We have yet another change of scenery on Saturday with a visit to Lake Merced.
Saturday’s Lake Merced Run!
Once again, we are meeting on the NORTH SIDE of Lake Merced. Specifically, we are meeting at the HUGE parking lot on the NORTH SIDE of Lake Merced. Again, here's a map link that should help you get oriented- North Side of Lake Merced.
This run is pretty straightforward. EVERYONE will do a full loop around the circumference of Lake Merced in a clockwise direction. There is a path that runs all the way around Lake Merced, so this should be manageable for everybody.
Roughly halfway through the loop around Lake Merced (2-2.5 miles), there is a port-a-potty and a couple water fountains if you need to make a pit stop.
After 2-2.5 miles, there is a decent stretch where you will be running slightly uphill, so pace yourself accordingly.
After completing a full loop of Lake Merced, you will have logged 4.5 MILES. Once you've finished a full loop around Lake Merced, head NORTH on Sunset Boulevard There is a path that runs parallel to Sunset Boulevard on the LEFT. This is where you want to run.
Continue running along the paved path that runs parallel to Sunset Boulevard until you reach the intersection of Sunset/Ulloa. Make sure to watch the cross streets as you proceed up Sunset. They go in reverse alphabetical order....Wawona, Vincente, and then Ulloa. Turn around at Sunset/Ulloa and head back to Lake Merced for 6 MILES!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Third time is the charm?
For nearly five years I have sought a personal best for the marathon in the 2:30's (a 2:39:59 would work just fine). Some goals transcend the elusive and flirt with the impossible. Twice I have come close to achieving this goal and with the third opportunity barely a couple months away I am left wondering if in fact the third time will be the charm.
In 2005, I toed the line at Chicago with no real thought about what kind of time I would run, but I knew I was in the best shape of my life and anticipated obliterating my previous personal best.
I rolled through the first 13.1 miles in 1:20 and everything was clicking except for some GI issues. This insidious discomfort didn't derail me at first, but after gutting it out for over 10 miles, I was forced to take an abrupt pitstop.
While this was frustrating, I was going to post a huge personal best and surely I'd run a marathon in the 2:30's the next time around. I was more than happy with the 2:45 I ran that day. But, I knew a 2:39 would have been possible if not for the pitstop.
12 months later I was hobbled by plantar fasciitis and going under the knife for radio frequency debridement. Not only was I not running a marathon in the 2:30's, I was hardly running at all. My optimism was challenged, but I figured I'd be back on my feet running strong again in six months at the latest.
A year after surgery (2 years removed from my last marathon) I was a mere shadow of the runner I had been in 2005. Piecing together a few pain free miles sporadically was about the best I could do. The idea of running a marathon in the 2:30's seemed as distant as a long dead star.
But, If something isn't working you're left with no choice but to try something different. I rolled the dice and ditched my motion control shoes w/custom orthotics for what was effectively the polar opposite, a pair of Nike Frees.
Six months of solid running later, I found myself feeling something I hadn't felt in a long time, the confidence that I could run a marathon again at a high level. Once again, the idea of posting a time in the 2:30's crept into my head. I threw everything I had into my training with this goal in mind.
Unfortunately, it had been 3+ years since I had trained like this and I could tell in the latter stages of my training that something in the 2:30's wasn't going to happen in all likelihood. A 3 year absence from serious training could not be made up in 4-5 months.
I was confident I could run something at least as fast as what I had posted in 2005 and if the stars aligned, I could post yet another personal best. In what was perhaps the best executed race of my life, I ran to the brink and managed a 2:43. Close, but still a few minutes shy of the ultimate goal once again. Surely, 2009 would be my year and I'd knock this goal out once and for all.
Little did I know what would unfold in 2009. While I did manage to make it to the starting line again for a marathon in 2009, I was not at my best. Wracked by a myriad of frustrating circumstances and barely recovered from yet another bout of plantar fasciitis I once again knew something in the 2:30's was not possible. I was left to simply take pride in finishing the marathon.
The past couple months I have been running at a level that is reminiscent of what I was doing in 2005. I am also five pounds lighter than was in 2009. I was initially going to wait until December to take another crack at the 2:30's, but you've got to strike while the iron is hot.
The question remains....will the third time be the charm?
In 2005, I toed the line at Chicago with no real thought about what kind of time I would run, but I knew I was in the best shape of my life and anticipated obliterating my previous personal best.
I rolled through the first 13.1 miles in 1:20 and everything was clicking except for some GI issues. This insidious discomfort didn't derail me at first, but after gutting it out for over 10 miles, I was forced to take an abrupt pitstop.
While this was frustrating, I was going to post a huge personal best and surely I'd run a marathon in the 2:30's the next time around. I was more than happy with the 2:45 I ran that day. But, I knew a 2:39 would have been possible if not for the pitstop.
