Running In The Rain

The Las Vegas Rock "n" Roll marathon was supposed to be my last 2010 race but my wife urged me to run this local event for the free christmas tree,  It's been raining since thursday and I didn't decide to run till 6:00 am today (Sunday). I am glad that I ran for it's fun running in the rain. It's wet, cold, windy and some portion of the route was flooded but its fun.  I also had the opportunity to meet some of the local elite runners in my age group(65-69).  Oh boy .....  these guys got some wheels. I look like a newbie/old man compared  to these guys(they are 2 years younger).

The race was held at the big & beautiful regional park in Long Beach  located along the San Gabriel River.  This is my favorite training venue.  The event is called Winter Solstice Christmas Tree 5 Miles Run.




5K run/walk Happy Campers




 With stronger knees, I now shuffle with a little bounce.
Distance - 5 Miles
Finish Time - 42:19
Pace - 8: 27

 

Wet but happy with my little Christmas Tree

Las Vegas Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon Recap

 Dec 3.   Leave Long Beach, CA for Las Vegas  Rock 'n' Roll event. Friday's traffic was still light on  I-15 and it's a good drive to Las Vegas, Nevada.



View from a Mandalay Hotel room.  Finish / Start line is a block away from
Mandalay.  From this room, I can see Las Vegas Blvd which is the main route of the event.

 

Dec 4.   Pick up my bib & swag bag at the Sand Expo. Lots of vendors and freebies. Before the Expo,  I did a 2 miles easy run along the strip to remind body & mind that old Arthur is ready to rock. 



Dec 4.  Dined with the Kings at the Pasta Party.  About 2000 people  attended the Pasta Party.  Highlight of the entertainment was the performance of   6 to 12 years old Fil Am hip hop dancers. 



Dec 5  The Big Day.  I was assigned at Coral #23 (expected finish time - 2:30).  The finish time I put on the registration was 2:10 but because of the big number of participants (about 30,000), I was bumped to this coral.  I snuck though in Coral # 21.



And the race was on!!!  It took 30 minutes from the Gun Time  before my Coral was released.  I ran as fast as I could to put  distance from the rest of the herds.  For the next 6 miles have to run around slower runners. As, I was losing some valuable seconds and determine to set a new PR, started cutting in front of other runners. I stopped running around to find space, I just ran straight thru openings.  THIS WAS STUPID MOVED, IT'S UNSAFE AND  I AM NOT PROUD OF IT.  I was also cut by faster runners and was not happy about it.  I will not do it again.  At my age, safety and fun should come  first ..... but it sure feel good to kick some young arses. Next time, I will just pad my expected finish time. Overtook  the 2:15 pacer and a Group of Elvis belting rock n roll songs at the old strip (Fremont district).  At mile 10 and with the Mandalay tower in sight, I checked my Garmin  and knew that I was on target for a new PR ..... but the sub 2 hrs will remain just  a dream. Crossed the Finnish line at 2:02:15



Post Celebration.  In my 3 years of running, the Las Vegas event was the most gratifying ",  not because of the PR, but because of what I felt after the race.
Felt good that, I hung around for hours to watch Bret Michael concert.
Felt good that, I watched The Lion King without dozing off.
Felt good that, I played Black Jack till 2:00am.
Felt good that, I did a 2 miles recovery run along the strip before driving back home.

I believe that the training  and my first marathon last October made all these possible.


I will get this Special Heavy Medal for Running 2 Rock 'n' Roll -half marathon in 2010. 

Vegas Rock 'n' Roll Teaser by SeniorRunner



Las Vegas Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
December 5, 2010

Participant Detail  :   Arthur Laforteza
Finished In:    02:02:15
BIB # 23480

Long Beach, CA

Age: 68

Gender: M

Overall: 4299 out of 19169 ·

Division: 6th out of 85 ·

Gender: 2608 out of 7252

Pace                    9:20

5 Km                 27:43      

10 Km               56:15           

10 Mi              1:32:35    

 ChipTime      02:02:15        

 ClockTime    02:32:11

After the Race



Rock "n" Roll in Las Vegas



Las Vegas Blvd will be closed on Dec 5 for the Rock "n" Roll Marathon

This coming Sunday, I will run my last 2010 race. It will be my 6th half marathon this year. I trained for this event for 6 weeks with 2 goals:
1. To set new PR. 
2. Run the Half Mary under 2 hours.

