Remembered at Sunset

I found out a few days before Thanksgiving Break that a family friend passed away--very unexpectedly. He was 27 years old and in great physical condition. He is originally from my hometown, but lived in San Diego and ran many of the same half marathons as I. On Nov. 20th he had an asthma attack and died.

It's hard to wrap my mind around it and I can't stop myself from thinking about him while I'm running. I pay more attention to my lungs expanding and sucking air. I imagine the panic and pain of lungs that refuse to do this. In San Diego tonight, on my first run here since I found out about his death, I wondered if he ran the same roads. I thought about the La Jolla Half Marathon he ran a few years ago and how after he completed it (in a time I could never even hope to achieve) his lungs were so restricted it was equal to breathing through a straw. I tried to imagine what that would feel like, and nearly slowed to a walk just thinking about it. I thought about his funeral and the many friends who mentioned his appreciation for sunsets. When I saw the sun setting in Ocean Beach tonight, my eyes stung with tears.

The bio on his myspace page talks about doing as much as you can while you can. I want to have this priority in common with him as well. He traveled the world, he made friends everywhere he went, and he knew how to have a good time. I want more of these things in my life.

Thanks, Shane for a new perspective. I'm sorry you had to leave.

The 9er

I have nine glorious days away from teaching. In my giddiness over this fact, I decided to do something nice for my students...this is rare. I wrote a handwritten letter to my failing and near-failing students that told them of my concern for their success and how they need to make the decision over the break to return with a renewed desire to try. I also gave them each examples of what "trying" looks like, because I'm pretty sure they don't know how that works. I found myself repeatedly writing lists that included the following: 1. Come to class 2. Do the work in class 3. Turn in the homework 4. Do the essays 5. Stay awake in class and 6. Bring paper and pencil to school every day.

All of this could have been summed up by saying, "Do your job as a student," but I don't think they would have understood that. Writing these letters about their need to set some goals and try harder, made me want to do the same for myself. If I'm going to run this marathon in Napa (and I've already registered...so I kinda have to...) I need to do a bit better sticking to my weekly mileage goals. It's difficult finding the time during the middle of the week to run 8 miles, but I have to figure it out or I won't be successful come March. So I'm going to use this break to continue my training with renewed vigor and some new goals. Here's what I came up with...

1. Wake up at 5:00 A.M. twice this next week and run at 7:00 A.M. to practice race-day time.
2. Run my 10 miler on Saturday as called for in the schedule.
3. When I return from break, run one day a week BEFORE school to help keep my mileage up (AH!).
4. When I return from break, I will run one new site a week--starting with Florida Canyon or Cowles Mtn.
5. Order new running shoes and injinji toe socks.

So we'll see how that goes. Like I've said before, I love making To Do Lists. It's doing the to-do's that is sometimes the prob.
Have a great Thanksgiving.
I probably won't be posting for a 9er or so.

The Waterfront

I don't run with people.

I haven't discussed this with you yet, but I it's time I did. First let me tell you why I dislike running with people (let me be perfectly clear: it's me, not them). I breathe loud. I spit a lot. I'm slow. My nose runs. I make hacking sounds to cough up phlegm. (This makes me sound like an 80 year old smoker.) It's not pleasant. Years ago, I occasionally ran with a friend, but she moved away, so for the last few years I've been content to run alone. It makes me feel independent and stoic...I suppose. But then last night at a friend's wedding reception, I "ran" into a new running buddy.

By some crazy coincidence, my husband and I were placed at a table with a friend of ours who, come to find out, has recently decided to train for the Napa Valley Marathon. (P.S. I'm training for the same marathon.) So, we talk mileage, training plans, routes around San Diego, blah blah blah-- he wants to do some long runs together. Despite my reservations about myself and my grossness, I say yes. Coincidence #2: We were both scheduled to run about 10 miles the next day along the same San Diego waterfront. (We live in the same neighborhood, so I guess it's not that much of a coincidence.)

Today I was reminded of the benefits of having a running buddy: accountability, pacing and distraction.

Accountability: If I wake up in the morning knowing that someone is counting on me to be there for a run, I will do it. Sometimes the excuses to not go on that long run first thing in the morning are too many and too easy to use. However, if I know someone is waiting for me, I'll be there (I'm extremely punctual and reliable and not afraid to brag about it--thanks Mom and Dad!).

