First Run

(Photos: Crissy Field along the Golden Gate Presidio, Jan. 24, 7:45am)
(sorry couldn't take photos of ourselves right now - I'll manage it later somehow.)

On Saturday, January 24 I started the San Francisco Marathon Training. It is the first time I will attempt to run the full instead of the half. I have had minimal running experiences, two 5K's & two 10K's & running/walking in the half marathon 2 years ago. I really enjoyed doing them. Somehow, I've always put 'running' last on my daily schedule, especially during the teaching months. So, my running mentality was always fluctuating. There was always something challenging about putting running as priority. Did I view it as all or nothing? Does it have to be viewed that way? How can I best incorporate it into my life, without having to put it last every week? How will I commit to it? Don't we all have just 24 hours every day?

This time, I questioned where I was going to get my motivation and what is my real goal? Once those 2 things are defined and set clear, a whole surge of determination uplifts me. I came up with answers: motivation doesn't necessarily comes only from within, instead it is more powerful and lasting when it is mutually exchanged from myself and with other runners who share the same goal which is to have FUN first while aiming to FINISH the marathon through good camraderie and mutual support.

The Training started off with the first long run - 2.72 miles along Crissy Field located in the Golden Gate Presidio, a great hotspot for runners. A beautiful scenic run indeed if it wasn't for the weather. Temperature was FREEZING at 45F/10C with strong winds and dark clouds. It was so chilly that I ran with gloves.
Mid-way through the run, my lower abs cramped up a little. Later, I attributed that to perhaps 3 things: I failed to do a 5 min brisk walk as I normally do if I was at the gym on the treadmill, and lastly I didn't fuel my body enough in the morning 2 hours before the run. Instead, I just grabbed some trail mix on my way out the door. For future runs, I will 'improve' and go about it base on new found wisdom of my body and the mechanics of running. Running actually allows one to be more attuned with the body. I appreciate that so much.

I finished the run in 38 minutes which is OK with me. It is after all the first run. I don't want to kill myself that early on. ;-) But, the next evening (a rest day), my quadriceps were so sore that I had a little difficulty sitting and getting up out of a chair. My sister thought I had my monthly YOU KNOW WHAT. ;-) When I said no, it's RUNNING, she said how GREAT! Are you serious? I AM.

On Monday evening - 6:00pm, I ran 2.82 miles along the Embarcadero Waterfront with the training group. It was one of the most BEAUTIFUL runs I've ever done. I wished I was able to take photos of the Bay Bridge lit up at night, and the lights of the SF Bay Area all along the waterfront, around Pac Bell Park and the Ferry Building. This will be part of the marathon route. Temperature was 48F/12C but because of the nearby city skyscrapers, it helped cushioned the Embacadero area from heavy winds from the East, the location of the Pacific Ocean, where Crissy Fields were.

Tonight's run, I got to meet a fellow runner who shared the same pace as me - 11:30 pace. Melanie is a former pacer with the AIDS Running Training Group and is running the half marathon with the intent to fund-raise for AIDS. We literally just connected. We ran and chat all along the run, and it went by so fast and very enjoyable.

At the end, Coach Craig gave us a stretch lesson and address the issue of running injuries, and filled us in on his training philosophy. One thing that struck me was that he said he never leaves the under-dog in the back of the pack. And, I observed that during our running, he would run up and down the pack, and even finished the run with the last runner at the back of the pack. It was very unique to see that. I was impressed with that kind of style. He told us that when he did training for the first of 28 marathons that he ran, he was the "last runner" and the coach pretty much left all the runners in the back to 'fend for themselves' and emotionally, Coach Craig said that it was NOT GOOD, he almost dropped out of the training because of that. So, that stayed with him so much that it is part of his training philosophy. Having a good coach is a PLUS.

On the training schedule is a Wednesday night track workout at Kezar Stadium, which is a 20 minute drive from home. I haven't done a track work-out since my high school days. Tonight will be the first WED one. I'm ready! Hope to write more about running in future blogs... I'll stop here, but will keep on running! CHEERS!