Lakewood Mug Run

Kristen and I did the Lakewood Mug Run for the second time last weekend. It was great weather this year (last year it was miserably rainy) although I didn't run any faster than last time. Apparently last year I was 3rd in my age group but didn't stick around for the results because of the rain. I only found this fact out when I was looking for my results a week before the race. WIth that information in mind I was hopeful that I would place again this year. As we all know, its not really about how fast you run, but who else shows up (and how fast they are). Results were posted late into the week and it looks like I was 5th in my age group. The day, however, wasn't lost since my lovely wife took home a first place medal for her age group. An interesting thing about this race is the naming for the different age groups. 0-19 is called "junior", 20-29 is called "open", and 30-34 is called "Senior A" and 35-39 is called "Senior B", 40-44 is "Master A", 45-49 is "Master B", 50-54 is "Grand Master A" and 55-dead is called "Grand Master B". Kristen didn't like being called a Senior and when her age group (Senior A) was called and her name announced as first place she didn't understand and thought she had written her age incorrectly on the entry form.

Firecracker!

Kristen and I and two of our friends, Steve and Maureen from AREC, ran the LA Chinatown Firecracker 10k race last Sunday. It's a great, tough run that starts in Chinatown, goes uphill to Elysian Fields where you get a killer view over Dodger Stadium into downtown LA and beyond, and then you get to make up for that lost time by flying downhill the rest of the way. It was a beautiful day and everyone ran pretty good times considering the elevation change.

Kristen, of course, won 2nd place in her age group.

Surf City Report

Better late than never I guess. The HB Surf City race day was a good day. Kristen ran the Half in 1:34:08 and I ran my first Half in 2:04. When I first started training for it I hoped for just under 2 hours. As time went on I didn't get to train as hard as I initially wanted to. I also got a little lazy to be honest. So on race I just went out there with the goal of coming in as close to 2 hours as I could. I was surprised and excited to come in right around when I wanted. Maybe next time I won't be so lazy during the training. The thing about this race (which Kristen and I are both Legacy Long Board members now because we've run it 3 years in a row) is that it's kinda boring. You run up PCH and at around 3 miles in you go uphill, make a loop and then come back down and then continue up and back on PCH which at that point is constantly rolling which gets kinda annoying. Still, it's a good course for putting up good times. Maybe I can PR there next year. Cheers!

Surf City Here We Come

No rain! Yes! Forecast called for light showers this morning for the Huntington Beach Half Marathon which would have blown goats big time. But it looks dry out there. Kristen's knee is bothering her so she's not running the full marathon and is instead opting for the Half. She'll still beat me with a wounded knee. Well, away we go!

Santa Monica 13.1

Kristen ran the inaugural Half Marathon in Santa Monica on Sunday and ran a really great time: 1:37. She didn't PR, but it still kicks the living hell out of most people's time. And as a reward for finishers, Marilyn Monroe, Austin Powers and even Darth Vader joined in on the fun. Aw.

Mmmm beer.

I had a bottle of this the other night and I have to say that it is stellar. BevMo has it right now. Go out and get some. Anderson Valley Brewing Company makes some amazing suds so search them out.

Montreal 2009

Kristen and I hit Montreal for a quick vacation after Xmas this year. It's a great city. Metro. Underground city. Lots of old architecture mixed in with the new and the people are extremely friendly. And it truly is French. We thought it might be more "French" themed, but no no. It's like being in France without having to cross the pond. Nice. We ran on the hotel dreadmills every day and then walked around the city (in 0 degree weather btw) stopping occasionally to shop and drink some vino. Good times. Now, back to reality.