Pacing: Sometimes when running alone, it's easy to zone out and realize too late that you've been running at a 14:00 minute pace for the last two miles. A running partner can push you when you're feeling ready to slack and you can push them when they're feeling ready to slack. But, be sure you communicate about how the pace feels, or you'll end like me and my running partner today who thought we were pacing off the other person and ran the last 2 miles at an 8:30 pace (don't laugh, that's fast to both of us!) I had to take a two hour nap to recover from just those last couple miles.

Distraction: Long runs can get soooo booooring. A running partner can keep you distracted from the miles you're slowing racking up over the course of two, three or four hours. Also, talking is a helpful running tool on long runs that can help the both of you gauge an appropriate and safe pace. If you can't talk, you're running too fast (of course this rule doesn't apply if you're trying to be the next Paula Radcliff or Ryan Hall). And since I don't run with headphones, the conversation definitely helped pass the time today, and for my friend who is trying to wean himself off the headphones, it was a step in the right direction. (The Napa Valley Marathon has a very strict policy about not wearing headphones--this can be scary for some people to consider running without the mental help of music.)

Running alone has its benefits, and it is necessary especially for runs during the week. If you always run with someone, you may not be prepared for that point in the race when it's just you and miles of road ahead. Running alone builds mental strength. (Side note: come up with your own personal mantra to keep your feet moving. Mine is,"I'm still moving" and sometimes, "I feel good." Pick a simple phrase that you can repeat to the beat of your pace.) But, I was reminded today about how having a running buddy for (some, not all of) your long runs is a great training strategy. If you don't have a friend who is willing to run 15 plus miles with you twice a month...join a running club like San Diego's Running Club or San Diego Track Club.

Another strategy I tried today, because of my running buddy, was The Galloway Method. I'm a big fan. I kind of always felt that running this way would be considered cheating...but I gotta say, "The Penguin" has something here. His plan is slightly different than what we chose to do (which was run 8 minutes, walk 1 minute) but this goes with what I said in a post from the other day: Alter the training schedule to fit you. This method kept my muscles loose and able to recover, and overall my average pace was not much slower than if I had run the whole ten miles. I still have a hard time saying, "I ran 10 miles today" since I walked some of it...but that's a pride thing, maybe? Perhaps I should say, "I Gallowayed 10 miles today."

The Course: The San Diego Bay Shore (AKA The Waterfront)
You can jump in at any point along this run. For a 12 mile round trip, start in Shelter Island (shown in both images). There is a lot of free parking all along Shelter Island Drive. (If you're closer to downtown, you can do this route starting at the turn around point by parking where Broadway meets Pacific Highway or in Seaport Village. You'll have to pay for parking down there.) Run along the bay's sidewalk on Shelter Island Drive. (Water and restroom is available near the pier.) At the southernmost tip of the island, listen for the seals barking in the early morning hours. When you're ready to leave Shelter Island, head east past some fantastic eateries like The Brigantine and The Point Break Cafe. Hang a right on Scott Street, you'll pass Point Loma Seafood on your right (also so good!). Stay to the right and you'll join up with North Harbor Drive. After you go over the Harbor Drive bridge, there is a running path to your right that runs feet from the water. There are two restrooms and water fountains available along this path. (You can run along Harbor Dr. on the road with the cars, but the park is much more peaceful.)

When you get to the San Diego Airport at the corner of Harbor and Harbor Island Drive, you can do a 3 mile side route that takes you around the two "legs" of the artificial peninsula. Tom Ham's Lighthouse (I hear it has a great champagne brunch) is on the south leg of the trip.

After Harbor Island Dr. continue east on the bike/run path. Coast Guard facilities will cut off your view of the bay; however, not for long. Immediately after these buildings, you'll emerge and have an amazing view across the harbor to downtown. On a clear day, you'll be able to see the Star of India (a maritime museum: an old ship that looks like something from Pirates of the Caribbean) and even as far down as the cruise ship terminals and The Midway (aircraft carrier). Another restroom and water is available before you hit the Embarcadero where there is more good food available (Ruth's Chris and Anthony's Fish Grotto...do you see what marathon training has done to my writing? All I can think about is food!). The turn around point is at Broadway. (If you continue less than a 1/4 mile past Broadway, check out the aircraft carrier. It's crazy big!)

For more mileage: you can continue past Broadway and into the Seaport Village area--a super cute Spanish style village on the edge of the harbor. It is host to the perfect view of the Coronado bridge and Coronado itself. (Don't even get me started on all the good food available down there!)

