I think it was Bill Rodgers who said that you just know in the first 20 yards if you are going to run a good race or not.  Yesterday was like that for me.  I just could not shift out of third gear.  But I pushed as hard as I could considering how I was feeling.  I had written down on a yellow pad that I wanted to run 34:10 (I had mentioned on Facebook that I wanted to get under 34) and I finished in 34:19.  Glad it was not a longer race.  That is not that far off from what I wanted but as close as this is going to be every second count.  It just was not a good feeling race.  Good sure why.

What was really cool about this race was the setting.  We ran on the Bay Trail through Oyster Cove Marina in South San Francisco. The bike path was a little narrow and I was glad there were only a 100 runners or so.  It was hard to pass some runners but not too bad.  Near the starting line there were a couple of old cars parked.  I hope the owner didn't mind that I used the his front bumper to stretch.

We are meeting lots of runners with interesting stories along the way.  76-year-old Geores Buttner has done some interesting running adventures.  When he turned 66 he ran 2200 miles solo.  He started in Chicago  and six months and six days later he finished in Santa Monica.  He would drive his van which was his home out six miles and leave his bike.  He would drive his van back to the starting point.  He would run six miles to his bike, then ride his bike back to his van.  He ran on route 66.  His view points on doing challenges sent chills up my spine.  Geores is a very inspiring guy...and will be profiled in our movie.

That's my brother Barry and Catherine talking about something.  Barry came out on Saturday and will be with us when we travel up to Eugene on Thursday. 

Just not looking very relaxed right from the beginning.  Ran 6:39 for the first mile and mile three and four were 7:02 and 7:05.  I was able to bring mile five down to 6:42 however.  Bring on Eugene... I would like to hit the five mile mark of the 10 at just about this time.

Mike and Barry got some good footage...

Waitman setting up a shot...

I did not race last weekend.  I spent Friday and Saturday with the grandkids and Catherine, Justin and Lis at Disneyland.  We walked a lot and were on our feet for 12 hours per day.  I ran Thursday night with Justin outside the park, seven miles.  I ran 3.5 miles with Justin Friday morning and the same with Lis Saturday morning.  By the time we drove home Sunday, I felt like I had ran a marathon over the weekend.  We had a great time and the new Cars ride is amazing but it did take a lot out of me.  Not sure why but it would be the same if we had gone to a trade show.

What's ahead are three very important races for my challenge.  On Sunday the DSE Runners is holding the Oyster Point 5 miler.  I have not run it before but I have been told it is flat.  I really need to pick up some time on this one.  I am just 5 seconds in total ahead of my 7 min/pace goal for all my races.  I need to pick up at least 45 seconds or more on Sunday.   My legs don't feel fresh right now but I hope they will by Sunday.

Next week on Thursday we are traveling to Eugene Oregon.  We are spending the day with my first editor of Runner's World Joe Henderson.  On Sunday I am running the 10 Miler there.  Race director Ken Vendley was in town a couple of weeks ago and he came by the house.  He told me that most likely the conditions in Eugene will be perfect for a good time.  And the course is fast.  I have to get under 70 minutes and I hope to be close if not under 69 minutes.  Another important race.  I need to go into the half marathon Oct 7 in San Jose with at least a minute and a half buffer.

I have run the RocknRoll San Jose Half Marathon the last five years.  In 2009 I ran 1:27:53.  Last year I ran 1:31:22.  I like the course and love the race.  At the beginning of the year I was thinking about running 1:29 there.  I still think I can if everything goes well for me.  But I would like to have the pressure off and have a little room if I end up running 1:33 or so.  I just have 15 races to go and it is going to be close.  Averaging under 7 minutes per mile for 355 miles over the course of a year (50 races) is not a piece of cake.  Bring them on...

After the San Jose Half, I have an off weekend.  But then the next Sunday is the Humbolt half marathon.  The following Saturday is the Double (10k + 5k) in Cabo.  It is going to be hot and I am going to be tired from taking over 25,000 swimwear images before Saturday.  I am going to loose some time there.  I just need a buffer before I get there...

I am really looking forward to our trip to Eugene next week. We are getting together with Joe Henderson on Friday and spending time with Ken on Saturday and then racing ten miles on Sunday. Going to be a good trip!
Bob Anderson 9/20/12 10:29 pm

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