09.24.2005: Run Hit Wonder

Distance: 10 kilometers
Time: 1:15
Location: Los Angeles Coliseum and surrounding areas

Notes: In the above picture, waving their arms like they just don't care, were my lovely companions for the Nike Run Hit Wonder 10K, Gina and Jennie. They were so much fun to run with that it didn't bother me one bit that I was going much slower than normal. I was 25 minutes off my personal record. In fact, Gina and Jennie both finished ahead of me because I spent quality time at the Fountains of Wayne stage.



It was a very fun race, a huge turnout and incredibly festive, not to mention lots of cute guys. Afterwards, rather than take part in the post-race festivities, we drove back to Jennie's neighborhood and had a terrific dinner at the Good Microbrew in Silver Lake. I celebrated and ordered the juicy prime rib, a steal at $15.95. I also had a pint of the Floating Dog Porter, which was OK, but I wouldn't mind had it been a little stronger and stouter. All in all, a terrific night out.

Today was my nephew's baptism. By the time the baptism was over at 3:00, I was feeling faint and light-headed. I was starving. My brother booked a Chinese restaurant for our party and there was plenty of food. Henry and Tony stopped by and helped minimize the leftovers. Even with their help, though, we came home with too much food.

Now, it's time for me to start my paper. It's 9:03 PM and I have work early in the morning. It may well be a late night for me.

09.21.2005: Claremont

Distance: 5 miles
Time: 50:22
Location: Claremont Wilderness Park
# of Snakes Encountered: Zero
Notes: For the first time in weeks I encountered no snakes out on the trails today. I was warned by a biker that there were "baby snakes" up ahead, but I didn't see them. One of these days I'm going to get bit because I'm not going to see one before it's too late. The run itself was OK. Not as fast as last week. I do think the clockwise route may be the easier route, though, not by much. I believe today was the second-fastest time for me on the course.

After the run, I headed out to Arcadia for the Team in Training info meeting. Not a huge turnout but we managed to sign a few people up. Coach Katie brought her kids, and after the meeting, they attacked me with crayons. They're cute kids, but quite a handful. My new Decemberists shirt was dotted with re and blue crayons. Will it ever be clean?

09.20.2005: Track Training

Distance: 7.5 miles (30 laps)
Location: Arcadia High School
Notes: Good track training tonight. I felt good, and Kiley and I hit our mark almost all the time. This is the penultimate track workout, and in four weeks it's my race. After practice Coach Katie and Sarah Jane were praising my running stride and giving me suggestions that would improve my running style. They said I cross my arms over too much, but according to Coach Katie, that may be a product of my pectorals being better developed than my back muscles. She also said that changing my arm movements probably would have little effect. The main thing is that I already limit my upper body movements and I maintain an upright posture. It's good to hear that I run efficiently. Hopefully it can help me run a stronger race.

09.14.2005: Claremont Wilderness Park

Distance: 5 miles
Time: 48:55 ***PERSONAL COURSE RECORD***
Location: Claremont Wilderness Park
Notes: With the start of school, work, and running, I've been neglecting this blog. It's not that I haven't been running. I've just been too busy--and too tired--to update this every time.

I've been running the Claremont Wilderness Park trail every Wednesday after class. The last two weeks had been hot, but today was very mild. That probably had a lot to do with how fast I ran the course. I took the clockwise route this time, and as I was ascending I thought I was runnning it very slow. By the time I got to the halfway mark, I was a half hour into my run. I figured I'd run it in 57 minutes. Perhaps I made up a lot of time running downhill because I wound up running my fastest time. I still haven't figured out which direction is easier. The clockwise course has a slightly shorter uphill but it's more consistently uphill. In any case, it was a good run even though I thought it wouldn't be. My shin still aches a bit, but I don't seem to notice it as I get deep into the run. It's irksome in the early stages of a run. I just hope it doesn't get worse.

On to other news: tonight I attended the mentor meeting for spring. I wasn't planning on mentoring, but I was easily persuaded by Jennie. I'm not the only one who is returning. Others were bitten by the TnT bug as well and are returning as mentors. Besides, it's a good way to mark a full year of running. The plan is to run the half marathon in Austin in February and then run the full marathon in LA. Lots of running in the next few months.

09.03.2005: 18 miles

Distance: 18 miles
Time: 3:01
Calories Consumed: Several hundred. I had yogurt and a bottle of Starbucks Vanilla Frappuccino just before the run. During the run, I had an PowerGel. Afterwards, I celebrated the completion of 18 miles by consuming five or six Jell-O Pudding Pops. I had not had Jell-O Pudding Pops since my high school days. I've forgotten how good those damn things were. I also had a venti caramel Frappuccino in the afternoon, a couple of beers at the barbecue, along with several hot dogs and hamburgers. In other words, I pigged out.
Notes: The run, in retrospect, went well. The legs, of course, felt heavy, but I didn't feel exhausted and weary during the run, but I did have to overcome several obstacles, primarily something that necessitated a trip to the men's room. To my credit, I anticipated the danger and packed a napkin in my pocket just in case I had to visit the woods, which I had to do last year during a 10 mile run. That time I didn't have the foresight to pack a napkin. I didn't have to use the napkin or visit the woods because the attack occurred while I was close by the golf course and its public restrooms. What a relief? I made it through the rest of the run without an emergency, but on the way to the car another attack came. Again, I was nearby a public restroom. I hope it wasn't anything I ate.

After the run, FJ cornered me and asked if I was seeing anyone. He's thinking of setting me up with another writer on his show. Who knew that Team in Training was also a dating service?