Goodbye 2012 ...... Welcome 2013!!!!!

2012 will soon be a history but what a year it was. I turned 70 but felt younger and stronger since I started running when I was 65.

It's a year I ran six marathons (streak of 9), two half and two 10k. It's a year I ran 1181 miles. It's also a year that I realized and accepted that 70 is not a new 65 or even 69.

After the Long Beach Marathon and 3 months of soul searching, I decided to continue running at a pace that will be most comfortable to me. No more running hurt and crossing the finish line in a verge of asthma episode. No more PR & podium finish. Will stay active running, jogging, walking and working out at the "Y" to make 75 looking great.

Holiday Half Marathon - LA Fairplex

After taking it easy since Long Beach Marathon, I decided to comeback for an easy half mary run yesterday at the Pomona Fairplex.  As it turned out,  there was nothing easy except the consumption of ultra light beer at the end of the run.


Preparations for these race were:
1. Easy 6 to 7 miles  run at the San Gabriel River bike path;
2. 10k turkey trot run with my family;.
3. 15 minutes per day, 6 days per week at the Y spa..

.I thought,  I could finish the race nice and easy with such crappy training. My bad. To start with, there was nothing flat on the course except 2 miles inside the complex. Once the runners leave the complex, the challenge started.

I was sure my heart beat chart look like the above. I struggled from start to finish, but was able to cross the finish line without walking or stopping.  Without proper training, no such thing as nice and easy finish.

Still with smile at the finish line

Photo ops not complete without wife, Lucy

Bib:	4201
Name:	Arthur Laforteza
Gender:	M
Age:	70
Hometown:	Long Beach, CA

Overall:	1971 out of 4851
Men:	1394 out of 2494
M 70-99:	7 out of 17
Age/Grade:	58.32% Place: 619
Finish:	2:18:29 Pace: 10:34
Tag Time:	2:18:29
Gun Time:	2:19:09

Turkey Trot Fun Run ..... Long Beach

Running at the Turkey Trot event is a family tradition. It all started about five years ago with my son, Arturo. Last year, Amy and Drew(Arturo's wife and son) and son Aris joined the run. Today, the entire family were at the start line(except my wife).

After some serious thinking on whether to hang up my running shoes, I decided to continue running half marathons, 10k and maybe 3 marathons in 2013.

  

Long Beach Marathon ......... Last Stage of My Journey!!

Can't overcome the effect of being sick for 3 weeks. Too weak after 16 miles. Walked the last 10 miles to finish @ 5:56:49. Not what I planned to end My Journey but still happy and proud. Nine (9) marathons in one year is something I will always remember.

 

3 Weeks To Long Beach

Can't  get over my laziness. The focus, determination and ability to run hurt were all missing.  It's not because of burnout or lack of motivation.  Never been this healthy since I started the Journey. It's just that when on a long run, the first sign of tiredness or pain, I cut short my run. No more passion and worst, been looking forward for non- running days on my training schedule.

Just hoping that my woes got nothing to do with  being almost 71 years old.  Maybe need to slow down and have more fun.

Training Update:
                                       Weekly Total                     Longest Dist
Week 20 - 29                      29                                      10
Week 27 - 02                      27                                      10
Week 03 - 09                      30                                      10
Week 10 - 16                      30                                      11.3

 On Wednesday will be my last shot of a 15+ LSD. 
Good luck to me!

Long Beach ICB Marathon - Last Stage of My Journey

My Journey will end where it started ........ at the Long Beach ICB Marathon.   The event will be on October 7 and it will be my 9th marathon within 365.  Since last week, I been training at the beach walk which is part of the event route.  It's hot,  humid and no ocean breeze.

Training:
Week                                       Miles            Longest Run
August 13 - August 19              22                       9
August 20 - August 26              29                     10 miles

Training Goals
20 miles LSD
10K @ 57 minutes
Half @ 2h:10m

Finish Time Goal
4:42:00  or a PR

Proud to be an MM

My 1st DNS(Did Not Start).........

Got my 1st DNS(did not start). It's not my fault, though. Stage 9 of My Journey was moved to San Monica, CA. and just been notified 3 day ago. No time to make the travel arrangement , beside I am tired and unmotivated to run this stage of My Journey.

Will  concentrate my training for the Long Beach International Bank Marathon, the last stage of My Journey and try to set a new PR. A PR is a good motivation.

Venue was moved from Long beach to San Monica beach walk.

This morning did an LSD run at the original route(Long Beach).  Heat was unforgiving. No place to hide. After one loop, I quit(need 3 loops to complete a marathon).  

 

Distance: 9 miles

Time : 1:34:27