A Lightless Run

Distance: 1.25 miles
Time: (roughly) 10:34

A little over half a mile east of our house is a holiday spectacle. Last year Deborah and I were driving around randomly when we ventured down a street and noticed some glaring lights. From a house up a ways we could see lights flashing at regular intervals, casting a bright glow into the dark night air. As we approached the house it became clear that what we were seeing were Christmas lights, a lot of Christmas lights, radiating from a small house. The lights were flashing in almost a rhythmic pattern. We lowered the windows of our car to hear if there was music playing, but nothing. Then we noticed a sign on the fence in front of the house saying to turn our radios to a certain station. We did so, and suddenly the lights were flashing in a pattern that matched perfectly the Christmas music now playing in our car! We were blown away by the whole thing! We parked our car and watched for a while. This was one of the most elaborate Christmas displays I had ever seen. Throughout that holiday season we returned to the decorated house several more times. And as soon as this Christmas began approaching, we couldn't wait to revisit the awesome display. Well, last Saturday we decided to drive down the street and check it out. We figured it'd be too early for the lights to be up, but maybe they had started decorating. To our surprise, all the decorations were up, but no lights were on. It seemed the dazzling spectacle was nearly ready to go.

And so tonight I decided to make the holiday house the destination on my run. I figured, since all the decorations were set up, there was a pretty good chance that the lights would be on tonight. I measured out the run on mapmyrun.com and found that it was about 0.6 miles to the holiday house in a straight line heading east from my house. Altogether, a run to the holiday house and back would be 1.25 miles. So I decided to go for it. I was greatly looking forward to a treat at the halfway point of my run, rocking Christmas music synced to a bright light display. My run to the lights was a little rough. My legs felt heavy and I felt like my pace was pretty slow. As I neared the house I tried to see if there were reflections of lights in the sky, but I saw nothing. I began to get disappointed. And sure enough when I reached the house it was only dark and quiet. No lights tonight. I could again see all the props, figures, and lights strewn about the yard, on the house itself, even up on the roof. The only thing lit up was a digital countdown clock that read "37 Days Till Christmas" in bright red lights. I took a deep breath and headed back. My run back felt a lot better. I was more loose and fluid. I even had a pretty strong kick at the end. My final time of 10:34 was okay; I'm guessing my mile time was a little under 9:00. It was a disappointment that the lights weren't on at the house, but it is only November 17th and Thanksgiving hasn't even arrived yet. I'm sure I'll have several more opportunities to fill my run with spectacular holiday lights!

Dropping Temps and Times

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 18:49

Hello! It's been a while. Well, let's see -- the last time I ran was September 26. Autumn had just begun and I was stoked because I ran a half-mile in 3:15. October came and went and I didn't once lace up my running shoes. What a shame. Work has been intense this year. At times I feel like I'm drowning in responsibilities. Coaching cross-country was fun, but it made keeping up with my teaching duties quite challenging. The result -- no time to ever run. Now, October wasn't without its physical challenges. On October 30th I accomplished a longtime goal -- to hike to the top of Mount San Gorgonio, the highest peak in all of Southern California. I did little to physically prepare for this epic adventure, but I got through it decently. Accompanying me were my brother-in-law and my friends, Scott and Matt. We pushed ourselves to the physical and emotional limit to reach that summit, but we did it. The weather was both amazing and devastating. It snowed on us for the first few miles, and then at the top of the mountain we had to contend with gale-force winds and temps below 20 degrees! But with San Gorgonio accomplished, I was able to bag the "Big 3" Southern California peaks (Baldy, San Jacinto, and Gorgonio) all within four months. And all the running I did over the summer undoubtedly helped me accomplish this goal.

After San Gorgonio I endured the customary few days of soreness and achiness. But I knew I couldn't let too many days go by without starting my running up again. For one, I didn't want to go run-less in November as well. And two, my next challenge lay close ahead -- the Spartan Race! I didn't end up running either of the Wrightwood races that were supposed to occur last month (instead climbing a mountain), but, along with Matt, I did officially sign up for the Spartan Race, which is scheduled to go off on December 4th in Malibu. My name was submitted and my money paid, so there was no backing out. Hence, tonight's run.

I was able to get out of work a lot earlier than usual today, so right away I knew I had no excuses for not running. After meeting my wife for lunch, I raced home and immediately threw on my running gear, just in case I tried to talk myself out of it. When it got dark, around 6:00, I began stretching and getting ready. It was a strange feeling, seeing as I haven't run in well over a month. I had no idea how I'd perform. I knew that my September runs were actually really good compared to how I had run over the summer, which didn't make sense to me since I only ran three times in September, and over the summer I was running 4-5 times a week. My conclusion was that I had overworked myself over the summer and had to battle with injuries, while in September I felt fresh on my runs and hence performed well. But I figured tonight would be a different story.

Have I mentioned the cold yet? Compared to last year, the weather changed much sooner up here in the desert. Whereas last year's first winter temps didn't hit until late November, this year they have been here already for a couple of weeks. When I set out on my run tonight it was a crisp 45 degrees. I threw on a sweatshirt, but I still wore my usual shorts, as I don't own any sweat pants. I just hoped my movement would be enough to keep me warm. I knew I wanted to get 2 miles in today. I never entertained the thought of only doing a half-mile or even 1 mile. With the Spartan Race coming (a 5K) I knew I needed mileage. So I set out on my standard neighborhood 2-mile route. Over the summer I had tired of this route, but since I haven't run it in over three months, I figured I'd give it a go. Plus, it's a lot easier to step out my front door and go for a run rather than have to drive somewhere. When I started I felt instantly good. It's that first moment of any run when it just feels great to be running. This feeling actually lasted till about the 1/4 mile mark. I told myself I was just going to take it slow. But soon I felt myself getting into a comfortable and steady pace. I maintained this pace all the way to the halfway point, where I took a quick breather. My split was about a 9:20. On my way back I definitely started to feel tired, but at the same time I felt able to maintain a good pace. I thought for a moment I might be able to get a good time, and not the dismal time I was expecting. The last 1/4 mile was tough, as I tried unsuccessfully to get a kick going. But to my surprise my final time was an 18:49, which, for that route and compared to my other times, was pretty good. In fact, it was the second fastest time I had ever gotten on this particular route! How on earth did I do that?! Perhaps it was the cold. Not having to deal with sweat and suppressive heat perhaps freed me up to run faster. Perhaps it was the San Gorgonio hike, which I'm sure strengthened my legs. Whatever it was, I was pleased to see that I hadn't regressed too much.

Here's a ranking of all of my times on this particular route (2 miles):

Time Date
1. 18:47 6/29/10
2. 18:49 11/10/10
3. 19:18 6/21/10
4. 19:23 7/13/10
5. 19:28 7/23/10
6. 19:42 7/11/10
7. 19:50 6/22/10
8. 19:56 7/21/10
9. 21:43 6/27/10

As you can see, I was only 2 seconds away from a course record! This gives me much hope that I should be able to easily set a new record soon.

But enough of the boring statistical stuff. What was really great about tonight's run was the atmosphere, the smells, the sights. Tonight was the first time running in genuinely cold weather since beginning my training back in May. It felt very seasonal as I ran through my neighborhood, as I could smell the burning of wood coming from chimneys all around me. At one point I could smell a strong maple aroma. The air was extremely crisp. As it entered my lungs it was like a gulp of pure, clean oxygen. Above me were millions of perfectly visible stars. All I could hear were my footsteps. It felt like I had officially entered the autumn season (even though we're 6 weeks into it). Soon I'll be running through dazzling lights as Christmas quickly approaches. All in all, a fabulous run tonight. Winter, I welcome you.

Autumn Kick

Distance: 1/2 mile
Time: 3:15

It's been a tough month for running. With work starting back up and a much fuller load of classes this year, I've had almost no time at all to run. It's a shame. Tonight was only my third run this whole month! And I really shouldn't be slacking, because I have a few challenging endeavors coming up soon. On October 16th we're planning on hiking to the top of Mt. San Gorgonio, an 11,503 foot peak (the tallest in Southern California), and on October 23rd there is a 5K in Wrightwood that I'd like to participate in. Also, there is another mud run coming up, this time in Wrightwood, and it seems this one is a lot tougher than the Apple Valley race last month. Basically, I've got to get my butt in shape if I don't want to kill myself. My friend Matt is also planning on doing the Wrightwood races, and so he's been going on occasional runs himself. And tonight, I have him to thank for getting me out the door and getting a run in.

