Dragon Dogs, Pain Anguish and Exhilaration! Oakland Marathon

I think I've created a huge amount of pressure on myself too soon with my grand plans of completing a sub 4 hour Marathon and qualifying for the Boston Marathon 2014. Neither came to pass after running the Oakland Marathon. So now the self-flagellation over the past couple of days has been quite spectacular.

I've come to the realization that counting on a couple of days rest and a good nights sleep before a Marathon is a complete impossibility for me. There are too many variables in my life to develop any kind of logistical game plan of action on any given day. There's always a wrench that will be thrown with timely precision in my direction. 

Saturday was a day where I wanted to rest, go to the Oakland Marathon Expo to get my race packet eat a lot and go to bed early. Simple?...Nope! By 11:30 at night I was still trying to get myself organized and prepared for Sunday's race. Some how even with all the noise and goings on outside and in my building I dropped off to sleep around midnight. I woke up at 3:30 and my mind began racing. I gave up around 4 am and just got up put on coffee and put some yogurt and fruit together for breakfast. I got on the computer for a little while and checked my Facebook, email and re-read the race day logistics. As my sleepy dogs watched me in wonderment as I walked back in forth  getting dressed and double checking everything I needed I then kissed them each goodbye and headed out to warm up my leg muscles and walk down to the 4th street Marriot to grab a cab. Fortunately the cab driver was brilliant and got me over to Lake Merritt in Oakland in about 15 minutes! Still cost me $45. Oakland is hard to get to with out a car and Bart not running early in the morning.
I was actually the first runner there and with plenty of time on my hands I found a park bench and just started doing some yoga, stretch and breathing. At about 6 am things began to happen fast as people arrived. I checked my bag, chatted with some people I met and headed up to the start to find my 3:50 pace group. It was a nice surprise to see Sarah Lavender Smith waiting for her 3:40 group to assemble. I spoke to her a little but, didn't want to take up too much of her time. I knew she had a lot going on and needed to get prepared with her group. I did manage to get a quick shot with my camera.

As the countdown began the energy level was crazy. At ten seconds to go I set my Garmin sports-watch and realized It hadn't made a satellite connection. I hit the start and hoped for the best.
My pace group was being led by two experienced Ultra runners. I was a bit worried about the pace being too hot in the climbs and I was correct on my assumption. The first 4 miles were quite brisk and my heart rate was already up around 160 in the high aerobic territory. At this point just before the climbing began I made a stop at the water station, grabbed a GU pack (chocolate Uuggg)! Chocolate GU is the worst. Unfortunately I lost my pacers and I had to run even faster until I finally caught them going up a steep section. At this point my heart-rate was 180 and I knew I'd be suffering later on for this.

3:30 pacers - can't remember their names.

One issue I had been dealing with was that my allergies were a real problem this past week. I now was really feeling it. A bit of heaviness in my lungs. I also felt a little light headed at the start and at one point during the last part of the climb I actually felt like I was listing to the left and almost fell into my pacer a couple of times. I was praying I wasn't going to pass out before the top. Right before I got to the summit I checked out my heart rate...187! Pinned!
If you look at my heart rate throughout the race you can see that I'm in the anaerobic zone or bordering on it for most of the time.
By the way, my Garmin didn't sync up at the start and it missed the first mile.

As we finally started to descend I stopped again to get water and a GU. After that I just could not get back to my pace group.
"Houston...we have a problem". At this point my mind was like a meteor shower of negative thoughts pouring in. Half Marathons are where I'm best. I can max out my heart rate to that point but now I was trashed.
It's funny how I would get a surge of energy whenever I passed one of the many bands and DJ's. After a couple of blocks the music would be gone and I'd drift back into my stupor. I checked my splits and I was still doing pretty good. If I could just keep it under 9:00 minute miles I still had a chance.
...and then mile 17!
I started merging with the half marathoners and the 5k runners. It was difficult in my stupid state to negotiate around everyone and it slowed me down and made me use more energy than I had left.
I also had a couple of emotional episodes. I get like that when I go into my dark. I thought of my life experiences, people who I miss and the thought of not hitting my time in combination with some of the music I heard just shattered me. At one point my wind pipe just started closing up and the water works were beginning but, I would just fight it off and keep checking my splits which were now falling rapidly.
It weird how pushing yourself to the limit can become something that's so emotional and in what could be a spiritual event. Just naked to the Universe.

