Shorleine Run

With a new baby it is tough to update this blog as often as I would like.  However, I'm still getting runs in.  I thought I better post about last Saturday's run before I go out for this Saturday's run.

On the 9th, we had a flat run at Shoreline Park in Mountain View.  This route is close to my house (maybe 10-15 mins away).  I generally start at Stevens Creek Trial and run to Shoreline Park.  This time we started at shoreline and ran towards and in the wetlands.

A few people I run with were running a race on Sunday (the Angel Island run).  I considered signing up, but it was already sold out by the time I decided I might run it.  I was not completely committed so I did not feel bad about missing.  Since most of the runners had a race on Sunday, the run was only going to be 6 miles.  3 miles out and then back.  I planned to run 10 miles.

This was the spot of the horrible half marathon I ran last August.  I ran the Sankara iwalk.  The race started last and it was very, very hot.  After a few miles I had to start walking.  Someone that I normally run with also ran the race and ended up passing out.  This past Sat, unlike last August, the weather was nice and cool.  Just how I like it.

We ran out through the wetlands and enjoyed the views.  The 6 miles went really fast.  It is a major difference running a flat short course than many miles on hills.  It is nice to give your body a little break while still getting out there on a trail and enjoy nature.  Shoreline is more crowded than some of the other trails in this area but the paths are wide enough that you have plenty of room even if another group of runners are around.

After the 6 miles I continued along.  We ran back to the car and then I headed off from there.  I planned to go two miles towards Stevens Creek Trail.  About mile 7, I started having the urge to use the restroom!  I hate it when that occurs.  I decided that I should turn back because the nearest restroom was near my car (a mile away).  The problem with the Shoreline trail is that it is too crowed and you can't go behind a bush.  I started running back, but had to go very slow because my bladder wanted to explode.  I made it to mile 8 (it took a while to get there) where the restroom was located.  I then ran 1 mile in the direction I started and turned around to finish my 10 miles.  The last two miles I finished strong.  Overall, it was a nice run save for mile 7.

Here are a few pictures, as you can see it is very flat.

Here is a picture I took while running of the group:

First long run of 2010 - Done!

I was able to get out this Sat. for a long run.

I meet up with a couple of people for a run in Huddart Park and the Phleger Estate (in Woodside).

This run was going to be a 12 mile run.  We borrowed a run from the Palo Alto run club.  We met at a school about two miles away from the Park.  A few people wanted to run the two miles to the park.  Since the SV marathon in late Oct., I had not run greater than 8/9 miles so I was not keen on adding on another 4 miles (2 both ways).  We decided to drive to the park and those who wanted to run back to the cars could.

It was another great day for running.  At least for me, I like when it's nice and cool outside.  The first 6 miles were tough.  A lot of hills.  I believe the top was at 2100 feet.  Yet, the trial was great.  We ran into only a few other people out there.  There was one hiker that was rolling.  It took use a while to pull away from him.  Every though hill he seemed to catchup.  About mile 7 we had trouble finding the Loney Trial which would lead us back.  That added a little bit of mileage to our run.  A couple of hikers helped us find our way, otherwise the run might have turned out be significantly longer. We ended up running (some walking) about 12.5 miles.

My legs held up.  The first 6 miles I felt good and strong.  I was getting tired the second half.  Downhills tend to be harder on my knees.  Plus, it had been a while since I ran this far.  At the end, I was glad I drove into the park.  A few people ran the two miles back, while I gave a ride to another person. Overall, I'm very happy I was able to get out there.  It was a great run.  There are many trials and its easy to do shorter or longer runs.

Some general thoughts on the run:

1. Great trials.  The footing was solid and you have a lot of room to your selves.  The trails are well marked and with a map you can easily manage a long run without getting lost.  We had trouble finding 1 trail however, but I think that was more to use going from the Huddart Park and the Phleger Estate (two different parks).
2. There are a lot of trees which helps keep the rain the a min and also keep the trial shaded.
3. It does cost $5 to park, but you can park 2 miles away and get in an extra 4 miles.
4. It feels great to just run without having any race scheduled.  Getting out there and doing a long run just because you want to run makes the run very enjoyable.  You are not really worred about how far you go or time.  You are just running because you want to run.
5. I did think about Brooklyn alot during the run.

Here are some pictures:

Most of the trail was dirt, this part had some gravel.  It was very misty, but at times the sun shined through the trees.

This is me.  The phone is a bit blury.   This was about mile 5 (had just ran up another hill).

Another picture of the trial. Very isolated.

Happy New Year!

Hope everyone had a great new year and I wish you all the best in 2010!


Tomorrow Brooklyn will be two weeks old. It is an adjustment . . . living with a newborn. But, it is great. My New Year goal is simply to keep up running to some extent while I adjust to Brooklyn’s schedule and routine.

Getting running in is much harder. I have found that during the week shorter runs work best. I’ve tried to get about 3 runs in during the week between 3 and 4 miles each. I’ve mixed up the runs between the outdoors and the treadmill.

