Trackstar

Long Run on 9.6.2008

wpzero — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:59:09 +0000

Yesterday, I did my long run of 12.5 miles– a much longer run than I anticipated doing when I stepped out of my apartment on Post St. I ran up into Pacific Heights, then down into Presidio Park.

Once I saw the Golden Gate Bridge, the temptation to run across was too strong for me to resist.

I ran all the way across, into Marin County.

I turned around at Vista Point for fear I would get a speeding ticket, and on my way back across the bridge, I took in the view of the city and geared myself up to run back into it. As I ran across the Bridge, I found myself in the midst of a Breast Cancer Awareness walk. The ladies and gentlemen who were participating camped out all night in clusters of pink tents.

Of course, I was exhausted when I got home, but it was a good run to prepare for Sacramento. I showered, ate dinner, and put my shoes back on for a 3-mile walk up Polk Street and Broadway.

The Repeat Marathon Racer and Identity

wpzero — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:02:36 +0000

Today I signed up for the California International Marathon, which takes place on December 7, 2008. It’s funny how registering for a race changes the way I perceive my personal fitness. In other words, I am no longer a past marathon runner. I am a current marathon runner. When I step outside in my Asics Gel-Nimbus 9′s, I’m going for a training run as opposed to a jog in the city. Every move contains more gravity, more weight. Everything is directed towards a goal.

I ran one of my favorite routes in the city today, down Post to Kearny/Third Street, then to the baseball stadium where I turned left and headed for the Embarcadero. I kept going past the Bay Bridge and I thought of the 1989 earthquake as I always do, then I thought god, I want to see the Golden Gate Bridge, I just want to see it, I know it’s right over there. I pushed and I pushed until I got to Bay Street, than Fisherman’s Wharf, where I remembered I still had to run back home. Having no pedometer or idea of how long I’d run, I decided to turn around–I can always see the Golden Gate bridge tomorrow, I thought. I live here now. I’m not going anywhere.

Having successfully abated the enthusiasm that comes with the official beginning of marathon training, I turned for home with the thought that slow and steady wins the race.

night jogging

wpzero — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:10:00 +0000

The moon shone over my shoulder as I ran up the road. Lamplights blinked on and off as I passed, motivated by unseen sensors. My shadow doubled and tripled with the refractions, scissoring through itself as I approached each sharp corner and turned. I ran faster as I lapped my home, becoming a participant in the heated competition. Soon, I tired and slowed, fearing I might not be able to keep up. I allowed myself to be disheartened. Soon, however, as I approached another lamplit turn, I noticed my shadows slowing with me, and I remembered the race was on my terms. The trick, I discovered as I ran through another dark patch, was to keep myself centered in the light.

Virtual Fitness

wpzero — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:46:18 +0000

Today, I ran for half an hour in my living room. I was home from work on a lunch break, and I wanted to do something, but it was too humid outside, and I knew if I tried to run out there, I might not be able to pull my appearance back together for the second half of my shift. So, I plugged in my Nintendo Wii, fired up the Wii Fitness disc, and went on a 30 minute “free run”. Basically, you shove the controller in your pocket (or if you don’t have a pocket, between the band of your running shorts and your hip), and it works like a pedometer. You run in place in front of the television, while a virtual representation of yourself goes running over a suspension bridge, through a traffic tunnel, through a canyon, etc. I understand that running in place in your bare feet works out different muscles than running outside, but I am certain that it has some kind of benefit, especially if it is used as a supplement to a regular running routine. Wii Fitness also comes with a strength training program, a yoga program, more aerobic excecises, and balance games. Coupled with a few light weights, it is like having a gym membership without the hassle and the long-term financial equipment.