I also started to overheat which added to my misery. At one point I was starting to get into that spacey, dreamy zone and suddenly I heard some pretty cool techno music and looked over to see a giant steel dragon (GonKiRin-Burning man dragon) with orange eyes and fire coming out of it's nose. It looked just like my dog "Lady Gaga"! I thought about her and how she saved me from my massive depression back in 2009. She's so strong and intense but damaged in many ways yet we've brought her back to what she is now. A real fighter that had been an abandoned bait dog. It was an omen. That was it...everything just locked up and I stopped and let the rain come down. I lost a minute trying to compose myself but somehow I  felt more energized thinking about her and my other little dogs. I wanted to run like those bitches and howl as I crossed the finish line. I was on a mission. 

As I approached Lake Merritt, I just kept telling myself,
"Just don't stop"!
I never really thought about how long around Lake Merritt is. I had it in my mind to be much smaller and as I started going around realized how far away the finish was. I checked my split and realized I'm not going to get my BQ. Once that thought popped into my head, it was game over!
Now I felt  like I had cinder blocks on my feet and I was getting agitated trying to get around runners and actually had someone almost run up my back. 
I stopped for 20 seconds just to stretch out my hamstrings and It was almost impossible to get moving again. Finally I reached the bottom of the hill going up to the finish. I couldn't see the finish gate and that really annoyed me for some reason. When I crossed the finish I couldn't even manage a smile. I felt like I was going to get sick and there were so many people right in front of me, I thought this is going to be a disaster!
I managed to hang on, grabbed a water and just went flat on my back in the grass. Every time I tried to get up all my muscles in my stomach and legs would cramp up.
After some time I got up to cash in my beer coupons as I started across the park I ran into Sarah again and I mumbled,
"I'm trashed"
Sarah responded
"What"?
I repeated what I said and she laughed because she thought I said I was "so drunk"!
That was pretty funny but, in away I was ready to be that.

I should have taken more pictures but I just wasn't all with it. I hung out a while and chatted with some runners. Finally I just hobbled off to the BART station.

On the way home I thought about, even though I didn't attain my goals, it was just an amazing experience. This was my third Marathon and it gave me some fresh confidence. I think I'll get my Boston qualifying either in San Francisco or Santa Rosa. Just need to train a little harder but, I'm getting there. I've only been doing this running thing for just over a year now so I'm happy with how it all turned out.
The Oakland Running Festival is a fantastic event. I have a whole new perspective on the City of Oakland and the people who live there.
I would highly recommend to everyone, put this on your bucket list.
I'll be back next year to maybe shoot for a 3:40! Who knows.

Official Training Kickoff and Superbowl Kickoff Weekend

  Only a month late on starting my training season. The ankle is feeling tons better now, although still a bit stiff. I'm trying not to over do it and force myself through the pain which I had been doing and that! , really backfired.
I just wanted to get out and focus without any distractions on my game plan for this year. It's critical that I hit all my training goals and get my Boston Marathon qualifying time. I'm relying heavily on by bike this year for valuable cross training and getting my body used to cruising in the fat burning zone. Being conscience of staying injury free is on the top of the list hence utilizing the more forgiving long rides verses long runs.
I'm getting to the point of confusion over the bi-zillions of training plans out there. I now am just working on my own training plan, extrapolating from what I've learned over the past year. More short fast runs, weekly moderate tempo runs and endurance rides.

I have only 5 weeks of building time before the Oakland Marathon. Due to the ankle sprain in December. I'm not quite sure I'll have what it takes to hit my 3:55 BQ time but, I'm going to try my best. 

