Running With The Youngsters

Strava meets SF Marathon Fun Run

This week I've reached a landmark in this new found hobby. Three miles short of 5o miles for the week along with two runs in the midst of a whole lot of competitive young people. I'm feeling the pain but, for some reason I just want to keep going.


I received an email invitation form Strava for a "Fun Run" with the San Francisco Marathon coordinators. I RSVP'd and met up with them at the Strava offices at 901 Mission. Beautiful office with lots of busy people and a nice modern cutting edge atmosphere. I guess I'd say a "High Tech" vibe. 


One thing I've begun to notice:
Since taking up running at an older age and getting out in the social network with the younger generation, I'm getting a strange out of place feeling around young athletic types. I'm feeling old and I get the feeling, for them, me being there, it's a bit of a novelty. I could be reading too much into this...It's just a vibe I'm getting. In my head I'm still young, but I'm not! When I start talking and trying to blend in I feel sometimes I come off sounding like an old Douche-bag. I guess I need to watch that.

Top of Filbert and Montgomery

The second thing is that it's so obviously that these younger ones have amazing cardiovascular systems. I can really see the difference. I struggle to keep up and more and more of them are slipping away from me and I just slowly drop back. Then again I'm not doing too bad. Could be worse.


The Strava run was fast, energetic and I just hung on for dear life. I must run with people more often. I can see a significant improvement in my speed for the future. The "schwag" was magnificent! Lot's of health bars, gu's drinks, bottles and other fine stuff. In all I ran about 6 miles with the group and the rest on my own for a great mid-week run.





After spending sometime with the SF Marathon trainers, I was happy to learn that from what they were telling me, I'm pretty far ahead on my Marathon training. Next weekend I'm going to attempt a 4 hour run and see how I do. If I can still walk afterwards I'll be happy.


My run today was with the Fleetfeet group. Dan led the run and after a one block warm up we hit the Steiner hill climb in Pacific Heights...Yikes! We immediately dropped everyone and there were only 4 of us at the top. We then headed west to 17th Ave for the turnaround. On the way back I split off from the group and went on to my own long run through the Presidio, along the waterfront and home for a "Half-Marathon" distance. I was getting pretty sore and I hadn't recovered from my previous runs this week. I came home and tallied my weekly mileage and wow!

One more thing: Kudos to Brooks for their Pure Connect line of footwear.
I received a gift certificate to REI and promptly when down to the local outlet and purchased a pair of "Pure Flow" running shoes. The design is a bit different then my Raveena 3 and I think they're great. Much more mid foot strike. The design does a good job at moving the strike zone forward and less heal combines for a more natural running feel.

When Creativity Flat-lines, It's Time To Just Breath In

I remember the first time I listened to Sara Bareilles. That was surely an awakening for me. I think it was about the time in my shitty musical career, I began to realize that my boat had left the dock and it was time to step aside and let the kids move through. I could hear all the elements of the musical things that had inspired me through my life. Here was someone who was multi-talented, original and was able to bring everything into a coherent and unique artist burst.
In 2007 "Between The Lines" just blew me out of my socks! It was just about the time I was going through something really heavy in my life. All of a sudden here is this very young person turning the tables and comforting me and inspiring me. It surprised me and like I say it was an awakening.


She's the real deal. If I had a kid like that I would be so proud and happy.
Since that day I've really opened myself to a fair un-embittered acceptance of this younger talent and even if at first it doesn't grab me, I'll go for the second listen.
There's a video that I've watched a bunch of times that  no matter what mood I'm in or how bad my day has been, I always end up with a smile on my face.





I'm watching a lot of videos now. I've tried and tried to  work at creating some new music but, it's just dead. I'm not feeling it and I'm a bit sick of my style. I'm old, tired and I just don't have the necessary time needed in my life to fully submerge into my creative potential so, I just keep moving - I run, bike and listen.


Sarah is just an example. There are so many good young artists now.
Anyway, I'm just about to watch a documentary on the Foo Fighters...enough hot air. Time to watch and listen...
BTW, one of the best live performances in history...