Turkey Trot

I struggled to get out of bed this morning. I was exhausted from a pre-holiday week of 12-hour work-days and four-hour sleep sessions. I was sore from a cramped eight-hour Bay Area to southern California car ride in Thanksgiving traffic. I was heavy from feasting on turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, red cabbage, corn, salad, pumpkin pie, tiramisu cake, and an assortment of Hungarian pastries. My only exercise since Sunday’s trail race, however, was a Laguna Beach duathlon: body surfing in the waves of Main Beach Laguna and a short sandy barefoot run with Jeff in the always-72-degree afternoon along the Orange County coastline. I was tired this morning, but needed to run.

I stumbled into my shoes and shorts and slipped into the pre-sunrise morning. As soon as I got outside I was alive and fresh. My legs felt like excited dogs boxed in a carry-crate on a cross-country flight: ready to spring free. My quads and calves were literally quaking with pep about being exercised. And for the next 45 minutes I explored the trails and pathways through the canyons of perfect, plastic Laguna Niguel.

Charging uphill and flailing downhill, striding across dew-covered grass, serenaded by a choir of hundreds of crows, I had a wonderful run. I thought about how many wonderful mornings I had missed because I chose to sleep an extra hour rather than brave the cold air of dawn or dark city streets. But then I thought of how many times I did get get outside, allowing me to be awed and swallowed by the sight of a new day breaking. Never have I ever regretted going for a run, no matter how early. I always feel better after a workout than after hitting the snooze.

Until tomorrow morning…

Run With It!

J.R. Atwood

Off the Beaten Path

A running event the way it’s supposed to be. That’s a great way to describe the King Oscar Presidio Trails Run, which I completed this morning.

Directed by Gordon Wright of Outside PR, the KOPTR was a low-key fun run through the beautiful trails of the Presidio in San Francisco. To be honest, I was a little hesitant to even register for the race–there is no website for the event (besides an opportunity to register through active.com) and registration is $25-30. I was thinking of saving a few dollars and simply running the trails myself. But it has been a few months since I’ve run an organized event and I love the atmosphere of race morning. Plus, the location is great… just a half-mile from my front door.

A few hundred runners gathered in the main post of the Presidio by 8:00 AM. We quickly went through the “free shwag” line and picked up our technical running hat and a small handful of goodies–Clif Bars, Clif Blocks, a hand towel, some coupons, and a tin of King Oscar sardines. Mmmmm! (While I am glad King Oscar sponsored the race, I would think it would make more sense to sponsor a swim event since they are in the fish business.) It was nice to get a hat rather than another race t-shirt.

We waited for the line of people at the port-a-potties to join us at the start before Gordon, accompanied by an older woman who has run in all five KOPTR, led us in a singing of “America the Beautiful.” I had overheard a few people talking about how in years past, the front runners went off course because the route was poorly marked. Thus I was glad to hear Gordon announce that the entire course was lined with caution tape and chalk/flour arrows. We counted down from ten and then took off!

The course was awesome–3.1 miles of roads and trails through the hilly woods of the Presidio, some of which I had never explored previously. (Click here to view a map of the course.) There was a decent amount of climbing and fast descents and the pack spread out after the first intense hill. Probably around half of the field completed one lap, opting for the 5K course. I clocked through the first lap at around 20:00 minutes, though my pace the second time around was much slower. Those of us in the 10K understood what Sports Illustrated Adventure magazine meant when they called this race, “sadistic, yet spectacular.” My legs and lungs burned, but in a good way.

I ended up finishing around 43:00 minutes, in the top-20 overall. There was no stage or band cheering us in–just a small choir group. Nor was there any official timing of the event, just a couple of supportive friends and family with stop watches. This made for a very warm, intimate environment.

All in all, the KOPTR is no-frills race, to be sure. But it’s a great race. I enjoyed the grass-roots feel of the event. The focus was on fun with friends in a non-competitive, beautiful setting. The cost was a bit steep, but I’ll definitely be back next year.

Run With It!
J.R. Atwood

Reluctant Swimmer

Lauren loves swimming–she takes to water like a fish. I take to water like a cat–I squirm and purr and twist when asked to go to the pool. There’s something about the swimming process that I simply do not enjoy. Gathering together my work clothes, swim gear, and toiletries for an early morning workout is a chore in itself. Invaribly I forget my flip-flops and have to walk barefoot across cold, damp, puddle-filled locker room floors. Or I forget my belt, a towell, hair gel, something! that messes with my morning. I shudder at the mere thought of showering before reluctantly jumping into the pool–the walk from the locker room to the pool deck is often goosebump-inducing chilly. I hate to swim. Until Lauren makes me go.

Every few weeks Lauren coaxes me into joining her at the USF pool. I put up a big stink about going, saying I’d rather run or bike to work. She bats her beautiful brown eyes, however, and I give in. And after a few warm-up laps… ahhh! Few things could be finer. I love swimming, once I get in the water. Swimming stretches my entire body helping me to feel tall and lean. My shoulders, forearms, lats, hip flexors, quads, hamstrings, and calves… I feel the blood flowing through all these muscle groups even during warm-up and cool-down sets. It’s low-impact, but an intense workout. I even kind of enjoy the faint smell of chlorine in my hair –throughout the day it’s scent reminds me of my morning workout.