The ride today was perfect. Nice and cool, slightly overcast but, Sunny riding up over Ridgecrest and the "Seven Sisters". I love that ride up the backside of Tam. I ran into a couple of guys on the climbs that help on the pacing and distracted from the pain with some conversation. It kills me how fast some of these youngsters are on their bikes. I don't let it beat me down anymore. I just except it and I feel good that at my old age I'm still out there going for it. I've really had the great fortune in my life to have my health and the brains to use it. There was a time where I wasn't appreciative of it and let myself slack. I'm back on track now.

So in 2014 the Boston Marathon will be held the day after my 60th birthday. I'm looking forward to getting back there to visit with what's left of my family and some of the old friends that I'm sure will be impressed that this old fart can run 26.2 miles. I think a lot of my friends were surprised that I made it through high school alive. I was very reckless in my youth...Still am to some extent but, I've toned it down a bit.
Tomorrow I'm going out for an early run. Hoping to do a half-marathon at tempo. Afterwards it's the Superbowl with donuts, beer and pizza. I think Monday is going to be a very non-productive workday for many.

North Face - Chasing Mindy...Rebel Girls Tearing It Up!

"What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Night before NorthFace Marathon

I hear the the loud belch from "Mindy the Foghorn" and I think "thank Dog we haven't hit any rocks yet".

I had been rabbit hunting "Mindy" or as I like to call her "Rabbit One" since around about mile  6 or 7. Rabbit hunting consists of keying into runners that run at about my pace or a little stronger. Most  of these rabbits (my title for them) end up being 20 to 40ish age women. Guys that run my pace most times tend to be weary of me and seem to know or feel they're being hunted down in fear of being vanquished which varies their pace too much. Woman I think feel less intimidated with this friendly old fart seemingly trying to keep up with them. The conversations are better too. The chattier the better. The banter keeps my mind off the pain in my body and is somewhat soothing like listening to music. I guess in almost 40 years of marriage I've grown accustomed to a woman's voice in one ear at all times. Women in a most consistent way have a metronome like rhythm which helps me stay on pace. At least that's how it feels. Woman are better to look at too, of course. By the way when these woman "chick me" in the end, they get the title "Raven" which means they've become warriors and choose to slay me! Such are the games I play in my head to get me through the many miles. I've met many, many Ravens in my year of running...

Around the first half Marathon split I passed Mindy for the 10th time and mentioned that we were making really great time for what we had already had to endure. Our split time was around 2:25. I told her to keep up the pace and we would do a 5 hour finish. She exploded with glee over the information!

"I was figuring I'd be out here for at least 7 hours"! she exclaimed.

Within the next 2 miles I realized how "Core" of a chick Mindy was.

She was a multiple "Leadville 100" Veteran mountain biker/runner from Colorado and began rapid fire list of her athletic accomplishments, her passion for her dog, outdoor life and good friends. As we moved along she would stir up conversation with many people we passed and just had a beautiful colorful personality.

We talked about racing diet and how I was now again suffering with nausea which seemed to be ebbing at this point after drinking some warm chicken broth and potatoes with salt. She laughed and said that most things just make her belch really loud! Around that time she let one rip which could easily be heard by every mariner within 100 miles!

Even though I would gain on her on most of the climbs, (I have a pretty long climbing stride). I could still keep track of how far she was behind me as she periodically signaled everyone around her.

As we finally crested the endless climb and began our descent down to what I believe to be "Pirates Cove" the real trail running began. Slippery, muddy and treacherous and this was just the beginning of a many miles of slop running.

Mindy would just be going on about how much fun this was which finally began to make me laugh and lose some of the anxiety about getting through all this. Before the turnaround there was a long, long descent which was just plain ridiculous! It was bascially a river of endless mud and moving water which we had to negotiate our way down with many runners returning up! I then realized how tough this would be on the return trip.