12 months later I was hobbled by plantar fasciitis and going under the knife for radio frequency debridement. Not only was I not running a marathon in the 2:30's, I was hardly running at all. My optimism was challenged, but I figured I'd be back on my feet running strong again in six months at the latest.
A year after surgery (2 years removed from my last marathon) I was a mere shadow of the runner I had been in 2005. Piecing together a few pain free miles sporadically was about the best I could do. The idea of running a marathon in the 2:30's seemed as distant as a long dead star.
But, If something isn't working you're left with no choice but to try something different. I rolled the dice and ditched my motion control shoes w/custom orthotics for what was effectively the polar opposite, a pair of Nike Frees.
Six months of solid running later, I found myself feeling something I hadn't felt in a long time, the confidence that I could run a marathon again at a high level. Once again, the idea of posting a time in the 2:30's crept into my head. I threw everything I had into my training with this goal in mind.
Unfortunately, it had been 3+ years since I had trained like this and I could tell in the latter stages of my training that something in the 2:30's wasn't going to happen in all likelihood. A 3 year absence from serious training could not be made up in 4-5 months.
I was confident I could run something at least as fast as what I had posted in 2005 and if the stars aligned, I could post yet another personal best. In what was perhaps the best executed race of my life, I ran to the brink and managed a 2:43. Close, but still a few minutes shy of the ultimate goal once again. Surely, 2009 would be my year and I'd knock this goal out once and for all.
Little did I know what would unfold in 2009. While I did manage to make it to the starting line again for a marathon in 2009, I was not at my best. Wracked by a myriad of frustrating circumstances and barely recovered from yet another bout of plantar fasciitis I once again knew something in the 2:30's was not possible. I was left to simply take pride in finishing the marathon.
The past couple months I have been running at a level that is reminiscent of what I was doing in 2005. I am also five pounds lighter than was in 2009. I was initially going to wait until December to take another crack at the 2:30's, but you've got to strike while the iron is hot.
The question remains....will the third time be the charm?
Monday, April 19, 2010
Saturday (5/23/15) Running Route Description
On Saturday, you will be logging between 4-7 miles depending upon your training level. The link below should give you a relatively clear sense of where we're going. I've also included a verbal description beneath it:
SATURDAY'S RUN COURSE
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SATURDAY'S RUN-
In short, we will head NORTH from the Marina Green Monkey Bars along Marina Boulevard. We'll veer RIGHT through the volleyball court area roughly 1/2 a mile into our run and head onto the Marina Promenade.
Continue running along the Marina Promenade in the direction of the Warming Hut. Eventually, you'll veer right and follow the dirt path to the Warming Hut. For the uninitiated, the Warming Hut is A BIG WHITE BUILDING WITH TABLES AND BENCHES IN FRONT OF IT.
It's hard to miss The Warming Hut. Once you reach the Warming Hut, you will have logged 2 MILES! Beginner level runners will turn around and head back to the monkey bars for 4 MILES!
Everyone else will continue past the Warming Hut onto a paved road that goes past a series of buildings (including some restrooms). You will pass these buildings and continue running along this path next to the water towards the base of the bridge.
The path curves around and dead ends at 'Hoppers Hands'. This is 2.5 MILES. Everyone will turn around here and head back to the monkey bars for 5 MILES. Intermediate runners are finished once they get back to the monkey bars!
Advanced and Race level runners will continue running SOUTH along the paved path past the Marina Safeway and UP Fort Mason Hill. Crest the hill and look for the youth hostel on the right. Advanced runners will turn around here and head back to the monkey bars for 6 MILES!
Race level runners will head down the other side of Fort Mason Hill and into Aquatic Park. Run along the sidewalk adjacent to the waterfront. You will turn around At the end of Aquatic Park/Edge of Fisherman’s Wharf. Return to the monkey bars for 7 MILES!
SATURDAY'S RUN COURSE
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SATURDAY'S RUN-
In short, we will head NORTH from the Marina Green Monkey Bars along Marina Boulevard. We'll veer RIGHT through the volleyball court area roughly 1/2 a mile into our run and head onto the Marina Promenade.
Continue running along the Marina Promenade in the direction of the Warming Hut. Eventually, you'll veer right and follow the dirt path to the Warming Hut. For the uninitiated, the Warming Hut is A BIG WHITE BUILDING WITH TABLES AND BENCHES IN FRONT OF IT.
It's hard to miss The Warming Hut. Once you reach the Warming Hut, you will have logged 2 MILES! Beginner level runners will turn around and head back to the monkey bars for 4 MILES!
Everyone else will continue past the Warming Hut onto a paved road that goes past a series of buildings (including some restrooms). You will pass these buildings and continue running along this path next to the water towards the base of the bridge.
