I believe in using races as motivators. It’s hard to keep an exercise program if you don’t have a significant goal in sight.
– Bob Greene, fitness instructor
Good one. It’s why I have a goal to run at least one race each month…
Training Journal – 8/16/12:
This past Saturday, I ran Coastal Trail Runs’ Crystal Springs Trail Run. The event, held at Huddart Park in Woodside, was actually five trail runs in one: 5 Mile, 11 Mile, 22 Mile, Marathon, and 50K.
The weather was great – it was actually nicer at the park than down in the valley! On the way to the park it was a little foggy, but it was gone once I arrived. The temp was around 60 when the race started and it warmed up to about the mid-70s when I finished.
The run drew 251 participants, with most running the 11-mile distance (5m: 58, 11m: 85, 22m: 43, Marathon: 29, and 50K: 36.) From my conversations and hearing the chatter among my fellow runners, there was a mix of trail runner levels – though I highly doubt any were new to running overall. I talked with a few follow first time trail runners before, during, and after the run – which was nice, as I was a little nervous about this, my first trail run. The longer distances were grouped together for their 0830 start, with the 11 and 5 mile runs starting separately at 0900 and 0915 respectively.
…gastronomically.
What does the 780.5g of carbs come from:
…all consumed before 9PM.
Training Journal – 8/10/12:
I’ve been in Boulder, CO this week on a biz trip. Fortuitously, my hotel was right next to the Boulder’s Boulder Creek Path. So, prior to leaving on the trip, I mapped out a route: a nice, out-and-back, steady-climb, 10K.
This was my first time running at altitude as well. I could really tell the difference, but my pace and times were still pretty decent:
Since I run at 0-dark-thirty, pictures aren’t possible – or really practical. So after my meeting let out today, I ran by one of the park areas to snap a couple of photos…and see what part of the Path looks like in the daylight! It was a nice area to run and I’m sure it even is nicer in the light – at least more scenic!
Boulder Creek Path footbridge at Eben G. Fine Park
Oh, and I also did some souvenir shopping on the way to the airport…
Training Journal – 8/9/12:
Eighteen weeks and counting!
At the bottom of each of the three pages:
Do the work. Do the analysis. But feel your run. Feel your race.
Feel the joy that is running. – Kara Goucher
Training Journal – 8/6/12:
July was a solid month of training – mixing road and trail running as well as returning to cycling on Mondays [a spread of 66% road, 17% trail, and 17% bike.]
One new piece of equipment this month. I bought an Amphipod Full-Tilt – Velocity water belt. I plan to use this supplement the Amphipod handheld for trail and longer runs. It took a few runs to get used to it (I’ve worn it on all my long runs and each trail run), but I like it. I didn’t wear it on the San Francisco First Half Marathon, since they had a fair amount of aid stations that would supplement my handheld, but will probably wear it for trail races in the future or races that don’t have an abundance of aid stations.
Anyway, here are the stats for the month that was July 2012:
Running
Mileage:
Pace:
Total Running Time:
Cycling
Mileage:
Pace:
Total Cycling Time:
Training Program(s):
Caloric Stats:
Races Completed:
GIDDY-UP!
Training Journal – 8/2/12:
This past Sunday, I ran the First Half of the San Francisco Marathon. The event is actually six in one, offering something for virtually every runner:
The Main races drew a field of 17,975 finishers: 6447 for the full marathon, 7389 for the first half (the GG Bridge must be a draw), and 4139 for the second half.
The weather was perfect – mid 50s, no wind to speak of, and a bit foggy. Again, perfect!
This was my first San Francisco Marathon event, but my third crossing of the Golden Gate Bridge this year (previous crossings were the Emerald Across the Bay and the Presidio 10.) This race boasts allowing runners to run on the roadway; which was a nice change from the other two, since they are on the bridge’s sidewalk which repeatedly diverts around the bridge’s supports.
The start waves for the First half were well managed, being combined with the Full Marathon’s waves. Volunteers were everywhere, which was fantastic. It is obvious that this is “done well” and has incorporated lessons over the years.
The First Half’s course itself heads from the Embarcadero along the Bay, up to the Bridge deck, then across and back, along the coastal portion a bit, then into the Richmond part of San Francisco, and finishes in Golden Gate Park. It starts flat, teases you with a short hill, resumes a flat portion just to lull you into speeding up, before slamming you with the climb up to the bridge. The Bridge itself is an incline/decline in both directions – again, to play with your tempo and pace. Off the bridge, it’s a nice decline, followed by a pair of steady inclines, on toward the finish line in Golden Gate Park. The First Half is NOT a cake walk – though, with proper training and a good pace plan, it is not insurmountable. It was a great challenge for me and I sure appreciated my hill prep during training.
Ready for tomorrow!
Training Journal – 7/28/12:
Got this in the mail today. When I asked Karen if she wanted to watch it tonight, she said, “pffffft!”
Training Journal – 7/21/12:
Today I registered for the race that got me “off the couch” last year: the 2012 Silicon Valley Turkey Trot! This year, the 10K distance.
Who’s with me?!?!
Training Journal – 7/18/12:
DENNARR(dot)COM 