This morning was one of those rare swim days for me. I reluctantly joined Lauren at the pool, but she caught me smiling throughout our sets. I had to admit, I enjoyed it. A lot. In the locker room, after my swim, I felt great. Until I realized that I forgot to bring my socks. Argh! I hate swimming.

Run With It!
J.R. Atwood

Weekend Fun: Presidio Trail Run

The King Oscar Presidio Trails 5K and 10K Run is taking place this Sunday. I just registered via active.com and want to pass along some notes about what sounds like a great race!

As in past years, the race features beautiful trails and spectacular views in one of the only chances to race the historic trails of the Presidio. This is a great event, especially since its one of the only trail races in San Francisco itself. A few years back, Sports Illustrated called it “spectacular” and the Chronicle called it “an instant classic.”

The race will again feature a 10k and 5k loop course, starting off at 8:30 a.m. in the Main Post of the Presidio. This year, the race director ditched the traditional (but seldom-worn) race tee-shirt in favor of a supercool technical running cap, and as always, there is swag galor from the likes of Inov-8 running shoes, The Sports Basement, MetroSports, Fleet Feet, Gel-Bot and Fuel Belt.

If you’re interested, you can register online before this Friday at noon. As in previous years, the entry fee is $25 in advance and $30 day-of. You can register as a volunteer at the registration link above too.

Run With It!
J.R. Atwood

Because No One Will Know But Me

I went for a 90+ minute run late this afternoon/early evening. I ran along the San Francisco waterfront, from the base of the Golden Gate Bridge near Crissy Field to Pier 23 on the Embarcadero. I felt okay — not incredibly fast, but certainly better than on Thursday — and decided to wear my Asics Gel Nimbus shoes rather than my Nike Free’s, which I have worn exclusively these last few weeks.

I wanted to experiment with the idea of rotating a new pair of shoes into my runs, especially a pair like the Gel Nimbus, with great cushioning and lateral support for my distance days. I noticed, however, that my right shin felt a bit sore at points, as did both of my knees. Near the end, the balls of feet got numb. This could be the result of running 10+ miles on streets and sidewalks, my body’s growing pains as I start to up my mileage, or the difficulty to find a smooth biomechanic stride with a new pair of shoes. Just something to note. I’ll try to keep a mental log if I feel pain in my shin and knees whenever I wear my Asics, or only when I go on longer runs (even in my Nike Free’s).

Today was an out-and-back route. Ascending from Crissy Field to my house in the Presidio, I finish with two back-to-back hills. They are not incredibly steep, but at 250+ and 150+ yards long, it can sometimes be difficult to tap into any remaining reserves of will to charge up them quickly. This evening, nearly 3/4 the way to the top of the first hill, I told myself: “It’s pitch black outside. You ran a good distance today. No one will know if you walk.” And without even thinking, I awkwardly slowed to a power walk pace. I did not actually intend to stop running, but by entertaining the idea that I could, my body quit.

Somehow, shocked by what happened — and embarrassed — I said aloud, “No one will know if I continue running either. No one except yourself. That’s who you do this for anyway.” And sure enough, my body–without a conscious mental decision to start running again — picked up the pace and charged forth. I couldn’t help but laugh at the whole hokey 30 second situation. But it felt good to know that I could so quickly respond to doubt about wanting to continue running.

I pushed the pace up the second hill, focusing on high knees, bouncing off the balls of my feet, and pumping my arms. No one was around to offer a high-five or say, “Good finish.” No one would have known if I walked the whole thing. But I would have, and that was enough to keep me running.

Run With It!
J.R. Atwood

Ugh.

Blah. That’s how my run was this morning. I felt heavy and lethargic during my warm-up, almost as if coming off a two-day sugar high of excitement and exhaustion from all the pre- and post-election buildup.

I managed to charge up the Lyon Street stairs twice — the first set by singles, the second by doubles. I never fully recovered from the funk I felt when I reached the top after my second climb. I was winded and light-headed. My forearms and head got really cold and the chill never subsided. I thought I was going throw-up, something I’ve only done once after a run (after winning a 1600 meter race at a local track meet when I was 15 years-young).

Today will be chalked up as a “blah” day. An ugly day. Until tomorrow…

Run With It!
J.R. Atwood

Dawn of Hope

It’s the dawn of a new hope in America. More than 78 million people went to the ballot box yesterday to cast their votes for important initiatives, social causes, value issues, political heroes, the lesser of two evils, to stay the course, and for a new direction.

What matters is not so much that the Republicans, specifically, received “a-thumpin’,” nor that the Democrats seized control of both houses of Congress. Rather, it is the process itself, a “people powered” process, that is so amazing. Inspirational, even. No issue — of individual, community, regional, state, national, or international importance — nor any politician is immune or above review by and consent from us.

