An Easy 13.11 Miles

I finally found a small gap in between my crazy work schedules for a long run.  I really wanted to take things easy and enjoy the scenery along the way.

It was windy at times, and I definitely had some headwinds along the way.


Mile 6 - 1 of my knees didn't like me.

Mile 11 and 12 - A tree had fallen, spilling debris across my path.  Because it was an out and back portion, I had to cross the debris area twice.  The first time, I went thru too quickly, almost twisting an ankle on some large sized acorns.  So, the second time, I went thru it, I literally walked thru it.  I am not taking any chances of getting injured here.


13.11 miles @ 2:40:28

Guestimate net calories burned:  958

I Forgot My Sports Bra. August 22, 2012

I had a busy day the next day, so I had to pack next day's gym clothes in a hurry.

Next day, when my work day ended, I was really looking forward to short run followed by a gym workout.  But, when I went to change clothes, something was missing.

I can't believe I forgot my sports bra.

Rats!  No run today.

It wasn't meant to happen.

Squeezing in a Half

I am incredibly pressed for time this week.  I am juggling a lot of hours at my two jobs.  I also have to take my mom to see her Dr.

I really wanted to go for a run but was only able to squeeze in half an hour of yoga.


Guestimate calories burned:  120

Tired on the Treadmill. August 19, 2012

I was very tired from work recently, but I made myself go the gym.

I got on the treadmill and went about my business.  Unfortunately, I was a lot tired than I thought I was.  No, I didn't fall off the treadmill.  But, after struggling to get in a solid 2 miles, I knew today wasn't my day.  I ecked out about a 5k before calling it quits on the treadmill.

Afterwards, I did about 0:40:00 of weights and abs.

There will be another day...


Guestimate calories burned:  420

Product Test: Nike LunarGlide 4

I have to admit I love playing with running shoes.  If someone said free product trials, I would be game.

Nike LunarGlide 4

I went for a spin in the Nike LunarGlide 4 today.  They felt lightweight but not minimal light.  I did noticed that there seems to be more mid foot cushioning compared to the previous version.

Got in 4 miles on them @ 0:45:31.


Personally, I ran my first marathon in a pair of Nike LunarGlide and am cautious against them for anything longer than 15 miles.  For myself, I would not hesitate to pick a Nike LunarGlide for anything less than that distance.  Anything more, I'd go with something else.


Afterwards, went to the gym.

Weights and abs:  0:40:00


Guestimate calories burned:  590

Pushed Hard for 8 Miles Before Giving It Up and Then Some

As they say, "No pain, no gain."

There was once a time I could go practically all out for an entire half marathon.

But, that was then, and this is now.  After being sidetracked by work, work and more work, I am not sure what fitness level I am currently at.

I used today's long run of 13.1 miles to gauge myself.

I pushed very hard for 8 miles, but the last few miles was miserable and hard.

I also had the following issues along the way:

1. Mile 6 - 1 of my knees didn't like me
2. At Miles 9, 11 and after I stopped - My stomach was upset with me.

Well, now, I know what fitness level I am at.


13.1 miles @ 2:38:21


Guestimate calories burned:  1,041

 

TRX Class Fail. August 9, 2012

I am curious about TRX.  A local sporting goods store offered a free class, so one of my friends and I showed up.

But, the instructor didn't show up.

What a bummer!  TRX class fail.

I'll Take Yoga for a Half

...half an hour that is.

Sometimes, my schedule doesn't permit me to stop by the gym to play with all those weight machines, but it doesn't mean I'll go sit on a bench somewhere and do nothing.

Yoga @ 0:30:00


Guestimate calories burned:  90

4 Miles Trying to Push the Pace Here and There

As they say, if you want to get a faster, you got to push the pace.

I pushed a bit here and there today.

4 miles @ 0:47:27


Guestimate calorie burned:  478

Stopped for Traffic During the 2012 SF Marathon - 2nd Half Marathon. Event date: July 29, 2012

I had a very bad customer experience at the 2011 San Francisco Marathon (SF Marathon) which made me want to swear off their events until their event reviews are much better.  I'll save that race review for another day.  I never put that one up on my blog because I left the door somewhat opened for them to try to do the right thing.

The only reason why I signed up for the 2012 SF Marathon - 2nd Half was because it had partnered up with my favorite marathon, the Los Angeles Marathon (LA Marathon) for the LA/SF Challenge.

