Mount Diablo Challenge ....... Base to Ranger Station

When I met my blogger friend, Paul, in person during the CIM expo, we talked about challenging Mount Diablo.
After the CIM event and on our way home, I discussed with my son about running from base to the summit of Mount Diablo.  My son is familiar with Mount Diablo as he had been to the summit on bike many times.

Mount Diablo as viewed from Berkeley

Historic claims that the mountain's viewshed is the largest in the world—or second largest after Mount Kilimanjaro—are unfounded. It does boast one of the largest viewsheds in the Western United States and it played a key role in California history. Countless peaks in the state are taller, but Mount Diablo has a remarkable visual prominence for a mountain of such modest elevation. Its highly recognizable form and looming presence over so much of the bay, delta, and Central Valley, and good visibility even from the Mother Lode, all key regions during the gold rush and early statehood, made it not just a well-known visual touchstone but one of the most important landmarks for mapping and navigation.


The summit is accessible by foot, bicycle, or motor vehicle. Road access is via North Gate Road or South Gate Road. The record time by bicycle from The Athenian School in the town of Danville to the summit is 43:33 minutes. No record time by running though.

My son and I agreed to run from base to the Ranger Station, a distance of 5.95 miles and back to base.  From base to summit which is about 10 miles and elevation of 3864 feet have to wait.
 
This morning at 10:30 am, the assault of Mount Diablo started.  I started ahead of my son as he had to make some business calls. From base to the South Gate which is about 3 miles and elevation of 1500 ft is very challenging.  My son caught up with me at elevation 1000 feet and mile 1.4 miles. Told him to go ahead and never saw him again until he was on his way down while I was about 1/2  mile to the Ranger Station(turn around point).  It was an awesome run. The view specially at elevation 2000 ft is fantastic. To the west I can see San Francisco and the bay and to the south, the windmills at Altamont Pass.  The drivers were nice (didn't overtake me at blind curves until it's safe. I should had stayed at the other side of the road. My bad.).  The cyclists were nice and courteous also.  Some  were surprised to see runner on the road. 



At 2000 Feet Elevation

   
Base to Ranger Station
Distance .............. 5.95 Miles
Elevation ............ 1941 Feet
Time .................... 1:22:44
Pace ....................  13:56
 
Ranger Station to Base
Distance ............... 5.95 Miles
Time ..................... 1:16:57
Pace ..................... 12:55
 
I could run faster from Ranger Station to Base, but saw no reason to put more stress on my knees.  I believe the run from base to the summit in 2 to 3 hrs is doable.  Have to ride back to the base though.

Meet My Idol ........ Joe Saley, 72 Years Old Runner!!!!

Joe Saley's name got my attention when I was scanning the race results of the Condura Skyway Half Marathon last February.  I thought  at age 68, I was the oldest runner to join the event and got pissed when I found that a 71 years old runner kicked my butt.

When I got back in California, I went on a mission. Searched the Internet to find out who is Joe Saley. What I found is an impressive resume of a  runner.

Joe grew up in Mountain Province, Philippines.  He joined the US navy after graduating from Baguio Tech. He is from New Jersey and  retired. Started running in 1994 and since then:
      1. Ran  NYCM 14 times.
      2. Qualified and ran Boston 5 times.

He was able to avoid major running injuries and recover quickly.  As a proof of how fast he recover, a week after this year NYCM, he ran a 10k race with a time of  54 minutes. Awesome!

Joe and I have a common dream ...... to run/join the Bataan Death March Ultra Marathon in the Philippines. Being born before the infamous march, we have relatives who were with USAFFE. It will be a great honor to be on it even if we don't finish, after all 20,000+ of the original marchers didn't make it.

Joe at the NYCM

Joe at the NYCM Finish Line

CIM ........ A Week After

Yesterday I did my 1st run on the road since CIM.  I set my garmin to virtual partner mode at the speed of 10:30.  I monitored closely my speed and made sure that it's not faster than 10 minutes/mile.  I ran at the bike path along the San Gabriel River and being Sunday had to be careful with the cyclists.

