.877-08:00

I ran my 3 mile test at the Woodbridge track again last night. It was the 45th time that I've done the test going back 5 years. I run 3 miles at a steady 140 heart rate. On Jan 3, 2007, I had my PR time of 24:36 and last night I ran 25:20, only my 7th best. I was shocked to lose 44 seconds in less than four weeks since I'm supposed to get fast over the taper. Wasn't it just 18 days ago that I

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-65994460742486097572007-01-30T14:19:00.000-08:002007-01-30T14:24:18.487-08:00

I'm starting to go crazy. I feel fine running less but I'm having trouble focusing on work. I just wasted an hour looking for hotel options for the Boston Marathon and I'm planning the trip for 2008. THat's a long way off. I've decided to cut back this week's training to only around 15 miles up until Sunday's race. We've been having some cool cloudy weather the last three days, perfect for

Jonnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-27789629069815642852007-01-27T15:45:00.000-08:002007-01-27T15:51:29.761-08:00

I plan to go out 20 secs slow for miles 1 & 2 and 10 secs slow for miles 3 & 4. That totals one minute and I'll have 22 to make it up. My target split is going to be 1:37 for a 3:15. The second half of the course is tougher with the hill up Edwards at mile 22. I need to average 7:26 for a 3:15.3:15 or better: Dream time. I'll be ecstatic3:16-3:19: This is where I'm guessing I'll be and I'll be

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-33433436366121120552007-01-27T15:39:00.000-08:002007-01-27T15:45:08.121-08:00

I can't believe a month has passed since my last post. I'm only 1 week from my next marathon. Two weeks ago I set a personal - masters PR in the Paramount 10k with a 39:57. I was hoping to break 41:00 and my previous PR of 41:17 and I surprised myself. Three days later I slightly tweaked my right hamstring during a track workout. I was going slower than the prescribed workout but apparently too

Jonnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-92103577391165515772006-12-17T14:47:00.000-08:002006-12-17T15:00:29.492-08:00

Yesterday we hiked/ran up Holy Jim to Main Divide and across to West Horsethief for a 14 mile loop. The weather was nasty up on Main Divide at 4,000 feet. It was 45 and windy with on and off rain. It took quite a while for my hands to thaw after we started to decend. It took us 3 hours for the trip. We started out with 35 runners and returned with only 34, offering one up as a sacrifice. :)

Jonnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-52725217502450097602006-12-10T17:09:00.000-08:002006-12-10T17:17:30.944-08:00

I ran 21.25 miles (to be exact) this morning and I averaged 9:13 pace at an average heart rate of 131. My legs were pretty shot at then end. I took short 15 second walks every mile and I discovered that they don't help as much as the 30 second breaks that I've used in the past. This was my first of four planned 20 milers to get ready for the Pacific Shoreline Marathon on Feb 4. I ran 54 miles

Jonnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-353243993883375242006-12-04T17:50:00.000-08:002006-12-04T17:53:27.041-08:00

Well I ran a great race time of 1:32:00 at the S. Cal Half suffering with two side stitches during the middle miles and blisters on both feet over the last 3. I probably could have run 30 seconds to a minute faster without the stitches because my legs and wind were still pretty strong but I decided to just keep the same pace and not push for a few extra seconds. 4th place in my age group. Wow.

Jonnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-59396737291703393612006-12-01T16:32:00.000-08:002006-12-01T16:39:20.033-08:00

It was at the 5 mile mark that I caught up to them. He was tall, at least 6 foot five and she was about at most 5 foot three. They seemed an odd couple to be running together at a distance appearing as parent and a child. As I pulled up even with them, I heard both of them breathing hard, a joy to my ears. I tried my best to keep my approach silent as I sized them up. I let them pace me for a bit

Jonnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-61095987601844957322006-11-21T14:21:00.000-08:002006-11-22T13:36:12.665-08:00

I'm back in town from my Alaska cruise with my wife and parents to celebrate their 51st anniversary. Here some highlights of our trip.Friday 6/30: 7:00 am Fly to Seattle. Watch end of World Cup semifinal at airport bar. Go to baggage claim and collect 3 remaining bags left. Board boat. Open my green suitcase. Realize I mistakenly took someone else’s green suitcase onto the boat. Hand over the

Jonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5913428827548167863.post-37090083664290695382006-11-20T17:32:00.000-08:002006-11-21T14:21:05.369-08:00

Doesn't everyone have a blog these days? Sure seems like it. I figured I'd join the action and tell the world about my running adventures.

Jonnoreply@blogger.com5