I had a high point on my way down when I looked up and saw the great "Sarah Lavender Smith", Bay area famous Ultra Runner/Writer. "Sarah's Blog Here"

I called out "Hey Sarah"! as I careened down the chute. I heard her say my name but didn't catch what she was saying as I turned my attention back to saving my own life. 

One observation at this point...I noticed a lot of runners had that "dead look" coming up the mud trail. A telltale sign that my wall was coming soon. When I finally made it to the bottom and the Muir Beach turnaround, I spent some time making sure to fill up on more chicken broth, potatoes, and some fruit. I also started hitting the cola, knowing I was soon going to be in need of sugar and caffeine.

In the time that I spent at the rest stop my rabbit Mindy was long gone back up the chute. The climb was intense and long and every step and foot placement had to be correct. At times I actually had trouble pulling my feet out of the mud suction. I also noticed I was developing hot spots on my left baby toe and under the ball of my foot. Obviously blisters from my Cascadia running shoes that I chosen to wear. I'm glad I did just for the fact of the fortified tread and extra sole protection. Just wish I had had another week or two to break them in before this run. The other issue I had in which was driving me crazy was that my shoelaces kept coming untied. Unlike my Pure Grits the laces were not crimped on the Cascadias and the moisture was allowing them to slip loose and now they were just covered with mud.

I'm learning more and more about these little things that need to be learned and the little skills you develop from experience. Trail running is an "art" and I enjoy this aspect of it. There are so many things to learn in so many way's. It makes me feel like how I feel when I'm writing music. It's all about details and creativity unique to oneself.
Let me change direction a little and mention someone I met earlier in the week...

I watched a trailer for a movie about Nikki Kimball that was truly inspirational. As I explored her resume...Shit! Amazing and it really hit me the balance of Mind, Spirit, Science and Reality!
I have so much to learn about life, people and human spirit and in this running, as like when writing music, I'm just seeing the tip of the iceberg...

I thought about her words, Dean Karnazes, Scott Jurek and so many more athletes that have inspired me in such a short time. A Universe and I'm in it now with both feet, like this viscous pudding in which I'm now up to my ankles in as I stand here...and begin again, chasing Mindy...

...After what seemed like an eternity I break away from the crowd behind me and push to the top and there she is! My silly wabbit! 

At this point I become self-centered and the pain is breaking me down. My hamstrings scream, my blisters are now full blown volcanoes of pain...I put the pain in it's place. I know what I need to do and  I center my focus into the core and push harder. I'm not even sure of the conversation with Mindy and somewhere through the running river of mud I lose her but when I finally get to the last major rest station i quickly go for exactly what I need and go! 

There she is! Rabbit number two. Since my brain is shutting down now I develop facial aphasia and for the life of me, I cannot remember her name so, I'll call her pink! (Pink jacket, with braids like Sarah Lavender Smith).

I strike up a conversation and I see in her very young face the "Death mask". She's finished and ready to be done with it. Her tempo is excellent as she negotiates the mounds of mud already traveled so many times.I talk to her about the wonderful future she has and at such a young age to be this focused this intently on her passions. 

I tell her about Sarah who she reminds me of and  my kidding Sarah about her braids with the catch phrase "Be afraid of the braid"!

I sense I'm melting down and lose track of what I'm talking about as I push even harder now as I pass the running zombies and "cat and mouse' them. Anything to keep me moving forward

I glance at my Garmin at the last water break, 4 miles, I grab two cola's and hammer down the last 2 mile descent as fast as possible. Flexors, hamstrings, blisters, back and ankles scream for me to stop. All the rabbits are gone and I'm on my own...

I think about my younger brother who is gone from this world, my wife who is wondering if I'm OK and the feast that awaits, my dogs waiting to greet me and lick off all the mud, my older brother, my Dad who is so proud of his middle son and I push. "Do not stop"..."Run"!
Maybe if I'm lucky I'll win my age group?

I see the road to the finish, the people cheering...Don't stop!