Those who complete the LA Marathon and either the Full, the 1st Half, or 2nd Half of the SF Marathon during a specified time period would complete the LA/SF Challenge and would receive a special medal.  And, who doesn't want a special medal especially if it involves your favorite marathon.


Expo
They gave me the wrong bib.

I was supposed to receive either the LA/SF Challenge bib or Half It All Challenge bib; I got neither.  I had to stop by the LA/SF Challenge and Half It All Challenge table for them to affix the correct sticker/stamp for me to get my bonus medals after my event. 

It really is no fun that when they mess up, you get stuck in a line for them to fix the problem.


Timing Chip Check Fail
Last year, when I checked to see my timing chip, it didn't know who I was.  This year, I went to check my timing chip only to find out their timing chip check machines were not working.

Timing chip checker not working.  I'd be worried.

Great Shirt Offer But...

Their registration machines were not working.

I went to try to get the pricing for 2013 events at the computer area they set up for the promo T offer.  Others were trying to register.  But, clicking on 'Enter" and clicking on the "Register" button went nowhere.  I am not sure if the connections were bad or if the links were dead because 2013 is next year; perhaps the 2013 links were not yet functional.

Several folks also tried to register using their smartphones.  Unfortunately,  no luck there as the SF Marathon page only brought up registration info for 2012.  When you click "Register," it only brought up the info that the 1st Half for this year was sold out and that there may be limited lots available for the other events at the expo.

I inquired at the Solutions area for the URL for registering for 2013.  They told me, "We don't know."

Pretty sad they have a nice T shirt off to promote 2013, and they can't even take people's money.


Race Day
The start area of the 2nd Half was a mixed bag.  The heating lamps were great, if you were able to get near one.  The number of porta potties were awesome.  But, they really need more garbage cans.  They also need more water and electrolyte beverage.

Ready or Not, We're Off...

Because the SF Marathon offers 2 half marathons, you really have to pay attention to the signage when running in Golden Gate Park.  If you do not, you can literally "finish" your 2nd Half by running thru the 1st Half's finish line.  And, since you paid so much money to run a half, you really don't want to run about 5 miles.  Or, do you?

The finish line for the 1st Half.  This is not the finish line for the 2nd Half.

Golden Gate Park at times is very pretty with all the trees, grass, and fresh air  Sometimes, it's hard to believe you are in a major city.  Eventually, you exit Golden Gate Park.

Exiting Golden Gate Park.

Because San Francisco is known for its hills, you really want to make up for the uphills by taking advantage of as many downhills as possible.  As I was picking up speed running downhill on Haight St., I was shocked when I got to Divisadero St.

Our race was stopped for traffic.  Note vehicle driving thru the cross walk.

I really couldn't believe it.  Us, runners, were stopped, so traffic could go thru.  I was NOT happy is an understatement, but I kept my head together to just keep moving ahead.

At one point, the course turned off near the new San Francisco Mint.

The new SF Mint.

The last hill of the SF Marathon and 2nd Half is around Mile 22.  Very glad some folks were cheering in this more deserted area of town. 

After being stopped for traffic during this race, a hi-five from the doggy made me much happier.

I believe doggy and kitty were part of the Sports Basement cheer squad.  Not too far away were the folks from lululemon.

The lululemon cheer squad was also on the course.  Thanks, lululemon!

If you are a baseball fan, running by AT&T Park, home of the SF Giants baseball team is definitely a highlight.

Upon approaching AT&T Park, do not be deceive.  The ballpark is farther away than it looks.

The race went by the Lefty O'Doul Gate.

After AT&T Park, the race heads to the finish and here's the finish ahead:

The 2nd Half (right) and Marathon finish line.

Chip:  2:36:41


I am very happy with my finish time.  This is a new personal record for me for this event as I was able to shave over 5 minutes off my time from the 2009 SF Marathon - 2nd Half.  Due to my work hours, I also wasn't able to train as much, so shaving off that much time made me incredibly happy.

On the other hand, I am not happy with being stopped for traffic in the middle of a race.

I also didn't see any gels on course during my race.

Half an Hour of Yoga

Got in 30 minutes of yoga while watching the Olympics.

I have to admit that watching all these Olympic swimming events does want to make me jump into a pool and just swim.

