Rubber Side Down

Saturday's foggy 14 miler

Dayle and I agreed to run a long 14 mile run on Sat. I arrived 8am at the school as usual and chatted with the fitters that were hanging around the parking lot. I noticed Arnon's car and was informed that he had headed out at 7:30 (on his Alma triple as we now know. :)

When I had left my house it was foggy, but I had expected it to clear up by the time I got to the south bay. I guess so did Dayle, as we stood there, me without gloves and dayle in a thin long sleeve. Runner's are ever the optimists.

Checking with all the fitters, some were out for 9 or 10, but happily David said he was scheduled for 14 as well, so off we went. While we ran, David talked about running the London marathon. This will be his 4th or 5th time running it, and apparently the difference between a small marathon like Sacramento and London couldn't be greater. People come from all over England to line the course, 4 or 5 people deep the entire way. You start at the 0 meridian line and end up at Buckingham palace. The energy just sounds incredible. 45,000 people running together.

I also found out that David qualified for the elite masters at London, that he ran his first marathon in less that 3:30 and that was with walking the last section because he overdid it. He also gave me the great traveling tip, bring your running shoes as carry-on, and during your 2 hour lay-over, put them on and walk around the airport. BTW, did I mention he broke his ribs a couple months ago, tripping on a broken part of the LG trail? There he was still running his 14.

So about the run, I won't lie, it was tough. I started to feel that same hotspot on the inside of my foot, just behind the big toe, where I always get blisters, and my feet definitely took a pounding. Luckily I had Iron Dayle to keep me entertained with tales of asparagus in germany (ask her, it made me crave fresh asparagus.) I hope I distracted her a little, or at least didn't bore her to death with my endless patter on topics of no import. :) The fog was kind of cool. Actually it was cold, but it was also cool, if you know what I mean. Running through the mist, seeing the wisps float across Vasona lake was very picturesque.

One last bit of advice, get the small coffee at the LG coffee shop. Go outside and strech, and by the time you're done, you can get your free refill and be on your way. More coffee, and cheaper!

posted by Patrick el Coyote @ 4:36 PM