Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Fun run
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.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Tendonitis again?
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, compression and elevation. I'm not sure about how I can apply compression to it although squeezing into some butt hugger jeans might do the trick.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Boston 2008
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 Wednesday evening the 16th so we had four days pre-race for me to relax and catch up on my sleep after finishing a grueling tax season. Thursday and Friday we did some sightseeing and I did a couple of easy runs. I ran a 5 miler along the Charles on Thursday and I ran a portion of the Freedom trail from our hotel near the Finish Line over to the North End where I lost the Trail amidst the Italian Restaurants of the North End. The Trail is marked by a red line down the sidewalk but they apparently repaved the sidewalk in the North End and didn’t re-paint the line. Saturday we rented a car and headed out to Concord and then Lexington. After spending some time at the historic sights, I drove down to Hopkinton to drive the course. The hills were more plentiful than I remembered adding to my pre-race anxiety. On Sunday morning, we watched the US Women’s Marathon Olympic Trials on a loop course in town. Other than spending too much time on my feet it was an exciting morning as the racers passed by us several times on the loop course through Back Bay and Cambridge. Sunday afternoon we took the T down to Government Center and then walked across the Charles and to see the US Constitution, America’s oldest battleship. By the time we got back to the hotel at 6pm my feet were sore from all of the walking.
On Race morning I met up with Jane and Amy and we headed over to the Common to catch our bus to Hopkinton. More standing in line before we got a seat and headed out of town. Our bus was held up in traffic for a good half hour at the freeway exit so we were glad to finally arrive in Hopkinton. After arriving, I stayed at the athlete’s village for a half hour and then began walking the mile to the start hoping to get there in time to see the elites and the start of the first wave. Unfortunately, I was late and heard the gun when I was two hundred yards from the starting line. After the first wave headed out, I had no trouble finding a porta-potty and I relaxed for a few minutes before the second wave runners started to fill the corrals. The temps were a comfortable 50 and the skies were mostly cloudy. I qualified to run in the first wave but since I planned to run a leisurely race I opted to enter in corral 16 with the 3:45 runners. Nothing eventful happened over the first 13 miles but the crowds were very enthusiastic. I ran as slow as I could down the hills and I walked the steeper down hills to save my quads and I covered the first half in exactly 2 hours. When I finally hit the hills, the sun was out and the temps were up into the 60's but the slight headwind kemp me cool as I slowed down quite a bit including mile 15 at 9:45 and mile 16 at 10:00 and then got back on track around a 9 minute pace. After Boston College the fun starts as the course heads downhill again and I picked up the pace as I weaved through the masses toward the finish. I ran a few sub 8 minute miles between miles 20 and 25 and then I stopped briefly at the 25.5 mark to see Meredith and then made off to the finish. I felt pretty good at the end for just run/walking a marathon and my finish time was 3:55. See pictures below.
We arrived in town on Wednesday evening the 16th so we had four days pre-race for me to relax and catch up on my sleep after finishing a grueling tax season. Thursday and Friday we did some sightseeing and I did a couple of easy runs. I ran a 5 miler along the Charles on Thursday and I ran a portion of the Freedom trail from our hotel near the Finish Line over to the North End where I lost the Trail amidst the Italian Restaurants of the North End. The Trail is marked by a red line down the sidewalk but they apparently repaved the sidewalk in the North End and didn’t re-paint the line. Saturday we rented a car and headed out to Concord and then Lexington. After spending some time at the historic sights, I drove down to Hopkinton to drive the course. The hills were more plentiful than I remembered adding to my pre-race anxiety. On Sunday morning, we watched the US Women’s Marathon Olympic Trials on a loop course in town. Other than spending too much time on my feet it was an exciting morning as the racers passed by us several times on the loop course through Back Bay and Cambridge. Sunday afternoon we took the T down to Government Center and then walked across the Charles and to see the US Constitution, America’s oldest battleship. By the time we got back to the hotel at 6pm my feet were sore from all of the walking.
On Race morning I met up with Jane and Amy and we headed over to the Common to catch our bus to Hopkinton. More standing in line before we got a seat and headed out of town. Our bus was held up in traffic for a good half hour at the freeway exit so we were glad to finally arrive in Hopkinton. After arriving, I stayed at the athlete’s village for a half hour and then began walking the mile to the start hoping to get there in time to see the elites and the start of the first wave. Unfortunately, I was late and heard the gun when I was two hundred yards from the starting line. After the first wave headed out, I had no trouble finding a porta-potty and I relaxed for a few minutes before the second wave runners started to fill the corrals. The temps were a comfortable 50 and the skies were mostly cloudy. I qualified to run in the first wave but since I planned to run a leisurely race I opted to enter in corral 16 with the 3:45 runners. Nothing eventful happened over the first 13 miles but the crowds were very enthusiastic. I ran as slow as I could down the hills and I walked the steeper down hills to save my quads and I covered the first half in exactly 2 hours. When I finally hit the hills, the sun was out and the temps were up into the 60's but the slight headwind kemp me cool as I slowed down quite a bit including mile 15 at 9:45 and mile 16 at 10:00 and then got back on track around a 9 minute pace. After Boston College the fun starts as the course heads downhill again and I picked up the pace as I weaved through the masses toward the finish. I ran a few sub 8 minute miles between miles 20 and 25 and then I stopped briefly at the 25.5 mark to see Meredith and then made off to the finish. I felt pretty good at the end for just run/walking a marathon and my finish time was 3:55. See pictures below.
Boston 2008 Pictures
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
WTRS 21k
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 hard up the steep grade. The weather was a perfect 60 something degree morning with sunny skies. I didn't spot too many wild flowers along the trail compared 
to what I saw the prior weekend back in the Irvine Open Space. I wish Baz held more trail races but I can understand why he doesn't want the grief of doing more. Being an RD is a thankless job. Here's a picture of Baz Hawley holding court pre-race. Just remember not to talk when he's talking or you'll hear his wrath.
to what I saw the prior weekend back in the Irvine Open Space. I wish Baz held more trail races but I can understand why he doesn't want the grief of doing more. Being an RD is a thankless job. Here's a picture of Baz Hawley holding court pre-race. Just remember not to talk when he's talking or you'll hear his wrath. I'm continuing to train to April's Boston Marathon with two remaining long runs to go and four weeks of training before I begin my two week taper. If all goes well at Boston, where I plan to jog as a long run, I hope to run a half marathon in May in Victorville and shoot for sub 1:30. At least that's the plan as of today.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
HB Distance Derby
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 I'm in shape to run b/n a 41 and 42 minute 10k, I just didn't think I'd need to go all out to average 6:42 pace. I hope to improve a bit on that by November when I plan to peak. This was my first race at full effort since Feb. Running fast hurts. Of course, the pain is only fleeting and a few minutes after the finish I felt fine. I maxed my heart rate at 183 and averaged 180 for the last mile that I covered in 6:24. We had a big group of South Coast Roadrunners at the race and we won many age group awards.Since I don't have any pictures of my race, I thought I'd add one of Jessica. This is her standard evening pose. As soon as I sit down on the couch she hops up and plops her head in my lap expectant of a long stomach rub.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Base Training
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 haven't posting in a long time. Oops. Injury wise I'm feeling 100% and I'm still targeting to peak in December at the City of Angels Half Marathon.
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