On July 12th, I ran the Half Marathon distance of the Zoom Quarry Lakes run in Fremont. Zoom Running Events (which is affiliated with Coastal Trail Runs) is a fantastic, local organizer and always puts on a quality event! The event had 5K, 10K and Half distance options and drew a field of 43, 59, and 96 respectively. Zoom’s events are smaller, but the quality is up there with the big events…and in some respects & IMHO, better! My first marathon was a Zoom event, so they have a special place in my runner’s heart.

The weather was great – about 59 at the start and no wind to speak of. It probably warmed up to the mid sixties/low seventies at the finish… Again, perfect!

The half marathon course was loop/pair of out-and-backs that took place in the Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation area and along the Alameda Creek Trail. It was a mix of crushed rock and paved trails that was nice and flat. As with all Zoom (and Coastal) events, course management and marking was great, though there was some confusion at the 4 mile mark and a few runners took a wrong turn. When I hit that point, a few of us scratched our heads, I pulled out my iPhone and checked the course map on their website, and we went straight – which was correct! Nice having connectivity on the course!

Volunteers for Zoom events and their aid stations are always excellent and Quarry Lakes was no different. The volunteers are friendly and encouraging and the snacks are great quality, with a good variety, and they never run out! The finish area had great food and drinks as well and offered a great environment to recover and chat with other runners.  [I had to laugh at one point: I was running up to a guy who was wearing the same CEP compression sleeves AND the same color KT Tape and application on his outer knee.  I joked about it when I passed him, though he eventually passed and finished ahead of me.  We talked IT band, stretches, and foam rollers at the finish area!]

At the start…getting the all-important, pre-race instructions!

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My Race
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Compass point views from my trail run this morning…

Looking North from Boccardo Peak

Looking South from Boccardo Peak

Sunrise (Looking East from Boccardo Peak)

Looking West from Boccardo Peak

Training Journal – 7/21/13:

• Current plan: Mix of running and biking right now
• Today’s session: 2-hour run
• Comments: I did 12.22 miles @ 11:35 avg pace for a total time of 2:22:43
• Weekly mileage: Running: 32 / Bicycling: 10.42
  

Whew, today was a FULL day…

I’m on a biz trip to the DC area and:

• Did the “local” thing and took the DC METRO to my meeting in downtown WDC
• Swung by our DC office and spent some time there
• Drove out to another part of VA for a few meetings tomorrow
• Went for a late afternoon trail run in Prince William Forrest Park. [Miss K scolded me for this!]

For the run, it was warm and humid, so I just took took my time and ran, fast walked, and hiked the ten miles. I’ve never been to the area, so running in the Park was a nice change from running along the local roads (which is my usual option, since I avoid treadmills.)

Aside from the nice scenery, my IT band did not protest AT ALL TODAY! It may have been that I’ve been working it with my Travel Stick, which I usually bring with me on trips…but never seem to use. Maybe between the foam roller, The Stick, and stretching, I’ve found what works for now. I’m still doing the 3:1 run/walk ratio thing. Maybe once I have some consistent runs without IT band pain, I’ll try and go back to only running…but that will be a while.

Here’s some pictures I took on the run:

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I got back to the hotel, showered, and headed to dinner at The Cracker Barrel – BOOYAH!!!

A FULL day indeed & can’t wait to go home!

Training Journal – 7/17/13:

• Current plan: Mix of running and biking right now
• Today’s session: Easy trail run
• Comments: I did an easy, easy, easy 10 miles @ 13:15 avg pace