Sunday, February 14, 2010
10K and Away
Every once in a while I do my old standard distance, the 10K. If you don't know how long 10 K is, the K stands for Kilometers. That better? Anyway, yesterday (Saturday) was one of those days. Normally I'd have done a six mile training run this morning, but 10K is close enough so I just did the race for grins.
Well, as I occasionally re-learn, there's a big difference between a nice training run, no matter how you push, and a race. Whew! The race was along the River Mountains Trail, entirely in Henderson, although the trail goes through several jurisdictions. It's a lovely trail, with lots of elevation changes. Like up to Railroad Pass and down the other side, then come back. Oh, yeah. My legs were sure glad when I stopped. Next I think I'll do a half marathon at Red Rocks, just west of Las Vegas. Take Charleston West out of town and you'll be there in no time. I'm serious: next time you're in Vegas, check out Red Rocks. You'll be glad you did.
Funny thing about Railroad Pass. There is a railroad there, and there's a railroad crossing on the trail. If you follow the tracks a quarter mile West from the trail crossing, though, they stop. On US 95 there's a set of crossing gates, signs, lights, and no tracks at all. Not much of a railroad if you ask me. But it does still cross the pass.
Steve
Well, as I occasionally re-learn, there's a big difference between a nice training run, no matter how you push, and a race. Whew! The race was along the River Mountains Trail, entirely in Henderson, although the trail goes through several jurisdictions. It's a lovely trail, with lots of elevation changes. Like up to Railroad Pass and down the other side, then come back. Oh, yeah. My legs were sure glad when I stopped. Next I think I'll do a half marathon at Red Rocks, just west of Las Vegas. Take Charleston West out of town and you'll be there in no time. I'm serious: next time you're in Vegas, check out Red Rocks. You'll be glad you did.
Funny thing about Railroad Pass. There is a railroad there, and there's a railroad crossing on the trail. If you follow the tracks a quarter mile West from the trail crossing, though, they stop. On US 95 there's a set of crossing gates, signs, lights, and no tracks at all. Not much of a railroad if you ask me. But it does still cross the pass.
Steve
Labels: Running
Monday, January 18, 2010
Running(?) Arizona
As promised, here is my quick and dirty rundown of the 2010 Arizona Marathon.
First, the results. I finished the race in a chip time of 6:22:34. That's about three minutes faster than the gun time, because it took me three minutes to cross the starting line. My age group percentage rose to 40% after, though, so I am, at least this year, improving. It was not, as it was in Las Vegas, cold as all heck, which really helped. In fact I got a mild sunburn on my face, so I look a little like a negative raccoon where my sunglasses blocked the UV rays. 5184 men finished the race. I beat 80 of 'em. The fastest guy in my age class was 61 years old. His name was Art Rohr of Cortz Colorado. If anybody sees him, congratulate him for me. His age percentage is 77.3%, so it's obvious that there are some damn fast old guys running around somewhere. it ain't me.
The race, then, started right about sunrise. Senator McCain was there helping get us all going. He is looking really good. I actually think I may be on to something when I speculate that he threw the race last election cycle. I don't think he really wanted to be President. At any rate, he looks loose, ten years younger, and happy with his life, so more power to him. I waved as I trotted by. The race course goes through a lot of ordinary Phoenix neighborhoods, which I found interesting. There is a lot of mid-century modern architecture in Phoenix, including some new stuff in the authentic style. If you're looking for some commercial property you can hang on to for a while and sell when the market rebounds, you really ought to check out Phoenix. The housing didn't look bad at all; I say no bank owned houses for sale, in fact, only a few rentals. But there are entire strip malls that are vacant. Not essentially vacant, but vacant. As in nobody, nada, zilch, nil, nadia, nunca, you get the idea by now.
Personally, the first ten miles of the race, which are all uphill, just about wiped me out. I made a decision to walk most of the second half. I'm not sure I could've run another fourteen miles anyway. But it was a nice day for a walk, and I got to see downtown Scottsdale at a walking pace, and talk to some people along the way. I didn't stroll, either. When I walk in a race, I walk as fast as I can, which is actually more work, but which uses different muscles than running so sometimes it's better to alternate running and walking if I'm feeling tired.
The Rock and Roll Marathon series features, well, rock and roll music every mile. The bands in Phoenix were a lot like the bands in Vegas -- mostly pretty darned good. The difference is that in Vegas there were a couple who were damned good, and in fact they have recording contracts, whereas nobody in Phoenix rose to that level. But there were more bands in Phoenix, and they were all, as I said, pretty darned good, so it was a fun day. Some of them kept a 50s theme going, including a rendition of Hound Dog that would do an Elvis Impersonator proud.
The final water station was a bit less than a mile from the end. They (the people handing out the water) called it "Margaritaville." They had island music playing, they dressed like parrotheads (if you don't know what that means, google it,) and they even gave away beads. By mile 25 everybody's feeling great, so that was a fun way to finish up. I ran in from there, in fact, ending with a good kick across the finish line.