Guestimate calories burned:  90

Watching the Olympics and Yoga

I really enjoy watching the Olympics.  I managed to get in 30 minutes of yoga today while watching the Olympics.

Guestimate calories burned:  90

1st-Post San Francisco 2nd Half Marathon Run. August 1, 2012

Got in my 1st-post San Francisco 2nd Half Marathon Run this day.  Work schedules permitting, I am hoping to have a recap of my race up during this coming weekend (crossing my fingers).

Today, mentally and physically, I was tired from work and even had second thoughts on running this day.  At one point, I told myself, "Don't be silly.  I never felt bad after a run," and pushed myself outside.

4.33 hilly miles and some headwinds @ 0:53:30


After the run, sometime told me that I did too much for my recovery run.  But, my legs felt great.

Afterwards went to the gym for a 0:35:00 weights and abs workout.


Guestimate calories burned:  575

4.3 Miles with Some Hills

Got in 4.3 miles today.  It was hilly for the 1st 1.5 miles.  It wasn't fun going up them hills, but I know it has to be done.


4.3 @ 0:51:19


Afterwards went to the gym for some weights and abs workout.


Guestimate calories burned:  570

Howling Winds Lead to an Indoor Kinda of Day: 1 Hour Yoga

There's a storm system going thru.  The winds are howling, and I can hear the tree branches waving most of the day.

1 hour of yoga indoors

Guestimate calories burned:  180

A New Weight Low and 2.8 Hilly and Hot Miles. July 21, 2012

Occasionally, I show up for a run with a local sporting goods store.  Sometimes, it is out of my way, but at least this way, I get to run a route that I probably would not run on my own.

It was a hot one today.  Many folks, including myself, opted to run across along the shadier side of the street on the return portion of the route.

2.8 miles @ 0:33:52


Afterwards went to the gym for 30 minutes of weights and abs.

When I got on the scale, I was happy, thrilled and everything else.  My weight has hit a new low.  I haven't weighed that less in over a decade.


Guestimate calories burned for the day:  400

Half an Hour of Yoga

A little bit of this.  A little bit of that...

0:30:00
Guestimate calories burned:  90

4.2 Miles with Some Familar Faces

I use to have a running home where I would show up regularly after work for my runs.  But, due to some job changes, I was left running homeless for some time.

Work-wise, things have changed again, and it looks like I will be calling an older running home my running home once more.

Today, I felt sad, happy and thrilled to be able to see so many familiar faces.


4.2 miles @ 0:42:13 with some cable car hills and down hills

Afterwards, went to the gym for a 0:30:00 weights and abs workout.

It feels good to be home.

Guestimate calories burned:  540

My 1st Yoga Class: So That's What Those Poses Are

For some time, I have been watching many folks ferrying their yoga mats here and there, and I wanted to try a yoga class to see what's it about.  But, somehow, things in the universe never seem to align themselves.

My original plans for the day had changed at the last minute, and I had heard there was a free yoga class hosted by a local sporting goods store.  So, I thought, this could be the alignment in the stars I needed to try one out.


Here's what I learned from my 1st yoga class:
1) So that's what those poses are...  They included:  a) cat, b) cow, c) child, d) plank, e) cobra, f) downward dog, g) warrior, h) tree and i) side angle poses.
2) My attention span and yoga don't seem to be a match.
3) I realized my balance wasn't great at times, but I got a very good core workout.
and 4) I was so tired from working late last night, the yoga mat looked very inviting to take a nap on.

The yoga mat looked inviting for nap time.

Post-1st yoga class, I have to admit, I don't believe it's a match for me.  But, I am game to try things out a few times just to try learn something new.


Later this day, I got in 4 miles.

4 miles @ 0:45:23
Guestimate calories burned from yoga and running:  659

Original Yo-plait Calcium Levels Drop

I'm one of those folks who read the labels on food containers.

For a short while, I was consuming Original Yo-plait yogurt fairly often because the label says the yogurt meets 50% of one's daily calcium requirement, provided one consumed 2,000 calories per day.

Old Original Yo-plait meets 50% daily calcium level.

Recently, Original Yo-plait redid their packaging.  And, when I looked closer at their label, there was a noticeable drop in calcium.

New Original Yo-plait meets 20% daily calcium level.

As I get older I get more concerned with bones and bone issues.  Looks I will just go drink more milk instead.