A fun option available at the Embarcadero:
Carry $7 (it used to only be $4! Sad.) on your run and purchase a round trip ferry ticket to Coronado. The ferry leaves every hour on the hour. From the ferry landing run south on Orange Ave until you get to the Hotel Del Coronado. The beach at this hotel is usually on the Top 10 Best Beaches according to "Dr. Beach" because of it's size, crystal sands, and kid-friendliness. Kick off your shoes and enjoy running the mile long length of this beach (if you want to be sore the next day...).

I guess that's it.
Keep on truckin'.

What they said, what I said, and what I wish I'd said (Second Edition)

Tuesday morning I opened my email at 7:30 AM and this was the first message I read.

(Please note: All names, phone numbers and email addresses have been changed to protect the identity of the sender. All spelling and grammar issues have been transcribed as they appeared in the email.)

>>> "Ignorant Parent" 11/10/09 7:25 AM >>>

-Hi, i have a few concerns that i need to seak to you about. Like why [my kid] is getting dention for something he did weeks ago and for sayins dang it which other studnets in the class heard him say. So if you could please contact me that would be great.

Ignorant Parent
555-5555
__________________________________________________________
After a few deep breaths, I very patiently (though with shaking hands) responded with this.......

Hello Ms. Parent,
I was just about to email you, thank you for contacting me. [Your kid] is getting a detention because yesterday he said, "Damn it" to me when I took the posted grades down. He ran across the room to try and see the grades before I could take them down--which endangered himself and others. He nearly ran into me when he said, "Damn it." I heard him very clearly without question; later he backtracked trying to say he said, "Dang it."

On Friday (not weeks ago) he came into the classroom and scribbled all over the front board while I was standing right outside the classroom door watching students as they entered the room. I had a picture (that took me quite a while to do) drawn on the board to demonstrate a scene from "The Pearl" and he ruined it with his scribblings. I told him he would receive a detention for it on Friday. So...instead of writing him TWO detentions, I just combined the two offenses yesterday. I hope that clears the situation up for you. If you have any more questions feel free to call or email me.

Me
888-8888
_________________________________________________________

And now, what I wish I could have said...

Dear Ignorant Parent,

Are you freaking kidding me? You really think that I'm so stupid as to write a detention yesterday for "something" that happened "weeks ago?" Really? Really?! And do you really think I would write a detention for a kid saying "dang it?" Really?! Come on. We both know your kid is a spaz who can't control his mouth or his body. Didn't you tell me about a month ago when I called you about his obnoxious, inappropriate, completely frustrating classroom behavior that you had an appointment with his doctor to get his ADHD meds adjusted? Whatever happened with that? I've seen no change, and frankly it's a miracle I haven't written your kid three referrals and had his ass kicked out by now for all the time he's sucked away in that class. So you better back up off my shiz before I tell you how I really feel about it.

Me.
P.S. Proofread your emails for crying out loud!

_________________________________________________

Ahhh... that is the best form of therapy.
The 6 miler today helped a bit too!

I Run for French Toast

(Oh my gosh!! Christmas commercials have already started! sigh...)


On Saturday, according to my marathon training plan, I was supposed to run 9 miles. However, Saturday was a bad day and plans changed, as they sometimes do, so I decided to move the long run to Sunday. I originally planned a run from Point Loma to La Jolla Cove via The Boardwalk and through various and sundry side roads; however, those plans changed once I realized it would be about a 14 mile run. So, I drove to and parked at the cove (parking is free and not limited to 3 hours on weekends) then ran to Mount Soledad. I was pretty excited because I've never been to the top of this controversial site. (The controversy revolves around the gianormous* cross at the summit. Pictured above.)


This is a view from the top:








I figured I would run the 6 mile out-and-back trip from the cove to Mount Soledad, and then finish the 9 miler with an easy 3 around some La Jolla neighborhoods. HA! What really happened: I nearly had a heart attack running straight up for 3 miles. Well, let's be honest, I did not run the whole time. But I would love to shake the hand of the person who can run from the cove all the way to the Mount Soledad cross without walking.

So by the time I got back to the cove at mile 5.34, I had been on my "run" for an hour and a half. My body said, "Enough you psycho. Stop this." So, I cooled down for another half mile and called it good. I then (and this is why I love running so much) sat down (without thinking about the calories & carbs) to the best french toast breakfast on the planet at Cody's. After I got home a few hours later, I did another three miles around Point Loma, just so I could say I met my mileage goal.

