The Fall 2010 Schedule

In my 2010 year ahead blog, I left the second half of the year open.  After the Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half-Marathon, my fall schedule came together.  My primary goal is to finish the Pacific Association/USA Track & Field (PA/USATF) Road Race Grand Prix Series.  I have completed the first two races, the NorCal 10 Miler and the Across the Bay 12K.  That leaves three more for the long division of this series.

July/August/September

July continued the DSE Summer Race Series and had the Napa to Sonoma Half.  August closed out the Summer Race Series and included a couple of cross country races with the Pamakid Racing Team.  I skipped the last of the Summer Series to do the cross country races.  The first cross country race was the 10th Annual UC Santa Cruz Cross Country Challenge (4 miles).  The second was the 18th Annual Phil Widener Empire Open (3.43 miles) in Santa Rosa (picture at left).  If I feel up to it, I may consider two additional cross country races in September, the 25th Annual Golden Gate Park Open (4 miles) and the 6th Annual Garin Park Cross Country Challenge (5 Km).  I will skip running September's DSE Half-Marathon this year to avoid over racing.  I have already signed up to volunteer.

October

In October, I will travel to the old growth redwoods at the Humboldt Redwoods State Park for the Humboldt Redwoods Half-Marathon.  This is an out-and-back race on the Avenue of the Giants (road).  The race is organized by the Six Rivers Running Club.  It is about a five hour drive North of THE CITY.   Others who have run this race and the companion marathon have raved about the beauty of the setting.

The Bridge to Bridge 12K run is October 3.  It is on the Pamakids race calendar.  Depending on how I feel, I may run it.  It is a little over half the distance of a half-marathon, which makes it a better choice than September's DSE Half-Marathon.  I have run the race every year since I have been in THE CITY and would like to keep the streak going.  I will wait to the Pamakids Racing Team deadline to decide.

November

In November, four weeks after Humboldt, I will travel to Clarksburg, south of Sacramento, for the Clarksburg Country Run Half Marathon.  This will be my first race in a new age group and will give me an outside shot at an age group prize.  

December

Three weeks after that will be the real challenge of the series.  I will finish with the California International Marathon.  The race starts in Folsom and ends in the shadow of the State Capitol Building in Sacramento.  This was the part of the series that I did not know if I would do.  I felt good after Napa to Sonoma and decided that I could build the stamina I need for a marathon.  My only prior marathons were the first two San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathons in 1998 and 1999.  After that, I swore off of marathons in favor of the half-marathon -- half the distance and substantially less than half the damage to my body.  With over 10 years of additional running experience will I be better able to withstand the demands of the event?  Only the post-race blog will tell.

Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon - 07/18/10

ANY HALF-MARATHON below 1:30 is a good run in my [log] book.  I decided that would be my minimum goal for the Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half-Marathon.  Wine country in July can be hot and dry.  I was also just getting over the stomach flu from a week and half earlier.  So, a modest goal was in order.  If I could break 1:27, even better.  That would get me the coveted seeded entry to the Bay to Breakers next year.  I ran this race in 2006 in the sun and with an injured leg.  I clocked in at 1:31:47 that year.  Aside from a trail race half-marathon I ran in the Santa Monica Mountains and the almost as challenging La Jolla Half-Marathon, the 2006 version of this event was my slowest half in ten years. 

The race is produced by a company call Destination Races.  Their goal is to produce races around which people can build a weekend or a whole vacation.  It is a high quality, well run event and it is very accommodating to the runners. 2004 was the first year of this race.  It has grown so much in popularity that the 3,000 registration limit is reached a month or two after registration opens and more than six months before the race.  I did not have any problem registering in 2006 and did not realize how popular the race had become since then.

This race was on the Pamakids racing calendar when I went to my first team meeting.  On a survey, I indicated I might be interested in running it.  I received an e-mail from the race captain telling me the race was sold-out and I should sign-up on the wait list for a lottery to allocate the last few spots.  It turns out the wait list is longer than the registration list.  So, the chance of getting one of the last few entries by lottery is pretty slim.  I did not get in.

Since it is necessary to commit to the race so far in advance, some runners find their schedules change.  One of the ways the organizer accommodates runners is with easy race entry transfers.  A Pamakid runner was no longer able to make the race.  I bought her entry and transferred it to my name.  The Destination Races staff was very responsive and accommodating.

BEFORE THE RACE

Twelve Pamakid team members ran the race.  A portion of that group, including me, rented a couple of cottages in Sonoma, near the finish.  In 2006 I drove to Sonoma in the dark on race morning.  The area is not well marked and Google Maps are often a little sketchy.  It was too early, I got lost and it was too stressful an experience.  So, I was all for staying in Sonoma the night before.

We met at the Pamakid House mid-afternoon on Saturday.  I stopped at the race expo to get my race number and timing chip on the way.  When I got out of my air conditioned car, it was hot and dry with a clear sky and bright sun.   Later, I bought a couple large bottles of water and made an effort to drink as much I could on Saturday to be fully hydrated for what could be a hot race on Sunday. 

