Quick Update

I just wanted to drop in quickly (it's 10:30 pm on a friday night).  Currently streak is now 14 days.  Alex and I snuck out of the house during a downpour and got in 2.5 miles.  We ran it at a 9:05 pace which is right at my 5k race pace.  I feel pretty good right now just a little tired from getting up early doing the P90x program.

Speaking thereof - the program is going well.  I can already tell that I'm getting stronger.  A couple of moves that I couldn't do earlier in the week I pulled off this morning in the ab routine.  The more I see of this program, the more I would recommend it.  Even if you don't get the results (visual) they like to show off.  I can tell that by the end of the program I'll be so much stronger and ligher.  This week so far I've lost 4 lbs so I'm doing somethng right.

I'll post more this weekend about the actual workouts but I just wanted to get something in tonight since I hadn't posted since Wednesday.

Keep Steppin'
Bob

BTW I'm only 2.5 miles away from 200 miles for the year already. :)

Rain, Rain Go Away.......

Well we've seen the most rain in that past five days that I can remember since grade school.  Crazy weather, we've seen just about everything and a lot of it.  Needless to say I haven't run since Wednesday now and I feel bad about that.  I lost my 'steak' at 18 days (I tied my PB with that) and I'm now behind in my 10k training program. No harm done and I can't really complain because my right hip was flaring up a little and it was time to take a rest.  I've already set a new PB in monthly mileage and I'm feeling pretty good so hopefully I'll get out sometime today to test out my hip.

Other than that nothing else has happened - I'm waiting for some new running shoes to get shipped, once they arrive and I get a few miles covered in them I'll write a review.  Also I have another review to write about a pair that I sent back.  I should have that done by the end of the month.

Today is the day I'm supposed to run my trial 10k.  I think I'll attempt it just so I can set an actual goal time for my race, but if my hi feels bad - I'll cut this run back.

Keep Steppin'
Bob

Lots of Rain

I know that Southern California people can't handle weather changes but we've really had some freaky rain storms over the past 48 hrs with another 48 hrs to come.  Yesterday for about two hours we got about 2 inches of rain with tornados, thunder, and hail.  It was comming down so hard we couldn't even see accross the street.

These were taken at our local harbor (Dana Point, Ca.)  a couple of hours after the downpour yesterday.  The waterfall - it's never there.  That's not a river, it's overflow coming of the cliffs into the harbor area.  Right above the 'waterfall' are multi-million dollar condos, no word if they been damaged.

Runningwise I took it very easy yesterday - I'm really sore in my right leg (tendons in the hip area) nothing serious, but because of the massive increas in mileage I'm taking it very easy.  I'm sure it's going to hurt my weekly mileage, and my training plan, but I'll deal with it.  I'll get in a walk or to today to keep my streak going, but I don't envision getting in a run today.

Keep Steppin'

Bob

9.5 Miles in the Bank!

Well I did it - I finished 9.5 miles.  It wasn't pretty, nor was it very fun, but I did it, the course I plotted out was from my house to my in-law's house.  The first three miles were brutal, up and down I thought my legs were going to blow out.  On top of that for some reason I decided that a very fast tempo run for 3.1 miles (9:14 pace) the night before was a good idea.  Needless to say, my legs were toasted before I even stepped out the front door.  Still I finished the course within the two hour time frame I gave myself so I'm pleased that this run is finished.



Before go any further I have to thank Beth for letting me go, and for picking me up at her parents.  It was totally unneccessary for her to do since she had all the kids, but I did appriciate it on her part.  I love you honey.

I did do some walking out on the course so I do have a long way to go before I'm ready for my half marathon but now I know where I stand and what I need to do before my May half marathon comes around.  But doing this run should help me mentally from this point forward.  Talking about the mental aspect - Beth happened to mention before hand, "You're not ready for that distance."  So of course, all I thought over the next two hours was "Maybe I can't do this."  Funny how things like this work in your brain, but it definately messed with my head.

I already mentioned that the first three miles were brutal, but after that it's pretty much a straight run downhill towards the ocean.  By the time I made it to this part, I was pretty toasted and I knew even then I was going to walk some more over the last six miles but I was ok with this since my real goal for this run was to finish and to finish under two hours.  I accomplished both when I rounded the last corner and saw Beth and Alex waiting for me, waving me on in the distance.  As I finished the final quarter mile they held up a finishing line between them - I was suprised how emotinal I started to get until I saw what they were holding between them - My father-in-law's old neck brace!  I couldn't help but laugh to myself as I 'broke' the finish.  Still it was a nice touch and I'm very happy to get a reception at my finish.  I can't remember the last time I had someone watch me run - usually when I'm running it's just me and my head.  Having them there was a nice touch.