Unfortunately, last tuesday, my wife and I got sick (the flu shot didn't do it's job).  I am now fully recovered and started running again since yesterday (easy & taper run).  I have to abandon my goals and hope I get lucky at the casino or at the bar(I think this is  much tougher goal).

Long Beach Marathon Revisited with Pictures

 

Early morning of October 17 in Long Beach.  Runners started trekking to the Starting Line.





View from the sky. Runners all set to go.  Long Beach Marina & Queen Mary on the background.





Long Beach Fireboat  & the Queen Mary





And off they go.



Runners as they passed the Lighthouse





Newbie's Mistakes
1. Trained for 8 weeks to come up with a plan, then ditched it at the starting line. Chased the 4:15 to 4:26 hrs pacer, instead of staying with my wave pacer (4:26 to4:45 hrs). 
2. Trained to run 5 miles and walk 2 minutes intervals. Didn't walk till mile 17.





The Humbled One
From mile 18 to 24, my legs stopped listening to my command.  My arms were moving faster than my legs and to add insult to my woe, my wave pacer overtook me.  My training, focus and determination to finish my first marathon was tested and I  passed the challenged.  Didn't stop to catch my breath, to rest or stretch my aching legs.



Mind & Body Working Together Again
Got back my strength on the last 2.2 miles and was able to run non-stop at a decent pace.




The Triumphant One
Hands raised & smiling face as I crossed the Finish Line, said it all .... the feeling and the reasons, I love running.

Gun Time -- 4:58:58
Net Time -- 4:42:49



 







Personal Run .......

Have you ever run an event because of personal reason?  I did last Sunday.  With a week notice and just 2 weeks from my first marathon, I decided to join my son in running a 10K in Lafayette, CA to kick some big asses. The course is very challenging with an uphill grade of 6% (street to the reservoir rim trail) and a downhill grade of 7%. Also, it's  an 800 miles drive for me.

I have to do this event. Years ago, while with my son, his wife and in-laws for a breakfast in Lafayette, I was slighted by the restaurant because of my race.  Never mentioned the incident to anyone,except to my wife.  Forgot all about the incident till my son  told me about the Lafayette Reservoir Halloween Run.

I have a score to settle and I will settle it by what I do best ----- running and a podium finish.  From start to finish, I gave all I got,  uphill, downhill no problem (actually been running downhill dangerously). I finished strong  ....... unfortunately, I came out short of my goal, one second short to be exact for a 3rd place finish.  At least, in the field of 14 runners in my age group(60 - 69),  I kicked  10 asses.  That's pretty good score
and if you consider that, I am the oldest in that group, it's double the pleasure.  

Event --------------- Lafayette Reservoir Halloween Run
Time ---------------- 55m :36sec
Age Group Place --- 4/14
Overall Place ------- 217/528

Newbie No More

After three years of running 5k, 10k and 13.1 mile distances and weeks of training, on a cold and cloudy morning, I ran my first full marathon …The Long Beach International Bank Marathon this morning.

After running with relative ease at the short distances, it's a humbling experience running 26.2 miles. I set a PR first 13.1 miles (2:05:58) but unfortunately, I was running the 26.2 event. I was in uncharted territory the last 6.2 miles and my time during this stretch was disappointing. My 68 years old legs and back reduced me to jogging and walking. It was not till 2.2 miles left in the race that I was able to put together enough strength to run non stop to the finish line. Adrenalin had kicked in as I watched mile 24 and 25 go by and the upcoming left turn off of Ocean to the final stretch helped me finish strong!

Crossing the finishing banner was a relief and I was glad to have challenged myself and even more grateful to just have finished such an ordeal. My son and many other runners say, “It's a life changing feeling having run your first marathon and the feeling won’t hit you till after crossing the banner.” I ask myself, is this the first and last marathon I will complete? Is the all of the training worth it? As I view the final results several hours after my finish, I take note of my 7th place in my age group but take keen interest to the finishers ahead of me whom are same age as me. Then I think of what if I had a better finish kick during those 6.2 miles and maybe if I didn’t walk as much. The thoughts quickly pass. I massage my sore legs and straighten my tight lower back and think, it was my first marathon and I finished it! I’ll savor this feeling in the coming days as my sore muscles recover and think, maybe I’ll place 6th the next time…

Time ....................... 4:42:49
Div (65-69) place ....... 7/29
Overall --------------------- 1842/3287

After the Race

Final Rehearsal ......

