Runners Knee Puts The Brakes On

I was off running for almost two weeks now. Ouuchh…

Visited my Orthopedist and was advised to take it easy for a while.

Therapy will be in motion to get some kind of realignment to a right knee that started bothering me a few days back.

No cortisone shot or surgery, thank goodness. I will be back to running but not on a 25  mile weekly regimen…for now.

For the meantime it will be short runs and mostly light workouts.

I’ll probably do more blog works/posts on what topic?…TBD.

I do have a few in mind. Hopefully, it will be valuable to you guys.

Slow Down:Bunny Rabbit(s) Crossing

After the  Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz game I have the rest of the afternoon to complete my 25 mile week goal. There’s plenty of time and I laced up my running shoes and did the new found trail route. Thirteen (13) miles is all I need so it should be an easy run.

I did 4 miles on the streets and the rest  was on a beautiful trail in the west Santa Monica Mountains.

The hills were a challenge but manageable. Dirt road is always a fun run for me.

Saw a family of four walking and a few mountain bikers speeding downhill.

No horses this time around and no dogs even. I’m  guessing it’s because it is mid afternoon. These pets were taking naps (or maybe the owners were).

There was a young couple asking where the trail would end…interesting! This  was like 3 miles from the nearest road.

However, the highlight of the run wasn’t my  slow 10:35 pace but a group of rabbits just taking it easy on the side of the trail.

I was able to take a quick snapshot on one of them.

A few seconds later there were more. Must have been a rabbit habitat of some sort. They are beautiful.

How about mountain lions? I ran some routes years back and runners are warned of these wild animals in areas like these.

Signs are visible all over the place…not on this trail though.

By the way I have captured the route on my Garmin Forerunner305 watch.

You can see it here. Cool gadget with a heart rate monitor. I love it.

Anyway, it’s beautiful in the mountains. The trail is in good shape to my opinion.

Pay attention on the run, you just don’t know what’s on the road up or down ahead. For me I have to slow down a bit because I have bunny rabbit(s) crossing a few steps down.

Runners Can (Line) Dance?

I was reading a friend’s blog from DailyMile about dancing as part of cross-training for runners…NOT!

I have to give hotlegsrunner credit for what she and the group did. She was asked to choreograph a dance presentation of runners which will be shown at the welcome dinner of this year’s Hong Kong Marathon.

Impressed, I was and here’s the proof (click here). Runners can really dance!

Anyhow, after the LA Marathon my runs now are geared towards fitness. My spouse suggested that since my training was over, it’s her turn to up her fitness workout. And here thing was line dancing! Yes, you heard it right line dancing. I can’t refuse. I know I have two “left dancing” foot but I have to give it a shot.

So I have to look (online) for a place to go.

Here in the west side of Los Angeles I found Cowboy Palace Saloon.

The place has authentic decor and down home feeling are just a few of the reasons why the Entertainment Industry loves to capture “The Cowboy Palace Saloon” on film and in print! They have more movies, commercials, music videos and articles shot at the club than you could shake a longneck!

However, we’re going back because of their line dancing classes every night.

It’ll be a long shot for you to find me in a cowboy hat, but you’ll see me on the floor in jeans having fun doing a line dance.

Oh by the way, the very next day after the dance I felt sore. I have to admit, a different set of muscles are needed for a line dance :0)

OK, this isn’t your normal cross training but if my other half is having fun I don’t have any issues at all. In fact, I might have been infected already by a (cowboy) fever…heh-heh.

‘Got to admit, I’m getting the hang of it.

…I’m still a runner. However, the miles (for now) will continue with a little line dance steps on the side.

12 Deep On A Second Date

OK, it’s my second run on Garmin305. Still trying to figure out all the features available.

Today, I decided to run 10 miles and try a trail on the outermost west side of the San Fernando Valley in the Los Angeles area.

It’s been years since I’ve done dirt road and I got to admit it was very challenging. So I set out and did 12 miles instead of the 10 as planned. I felt good during the run. The scenery was beautiful. Wide open space,  hills and to my surprise a good number of runners, walkers and mountain bikers were a welcome sight. Did I mention there were 2 horse riders along the way. Beautiful horses and riders for sure. There were plenty of dogs as well.  There’s a little cold wind along the route which made the run better.

Notable Miles:

Mile 4.75 I tweaked my left ankle. I was worried for a while on the descent but stayed on course but nothing serious.

Mile 6.0 turn around. Water. Water. Water. There was a small creek ahead and so I decided to head back, it was only a few meters short of a full six mile.

Mile 8.85. A group of teenagers walking. A good size on a Saturday morning in the middle of Las Virgines trail. Good for them.

Mile 9.13. Two horse riders passed me by from behind. We have to share a very narrow (about 4-5 feet) trail. Beautiful horses and very tall (only because I’m small at 5-5″).