I'm a basket case, all systems begin to fail but I sprint with whatever I have left and I cross the finish and bow my head as the medal is slipped over my hat and around my neck.
I'm "shell shocked"...I made it.

I limp like a lobotomized Lizard through the slop to get my bearings. The idea of hanging out to meet some of the Ultra finishers, pick up my race shirt and converse with anybody is far removed now. I'm done. All I want is my free beer, by drop bag, the warm shuttle bus and cell reception...FINITO!

I finally track down my bag and realize I'm wearing my coat around my waist already. I zip up and struggle to the beer tent.
Suddenly I hear "HEY"! It's Pink! My rabbit two. She jumps up and gives me a huge hug!

Wish I could only remember her name. I think to myself. "I hope she has a wonderful life" and that short time we were together in a moment in time sharing our humanness will stay with me to my final day in this world...I'm so grateful. I wish her well and point to the beer tent...we snap a moment in time.

"HEY"!  It's Rabbit one! Mindy! Again, I'm lucky twice. I think, this is so cool. I just wish my mind was clear and I wasn't so trashed and able to think of something to say and I think she's feeling the same so we hug and snap another moment in time...

I love these "Rebel Girls tearing it up". 

What I expected from this challenge and what actually transpired are so far removed from what my mind was telling me a month ago.

No matter what your expectations are in life. Open yourself up and just let things happen the way the Universe intends...relax and just let things flow.

Highlights:

Onset of hypothermia at the start. Ankle deep in mud soaked to the bone.

Dean Karnazes counting down.

Tiny Hispanic girl who I kept running into for the first 12 miles and lost her soon after I met Mindy. Hope she made it OK. So many of her family there for her send off.

How beat up some of the 50 milers looked.

Realization of how ridiculous the climbing is in "Real" trail running.

The guy who beat me in my age group. Hated him for it till I read his resume! Holy Crap!... 

    Buzz Burrell 

He kicked my ass Big time!!! I am humbled before you. I wanna be like you when I grow up...in two years!

So much more I could tell you...

Race results link

Enchanted Forest In My Backyard...What a Lucky Guy

Since taking up running last January, I've settled into running a lot on trails. Trails are less boring, keep me engaged with nature and my surroundings, much less dangerous and with softer terrain forgiving on the feet and legs .
It's been an awakening to see such beauty and the amount of landscaping and design that has been going on in the past couple of years to beautify the National Seashore, Presidio and many of the trails that weave and meander through those areas. 

For training purposes it can't be beat. San Francisco is a runner, hiker paradise in such a small area. Kind of the equivalent of a "Velodrome" for trail runners!

I can easily get in a 20 mile run and barely touch pavement! The terrain and surfaces are quite variable, from mud loose sand, wood chip to hard pack and grass. I especially like the wood chip. It has a nice feel to it and is very forgiving.

I've been exploring over the last two weeks in the Presidio and just making new discoveries all the time. I researched some of the ongoing projects and unfortunately some of the grand ideas have been put on hold due to expenses including huge environmental impact studies, maybe too much public input to. Too many opinions from opinionated people tend to bog down just about any creative idea.


The timing has been great. I'm feeling a little more confident with trail running with all the experience I'm getting on my runs through the San Francisco forests and beach trails. Who would of thought.

Going into the Northface Endurance challenge this weekend I'm feeling a little more confident with my technique. Just hoping I can take the punishment over 26 miles and live to tell about it.

Thanks to smart phones with a built in "Dork Shot" mode for this one. Lined it up pretty well with that spikey stump...

I've been testing my Brooks Cascadia trail shoes. So far in two good runs I find them comfortable but, a bit clompy and a little on the heavy side. They just don't have the flexibility of my Brooks Pure Grits. The bottoms have a lot of protection but come up a bit stiff. I think they'll make for a great training shoe but, not sure I'll wear them for NorthFace.

