I love running through the Redwoods.  The half marathon course we are running is the Ave of the Giants course I ran in May.  I ran 1:32:47 then and am hoping to run as well or better on Sunday.  Catherine and I are leaving Friday about noon. This way we can get up there and relax.  I want to go into this race with fresh legs. 

One situation that I need to get a handle on is a sore I have on the top of my right foot.  It just appeared after an easy walk/run last Monday.  I took off my shoe without feeling anything and there it was.  It doesn't look like much but it really hurts if I tie my shoe over the top of it.  I have changed the way I am lacing up my shoe and I also flip up the tongue so it does not touch it. 

This doesn't look like it would be that big of a deal but it is.  This was taken before the start of the 5k last Saturday.  It is still sore to the touch.  Weird.  Just another situation to deal with.  I hope that during the next three days it will just heal.

I have 11 races to go.  It has been tough but I am  going to reach my 7 minute/mile goal average pace.   I could loose some ground on Sunday but as long as I average 1:33 for this half and Clarksburg Nov 11, I should be okay.   But because it is going to be so close, I did have to take the Cabo Double off my official race calendar.  I will run that Double Oct 27 but not officially for my challenge.  It is just too hot there and I am going to be on my feet for three days taking photos leading up to the races.  I replaced these two races with the Campbell race I did last Saturday and a 4 mile race I am doing in San Francisco Dec 2.  One issue is that I am racing 5k on Dec 1.  I will  just have to deal with it.  I am running out of time...

Good luck on your race Bob.
Richard Stiller 10/20/12 3:39 pm

Bob, stay strong. You've got the experience/strategy and a great team to hit your goal tomorrow. Best of luck - Gary
Gary Funck 10/20/12 9:28 pm

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I was going to take this weekend but I needed to make up some time.  I decided not to count the Cabo Double (Oct 27) in my 50 races.  I love the Double but in Cabo it is hot and after being on my feet for three days taking photos of Ujena bikini models I was for sure going to run over 7 minutes/mile.  So I put on my schedule this race, the Campbell Oktoberfest 5k.  One issue I had leading up to the race, I developed a sore on the top of my foot and I could not tie my shoe regularly.  But right before the start I figured out a way to tie it.  (Lead photo Jose Pina Jr. and I talking about his race.)

Before the start I spoke with Brian (left) and Scott.  Brian and I have been racing together for years.  In fact, earlier in the year he ran the 5k on the track I did.  I had hoped to hang on to him in that race, but I just didn't have it that day.  Brian is 57 and is still running well.  Today he ran 20:02.  Scott just turned 60 and we both knew that we would blow away the 60 plus course record of 23 something.  He beat me today by 30 seconds or so.   He was first 60 plus and I was second.

It was great to see the Pina family.  We had not seen them since we got together for a training run and filming for "A Long Run."  I knew they had been running well.   Omer, age 11 was also running today.  Jose Sr. did not run because he has an important cross-country race Sunday morning. 

I was so proud of Jose Jr. (1472) today.  He was first overall.  He run his best time ever.  I think he ran 15:36.  He is only 15-years-old.  His brother Omer ran 21:37.  Most likely the Pina family will be running with us at the Double in Pleasanton.

I wanted to get under 21 minutes and I did.   I hit the first mile at 6:34.  I ran 20:50.  I am now just 40 seconds in total behind my 7 min/mile goal.  I have 11 races to go.  Next up is the half marathon next Sunday up in the Redwoods.  I hope to run 1:31 there.   Photos by Catherine Cross

Hey Bob today I went and got a Moji!! It is a little hand held massager ( stainless steel roller balks). A trainer I know here let me use his after the San Jose 1/2 I am hooked!!! Only around $30.00 my legs feel so much better!
Jodi Labossiere 10/14/12 4:17 am

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