On Saturday we headed "down the hill" and stayed a couple nights in Rancho Cucamonga at my parents' house. Needing to get my last run in for last week, I sneaked one in late Saturday night. We came back home Monday and I got my first run in for this week. I'm on spring break and we have a lot of stuff planned, so I need to get my runs in where and when I can! Here's a rundown of my last two runs:
Saturday, 29 March 2014
Distance: 2.73 miles
Time: 30:13
Location: Victoria Park Lane to Rochester Ave. (in Rancho Cucamonga)
I was excited at the prospect of running an old route during our stay in Rancho Cucamonga last weekend. Years ago, beginning in high school, one of my most frequent routes was to run up to Victoria Park Lane and follow the wide, tree-lined avenue east all the way to Rochester, where I'd turn and head back. Victoria Park Lane is a perfect road for running, filled with trees, meandering, with a sidewalk and a dirt horse trail. I ran it countless times in younger days. I last ran it in 2010, on July 3rd, during a similar stay at my parents' house. That was my first summer of getting back into running and I remember that run being difficult as I was dealing with intense soreness in my legs. So almost four years later I finally got a chance to run it again. This time, no muscle soreness, but I ran it basically as slow as I did then. It was an enjoyable run. I savored the familiar surroundings and reveled in the nostalgia of it all. I needed to get 30 minutes in, so I ran down Rochester for a bit until it had been 15 minutes, then I turned and headed back. On the way back something unexpected occurred when I found myself up close and personal with the concrete! It was the first time (that I can recall) that I fell on a run! Even when I rolled my ankles, twice, two years ago, I managed to stay on my feet. But as I was running west on Victoria Park Lane, my right foot hit an uplifted piece of sidewalk and I went down, my knees striking the ground and, luckily, my hands stopping the fall before my face met the pavement. I got right back up and finished off the run. It wasn't a major fall or anything; it just left me with a scratch and some soreness the next day. Other than that little incident, Saturday's run was a great little jaunt down memory lane.
Monday, 31 March 2014
Distance: 2.58 miles
Time: 26:29
Location: Yucca Loma-Apple Valley-Sitting Bull-Ottawa
We got back home Monday evening and I knew I needed to get a run in. The weather, though, didn't make this an easy task. The wind decided to come on fierce and the temperature dropped down to the low 50s. But I donned my running garb and made myself go. I did the same 2.5 mile route from Friday, only this time I had to fight the wind the whole way down Apple Valley Road. It slowed my pace down a bit. But once I finally got to Sitting Bull and could turn around, running with the wind, things got better. The wind pushed me up Apple Valley and it invigorated me the rest of the way. By the time I got to Cuyamaca I was able to really push and increase my pace. And when I got to my street I kicked with more strength than I've been able to muster in years. This run, despite the weather, was the best one of this year so far probably. I felt strong throughout it, up to the very end. I'm into my third week of training already and things are looking good!
Monday, March 31, 2014
Friday, March 28, 2014
First Runs of Spring
Almost done with the first two weeks of training and things are going great so far. Here are my last three runs:
Date: Saturday, 22 March 2014
Distance: 2.03 miles
Time: 22:00
Location: Yucca Loma Rd.
This was a fun run. It was another stroller run with Nathan. It was Saturday morning and we had some time to kill, so instead of waiting till night to run, I laced up in the bright of morn, put Nay in the stroller and headed out while Deborah prepared lunch. The weather was perfect, in the 60s, and Nathan had a blast. We ran up Coachella to Yucca Loma and then straight across all the way to the river (where construction on a bridge is currently underway). We retraced our steps on the way back and, though it was a slow pace, I felt pretty good the whole time. I could definitely feel the strain in my arms pushing the stroller, especially towards the end, but it wasn't nearly as hard as the first stroller run on Wednesday. It was awesome running in the late morning of a temperate spring day. And I liked getting my run out of the way early on, too.