Today, I did my last bit of distance work before the marathon, and is designed to remind both body and mind that I am well trained distance-running old machine. I wore the running short and shirt that I will be wearing during the big day including shoes and socks. Also, I have my hydration belt with all the stuff, I will be carrying with me. It's a dress rehearsal.

At 7:00 am and at the exact starting line, I started my final long run at a pace that I intend to run the marathon. If the weather today will be the same come marathon day, I have to pass mile 10 by 9:00am to escape the heat of the sun.

I ran 12.13 miles in 2:04:51. Based on this 10:17 pace, I expect to finish the marathon under 5 hours. Bold expectation but I am good if I don't meet it ......... after all, I expected to be a bold actor when I was 18 years old and nothing came out of it.

From my Dailymile account, the following are my training stats;

No. of weeks in training ------ 7
Distance --------------------- 206.4 miles/330 km
Time ------------------------ 33h:36m
Weekly Ave ----------------- 29.5 miles/47 km

Good luck to me and to all participants of this coming great event.

Out of Control

I pride myself as a discipline and patience runner, but lately I was frustrated of not being able to finish my long run strong.

This week, a blogger friend, Paul of 50 is the new 30 blog, suggested to experiment the walk - running to extend my range. With this in mind, I came out with a plan --- for every 5 miles, walk 2 minutes. Today, I put my plan in motion knowing that I just ran 17 miles last Monday. At the Long Beach Marathon official route, I did a long run of 20 miles with a time of 3:25:07

and still with enough juice to run and walk the last 6 miles.

This Week Mileage:

9-13 ........................... 6

9/14 ........................... 17

9/15 ........................... 3

9/16 ........................... 7

9/17 ........................... 3

9/18 ........................... 0

9/19 ........................... 20

Total .......................... 56 miles/90km

For 68 years old newbie, it's stupid moved. Thanks god, except for sore knees, I feel good.

Starting tomorrow, I will start my 4 week taper ...... confident that I can finish my first marathon within regulation.

Be Careful.......

When I had my annual medical check-up yesterday, I told my doctor of my plan to run the full marathon.
This is what he told me:

1. Be careful. There are not that many 68 year olds running their first marathon.
2. Drink lots of fluids and stay hydrated!
3. Since there are many staff/volunteers and other runners around, make sure you notify someone if you are feeling bad.

Comment #3 got me thinking. Is my doctor hiding something from me? He told me that I am in good health and all the lab work results are good...so how come he made the comment? On my way home, I realized that my doctor was correct. At my age and with some medical issues, strenuous activities like running, can be risky and there is no better place to have an episode such as a crowded organized event. People/spectators/race marshals/medical aides are around in abundance at events like a marathon in case someone needs attention!

But what about those long runs and trail runs during training. I always run alone and as a precaution:

1. I always tell my wife my route and time I will be back.
2. Run close to my house and if I have to train at the event route, my wife goes with me.
3. Always have my hydration belt regardless of the distance.
4. Always have my driver license, medical insurance card & road ID bracelet.
5. I dont carry a cell phone now but I plan to carry one just in case!

Moving up a next level in running, such as my first marathon, is a big step...no pun intended! It takes careful thought, dedicated training and planning for any and all circumstances such as a medical emergency. Taking care of the little things will ease my mind and give me confidence and motivation at the start and cross the finish line arms raised 26.2 miles later!

Full Marathon Training Update

Last August 29, I ran 18 miles, the farthest since I took running as part of my healthy/active lifestyle. While my time of 3:04:07 was good for my age division, my paced on the last 2 miles was discouraging. I don't know where to get the strength to finish the next 8 miles. Hopefully, the next 4 weeks of training will help me finish my first full marathon. To increase my chances of finishing the event, I revised my training/workout for the month of Sept as follows:

Sun - long run 13-18-13-21

Mon - Fishing

Tues thru Fri - 3.1 miles run + 1 hr gym workout.

Sat - 2 hrs gym workout.

After the 21 miles long run, I will add walk - run - walk to my training.

Most Depressing and Motivating Moment .... of Senior Runner

Last year, while on a 10K run, a 12 year old runner zipped by me in full stride without breaking a sweat. At that moment, as if I just saw my whole life pass me by, I sadly said to myself, am I really this old? Did I really regress this much? I was depressed and carried this feeling to the finish line.

