Saddleback Memorial 5K 2007

Tristan, Rick and I arrived at the starting line with plenty of time. Tristan seemed relaxed and ready to go. We stretched and tried to stage as much as possible. It was a smaller race.

Neither Tristan or I have ever run a 5k, so I was feeling just a little bit of jitters myself. This would be over before I knew it. It was not the long drawn out battle of a marathon, but I wondered if I had the speed. Could I push a new rhythm for this race. I knew the marathon and the half marathon have different paces, so I imagined this one did, too. I thought it would be like a 2 minute punk song--manic and over before you knew it. What I got was something else.

Tristan, once the pack opened just slightly, kicked up his pace. He was flying the first mile. He was running at a lower six minute pace. He was pouring it on; I had a hard time keeping up with him. We lost Rick quickly. The two of us ran side by side. He pushed forward. Occasionally, he wanted to know how far we went. I kept him update. Mile One, Mile Two. It wasn't until after mile 2 that he started to really slow down. He developed a side cramp about mile 2.5 in.

We slowed our pace a bit and then tried to get back to our previous pace. We pushed hard. Trist was shot; still he worked. When I told him to push it, he told me to be quiet. He knows when he has had enough.

At the end, he finished 6th in the 12 and under group. I was 21st in mine. Rick was 19th in his.

Tristan and I finished side by side at 23:06.

Our pace was 7:26 minutes/mile.

We were the 202 and 203 finishers (the 141 and 142 males)


The day was cool--really perfect weather for a run. The event was fantastic and had a hometown feel. Good fast course--mostly downhill--through Laguna Woods. Definitely a race for next year.

5K Ready

Memorial Day

Tristan and I are getting prepped for our first 5K. We ate breakfast and put on our chips. He is drawing on our bibs. We are awaiting Rick's arrival.

All is in order. I have taken my morning "usual." We both carbo loaded on some cereal.

More after the race...

Wood Canyon Trail

Click Image to Enlarge

This is the Wood Canyon Trail. It is a favorite of mine because it is not that easy to get to. As a result, it keeps the low mileage joggers and the less dedicated runners off the course. Mountain bikers use it more than anyone, but on a weekday morning, it can be very lightly traveled. the reason it is hard to get to is the entrance to the actual park is 1.4 miles down a water district service road. The road and adjoining dirt trail are not very inviting. They are stark and without trees until near the park entrance.

This is usually an out and back run for me. The way in starts as a downhill course until it hits the park; then it becomes a steady uphill climb through the canyon. The canyon trail crosses Aliso Creek three times on the voyage. An old corral is along the trail.

A grove of oaks is one of my favorite spots--dark and peaceful after the sun and chaparral. The end of the course features two steep hills. I call them Butt Breaker 1 and Butt Breaker 2 because they make my gluts ache.

The downhill return run is great. It ends with a half mile of slight uphill grade. The result is a strong finish where you can really pump it and feel it.

The Canyon is a sweet ride.

May 25th Workout

On Friday May 25th, I ran Wood Canyon. I hadn't been in the canyon for months, so the experience was fresh.

The day was bright and sunny. I started the run at 12:20. It would have been hot without wind, but an afternoon breeze had picked up, rustling the sycamores and willows and making their long leaves and fresh branches into ribbons in the wind. The contrasts were startling--blue sky, bright new green leaves and brown grass from the current lack of rain.

Aliso Creek was low but still flowing. The oaks at the end of the trail near the Butt Breaker hills were their shadowy, comfortable selves.

I tried to keep a consistent 8:30 pace, but I kept fluctuating my speed. I am working on pacing and finding it a challenge. At the start of a run, I want to go too fast. The Garmin 305 has been helping me with this.

Other interesting observations: There is something creepy about running with a vulture circling above you. I know it wasn't for me, but as it searches for food, itis a little spot of death in the air--all black with a blood red head. Thankfully I spotted a red tail hawk a little while later--hawks are anything but death. They are somehow life.

Two mountain biker riders passed me a few yards (probably thirty) before Butt Breaker 1. I caught them and passed them on the hill. Raw human energy defeats mechanical contraption. Sorry boys! Then I put some distance between us. They caught me again in the flat between the Butt Breakers, but the ascent up Butt Brreaker 2 was another victory of man over machine. I hauled by them breathing hard and smiling as they struggled to keep their bikes up right. They never caught me. They stopped at the rest area near the top of the hill while I tagged the park gate, hit my lap button and began my descent through the canyon.

Vital Stats:

9.22 miles total
Total Ascent: 1230 ft.
Total Descent: 1233 ft.
155 Heart beats per min. average
181 Heart beat max.
8:26 average pace/mile
7.1 mi/hr average speed
10.9 mi/hr max speed
1436 calories burned

Tristan's Training Course

Click on the picture to see the course in detail.

This is the route that Tristan(my 11 year old) and I have taken to prepare for the 2007 Saddleback Memorial 5K.

It is Tristan's first road race. This course has enough hills to be a challenge, yet it has enough flat surfac to get a good run in.

When I first started running, this was the path I took as I built up my mileage.

I enjoy taking with Tristan as he starts his journey as a runner.

The course gets tough from Valencia Hill to Home Stretch. It is all uphill. Tristan runs it with the dedication of a true distance runner. He has the right make up for the task.

We start uphill from "the Compound." and then work our way downhill to Turtle Park. We wind around the park to a fire road and run past the spot where watch fireworks on the Fourth of July. From there, we hit the dirt for 3/4 of a mile and challenge Power Tower Hill, a steep but short climb. Then, it is downhill to El Conejo and the shade of the trees. Once, we pass that spot, we hit the concrete and asphalt working our way through a neighborhood. We come out on Paseo de Valencia and begin a long up hill climb that includes La Paz. The course ends with downhill trip through the neighborhood and an uphill .2 of a mile to "the Compound."

It is 2.84 miles.

Shout Out for Jimbo

Jimmy,

Are you reading this blog? I'm giving you a shout out, my lovely flower, for being a great friend. Thanks for the 505 (hamburger combo) at John's and the ecard for my birf-day.

You really started me on my GPS addiction. Did you see my mapping yet? Check out the routes I'm placing in here.

And stay a good animal, brawtha.

Alicia/ Aliso Creek/La Paz/ Oso Loop

This course runs through Laguna Hills and Aliso Viejo, CA.















It is my favorite half marathon loop. It is 13.1 miles and includes hilly terrain. There are extended ascents and descents. The journey is along the Aliso Creek Trail is always good because of its slow decline over miles. I love this route.

Running Music

Music is an essential part of my run. I vary it frequently. Here are my favorite running mp3s at the moment.

• Your Favorite Worst Nightmare by Arctic Monkeys

The first three tracks are amazing for running. Good driving beats and some great lyrics. Check out "Brian Storm," "Teddy Picker," and "D is for..." the rest of the Cd is good but not pure running tracks. These get the legs moving.

• The entire Apples in Stereo disc New Magnetic Fields. Great upbeat stuff.

• I am into a strong dance type beat as I run so I have been enjoying The Sunlandic Twins and Satanic Panic in the Attic by Of Montreal while I run.

• Finally, I enjoy listening to Steve Runner's Phedippidations when I run. Thinking about running while running is a pleasure.