Beyond yesterday's run, I'm currently at 17 consecutive days but we've got 6 days of rain coming in here off the Pacific.  It's going to be really hard running in the kind of rain that they are predicting, over three inches.  Still I think I'm going to try to cotinue the streak - I've started the month and year strong and I really want something I can 'hang my hat on'.  A solid running streak (30+ days) would make me feel like I've accomplished something towards that.

I've already mentioned that I ran a tempo on Saturday night - that was a mistake really.  That run was supposed to be an easy run, around a 10:00 min pace, but at the second mile marker I glanced at my watch for the first time - 19:01.  That made me pick up my pace when I should have started to shut it down knowing I wanted to attempt a 9 miler the next morning.  I finished in 28:35, just :31 seconds off a PB.  It was pretty effortless - I should be able to destroy this time when I'm ready to.

Today marks my first day of 'official' 10k training.  Three easy miles (9:40 - 10:00 pace) plus some strength training is being called out.  I should be able to do that without too much difficulty even if my ass is a little sore from yesterday's effort.  My longest run this week only calls for a 10k (a virtual race I signed up for - a sub 1:04:00 PB goal) so it looks like a pretty 'standard' week for me now. (approx 23+ miles.)

Keep Steppin'
Bob

PS My Chargers really stank it up yesterday,  I don't want to get any comments regarding their play, how much they suck, or that they are 'soft'.  My FB account is bad enough.  I'm still in mourning. :(

13 Days and Counting.....

My streak is now 13 days, not exactly how I planned but still it's a solid streak.  Yesterday I wanted to get in a solid 7 miles for the day but I went and put Cade down to bed and fell asleep until 10:00 pm.  If Beth hadn't woken me up I most likely would have slept right on through the night.  I'm not too upset, I really wasn't feeling very well and this gave me a chance to get a little rest and I had already logged 2+ miles for the day so all wasn't lost.

Today I had my 27 mile cycling route planned but what I didn't count on is having rain the first thing this morning.  With the temps down in the low 50's and rain I decided to forego the ride and I went for a run instead.  The plan was to sneek in a 4 miler that I didn't get to do the night before so I was eyeballing the cloud cover as I worked from my desk.  Around 10:00 am I decided that the weather wasn't going to break and I could venture out in the drizzle.  Now being from So Cal I don't have any wet weather gear so I pulled on my regular clothes and added my sleeves and by the time I was finished I was drenched. 

The run itself was interesting, like I mentioned, I was going 4 miles and I wanted to finish in just under 40 mins, what I thought was 4 miles turned out to be 4.25 miles and I completed it in 41:15  (9:43 pace - right where I wanted to be).  I struggled throughout the whole course, first I didn't feel loose then my left arch was cramping and finally my knees were sore.  I kept looking at my watch (which was completely drenched) where I thought the mile markers were and I kept getting upset since I was dropping further and further behind my planned pace.  When I finished, and as soon as I stopped my watch something funnny happened, all of the sudden I felt good.  Now normally I go about a mile (or under) as a cool down, but today after walking about 400 meters I started up again and did another 2.3 miles in the rain.  I tell you, I've been running for over 30 years on and off and I've never felt this way before, these additional 2+ miles I was grinning ear-to-ear and I'm sure the people passing me going the other direction must have thought I was out of my mind, but I was having so much fun rain and all.  My pace over the last two miles was 10:22 per mile that included walking the 400 meters.

Today I feel much better, my headache is managable once again, and my upset stomach is gone so I must have just been having a bad day yesterday.  As I write this it's now sunny, the clouds broke about an hour ago and I can't believe that it was raining at all this morning.  Still I wouldn't do it anyother way.  Today's run I will remember for some time to come.

Last night I did finally pay for my 10k race in March so I'm committed.  (Or a least have a $30 investment on the line)  I'm going to refrain on setting a new time goal until I run my 'mock' race on the 23rd of this month.

One final note, I hit 96.9 miles for the month already and I'm on pace to do 130 miles for the month, and this is without the planned cycling ride I had planned for this morning.  130 miles will be a record for me so I'll have to watch how I'm feeling since I don't want to get hurt.



Keep Steppin'
bob

Running in the Rain

Last night I stepped out and was startled to see a light mist falling. I love running in ths stuff. Now granted it's better to run in the daylight in this stuff because as soon as the sun goes down it starts getting really cold. But last night is was the perfect temp.

By the end of the run - the drizzle had stopped, and mist hung on the trails and streets. It was surreal running through the thick damp air with only streetlights and the half moon that was poking through the clouds to light my way.

