Santa Monica - Part Deux

So, our run started out really well. The ocean breeze was wonderful, and the view gorgeous along the ocean. The "boardwalk" (which was made of concrete and asphalt) was not crowded at all. We got to Venice Beach pretty quickly, and had some shade from the buildings along the beach. One of the buildings we passed was the "Shul on the Shore", which was right next to a "Sexeteria". (Shul is Yiddish for synagogue.) Later we passed some tiny tennis courts. I had to stop to ask what they were playing - they called it "paddle tennis" sort of a cross between Ping Pong and tennis. It looks something like "platform tennis". Here's a link: http://www.platformtennis.org/info/index.shtml.

We had a lot of fun run/walking along the beach. Then we turned to go down to the marina and we lost the ocean breeze. It got pretty hot, and we got lost once. We were happy to turn around and go back to the beach, but then I got an ankle split (kind of like shin splits, only it was just one ankle). We ended up having to walk the last 3-4 miles or so, but we still made 11 miles. On our way back we passed "Muscle Beach" (you know - where Arnold Schwarzenegger got his start). We didn't see many muscle men, mainly just tourists posing for pictures on the machines! We made it back to the hotel and were able to rest for several hours and shower.

11 Miles in Sunny Santa Monica!

Well, I had to travel to Santa Monica for business and was going to miss our 11 mile group run - so I brought my trusty running partner (and coincidentally also my husband) along for the trip. He entertained himself Friday while I was at work, and then Saturday morning the two of us set out for our 11 mile run/walk. Here's a link to the course that I picked: http://funonfoot.fileburst.com/routes/USLA1.pdf. You'll note that the course is 5.7 miles one way.

The backdrop to this ... I missed BOTH of my training runs (30-45 minutes) during the previous week. One due to sheer tiredness, and the other because my luggage did not arrive with me Wednesday, so Thursday morning I had no running shoes or clothes. By the time my luggage came Thursday I was already at work. Sigh ....

Note to self - it's not a good idea to run 11 miles, when you haven't run at all for a week. What happened, you may ask? Read on MacDuff.

Not too late to donate (ignore July 5 deadline)

Folks:

Apparently there are some references to a July 5 deadline for donations in the forms.

Don't pay any attention to it!

We can accept donations through the end of the year, but the race is Labor Day Weekend. Thanks for helping us and helping Whitman Walker Clinic.

If you can't donate, then please just wish us well.

Three is much less than ten

Ran our "home loop" of about three miles this morning.

Seemed very short after Saturday.

--Michael

Ten miles

Saturday dawned with great running weather: cool, dry, and not too sunny.

I know this because in order to make our 7 AM run start, we had to get up in time to see it.

But we did it! We ran 10 miles. That's the farthest I've ever run. It's farther than I had ever considered running at one stretch.

And, it wasn't even too bad -- we were tired, but our 9 mile run the week before seemed more taxing. I think it was due to the weather -- last week was kind of hot and sunny and that just sucked the life out of us and our pace groups.

However, the rest of weekend has been spent almost catatonically. (I'm also getting over a bit of a tummy bug, so I particularly didn't feel like doing very much.)

From this point on, we alternate long runs (10, 11, 12, 14 miles) with shorter (5 or 6 miles, I forget) to give our bodies longer to recover. So, a couple steps back next week, and then onward to the half marathon!

--Michael

Dynamic Duo!

On the 4th of July Michael and I ran (and walked together). We ran for about 45 minutes (our loop down Forest Glen, Sligo Creek parkway, and back up Dennis Avenue to home). During my training runs during the week I've been training at Michael's pace group's rate (run one minute/walk two minutes), so we were able to train together pretty easily. It's nice to run with your spouse!

Week 9 - Great Weather, Not so great run

Our pace group has dwindled to three people. We were in high spirits when we started off on our nine mile run. It was sunny, but not too hot with low humidity. We LOVED our new bathroom/water stop (mile 4.5) - we stopped at Thompson's Boat House in Georgetown for real bathrooms (not Port-a-Potties) and free ice! We all filled our water bottles with ice.

We did pretty well until about mile 6. One member of our pace group got shin splints, and another person was just exhausted and couldn't run anymore. We decided that it was probably heat exhaustion. Next week she'll bring a hat and sunglasses. I was just as glad to stop running, because my hips were getting sore. I usually get a sore hip (or hips) in the last few miles of the run. Stretching it every day helps, as does my weekly yoga class.

Anyway ... despite the great weather we had a difficult run. Here's hoping next week is better!