Running with "The Rocket" Rick Rodriguez

The Rosebowl Half Marathon Pasadena, California

The 2nd Rose bowl Half Marathon took place last weekend in Pasadena.  Nearly at the last minute (Friday at 2pm), I decided to head down Interstate 5 for the Saturday morning race.  I wasn't registered for the race, or had a hotel room for the night; but, I reasoned that would work its way out.  It did!  Traffic was light and I managed to get down to Pasadena in time to register by 7pm.  After a quick registration process at the New Balance Athletic store, I walked next door to Houston's Restaurant to see about a carbo load meal.  I had always wanted to go to this restaurant in San Francisco; this seemed like the perfect time.  Unfortunately, after glancing at the menu, I discovered that I wouldn't be able to find what I needed for the race.  I had a glass on red meritage (Mi Sueno), and a fellow sitting next to me mentioned an Il Fornio Restaurant located around the corner.  I thought that would be perfect, and scampered off to find the restaurant. 

I must have misunderstood the directions because within a few minutes I found myself walking on a sparsely populated street somewhere in Pasadena.  I walked several long blocks; briskly in the cool night, all the while figuring I'd find Il Fornio.  Needless to say, I never found the restaurant but luck was on my side as I stumbled upon an establishment called Gale's restaurant--an Italian restaurant. As I approached the place, I noticed a full parking lot but hardly any windows to peer through to check out the crowd.  The entrance was oddly on the side of the building, and as I entered, a crowd from the parking lot seemed to follow me in.  The place was packed.  I asked for a seat in the bar and discovered it was full.  I decided to wait for a seat.  I finally got a spot at the bar after a short wait, and after meeting Bill the bartender; I asked him for a menu recommendation.  He recommended Rotini Bolognese.  I went with it and it was just perfect!  When I got the check it was under $20 and I said to Bill "I feel like I'm stealing from you."  He laughed as I exited the door.  I found a place for the night at the Pasadena Inn.

The next morning I shot off looking for the Rose Bowl and the start of the race.  Figuring it would be easy (finding the Rose Bowl), I followed the signs but after about 20 minutes of getting to know Pasadena (lost), I made my way down the street that leads to the Rose Bowl; one of many!

I parked in the cavernous lot, and headed to the staging area.  It was a cool morning, and I was determined to dress lightly so as to not re-experience my calamitous gear malfunction in the Healdsburg Half-Marathon in October.  I warmed up for a few minutes then headed over to the start.

Standing at the start line, I felt good but wasn't confident in my training (mostly bike).  Nonetheless, I established a good pace over the first few miles winding through a neighborhood adjacent to the Rose Bowl.  As we gathered onto Orange Grove Blvd. (Rose Bowl parade), I began to see where we were headed, a long straight away.  I started aiming for the orange cones as mental benchmarks, and picked up the pace slightly to avoid listening to a conversation taking place loudly between two runners.  As I cruised onto the downhill of Rosemont Avenue, I was feeling pretty good, and again found myself running past the Rose Bowl as the course headed back behind the Stadium.  Shortly thereafter, I hit the dirt trail portion of the run with a direct route up to Devils Gate Reservoir.  I welcomed the trail but was feeling sluggish.  The trail, mostly along dry stream beds, and under overpasses, was littered with rocks, and negotiating fair landing ground came with the territory.  As I climbed the last portion of the trail segment to the top of the Reservoir, I asked a fellow runner if that was the most difficult hill.  It was.  Relieved, I began figuring that I had to reassert myself, as I had been passed by several runners on the way up the hill and in the first segment of the trail.  I started to pick up the pace but wasn't feeling energetic, yet.  I grinded through a dull parking lot portion of the run, crossed a small bridge, and re-entered another dirt trail segment through a fenced gate.  I ran swiftly down the ensuing hill, and started my move.  Earlier, I had engaged in a mini-competition with another runner (not uncommon), and for a few minutes we took turns passing each other; he had passed me long ago, but I could now see him in a group of runners a couple of hundred yards ahead.  I made him my target!

Over the next three miles (9-12), I enjoyed my finest running of the day and passed many runners that I had set as intermediate goals between my target goal and me.  I don't know where the energy had sparked from but I was rolling.  Loving the run and enjoying myself as I hit mile 12, I wisked passed a guy carrying an American flag, and my target was just two runners away about 20 yards in front of me.  I was taxing my lungs but remained steady as I moved within 5 yards, and passed the runner separating the target and me.   We were about a 1/4 of mile from the finish, but I couldn't see the finish, yet.  I began the process of strategizing my position.  Meanwhile, I didn't want my target to know that I was there, and kept a bit back while I decided whether it was time to make my kick.  My target must have sensed my presence and floored it!  I tried to go, too! But was unable to keep pace: the target destroyed me!  He took me or rather I was unable to overcome him in the last 300 yards.  He caught another runner in the last leg, and that runner ended sandwiched between us at the finish!