Theories

wpzero — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:26:44 +0000

Due to a heavy thunderstorm, my run was postponed until about 10 p.m. I ran 9 laps around my hilly apartment complex, which equals 4.05 miles. During my run, I listened to Steve Walker’s Podcast “Phedippidations.” It was an episode in which Steve discussed Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. In the past, I have–unfortunately–been turned off to Steve’s podcasts due to the more and more frequent interjections of his Roman Catholic theology (which is unfortunate, because the rest of his program–where he actually talks about running–is usually more inspiring than almost anything else I could be listening to). During this podcast, I was surprised to learn that Steve is a firm believer in the theory of evolution, a rarity for anyone of a Christian demeanor, as evolution and Adam & Eve do not usually go hand in hand. As I was listening to Steve speak and pondering the ”discussion” between those who believe in evolution and those who believe in intelligent design, I witnessed a very bright flash, which because of the earlier thunderstorm, I assumed was lightning. Soon, however, I ran past two young girls, one of which was posing provocatively while swinging from a very damp tree; the other was snapping photographs undoubtedly destined for a Facebook or MySpace profile. I wondered if anyone in the surrounding apartments also mistook the flash of the camera for lightning.

Sec’ Walkin

wpzero — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 20:17:35 +0000

Left leg… Right leg… One leg at a time…

–My Morning Jacket, Sec’ Walkin

True, the words that follow are “I keep on walkin,” but I found this song going through my head today while in the middle of a long, hot run around Lake Johnson in Raleigh, North Carolina. It has been a few weeks since I have run on this particular trail, and much has happened since I last ran its hills–a new job, a new plan for my future (I’m moving back to San Francisco with my girlfriend, Lori), and an amazing week working for the Bonnaroo music festival in Manchester, Tennessee. When I jogged through the emergency gate, which is usually closed, I noticed a waterfall and the smell of marine life pervading my air supply, which reminded me that the last time I ran the trail, Raleigh was in the midst of a serious drought, and as a result, everything around the lake was bone dry. I thought about how our favorite running trails are like old friends; they are reliable and constant, yet we notice subtle differences with them as time moves on.

I am thinking of running the California International Marathon in December in my next attempt to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I am going to try to do a better job keeping up with this blog along the way, as I haven’t posted anything in months. A problem I have, if you can call it that, is that my life is like a picnic basket full of so many different delicious sandwiches that I can never decide which one to eat. I have so many different projects that I keep jumping between them instead of focusing on one and finishing it. I have proven to myself that I can run multiple marathons in a short amount of time with minimal training, but if I want to qualify for Boston, I need to put a lot more time, energy, and focus into my training, and I need to keep my goal in mind even when I am not running. We’ll see what happens. Stay tuned!

City of Oaks Marathon

wpzero — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 19:23:00 +0000

So, I didn’t qualify for Boston. The City of Oaks Marathon course was definitely the hardest I’ve ever run, and is probably one of the hardest in the country. The uphills are brutal, especially from about mile 12 through 26, but nonetheless, I finished in 3:57. My father finished as well in a respectable 5:15. Both of us beat our previous best times for hilly courses.

I got out yesterday and ran 3 miles around my block, and my legs felt really good afterwards. Check back by the end of the week for an update on my future plans to qualify for Boston.

A new leaf

wpzero — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 17:17:48 +0000

Sunday, I was scheduled for an 18 mile run. I ran well through the first twelve miles, but I was very hungry, so I stopped. When I got home (and ate some food), I started feeling bad about stopping, so I went out and ran the last six miles. I was pretty excited afterwards.

This is my last tough week before beginning my taper. Today, I will run a few repeats. Tomorrow, I run an easy six.

5 weeks to go…

wpzero — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 18:31:43 +0000

My posts to this blog will continue to be somewhat sporadic until I begin my taper. I will try to post more often as the marathon draws closer. In the meantime, here is what I have done recently:

On Sunday, I ran 16 miles a a pretty fast pace. It was definitely my most encouraging long run to date. Today, I ran more speed repeats.

I am working towards an 18 mile run this weekend, then a 20 mile run the next. After that, I begin my three week taper (14 miles, 10 miles, marathon).

Time

wpzero — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:58:36 +0000

It has been a very busy week here in Raleigh. I was supposed to run 22 miles yesterday, but I didn’t make it anywhere close. I was in Asheville for a wedding, and didn’t have the energy to do the full run after driving back. I have a crazy week of catching up to do with before my weekend long run of 16 miles. I will update this blog as soon as I have the time.