While waiting for the award ceremony to start (I came in 3rd on my age div), I still felt bad. I tried to picture myself at age 12 knowing that as a kid, I was the fastest & most daring boy in the block. Sadly, all athletic activities stopped after grade school though, I had my moments. I was already at peace with myself and of my limitations, when the boy's name was called for his medal. I applauded and wished to see him run when he gets to be my age.

Now, at 68 years young, I train harder, run more miles and more focus, not because I want to be competitive, but to take advantage of my daily blessing and enjoy life at its fullest. After all, there is life, other than chasing and yelling at the grandchildren.

SF Marathon Pictures

The Golden Gate Bridge and Berkeley Pier

Runners on the roadbed of Golden Gate Bridge.

Arthur and Dr. Rafael Tomacruz crossing the Golden gate Bridge.

Embarcadero finish line and the Bay Bridge.

California Dreamin' Race Series -- Run the series within 2 years and get a medal shaped like the California map and a jacket. Based on the long line of runners getting their awards, it's a very successfull marketing promotion of the three events.

SF Marathon .... Senior Runner Perspective

The SF marathon was not on my calendar. Having driven its streets, I was intimidated by it's hilly roads, aggressive drivers and one-way street.
But, with SFM being the only event missing for me to complete the California Dreamin' Series and my success at the Seattle Rock 'n' Roll 21k , I decided to do it. I also dedicated this run to Remus Fuentes.

Last Saturday, I attended the health expo to pick-up our bibs(it's a father & son run), goodies and importantly, my California Dreamin' jacket. The medal shaped like the California map, will be given after I finish the run. The expo was crowded and if SFM continues to grow, the venue will have to be changed.

California Dreamin' Series --- San Francisco+ Long Beach + Huntington Beach

On race day, my son & I arrived at the start line late in the cold city weather. My wave#4 was already out and running, so we joined wave#6. At mile 1, a Filipino runner approached me and asked if I knew Remus. He is from Manila and we talked about the running events in Manila but I forgot to ask his name(I wouldn't remember it anyway). Judging from his build & running form, he was a good runner. We saw & acknowledged each other several times, until I lost him for good at the Golden Gate Bridge. He was getting stronger while I started tiring.

The bridge was packed with runners going both ways. The condition was made worse by slow runners, walkers and team runners who ran abreast. At this point, the challenging inclines leading to bridge started affecting the runners(especially the 21k runners). I almost collided head on with a runner trying to pass others by running on the opposite lane. I crossed the bridge tired and breathing heavily but was still running (no walking, no stopping). At mile 10 and 3 miles to the finish line, the picture of Remus flew off the back of my shirt. Could not helped but said "its an honor running with you and rest in peace".

With Golden Gate Bridge behind, I thought it was a breeze to the finish line. My bad. There were more short inclines/declines ..... hilly streets that makes San Francisco special.

With head bobbing and arms flailing, I sprinted(in slow motion) to the finish line. I survived the SF 1st half marathon with a time of ........ 2:10:53

**Arthur picture taken at Embarcadero

After I got my finisher medal and food, I picked up my California Dreamin' Series medal and took the shuttle bus for a ride back to Embarcadero(start line) and waited for my son to finish his full marathon race which he finished in ...... 4:11:00

**Arturo Laforteza near the finish line.

Tomorrow, my wife & I are driving back to Long Beach, CA where I will just kick back and take it easy for 2 -weeks. Training for the Long Beach Full Marathon starts on August 12. After 3 years of running, I believe it's time for me to take it to the next level!

Recovery Run ...... July 3rd 10K fun Run

It's been a week now since I ran the Rock "n" Roll Seattle. Been icing my knees and working out on the stationary bike for my recovery. Today, to test if I was already fully recovered, I ran a 10K sponsored by the City of La Palma, CA.

The course is flat and was a perfect venue to start running again. After a mile of fun ran I felt good and the knees were pain free, so I decided to run all out to the finish line.

Crossed the finish line in 55 minutes flat ........ a PR.

Time: .............. 0:55:00

Div Place: ....... First Place

SeniorRunner Rock 'N" Roll ----- @Seattle,WA

This was my first Rock "n" Roll and first race outside California. My adventure in Seattle started on May 24 in good footing. Friends, Fil & Lita Santamaria, picked us from the airport and have lunch at the Space Needle. From the revolving restaurant,
we have a fantastic 360 deg view of Seattle.

