Saturday Morning, Day 2

No David today, he's at his dad's this weekend. So I went to Shoreline Park by myself, hoping to do four miles today as per the schedule.

This week was pretty similar to last week. Introduction of coaches, talk about the path for today, some how-to, a lot of reminders about being injury free and not worrying about speed, and then we were off. Left exactly at 9:00 a.m. Did four miles, mostly walking but some running, and I was back at exactly 10:00 a.m. So after two weeks, I'm averaging a solid 15:00 minute mile pace. That's no good. The L.A. Marathon webpage says that streets along the route reopen at the 13:00 minute mile mark; if it takes you longer than that, you are to be prepared to use the sidewalks and follow the traffic laws (meaning you will have to stop at red lights) to finish the marathon. See link here: http://www.lamarathon.com/streetclosures.php

Now, I know it's only my second week, and the second orientation week at that. And while I'm not expecting to finish first, second, or 2,847th, I do want only to finish the marathon and finish it without having to stop at red lights the last ten miles. Thirteen minute miles or less, therefore are now my goal.

There are five color groups at BRW, each one a different pace group. I didn't expect to be in the slowest group (Purple 18:30 and greater per mile), but I'm bringing up the rear in the second to slowest group (Blue 13:00 to 15:45 per mile). I don't know why there is no 15:45 to 18:30 group, that will be a question I have to ask next week if I remember. I'm going to work toward getting in the next pace group (Red 10:30 to 13:00 per mile). We won't even mention the other two, I'm not looking to get into those groups this year. If I continue with this for an extended period of time, then of course, there would be goals of improving my time, but we're going to take baby steps for now.

Next week begins the individual pace group runs. The slowest group starts first with the fastest group last, trying to get everyone done by the same time. They are going to combine the Purple and Blue groups for the next couple of weeks to see where most of those runners are; most people in those color groups are new to BRW and they want to make sure they are where they are supposed to be. An early 7:22 start time for me next week, and we're supposed to be there fifteen minutes before the run. Won't David (with me next week) be excited when he hears we have to be at Shoreline Park at 7:07 a.m.?