Matt posted a Facebook update saying that he had just run a half-mile in 3:38. It gave me a sudden urge to go time my own half-mile -- not because I wanted to beat his time, but because I need to run and I haven't timed my half-mile in over three months! So I immediately threw on my running gear and stepped out the door. I jogged a 1/4 mile down my street as my warm-up and then I started my timer and booked it another 1/4 mile farther, turned around and stopped at the spot I started my timer. 3:15. I couldn't believe it! The last time I timed my half-mile was on June 16 when I ran a 3:51. Before that, on May 26th (exactly four months ago!), I ran a 3:39. So I beat my previous 2010 best by 24 seconds! I'm not in great shape right now, but spending the whole summer running I think paid off. Even as sparsely as I'm running right now, I'm able to run smarter and more efficiently than back in May and June when I was just starting. So tonight I made sure to run smooth, take big strides, and run on my toes, as if I was sprinting. I wasn't sure I would be able to maintain that form for the whole half-mile, and at about the half-way point I did begin to tire out and break form, but I somehow pushed through and made it strong to the end. What's really encouraging is that 3:15 isn't too far off from my high school times. My slowest half-mile in high school, which I ran at my first meet ever on March 3rd, 1994, was a 2:56. That's only 19 seconds faster than tonight's time! (Of course I realize that the shorter the distance, the tougher it is to drop seconds). At any rate, I'm pleased with tonight's run, and just like my 2010 mile PR I set a couple of weeks ago, this 2010 PR gives me hope that I can maintain my progress even while working and being far more busy than I was over the summer. It is now officially autumn. Soon the weather will cool. I'm looking forward to some long runs in the crisp fall air.

Burning Up Powhatan

Distance: 1 mile
Time: 7:57

I'm not sure how it's happening, but I'm running less and my times are improving. We're two weeks into September, and tonight was only my second run this month, and somehow I set a course PR and ran my second fastest mile since May! On Monday I went on a mile run (my first run since the August 21st Mud Run) and I felt absolutely great as I ran an 8:21 on my standard mile route (out and back along my street, Powhatan Road). On that run I didn't feel tired until the last quarter-mile; my legs felt stronger than they did all summer; and I set a PR for that particular route. Tonight I ran the same route, out and back along Powhatan Rd., and though I didn't feel quite as strong and "springy," I somehow set a new course PR with a 7:57! The only time I've run a faster mile since May was on August 13th at the Granite Hills route when I ran a 7:50. I don't know where tonight's run came from!

I came close to not running tonight. I ate a late dinner around 7:30pm and I thought for sure I wouldn't feel up for running after that. But around 9:30pm I forced myself to stretch and head out the door, since the chances were slim that I'd get a run in tomorrow or anytime soon. I set out on a mile run and felt pretty decent at first. Immediately I could tell I was struggling a bit more than Monday, but I felt better than normal all the same. By the quarter-mile mark, I realized I wasn't feeling fatigued yet, so I kicked it up a notch. I began running on the balls of my feet (the way I ran Monday), which is something I can usually only do when I'm running on stored energy, before the fatigue sets in. I held this faster pace to the halfway point, turned around and pushed it hard on the way back. At the 3/4 mark I began to hit a wall, but I forced myself through it, and pushed hard all the way back. I didn't think I would beat Monday's time, but then I looked at the watch and was amazed. 7:57. It was the first time I ever beat 8:00 on this route! I was immediately stoked and relieved that I had not backed out of running tonight. But I couldn't figure out how I was dropping my times whilst training less. The only thing I could think of was that my muscles had been worn and torn with all my running over the summer and now they were finally being given a chance to rest and recover and come back stronger. The big difference I've noticed on these September runs is that my legs feel infinitely stronger. My conditioning may still not be great, but my legs have been carrying me the whole way, the muscles bearing the burden. I've yet to experiment with a long run, which may be a different story. But it's been very encouraging to see my mile times drop. I've got the Wrightwood 5K in about 6 weeks. It's good to know I can still run and that I haven't fallen back into my pre-May out-of-shape self. Both runs this week were utterly enjoyable. I was running, feeling great, and reveling in that free feeling of running and not dying of exhaustion.

New Challenges

Distance: 1 mile
Time: 8:21

Tonight was my first run since the mud run on August 21st. It was the first physical thing I've done since I went to the gym on August 23rd. The reason? School is back in session. I went back to work on August 24th for meetings and to prepare for the first day of school. My first day of actual teaching was August 30th. Needless to say, it was a busy couple of weeks! My biggest fear over the summer was that I wouldn't be able to keep up with my training once work started back up. From May to August I ran on a regular basis and improved quite a bit. By August's end I was running a lot stronger, but I was still far from where I wanted to be. Running the mud run on August 21st was a major accomplishment, as my biggest goal is to eventually run a marathon, and any organized race I get involved with is one step closer to that goal. I was afraid that once work started back up I would be consumed with teaching and would have no more time to train and soon I'd be back at square one. I can't say that that fear is completely gone, but with tonight's run it has at least been lessened.

The first week of work was hectic. I'm teaching four different classes this year, including a night class, plus I still have the responsibility of coaching cross-country. It was an overwhelming week, and I never even had a moment to consider going for a run or going to the gym. At times I was afraid that all my training over the summer had gone out the window. But then the Labor Day weekend came, and I had a chance to rest and relax and catch up with my work. I decided today, Labor Day, to go for a run and get my training going again. I waited until the sun had set and the air cooled, then I laced up and headed out on a 1 mile run. I was expecting a disastrous run, a horrible time, and my body in a completely weak state. It had been 2 weeks since I had exercised at all! That's a big chunk of time, and usually it's enough time to regress quite a bit. But for some reason I felt absolutely great on tonight's run! I ran my old mile route down my street and back, and for the first 3/4 of a mile I felt like I was running on air! My muscles felt great, my breathing felt great, my stride felt great. I wasn't hurting at all! I was amazed. I had originally planned on keeping a slow pace since I anticipated disaster. But as soon as I realized that my body was in a zone, I picked up the pace. The last 1/4 mile I finally began to feel tired, but I pushed on all the same. I thought for a moment I might set a 2010 mile PR, but I ended up with an 8:21. Once I thought about it, though, I realized an 8:21 was rather good, all things considered. It was the fastest I had ever run on that particular route, and it was the 4th fastest mile I'd run since May. The 2 weeks of rest had obviously rid my body of every lingering ache and pain. My body felt painless! I can only hope this lasts. It may be awhile before I can get 5 runs a week in like I was doing in May and June. Work is always the busiest at the beginning of the year, and so I'm hoping to get in at least 2 or 3 runs a week for now, and hopefully the occasional trip to the gym. Tonight's run was a good sign -- it proved to me that I hadn't overworked my body over the summer. The work I did over the summer was just to get myself out of the completely sedentary lifestyle I had sunk into. It's now time to really get somewhere.

The next goal on the calendar is a 5K in Wrightwood. The race is on October 23rd, and as it looks now, all is set for this run to happen! This is exactly what I was hoping for: concrete goals to work towards, a date on the calendar, an organized race that I signed up for and can't get out of. Summer training is over. It's running season now!

A Day in the Mud

Distance: 3.2 miles (5K)
Time: Roughly 1 hour

This is a belated post, but it was a busy weekend. The Apple Valley Mud Run was Saturday, and it was a day of ups and downs. The run itself was great -- a truly unique experience that I already can't wait to do again. But Deborah was injured during the race, which obviously put a damper on things. Here follows our tale.

This was my first organized race since high school. I've long wanted to do a 5K, but I've just never committed. Finally, at the insistence of my wife, we signed up for a race just down the street from our house. But this was no ordinary race, it was a mud run, a 5K race through various obstacles and lots of messy mud! We figured, if we're going to do something like this, might as well make our first experience fun and memorable. My brother-in-law, Ryan, also joined us. So the three of us set out early Saturday morning for our adventure. The race was at Horsemen's Center Park, where I've gone on a few runs. We got our numbers and walked around to scope out the course. The turnout was great, with estimates of around 800 participants. It seemed to take forever for the race to begin, but finally we were lining up, and without warning the horn sounded and we were off! It was simply a crazy experience! About 50 yards into the course was the first large mud pit. All I can remember is running into the mud and sinking down to my knees, and then struggling to wade through the thick mud. I grabbed Deborah's hand and we plowed through the mud pit together. When we got out the other side we realized our shoes were now a few pounds heavier! It was a weird sensation, but we had no time to dwell on it -- we had to keep going! We ran up into the rocky hills surrounding the park and through a few more mud pits. Deborah started to fall behind, so I waited up for her, while Ryan went ahead. The next obstacle was a boulder climb followed by a steep descent into another mud pit. At this point the trail narrowed so much that a line formed and we simply had to stand and wait our turn to climb up the boulder. We finally made it and we charged down the rock and into the mud! We kept on running, through some more mud and meandering trails. By now Deborah was really starting to get tired. I would run, then wait for her to catch up, then run a little more, and so on. This lasted for a while. More mud pits. By now Ryan was out of sight. Nearing the half-way point of the course we came to a steep uphill that went up into the hills. We walked most of this, then we did a big u-turn and the trail now was descending. And this is when disaster struck. I was slightly ahead of Deborah when I heard her calling my name. I looked back to see she had fallen on the downhill trail. I ran to her and thought she rolled her ankle. But she was thinking it was worse. She said she stepped wrong on a rock, fell, and somehow landed on her leg a weird way. We would find out later that she did in fact break a bone, her tibia just above her ankle. She couldn't walk at all, so I, along with some volunteer workers, carried her down the hill to the nearby road. There we waited for help to arrive. I figured at that point that the race was over -- for Deborah for sure, but I figured I would need to stay with her. But a small golf cart arrived to pick her up, and she insisted that I finish the race. I figured they would need to bandage her up, so by the time I finished the race she would be good to go. So after she left I kept on going. By this point nearly every runner had passed us, so I needed to really push it. I had been taking it easy with Deborah up till this point, but now I was determined to give it all I had. And for the next mile or so I passed up runner after runner. Some of the obstacles during this segment of the course were a rope swing, a wall climb, and a tire run. Ryan, who had stopped and waiting for us near the finish line, came back to meet me near the last stretch of the course. I explained what happened to Deborah and then the two of us ran the rest of the race together -- over a series of small hills and through about 4 or 5 insane mud pits, one of which was literally waist deep and like quick sand! The very last obstacle was a mud pit that we had to crawl through! By that point we were just messing around, and Ryan was rolling through the entire thing. We finished the race at just over an hour (Deborah's injury obviously consuming a lot of that time). When all was said and done, I found the whole race to be ridiculously fun. Ryan and I determined to run it again next year in a much more competitive fashion. Even though I seriously ran only half the course, I felt like all the training this summer really paid off. I was tired, for sure, but felt like I could have kept going for a while longer. I felt good when it was done! But then we saw Deborah on a gurney. The joy of the race had to take a backseat. We went over to her to find that they were going to take her in an ambulance to the local hospital. It appeared to be a broken bone. So Ryan and I left, went back to the house and washed up. And after Ryan left I headed to the hospital to pick Deborah up. At the hospital she had x-rays taken and a temporary cast put on. I couldn't believe that because of this race my wife would end up on crutches! We finally went home to finish off a crazy day.