The team planned a spaghetti pot luck dinner for that night.  We walked to the local Whole Foods for a few last minute supplies and came back to start dinner. My contribution to the dinner was a fruit salad and some sweets for desert.  A few other team members, some running the race and some not, joined us for dinner.  There were a lot of running stories and we had a good time.  There was speculation on whether sun and heat would be a factor in the race.

Sunday morning came early.  This is a point to point race.  Runners are bussed from near the finish line in Sonoma to the Cuvaison Caneros Estate Winery in Napa County.  The route follows back roads through wine country and is completely closed to traffic until the last half mile on Broadway into downtown Sonoma.  The race finishes at the Sonoma Plaza, an eight acre park with the 1906 Sonoma City Hall (pictured). 

The race starts at 7:00 AM.  Our alarm was set for 4:45 AM so we could head over to the buses around 5:15 to 5:30.  That would get us to the start at 6:00 AM or little after.  Plenty of time to get ready and to warm-up.  The Pamakids team met at the start line a little before the scheduled start. 

THE RACE

As it started to get light, we could see that the sky was overcast.  Low clouds or high fog, probably the result of a marine layer that was pushed inland.  There was a cool breeze.  As I stood near the start, I realized these were much better conditions than expected.  Just as the race was starting, another team member who was also aiming for a 1:30 asked If I was aiming for around 7:00 for the first mile with the race's biggest hill.  At that moment, I decided I was not going to waste these conditions on a 1:30 half-marathon and said I wanted to be 6:45 or better. 

I charged up and over the first hill, hitting 6:34 for the first mile.  I felt fine.  What I did not know is if I would have the stamina at 10 miles to close out the race, especially after being sick the prior week.  It is also possible the sky would clear during the race and the sun would beat down on the runners at the end. 

After the first mile, I caught up with another team member who was aiming for a 1:23.  The fact that I caught up to him probably means that goal was a bit aggressive for this day.  We ran together for about half a mile and then he fell back a short distance.  The course gradually falls after the first hill to about 2.2 miles and then has rolling hills to mile 4.  My watch timed 6:49, 5:33 and 6:30.  It appears Mile 2 was long and Mile 3 was very short.  I was probably running a little better than a 6:30 pace. 

Miles 4 to 6 are quiet and rural.  There are a lot of charity team walkers along the course at this point.  They started at a different time and were well into their event.  They were an enthusiastic bunch.  Mile 5 clocks at 6:34 and Mile 6 at 6:13.  Miles 6 to 7.5 wind through some sheep farms and cross Highway 12/121 with California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers for traffic control.  The traffic and flow of runners is light enough that I can run straight through without having to pause at the highway.  Mile 7 is 6:55.  That is not good.  Hopefully it is not a sign I am fading already.  Maybe another bad mile marker?

Miles 7.5 to 10 continue through vineyards with a few homes and farm animals.  There are a couple of hills just after mile 8.  Mile 10 comes just after crossing Napa Road.  Again, there is a CHP officer regulating the flow of runners and cars.  Mile 8 is 6:16, that is better.  Mile 9 is 6:52, oops, slipping again.  How will mile 10 come in?  I check the watch and it is 7:07.  Oh, no.  I have broken the seven minute barrier.  Am I on the fade?

I decide to chew on a Clif Shot Blok and push the effort to see if I have anything left.  The conditions are still favorable and the course is mostly flat to the last section along Broadway.  I am very relieved when mile 11 comes in at 6:29.  I am back on pace.  Mile 12 is 6:20.  Shortly after mile 12 we run on a bike path through a park and across the high school grounds.  We emerge on a side street that leads to the final half mile on Broadway and to the finish.  All of a sudden I am passed by a woman who looks to be close to my age.  It turned out to be Christine Kennedy, a nationally ranked 55 - 59 year old runner from Los Gatos.  Mile 13 is 6:22 and the last .1 is 0:43. 

I finished in 1:25:23 gun time and 1:25:21 chip time.  That ties my second best half-marathon ever (1:25:23).  My average pace was 6:31.  A very successful race.  I took first place in my age group (50-54) out of 76 total.  I was 33rd out of 2,639 finishers.  My age graded score was 81.1.  By that measure, my best performance of the year.

AFTER THE RACE

The Pamakid House was so close that I could go back, take a shower and change before the award ceremony, which I did.  After that we all gathered back at the Sonoma Plaza for prizes.  In this race,  everyone gets major bling.  Each finisher gets one of those monster medals pictured at the top of this blog.  They also get an engraved wine glass. 

Then there are age group (first through third in five year bands) and team prizes -- bottles of very good local wine (for those 21 and over).  I gave my prize bottle (personally signed by the wine maker) to a friend at work.  A pinot noir. 

It was successful for the Pamakids, too.  We had six members who took age division awards ... 

 ... and the team won the team competition.

The team prize was a case of wine.  With 12 members running, that means everyone got a prize.  

After the award ceremony, I headed back to THE CITY, through wine country.  This photo was taken in the early morning.  You can see the fog above the horizon.