The 10 miles run that I intended to do was extended to 13.2 miles. Felt comfortable and strong at my set paced. It also gave me enough time to contemplate about my running plan for 2012.  Knowing I was fully recovered from CIM, I registered to my next events:

 January 7 ...... Southern California Half Marathon at Irvine.
 February 5 ... Surf City Marathon at Huntington Beach (Stage 4)
 March 18 ..... Los Angeles Marathon (Stage 5)

I am not decided yet if I am going to continue my journey for the next MM Criteria (8 marathons within 365 days). I already calendar the events, so the process will be in progress.  Also, I will run the Surf City at my new Age Group. The sweet 70 to 74 AG.


12/11/2011
Distance ........... 13.2 Miles
Time ................. 2:16:19
Pace ................. 10:17

CIM ...... Last Stage of My Journey To MM Bronze Level Membership

                                 Stage 1 ... 10/9 .... Long Beach Marathon ...... 4:48:00
                                 Stage 2 ... 11/6 .... Santa Clarita Marathon .... 5:07:05
                                 Stage 3 ... 12/4 .... Cal International ............... 4:53:15

Last Sunday, December 4, I ran my 3rd marathon within 90 days and qualified for the Maniac Marathon Bronze level membership.

Encouraged and motivated by the achievements of blogger friends, Paul (http://50-is-the-new-30.blogspot.com/) and Ed(http://runningscientist.blogspot.com/), I started my journey on October 9, 2011, after 3 months of training. Each stage of the journey had it's unique challenged and story to share.

Stage 3
December 4, 2011 ....... California International Marathon, Sacramento

The event was advertised as the fastest course where runners who want to qualify for the Boston Marathon or set Personal Record  register. The event sold out early and I was the last to register. My son had to register through the charity thing ($250 registration fee).  I was excited on this event and confident that I can set a PR.  It's also my passport to the MM bronze level membership. Things didn't turn out as expected. After the Santa Clarita Marathon wherein I ran in the rain, my Asthma came back. It's been under control for 4 years but stopped taking my daily medication about 4 months ago. My bad.  Didn't do any LSD run and started taking my medication again plus more (Advair, ProAir inhaler, cough syrup, ampicillin and benadryl).
My asthma was under control a week before the race and all set and ready for CIM.

On December 3, my son and I drove to Sacramento for the expo. Picked our bibs and race kits. The expo was small compared to Long Beach and San Francisco, but well organized.  The highlight of the day was went I met in person my blogger friend Paul.  I learned a lot from his blog and suggestions.

Paul is a silver level Marathon Maniac having ran 8 marathons within 365 days.

It's cold at the start line but after 2 hrs of running, the weather was perfect,  The course is flat and fast. Rolling hills and few turns and lined with spectators to cheers runners.  I ran as planned and at 10:30 pace. At the 20 miles marker, my split time of 3:31:48 was on target to beat my last year time of 4:42:00.  But after mile 20, I fell apart physically and mentally.  I was not tired nor hurt,  but something was wrong.  I spent more time in brisk walking than running/jogging. On the last mile where I usually do my old man sprint, I totally lost the will to run.  With head down, I walked toward the finish line. About 1/4 mile from the finish, my son who was waiting in front of Hyatt(he crossed the finish line an hour earlier) approached me and urged me to run. That there was still time to finish under 5 hours, that I should not gave up after getting this far. Finally, I gave in to his yukking and ran to the finish line.  My son and I walked back to the hotel, went straight to the bar, have a tequila shot, a glass of beer and nachos. Drove back to Walnut Creek, watched my grandson basketball game and have a late dinner.  What a Day!!!!!

I think, I need 3 days rest from running.  Will evaluate the situation and decide if running more full marathons will do more good  than bad to my health.

At the Finish Line... In agony but still looking good.

After Mile 20, when not walking.

Before Mile 20...Awesome!!!

Father and Son Priceless Moment.

Stage 2 
November 6, 2011 ...... Santa Clarita Marathon

For details click link.
http://arthur-seniorrunner.blogspot.com/2011/11/santa-clarita-marathon-perspective.html

Stage 3
October 9, 2011 ......... Long Beach Marathon

For details, click link.
http://arthur-seniorrunner.blogspot.com/2011/10/long-beach-international-bank-marathon.html