It was an unfortunate way to experience our first mud run/5K. I without doubt want to do it again, but I can't say the same for Deborah. I can only hope that over time she'll want to give it another try. But it may have been too much too soon for her. I give her all the credit in the world, though, for giving it all she had! As for me, it left me wanting more. At the race we picked up a flyer for a 5K in the mountain town of Wrightwood in two months. If all goes as planned, that will be my next race! Let the training continue!

Savoring the Night

Distance: 1 mile
Time: 8:27

After nearly giving myself heat-stroke yesterday with a 3-mile run in the middle of the day during a desert heat wave, I determined to run only at night until the weather cools down. Today I went to the gym to get in some cardio and weight-training. I spent 40 minutes combined on the elliptical and the stationary bike, and then worked on my chest and arms. I've been pretty consistent with the gym lately, going 4 times this week and last week. And the cross-training is definitely helping with my running.

When 8pm hit, and the temperature dropped dramatically, I laced up and headed out on my run. I decided to run just 1 mile, as my calves have begun to bother me again, and I want to make sure I'm injury-free for Saturday's mud run. Plus, I haven't run my old standard route in quite some time, and I was anxious to see how I'd perform on it now. So I ran a half-mile down my street, turned around, and ran a half-mile back; the same route I ran back on April 8th, when I could barely run 10 feet without wheezing and keeling over; the same route I started my current training regimen on back on May 20th; and the same route on which I timed my first mile of 2010 (a 9:36) on May 24th. Tonight I ran an 8:27, my second-fastest time on this particular route.

Though I didn't set a mile PR tonight, this run felt better than almost any I've yet run this year. For the first half-mile, I felt like I was barely doing anything! My breathing stayed relaxed (almost to the point where I could have just breathed out of my nose!). I did begin to tire on the second half of the run, but for the last quarter-mile I ran hard and strong, feeling like I had a lot of energy still on reserve. I thought maybe I would get a 2010 PR, but I was off by almost 40 seconds. I think my beginning pace was too slow, as I was enjoying too much the feeling of running and not being weary! Tonight's run, again, felt like a vast improvement was made. I felt like I had got past a wall that was keeping me constantly fatigued on my runs. Tonight I got to experience running as though I was a thoroughly conditioned athlete (for a half-mile at least). It's a feeling I want to strive towards. My goal is to be able to run for several miles in a relaxed, comfortable state. Tonight was a big step toward that goal.

Tomorrow I will be resting completely. No running, no gym. Saturday is the Apple Valley Mud Run, and I want to be at maximum effectiveness for it. I plan on having fun with the race, as I'll be running it with my wife and brother-in-law. I'm hoping it will get me hooked on organized races. In a sense, it will be my first step towards entering my first marathon! My next post will be about the mud run.

Disaster in the Desert!

Distance: 3 miles
Time: 31:19

Today's run was probably the worst since I started running again 3 months ago. This was mainly because of an uncontrollable factor: the weather. We are in the middle of a serious heat wave, and I made the brilliant decision to run 3 miles at 11 a.m. It was 90 degrees outside, but it felt like 100, and to top it all off, it was uncharacteristically humid for the desert. It was weather I wasn't prepared for.

I mentioned in my last post that I needed to increase my distance in preparation for the Apple Valley Mud Run this Saturday. Well, the timing couldn't have been worse. I woke up this morning and excitedly mapped out a 3-mile route. It would be my farthest run in over a year. I decided to start right from my house, but instead of heading east like I usually do, I made the route head west, past Central Road. I mapped out a course that would take me through the semi-industrial, semi-undeveloped area just west of our neighborhood. I figured I wouldn't have to contend with much traffic out that way, and there is a lot of wide-open space amidst the office buildings. So, with my route mapped, I began stretching and getting pumped for the run. Deep down I knew that 3 miles was going to be a struggle, but the optimist inside of me kept thinking that I may be able to handle it quite well, as long as I maintained an easy pace. So I headed out my front door and began running west along Powhatan Road. The first mile felt great. I was feeling good and the heat wasn't too noticeable yet. But things changed fast. By the time I got to the corner of Ottawa and Manhasset I was beginning to feel the heat weighing down on me. South of Ottawa, Manhasset becomes a dirt road, and it was here, just over a mile into the run, that I had to stop. I realized I was sweating much more than usual. But I hated that I had stopped, so I forced myself to keep running. Then I got lost. I wasn't sure where the next turn was and I ended up running farther than I should have. I realized my error and promptly turned around and got back on track. I stopped two more times before I got back up to Ottawa. By the time I reached the 2-mile mark I had decided this run was turning into a disaster. The heat was draining me of everything I had. It was like fighting against a monster, and there was no winning. The humidity was making it feel like the heat was a giant blanket draped over me, keeping me from mustering any bursts of energy. Complete exhaustion was setting in. I ran up Malaki Road to Powhatan, and yet again had to stop. I had never had to stop so many times in a run before. I felt my willpower leaving me, the sun was draining it out of me. I took comfort in the shade of some trees along Hitt Road, and then continued on up to Highway 18. The vintage Western buildings along Hitt Road provided some distraction from the suffering I was enduring, but I knew I still had half a mile to go, and I was running on fumes whilst feeling my body temperature dangerously rising. I staggered along Highway 18 and turned down Tonikan Road. This was essentially the final stretch. After one final stop, I ran down Tonikan determined to finish strong. I rounded the corner and was back on Powhatan with the finish line in sight. Amazingly, I actually was able to finish strong. I wasn't able to sprint or anything, but my muscles used whatever they had left and powered me to the end. I finished absolutely enervated. I was burning up from the sun, the humidity still felt like a 50-pound blanket covering me, and now I was overexerted. I still had to walk a quarter mile home, which would have been my cool down, but was instead a death march. I was overheated, I couldn't stop sweating or panting, I needed to get out of the sun. I became actually scared of passing out, something that's never happened to me before on a run. I began feeling a tingly feeling all over as I walked. I finally made it to my house and quickly went inside and began drinking profusely. After that I splashed water on my face over and over. I was doing anything I could to get my body temperature back down, because I knew it was dangerously high. I didn't stop sweating for probably 30 minutes, and it was probably 2 hours before I felt completely normal again. I had overdone it.

I've often run in the heat before, but I've been living in the desert for only 10 months, and this is my first experience enduring a Mojave summer. Desert heat, as should have been obvious, is something quite different from the heat of the Inland Valley where I used to live. I underestimated the heat, and didn't take into consideration the humidity. The result was a fight against nature that I lost. My original goal was to try and get my 3-mile time under 30 minutes, and, surprisingly, stopping as many times as I did, I ended up with a 31:19, not too far off from my goal. With better conditions, I should see that time drop fast. (Previously my worst 3-mile time was 23:05, set in September of 1994). As soon as I finished running today, I told myself I wouldn't run in the daytime again until the weather began to cool, which may not be for another month or more. If I'm going to begin running longer distances, I need to run smarter. So it'll be evening runs for a while now.

I've included a lot of pictures here. Obviously heat isn't evident on a photograph, but the prevalence of clouds indicates the unusual humidity in the desert. The top 3 pictures show the Western themes that liven up many Apple Valley roads. Hitt Road in particular is a throwback to the days of the Wild West. The next picture down is Manhasset Road, the dirt road where I began feeling some heat exhaustion. The bottom picture is the corner of Ottawa and Malaki, the 2-mile mark of the run. When the weather improves (as well as my endurance), I can't wait to tackle this run again.