I'm trying to tame the competitive side of me for this upcoming race. I think I'm actually a bit out of my league even in my age group. I would really just want to run this race smart and not blow up completely. The weather is going to be pretty nasty and I have to just stay in the survival mode. If for some strange reason I feel great at mile 18 or 20 I'll just go for it...

Well, good luck to my body and may the force be with me. I'm super, super excited to meet my Ultra Running heroes! It's funny most of them a less than half my age?...again, who would of figured. Life is pretty cool and unpredictable...
Here's the women's line up for the 50 mile! Jeeesh!

... Running Chicks Link!...

Biting Off More Than I Can Chew...Going For A Personal Record

I think we've all been here at one time or another...

I felt like this guy all weekend and knew I had probably bitten off more than I could chew. By last Friday I was feeling a bit beat up from the previous weekends half-Marathon trail race and had done a bit of over training during the week, when I really should have been practicing some active recovery.

I had been planning on doing an un-supported "Full" Marathon on Sunday for a pretty cool "Strava" Challenge. Strava (Athletic GPS training site) would kick in a donation for the Hurricane Sandy relief fund, if Strava members committed to running a full 26.2 mile Marathon within a two day window. The Marathon would have to be completed in one day. 

Saturday I got a late start for my recon ride on the one speed, or what I should really call "The Steel Canon Ball On Wheels"! I had mapped out a somewhat reasonable Marathon route on "Bikely.com" and planned to review the course for any uncertain anomalies. I probably should have ridden the road bike with gears. My legs were still a bit slodgy from the previous weeks events.

After the recon I realized that the last 3 1/2 miles would be some considerable up hill that I knew I'd have some problems with being at the end of the run. I was going to try and make this my first sub-four hour Marathon. This would only be my second Marathon, for the record...What are the chances? I'd have to go 10 minutes faster than my San Francisco Marathon time.

Saturday night we had plans to go out with friends for Pizza in the Marina. One of my friends had been trying to find a decent pair of cross training shoes for her arobics, yoga and possibly some running. She'd had a history of shin splints so, I suggested "Fleet Feet" and Pizza afterwards. The trip to Fleet Feet was great as usual and they really helped her find a great pair of Nike cross trainers.

I'm not going to give a review for the Pizza restaurant...It sucked! Which was suprising since we've been going there for a couple of years without issue but, the were having a bad night and one bad experience isn't going to make me hate the place enough for a bad review.

The pizza was underdone and took way too long. They also skipped some of the important ingredients!

We sat for too long drinking wine, on top of scoffing down the pizza with underdone dough gave me a serious case of indigestion which made getting a good nights sleep impossible.

Sunday morning came too fast and what little sleep I did get was interrupted by drunken fools partying across two buildings complete with fireworks and police sirens.

I didn't get rolling till around 9:15am, an hour late from the time I wanted to start. Right away I felt heavy, bloated, slow and achy! Not the best combination for a Marathon PR.

By the time I was 4 miles in I actually felt a bit better and started to warm up. I enjoyed the drop down through Golden Gate Park and when I hit the Great Highway my dream came true. The Highway was closed to cars for cleaning off the sand from the beach. I felt good, GU'd up belted down some water and started hitting some low 8 minute miles. About mile 17 I hit a pretty good wall just at Lake Merced.

I could not get my ass in gear around the lake. I actually stopped and walked about 100 yards and downed a couple of Sport gels and more water, then began running again. When I hit the return along the beach I started feeling pretty good for the next couple miles. I thought I might surely break the 4 hour barrier...then I hit the uphill through Golden Gate park...Goodnight ladies and gentlemen. It wasn't a brick wall. It was the "Iron Curtain"!

I started panicking and my time was tapping the nine minute mile range. I started feeling very old, dark and full of self pity.

Pretty young girls were bounding past me like antelope on Cappuccino! I imagined the guys going by with smirks and praying not to ever get as old as this old fart.