It was the largest marathon/half marathon event ever, as it happens. Wow, huh?
So, I'll probably be back next year. What the heck, I maybe can grab some more beads!
Steve
First, the results. I finished the race in a chip time of 6:22:34. That's about three minutes faster than the gun time, because it took me three minutes to cross the starting line. My age group percentage rose to 40% after, though, so I am, at least this year, improving. It was not, as it was in Las Vegas, cold as all heck, which really helped. In fact I got a mild sunburn on my face, so I look a little like a negative raccoon where my sunglasses blocked the UV rays. 5184 men finished the race. I beat 80 of 'em. The fastest guy in my age class was 61 years old. His name was Art Rohr of Cortz Colorado. If anybody sees him, congratulate him for me. His age percentage is 77.3%, so it's obvious that there are some damn fast old guys running around somewhere. it ain't me.
The race, then, started right about sunrise. Senator McCain was there helping get us all going. He is looking really good. I actually think I may be on to something when I speculate that he threw the race last election cycle. I don't think he really wanted to be President. At any rate, he looks loose, ten years younger, and happy with his life, so more power to him. I waved as I trotted by. The race course goes through a lot of ordinary Phoenix neighborhoods, which I found interesting. There is a lot of mid-century modern architecture in Phoenix, including some new stuff in the authentic style. If you're looking for some commercial property you can hang on to for a while and sell when the market rebounds, you really ought to check out Phoenix. The housing didn't look bad at all; I say no bank owned houses for sale, in fact, only a few rentals. But there are entire strip malls that are vacant. Not essentially vacant, but vacant. As in nobody, nada, zilch, nil, nadia, nunca, you get the idea by now.
Personally, the first ten miles of the race, which are all uphill, just about wiped me out. I made a decision to walk most of the second half. I'm not sure I could've run another fourteen miles anyway. But it was a nice day for a walk, and I got to see downtown Scottsdale at a walking pace, and talk to some people along the way. I didn't stroll, either. When I walk in a race, I walk as fast as I can, which is actually more work, but which uses different muscles than running so sometimes it's better to alternate running and walking if I'm feeling tired.
The Rock and Roll Marathon series features, well, rock and roll music every mile. The bands in Phoenix were a lot like the bands in Vegas -- mostly pretty darned good. The difference is that in Vegas there were a couple who were damned good, and in fact they have recording contracts, whereas nobody in Phoenix rose to that level. But there were more bands in Phoenix, and they were all, as I said, pretty darned good, so it was a fun day. Some of them kept a 50s theme going, including a rendition of Hound Dog that would do an Elvis Impersonator proud.
The final water station was a bit less than a mile from the end. They (the people handing out the water) called it "Margaritaville." They had island music playing, they dressed like parrotheads (if you don't know what that means, google it,) and they even gave away beads. By mile 25 everybody's feeling great, so that was a fun way to finish up. I ran in from there, in fact, ending with a good kick across the finish line.
It was the largest marathon/half marathon event ever, as it happens. Wow, huh?
So, I'll probably be back next year. What the heck, I maybe can grab some more beads!
Steve
Friday, September 11, 2009
A Hairy Situation
A hairy me, I mean. I noticed this phenomenon the first time I trained for a marathon run, in 2006. This year I'm running the Las Vegas Marathon for the third time, and back on the street for many miles per week. Seventeen miles next Sunday morning is what the schedule calls for, for instance. There are weekday runs, too. That first year, just about this time of the training program, I noticed that I looked more hairy than I had. In fact, I wasn't more hairy, but the hair that I had was regaining it's color. The first thing I noticed that time was that my lower legs looked like they belonged to a chimpanzee! Well, last year I didn't run, and apparently I faded out again, because now I again notice that all the little hairs on my arms and legs have darkened up wonderfully. Eeekah, bro!
Now the odd thing is that it's not just dark again, but it's darker than it ever has been. I have no idea what is happening internally to cause such a thing. I do know that I was a tow headed little kid, so maybe it's just part of an ongoing process of darkening hair that's been interrupted by age-related bleaching. It's odd, I'll tell you that. Even my beard is back to being more grizzled than white as the dark strands are coming to dominate. Somebody told me once that exercise stimulates human growth hormone (HGH) so that may be the reason. Under the title of this post is a link to an article about a study that found that running keeps older people healthy longer. I think I read a few years ago, but can't find it just now, that intermittent heavy exercise has an effect on the signs of aging.
So, if you are a member of my age obsessed generation, how willing are you to jump up out of the recliner and pound pavement for your health? A little bit? I started running again when my doctor threatened me with another half-century of life, when I was already fifty-six. I had no intention of living so long, but I figured that I might as well stay healthy if I was stuck with being here. I mention that just to say that I had no intention of looking younger than I am, nor any idea that I would. Still, it's a nice bonus, innit? So come on, you aging, youth-obsessed boomers out there: get up and do something!
There, that's telling 'em.
Labels: Running, Social Commentary