A Scorcher

Distance: 2 miles
Time: ?

I ran the same route today that I ran August 6th in Barstow. Two miles up and down desert terrain, all on dirt, out in the middle of the Mojave. I forgot my stopwatch, so I wasn't able to time myself, but I know I did a lot better than the first time I ran it. When I ran this route the first time, which consists of 2 mile-long loops, I had to stop a couple of times out of sheer exhaustion. Today though I stopped once and the rest of the time I maintained a much stronger pace. I felt like the hills weren't quite as tough as the first time. All that said, though, it was a difficult run, especially because of the heat. It was only 10 in the morning, but it was well on its way to the triple-digits. The sun was scorching, and I'm sure it deprived me of much-needed energy. If the route had been longer than 2 miles, I may not have made it.

I'm glad I was able to run this particular run today. This Saturday is the Apple Valley Mud Run, and I'm sure training in the desert on hills and diverse terrain is perfect preparation for the obstacles that lay ahead in the Mud Run. My next run (which will be Wednesday since I'll be at the beach tomorrow with the cross-country team) will be 3 miles. I need to get the extra distance in, whether I'm ready or not. The Mud Run is a 5K, and even though it won't be a typical 5K race I will still need to be ready for a test of endurance.

A Fast Week

Distance: 1 mile
Time: 7:50

Today's run capped off a week of splendid progress. Yesterday I set a 2010 2-mile PR with a 17:10, and today I set a 2010 mile PR with a 7:50. I'm nearly 3 months into my training and, after about a month of regression, I feel like things are beginning to move forward nicely. After yesterday's run I went to the gym with my wife and, in an effort to continue cross-training, swam 20 laps. I really feel that the upper body work I've been doing is helping me out a lot. On today's run I could feel my arms and chest almost propelling me forward.

I didn't want to run the same route as yesterday (possibly because I wasn't confidant I could beat my PR just yet). I wanted to do something different, so I went to check out Horsemen's Center, but it was being worked on for the Mud Run that is going to be held there next week (which my wife and I will be participating in!). So I decided next to go to Granite Hills, where I haven't run in a while. I next decided to run 1 mile instead of 2. I haven't timed my mile in a while, and since yesterday's 2 mile was such a vast improvement I became curious as to what my mile time might be. So I set off. The first quarter felt good, but I was being conservative with the pace. The second quarter I started to feel tired and so I was reluctant to increase my pace just yet. At the half-way point my time was 4:04. I became disappointed that I wouldn't beat my previous 2010 PR of 7:58 (set on June 19th). But on the third quarter I began to push the pace. I was determined to get a PR today. I rounded the corner and headed down the home stretch at just under 6:00. I gave it all I had down the final stretch, trying to muster a fast kick, but getting only a moderate one. When I crossed the finish line I was expecting something in the low 8s. But then I glanced at the timer and saw 7:50 and became excited. Each little chunk of time that I knock off gets me closer to my goals. The slowest mile I ever ran in high school was a 6:40 (in March of 1994). Today's 7:50 puts me only 1:10 away from that time! It's going to take months and months (maybe years) of training before I can hope to beat my overall PR of 5:28, but it doesn't feel, at this point, out of the range of possibilities.

As I mentioned above, next week my wife and I and my brother-in-law will be competing in a Mud Run here in Apple Valley. It will be a 5K essentially but with several obstacles along the course. Next week's runs then must be strategic. I plan on getting a 3-mile run in at some point next week, which will be my longest run since beginning training in May. But with the improvements I made this week, I think it's time for those longer runs...... finally.

Ending the Slump

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 17:10

Today's run was the result of the best two days off I've ever spent (in terms of training). I last ran on Monday (the same route as today, the Nisqually Run) and clocked an 18:01. It was a 2010 PR for me, and it was a sign that things were finally starting to improve after a rough July. Not wanting to slow down my progress I decided to rest from running on Tuesday. I think the reason July was such an injury-plagued month was because all throughout June I was running 5 days a week, low mileage, and when I increased my mileage, still running 5 times a week, my body couldn't keep up and began to break down. I wasn't giving myself enough rest at this early stage of my training. I want to retain the strength I've been feeling on these past few runs, so I'm allowing myself more rest days. So on Tuesday, not wanting to let the day go completely to waste, I went to the gym for a little cross-training. I ended up doing a lot of cardio, though. I spent about 40 minutes on the bike and the elliptical, and then I did a little bit of upper body work. Yesterday, I decided to take yet another day off from running and return to the gym. This time I did less cardio and more upper body lifting. I concentrated on my chest and shoulders, but did also abs and arms. By today, I felt more than ready for a run. Right after cross-country practice I headed to the Nisqually Course and did some quick stretching. When I set out I could tell that my overall body was feeling pretty good. I think the rest, along with the cardio work at the gym and the strength training, really helped me out today. About a mile into the run I was still feeling pretty good (usually by this point I'm exhausted). I tried increasing my pace in small increments. By the time I hit the 1.5 mile mark I looked at my timer to see that I was a whole minute ahead of Monday's time! This was exciting, except that I still had half a mile to go and I was finally beginning to feel the fatigue set in. I began to worry that I had pushed myself too hard and I was going to run out of gas soon, thus killing my chances for a PR. But I pushed through, winning the mental game that always comes up at the end of a run. When I crossed the finish line I was completely wiped out. Then I looked at the timer.... 17:10! I couldn't believe it! I set a new 2010 PR by shaving off 51 seconds! I figured I would make it into the 17s today based on how I was feeling for the majority of the run, but I thought it would be the high 17s. I never thought I would get into the low 17s just like that. Which is why I think my two days off spent cross-training at the gym have a lot to do with my time today. I know that upper body strength plays a big part in running. It makes each stride more effective. And I think the extra cardio work at the gym helped today with my stamina.

Today's run was great. But the key now is repeating that performance consistently. It'll be easy to fall back into the 18s and 19s, so I've got to keep doing what I've been doing lately. I'm going to continue maximizing my rest days by going to the gym, and hopefully my times will continue to drop.

One Second

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 18:01

Well, it was a new 2010 PR, but only by one measly second. I ran the same route that I ran twice last week (to be called the Nisqually Run from now on, based on the street it starts on). And both days I ran it last week I got an 18:02. Today, I ran it in 18:01. It's great to set a new record, and making progress of any sort is a good thing, but I was hoping so badly to get into the 17s. I felt pretty good for the majority of the run today. My legs felt strong (possibly from the hills I ran on Friday) and my breathing was okay (though far from where I'd like it to be). I didn't push the pace, though, and I probably could have. I kept a pace that I felt comfortable with, and with which I was able to give a good kick at the end. I'm literally at the cusp of breaking into the 17s, but unfortunately I still think I'm far from being ready for more mileage. It's one thing to break into the 17s (and hopefully 16s soon after), but I've got to keep my times there for awhile. I don't want to run in the 18s and 19s with an occasional 17. But luckily my body has been working with me these past couple of weeks. I didn't feel any soreness or pain on today's run, which simply makes it all so much more enjoyable. I'm hoping for a good August. If I keep up runs like today I think it will be. And I will need to end the summer strong so I can continue running into the fall and winter, something that proves to be challenging every year.

Running the 'Stow

Distance: 2 miles (roughly)
Time: 19:52

I ran today in Barstow. For cross-country practice today I had the runners do mile repeats on an all-dirt, hilly course out in the desert. It was a fun practice, and watching the runners run up and down those hills out in the scenic Mojave made me want to get out there too! So I decided I would. After practice, once all the runners left, I started stretching and getting ready to run the very route I just had my team run. (It's actually an idea I may use again). The course consisted of one mile-long loop. I was having my runners stop and take a 5-minute break between miles, but since I'm still doing 2 miles, I decided to run two straight loops for myself.

I knew the run was going to be challenging, and I was right. The whole course was on narrow dirt roads, normally used for dirt bikes and other off-road vehicles. At times the dirt became soft, almost like a sandbox, and of course this made for difficult running. Plus there were the hills. I really haven't incorporated hills into my workouts yet, so I was really feeling the burn in my thighs. There were several small hills, plus one long and steady hill that rose slowly and never seemed to end, and a hill at the end of the loop that was quite steep. Luckily the hills didn't kill me, and the downhills felt pretty good (except I haven't run a lot of downhills either, so I took them kind of sloppy). In the end, I finished with a 19:52, obviously much slower than the other runs this week, but considering the terrain, I was actually very pleased with my time. I can recall a couple of flat, street runs with slower times than that. So today's run is a sign of improvement.

It was nice to be able to run up in Barstow, in a different section of the Mojave than I'm used to. I'd like to eventually get to the point where I'm able to run in a variety of locales: beaches, mountains, open countryside. For now, though, it appears I've become a desert runner.