After the hotel check- in , I went to Washington State Convention Center to pick up my bib and to attend the health expo. There was no health expo in the center and when I asked around, only then I discovered the big time screw up. My bad. The expo was moved to the Qwest Event center, which was adjacent to the finish line and 2 miles from the hotel. At 6:00 a.m on Friday, I ran from the hotel to the Qwest center to scout the route. Seattle downtown is like San Francisco, built on a mountain. Streets ascent/decent are steep, clean and perfect place to run for legs and cardio exercise. Found the expo place, a good 1.94 miles from the hotel. The route back to the hotel is a long uphill. Have to walk to conserve my energy for the big day.

Under ideal conditions on Saturday morning more than 27,000 runners from all 50 states and 23 countries ran from Tukwila to Seattle for the second annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Marathon & ½ Marathon benefiting the American Cancer Society.

The big day for me started at 3:00 a.m. After going thru my daily morning exercise and a light breakfast of cereal and home made suman, I walked three blocks to the shuttle bus pick up station. Runners were then bused to the start line at Tukwila. Stations filled with cases of bottled water, bagels, tons of banana and hundreds of port-a-potties dotted the assembly area. No hot coffee though. The assembly area was about half a mile long and my coral #20(finish time estimate of 2:15) took 30:11 minutes to reach the start line. Thirty nine(39) corals been assigned.

Started counting my steps as soon as I crossed the start line to keep my running & breathing in rythm. The race was well organized & supported by the community of Tukwila & Seattle. Hydration stations were located every mile and lots of medical stations and medical aids on bike. Spectators were out in force cheering and shouting encouragement. There were dozens of cheer leaders and rock bands along the course. There were 2 challenging ascents and 1 nasty downhill. Lucky me, I already started training for the San Francisco 1/2 mary. I found my Pacer at mile 6 and ran behind her, dusting off her a$$. She is young, long legged and ran gracefully like a peacock. Unfortunately for me, we have to go separate ways at mile 9. She ran the full mary.

The highlight of the ran, was when the runners entered the 1/2 mile expressway tunnel. The sound of thousand footsteps and heavy breathing made an eerie sound and at end of the tunnel is the beautiful view of downtown Seattle, Puget Sound and Qwest stadium --- the finish line. Although, still 3 miles to the finish line, I heard the PA calling the names of early finishers. I speeded up my pace at mile 11 as it's downhill from here to the the finish line and to make up for lost time during the uphill ran. Spectators line up all the way to the finish line cheering, giving high five and encouraging runners to keep it up.

Shifted to my "old man sprint to the men's room mode" and crossed the finish line @....

Time: 2:08:55
Div Place: 11/56
Overall: 5683/17605

Now, the most challenging part of the event.

I grabbed a bottle of water, banana and with aching knees and body headed back to the hotel on foot. It's uphill all the way to the hotel and after 1 hour of torturous walked, I finally made it to the hotel.

It took me an hour to walk 1.94 miles, almost half

the time it took me to run 13.1 miles.

I was happy though, for I just ran/walked my first 15 miles.

Downtown Anaheim 5K

This morning, I ran my last 5K race for year 2010 at Downtown Anaheim 5K

Event. Anaheim City is the home of Disneyland and the Los Angeles Angels. The event is one of the biggests 5K events in Southern California with the atmosphere of a marathon event, good community support, big crowd of spectators, a rock band playing non-stop and free pancake breakfast for runners.

Running 5K race is part of my workout for my upcoming half marathon run at Seattle. Also, it's my last chance to run 5K under 26 minutes(PR-0:26:06).

At the start line I look around to see the kind of shoes the runners were wearing. The runners choice was ASICS, with Sauconey as the second choice. I also observed that there were some bandits.

I started fast that I was out of rhythm and struggled for about quarter of a mile. Then, I started counting my steps to settle down. I ran more relaxed and faster and at Mile 1, my time was 8:00 minutes. Tried to maintain the pace but my old wheels can't keep up. Had to slow down a little bit. About 75 feet from the finish line, I saw that the time was 25 minutes and counting. Switched on my after burner and ran as fast as I could to the finish line ..... and finally ran the 5K under 26 minutes, unfortunately, I only came 4th place in my division.

June 12, 2010 ------ Time: 0:25:47 - 4th place

June 13, 2009 ------ Time: 0: 27:28 - 3rd place