Mile 10.45. This is very embarrassing. Horse riders on a “call of nature”. Right there on the side doing her number as I was approaching on a very steep uphill. At least she’s turned around.  Smiled, said hi and continued.

Made it back for a full 12 miles.

No camera, I have my cell phone with me but low on battery (noticed that passed mile 3) . Can’t take any pix at all. This post would have been more interesting in colored pictures.

Oh well. I just did 12 (mile) deep into my second date with Garmin and I love it.

In Gear:Ready To Run The Stadium To The Sea

Here’s my  running gear (less my Asics shoes).

Picked ‘em up at the LA Dodger Stadium In Los Angeles Saturday morning.

2003 was the last marathon I joined. We’ll see how the legs will hold for 26.2 miles after a 7 year absence.

Feeling good after an 18 week training.

I have a good support from DailyMiler’s from all over the globe.

It was not easy training alone but the daily motivation from these wonderful friends online made it a  lot easier. Thanks guys…

All set, in gear and ready to run the Stadium to the Sea!

Flagged at Dodger Stadium

At the Dodger Stadium Expo for the 25th LA Marathon, I caught an eye on all the flags from different nations at the starting line area.

I saw a flag from the Philippines.

The last time I saw one (and was able to hold one) was during high school at a  morning flag ceremony as an honor guard. Gee…that was like centuries ago.

Anyway, it was fun at the expo. There’s plenty of stuff for everybody – runners and running fans alike.

So, the gun starts tomorrow at 7:20 am and I will be one amongst over 25000 participants for this years Stadium to the Sea Running of the Los Angeles Marathon.

What’s Your Daily Miles For?

I happened to be reading Ms. Julie Alexanders book, “Make Your Life Count” and on page  85 she made mention of a guy by the name of Walt  Byerly:

About 27 years ago, Walt was feeling out of shape. He knew he needed more exercise, so he decided to take up jogging. At first, it was a struggle. He had to work long and hard to be able to jog nonstop for one mile…

On Nov 5, 1974 Walt asked himself a question. “I wonder if I could jog 2 miles a day for 365 days without missing a single day?’  He made a commitment to do it, and he did.

Nov 5, 1999 Walt Byerly celebrated and anniversary. On that day, he jogged at least two miles a day for twenty- five consecutive years! And he’s still going.”

That’s some achievement. That is COMMITMENT at it’s best.

What drives an individual like Walt to do that? Lets find out;

Like all of us, Walt’s had his share of challenges, and he’s used his jogging time to THINK, to PLAN, and to PRAY. But most of his prayers are for the needs of others. Everyday he prays for more than two hundred people that he has on his prayer list that he keeps in his head and his heart. Walt says that praying for others has been one of the most exciting things he’s ever done”

What’s your daily miles for? What has being committed done for you? For Walt;

Commitment to his prayer list has brought him closer to God but also closer to people on his list. Commitment to his fitness routine  has given him amazing stamina, good health and energy. And his streak of consecutive days jogging gives him a great sense of accomplishment. His good health allows him to work hard all day and function for six hours or six-and-a-half hours of sleep. He’s optimistic and excited about life.”

Here’s Walt Byerly’s record in comparison to others;

There’s thousands of reasons why people run.  Everyday runners from all walks of life lace-up and just do it…

I love Ms. Alexander’s closing on each chapter of her book. She always say, “Make Life Count!”

Allow me put a twist on it in closing. How about, “Make Your Run Life Count One Mile At A Time”.

5 Quotes To Run With

I’ve found some quotes about running I wanted to share.

Actually I call them 5 Quotes To Run With.

Here they are;

1. “If you run, you are a runner. It doesn’t matter how fast or how far. It doesn’t matter if today is your first day or if you’ve been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run.”
–John Bingham

2. “I always loved running…it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs.”
-Jesse Owens

3.”Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it.”
-Oprah Winfrey

4. “Running is a big question mark that’s there each and every day. It asks you, ‘Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?’”
- Peter Maher, Canadian marathon runner

5. “Running long and hard is an ideal antidepressant, since it’s hard to run and feel sorry for yourself at the same time. Also, there are those hours of clearheadedness that follow a long run.”
-Monte Davis

If you have a favorite motivational running qoute or video let us know and we’ll share it to others…

Statistically Speaking…Let’s Go Social

Here’s a short video with interesting statistics on how social media is affecting us all. Many thanks to http://relevantsocialmedia.com

Is social media a fad? Or the biggest shift since the Industrial Revolution?

Yes, that’s the question this particular video is asking all of us.

Yes that’s ALL…it does really covers all age/generations.

Business owners, you may wants to consider some valuable statistics mentioned here
for your marketing strategies…

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