Groupon: The Rave Run 5k, Santa Clara Fairground, Santa Clara, CA.

Every now and then, a running event comes along that sounds like a lot of fun to get in on.

Here's one where music, lights and dancing afterwards might be a whole lot of fun.

The Rave Run 5k

Just $22 for Nighttime 5K Light-Show Entry with T-shirt, Glow Gear, and After Party on Saturday, May 11 (Up to $60 Value).

The Fine Print:

Expires Apr 27, 2013

Limit 1 per person, may buy 4 additional as gifts. Limit 1 per visit. Registration required by 4/27. Must sign waiver.

Limited availability.

To get in on this deal, click here and make sure you are in the Groupon San Jose, CA area.

For more info. on The Rave Run 5k, click here.

Have fun out there!

Starbucks Run

Today was the last day of the buy 1 lb Starbucks whole bean coffee, get a $5 gift card.

So, I ran to a Starbucks, downed a complimentary tall coffee, then ran away with 1 lb coffee and a $5 gift card.

My finisher "schwag."

And, yes, it was awkward, trying to run holding 1 lb of coffee.

Guestimate distance and calories burned:  6.15 miles @ 1:16

20 Miles with Mission Athletecare 50 SPF Review

Easy wog as I had finished the 30th Kaiser Half Marathon (SF) just last weekend.

Near the end, I had some "dark" miles in a literal sense; I need to bring a headlamp.

I forgot to sunblock my lips.  Hopefully, they won't be dried out and flaky the next couple of days.

I also tried out a different sunblock / sunscreen this time out.  Although, I use Neutrogena sunblock regularly in the past, I broke out in hives the last time I used it.

In hindsight, my 20 miler today wasn't as bad as I thought it would be going in.

20 miles @ 4:29

Mission Athletecare 50 SPF

My Mission Athletecare 50 SPF is from a continuous spray bottle.  It is sweat resistant and even showering afterwards, some of it is still on me.  I am pretty happy I didn't break out in hives.

For those who don't like fragrance, proceed with caution.  The sunscreen does have a noticeable smell.  The smell didn't bother me.  It may or may not bother you.

For more information about Mission Athletecare, click here.

Very Hard to Say No to Five Guys Burgers and Fries

Who doesn't love burgers?

But, I don't love the fat that comes with them.

I went by a Five Guys Burgers.  The smell of burgers being cooked was begging me to, "Just come on it and have one."

I heard great things about their burgers except for the nutritional content.

Very hard to say, "No."

I then recalled the nutritional value I had looked up recently.  A cheese burgers stands at 840 calories.  500 calories is from fat.  It has 55 grams of fat.

I just kept on walking.  But, it was very hard to walk away.


For the nutritional value from Five Guys Burger, click here.

The 2013 30th Kaiser Permanente Half Marathon (SF): My Review. Event Date: February 3, 2013

Going in to the Kaiser Permanente 1/2 Marathon (SF), I was very concerned.  January 2013 had not been a kind month.  I had a weak mileage base.  I ramped up my mileage and was experimenting with different running shoes and shoe inserts; all of which together caused ITB issues, which I usually don't experience.

It was depressing.  I use to easily put in 8 milers without any issues.  And, suddenly, I was dogged with ITB issues as early as Mile 2.  The scary part was not knowing when it would all go away.

The lighting for most of the race wasn't great for pics.  It seemed the best pics would have been taken from the other side.

Pre-Race:  the Start.

The first mile is pretty congested, but the road does widen out.

The Conservatory of Flowers.

The race leaves Golden Gate Park and goes thru the Panhandle.  There isn't a whole lot to see.

The DMV.  License renewals, registration, etc.  Oh, wait...  I forgot this was Sunday.

 The race eventually turns back into Golden Gate Park before heading out to Ocean Beach.

One of the buildings in the Japanese Tea Garden.

Another building in the Japanese Tea Garden.

It was a very nice day to run.  It was not too hot, and the sun was up.

Somewhere in all that glare is the California Academy of Sciences.

The race then made a left turn, and what happened next felt like Ground Hog Day.

We ran back to the start area, going under the arch, out and back the other way.

The race headed towards the fastest mile down hill.

We then went by the pretty Rainbow Falls.

After zooming down hill during the fastest mile of the race, I was very happy my ITB issues didn't flare up.

We went by the Northwest Windmill.

The race turned onto the out and back portions on the Great Highway.  Beware of the potholes.

While running on the Great Highway, one can enjoy the lovely ocean views.

We then went by the San Francico Zoo.  Fortunately, no lions and tigers were on the loose.

The race then turned back into Golden Gate Park, towards the Finish.

Finally, the Finish.