With two miles to go I was done but still felt like I could bust the 4 hour mark. I got a little hung up at the traffic light on Stanyan getting onto the panhandle. I compulsivlely kept looking at my Garmin and the digits seemed to never change. When I got to the end of the Panhandle I still had a half mile and I just couldn't get my legs to move any faster. I was kaput!

Trying to cross another intersection and running up a sidewalk distracted me from my Garmin and when I shut it off it was just a few seconds over 4 hours! I couldn't believe it. Part of me was so bummed and the other part was just relieved to be done!

I limped into a corner store, got a big Gatorade and grabbed a cab home.

I could barely make it downstairs to roll out on the Styrofoam roller and shower.

When I got up and plugged my Garmin in the event came up at 24 miles!? WTF! Thankfully since I've had this problem before I also ran my Droid Strava App which came up with the correct milage. A little over 4:00:15. It was 26.4 miles and with the traffic light stops, I feel like it was an honorary sub 4!

Either way the real win was that I made myself do it and I was satisfied with that.

Today I got up and was a bit stiff but my recovery seems to be a lot faster these days. I've learned a lot of tricks. The right food, lot's of protein, roller and all the core work I've been doing are paying off.

I took an active recovery ride today. Just a nice easy 17 miles on the bike and a little free weights. Now I feel great.

My dog's were happy to have two parents home most of the day and relaxed like champs in front of their favorite perch.

Beyonce, Gaga and Layla...Sister wives!

I forgot to mention, quite a while back I had to cancel my 24 hour fitness membership. Due to making shit money these days (yes I've hit the age ceiling and nobody wants me anymore). I happened to be cleaning out some of the catacombs below the buildings I manage and came across a full set of weights complete with leg lift, barbell bench and stretch cables!... Dog provides! This has really been the cornerstone in my training. The injuries are less and my speed, endurance and well being have improved immensely.

Finally on my ride today I stopped at the GG Bridge and it was just one of those days when the Sun, time of day, Bridge were in perfect picture taking convergence!

So lucky I moved here...

Dogs Running Around, Running Like A Dog

Today was way too beautiful to just lay around and waste on a rest day. The hamstrings were feeling better today and I decided to abandon caution and just go out for a run.
A week of intense doggie day care, dealing with confrontational people was getting to me a little and I just needed to get out for awhile and clear my head.


 After thinking about the injury I figured I may have just hyper extended the muscle when I stopped to stretch yesterday. I felt a bit tight and got a little pain starting up again before I finished my run for the day. It was another 5 mile run but, with a little climbing through the Presidio. I'm looking forward to six months down the road when I'm finally over the beginners hump with this Marathon flight of fancy. I'm as slow as shit and my bicycle legs are a bit pissy about it all but, I'm gonna try and hang in for awhile.


Today...

Thank the Universe for my dogs...I'm seriously stressed out with dealing with humans lately. I feel like I've lost the ability and patience to put up with the day to day confrontations and sparring. I just want to do my job and not talk to anyone at all. Maybe I just need a long vacation. I fantasize about spending a few days in the woods, out in the mountains somewhere with just the dogs and a tent. I just don't want to talk with anyone anymore...Pretty sad...

Well back to work tomorrow and the stress. At least I have a goal for the new year to lean on.


Here's a couple of pictures of my best part of the weekend...

God Damn It!!!

The Runner

...I felt a dull pain coming on just after my turnaround point at the "Hoppers". It didn't start really bothering me until the last 300 yards when I sensed someone very slowly closing in from behind me along the Marina Green. I kind of threw myself into a Seabiscuit like gallop on the homestretch and from just above and behind my knee to my ass cheek the pain turned into a somewhat incapacitating burning sensation and I knew it was over for the day...

Part of my problem in life is that I get very bored, very fast. I'm always drifting off with grandiose thoughts and notions about what would really make life challenging and interesting.Maybe I think too big?A bored mind can be a dangerous thing.

