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.

Happy Thanksgiving and Turkey Trot 5K Race Report

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  Here are some things that I'm thankful for:

1. My wife who is awesome and never gets in the way of my running. She always supports me in anything I do. She is also unreal to be carrying a baby for already 34 plus weeks.
2. My baby on the way.  I can't wait for her to come (due date Jan 4th) and cannot wait to take her on runs (already have the stroller).
3. My family. Especially my mom and sisters who are always there to support me.
4. My job that I really love and enjoy.
5. The ability to run.  Even though I'm slower than I like, it is such a blessing to just be able to get out there and run (some people due to injuries or disabilities can't).  I don't really understand why I stopped running for maybe 6 or 7 years.  I think I just used the excuse of "too busy" and did not take out the time to run. I'm glad I changed that thinking.
6. that although my left knee still gets sore, it holds up and lets me run.
7. My pets (Jake and Jenny, the dogs and Kobe, the cat).  I love them so much.
8. All my friends.  Friends and family make my life is so much more enjoyable.
9. Running groups.  I'm thankful for the people I met in my running group.  They made training and running the last marathon so much more enjoyable.
10. Running blogs.  I enjoy reading other running blogs.  I find it interesting to hear other running experiences.  I learn and get motivated by other blogs.  I also enjoy writing on my blog.  It helps me stay accountable and feel part of a running community.

On to the Race Report:

I ran the Silicon Valley Turkey Trot this morning.  Since I took a month off after the marathon, I only ran the 5K.  I was able to get three runs in before (all about 3.1).  The first two runs were slower pace, but the last one on Tuesday I ran at a 8:29 pace.  I was not sure what to expect as far as time for the 5K.  I made a goal of under 26 minutes.  However, I was meeting two co-workers there and was planning to run with them for at least the first mile or 2.  I was not sure what pace they wanted to keep.  One of my co-workers sent an e-mail in the morning that he could not make it because family came early (I think he might have woke up late). My other co-worker met me by the bib pickup.  I picked up my bib a few days early, he had to pick his up.

There were so many people there about 8-11K I guess (hard for me to tell), but it was packed.  I did not expect that many.  Here are a couple of bad pictures that my iphone took:

It was very difficult to get in line.  I had to stand off to the side with tons of other people because the street was packed.  There was no room on the street.  What was great is that I ended up standing next to someone in my running group (he is running CIM and was out with his young son).  I wished him the best.  I was able to touch base with him until the race started.

It took us over 4 minutes to get to the start.  My co-worker, Will, was planning to run next to me.  I wanted to run in under 26 minutes but I forgot my Garmin.  Can you believe that?  I was already well on my way to San Jose when I realized I left Garmin at home.  I had my iphone to check the time, but it is sure not the same.  How could I forget Garmin . . .

The first mile was madness.  It was zig zag trying to get around people.  I guess 50% of the people ignored the pace signs and just stood as close to the front as possible.  There were many walkers who I had to somehow try to get around.  Yet, that sort of makes it very fun.

The first mile went well.  I felt good. I had no concept of pace.  I tried to run hard, without going all out.  I also tried to keep it at a pace that Will could do.  I could tell it was difficult for him to keep up, but he was doing a really good job at staying with me.  I did not want to go faster since he told me that it was getting tough to keep up.  The course remained crowed the entire way, but after I got passed the walkers, it was easier to keep a steady pace.

For mile 2 I slowed down (or tried to) so that I would not lose Will.  He would fall a little behind and then push forward to catch up (or I would slow down a little).  At the mile 2 marker I checked my iphone and it seemed I was about 17 or so minutes (mile 2 was a bit slower).  I talked to Will and told him that I wanted to pick up the pace for the last mile and asked if that was okay.  He said to go a head.  I was a bit unsure if I should stay with him (I did invite him to the race), but it is a race!  Since he seemed okay with me going a head, I took off.  I think I ran the last mile about a 7 min pace.

I came in under 30 minutes.  Minus the 4 minutes that it took me to get to the start line, then I did it under 26 minutes.  My goal!  I'll have to wait for the race results to know my time.  I wish I would have brought my Garmin.  I don't think this was a PR.  About 9 years ago (before I stopped running) in my only other 5K, I think I ran faster.  I can't remember the time. I thought 20/21, but maybe 23/24.  So maybe this is my modern PR.

I waited at the finish for Will to arrive.  It was a great way to start a long weekend!  I love races (when I run good)!