I was slightly disappointed not finishing ahead of my goal but pleased with my effort.  Later, I discovered my target was 10 years younger than me in addition to being stronger at the end.  It was a nice memory for me to at least make a challenge!  I was happy with the effort I gave in nearly reaching my goal, and inspired for future efforts.  I finished the race in 1:50: 27 seconds good for a 8:26 per mile pace.  I enjoyed the experience of a well organized, memorable event and look forward to returning next year! 

Healdsburg Half Marathon Healdsburg, California October 25, 2008

I ran the Healdsburg Half-Marathon (13.1 miles) in 1:46:48 maintaining an 8:09 pace per mile.  That tops my pace in the San Francisco Half Marathon earlier this year, and sets my personal best for this year.  Even though, my race times have improved, I still believe I can improve.  My Official results: Overall finish: 132nd  Male finish: 86th Place in Division (45-49) 13th.

The Healdsburg Half-Marathon begins at the Rosso Bianco Winery in Geyserville.  Runners gather within the gates and exit under the arches (pictured) onto an adjacent road (Frontage Road) that is along Highway 101.  As the runners gathered along the vines, doing their best to stay warm, I wondered how I'd do in this test.  For some reason, running, as I've aged (45 now) doesn't seem to get easier, and I frequently fall in and out of love with running in races.  Nonetheless, I must still enjoy the challenge because here I was nestled among 1500+ runners, cold, but looking forward to a new discovery.

Once we were outside the gates, I found myself keeping a decent pace, and probably was clipping a 7:45, better than I usually do, and not surprising given the typical adrenaline rush getting out of the gate.  Try as I may, keeping focused on the task at hand is never easy; often I find myself drifting forward wondering if I can sustain my pace. 

Many of the runners were wearing Halloween costumes, and as I passed a few amusing costumed runners, I marveled at their skill and clever running abilities.  Meanwhile, I was also busy focusing on pace as the race turned right and away from Highway 101.  Here, I began to establish a pace that would carry me until mile 10.  The terrain was mostly rolling up and down small grades, and as I got further away from the Highway, a whole new expanse of small homes and wineries was availed.  I immediately wondered how parts of Europe probably are real similar to this segment of the race.  I'm not exactly sure why that came to mind but it did. 

As Lytton Springs Road turns into W. Dry Creek Road, we crossed a small bridge (Lambert), and I began to gather my legs.  Most runners, don't get a good warm up going for several miles, and I was just about there as we hit the 5 mile mark.  As we passed Quivira winery, along with water, the aid station was stocked with vino (treat?), and I stopped to grab a refreshing dose of H20. 

As we began a turn North toward our eventual destination, my paced had flattened out and I began to look toward each mile marker.  Once I hit the 8 mile mark, I began trying to fix in my mind a familiar 5 mile run at home, since I was on foreign turf, gazing my end point was impossible.   So, I began playing head games as my hamstrings began to stiffen with use.  I made sure I stopped at every aid station to replenish while still maintaining my pace.  Once I passed Mile 10, I was excited because the aid I had taken was kicking in and a renewed vigor was taking hold of my legs.  Then, out of nowhere, my layered clothing that I had strapped to my waist released onto the pavement, and from a full stride, I was forced to stop.  What a complete drag!

I fumbled around gathering my clothing in the street, and attempted to regain my form but was never able.  For some reason, this error, had caused me to stop in full motion, and I was never really able to reestablish my concentration or pace for the remaining miles.  The last 3 miles proved laborious and painful.  While I was hurting physically, I was a bit more distraught because my effort had been derailed.  While I managed valiantly to pass a few of the runners that had whisked by me at mile 10, I wondered if I could have done better had I not had the mishap.

I managed to sprint in at the finish line.  I collected a very nice finisher's medal with the Healdsburg logo, ate from the tables at the finisher's area, and then sat down for a minute to stretch in the grass.  My entry fee entitled me to a glass, and assembled all around were wine tasting booths.  So, after a short period of lying on the grass listening to live music, I walked around and sampled the wines.  I enjoyed labels I had never heard of, www.ruedwinery.com and www.ffcpresents.com stood out as wines I would purchase.  I tried the Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon (Director's Cut), respectively.

Overall, my experience in this destination race, I would rate high.  The race was well organized, save for a little delay at the start; the course scenic and enjoyable; well stocked aid stations, and a terrific post race gathering spot--Lake Sonoma Recreation area.  I'll probably be back next year for a return trip, and wiser from my little mishap at mile 10!

Healdsburg Half-Marathon October 25, 2008

My next competitive race is this Saturday!  I will be running the inaugural Healdsburg Half-Marathon.  Healdsburg, in Sonoma's wine country, is located about a 100 miles North/West of Danville, my hometown.  I'll drive up on Friday, go to the Race Expo, eat, and rest up for the race.  I'm staying in Windsor, a few minutes down Highway 101, and the start of the race.

