4 times 4 is 16 miles that is...

The alarm clock went off at 5:30 this morning and I wished that I could sleep a bit more. This Saturday's training was moved to a 7 am start time due to the high miles. This is how it is going to be from now on. It's a good thing I stay in on Friday nights to rest up for our Saturday runs. I got my water bottle and my cliff bar shot blocks (so much better tasting than the liquid goo - I got margarita flavor with salt and "Razz" Berry.) Everyone was in good spirits as we started up the famous Cliff House hill and then back down towards the park. We ran past the large purple head "scuplture" in Golden Gate Park (photo above) and then past the Rose Garden. We changed the route up and were heading towards the Sunset and down towards Lake Merced and around the lake. One good thing about running through San Francisco is that is is a good way of exploring the city and checking out sights I would not normally see. We ran past Harding Park, the beautiful public golf course which hosted the American Express Open...I made a mental note to play the course after all this marathon training is over. Lake Merced or "the swamp" as a few of my fellow runners called it was a good visual distraction. Quite a few people were out running besides us. There were also a few teams of rowers on the lake / swamp. We also ran by the skeet shooting club...who knew we actually had a facility for that here in SF? Now I know. Once we got around the lake, we headed back towards Ocean beach to a wonderful view of the crashing waves and the smell of sea salt air. We were at 14 miles at this point and my right knee was starting to feel some pain. The lack of arch support (yes time for new running shoes) in my right foot at this point was causing me a bit of pain and discomfort. So the last two miles were the longest of the run so far as I was just trying to finish. I did make it and spoke with Coach John about my pains and he reiterated...time for new shoes. So off to go shop this week. This run was not as difficult as I thought it would be and I am happy I finished. After noshing on food, a few of us decided to brave the cold waters of Ocean Beach to "ice down" our tired and sore muscles. I could only stand the frigid cold water for about 5 minutes as my feet started going numb. Yes there is a reason the surfers are wearing wetsuits out there. Next week we go back down to 8 miles and then on September 8th we have the BIG 18 miler.

Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. - Henry Ford

14 miles and sore calves...

Today's run was intimidating not only for the length, but the sheer size of our group. It had doubled in size due to the East Bay folks training with us. So "Group Alberto Salazar" was not our normal manageable size of 10-12 but a whopping 21 folks. Needless to say we slit into two groups.
The run started out in typical form, through Golden Gate park and out around the Panhandle. Instead of our normal route, we ran past the tennis courts and headed out to the Sunset district, running down towards MLK drive and 25th ave. At this point I had wished I had utilized the last bathroom stop, as the next 5 miles was nothing but us and the pavement and shrubbery. It got to a point where I could not concentrate on my pace, so I ducked into the "foliage" with my fellow runner Heather on the lookout. So much for me thinking my body would absorb the excess water. This was definitely the hardest run to date. My left calf never got loose and I just did not feel that I got into my normal rhythm. Perhaps the size of the group threw me off...at mile 12 my fellow runner Cindy and I made a command decision to walk the last two miles back.
Coach John stopped us and asked how we were doing and I told him about my calf cramping up..."stop running now." Yes thank god...I seriously thought that I was going to tear something...yes this is what training is all about...no sense in getting hurt now with only 3 months left to go. Cindy was grateful as well as her knees were starting to bug her. So at least
we had a 2 mile cool down. No need to run into Ocean Beach and cool down our muscles, though
the water looked especially inviting as the city at 12 noon was about 69 degrees and sunny.
Training is getting more intense and I am trying to take everything in stride. I am happy with the progress I am making and it can only get better.

Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. - Edgar Allan Poe

Only 6 miles this week...who would have thought that I would be saying "only"

After the 12 miler last week, I was looking forward to our "light" run of 6 miles. The fog was thick this morning and the mist heavy out at Ocean Beach. We were informed that we would be running up the famed Cliff House Hill...thankfully only up to the Cliff House (not the infamous 7 miler where 3 miles were all uphill ) and then turning around and running along Ocean Beach. We were anxious to get going as it was FREEZING...so off we went up the hill a mile then turning around to take in the surfers out along ocean beach this morning. The pace was easy and the view awesome as we watched the waves crash along our run. It was a piece of cake and definitely a good run that was easy to do. Who would have thought that I would be saying "oh six miles...no problem" at the beginning of this training. Our group leader Todd suggests that we all get together on Tuesday and Thursday for our maintenance runs along Chrissy Field...I think this is a very good idea as we have our 14 mile run coming up next Saturday.
Am I nervous...nah, I just have to remember to eat enough during my run so I do not bonk...I stocked up on powerbars and cliff bars the other morning as Walgreens was having their 3 powerbars for $3 special...that was a deal. Till next week!

People who lean on logic and philosophy and rational exposition end by starving the best part of the mind. William Butler Yeats