Next up is ... well, you will have to wait for the next blog entry.  I decided on my fall schedule as I was leaving Sonoma.

 PHOTOS

ALL BRIGHTROOM PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOS (C) 2010, USED WITH PERMISSION.

1) NAPA TO SONOMA BANNER, BRIGHTROOM PHOTOGRAPHY.
2) NAPA TO SONOMA 2010 POSTER FROM EVENT WEBSITE, PROPERTY OF OWNER.
3) DESTINATION RACES LOGO FROM CORPORATE WEBSITE, PROPERTY OF THE OWNER.
4) NAPA TO SONOMA FINISHER MEDALS, BRIGHTROOM PHOTOGRAPHY.
5) PAMAKIDS TEAM AT THE START, BEFORE THE RACE.  PHOTO CREDIT UNKNOWN.
6) VINEYARD AT CANEROS WINERY START AREA, BRIGHTROOM PHOTOGRAPHY.
7) SONOMA CITY HALL, PHOTO CREDIT UNKNOWN.
8) RUNNERS GATHERING BEFORE THE RACE.  THIS IS ON THE DRIVE LEADING TO THE WINERY BUILDINGS.
9) RACE START, BRIGHTROOM PHOTOGRAPHY.
10) ME, EARLY IN THE RACE, BRIGHTROOM PHOTOGRAPHY.
11) ME, LATER IN THE RACE, I CAN TELL BY THE POOR PAVEMENT SURFACE, BRIGHTROOM PHOTOGRAPHY.
12) ME, ON BROADWAY IN THE LAST .1 BEFORE THE FINISH, PHOTO BY THEO J.
13) ME, CROSSING THE FINISH LINE, BRIGHTROOM PHOTOGRAPHY.
14) PAMAKID AGE GROUP PRIZE WINNERS, PHOTO PROBABLY BY MALINDA W.
15) PAMAKID TEAM RECEIVING THE TEAM PRIZE, PROBABLY MALINDA'S CAMERA TAKEN BY JEANIE J.
16) PAMAKID TEAM WITH THE TEAM PRIZE, PROBABLY MALINDA'S CAMERA AGAIN WITH JEANIE J.
17) SCENIC PHOTO BY BRIGHTROOM PHOTOGRAPHY.

Miscellaneous Events

DSE 1st Annual Donut Dash - 06/04/10

Friday, June 4, was National Donut Day.  Many donut chains, including Krispy Kreme, gave away a free donut.  I love donuts.  DSE organized a fun run from the Brotherhood Way parking lot at Lake Merced to the Krispy Kreme in Daly City.  The run was about 2.4 miles, each way. 

I have had Krispy Kreme doughnuts before, but I think this the first time I have actually been in a Krispy Kreme store.  After looking over the variety in the case, I opted for the trademark glazed donut hot out of the fryer, right after it passed through the curtain of glaze.  It was delicious.  I can understand why people eat these by the dozen.  I stuck to my one free donut, though.  I love donuts and doughnuts equally.

One calorie calculator I used estimated the total 4.8 mile run burned 569 calories for a 150 pound person.  The Krispy Kreme glazed donut is about 200 calories.  So, a net calorie deficit.  Of course, there are the 110 calories from fat, including 3 grams of saturated fat.  Hey, I had one donut and do not plan to make them a cornerstone of my diet.  I love donuts.


DSE Summer Race Series 2010 - Thursday Evenings

The DSE Summer Race Series returned on Thursday, June 10, for 12 weeks.  For me, a 4.5 mile warm-up loop and then a 4.5 mile race loop.  Attendance is up again this year, with attendance at 52, 58, 72, 86, 49, 60 and 66 for the first seven weeks.  I missed week 5 with the stomach flu, but have made the rest, so far.  My times ranged from 28:17 (6:17 pace) in the clear but windy first week to 27:50 (6:11 pace) in the wet, foggy third week.  My goal for this year was to break 28:00, which is a personal record for this course.  As of the third week, I have done it. 

On the left, I am headed to the finish line across the parking lot.  On the right, I am chatting with Steve N. while Max stands-by.  Based on the sunshine, these photos are probably from the first week.

DSE Double Dipsea Race - 06/26/10

The Dipsea Trail is a famous running route between Mill Valley and Stinson Beach in Marin County.  The trail goes over the shoulder of Mount Tamalpais, through the Muir Woods National Monument and includes both state and federal recreation areas.  The Dipsea Race is the oldest cross-country trail race in the country.  The first Dipsea Race was run in 1905.  The race is now so popular, it is hard to get an entry. 

Walt Stack, one of the founders of DSE, put together the first Double Dipsea race in 1970 and the club has run it since.  The Double Dipsea course is 13.7 miles long, with 4,500 feet of total climb.  Since the race is an out and back, there is no net elevation gain or loss.  I volunteered for traffic control at the road and parking lot in the Muir Woods.  You can see my back as I hold a car for a waiving Alex M.  He is a DSE regular and a member of this year's Devil's Slide Track Club.