I've always wanted to be a runner. I was very fast for the short runs but, aspired to be a distance runner. When I was in elementary school I really enjoyed sports and reading about the great sports legends. I still remember the story of Glenn Cunningham and how inspired and amazed I was that someone could come out of such a tragic situation and triumph over what seemed an insurmountable challenge.
Glenn had been seriously burned in a tragic fire that killed his brother and left Glenn injured and crippled. Doctors believed he would never walk again. With rehabilitation and personal determination he recovered to become one of the nation's greatest milers.

The Loser...

After reading the Glenn Cunningham story I began nagging my parents daily to please give me a pair of running shoes for Christmas. After getting the shoes I began running. I trained without supervision and completely the wrong way to a point of just killing myself, losing interest and in the following summer under trained un-motivated and still not able to kick a serious smoking habit, I entered an annual hometown race (4 miles and some change). I came in dead last, humiliated and never wanting to run again after that. I must say I was in absolute pain with a stitch in my side and pretty much had to walk most of the distance. I'm a spectacular failure when I put my mind to it.

I've been embarrassed so many times with my failures and misadventures through my life yet, somehow I find it within myself to get back up and keep banging my giant head against the wall.

Recently I read a book (one of many in the past year since I've purchased my first kindle I've begun enjoying reading again).


"Unbroken" the story of Louie Zamperini. A 1930s track star who endured an amazing odyssey in World War II. His story of a troubled youth, a horrible experience of war and torture along with post traumatic stress, culminating in an alcoholic tailspin, hitting bottom and then finally, redemption and triumph!


I started running the treadmill during my "24 Hour Fitness" sessions back in October just to get a feel for it again. I've kind of developed a genuine cyclist physique and running is a bit painful for me. I actually hate it but, I've been working at it and beginning to enjoy it a bit more. It's more of a different perspective. It makes me feel a bit more free, not being stuck to a bike and all the Goddamned stuff you have to wear and carry with you.


In the last couple of months I've been able to work through some of the pain on my mainly short treadmill runs of 2 to 3 miles, longest being 4 miles.
This week I decided to start training in earnest. Actually I've had to get serious about it. In all my great wisdom I recently registered for the August 2012 "Santa Rosa Marathon". My big plan is to do the "Boston Marathon" on my 60th birthday in 2014 so, I should have plenty of time to train.


Last week I decided I would embrace my whimsicle ambitions and realized that if I'm to do this, I have to do it by the book and try not to fall on my face this time. Starting from the bottom I made the decision to get some serious running shoes. Pulling no punches I headed off to "Fleet Feet" down in the Marina and got some serious assessment and advice. I'm very glad I did this and my feet have been thanking me since. They were helpful and concerned that I make the right choice for what I was planning to do.


The Shoes...

ASICS Gel Kayano


Next, I decided to purchase a Garmin 305 with GPS. I know all to well about staying in the right heart rate zone. I think the physical part of running is a lot harder than cycling. It really beats you up.


I'm going back to "Geek"!


I've gone pretty minimalist and retro when It comes to my bike now. I had stripped off all my electronics along with the gears (one gear only for me). I don't even carry a bike bag. Everything in the pockets. I just  bought flat pedals and toe straps for one of my bikes just so I can ride to where I want to run and not have to carry a full wardrobe of shoes and crap. Pretty freeing actually!
I guess with running I'm easing back into the electronics.

Garmin 305

Today my goal was to do my first 5 mile run. I mapped out my run on "Bikely". It was just a standard out and back from Fort Mason to the Golden Gate and back. I just wanted to gauge how my body felt after a bit of pounding. I purposely went very slow but, got up to tempo about halfway through. I enjoyed the run up until I pulled my hamstring after the halfway point. I'm hoping this won't be long lasting. I'm pretty Gung-ho about the whole idea of running.


I'm very embarrassed but, here are my lame ass stats for today.

I don't know what this new year will bring. I just want to get myself a little closer to peace, happiness and a sense of security. Maybe this running thing is a metaphor for my ambition to get away from the things that have held me back for so long. I need to distance myself from failures in my life that weigh me down...