Repeat

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 18:02

Today I ran the same route as yesterday (only in reverse) and ended up with the exact same time as yesterday, an 18:02. This is progress indeed! Luckily, yesterday's run didn't trigger any of the pains I was feeling last month, so today's run was, again, injury-free. After coming back from Barstow (I coach the cross-country team and we're having summer practices right now) I decided to head down to the area where I ran yesterday and get my run out of the way earlier. Running at noon yesterday was a mistake. I also decided, just to experiment, to run the route in reverse. And I think I liked it better that way. The run, again, was nice and steady and pain-free. I didn't stop at all (yesterday I did), but I was pretty exhausted by the end of it and had no energy left for a kick. Had I been able to finish stronger I would definitely have been able to get into the 17:00 range. I raved about this route yesterday, but today just confirmed it. This is a great area to run in. I didn't see anyone else on my entire run; it felt like I had the whole desert to myself. The sky was crystal clear and the air felt fresh and new. I will definitely be running more often in this area.

I'm very pleased that I got two straight runs in the low 18s. Very soon I can finally start getting ready to increase my mileage. My wife and I, along with my brother-in-law, signed up for a 5K mud run in Apple Valley on August 21st. I think this will be a good preview of running an organized race before getting into more competitive 5Ks. I've never run a mud run before, but I'm inclined to think they are more geared toward fun and playfulness rather than fierce competition. At the same time, I intend on training for it so I can still participate confidently. It ought to be an interesting experience.

High Noon in the Mojave

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 18:02

It's good to be back! After taking my longest break from running since May, I set a new 2010 PR in the 2-mile today on a desert run in the scorching sun. I hadn't run since July 24th, and, as it turns out, it was the best move I could have made. It seems like forever since I ran without feeling pain somewhere on my body. The whole month of July was filled with minor injuries, soreness, back pain, etc. As a consequence, most of my times in July were dismal. But then I decided to take a good, long break from running and let my body heal once and for all. The only active thing I did between July 24th and August 3rd was hike to the top of San Jacinto Peak. That hike wasn't a walk in the park, though. It was an 11-mile, at times strenuous, hike to the top of a 10,834 foot mountain. I didn't run for 5 days prior to the hike because I didn't want to hike in pain, and I didn't run for 3 days after the hike either. Finally, I felt good and ready today to get out and run. The result was a pain-free, nice and steady run that produced an improved time.

I felt that I needed to seek out another route to run today. On a whim I drove down to an area about a mile south of our house where there is a school and a park adjacent to wide open tracts of desert. Right away I could see that this area was a perfect spot for a new route. I scoped it out a bit, then went home and planned a route on mapmyrun.com. I got my running gear on and headed back down to the route. This was one of the best runs I've done so far. On daytime runs I get pretty annoyed with all the cars and people I have to contend with. But this route took me out into the desert along dirt paths where I didn't have to stop at traffic signals or breath in exhaust fumes. It was just me and the desert, surrounded by foliage, darting squirrels and jackrabbits, and mountain vistas. The one mistake I made was running at high noon. It was only 90 degrees (temperate for August in the desert), but the sun beating down on me made it tough, and by the end of the run I was pretty drained. Aside from this, though, it was a great run. I thought my pace was pretty slow and so I was quite surprised with the 18:02 that I got, but what I realized was the difference maker was that I wasn't running hurt. Without back pain, or muscle pain, I was free to run hard with a good form. I think now I can finally start to work on getting my 2-mile down into the 17s and 16s. Only then will I be ready for 3 miles and beyond.

The picture above is looking east along one of the desert roads I ran today. There were actually all kinds of roads, paths, and trails in this untouched area of desert. I'll be able to come up with plenty more routes, some shorter, some longer, in this area in the future. This is definitely some of my favorite terrain to run in: the dirt paths are easy on the legs and feet, and there's something liberating about running through wide open land.

Running Track

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 19:11

For my last run of the week, I knew I wanted to do something different. I've been getting pretty tired of my neighborhood route -- I run it probably 90% of the time. It's obviously easier to simply walk out my front door and begin my run, but running around a neighborhood gets old, and when it comes to distance running, monotony can be a dangerous motivation killer. Therefore I resolved to run something completely different today. After considering some new routes, I decided to attempt to run on a track, as that is something I've yet to do since beginning my training in May. The track up at Granite Hills High School is almost always closed (as are most school tracks), so I decided to try out the track at Apple Valley Middle School, about 2 miles south of our house. When I got there I saw that this track was just as inaccessible. A chain link fence surrounded all the athletic fields. But after driving around the school I noticed one fence opened just enough for me to squeeze through. Apple Valley Middle School is actually no longer a functioning school, having been closed down due to budget cuts and poor academic performance. So walking through the abandoned campus was rather eerie as the sun began to set and the shadows grew. I had to squeeze through yet another fence to get to the track, but I eventually made it there. (The picture above was taken looking east from the track). The athletic fields, though strangely green in the arid desert, were in obvious disrepair. The track was overgrown with weeds and pocked with rabbit holes. But I was happy just to have a track all to myself to run on. The evening was cool and clear, and a full moon was rising in the east. I was pumped to get my 2 miles in on the track.

The actual run itself, though, was a struggle. My back was bothering me again, as it's become my latest Achilles' heel. I pushed through the whole run without stopping, and I soon realized that 8 laps on a track becomes rather repetitious. In high school the longest distance I ran on the track was a mile. The only 2-mile runs I ever had officially timed were up in Lake Arrowhead and they were cross-country courses. But, at the same time, the scenery was new and I was glad to be running somewhere different. The run seemed to last forever. My mile split was around 9:30. My pace felt horribly slow, yet I ended up with a 19:11, which is actually my third fastest 2-mile time since I started running again. Had I not had the back pain I'm sure I could have challenged my 2010 PR of 18:16. The end of the run could not come soon enough. I struggled through the 6th and 7th lap and finally picked up the pace as soon as I felt the end was near. The Vitamin Water I had waiting for me at the finish line was the greatest thing I've ever tasted! After resting for a bit, I limped back through the campus to my car.

Tomorrow is a much needed rest day, and I'm greatly looking forward to Monday's run. Deborah and I are heading up to Lake Arrowhead to spend a couple of days in the cool relief of the mountains. Monday's run will have me dashing through thick pine forests and near the shore of the lake. I can't wait!

Preparing for San Jacinto

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 19:28

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm planning on hiking to the summit of San Jacinto Peak on July 30th. This means each of my runs is given greater importance. Tonight I ran a standard 2 miles around my neighborhood, and even though I didn't nearly match yesterday's time of 18:16, I came away with a decent 19:28. I'm still feeling pretty good with each run lately. My lower back has been giving me a little bit of trouble, but usually it's when I'm not running that it hurts. I want to get in at least 4 or 5 more runs before the big hike. And I'm sure after the hike I'll need a couple of days to recover.

During my run tonight I was thinking about the issues I've been having with my body. I know a lot of it is age, but more so I think it's the extra weight. My legs have never had to lug around 180 pounds before, and so it's been a struggle. It's why my feet hurt; why my back hurts; why my calves hurt. Since beginning training 2 months ago, I really haven't altered my eating habits. As a result my weight, despite numerous runs, has stayed the same. But my wife and I have just begun cutting back on fatty foods and making a more strategic effort to eat foods that aid weight loss. Today I had egg whites, fruit, salad, some vegetables, and lentils. By doing this I am adding another layer to my training. If my weight begins to drop I am positive my running will improve. Then I can finally begin adding mileage and going on real distance runs!

A New Mark

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 18:16

After weeks and weeks of stagnation and even regression, today was a big step forward. I set a new 2 mile PR since beginning to run 2-mile routes one month ago. My previous 2010 PR was an 18:47, set on June 29; tonight I shaved off 31 seconds by running an 18:16. My last run, on Tuesday, was a 19:56, so somehow in just 2 days I lowered my 2-mile time by 1:40! I don't know exactly why tonight's run was so much better, but I have some guesses. For one, I changed up my route. I've been sticking to my standard neighborhood course for quite a while now, and I'm sure I was mentally getting tired of it. So today I decided to head up to Granite Hills High School and run 2 laps around the perimeter of the school. The change of scenery was mentally stimulating I think. Plus, I ran earlier, around 7pm, so I wasn't running in pitch black, I was actually able to look around and see some stunning vistas as the sun began to set. Lastly, I never stopped. Very rarely, unfortunately, on these 2 mile runs, do I make it the whole way without stopping. I usually take a quick break at the half-way point, but I'm going to work on eliminating that now. Today I ran straight through the whole way, and I think it showed in my time. I kept a good pace, very steady, and was even able to muster a kick at the end. And what was really great was I didn't feel any muscle soreness or aches or anything. I felt pretty good throughout the run, with probably my biggest weakness tonight being my stamina. My breathing was pretty labored, and I accredit this to not running consistently the last couple of weeks. But I was just thankful to be feeling strong during the run and not hobbling on a bad leg or cringing with each step because of back pain. I hope tonight was a sign of things to come.