Date: Monday, 24 March 2014
Distance: 1.53 miles
Time: 14:55
Location: Yucca Loma just past Apple Valley Rd.
On Monday night I had a nice, easy 1.5 mile run. Even though it was only Monday I was already feeling tired and stressed from work, so I was kind of glad it was a short run. I ran it hard, though, keeping my pace under 10 min./mile (nothing to brag about but better than it's been). I ran up to Yucca Loma and just a little past the gas station on Apple Valley, right before Yucca Loma starts going uphill. I know I need to work on increasing my endurance and distances, but sometimes these short runs just feel great.
Date: Friday, 28 March 2014
Distance: 2.53 miles
Time: 25:34
Location: Yucca Loma-Apple Valley-Sitting Bull-Ottawa
Tonight's run was awesome! I hadn't run since Monday for a few reasons: work has been wearing me down and stressing me out, and the weather was kind of nasty Wednesday and Thursday. I was actually ready to run Thursday night but the wind picked up and it was blowing like crazy across the desert, with temps dropping on top of it all. I shouldn't be deterred by the weather, after all I ran when it was 39° back in February. But it got the best of me this week. However, it all worked out in the end when today ended up being picture perfect! No wind and sunny all day. When I set out on my run at around 7:45pm it was a comfortable 66°. I tried a slightly new route, heading up to Yucca Loma then taking Apple Valley all the way down to Sitting Bull. The Apple Valley running path is my favorite and it's nice to get to stay on it for long distances. And I felt great on this whole run! I guess four days off really helped. I never felt overly tired and I even had enough in the tank for a good kick at the end (which hasn't happened in a long while). My pace as usual was slow but I ran strong, with lots of bounce in my legs. I watched twilight fade to night as I ran and smiled as I thought about my week off ahead. Next week is spring break and I couldn't be more excited. It was a busy week at work and I'm in much need of a break before the final stretch of the school year. And what better way to start off spring break than with a pleasant spring run on a pleasant spring day?
Date: Saturday, 22 March 2014
Distance: 2.03 miles
Time: 22:00
Location: Yucca Loma Rd.
This was a fun run. It was another stroller run with Nathan. It was Saturday morning and we had some time to kill, so instead of waiting till night to run, I laced up in the bright of morn, put Nay in the stroller and headed out while Deborah prepared lunch. The weather was perfect, in the 60s, and Nathan had a blast. We ran up Coachella to Yucca Loma and then straight across all the way to the river (where construction on a bridge is currently underway). We retraced our steps on the way back and, though it was a slow pace, I felt pretty good the whole time. I could definitely feel the strain in my arms pushing the stroller, especially towards the end, but it wasn't nearly as hard as the first stroller run on Wednesday. It was awesome running in the late morning of a temperate spring day. And I liked getting my run out of the way early on, too.
Date: Monday, 24 March 2014
Distance: 1.53 miles
Time: 14:55
Location: Yucca Loma just past Apple Valley Rd.
On Monday night I had a nice, easy 1.5 mile run. Even though it was only Monday I was already feeling tired and stressed from work, so I was kind of glad it was a short run. I ran it hard, though, keeping my pace under 10 min./mile (nothing to brag about but better than it's been). I ran up to Yucca Loma and just a little past the gas station on Apple Valley, right before Yucca Loma starts going uphill. I know I need to work on increasing my endurance and distances, but sometimes these short runs just feel great.
