The Hills Are Alive

The hills of San Francisco are not so friendly, especially on a guy who hasn't trained a lick for the races. I have had the opportunity to run a few 4-6 miles runs at about 7:30-7:45 pace, however, was not even prepared to run the 13.1 miles.

Going to San Francisco, I was fearful of the pain and misery I would be in during the race, even thinking of just becoming a spectator, however, my competitive spirit shone through and I was able to step to the line, in the back of Wave 1. Wave 1 was comprise of individuals who have run under 1:45 for a half marathon and since I had done that, I signed up for that group. In reality, I would have been happy with a sub-2 or MAYBE a sub-1:50. At race time, it was probably in the mid-to-high 50s, not too cold on Embarcadero with a great view of the Bay Bridge. Despite my trash talking, I knew that Wesley would be way out in front and I had no chance of catching him. In my plan, I figured, if I went out conservative 7:40-8:00, I would be able to carry myself under 9 in the hills.

It took a lot of energy to hold myself back as my previous 1st and 2nd miles have been between 7 and 7:25. This year, I kept it between 7:35 and 7:50, which was great! My achilles gave me early signs of pain, yet it wore off during mile 2, just before I headed to the fort and the first hill.

I took a smart approach to the hill, building into it at the bottom and picking up speed at the top so I could use the downhill for my momentum ~ it worked! The question was, for how long? I started to feel my lack of training level at about mile five as my body started to cramp. I popped a potassium pill and despite a bit of fatigue, was able to make it up the 300 foot climb before the Golden Gate Bridge. At the crest of the bridge, I had my turning point. I dropped my pace down into the low 7s and carried that momentum through the hill at the end of it that killed me two years ago!

I felt good going into the rolling hills, which tormented me in 2007 ~ they did again! I made the first hill, yet the second hill became quite the challenge and the third hill was just grueling. I started to cramp in my calf and so I took an easy stroll into the finish realizing at that point, I could not break 1:45, yet would easily break 1:50. Official time: 1:48:34 - 8:17 pace ~ not too shabby, eh?

At the finish, I was able to jog through all the way and felt very little pain yet I knew that my abductor, calves, IT band/knees, quads and hamstrings would be sore. Twenty Salonpas pads later, I'm feeling pretty good with a few quirks here and there mainly on my joints.

Wesley PRed by about four minutes, breaking 1:30 in the process, while I was able to inch out Chuck by a minute. I also saw a student who was running with his parent's club and two of our teachers at CHS also ran! Michelle was a beast and ran the full! Congrats to you all!

Before the run, I had a great time at Ciopinno's with Wesley and Monica in our ventures along Jefferson and up to Ghiradelli Square. I still cannot believe Monica looked so comfortable in her bib ~ you definitely rock! It was definitely a great now and my wine theory ~ I think it worked!
Anyway, I made it home and yes, I will be at practice tomorrow in the AM ... running, I'm not so sure about that :P Hopefully, I don't oversleep :)

Talk About a Heat Wave

This week has been quite the heatwave and going into even hotter locations did not help any! However, despite the hot temperatures, we always find a way to enjoy ourselves.


isoCAMP Desert Oasis (although it's not quite the desert in Hemet) was quite the experience. I love being at Paradise Valley Ranch because it's such a tranquil place. Despite the fact that it's 100+ degrees outside, I thoroughly enjoy the absence of too much technology and more face to face social contact. Our lip sync contests, performances, karaoke and mafia game were quite the successes. I am glad that we had a group of the "quieter" ones up too since we could try and get them out of their shell. We're not done yet, but soon, we'll try to make them blossom into more social butterflies :) I guess Ninja helped the cause.


Our beach day at Manhattan Beach was definitely a way to cool off from the heat of Hemet. Although obviously exhausted, the team (about 30 strong) braved the giant sand hill and then enjoy a few games of beach volleyball after taking a dip in the cool water on one of the cleanest beaches around :)

Look at the picture "B'LOW ME" :) ... a quote from the wonderful play Spamalot modeled after Monty Python and the Holy Grail. After my open Facebook/AIM invitation, I had three takers for the play which was super funny all the way through! Before we headed to the play, we caught a bite at the yellowfied, the Standard Restaurant in Downtown. The food was okay, but eating in a yellow restaurant was a dream come true :) Oh, but the sorbet was delicious! I would have gone crazy if I didn't figure out what it tasted like, but Watermelon Now and Later ... yum! Thanks OC :)

After the play, I challenged the water of the fountain near the Ahmanson Theater. I eventually maneuvered my way through the fountain with minimal soakage :) It would have been quite the shame to get my clothes all wet and drive home like that, but I guess I don't have to worry since I made it through alright!

After my attempts to guide the cockroach towards the shriekers, we headed back to the car to head back to Koreatown ... I mean, Cerritos :)

Sunday Funday While Catching Some Air

I really need to keep up with this especially in the summer when I have more time to myself ... NOT!

It's been exhausting, however, I think I've enjoyed this summer so far aside from falling short of my goals already! In August, I'll try to turn over a new leaf! Yeah right :P ...

The Group at the Beach

In any case, on Sunday, I went skydiving for the second time! Yahoo! It was with a group of old friends from high school who I still keep in touch with and their friends! I got to meet a bunch of very cool people who I enjoyed spending the whole day with so it was quite the beneficial day I have to say! We ventured throughout San Diego and hit up the beach too! Yahooooooo!

Mi Amiga Monica :)

On a side note, if you ever skydive, San Diego has been the best so far!

The Perfect Landing

Celebrating Andrew's Birthday!

Well, I would write more, but tomorrow is gonna be a long day!

No internet for me until Friday so take care and enjoy!

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 :D

Someone made me realize that today I can post during the most consecutive numerical time and date ever :)

12:34 and 56 seconds on 7/8/09 :P
LOL!

Wonderful!
Off to the bowling alley!

Jason :)

:T

Yesterday was not a good choice :T
I'm glad I made up for my error.

Rules of Engagement

I went to the restroom tonight and I thought of the rules of engagement when using the restroom in the gentlemen's half. I know, it sounds weird, especially to the ladies, however, these rules are very true :) Some of them are to make things less awkward and the others are pet peeves.

Equally space yourself out with one urinal between each person until you can no longer do this when there are no dividers between urinals.

After you get into position, look straight against the wall. At no time should you look to the side and ESPECIALLY not to the side and down.

Hit your targets please. If using the stall, put the seat up for a #1 and back down when you're done. Clean up your mess :P

When completed, be sure to shake it out, however, do not do it excessively.

When waiting, try not to stand to close to someone who is using the urinal. [I had someone do that to me today and they were just texting and not waiting for the restroom, ewww]

If someone accidentally let's one go, please try not to laugh, as funny as it may be :)

Try not to let one go.

WASH YOUR HANDS! Ugh, it's so sick when you don't wash.

The Future is Where I'm Headed

"I look to the future because that's where I'm going to spend the rest of my life."
-George Burns

I guess dear old George Burns is right.

I've gone back and forth trying to figure out how to fix my past or correct how things went in the past that I have allowed it to affect my future. I've already discussed how I want to move away from my fear of proximity because of what I've experienced in the past, yet, the hardest thing is taking that first step towards doing it.

I guess I have to allow things to fall into place and trust that things will align and I will eventually end up where I am suppose to end up, whether it is what I envisioned or whether it is a path that I was meant to travel on.

Since I'm going to spend the rest of my life in the future, I might as well get started on letting myself look towards it to guide the way.