Exploration Run

Time: 59:58
Distance: 8.18 miles
Pace: 7:20
Map

I decided to switch things up this morning and head down to the San Diego Harbor. I have only driven by the airport a few times and noticed there is a bike path/jogging path that runs along the harbor. I thought it would be nice to run somewhere other than Balboa Park.

Meagan and I wound our way through the neighborhoods and ended up by the water. Our run took us along a cluster of boats and past various piers. Eventually we ended up by a pirate ship, a couple of cruise ships and a battleship. Man your stations. It was a nice change of scenery on an absolutely perfect morning. Great weather for the run as I ran skins.

I continued exploring the waterfront and around 4.5 miles it was time to start thinking about running home. After getting around the convention center and past the Padres stadium we entered the Gaslamp District. It was a little stop-and-go with the traffic lights, but soon we were in the familiar surroundings of Balboa Park. A quick pass through the park brought us back to the condo.

A New Year

Time: 45:27
Distance: 6.08 miles
Pace: 7:28
Map

Last night Meagan and I had a grandiose plan of running through Balboa Park at midnight. We thought it might be a lucky way to ring in the New Year. However, considering the facts that Meagan was sound asleep at 11:15 and had a good workout in the morning, I thought it be wise to scrap the run. Since the run was going to be our NYE celebration, we didn't end up doing anything exciting. At least this morning we didn't wake up with a hangover.

The run through Balboa Park this morning was just delightful. Actually, Meagan was feeling and looking terrible. There weren't nearly as many resolute runners out and about as I thought. Maybe they hit the streets later in the day. The run for me went well as it was easy time on the feet.

Christmas Morning

Time: 71:01
Distance: 10.18 miles
Pace: 6:59
Map

Meagan's leg has been feeling a lot better since we have been in Palm Springs and that mean I have company for part of my runs. We ran up to Ruth Hardy Park and then ran back down to the condo complex. Meagan's calf had to have been feeling good because she dropped a 6:48 mile in the middle of the run on a downhill section. I added on a few extra miles before calling it a morning.

A few hours later we were in Ontario, CA picking up another set of parentals. Gifts were exchanged and I came away with a bunch of gift cards and a Garmin nuvi 265. I now have two registered Garmin products, one helps my running and the other helps me find running stores.

Palm Springs Farewell

Time: 66:49
Distance: 10.35 miles
Pace: 6:28
Map

I finished up my running in California with a final run in Palm Springs following the same loop that Meagan and I did on her marathon simulation. I kept the pace pretty easy but picked things up the last couple of miles. The legs were feeling good by the time I crested the top of the hill near the 6 mile mark. My last 8 half-mile splits were: 3:07, 3:04, 2:56, 2:52, 2:55, 2:59, 2:51, 2:59.

She's Gettin' After It

Palm Springs Lifestyle

Time: 104:55/92:02

Distance: 15.38/13.86 miles
Pace: ~6:48/6:38

Meagan and I got out for her marathon simulation this morning around 7:30 am. She was instructed to run a mile warmup, start the simulation at 6:50 and start clipping off 6:40s for the remaining ~12 miles. We were looking to get in about 15 miles total. I looked back to the last time I was in town to find a course that was roughly 10-11 miles which would serve as our first loop and then I had another 4 miles mapped out across the street. This is the loop I glanced at before heading out the door for one of Meagan's more important workouts during this training cycle.

I'll give myself a pat on the back for being able to remember the exact loop and or guiding Meagan through the intersections without a hitch. Our warmup mile was an 8:29 which put us along a street that was perfect to begin the workout. Our first two splits were 7:02 (1) and 6:59 (2) which were run north on a slightly uphill section of Palm Springs. When we started heading west towards the mountain and Ruth Hardy Park the pace dropped significantly to 6:35 (3) and 6:40 (4). I agreed with Jeff that it would be smart for her to run at the pace she felt comfortable so after the first two miles she was on her own to run the correct pace.

