When I woke up yesterday it was still dark. This getting up in the dark thing is new for me. Totally counter intuitive to everything I stand for. Namely getting up at 8:15am for work at 9am. I know some of you get up that early everyday. And to you my hat is off. Congratulations....For being insane.
But after I got up and got dressed, I took Johnny outside for a his morning constitution. When I got outside it was raining. Not heavily, more of a drizzle. But it was enough to give me second thoughts.
This was my first run in the rain. And the temp was pretty cool too. Not much cooler than SF however. But I as I am thinking about this now, Is it possible the colder temps are what is aggravating my ITbands more? For the 20miles I had no pain. The temperature was really nice. Not too cold, not too hot. When running at work it is pretty warm and I have had no ITband problems for weeks. I wonder if I am not warming up enough for these runs. Should I be wearing pants for longer, maybe the first mile or so? I dunno. Things to think about
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Saturday, October 22, 2005
23 miles...Not Quite
A couple weeks ago I ran 20 miles. It was a great run. No aches. No pains. I was full of energy afterwards, too. Really, a great run. Last week was a 10 mile recovery run. It was not so good. ITband pains started kicking. The muscle started to lock up at mile 7 but I was able to muscle through it. But then my right IT band started hurting too.
Today was supposed to be a 23 miles run. I didn't make it the whole way. In fact I could barely make it halfway. At about mile 6 I could feel my ITBands start hurting in both legs. As soon as that happened I knew that I wouldn't make it for the whole run. Each mile my legs just got worse and worse. Then after one of the walk breaks I tried to start running again and my knees had almost frozen on me. I could walk, but I couldn't run. I let the others in my group go on ahead. There was no point in trying to catch up, besides they were coming up to a turnaround soon so on their way back they would pass me again on their way back.
The thing that really worries me is that my ankles are hurting too. I think it might have something to do with my insoles. I bought blue colored general "superfeet" insoles instead of the green performance ones. I am going to go to TopToTop and talk to them about it.
I did buy some new socks last night. They were really great. What makes them so great, you ask? Two words. Double Layer! That's right. No more blisters. The feet slide and get more bounce. What a difference. Of course, they didn't really help me much today...But I know they will. Jen, one of the people in my pace group had recommended these to everyone. They are a little more than normal socks. $6.50 for a pair. But Jen really summed it up this way. "we'll spend $4 for a cappucino at starbucks, but we won't spend a few extra bucks to keep our feet comfy when we run for 4 hours" ok maybe that isn't a direct quote, but it'll do.
Today was supposed to be a 23 miles run. I didn't make it the whole way. In fact I could barely make it halfway. At about mile 6 I could feel my ITBands start hurting in both legs. As soon as that happened I knew that I wouldn't make it for the whole run. Each mile my legs just got worse and worse. Then after one of the walk breaks I tried to start running again and my knees had almost frozen on me. I could walk, but I couldn't run. I let the others in my group go on ahead. There was no point in trying to catch up, besides they were coming up to a turnaround soon so on their way back they would pass me again on their way back.
The thing that really worries me is that my ankles are hurting too. I think it might have something to do with my insoles. I bought blue colored general "superfeet" insoles instead of the green performance ones. I am going to go to TopToTop and talk to them about it.
I did buy some new socks last night. They were really great. What makes them so great, you ask? Two words. Double Layer! That's right. No more blisters. The feet slide and get more bounce. What a difference. Of course, they didn't really help me much today...But I know they will. Jen, one of the people in my pace group had recommended these to everyone. They are a little more than normal socks. $6.50 for a pair. But Jen really summed it up this way. "we'll spend $4 for a cappucino at starbucks, but we won't spend a few extra bucks to keep our feet comfy when we run for 4 hours" ok maybe that isn't a direct quote, but it'll do.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
20 friggin miles
So I did it. No no no. Not the a whole marathon. But 20 miles. This was last Saturday, October 8th.
It was a perfect day in Santa Monica. Not too hot, a little overcast and the first eight miles were running along the beach. It doesn't get more perfect than that, unless of course I am running the full 26 in Honolulu.
I was really nervous going into Saturday. I mean, I hadn't done a long run since August when I did the 16miler in SF and my ITBand problems started. Was I too out of shape? Would my leg be killing me? All of these worries when I woke up at 6 am.
My pace group in Santa Monica is really two pace groups; those who run really friggin fast and us who run a more reasonable 10 minute mile pace. The slower group was my pace group. As I said, I only ran a 9 minute mile for the 10k. I ain't running a 9minute yet for all 20miles. Running with this group was really nice because we stayed together till the bitter end. Toward the end a couple of people were getting tired and getting leg cramps. Rather then leave them, we slowed our pace and stayed together. Sure it was gonna take a little longer, but it was more fun hanging together. That whole community thing. My total time for 20 miles was 3h40min with a lot of walking for the last 2 miles. While I could have finished a lot faster it was worth it to hang out with the others. There are a few gay guys in my pace group, The guy with the leg cramps kept saying, "no. no. Go on ahead. I'll be fine. Leave me" Nick looked back at him and said, "oh. Quit being so straight!" too funny. All in al I still felt really strong at the end of the run. I think I could have easily run the whole 26. The next day my legs were tight but a little stretching took care of that.
