In search of old age PRs

Slack dog for the last two weeks...sick with the flu.  Before the flu, I stopped updating my Blog.  Just read Craig Green's blog and say my "old" running buddies are racing 5Ks!  It motivated me to begin logging my runs again.

Officially changed my name and blog title...no longer "Utah runner trapped in San Diego."  I am now a "runner in San Diego."  I have accepted it and will try to run the supposedly "one of the fastest 1/2 marathon in the US."  No joke---see:

http://www.carlsbadmarathon.com/Half_Marathon/new_halfcourse_detailsc38c.htm

I doubt these guys have ever heard of Provo or Hobble Creek--ha! 

Also, sent my check in for Boston.  Hope to see you guys there. 

My next run will be a run with a local San Diego group on Saturday.  They plan on taking a train North toward Orange County then running back down toward San Diego/Del Mar next to the ocean...so SoCal.

Did a group run today.  We all met at the Solana Beach train station and rode it north above Oceanside then ran back to the station.  There were 4 or 5 San Diego running groups doing the run this morning.  There must have been 250 runners on the train...crazy for a training run.  The train was supposed to leave at 6:48 AM, but was delayed for 30 minutes because of track work...classic.

Once we eventually made it up to Oceanside all the groups headed out.  We were all running the same course so hydration was everywhere.  There were even spectators cheering you on.

The run was mainly next to the Ocean.  If followe some of the Carlsbad marathon and half marathon route.  There were a few busy streets (Pacific Hwy-101) where you had to stay on the sidewalks, but most of it was on smaller streets.  The weather was overcast and perfect.

This was my first run back since having the flu for two weeks.  The last few miles were a little difficult, but I had paced myself with a group of 8 minute mile people, so it was not too difficult.  The last few miles we moved up to a 7:30 pace.  A small group of guys were doing about 7:30 the entire way and we could not reel them in.  It was a very nice training run.

I received my Boston marathon confirmation last week.  I think I will run the Carlsbad 1/2 in January...if any of you are interested let me know.  I live about 20 minutes from the starting line.

Ran in the canyon today.  The marine layer moved in quickly, so it was dark by 5 PM.  This made it challenging to get back home.  I had to look out for rocks, holes andbe  careful crossing the river. 

 
It was probably in the upper 50's when I finished. 

I still had a little soreness from the long run on Saturday, so I didn't push it too hard.
 

Easy run in the PQ canyon.  Ran up toward the multi-million dollars home.  There are some good hills in that area and very little traffic.

I've committed to the Boston marathon.  I've arranged a hotel, airfare and entry.  Hope to see some of you guys there!

Easy run before Thanskgiving dinner.  Took several small "side" trails with heavy brush.  

I need to work on my early pacing.  It always seems to take me 2-3 miles before I hit my stride and pick up my pace. 
 

This was a nice run through Carlsbad.  We started at a park and ran down to the ocean.  There were some nice hills.  I started a little slow, but caught back up the leaders about half-way through.  Pretty small group due to the holidays.  The guy I finished with was telling me he runs "all out" on Saturdays.  He is a 3:30 marathoner, but hopes to get faster with these sub 7:00/mile runs.  I'm not sure how much the strenuous pace is helping him, but he seems to enjoy it... plus it gives me someone to run with or catch-up to.

Hilly course through several canyons.  I found a few new trails and followed one of them to the Del Mar golf course area.  Someone had cut a hole in the fence allowing access into the guard gated community and homes.  It was nice to think that some home owner did it, but it was probably trail runners...ha!  Actually, the people in the community did not seem to mind.  I need to explore the rest of the trails in that neighborhood in the coming weeks.

My foot was a little sore on Sunday.  It has been hurting off and on for a few years now.  Its a dull pain on the ball of my left foot and I can feel it up my toes.  I may try to change up shoes and look for an improvement.
 

Run in PQ canyon.  Tried a new trail that had "no trespassing" signs on it.  It was a nice trail, but had a steep pitch back into the canyon.  It would have been difficult to ski.  I ended up sliding on my rear end--Timpinagos Glacier flash backs!

I ran into a heard of deer at mile 5.  I was about 20 feet away, but the deer weren't spooked at all...weird.

Easy run around the creek in PQ canyon.  I saw several deer at mile 2.  I was a little winded around mile 3 for some reason, so slowed down a little until the last mile.  I ran into some kids fishing at the creek.  They had caught 12 bass out of the little creek.  Someone must have stocked a small area of the creek.  It may be fun to try a small fly rod...if it is even legal to fish there.