Date: Friday, 28 March 2014
Distance: 2.53 miles
Time: 25:34
Location: Yucca Loma-Apple Valley-Sitting Bull-Ottawa
Tonight's run was awesome! I hadn't run since Monday for a few reasons: work has been wearing me down and stressing me out, and the weather was kind of nasty Wednesday and Thursday. I was actually ready to run Thursday night but the wind picked up and it was blowing like crazy across the desert, with temps dropping on top of it all. I shouldn't be deterred by the weather, after all I ran when it was 39° back in February. But it got the best of me this week. However, it all worked out in the end when today ended up being picture perfect! No wind and sunny all day. When I set out on my run at around 7:45pm it was a comfortable 66°. I tried a slightly new route, heading up to Yucca Loma then taking Apple Valley all the way down to Sitting Bull. The Apple Valley running path is my favorite and it's nice to get to stay on it for long distances. And I felt great on this whole run! I guess four days off really helped. I never felt overly tired and I even had enough in the tank for a good kick at the end (which hasn't happened in a long while). My pace as usual was slow but I ran strong, with lots of bounce in my legs. I watched twilight fade to night as I ran and smiled as I thought about my week off ahead. Next week is spring break and I couldn't be more excited. It was a busy week at work and I'm in much need of a break before the final stretch of the school year. And what better way to start off spring break than with a pleasant spring run on a pleasant spring day?
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Training Day 2
Distance: 2.58 miles
Time: 30:23
Location: Yucca Loma to Cronese and back
It was a busy week last week and fitting runs in was challenging. My parents came over after I got off work to bring a piece of furniture for Nathan and we visited for a little while. After they left, even though it was after 9pm, I forced myself to go on a run, since I knew I wouldn't be able to the following night. The day prior had been the 2.5 mile run pushing Nathan in the stroller, and I had also done a strength workout that night, so I was sore all over. But instantly when I began my run I noticed an increased energy. Running without pushing 50 lbs. was noticeably easier. It turns out that running with Nathan is going to reap many benefits. My goal on this run was simply to keep running for 30 minutes. I decided to head east up my typical Yucca Loma hill route. I ran until my phone alerted me it had been 15 minutes, which just happened to occur at the top of the hill at Cronese Rd., the point I usually turn around at anyway. I coasted down Yucca Loma back home to finish off a successful run. The prior day's run was a struggle, but this night I felt loose and strong and much more optimistic about my upcoming race. Two days down, twenty-two to go.
Time: 30:23
Location: Yucca Loma to Cronese and back
It was a busy week last week and fitting runs in was challenging. My parents came over after I got off work to bring a piece of furniture for Nathan and we visited for a little while. After they left, even though it was after 9pm, I forced myself to go on a run, since I knew I wouldn't be able to the following night. The day prior had been the 2.5 mile run pushing Nathan in the stroller, and I had also done a strength workout that night, so I was sore all over. But instantly when I began my run I noticed an increased energy. Running without pushing 50 lbs. was noticeably easier. It turns out that running with Nathan is going to reap many benefits. My goal on this run was simply to keep running for 30 minutes. I decided to head east up my typical Yucca Loma hill route. I ran until my phone alerted me it had been 15 minutes, which just happened to occur at the top of the hill at Cronese Rd., the point I usually turn around at anyway. I coasted down Yucca Loma back home to finish off a successful run. The prior day's run was a struggle, but this night I felt loose and strong and much more optimistic about my upcoming race. Two days down, twenty-two to go.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Training Day 1 and a New Running Buddy
Distance: 2.58 miles
Time: 30:14
Location: Apple Valley to Lompoc and back
On Wednesday, March 19, my new training regimen began. It's been a month since the Timberwolf 5K and I've only run twice since then. I definitely gave myself a nice break these last few weeks. But the break's over! My next challenge is going to be a fun one! I selected the R.O.C. (Ridiculous Obstacle Challenge) Race as my next 5K. It's going to be May 10 down in San Diego (Del Mar to be exact). This race seems to be a nice middle-ground between a typical 5K and an intense mud run. I prefer regular 5Ks or trail runs, but mud runs can be fun. The first ever 5K I ran was actually a mud run and it was crazy. The trend now is to ratchet up the intensity level. Races like the Spartan Race and the Tough Mudder have runners leaping over fire and crawling through electrically charged wires. A bit much if you ask me. But the R.O.C. Race seems more on the fun side, with rope swings, slides, and water pits. It's a 5K, but untimed. Even so, I plan on getting myself as fit as possible for this thing. I devised an 8-week running plan (3 weeks longer than my Timberwolf plan) as well as an 8-week strength plan. I figure with the various obstacles requiring a lot of upper body strength, I better prepare for that as well. So this will prove to be a much more extensive and tough period of preparation than it was back in January and February. A bonus is that it is now spring and the weather is ideal for working out. I'm excited and anxious to get going!
