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