Whether you're training for your first 5K or your third marathon, I think the lesson here is: listen to your body! I was done after those six miles up and back from Mount Soledad, and if I had pushed myself to do three more miles right then, I might have injured myself or tossed my cookies (something that's not exactly kosher in a place like La Jolla). Any seasoned runner will tell you that the key to staying healthy during training is to keep checking in with your body and be willing to adjust to it. It's sort of the like the Vera Wang mentality from "Bride Wars." (Yes I'm quoting this movie...I'm as shocked at myself as you might be with me.) In the movie Kate Hudson says, "You don't alter Vera! You alter yourself to fit Vera." It is the opposite when it comes to race training...

Don't alter yourself to fit the schedule! Alter the schedule to fit you.

For those daring enough to run up hill for 3 miles (don't think I'll be doing it again any time soon) this is the route I followed thanks to Schad's book Trail Runner's Guide: San Diego. I parked down at the cove and ran up Prospect Street to Torrey Pines Road. (Parking is always free and the 3 hour rule doesn't apply on the weekends.) From Prospect, hang a right on Torrey Pines. One block down take a left onto Exchange Place (the uphill begins). Exchange Place turns into Soledad Ave (so stay left) and then turn right on Al Bahr Dr. You'll keep truckin' it up hill, go around a super cute curved, arched bridge and take a right on Crespo Street. Keep going up..and then when you get to a slight downhill respite look for Castenalana on your right. You'll continue downhill for a little bit, but get ready because the uphill is only just beginning after you go under another super cute bridge and hit Hillside Dr. Turn right and follow this steep winding path until you get to an old, dirt path (a continuation of Hillside) that runs up the north slope of Mt Soledad. After a mile of trekking pretty much straight up, you'll hit the main road and entrance to Mount Soledad. Run along the road, stick to the left, and then you're at the cross. Toilets and a drinking fountain can be found at the base of the cross.

*gianormous= giant + enormous

I didn't get a jersey...it's confirmed

they hate me. During homecoming week it's tradition for varsity football players to ask their favorite teacher to wear their "away" jersey on the Friday of the Big Game. Last year I was asked to wear one, but not this year. It could be that my odds were significantly lower this year because I only have three football players between two classes of seniors. Last year I had about 8 meat-heads per class, and I had three senior classes. So my chances of getting a jersey this year were slim; even so, it still stings a little. And of course all my students ask, "Are you bummed you didn't get a jersey?" To which I love responding (in monotone of course), "Yes. I'm destroyed. I don't know how I'll ever carry on."

Then I got to thinking, am I meaner than last year? It's a tough call because I really, really disliked last year's kids. They were...pretty much evil, but they were smart. They knew how to use their brains (even if it was only to manipulate and berate) and could at least do their work without expecting me to think for them. I can deal with smart and evil. I can NOT deal with apathetic and dumb. I think I kind of scare this year's seniors because I make them think and they know I get frustrated (and sometimes snippy) if they ask me a dumb question. Don't you dare say, "But there is no such thing as a dumb question" to me. That is the stupidest statement/poster ever invented. OF COURSE there are stupid questions. Let me give you a few:

1. We've been reading silently for 5 minutes and someone blurts out, "Are we doing something right now?" (no joke)
2. I'm giving directions or delivering a lecture and someone blurts out, "Can I go to the bathroom?"
3. The agenda is written on the board and someone asks, "What are we doing today?" or "Do we have homework?"
4. We're reading a novel and we're discussing themes or elements of literature when someone asks out of no where, "Can we watch the movie?"
5. I hand out homework or an in-class assignment and someone asks, "Can this be extra credit?"

See? It's possible. I've never had a class that asks so many of these questions as often as my current seniors do. I roll my eyes so much that at this rate they're going to roll out of my head before Winter Break. This alone is probably why they don't like me...no one likes to find out they're stupid.

It's actually quite disconcerting how hard they work to not use their brains. I despair for our future every time I hand out an assignment and a student asks, "Do I need to keep this?"

This is why I run.

My Blog in Voice of San Diego

The following appeared in San Diego's online newspaper, Voice of San Diego (voiceofsandiego.org) today. I hope it gets some people interested in finding out where our school district chooses to spend its money.

A Day in the Life of School Budget Cuts

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Thank You Mr. Lowe for the Tuck & Roll

First of all, congrats to Meb Keflezighi, winner of the New York City Marathon. So jealous.