Last Sat., I was able to get out to Picchetti Open Space Preserve for a run. We started at Picchetti and then went onto the Fremont Older Open Space Preserve. I had to take Brooklyn to her first doctor’s appointment (well-visit) so I could only run for about an hour and a half. The rest of the group was going to run about 3 hours. I started with them and after 45 minutes turned around. It was great to be outside and enjoy two nice trial runs. The weather was great, it was nice and cool. A bit overcast. The main issue was making sure I did not get lost on the way back . . . one wrong turn and I’m late to Brooklyn’s appointment. Since the car seat is in my car, that means my wife would be very upset. Going out I was very careful to make sure I knew what trial I was on and each major turn we made.  I made it back in time without getting lost or being too slow on the turn trip.  Here are a few pictures.

This Friday, on New Years Day I was able to get out and run the Los Altos 5K run/walk. I had a PR with a time under 22 minutes. They did not have numbers, but they did have a clock. It was a very informal run. No numbers. No fees. It was four ½ laps in, near and around Los Altos Downtown. There were many walkers, which made it a fun family event. Yet, there were a number of serious and fast runners. I started with the lead pack but they were going at a 5/6 min pace and I had to fall off quickly. I ran it in a 7.22 pace. For a time of 21 minutes and 26 seconds. The problem is that my Garmin showed only 2.91 miles at the finish. I ran and kept pace until Garmin read 3 miles for a time of 22.05. Yet start to finish was 21 minutes and 26 seconds. I think the reason for the 2.91 miles is that runners stayed on the left and since there were a lot of walkers, we were on the far left. With just left turns (big loop), that cut off the distance . . . I think. So now I have to decide if this counts as a PR. I think so since it was a 5K and the time and distance was what they were. It was a great way to start the year.

Missed my Sat run, but I have a great excuse

My daughter was born on Saturday!

Her name is Brooklyn.

Last week I was able to get a run in on Monday and Wed.  Then, my wife had to be induced on Thursday.  Yes, Thursday . . . birth Sat.  After 49 hours my daughter was born at 1:06 pm on Sat.  I was suppose to run 10-12 miles at a trial in the South Bay.  Yet, I cannot think of a better reason to miss a run.

My wife and baby come home from the hospital on Wed so it has been a crazy week so far and I'm sure things will only get crazier (but also very exciting).  Yet, I did get a run in tonight (a short 4 miles) and I plan to get another run in on Wed.  Then, hopefully I can make it out for a trial run on Sat morning.  My wife gave me the option of going on a run or going to the 49er game (I have season tickets).  My choice was going on the run.

I'm so happy!  Brooklyn is my first child.

***sorry also for being behind in other blogs I read.

Wet, Cold and Muddy Run

First, I’m so far behind with reading the running blogs that I really enjoy reading. It has just been a crazy few weeks. Especially, preparing for the expected baby and family coming into town. I despise google reader at the moment because I feel so guilty everytime I go in there. I just can't get caught up.

However, with that said, I have done my best to get out there and run. I have been able to get a few short runs in during the week. And, last Sat., I met up with some people from my running group last summer for a run. We met at the Skyline Open Space Preserve and were going to run through the Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve.

I was really looking forward to the run.  As the weekend approached, however, I knew it would be a rough run.  It rained a lot on Friday and rain was anticipated on Sat.  It was cold and windy.  We exchanged e-mails on Friday and still planned to head out there for the run.  When we got there, it was cold, wet and windy.  Worse . . . it was muddy.  We arrived and debated for a few minutes on whether we should just leave and save the run for a better day.  However, we decided to attempt to run and the run started up this hill:

It did not go well.  We made it about .1, .2 if lucky and stopped.  It felt like our feet dropped in 1 foot of mud with each step.  It was cold and windy.  We walked back down the hill and considered calling it quits.  Yet, we saw another path that looked a little better and we headed out.  We stopped a couple of times and considered whether to go on or turn around.  We lost one on the way, but me and four others kept going.  Even though it was very cold (40s) and windy, we pushed on.  Here are some pictures:

We made it about 3 miles out and to the top of a hill (Borel Hill) and then decided to turn around.  The wind was nasty and the footing was getting worse.  The plan was to go either 7 miles or 11 miles but with the weather we were happy with how far we got.

I'm in the last picture.  As you can tell . . . I need Santa's help with winter running clothes.  I had to use my bike jacket, a regular hat and my bike gloves.  Last winter I was injured and could not run.  So I have very few winter clothes for running.  I've been a good boy, so I hope Santa helps me out.

The route back was very interesting.  There were a lot of running down hills and with the poor footing it lead for interesting moments.  No falls, but we were all over the place.  A few times it felt like I had no control of my feet they were going where they were going to go. Almost ran into bushes, someone in front of me, someone behind me and a few times came close to doing a face plant.  Yet, that made the run fun.

We decided to take a short cut back due to the conditions.  We ended up running about 5 miles. About 4.9 miles longer than what it looked like we were going to do.