My first run was a 2.5 miler. A few weeks ago we bought a jogging stroller so I can now go running while pushing Nathan! I've wanted to do this since he was only a few months, so I'm really excited. He absolutely loves being pushed in his stroller. As soon as we got moving he began screaming excitedly! My wife took her bike and rode alongside us for most of the run. We ran out to Apple Valley Rd. then down to Sitting Bull and across to Lompoc. I immediately noticed a difference in running with a stroller. It was tougher than I thought it'd be! It's a smooth push, but keeping it straight requires a bit of arm work. And plus, Nathan is about 30 lbs. in addition to the stroller's 20 lbs. or so... we're talking a lot of weight! That said, though, it wasn't detrimentally hard; just an added challenge (and a welcomed one).
I noticed right away my lack of stamina. I hadn't run in about 3 weeks and I felt it. I was weak and slow. But after the halfway point, I warmed up and finished pretty strong. I should be able to bounce back quickly since it wasn't too long of a running break. Nathan had a great time! He was talking and pointing to things... it was a blast running with him, my new training buddy! It was cool getting out earlier, too. All during the winter I was running late, 8pm or later, in the dark of night. But now that the hour's changed and we're taking Nathan out, we got out at about 6:30pm with a bright sun and actually got to watch it set as we got back. It was awesome having the whole family out there with me! I'm looking forward to the weeks ahead.
Time: 30:14
Location: Apple Valley to Lompoc and back
On Wednesday, March 19, my new training regimen began. It's been a month since the Timberwolf 5K and I've only run twice since then. I definitely gave myself a nice break these last few weeks. But the break's over! My next challenge is going to be a fun one! I selected the R.O.C. (Ridiculous Obstacle Challenge) Race as my next 5K. It's going to be May 10 down in San Diego (Del Mar to be exact). This race seems to be a nice middle-ground between a typical 5K and an intense mud run. I prefer regular 5Ks or trail runs, but mud runs can be fun. The first ever 5K I ran was actually a mud run and it was crazy. The trend now is to ratchet up the intensity level. Races like the Spartan Race and the Tough Mudder have runners leaping over fire and crawling through electrically charged wires. A bit much if you ask me. But the R.O.C. Race seems more on the fun side, with rope swings, slides, and water pits. It's a 5K, but untimed. Even so, I plan on getting myself as fit as possible for this thing. I devised an 8-week running plan (3 weeks longer than my Timberwolf plan) as well as an 8-week strength plan. I figure with the various obstacles requiring a lot of upper body strength, I better prepare for that as well. So this will prove to be a much more extensive and tough period of preparation than it was back in January and February. A bonus is that it is now spring and the weather is ideal for working out. I'm excited and anxious to get going!
I noticed right away my lack of stamina. I hadn't run in about 3 weeks and I felt it. I was weak and slow. But after the halfway point, I warmed up and finished pretty strong. I should be able to bounce back quickly since it wasn't too long of a running break. Nathan had a great time! He was talking and pointing to things... it was a blast running with him, my new training buddy! It was cool getting out earlier, too. All during the winter I was running late, 8pm or later, in the dark of night. But now that the hour's changed and we're taking Nathan out, we got out at about 6:30pm with a bright sun and actually got to watch it set as we got back. It was awesome having the whole family out there with me! I'm looking forward to the weeks ahead.
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| Post-run sunset on the last day of winter 2014. |
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