I love running, and enjoy any opportunity I have to share running with my family. I try to encourage them only and not shove it down their throats. When BoBo decided that he didn’t want to do another 10K with me (at least not this one), I didn’t push any further. I considered doing the 10K on my own. It would serve as both another opportunity to race, as well as a way to get another number to gauge my training success. I threw that idea out, and asked YaYa if he wanted to join me and run his first running race. YaYa said, “yes” and I had a date for the race.
Archives for September 2006
Eventful Weekend Running
My chance to redeem myself against BoBo in a 10K race did not turn out. He actually didn’t *want* to run. But YaYa DID. Sharing in YaYa’s first running event was something that I didn’t want to miss out on. We ran together and I was so proud of his determination. It was a big event for him, but you will have to visit his blog for his race report. Way to go YaYa!
Saying “Hello”
This morning, instead of heading off to work, I drove in the opposite direction towards Monterey. My van was packed with everything that I needed for a long run and the couple of handfuls of ashes that have sat on top of my refrigerator for the past many months. It was a beautiful day as I drove past the agricultural area and into the fog of the Monterey County.
I got teary eyes a couple of times, but mostly I felt good. I realized that I’ve spent the majority of the past year feeling robbed that I never got a chance to say “good-bye” to Papa. The plan was to carry the ashes on the long run and possibly say good-bye to them if it felt right. I figured 8 miles out ought to do it.
As I got off the freeway in Pacific Grove, I saw runners immediately. I pulled into the parking lot and began my preparations. I asked a couple the directions to run towards 17 mile drive. When they found out I was running (not cycling) they said that I should park much closer. Of course I didn’t listen to them.
I began the run at a nice easy pace. I was willing to go 10 miles out if I needed to for the spot that felt right. I didn’t quite know what to expect. My fuel belt was loaded. I had my cell phone, my iPod, 2 GU gels, a snack bar, my epi-pen, and the keys to the van. In my hand was a large white container (1/3 full) of the ashes.
Taking It In
It’s a lazy day. I’m sitting at a park sitting inside my van just taking it all in. YaYa is within my sights. He is at his soccer practice. Its one day late for soccer and one day early for my rest day.
As I sit here, I watch a threesome as they run laps around the park. The park is small so they pass by frequently. I watch them as they warm up; they move slowly and steadily. Soon they are picking up the speed. They breathe hard and their faces turn red in color as they run past. From my van, it looks boring. They persist. They put one foot in front of the other and just keep on moving. I know tomorrow, on-lookers may see me and think the same thing. B-o-r-i-n-g. But it won’t be boring at all for me.
On the field, YaYa takes the ball and dribbles up the field. His feet know the drill. His feet are more familiar with the drill then those of his teammates, and more familiar than they were just a few weeks back. Kick-Run-Kick-Run…
800 – Rest – Repeat
I thought of taking it easy today. I considered skipping the run altogether. But, I hit the road with Garminia and myPod. I hadn’t set Garminia up for Yassos, but after running the first mile, I was indeed “warmed up.” Today is Wednesday and that means 800 repeats.
I ran my first 800 (or 1/2 mile) repeat a little on the slow side. I forgave myself, because I *was* doing them. Regardless of the outcome, I planned to give it my best effort.
Since I had ditched Mark for the day, I didn’t have to hear him caution that too much speedwork is “how you get injured.” I have been doing Yasso’s since the beginning of the year, so I plan to work up to 10. But I know that in order to fit that many repeats into a 7-8 mile workout, something will have to give. At least this is the case for a lunchtime run.
I decided that I would rest only for a measured distance of 1/4 mile so that I could do more 800s in my 7 mile run.
It was a good plan in theory, however I found that reduced recovery time equates to a reduced level of recovery. Imagine that! *sigh*
After three repeats came up just slightly short of my 3 minute 50 second goal, I altered the plan slightly. I walked for 1 full minute prior to jogging for the remainder of the 1/4 mile. It gave me recovery times of about 2:50. This is one minute less than true Yasso’s call for (with my targetted 3:50 time). But, it was just enough to finish out pretty much on target.