The path curves around and dead ends at 'Hoppers Hands'. This is 2.5 MILES. Everyone will turn around here and head back to the monkey bars for 5 MILES. Intermediate runners are finished once they get back to the monkey bars!
Advanced and Race level runners will continue running SOUTH along the paved path past the Marina Safeway and UP Fort Mason Hill. Crest the hill and look for the youth hostel on the right. Advanced runners will turn around here and head back to the monkey bars for 6 MILES!
Race level runners will head down the other side of Fort Mason Hill and into Aquatic Park. Run along the sidewalk adjacent to the waterfront. You will turn around At the end of Aquatic Park/Edge of Fisherman’s Wharf. Return to the monkey bars for 7 MILES!
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Saturday (08/28) Running Route Description
On Saturday, you will be logging between 3-7 miles depending upon your training level. The link below should give you a relatively clear sense of where we're going. I've also included a verbal description beneath it:
SATURDAY'S RUN COURSE! (Disregard the 'Oakland' reference. This course is in San Francisco)
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SATURDAY’S RUN-
In short, we will head NORTH from the Marina Green Monkey Bars on along Marina Boulevard until we reach the intersection of Mason/Halleck. This is 1 MILE!
Continue running on the paved path along Mason past SportsBasement. Shortly after we pass SportsBasement, there is a lengthy straight stretch and a funny looking metal power box (or weather measuring device as Micah calls it) on your RIGHT. This is 1.5 MILES! Beginner runners will turn around and head back to the monkey bars for 3 MILES! Everyone else will continue running along the paved path.
Eventually this path curves over to the right and merges with a dirt/fire road that heads towards the Warming Hut (for the uninitiated, the Warming Hut is A BIG WHITE BUILDING WITH TABLES AND BENCHES IN FRONT OF IT. Hopefully, it will be hard to miss). The Warming Hut is 2 MILES! Intermediate level runners will turn around and head back to the monkey bars for 4 MILES! *Note-there are water fountains/restrooms adjacent to the Warming Hut.
Everyone else will continue past the Warming Hut onto a paved road that goes past a series of buildings (including some restrooms). You will pass these buildings and continue running along this path next to the water towards the base of the bridge. The path curves around and dead ends at 'Hoppers Hands'. This is 2.5 MILES. Advanced level runners turn around here and head back to the monkey bars for 5 MILES!
Race level runners will also turn around here. Once you get back to the monkey bars continue running SOUTH along the paved path past the Marina Safeway and UP the hill we crested on Tuesday on our way to Aquatic Park. Advanced level runners will crest this hill and run to the point where the path starts to head down towards Aquatic Park.
Run along the sidewalk adjacent to the waterfront. You will turn around At the end of Aquatic Park/Edge of Fisherman’s Wharf. Return to the monkey bars for 7 MILES!
SATURDAY'S RUN COURSE! (Disregard the 'Oakland' reference. This course is in San Francisco)
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SATURDAY’S RUN-
In short, we will head NORTH from the Marina Green Monkey Bars on along Marina Boulevard until we reach the intersection of Mason/Halleck. This is 1 MILE!
Continue running on the paved path along Mason past SportsBasement. Shortly after we pass SportsBasement, there is a lengthy straight stretch and a funny looking metal power box (or weather measuring device as Micah calls it) on your RIGHT. This is 1.5 MILES! Beginner runners will turn around and head back to the monkey bars for 3 MILES! Everyone else will continue running along the paved path.
Eventually this path curves over to the right and merges with a dirt/fire road that heads towards the Warming Hut (for the uninitiated, the Warming Hut is A BIG WHITE BUILDING WITH TABLES AND BENCHES IN FRONT OF IT. Hopefully, it will be hard to miss). The Warming Hut is 2 MILES! Intermediate level runners will turn around and head back to the monkey bars for 4 MILES! *Note-there are water fountains/restrooms adjacent to the Warming Hut.
Everyone else will continue past the Warming Hut onto a paved road that goes past a series of buildings (including some restrooms). You will pass these buildings and continue running along this path next to the water towards the base of the bridge. The path curves around and dead ends at 'Hoppers Hands'. This is 2.5 MILES. Advanced level runners turn around here and head back to the monkey bars for 5 MILES!
Race level runners will also turn around here. Once you get back to the monkey bars continue running SOUTH along the paved path past the Marina Safeway and UP the hill we crested on Tuesday on our way to Aquatic Park. Advanced level runners will crest this hill and run to the point where the path starts to head down towards Aquatic Park.
Run along the sidewalk adjacent to the waterfront. You will turn around At the end of Aquatic Park/Edge of Fisherman’s Wharf. Return to the monkey bars for 7 MILES!
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