Second of all, Mr. Lowe was my high school volleyball coach for three years. Thank goodness we practiced dives and rolls, otherwise the fall I took today on my "easy 3 miler" could have been tragic. While in the shower when I got home, it came to me why I've been such a klutz today. It's homecoming week at school, and today's dress up day was "Geeked-Up." I thought about being a Twilight geek, but that would have involved spending money on a "Team Edward" T-shirt or some other such nonsense...something with which I have moral and visceral issues. (Meaning: I can't stand Stephanie Meyers' writing ability and I loathe the Kristen/Rob drama, so the thought of supporting any of them in any way makes me feel sick to my stomach.) Then, I couldn't find a Harry Potter wand or Griffindor scarf left over from the Halloween costumes at Target, so I went "Classic Geek." I wore an argyle sweater and socks, and put white-out on the bridge of my glasses (to look like tape). But, I'm pretty sure dressing up in all my glorious geekness jinxed the rest of my day. I'll explain...

I found a great little dirt path that runs along the outer edge of Liberty Station (in Point Loma) on a leg of the harbor...not really sure what that would be called...it's not a river, but it's not the harbor. I think it's just tide overflow or something. Anyway, it was really pretty. However, I should have spent less time looking at the scenery and more time looking at the trail, because I hit a rock and then dropped like one. I have NEVER taken a fall on a run. Ever. So, I guess it was just a matter of time. Thankfully, no one was around. I dropped hard and fast, but recovered just as quickly because of my good ol' volleyball training. I tucked, rolled sideways across my back and was on my feet checking for wounds without losing a beat. I had some scrapes on my left palm, and will probably have a bruise on my left hip and parts of my spine, but other than that, I was still lookin' good. I was reminded of what my dad used to say to me after I made a silly mistake on the volleyball or basketball court, "Ehhh...who cares? At least you looked good doing it." So, I guess the lesson here is twofold: 1. When running a new trail or road, no matter how great the scenery may be, watch where you're going (especially if you were dressed like a geek all day) and 2. If you're going down...do it with style!

Oh, and...the other klutzy thing I did today? Sliced open my index finger whilst trying to trim flower stems with a knife. I did NOT look good doing that.

Away From HO-lloween

I went to San Francisco this weekend for a bachelorette party. I know you might be confused by the title, "Away From HO-lloween," because wouldn't the crazy peps of SF be more scandalous than those in SD? Nope. The Halloween party peeps of San Francisco actually dress in a COSTUME for Halloween! They do not take professions like Nursing or Firefighting and turn them into a "Slutty Nurse," or "Slutty Firefighter" costume. They dress up in the traditional sense--and to top it off--they're SMART costumes that make one think. Like the guy who carried around a bag of pennies to give out for those who write a "thought" on this paper shirt. He was the, "Penny for Your Thoughts Guy." Creative. And then there was the girl who hand sewed dozens of plastic balls to a leotard, wore a white wig, and was Lady Gaga. I felt lucky to be hundreds of miles away from the high school campus where I would have spent the entire day trying to avert my eyes to avoid seeing cleavage, cracks, and bulges... high schoolers are just too much gross at Halloween. (Mothers: Please check your daughter's backpack before she goes to school on Halloween!)

But, the reason for this post is to officially announce that I am in marathon training. San Francisco got me fired up again (I ran a half marathon there this summer). I'm a little jealous of my friend who is training in SF, because the hills are so fantastic in the city. If I could train in San Francisco, I could run any race in any place. The hills in SD are too easy to avoid. Don't get me wrong, San Diego is a beautiful place to train, and it's convenient because morning, noon and night the weather is never so terrible as to impede upon a long run schedule. That is one thing SF doesn't have going for it, but it probably breeds stronger runners. (See the "I Found Solitude" post for the type of runner I happen to be...)

I think the race I'll be training for is the Napa Valley Marathon. I like the race philosophy about running without headphones. In case you aren't aware, there is growing hostility between those who run with headphones and those who consider themselves "purists" and run sans headphones. I happen to be a "purist." But, that's partly because I decided to let my ipod go for a swim in the washing machine....

I'll be using a mix between Hal Higdon's training plan and Bart Yasso's (which I clipped out of a Runner's World Issue). I like these plans because they require only 3-4 days of running a week. I fudge a bit on the "Cross Training" days and usually just go for a short walk or maybe a bike ride. I also do my long runs on Saturdays instead of Sundays. I'll keep a running tally in the sidebar on the right to track my weekly mileage and goals. Tomorrow's goal: 3 miles easy. OH, I forgot. The saddest part about marathon training: saying goodbye to wine. Sigh.

(Picture at top was taken at Dolores Park near Noe Valley, San Francisco.)