Ruth Hardy Park

The fifth mile was definitely the most uphill section and she split 6:49 (5) followed by a 6:30 (6) that was definitely net downhill. We wound our way back through the Old Las Palmas neighborhood, passed the Desert Museum while clicking off 6:26 (7), 6:45 (8) and 6:36 (9). When we got near the condo Meagan had to stopped and make a pitstop which took a little longer than what would be ideal. I believe we were around 9.36 miles of tempo work and my watch messed up during this 5 minute break. The .36 mile portion was run in 2:26 or 6:52 pace.

We resumed just outside of Koffi with a 6:45 (10.36 miles) and the first Clif shot with water was taken. We got things rolling shortly thereafter with a 6:29 (11.36), 6:24 (12.36) and 6:25 (13.36). Meagan wanted to pick up the pace the last half mile which she ran in 3:08 to bring us to our total of 13.86 miles. We did a short cool down of just over a half mile that brought us back to the condo. It was then time to get changed for the wedding brunch and off to the pool.

Palm Springs Living

Time: 70:55
Distance: 9.52
Pace: 7:27

Meagan and I went on an easy run through the streets of Palm Springs. Originally she was going to do her marathon simulation but she wasn't feeling good so we delayed it until tomorrow. The run was pretty uneventful but I was able to show Meagan around Palm Springs. I think she saw everything the city has to offer by the time we were done with our run.

Sunny Palm Springs

Time: 61:55
Distance: 10.02 miles
Pace: 6:11

I got up and went out for a run in the flats of Palm Springs. I made a quick tour through some familiar areas before heading down to the busier part of town where my dad was getting his hair cut. I get a good laugh every time I hear the barber/stylist/hair dresser's name which is Brian O'Brien. Hah!

A view of Palm Springs and the mountains to the west.

After a quick stop in to bug my dad I ventured out and made a spin around Ruth Hardy park. I was surprised at how good my legs were feeling and the pace was continually getting faster. My splits for the entire run were 7:01, 6:41, 6:26, 6:16, 6:12, 6:11, 6:08, 5:45, 5:31, 5:32. I was pleased with the way I felt the final 4 miles and how I responded to the change in pace. I hadn't intentionally set out to pick up the pace so drastically but I went with the flow of the run.

Long Bobcat

Time: 100:15
Distance: ~17 miles

Got out the door later than normal b/c I was waiting for the weather to improve. The wind died down around 1 pm and the temperature hovered around 45 degrees. I started out knowing I had to push the pace for a portion of the run. Tom wanted me to drop some 5:30s the last few miles. I figured that the grid system would work well out east of town. I threw an add on in the middle of the run by first running through campus and turning left on Pickard. Ran a 6:15 mile a little over 3 miles into the run and I was feeling good. I made my way past the golf course, crossed Hwy 9 and headed out to the back roads. I started taking mile splits from 24th, to 48th, to 60th, the two miles over to Lindsey and then the 3 miles back into town. I hit splits of 5:42.94, 5:35.77, 5:38.43, 5:32.19, 5:31.22, 5:45.81, 5:52.25, 5:45.95. I tried to let the terrain dictate the pace. If there was a hill I maintained form, if it was flat I didn't try to press and if it was downhill I let my legs turnover. I was fairly relaxed until I turned back into the slight breeze on Lindsey which is where the miles are gradually more uphill. Pleased with how this run turned out.

Bobcat

Time: 93:30
Distance: 15 miles

Ran the Bobcat loop that is one of the few named runs in Norman. I got out there pretty late in the afternoon a few hours before the Super Bowl kick off. It was an amazing day. Slight breeze out of the easy, sunny skies and temps in the low 70s. I couldn't complain. Started taking some splits out on Cedar Rd. starting at 24th and heading east. Times were: 6:02, 6:01, 6:03, 5:58, 5:56, 6:08, 6:10, 6:04. The three mile splits were taken along Lindsey on the hillier section heading west with the wind in my face. I wasn't trying to push the pace b/c my legs were a bit tired from the workout last night. The weather, more than anything, got me moving.

Palm Springs II

Time: 60:11
Distance: 9 miles

Ran from the Biltmore Colony and headed north on Deepwell. Wasn't sure where I wanted to go, but had Ruth Hardy Park in mind. Ran a little around the park before heading over to Old Las Palmas which is the neighborhood where the movie stars used to live. I ran through the neighborhoods before making my way back to the house. The weather was great. Probably in the 60s with no wind. I was feeling pretty good. Legs were a little sore from the strides yesterday. Tomorrow I will perhaps attempt a hill workout.