I got chills down my back and butterflies in my stomach flipping among CNN, MSNBC, ABC, and NBC to track up-to-the-second returns. We matter: this is what I took from the 2006 elections. Policies, people, the balance of power, and the tone of politics can and will change if we, the people of the United States of America, vote. An individual checking a single ballot box matters profoundly. To increase or decrease or accept or reject or change or approve or deny or elect: vote. To make better: vote.

Not everyone and everything I voted for was elected or passed; not everyone and everything I voted against lost or failed. But so beautiful, really, was yesterday… So awesome is the sense of empowerment that I feel as an individual citizen… So incredible is our political and governing system that Lauren and I, and a number of our friends, are inspired to work on a presidential campaign for 2008. We matter, and we want to matter more.

Wandering and wondering,
J.R. Atwood

Dean: 50 Times Stronger Than Lance?

Whew! That is all I can say after digesting the hype, hoopla, and personal stories from Sunday’s NYC Marathon. Of course, there were two athletes in particular that most interested me: Dean Karnazes and Lance Armstrong. Dean, self-proclaimed “Ultramarathon Man,” was using the NYC Marathon as the bookend in his awe-inspiring, and well marketed, quest to run 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days. Lance, on the other hand, would be running his first ever marathon in New York.

So how did they do? Lance, with the help of the greatest assemblage of pace setters for a first time marathoner–former marathon champions Alberto Salazar and Joan Benoit Samuelson, as well as mile world record holder (3:43.13) Hicham El Guerrouj–struggled to achieve his goal of finishing in under three hours. But he made it by 24 seconds! His official time: 2 hours, 59 minutes, and 36 seconds. After the race, Lance said, “That was without a doubt the hardest physical thing I have ever done.” Click here to read an AP article, published on si.com, about Lance’s achievement.

Does that mean Dean, who took his final of 2.25 million steps during his Endurance 50 tour, is 50 times as strong or physically fit or mentally focused (imbalanced?) as Lance? After all, Dean’s time was a very respectable 3:00:36, only one minute behind the seven-time Tour de France champion. (Click here to read a recent CNN article about Dean’s achievement.) This after having run 49 marathons in the previous 49 days in every state in the country! Certainly not, but I think it brings a new respect for the sport of marathon. Only a couple of hundred athletes complete the Tour de France every summer; 45,000 people registered for the NYC Marathon alone! Each of them have achieved something remarkable.

And what a treat to have been one of the 44 people who finished between two of the most amazing athletes of our generation.

Count down till my own first marathon: 5 months and 26 days.

Run With It!
J.R. Atwood

Monday Monday

Diego’s birthday was Saturday. His wish: celebrate being alive by riding to the summit of two of the tallest peaks in the San Francisco Bay Area, Mt. Diablo and Mt. Tam. He has World’s coming up this weekend, though, and is wisely learning to taper. (The Sunday before the Cancun 70.3 Half-Ironman, he ran a marathon. Needless to say, his legs were not springy and fresh for his major race.) So instead we went out for a mid-pace and mostly flat 40+ minute run, stretching at the mid-point, along Crissy Field and the Marina. We’ll tackle the mountain in a few weeks. That afternoon, Lauren and I played tennis with our friend, Jed.

I rested on Sunday; Lauren worked hard enough for the both of us. She tackled the Lyon Street stairs a couple of times between her weekend run. She was drenched in sweat when she got back, and her legs were really sore, but she looked incredibly beautiful. Her drive and ambition motivates and inspires me.

This morning I went out for a 50+ minute run through the Presidio, over the Golden Gate Bridge, and back home. It’s a great route to start the week: being warmed by a rising sun; feeling the morning mist upon my brow; taking in the sights of Angel Island, Alcatraz, the Marin Headlands, and the city-scape of San Francisco from a vantage only provided from a wonder of the modern world, the Golden Gate Bridge.

About ten minutes into my run, my left knee felt a little tight, almost like I slept on it wrong; a few minutes later it felt fine and normal. The rest of my body felt good and light. I’m beginning to crave these AM runs. A few weeks ago I had to will myself out the door and I was heavy in my legs and stomach. Running may not be entirely effortless yet, but it sure is fun.

Run With It!
J.R. Atwood

Muddy Calves

I am in my pre-base conditioning phase of marathon training. Which is to say, I am trying to get into the habit of running most mornings. Distance doesn’t matter right now — it’s simply about getting out the door to exercise my legs and lungs.

I am doing pretty well so far having run on Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. We got some rain yesterday which continued through the early AM hours. This could have been a great “hit the snooze” morning, especially since I had a late-dinner with some friends and didn’t get to bed until two hours later than I usually do. But knowing that the trails were muddy brought me back to my high school cross-country days.

A smile came across my face as I looked out the window at sunrise. I quickly donned my shorts and a couple of shirts and slipped my shoes on. I charged out the door and went straight for the cakey mud. With each kick I could feel the wet earth clinging to my calves. I ran hard to see how high up the back of my shirt I could kick the mud.

It was a short run – -35+ minutes with a stretching break in-between. But is was fun and dirty. Even the few times that the trail was bisected by the main road, I found myself stepping in the little puddles that formed in the imperfections and potholes on the street.

I felt like a little kid chasing after raindrops. Not a bad morning.

Run With It!
J.R. Atwood