The route was very similar to the route we ran for our 12 mile run, so it was like old times. Especially the two mile stretch of slight up hill. You don't notice it normally, but Montana Blvd is really a pain. But anyway... Along the route we had to do a little pit stop at the starbucks. Heading in there I was surprised to see one of my coworkers at Sony imageworks. I said hi, he invited me to join him, but I had to say no. He thought I was crazy when I told him that I couldn't because I still had a nother 10 miles to run. He went back to his capucccino. and I kept running.
It was a perfect day in Santa Monica. Not too hot, a little overcast and the first eight miles were running along the beach. It doesn't get more perfect than that, unless of course I am running the full 26 in Honolulu.
I was really nervous going into Saturday. I mean, I hadn't done a long run since August when I did the 16miler in SF and my ITBand problems started. Was I too out of shape? Would my leg be killing me? All of these worries when I woke up at 6 am.
My pace group in Santa Monica is really two pace groups; those who run really friggin fast and us who run a more reasonable 10 minute mile pace. The slower group was my pace group. As I said, I only ran a 9 minute mile for the 10k. I ain't running a 9minute yet for all 20miles. Running with this group was really nice because we stayed together till the bitter end. Toward the end a couple of people were getting tired and getting leg cramps. Rather then leave them, we slowed our pace and stayed together. Sure it was gonna take a little longer, but it was more fun hanging together. That whole community thing. My total time for 20 miles was 3h40min with a lot of walking for the last 2 miles. While I could have finished a lot faster it was worth it to hang out with the others. There are a few gay guys in my pace group, The guy with the leg cramps kept saying, "no. no. Go on ahead. I'll be fine. Leave me" Nick looked back at him and said, "oh. Quit being so straight!" too funny. All in al I still felt really strong at the end of the run. I think I could have easily run the whole 26. The next day my legs were tight but a little stretching took care of that.
The route was very similar to the route we ran for our 12 mile run, so it was like old times. Especially the two mile stretch of slight up hill. You don't notice it normally, but Montana Blvd is really a pain. But anyway... Along the route we had to do a little pit stop at the starbucks. Heading in there I was surprised to see one of my coworkers at Sony imageworks. I said hi, he invited me to join him, but I had to say no. He thought I was crazy when I told him that I couldn't because I still had a nother 10 miles to run. He went back to his capucccino. and I kept running.
One hit wonder and other things
Sorry I haven't posted in a while. For that all I can say is "Boog is sorry". I didn'realize it had been so long since I updated this until I get a few emails telling me. So here is what I have been up to.
Sept 24 I ran in the Nike Run Hit Wonder. This was my first 10k race and I did ok. I averaged about 9:08 pace. But I gotta tell you, it is a pain in the ass to have to pass people. If you are going to run fast then get in the fron t of the group. BUT if you are going to go slowly stay in the back. Don't make me pass your ass. Or at least, get out of my way. Please. Of course, I'm sure that a lot of people thought the same thing about me. To them , I say, :P . I really did it to see what running in a large pack was like. It really showed me that I am better off starting a little closer to the front.
But the race was pretty cool, there were a few bands at the beginning, nothing in the middle and then a few bands at the end. The end bands were the best. Fountains of Wayne and The Aquabats. I had never heard of the Aquabats but I really should check them out.
Between mile 3 and 5 the route double backed on itself. At one point I passed the soul group singing the refrain "feel the Energy". They seemed upbeat. By the time I came back through they were singing the same refrain but their energy was gone.
But you cant have a real Race called the Run hit wonder without a headlining act. Who was the headliner, you ask? Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. I love Rock-n-Roll! She has gotta be near 50 but she is jumping around like it was the 80s. Amazing. Not only did she give us a concert at the end of the race, but the concert was in the LA Coliseum, home of the 1932 and 1984 Olympics. That is also where the finish line was. We ran right into the coliseum like we were famous or something. It was kewl.
of course with a race like this, there are always finishing photos. First, a disclaimer. I look like a total dork. I love having the water bottle around my waist but it is not an attractive look for me. So with that note. Here are the photos.
Sept 24 I ran in the Nike Run Hit Wonder. This was my first 10k race and I did ok. I averaged about 9:08 pace. But I gotta tell you, it is a pain in the ass to have to pass people. If you are going to run fast then get in the fron t of the group. BUT if you are going to go slowly stay in the back. Don't make me pass your ass. Or at least, get out of my way. Please. Of course, I'm sure that a lot of people thought the same thing about me. To them , I say, :P . I really did it to see what running in a large pack was like. It really showed me that I am better off starting a little closer to the front.
But the race was pretty cool, there were a few bands at the beginning, nothing in the middle and then a few bands at the end. The end bands were the best. Fountains of Wayne and The Aquabats. I had never heard of the Aquabats but I really should check them out.
Between mile 3 and 5 the route double backed on itself. At one point I passed the soul group singing the refrain "feel the Energy". They seemed upbeat. By the time I came back through they were singing the same refrain but their energy was gone.
But you cant have a real Race called the Run hit wonder without a headlining act. Who was the headliner, you ask? Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. I love Rock-n-Roll! She has gotta be near 50 but she is jumping around like it was the 80s. Amazing. Not only did she give us a concert at the end of the race, but the concert was in the LA Coliseum, home of the 1932 and 1984 Olympics. That is also where the finish line was. We ran right into the coliseum like we were famous or something. It was kewl.
of course with a race like this, there are always finishing photos. First, a disclaimer. I look like a total dork. I love having the water bottle around my waist but it is not an attractive look for me. So with that note. Here are the photos.
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