Like I mentioned, the views tonight were fantastic. The evening was clear and the temperature was perfect after a scorching day. The sun cast long shadows across the Mojave, and the distant mountains shown dramatically. I was actually lost in the scenery for a while during the run..... it was a nice distraction. The top picture is looking southeast toward the San Bernardino Mountains -- the setting sun made the desert brush rather colorful, and the near full moon was brightly luminous. The bottom shot is Granite Hills High School -- the perimeter of this school is a perfect mile, so it's a nice route to use when I need a straightforward and orderly course to run. It's also nice because the school sits virtually alone in the desert. This provides clear views of the surroundings, valleys, mountains, and sky. It's a peaceful place to run (as long as school isn't in session).

Smooth

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 19:56

Tonight's run felt pretty good. I purposefully maintained a slow and steady pace, preferring to have a nice and smooth run tonight rather than an all-out blitzkrieg that would have left me aching and keeled over. My current goal is to get my body strong and healthy and able to withstand running long distances. Right now I'm still struggling with 2 miles, and the past few weeks have been difficult due to the aches and pains brought on by sudden workouts after years of lethargy. So, again, tonight was all about feeling good, keeping good form, and getting back to the enjoyment of running. Even with keeping a slower pace, I somehow ended up with a 19:56, which, lately at least, is one of my better 2 mile times.

The summer outings continue, as tomorrow my wife and I are making a trip to Raging Waters to escape this intense desert heat. I may not get a run in, but I need to make sure to run Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. It's rather crucial that I get in as many runs as I can in the next week and a half, because on July 30th we have another big hike planned. My brother, my brother-in-law, and I will be hiking to the summit of San Jacinto Peak. This hike will be longer than Baldy and probably more strenuous, and so I need to be in as much shape as possible. Tonight's run was good and I hope that each successive run coming up will be better.

Vacation Blues

Distance: 1 mile
Time: 8:37

Tonight was my first run since last Tuesday. As I mentioned in my last post, my wife and I were venturing down to San Diego to get away for a few days. I was hoping to get a run in on the beach, or at the very least in Rancho Cucamonga while we stayed with my parents over the weekend. Neither of those things happened though. Our vacation ended up yielding no time to spare for a lengthy run (plus I would have felt bad leaving my wife alone at the hotel). And when we got back to Rancho Cucamonga, I lost the will to get out and run, opting instead to hang out at the house with my nephew Holden. Well, by the time we got back to our house in Apple Valley I was feeling pretty guilty. To be honest, I think the extra rest was good for my body, which had been hurting more than it should have been, and was thus preventing me from having any really good workouts anyway. But, rest also causes one to lose stamina and conditioning, and that definitely happened.

I ran only 1 mile tonight, mainly because I wasn't feeling motivated and I thought the shorter distance would get me out the door easier. Like I said, I felt more than rested, so I wanted to really give it all I had and not throw in a lackluster performance. The last time I ran a single mile, I clocked a 9:04. I definitely did not want a 9+ mile again. So I gave it all I had, but the extra time off really weighed me down. I felt too tired and sluggish. I was hoping for the low 8's, but I ended up with an 8:37.

I really need to get a solid routine going again. The months of May and June were great -- I didn't miss a single run, and it seemed like each run was better than the last. July, though, has been a month plagued by injury and busy-ness. I should be able to get my 5 runs in this week. And hopefully that will be my kick-start to push it into high gear again.

The Post-Vegas Run

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 19:23

Yesterday, Deborah and I headed up to Las Vegas for the day. I figured it would be a good chance to take a day off from running and have a good time wandering the streets of that crazy town. Before we knew it, though, we had walked about 8 miles up and down the Strip, meandering through almost every casino along the way. By the end of the day our feet were killing us. So even though I didn't go on a run yesterday, I gave my legs a good workout.

Today, though, I knew I needed to put in the extra effort, because tomorrow we're heading out yet again, this time to San Diego for a couple of days. I don't know for sure if I'll be able to get a run in tomorrow or Thursday (though ideally I'd like to get a beach run in). So tonight I set out on my standard 2 mile run. It felt only slightly better than Sunday's run. On Sunday I ran a 19:42, and tonight I shaved off 19 seconds and ran a 19:23. The muscle pain I've been feeling was there only slightly. I had a little bit of back pain, but overall it seemed that my body was handling everything a lot better. I didn't think I was keeping a good pace -- I felt too sluggish for most of the run, so I was surprised at my time. But one thing's for sure..... I'm not even close to being ready to increase my mileage. I was hoping to move up to 3 miles by the end of July, but I really don't think that's going to happen. I'm still struggling with 2 miles way more than I should be, plus I took a whole week off to recover from the Mt. Baldy hike. I'd like to get my 2 mile time down to 16 or 17 minutes, and as of now the fastest I've run it is 18:47, which is horribly slow.

I have no idea where my next run will be. Possibly along a beach in San Diego, or maybe at my parents' home in Rancho Cucamonga, or (hopefully not) back up here in Apple Valley. I love these freeflowing summertime agendas!

The Doldrums

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 19:42

The reason for this post's title is that I'm beginning to realize that I've hit a bit of a slump in my training. I'm not rapidly progressing as I was in the beginning. I have some good days and some bad days, and I never seem to know which it will be each day. I can't shake muscle pain, soreness, back stiffness, etc. Yet I know that as long as I don't give up, these "doldrums" will pass. I knew that injuries were inevitable, but it's still tough to deal with. I have to keep in mind that I'm only about 7 weeks into my training, and I plan on keeping this going indefinitely, i.e., years and years to come. My body will adapt, I just have to be patient.

Tonight's run wasn't all bad, but I'm still not feeling great out there. I ran a 19:42, which is a much better time than I felt I ran. I knew I wanted to get 2 miles in, but about 1/4 mile into the run I was feeling so stiff and achy (especially in my lower back) that I almost considered shortening it to a single mile. But I'm glad I didn't. I began to loosen up eventually, but the back pain and some leg pain never went away completely. As soon as I finished, my back stiffened up pretty bad, so I did some post-run stretching that I usually don't do.

All the negatives aside, it was a lovely night to be out and running. It's been cloudy up here lately, even raining yesterday, and tonight the clouds began to part, revealing a plethora of stars in the sky. After a day in the heat, it's nice to be out in the refreshing night air.

Tomorrow, Deborah and I are heading to Las Vegas, so I won't be getting a run in. I'll be right back at it, though, on Tuesday. I may feel like I'm in the doldrums, but the only way out is to keep on trucking.

Back To The Grind

Distance: 1 mile
Time: 9:04

What started out as one day of rest suddenly turned into five! As I mentioned in my last post, my body was beginning to fall apart on me and so I knew I needed some extra days of recovery. My last run, on July 3, was a disaster, as muscle pain prevented me from hitting any sort of stride (21:43 in 2 miles). And then the hike I went on to the summit of Mt. Baldy on Monday caused even more problems: strained calf muscles and a bad sunburn. I had no choice but to rest on Monday and Tuesday, but I thought for sure I'd be ready for action by Wednesday -- though my body had other plans. I still couldn't use my calf muscles without pain. I sat out Thursday as well. Eventually my mindset became one of patience and reason. I thought back to my pre-hike condition -- I was in severe muscle pain, I was stiff and tight all over, and I really hadn't had a good run in quite some time. My body needed rest, real rest, more than just one day. So I figured I'd give my body a whole week. I probably could have forced a run last night, but instead I went on a date with my wife to see Toy Story 3. It was a relaxing night, and I'm glad I was forced to take the a week off from running to let my body do some serious recovering.

But I knew for sure I didn't want to take more than one week off. After all, I had put in a solid 6 weeks of training, and I didn't want to see it go to waste. So tonight I laced up my running shoes for a much-needed run. It felt great just to get in that mode again -- to start stretching and envisioning the run. My original intention was to do 2 miles along my usual neighborhood route. But after stretching I realized that I wasn't 100% yet. That same lower calf pain began to resurface and I began to worry that I would be right back where I was a week ago. At the suggestion of my wife, I decided to cut back to 1 mile. I'm glad I did, too, because tonight's run wasn't one of my better ones. It was an improvement over last Saturday's sloppy run, but I felt more winded than I had been feeling, and I did feel some muscle pain again. I tried my best to keep a steady, quick pace, but my body was too busy getting used to the movements and motions of running again. In the end my pace was too slow, and I clocked in at 9:04, which is the first time I've run over 9 minutes since I ran a 9:12 on June 10, exactly one month ago! I'm not considering it a setback, though, as it's expected that after a week off there will be some time needed to get back into the swing of things. Tomorrow, hopefully, I will try out a 2 mile run and see how that goes. My only hope is that I can get rid of that pesky muscle pain in my left calf for good, for I feel like it has been my lone nemesis in my drive to lower my times.

Another motivator I have is that we've planned another big hike for the end of the month. We're planning on summiting San Jacinto Peak, which is taller than Mt. Baldy by about 800 feet. It will be a grueling hike, and I want to make sure I'm in good shape for it.