I was beyond thrilled just to finish without any ITB issues.  My worst fears along the way were that I would get hobbled by ITB issues and have to walk the rest of the way, battling course closures and the course time limit running out.

I was OK with the course.  Nothing stands out to wow me back to running it again, again and again.

For this year, the event organizers brought back the bling for their 30th running.  Several years ago, for one year, they awarded finisher medals to only the 1st - 6,000 finishers, and the year after that, they eliminated finisher medals completely.

My bib and bling.

Next year is a question mark whether or not finisher medals will be awarded.

Wog on, running peeps!

6.19 Miles; ITB Issues Are Now Gone

Last month (January 2013), I had ITB issues, which flared up during some of my runs.  It was miserable and depressing.  I use to knock out up to 8 miles easily, and I was hobbled by ITB issues as earliest as Mile 2 during some of my runs.  The biggest fear was not knowing when and if all the issues would go away.

I suspect it was due to ramping up mileage too quickly on a poor mileage base and experimenting with different running shoes and shoe inserts.

The mileage is now back up, and I've pretty much settled on the running shoes and inserts.  After several runs, including Super Bowl Sunday's Kaiser Permanente 1/2 Marathon (SF), I am so relieved the ITB issues have gone away.

6.19 miles @ 1:18


Very happy to be out there today.  Legs didn't feel too trashed from the Kaiser Permanente 1/2 Marathon (SF), I wogged along on Super Bowl Sunday, 3 days ago.

Happy National Pancake Day!

Every year, International House of Pancakes (IHOP) holds a fundraiser on National Pancake Day.  The pancakes are free, and guests are asked for a donation towards charity.

And, every year, I would love to stop by one.  The only problem is that there isn't one near me.

So, I have to make my own pancakes.

My Homemade Blueberry Pancakes.

Happy National Pancake Day!

Kicking Off 2013 with 8.17 Miles

Colds and fever are currently gone (knock on wood).

I pushed myself outside for a slow and easy.

8.17 Miles @ 1:48:02

Net calories burned:  682


Happy New Year, Everyone!

Sidelined with a Fever. December 23, 2012

Lately, healthwise, things hasn't been going very well.

Last month, I caught a cold.  I eventually recovered.

This month, I caught a cold.  I eventually recovered.

Now, I caught a fever.  When I tried to fall asleep, I knew something was terribly wrong.  My hands and feet felt icy cold even though I had a comfortable layer of goose down over me.

A fever of 100.6 F.

Now, I am sick with a fever.

Too Much Pizza. December 21, 2012

I know I am blessed that my workplace provided so much food when so many are going empty elsewhere, but I really fell off the eating wisely bandwagon.

Over 2 meals, I woofed down either 6 or 7 slices of pizza over the course of a day.

Carbo loaded and then some.

I better find time to get my runs in.

Wogged 16.06 Miles. December 19, 2012

Very happy to be out and about after having not one but two colds over a several week period.  It was no fun sitting on the bench.

Wogged 16.06 miles.

For the first several miles, my legs felt out of sync.  Things didn't feel like they clicked in until Mile 8.

The change of seasons was evident.  By the time, I got to Mile 15, my hands were extremely cold.

Note to thyself:  Bring gloves.


16.06 miles @ 3:37:26

Net calories burned:  1,007

4.05 Miles with a Cold

I still have a cold.  At times I am congested, and a box of tissue is still my best friend.

Today, I pushed myself out the door for an easy run, but it wasn't easy.

By the time, I was finished.  My nose was stuffed and needed ablowing.  Note to thyself:  Take tissues next time out.

4.05 miles @ 0:52:12

Calories burned:  397

Sick with a Cold Again

Ugh...  I just recovered from a cold recently and here we go again.

The nose is running.  I am coughing, and a box of tissue is my best friend again.

I had to nix a run today.

What Happens When You Don't Train for a Marathon: My Double Dog Dare Marathon Report, September 25, 2012

Sometimes, you have to make do with what you have.  But, in doing so, be careful and don’t get injured.

I signed up for the no frills, low key Double Dog Dare Marathon just to see what would happen.

Going in, my training had been lacking.  My mileage base has been fading more on the half marathon distance than the marathon, but I decided to give it a whirl.  As they say, you won’t know until you try.  If things feel bad, just slow down and if necessary, just stop and live to run another day.

I am use to completing half marathons, so the first 13.1 miles went by without much of a hiccup.

Mile 14 – It always feels weird, thinking that the finish was back at 13.1 miles instead.

Mile 15 – I am still running and walking along.  My legs are definitely feeling some wear over the distances covered.

Mile 16 – My legs are starting to feel tighter and tighter.

