Running with "The Rocket" Rick Rodriguez

The Portland Marathon October 2, 1994

By Rick Rodriguez

Excerpt Journal September 30, 1994 

"I am here to run the Portland Marathon!  I hope GOD can give me the strength & courage to complete this run.  My 4th marathon!  San Francisco, Dallas, Long Beach and now Portland.  Who would have thought?  I am glad that I am doing it.  I am staying at the Red Lion Coliseum across from the Memorial Coliseum (Home of Blazers).  It's a neat building.  Someday I'd like to come back to Portland and watch the Trailblazers play Golden State."

Back in the early 1990's, I became an avid Marathon runner, and after a 3:36 time in Dallas; and a 3:52 in Long Beach, I figured I could only improve.  Unfortunately, running three marathons in less than 10 months proved to be too much running (along with training) and I regressed rather than improved.  It was a tough learning lesson and a painful experience (Portland) that year! 

Journal Excerpt October 1, 1994 "My room was within easy walking distance to Downtown and the Willamette River.  It runs through Portland.  This morning I ran twice around Memorial Coliseum.  Just a light run.  Later, I drove to Vancouver, Washington to Battle Ground Lake State Park and found a nice setting."  I was spending a lot of time contemplating during this period of my life.  I was looking for the meaning of my running and I asked for a lot of support.  Journal Excerpt  October 1, 1994 "Tomorrow is a big day.  I hope GOD can give me the strength & courage to run well. I ask that tomorrow be another terrific sign & hope that I am moving in the right direction.  Good luck.  Start easy. Finish strong!"

On race day, my attitude was optimistic, I was in a beautiful part of the country, and I was about to see it on foot.  Additionally, the marathon excitement was quite prevalent and I was caught up in the enthusiasm, too!  Journal excerpt October 2, 1994 "The day has come and gone.  Another tough struggle.  The Portland Marathon!  I started out okay. The 1st 5 miles were a period of adjustment; at Mile 7 we got into the industrial part of the city.  I did not feel well.  9 miles came and I finally began feeling well.  That changed quickly.  By Mile 11 I began to feel the challenge awaiting me.  Although I came through the next 5 miles okay, by Mile 19 I was feeling the pain.  As I approached St. John's Bridge, I got a burst of energy and felt great."  This ebb and flow is typical in marathons and long runs.  Sometimes, I felt like really running and other times I willed myself to put one foot in front of another.  This is part of running that I have never mastered; however, recently I learned some techniques from reading the book BORN TO RUN by Christopher McDougall.  It is a book about runners from the Tarahumara tribe of Mexico.  It is a fascinating read.  It leaves clues for non-runners and runners alike, wrapped into a great and intriguing story that will captivate the reader.

Journal Excerpt October 2, 1994 "Twenty miles came and the pain was here to stay.  I stay well hydrated stopping at all water stops.  I kept it up. I hung in there.  At Mile 24, I crossed the Steel Bridge, famous in Portland, and those last two miles were painful.  I turned into Marathon Avenue and finished strong the last hundred yards."

Yes, indeed, I finished the Portland Marathon, and got a good experience for it, along with a fascinating medal and seeing Portland.  I've never returned to Portland!  And, though I've wanted to go back and just visit the city; it remains on the list!  Perhaps, I'll go up and see the Blazers play Golden State.  In the meantime, I'll keep reading and running.....

East Shore/Honker Bay Trail Lake Chabot Regional Park

By Rick Rodriguez

It's beauty somewhat dampened by the receding water line; nonetheless, Lake Chabot, is still one of my favorite places to run in the East Bay Area!  And while the Southeast portion of the lake is more reeds than water; the lake still maintains its allure to walkers, runners, hikers, mountain bikers, and fishing enthusiasts.

Yesterday's run was a quick out and back to the western most point of the Honker Bay Trail via the East Shore Trail.  It's a familiar run for me and to many others.  The trail is paved in the beginning, mostly flat, and is a fast in and out trail run with parking adjacent to main thoroughfare.  This makes it easy to hit the brakes, change into running gear, and be on the trail in minutes.  This run is about 4 miles and is excellent for beginning trail runners. The paved portion is 1.66 miles and from there you cross a slightly suspended bridge and onto the Honker Bay Trail.

Once past the bridge that marks the intersection of the Live Oak Trail and Honker Bay Trail, the surface is flat as the trail continues to hug Lake Chabot's shoreline.  No surprises here other than really cool views of the lake and the day's participants enjoying the park's offerings. And even despite the recent rains, surfaces remain firm enabling a mudless running experience.  As I looped around onto the Honker Bay Trail, and somewhat to my dismay, I began to notice what appeared to be a receding water line and a plethora of reeds inhabiting this section of the lake.  It's something I never noticed and certainly hope it's a temporary condition!

After passing this point, I continued onto the trail until I reached my turn around point.  Lurking in the distance, the Columbine Trail, a familiar running trail, intersects at Honker Bay Trail, and loops the entire lake.  Here, I spent countless hours prepping for marathons and I look forward to once again meeting its challenges.  But for now, I limited myself to this sneak peek back to the place where I first came to know the beauty of the East Bay trails!

Rose Bowl Half-Marathon February 7, 2010

By Rick Rodriguez

I've committed to the Rose Bowl Half-Marathon in Pasadena, California on February 7, 2010.  And, I took my first step toward retraining my legs to run early this morning.  So, it's something I'm looking forward to in the early part of this year.  The Buffalo Run on Catalina Island (February 27) is tentative, but it's one I'd like to run, too!  Both runs are 13.1 miles.  The Rose Bowl Half-Marathon I completed last year and it was a relatively flat run except for one stretch of trail running. 

The Buffalo Run is on Catalina Island; a place I've never been to and I would love to make it down for that event.  In reading up on the Buffalo Run, the Half-Marathon is a tough run: the event organizer's description "The Buffalo Run is the ultimate in trail running using the East End trails of Catalina Island. This half marathon course takes you from sea level to a 1600 foot elevation then returns to sea level. You will experience spectacular views of San Clemente Island and Avalon. The race also features the popular flat and fast 5k course. Many parts of the half marathon course are in areas that are not accessible by the public without permits. The course is beautiful, with unbelievable vistas and pristine trails that few get to traverse."

This morning's run was a quick loop around my home in Danville.  I saw very few runners this morning: somewhat unusual for this area.  I don't know if it was the weather, though it was nice and crisp out, or the long weekend that kept runners home.  Nonetheless, I hit the pavement after a stretch and warm up and eased into a nice pace.  Since this was my 1st run in over two months; the process will be slow in building mileage.  However, I've got about 5 weeks to reinvigorate my desire and discipline in order to put forth a good effort. 

I limited this morning's run to just 4 miles. In the past, I would go out too fast and either over train or weaken my immune system; typical side affects of doing too much too soon, but this year I'd like to focus and be more consistent!

I welcome encouragement, support, or participation.