Running in Rancho

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 21:43

This is a belated post, as my last run was actually on Saturday. Deborah and I drove down the hill to stay with my parents in Rancho Cucamonga for the 4th of July weekend. On Saturday we met up with friends in Temecula to go wine tasting, and when we got home it was time for a run. I had mapped out a run around my parents' neighborhood (actually an old route I used to do years ago). But when it came time to run I was plagued with the same muscle pain that has been bothering me for over a week now. My left calf is the main culprit -- it simply doesn't want to get better. Because of this the run was a bit of a bust. The first half-mile, especially, was sloppy and formless. I couldn't get a strong and steady rhythm going. My legs felt tight and sore and each step hurt, so I ended up adapting my stride to compensate, which never leads to anything good. I was tempted to stop right away, but I forced myself to continue on. By the time I reached the mile mark, I was sure I was making matters worse with my legs. At about 1.5 miles I stopped, not because I wanted to, but because my body forced me to. I tried massaging my calf and stretching it out a bit. I continued on, and the last section of the run actually felt okay. But overall it was a struggle, and I knew I needed major rest to allow my muscles to heal.

I was concerned, too, because we had plans to do a big hike on Monday. I didn't want to injure myself or make my muscles so sore that I couldn't go on the hike. Sunday is normally my rest day, so I made sure to lay low that day. We had a 4th of July/birthday party for my nephew, so the day was spent relaxing and having a good time with family. On Monday I could tell the rest paid off, for my legs felt much better. The soreness was almost gone completely. But then we went on the hike. It was a strenuous 6 mile hike to the top of Mt. Baldy and back. My wife went, along with my dad, my brother, my brother-in-law, and his dad. We had a great time, though we were all exhausted by the end of it. I was extremely proud of my wife, who isn't a big hiker, but she gave it all she had and made it 99% of the way, stopping just shy of the peak. When we got back to my parents' house, we were beat, and we all ended up unwinding in the spa. My routine calls for a Monday run, but I knew right away that I wouldn't be able to do that. The hike was quite a workout anyway. Plus, I was sun-burnt and hardly able to move. I had a lot of soreness in my legs, but luckily not the same soreness I was feeling prior to the hike. The pain had moved up to my upper calves.

The next day, Tuesday, I was still hurting from the sunburn, and my legs still felt too sore to run! I didn't think I would have to take Tuesday off from running as well, but that's just what happened. I desperately wanted to run, but after doing a "test run" around the house I realized it would be impossible.... I couldn't lift my heels up without a shooting pain in my calf muscles, and the sunburn was worst on the back of my legs, where it was causing my skin to tighten. I was a mess and needed more time to heal and recover. I really hope tomorrow will be better, because I don't think I can afford to miss another day of running.

The Road to Recovery

Distance: 2 miles (roughly)
Time: 21:00

I rested as much as I could yesterday, doing almost nothing physical at all. The previous 6 days or so I had overworked my leg muscles until I could hardly run at all. The worst pain was in my left calf muscle. After a full day's rest I do feel a lot better, though I won't say 100%. My left calf still feels sore, and I probably could have used one more day of rest, but I'm stubborn when it comes to routines. So I embarked tonight on a 2 mile run at Horsemen's Center Park, sore muscles and all.

Fortunately, I no longer felt the stiffness over my whole body that I was feeling earlier in the week. The run felt pretty good, though it was still challenging owing to the difficult nature of the course itself. The one major improvement tonight was that I ran the full 2 miles over the up and down desert terrain without stopping at all. Tonight was the third time I've run this route and it ended up being the fastest. (I ran it in 22:27 on Monday and 21:00 today). There was definite pain in my left calf, but it wasn't overbearing. I was able to tackle the hills confidently and my breathing felt good throughout. I'll probably never get "fast" times at Horsemen's Center simply because the course there makes it difficult to build any momentum. There are almost no flat stretches -- as soon as I build a good, quick pace, I have to run up a hill, or transition from dirt to grass. But I don't run Horsemen's Center for fast times, I run it because it is a fun course. There are no dull moments, no monotony of scenery. Tonight especially was quite nice. The sun was setting and the park was quiet and peaceful. At one point I even saw a group of California Quails scattering across some boulders.

These next few days are going to be busy, so getting my runs in will be a challenge. I may need to find some new routes in some new locales in order to avoid missing a crucial run. I am greatly looking forward to this coming Monday when my wife and I, along with other family members, will be hiking to the summit of Mt. Baldy, 10,064 feet in the air! The timing works out perfectly as these past few weeks of running ought to make the hike a lot more manageable.

In Need of Rest

Distance: 1 mile
Time: 8:33

I had high hopes for today's run. The aches and pains I was feeling Sunday and Monday had disappeared and last night's run felt great. I figured tonight, being only 1 mile, would be a breeze, with possibly a new 2010 PR. Yet, as soon as I started running I immediately knew things weren't going to go so great. I decided to head up to Granite Hills High School to run my mile. Last time I ran at Granite I clocked a 7:58, so I figured I'd try for another sub-8 mile. But, even though I no longer felt any back pain, the muscles in my legs were killing me. My calf muscles and lower tendons felt tight and sore and for the first quarter-mile I felt clumsy and completely stiff. I tried long strides and short strides, but nothing felt good; I simply had no fluidity of motion. Right away I knew I could forget trying to get any record times. By the half-way point things began to improve slightly. I didn't feel so awkward in my stride and I got a decent pace going. And finally at the 3/4 mark I was able to feel like I was actually running and so for the last quarter I gave it all I had.... but it was only enough to come out with an 8:33. Not terrible, but I should have done better.

I was disappointed with my time, so a couple of hours after my run I went to the gym with my wife to make sure today wasn't completely wasted. I did about 40 minutes of cardio to try to make up for the half-mile of clumsy running/floundering I did earlier. But tonight wasn't all bad. I ran around 8 pm, right as the sun was going down. The picture above captured the bright sun as it set behind the mountains separating Victorville from Apple Valley. As painful as it was to run tonight, it was nice to look out and see that desert sundown.

Tomorrow's rest day will be much needed. I'm pretty sure my leg muscles are suffering from overuse. It may not seem like my workouts are much on paper, but because of how out of shape I was, even just running 1 or 2 miles a night is enough to send shock-waves through my underused muscles. My calf muscles have been bothering me for days now, but I just stubbornly continue to push through it. Tomorrow I'm going to do my best to not use them at all, for they are in need of much healing.

Knocking Down the Wall

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 18:47

Things finally took a turn for the better tonight. My 2 mile times have been horrid lately, mainly due to some back pain brought on by playing basketball over the weekend. But today my back felt great and I felt much more ready and willing to run than I have in almost a week. To illustrate, since last Friday my 2 mile times have been 21:16, 21:43, and 22:27. I really shouldn't be running 2 miles in over 20:00... at all. But, again, my body lately has been aching and stiff all over and I just couldn't get any sort of quick pace going at all. But all that changed tonight.

I made a conscious effort to quicken my pace right away tonight. With my back feeling good I was able to get a fluid rhythm going, and I took advantage of it. Since increasing my mileage on June 21, my fastest 2 mile was 19:18. But I blew that out of the water tonight with an 18:47. My mile split was around an 8:50, which means my second mile was pretty slow, but I really pushed it for the first mile. There is definitely still a lot of soreness in my legs, which never seems to want to go away. But everything else felt great tonight. And it was surprising because I usually rest on Sundays, but because of a busy weekend I had to run Sunday, which means tonight was my third straight distance run, so I wasn't expecting tonight's run to be the fastest.

Tomorrow I run 1 mile and then I rest on Thursday. Hopefully I can do some major recovering over the next couple of days and come back better than ever on Friday.

Summer Evening in the Park

Distance: 2 miles (roughly)
Time: 22:27

I seem to be feeling the wear and tear a little bit more each day. Since Sunday's basketball games my body has been racked with stiffness and aches and pains. I went swimming this morning hoping that it would loosen my body up, but if it offered any relief it was only temporary. Being stubborn I forced myself to get my 2 mile run in tonight, even though the smarter thing probably would have been to rest. I decided to head back to Horsemen's Center Park, where I had a great run on Friday morning, and avoid the monotony of running around my neighborhood.

My wife came with me and did her own run/walk workout around the park. We didn't leave until 8 pm, so the sun was setting as I began my run. However that twilight sky, half light, half dark, made the run quite pleasant. All the lights in the valley below were appearing as the sky darkened, and the silhouettes of the surrounding mountains could still be vividly seen. But as scenic as the run was, my performance wasn't much to speak of. For the first 1/2 mile or so, I ran as if I was tied to a large stick. My back was stiff, my joints tight -- I couldn't get any sort of fluid rhythm going. My pace, then, was ridiculously slow. After awhile, though, I began to loosen up. My back no longer bothered me, and I picked up my speed a tad. Still, the up and down terrain, as well as the diverse ground I was treading on, made it hard to shift gears. I felt myself tired quickly, and in the end my time of 22:27 wasn't much of a surprise.

