Run DMZ

My younger daughter and I are taking a road trip to UC-Davis, just west of Sacramento, for her three-day freshmen family orientation. The school encouraged both students and parents to bring workout clothes for the ARC, the university's impressive fitness center. (During a visit in January, I think the ARC and all of its way-cool outdoors activities sealed the deal for this kid. That and maybe its excellent pre-med programs.) I am looking forward to running in a new place, especially around the campus's famed Arboretum. I am not looking forward to driving home Friday night, especially given I have a "race" early Saturday morning. It's not the monotony of the 9- to 10-hour drive, provided traffic is moving through LA and San Diego. It's my arthritic hip that hates me driving even short distances. It's gonna be really sore at me when I put it through the trails and concrete course of the Balboa 8 just hours later. Let the aventure and the Advil begin.

We all have courses that we love because of how we feel while we’re running them and because of how we feel when we're finished. I’ve done one for years that’s never disappointed me for both its challenge and its rewarding views. It’s hilly and it’s often hot. It’s also one of those runs that remind me of how blessed I am to live and train in America’s Finest City. Today about 30 others got to experience that slice of heaven (and hell?) for themselves. Stephen Burch, the guy behind the San Diego Track Club’s summer training program, was on vacation, so I volunteered to fill in and “direct” this weekend’s production, which I dubbed The Lake Rim Run. We met at Lake Miramar in Scripps Ranch at 7, warmed up and then headed into the hills above the reservoir. The first four miles are intense: you’re either going up or down (mostly up!) some seriously steep hills in residential areas. Then we head down a long dirt path with wonderful vistas to the water’s edge for the final half. Prior t...

Our coach gave us a detailed rundown on how to do hill repeats that I thought worth repeating here. The goal is not to improve speed, but strength; therefore, going up hills, you focus on maintaining good form. Don’t sprint (not that we could anyway...those Balboa Park hills on Tuesday were ha-uge ). Instead, hold it steady and once at the top, quicken the pace to gain a little more momentum, but, again, don’t sprint. If you run these both hard and fast, you’ll blow all your energy before the next repeat, and the one after that.... We ran in groups and in each, I ended up struggling to finish the first hill and leading the pack on the second. On the last of six loops, a woman half my age seemed to be waiting at the top of one hill while I, in second, gasped for air. Once I reached the summit, she sailed back down with me. As we started up the last hill together, and ahead of the others, she said she wouldn’t have been able to do this one without me. Did I mention I’m twice her age? It ...

Tonight starts my favorite season of track practice: 10 weeks of hill repeats. Some are along the trails in Balboa Park (like the one pictured here) and others are along 6th Street. Both prepare runners for the AFC Half, upcoming Balboa 8 and Dirt Dog cross country series. You never know what you'll run into on these Tuesday nights, which makes it all the more fun. Speaking of which, prior to today's workout, I'm picking up Steph at her new home in Hillcrest and showing her parts of San Diego she may not have explored yet on her own. Should be a fun-packed day.

This morning my newest pair of Mizuno Wave Riders were formally introduced to our neighbor, Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve. They are looking a little worse for wear after a thorough dust-up, and they flat out refused to skip over a few slimy looking rocks at the waterfall, thus forcing us to cross the creek elsewhere and then I got us a little lost. But all in all, we’re both pleased with the 7-plus miles that seemed to pass way too quickly. My training partner joined me and more than once mentioned that next time she’s bringing her camera. Me too. This photo’s from an earlier trip, before I moved to PQ. It doesn’t do justice to the leafy canopies and downy brush that sweep the landscape here. About two miles into it, a doe crossed our path and stood on the other side, deciding if we were friend or foe. Now, running into a deer may not seem like a big deal, but you’ve got to remember we were running essentially in the middle of a city with 1.5 million people and surrounded on all side...

I meant to do this soon as Karen in Calgary gave me a similar shoutout. Thank you, Karen! I guess those honored as a "rock star" must pay it forward, so without further ado, here are seven California women running bloggers that I really enjoy reading. [I could do more. I'm just not sure what the rules are on this one, and it's the seventh month of the year.] Irene of Magazine Smiles , a fellow San Diegan that I can't wait to run with again. Laura of My Beautiful Life , another local girl who proved her blog title's true with many posts from her European vacation. Yes, she tagged me too, so what goes around, comes around...he he. Thanks, Laura. Can't wait to see you soon. Jessica of My Southern California Trail Running , who I always enjoy "running into." Kim of OC Runner Girl , who I've learned a lot from reading her thematic posts. Jennifer of On the Road of Life , representin' the other half of California and always making me laugh. Oh...