Mile 17 – The wheels starting to fall off.  One of my IT bands started to bother me.

Mile 18 – My walk breaks became more frequent and longer to give one of my IT bands a longer break.

Mile 19 – I took it easy, thinking that I will pick up things during Mile 20 and onwards.

Mile 20 – I tried to pick up the pace, but by the time I reached Mile 21, my pace just wouldn’t hold.

Miles 21 and 22 – The marathon shuffle kept going.  I kept shuffling along and giving frequent walk breaks, but my legs felt tired, often tight.  One of my IT bands got increasingly unhappy.

Mile 23 – One of my IT bands says, “We’re done.”  I literally can feel my knee area being pulled each time as I tried to run.  The pulls felt bigger and bigger each time when I tried to run.

Mile 24 to the Finish – I’m now on “Please just be able to walk or crawl across the finish line.”

Mile 26.2 - Oh, no...  The course went long.

Finish – I was so glad I was able to walk across the finish and that it was over.

It was ugly, but I did it.

My Double Dog Dare Marathon "bling" is the most cutest bling I had ever received.

Hours later after I got home, I sat down in a chair.  To my shock, when I tried to get up, I was not able to.  It seemed my leg with the IT band issues must have cramped up.


In hindsight:  Although things were ugly, I don't regret going out and trying to complete this marathon.  I really learned a lot from this one.

Chipotle: Spend $30 or more on a gift card, Get a Burrito or Something Else Back

I have to admit I have a weakness for Chipotle burritos and bowls.  I finally made it into a Chipotle and plunked down $30 for a gift card.  I not only get a gift card for my $30 but a free burrito or bowl on my next visit with my receipt.

Spend $30 or more on a gift card, get a burrito or something else.

What are you waiting for?  Run to your nearest Chipotle.

For a Chipotle near you, click here.

Free food item must be redeemed by 1/31/13.

I am Honored to Be a Guinea Pig: Thorlo Experia Socks; 8 Miles

Look what arrived in my mailbox the other day...

Thorlo Experia Socks

I am very honored to be selected to product test and review a pair of Thorlo Experia Socks for RW Pacesetters.

I went on an unplanned 8 miler in them.

8 miles @ 1:41:25

No fluids.  No gels.  And, unfortunately, no headlamp.  It was pretty dark for a few miles that I had to slow down because I couldn't see that far ahead of me.

Calories burned:  802

Recovering from a Cold; Product Review: New Balance 890v2. November 10, 2012

I spent the last week recovering from a cold and a couple of nosebleeds.  Unfortunately, I had blown my nose too many times over the past week I ended up with a couple of nosebleeds along the way.

I am glad my sniffles have stopped, and I was able to make my way over to a local running event, where New Balance shoes can be road tested.

I had been hoping they have a version of the 1080, a neutral, cushiony shoe but alas they didn't.  They had the 890v2, so 890v2 it is for the road test.

Lightweight and neutral New Balance 890.

I went out on an easy 5k in them along the concrete jungle of some even and not so uneven asphalt areas.  They were not too bad on the hard concrete areas; I had feared worse on those surfaces.  They were considerably lighter than the Asics Gel Nimbus 14 I usually run in.  The turnovers seem quick and easy.

All in all, a nice, lightweight shoe if I like 5ks or even 10ks, but for half marathons or longer, I'd stuck with my Asics Gel Nimbus.


For more info. on New Balance shoes, click here.

Rats! I Caught a Cold

Sniff, sniff, literally.  I caught a cold and had to take a day off from work.  I am itching to go outside for a short run, but it doesn't feel good when my nose is on a run on its own.

Will try to get in some yoga indoors later.

Rebuilding: 8.04 Miles in the Fog, Cold and Mist

My work schedule seemed to have calmed down (knock on wood), so I will try to rebuild my running base and try to blog more regularly.

The last 4 weeks have been crazy.  I didn't get to train much but completed the following 3 events:

09/25/12 - Double Dog Dare Marathon
10/07/12 - Rock 'n Roll San Jose Half Marathon
10/14/12 - Nike Women's Half Marathon


I am very happy to have just been out there and completed the aforementioned events.  More tidbits soon regarding how each of those went.

-----

For today, 8.04 miles in the fog, cold and mist.

Downed an Accel Gel from a box of Accel Gels I had won in a raffle a few months back.

Net calories burned:  682

8.16 Miles and Yoga

Finally, my work schedule has eased up a bit.

Got in 8.16 miles.  Was underfueled.  Legs still felt out of sync.  But, I know that if I keep going, things will fall back into place.

8.16 miles @ 1:40:08


Also, got in 30 minutes of yoga while watching TV.


Guestimate net calories burned:  762