When I got back to the house I found two 8 pound dumbbells in the closet and put them to use. I lifted very lightly, mostly did the running motion to attempt some sort of upper body workout.

Short Run

Time: 31:11

Distance: 4 miles

Ran from the house down to Kanan and out to Oak Park HS. I ran to the intersection of Doubletree and Kanan. On the way out I spotted two Toyota Prius' parked on the side of the road. I was wondering what they were doing when I ran by but thought nothing of it. On the way back I saw that a man was filling the lead Prius with gas. He had two of those little red plastic cans and was messing with the fuel tank. First of all, how do you run out of gas on a car with a gauge? When the light comes on you fill up. If you're Nick Neely, you might wait a few days, but still you never run out of fuel. Second, how the hell can you run out of gas with a Prius? The thing is a hybrid and gets like 60 mpg. That is enough to go like... from LA (the city) to LA (the state). The person who owns a Prius and runs out of fuel should have their license revoked, be forced to pick up trash along the hwy and have to travel by camel for month. Idiot!

Oak Park/Thousand Oaks Loop

Time: 55:33

Distance: 8 miles

Ran from the house in Agoura Hills down to Kanan Rd. Took a left and headed out toward Oak Park. Ran past the high school, turned left on Lindero Canyon Rd. Ran until I hit Thousand Oaks Blvd. Ran along past Taqueria Oscars which I learned is now closed or went out of business. Such a shame b/c I never got to go there. If I remember correctly, Chase who used to be on the Brown XC/TF team was from Thousand Oaks or Oak Park or near where I am staying. He didn't care too much about running and his only real contribution to the team was about how porn stars who get their buttholes waxed should be considered for the Purple Heart. However, he will be most remembered for "munging." If you don't know what it is, look it up. Not cool.

The run was on this route. Turns out it wasn't 8 miles but closer to 9. I must be terrible at recording on Gmaps Pedometer or not that out of shape.

Overall, it was a good run. Pretty decent loop that was rolling most of the way. I didn't need to be reminded of munging though.

Agoura to Oak Park

Time: 48:11
Distance: 7 miles

Ran from the house here in Agoura down to Kanan Rd. Took a left at the light and ran out in the direction of Oak Park. I was hoping to hit around 50 minutes, so I turned at 25:30. I figured that the entire first mile plus was downhill and that it would be faster. I still negative split the run which was fine. I woke up a little sore this morning. Nothing too painful, but definitely a little silly to be sore after a 40 minute jog.

I take it struck a nerve with the one person from socal that lives in Oklahoma. Great comments were left in yesterday's post. For those 3 individuals who may actually read this blog, just so you know, Fresno, Bakersfield and Modesto are perhaps the 3 most despicable cities in California. They would be comparable to New Haven, Conn. (for the east coasters), Ardmore (for the Oklahomans), and perhaps Fairbanks, AL (for the Alaskan).

Agoura Hills

Time: 43:14
Distance: 6 miles?

I'm here in sunny California. The shitty part though. The southern half of the state is in great need of something. Oh well. I can't be complaining b/c it is much, much better than not having electricity in Oklahoma. I can't knock the OK state one bit though. It's the name of this blog. I like to think of myself as the OK runner. I work at a store in the OK running community. I want to rep OK to the fullest. I'll fight for OK. I'll die for OK. OK does not suck (I'm not sure why Texas doesn't fall into the ocean). Regardless, any place is miserable when you don't have power. Goes to show how reliant we as a society are on technology and first class amenities.

Back to running... I ran down the hill and looped the roughly 3 mile circle twice. Legs felt good. Not sure what they will think in the morning. The loop was slightly hilly which is going to rock me in a few days. The pace was good. Breathing was good. All diagnostics were good.

Useless piece of info.: I saw a coyote outside the back fence this morning. It was the size of a German Sheppard. I also saw a Mini Coop crash into some garbage bins and then the back of a suburban. Well, I didn't see it happen. But, I saw the aftermath and all the cops/medical units. See what I tell you... socal sucks.