I had planned on only running about 2 miles total but at the turnaround I just kept going. about 3 miles later I found myself at home. Kind of amazing - and I'm always astonished when something like this happens. Ran the bulk of it at a 10:17 pace so I was very pleased with the run as a whole.

Today I only have a 1.7 mile walk planned then softball tonight. So I have to wait another day to try and 'capture' a another good run.

Keep Steppin'
Bob

Lazy Week + Christmas!

This week has been rather slow and I'm embarrassed to say so far I haven't run a measly mile - yet. The poor weather has finally passed us and I plan to get a few miles in today and tomorrow.

Christmas was great! The kids really enjoyed themselves this year, and we presented their Maui airfare tickets for our trip in Feb as one of their gifts, let's just say it went over well. For a while there when gas was so high Beth and I discussed leaving them behind. Now we should have a great family vacation together.

We spent time with both side of the family, and ate too much rich foods and sweets. Santa left Abby a new beach cruiser bike, and Cade got some cool RC 'monster trucks'. Alex pulled in about $70 in cash, and still had his Mom's side of the family to go.

I'll blog more about some running (once I do some.) I guess I don't have to 'taper' for the 1st Annual Bob Hazen Birthday Ladera Ranch 5k......

Merry Christmas!
Bob

Cold / Wet Weather

This rant is in no way intended to insult anyone in non-sunny states (or North Dakota). If any offense is taken, please be aware I will plead weather insanity and 'black out' all knowledge of this post.

Ok - I know I'm a Southern California boy born and raised, but I really, really hate cold, wet weather. (That's why I still live here) Over the past 5 days it's been both. sub 50 weather and very wet. I don't do very well in this kind of weather let alone run in it.

And before you all start laughing at me or sending me comments about running in sub 0 weather - I don't care. I live in SUNNY Southern California, I have solar panels on my roof for God sake! If I wanted rain and poor weather I'd live in the Midwest or in the eastern seaboard....... Been there, done that and I don't like it. I pay more taxes to be a home owner in California, so our government should get together with Mother Nature and put my money to good use - go dump all that rain on North Dakota. Shoot we just fined our local water district for dumping raw sewage into parkland areas up the road from my home, why can we just fine Mother Nature for not holding up her end and allowing all this rain to dump on my house? BTW 392,000 gallons? Come on some yahoo at a control panel must have known something was up? No pressure sensors on that waste line? Damm my 2001 Saturn has a ton of sensors in it that tell me all sorts of stuff.......

Keep Steppin'

Bob

It's Raining!

It started raining last night, I know "So what?" But in Southern California it's kind of a big deal since we don't get much all year. It's not a lot of rain but enough here that the ground gets waterlogged and soft. It's nice, it clears out the air and reminds me of being a kid again - with the air clean and you can see for miles. I always picture in my mind clear days where from my parents house you could see all the way to Catalina Island.

Well on to other things - Ran pretty good last night before it started raining, put in three miles and set a new PB with 29:27. Really I wasn't surprised with this since my old PB was 33+ mins I just hadn't run the distance in a while. In fact I was disappointed in my time even though it was the first time I was running this course. Effort wise, I did push myself and can feel small aches and pains this morning. Feet, calves, and lower back all are hurting but I can live with it. If it clears up before lunch I'll be taking a walk to loosen up.

The plan this week calls out about 20-25 miles - about 6-8 miles of this will be walking the rest around a 10 min pace. I am planning a 4+ mile run on Wednesday so tonight will be very SLOW and easy. Recovery, recovery, recovery is the name of the game today. Friday I do plan to run two miles with a mile warm up then a TT mile to see if I can better my PB in the mile. Other than that, this week is all about mileage and easy pace. I really want to put together a solid month before Thanksgiving.

I broke my consecutive day running streak on Sunday (14 days) - I actually took the day off from everything. I didn't even get dressed for the day and just played hermit. (I didn't even shave until about 9:00 pm). It felt weird not running, but I think it was the right thing to do. Beth though I was lazy, but I needed some downtime.

The only other thing worth mentioning right now is that I'm thinking about changing my on-line log site. Currently I'm using FavoriteRun. This site is pretty good except load times for maps can be long, and there are too few graphs available plus I'm paying $12/year for the site. Lately I've run across a site: RunningAhead that looks pretty good and I might just go to it if they can convert my currently log. Does anyone out there have any experience with RunningAhead? It looks like it really took off when CoolRunning merged. Any input would be helpful. BTW - isn't it scary how Cool Running has become a ghost town? I remember back when that was the site to be on; you could ask ANY question and get a hundred answers within minutes, now looking at their forums, you're luck to see a single post in an hour or two.....

Keep Steppin'

Bob