My only hope is that with time my body will heal. I know my back pain is solely due to playing basketball, with all its quick stops and sloppy movements. Hopefully by just running, swimming, and possibly using some machines at the gym, I can let my back recover. My endurance is still improving, but I need to have a healthy body to allow the endurance to reach its full potential. At almost 6 weeks into my training, I guess this is my first real obstacle. If I can clear this hurdle, the sky's the limit!

Running Empty

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 21:43

Tonight was just about getting a run in at all costs. It was a rather jam-packed weekend: my nephew's birthday was Friday and a friend's wedding on Saturday, then today we visited my in-laws and I played a couple hours' worth of basketball. By the time we got home I was exhausted, yet I knew I had to run since I wasn't able to yesterday. Plus, I hadn't played basketball in a year, and so I had already practically depleted my energy. My lower back was feeling stiff and achy, too. So, needless to say, I didn't feel at all like going on a 2 mile run. And yet, thankfully, my mental will took over and demanded that I go.

I kept the pace slow out of necessity. As I said, my back wasn't feeling too great, so I had to really rely on my legs to get me through this run. If it wasn't for my aching body I probably could have logged a pretty good time tonight. My breathing was very calm and relaxed for almost the whole run -- no wheezing, no gasping for air. I was even able to muster a kick at the end. But I simply couldn't maintain a strong pace without feeling it in my back.

Tomorrow morning my plan is to swim laps in hopes that it will help the stiffness and tightness in my body. I won't have another day off from running until Thursday, so I have to find ways to get through these next few runs without injury.

X-Country Revisited

Distance: 2 miles (roughly)
Time: 21:16

I definitely pushed my limits today. I ran 2 miles, but it wasn't just any 2 miles. Today's run was an "adventure run" through desert, trails, grass, rocks, and hills. It was the type of run I had envisioned when I finally worked up the motivation to start running again about 5 weeks ago. I love the idea of running in exotic locales, through a variety of terrain, seeing new things around every turn. Up till now I had pretty much just been running around my neighborhood, which was fine just to get back in shape a bit, but I'm ready now for more exciting runs -- like today's.

I've been wanting to run at Horsemen's Center Park for weeks now. But every time I'd try (which was usually on weekends) it was swarming with people. But now that I'm on summer break, I figured I'd go see what the place was like on an ordinary Friday morning. And I was delighted to see that I had the entire park to myself! Horsemen's Center is a picturesque natural area in eastern Apple Valley that incorporates a park, a bike track, a horse riding ring, and many trails, all nestled under impressive rock formations at the base of the Granite Mountains. And it's only a couple of miles from our house. I had mapped out a course on mapmyrun.com, but because I was dealing with trails and not clear-cut streets and roads, it was difficult to chart the mileage accurately. So I charted a route that was roughly 2 miles. In all likelihood it was more than 2 miles with all the unanticipated turns and moments of uncertainty over where the trail went. And it was a tough 2 miles, for this was more like a cross-country course than anything. It was the first time in my recent training that I dealt with uphill terrain and what was essentially trail running. Therefore my time was a dismal 21:16. But I have no regrets, for I fought through every one of those minutes.

As far as the actual run went, it was definitely a challenge. It was about 11 a.m., and it was already 90 degrees outside! The first 3/4 of a mile went well. I kept a steady pace and muscled my way over the diverse terrain. But once I got up into the northern trail section, I began to feel the fatigue set in. All the direction changes and the calculating of each step began to take a physical toll. I got a little relief during the brief downhill section at about the mile marker, but as soon as I turned to go uphill again I began to hit a wall. By the time I got up to the northern trail again I was out of gas and floundering. I stopped to gain my composure and relax a bit, but then I made sure to finish strong. It was definitely the most exhausted I've felt yet after a run. But it was well worth it, and I can't wait to tackle this route again!

Afterward I drove around to various points along the route and took some pictures. It was quite a scenic run. One of the coolest things about the location is that it sits up on the elevated eastern edge of the Apple Valley, and so for most of the run I could see clear across the Apple and Victor Valleys, all the way to the San Gabriels and the still-snow-covered Mt. Baldy. It made for good motivation.

Muscles On Fire!

Distance: 1 mile
Time: 8:37

Tomorrow's rest day will probably be my most needed since I started running again 1 month ago. The past two days I have increased my distance, and the result is increased soreness in my legs and an achy feeling in my feet. Today, as the tradition is shorter runs on Wednesdays, I opted for 1 mile. But the speed I was hoping for just wasn't there. Last time I ran a single mile I got a 7:58, and so of course I was hoping to break 8:00 once again. But my legs weren't cooperating. My lower calf muscles especially were burning with soreness. The good news, of course, is that after resting, those muscles should come back stronger.

My wife rode her bike as I ran tonight, but she left me in the dust this time. It was a very hot day today, and the night was warm and quite still. Tomorrow is my last day of work until August, which means I will be able to devote more time to my training. I'm planning on doing two-a-days on most days during this summer vacation: a trip to the gym in the morning and a run in the evening. Hopefully by summer's end I will be ready to enter my first 5K!

A Full Day's Run

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 19:50

What a day! After getting off work in Barstow I quickly drove the 80 miles to Upland to be there for the birth of my niece. After spending a few hours at the hospital I drove back up to Apple Valley in time to eat a quick dinner. Finally, at about 9:30 pm, I went on my run. I left much later than usual, and I wasn't feeling mentally or physically into it. But thankfully I willed myself to go anyway. I ran the same 2 mile route from yesterday. I ended up with a slower time, but I still feel good about the run. I started out very tight and stiff. My left calf was still bothering me and I had a lot of soreness in both Achilles tendons. But after the half-mile mark I began feeling more comfortable. I sank into a rhythm and my breathing relaxed. For the rest of the run I maintained a nice, steady (though rather slow) pace.

It's only been 2 days since I increased my distance, but I feel it's going well so far. The 2 miles didn't feel all that difficult tonight. I think it's all a matter of getting my legs used to the distance. Tomorrow, though, we'll see if my 1 mile time has been affected by the increased distance.

Finally Some Distance

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 19:18

I increased my mileage from 1 to 2 miles today. I didn't think the extra mile would feel too much different (after all, 2 miles isn't exactly heavy mileage), but it felt like I was dealing with a whole new animal. I was hoping to at least get under 20 minutes, which I accomplished, but my final time of 19:18 was close to what I used to run 3 miles in, so I've got lots of work to do. I tried to make my route a little more diverse than my out-and-back mile, and I think the varied nature of the route helped me through the drudgery.

There were some positives and negatives about today's run. On the up side, my breathing and overall endurance seemed to be getting a lot better. In fact, my breathing seemed to calm down and get comfortable after the 1 mile mark. And when I finished, I didn't feel as winded and exhausted as I usually do after a single mile. Of course, I was taking it down a notch since I knew I was running more than just a mile. But my split was an 8:50, which is actually a lot better than my mile times just 2 weeks ago. The down side was the muscles in my legs. For some reason they felt very strained and sore today. I hadn't run since Saturday afternoon, and aside from some swimming over the weekend, I hadn't done anything but rest my legs for the past 2 days. Yet, almost right away on my run my left calf was feeling tight and sore, and my feet and ankles were "burning." I hope this is something that will get better with time.

All thing considered, though, I count tonight's run as a success. It felt good to be out there for more than 10 minutes, and, especially, to work up a real sweat. Running one mile now seems like not nearly enough to constitute a legitimate workout.

Ending With a Bang!

Distance: 1 mile
Time: 7:58

All I wanted to do today was keep my mile below 9:00. I didn't think I'd be breaking 8:00 for the first time since I started running one month ago! And yet somehow, today at Granite Hills High School, I managed to run a 7:58. This caps a week of much progress. I told myself that if I can prove that I'm done running 9:00 miles by keeping my times sub-9 for a whole week, I would begin tacking on more distance, which is what I now plan on doing starting Monday. I'll probably begin by simply upping the distance to 2 miles. But at least it's a step forward.

Today's run was a mixed bag. I was looking to perform well, but I didn't know what to expect. It was much hotter than last week when I ran an 8:09, and it was windier. The first quarter, which heads west, was tough, as the wind was strong and I felt myself running noticeably slower. When I turned south for the second quarter I didn't pick up the pace as much as I hoped I would. My split was a little over 4:00. But as soon as I headed east, with the wind now helping me, I made a conscious effort to kick it up a notch. And one marked difference about today's run came in the last quarter: I felt like I still had a lot left in me! Usually that last stretch is a pain-filled, "why-am-I-doing-this?" moment. But today I was determined to get a good time and I felt that my legs carried me through to the end. After rounding the last corner and heading down the final stretch I checked my time and saw a 6:23. I knew that I'd be getting under 9, but I realized that I had a pretty good chance of breaking 8. So I kicked it into high gear and barely scraped by with a 7:58. I have a feeling my last quarter was my fastest, which tells me I have a lot of improving still left to do.

The top picture above is looking north up the home stretch, the last quarter mile, with the desert mountains of eastern Apple Valley in the distance. The picture below that is one my wife took of me hydrating post-run. My wife, who's been on her own training regimen, ran a half-mile today. I was glad to have her there with me and proud of her effort.