The US Half Marathon, The Other Half

I did something pretty cool today: I ran my 10th half marathon. Amazingly enough, this was the 10th race in six months. I completed the race in 2:22:55, a time I'm very happy with considering the hills in The Presidio and the rough weather conditions on the Golden Gate Bridge.

This one was especially awesome because I ran it in my back yard. I love San Francisco, and to be able to run across the Golden Gate Bridge was quite an experience. Every moment of this 13.1 miler reminded me of my humble beginnings in my quest to get healthy when I walked my dog everyday to the Golden Gate Bridge. I still can't believe that one year ago I thought I was having heart attack. As a result, I made healthy changes and now I am the happiest I've ever been in my life. What a difference a year makes. Life is beautiful.

Easter Roller Coaster 5k

I woke up at 7am to run the Easter Roller Coaster 5k. They call it this for a reason. I think "Hell Hill" would be more appropriate, but since it is Easter Sunday, I'll go with it. This was a tough run. I'm glad it's done.

Oakland Running Festival

I just completed my 9th half marathon, and what an experience it was. Oakland is such a colorful and vibrant city, and running through it was so much fun. I had been rehabilitating my bum knee all week, so I did not know how this race was going to play out. Fortunately, my knee healed in time and I finished the race at 2:34:49. Not bad for not training the whole week! The other thing that made this race special is the fact that Luis, Christine, and newbie Marr-Goyle (the co-worker whom I convinced to do this) ran the race too. I am proud of these guys for sticking with it. I was also able to meet up with some of my Shadow Chaser friends from Modesto and The Walking Diva herself, Yolanda Holder. Yolanda will be in the Guinness Book of World Record at the end of this year for walking 100 marathons!

Surgical Artistry Modesto Half Marathon

This past year has been been pretty amazing for me with all this running, and it all started in this little town called Modesto. I ran my first 5k there, and then my first 10k. It's only fitting that I run the Surgical Artistry Modesto Half Marathon. I had to. There's definitely a soft spot in my heart for Modesto, and this race, my 8th half marathon, was definitely special. I had such a huge support system who ran the race with me, and I really needed it. I had a tough time, as my left knee started to act up the night before, but I jog/walked the 13.1 miles and finished in 2:39:19.5 at a 12:10 pace. I'm in a lot of pain right now. I hope this pain goes away in the next few days. I'll be honest and say the runner's high only lasted about 12 minutes this time around. The pain canceled out the endorphins. Hopefully, I will recover and heal soon.

Dallas Rock & Roll Half Marathon

Got Half Marathon #7 under my big lone star belt buckle.


Yeeee-HA!

I love you Dallas! Another 13.1 miler completed. My finish time at the Dallas Rock & Roll Half Marathon was 2:26:21. Out of the 7 races I've run, this is my 6th best time, or 2nd worse depending on how you look at it. At first I didn't know why because I felt good, I had no mental melt downs, and my body never cramped up. Why then did it take me this long? I figured it out on the plane: I was having too much fun. I slowed down to soak in the atmosphere, I took plenty of pictures, I schmoozed with the volunteers giving out Cytomax. I was thoroughly enjoying myself. So my question is, should I really push hard to earn a PR, or should I continue to have fun at these races? I do what I do because I want to be healthy, and that goal has been accomplished. I have nothing to prove to anyone, so I'm going to get out there and have fun!!!

Embarcadero 10K

Another 10k under my belt. 6.2 miles in 62 minutes. I may not be the fastest in the pack, but I always finish every race I run. Woo Hoo!

Mardi Gras Rock & Roll Half Marathon

I ventured out to New Orleans for the inaugural Mardi Gras Rock & Roll Half Marathon. What an awesome trip. Every time I run a half marathon, I feel like I've added 13.1 years to my life. This one may be #6, but it feels like the first time all over again. I've corrected my errors from my previous three races, and crossed the finish line in 2:19:21. Running is not easy. I surprise myself every time. People ask me all the time what runner's high is all about. The only way I can explain it is to show it:



Nola has become my new favorite city, surpassing Paris, Las Vegas, and Cairo. Aside from bad customer service that I received from the Queen & Crescent Hotel, I have no complaints about New Orleans. I will definitely return. Special thanks to Jud and Joanna Wickersham for their hospitality.

Bay Trail 4M

Another Dolphin South End Runners ribbon to add to my collection! I followed up my success at The Presidents Day 10k last week with the Oyster Point 4 Mile run this morning. I finished in 37 minutes at a 9:15 pace. After crossing the finish line, I started again! I jogged a mile out to meet Christine & Luis, and we wogged (walk/jogged) back. This bodes well for my confidence as I prepare for my next half marathon in New Orleans next week. Feelin' Good!

Presidents Day 10K

I was supposed to have run a 5k on Presidents Day, but when I found out there was a 10k as well, I jumped at the chance. Why not? It was at Coyote Point, my old stomping grounds. I'm glad I did, because not only did I get a PR, but I managed to figure out what my problem areas are. As a result, I was able to finish this race in 55:41 at an 8:59 pace. WOO HOO!! Christine Clark did pretty well too!

Surf City USA Half Marathon

Cowabunga Dude!! Half Marathon #5 completed. I am one third of the way to my California Dreaming medal! Now I just have to complete the San Francisco and Long Beach marathons. Today was a good day. My official time is 2:23:58. I will continue to work hard to achieve my personal record, but for now, I am basking in the glory of completing my fifth 13.1 miler. Woo Hoo!


The best part about this race? I got to run it with my friends Brian and Suzy. These two ran the 5k, and I have to commend them on a job well done, considering that they pushed a baby stroller the whole way! Props to the Young family, and thank you for being such gracious hosts to Endorphin Dude!

Golden Gate Park 10K

6.2 miles in 62 minutes. Not bad!!

Arizona Rock & Roll Half Marathon

Endorphin Dude completes another half marathon! This is my fourth 13.1 miler overall. This time around, there were no falls, no temper tantrums, and no melt downs. Endorphin Dude may not have gotten his PR in Arizona, but boy oh boy, did he have fun. Running without a Garmin is not a bad thing. I didn't stress out about time, and as a result, I enjoyed the run. My final time is 2:23:45:00, my third best time to date. Woo Hoo!

Arts & Sciences 5K

Another 5k under my belt. I did MUCH better today than last week. 3.1 miles under 32 minutes. Still got a lot of work to do, but I'm feeling confident about next week's half marathon in AZ!

Lake Merced 4.5 Mile Run

This morning's Lake Merced 4.5 Mile Run was a struggle. I barely finished in 54 minutes. At least I wasn't last. An 80 year old woman was the final participant to cross. Hey, at least I finished! I look so beat up right now that Chewbacca will have to stand in for me for the photo!