Though my training has tailed off a bit, I am in decent shape; and while I don't expect to blast past my personal record (PR) this week, I hope to finish well.  Whatever develops, I'm in for a new experience, and am fortunate to have the opportunity.

Here's a bit of what I have to look forward to:

We’ll have over 2,100 runners in the half marathon and another 400 people will compete the 12K.  The town is located just above Santa Rosa, and is a 90-minute drive from San Francisco or Oakland. The course ends at the Lake Sonoma recreational area where the Wine & Music Festival will feature wines and other offerings from this leading wine region. There is also a 15 mile option up to Lake Sonoma and a kids Pumpkin race in downtown Healdsburg.

San Francisco Half Marathon

The 2008 SF Marathon & Half Marathon is now in the books!  It took place yesterday on a cool overcast morning in San Francisco.  And, I am pleased to report that Donna (my wife) and I crossed the finish line tested by the race, and pleased with our efforts. 

More than 18,000 runners took part in a variety of the races offered, 6662 participated in our race, the half marathon, and it sure seemed like it; the streets were quite crowded with runners.  I was able to finish the race in 1:53:44 an 8:41 pace, and Donna finished at 2:13:38 a 10:12 pace. 

The race follows the course of the Full Marathon beginning in the Embarcadero to Fisherman's wharf; the Marina district; to Crissy Field; to the Golden Gate Bridge and across, and back; through Lincoln, and finishing in Golden Gate Park.

We left our house at 4:30 am for the 5:45 am start time.  After carbo loading early the night before, and attempting to drift off to sleep, neither of us slept well.  I guess the adrenaline rush was too much to overcome.  We arrived at the parking lot adjacent to the start line at about 5:30 am.  After glancing at the throng of people queuing up to pay their parking toll; we decided to risk the ticket and head to the start line.  As we jogged to the start line, we heard the announcer blare that out our wave was about to get under way.  Within a minute of our arrival, we were off along the Embarcadero traversing along the edge of the most beautiful city in the world, but right before we departed I wished Donna good luck; I was somewhat worried about her because she had not run at all for three weeks prior to this event.  Amazingly, she was quite confident about finishing the run.

I started off at a decent pace.  The race is mostly flat until arriving at Fort Mason, about 3 miles into the run.  Climbing past the first moderate hill, runners head down into the Marina and past a lovely expanse of beautiful homes.  As I passed the Marina, I began focusing on my pace (steady), while simultaneously negotiating my steps between asphalt and concrete, choosing to soften the blows to my knees with every step rather than striking aimlessly. We turned into Crissy Field, the crowd support from a small throng of supporters sent chills electrifying through my veins.  Wow!  It's really amazing what a little support can do for competing runners, and the cheers jolted me, as I am sure the runners in my group were energized, too. 

I gazed to my right, the Golden Gate Bridge looming in the horizon, I wondered how I would feel in a few short minutes as I traversed one of world's most recognizable landmarks, the Golden Gate Bridge!  What a thrill it is to run across the GGB!  Despite climbing up from Crissy Field to the GGB, I hardly noticed the struggle; I was busy avoiding runners and keeping my pace, all the while attempting to conserve energy for the work to come.  I made the loop around Vista point (North end of Bridge), and headed back with enthusiasm.  As I retreated back toward San Francisco, I began looking for my lovely wife.  Sure enough, I passed her on the way back, a small miracle among thousands of runners.  I stuck my hand out and she grazed it going by.  I noticed a twinge of struggle in her eyes, but Donna is a fighter and never quits.

As I passed each tower on the GGB, I glanced up to gauge the awesome height of each one, and under each tower the wind swirled briskly while passing: obviously influenced by the immensity of each anchor of the bridge.  As I came down into Lincoln Avenue, I ran past Baker Beach; a favorite spot of the Rodriguez Family, and though I was running downhill, I wasn't exactly enjoying lung relief.  As I descended on the final water stop, I drank the electrolyte and water offered, and got on my way.  I knew there were a series of small hills left, but I was but 3 miles from my goal.  Though I didn't exactly stampede the remaining hills, I focused on the horizon, remembered my training and tried to visualize my regular 3 mile run.  As I entered Golden Gate Park, there was one small hill left, and I ran up it steadily until the grade was even and then bolted toward the finish. 

I waited for Donna to come in, and not surprisingly I missed her.  She must have ran past me in my recovery.  Donna reported struggling, but true to her nature--she finished.  Though she was disappointed with her time, after three weeks of non-training, recovering from injury; just lacing it up was an awesome feat!  I'm proud of her, but hardly surprised!

My time was new PR (personal record) for me in this event.  In fact, I knocked off nearly 2 minutes from last year's SF Half Marathon.  So, needless to say, I'm happy my training paid off, and though the improvement was incremental; the year in between was not.  I look forward to my next run with enthusiasm and optimism!