Hills in Lodi?

LODI

City Limits

Population 60,500 Elev. 52

One of the greatest challenges of training in Lodi is finding different places to run.  My personal favorites have varied with the seasons and my racing goals.  I've always loved the tranquility of the levees and Lodi Lake is beautiful anytime of year.  For the last year or so I have done most of my long runs along the local vineyards to get used to running on a softer, more uneven terrain.  My biggest regret is Lodi doesn't have any real opportunities to train on hills.  You can run up and back on the downtown parking structure, or you can crest the same freeway overpass time and time again, or you can do the stairs or treadmill at the gym.  But those don't really prepare you for climbing Mount Diablo.  So what is a Lodian to do? 

Well, there's a pretty good option just 20 minutes down the round in the rolling hills of Clements.  I recently joined the Lodi track guys on a perfect Saturday morning for an hour run out on Cord Road.  We parked in the usual spot, only to find ourselves surrounded by some cattle that had wandered out of their pasture.  That meant two things: an opportunity for the dogs  to show off their cattle rustling skills and the danger of stepping in a few cow patties during the run.
When we headed out around 8:45 it was 43 degrees and the guys were fully clothed.  10 minutes later they were bare chested like a bunch of Abercrombie models and heading up towards Acampo Road.  For a first timer like Hudson, the hill seems daunting--I remember back in the days when I thought the "Big Mama" hill in Vacaville was Mt. Everest.  I figured this hill was about a 200-300' climb but I'd later see on my GPS that it only rose about 150'.  I guess it just looks bigger and badder because there's nothing else significant around it.  I guess you could say that about a lot of things in our community
 

The first hills tops out at the 1-mile mark and by then the laughter had subsided.  The guys were ready to go to work.  My legs were a little heavy--I just ran 24 miles earlier in the week and I had lifted at at the gym the night before.  And I still had a cough to contend with but mentally I was in a good place.  Tommy wasn't running his usual blazing pace and the other guys seemed determined to keep the pack together so I figured I'd just hitch a ride with them.  I sometimes forget how easy it is just to latch on to someone and let them pull you up the hill.  Note to self:  remember to find company on next 50K.   

The second mile proved to be even  more gorgeous than the first, a peaceful dirt road bordered by monumental oaks and curious cows.  I knew we had a water hazard on the horizon as we came down the hill onto Johnson Road. 
Despite our warnings, Hudson decided to charge straight through the creek rather than tip toe to the side.  He'd take off his wet shoes and socks and finish the morning's run barefoot.  The incline immediately after the creek is probably the steepest grade of the day, up to 18% according to my Garmin. 

This is usually the point in the run where the newbies fall off, especially if they have wet shoes and a tendency to over stride  ;-)   After that hill, life gets easier--and on this day, much foggier--until the turn around point.  Some runners turned back after 3 miles, but most made it to Clements Road, 4.2 miles from the start.   I originally planned on doing 10 miles, but Tommy was cramping up a little, Brandon's calf was a little tender and I did have a daughter's indoor soccer game to attend.  So back we went.

The return trip passed quickly for some (Brandon's calf must have been feeling better because he really picked it up on the way back) and a little slower for others (Tommy sure wishes they had a port-a-potty on the road).  I just kept my focus on what I would do mid-race for Way Too Cool and tried to keep a strong, steady pace while taking in lots of fuel and fluids.  All told, I ran 8.4 miles at what seemed a leisurely 7:18 pace, with about 700' of ascent and descent.  To be honest, I thought the elevation totals would be more impressive, but at least the miles came easy on tired legs.  I hope that bodes well for fresher legs up bigger hills on longer days.

Thanks again to the Lodi Track guys for the company.  And I hope you guys in turn said thanks to Coach Wright and Dave Phillips for breakfast back in Lockeford.  I'm assuming they picked up the check, again.  Funny how you guys never seem to have your wallets after Saturday morning runs  Maybe next time we'll do pancakes at my house. 

The all new CAL 10



Some running clubs still pop in for the Cal-10

  On a chilly Sunday morning, 200 brave souls gathered for the Sundance Running Club's annual California 10.   Over the years the race has evolved from the first race in the PAUSATF's racing series to a more relaxed, local gathering.  I wasn't competing in the day's race  (after the Crystal Springs Run, see below) but I wanted to root on some friends and support the Lodi High runners with some photographic coverage while following thierace on bike. 

 

Bill?!?!   Back for more?

 This year the event changed to a new venue, beginning at Brookside Elementary School and running out and back atop the levee with a 10K option in addition to the classic 10 mile race.  As the runners crept towards the starting line at 9 a.m. the weather was still stuck in the 30's so most runners decided to stay bundled up. 
 
 

The Lodi Crew



Some first timers







The race began and the pack quickly organized itself into the serious runners in singlets and the "smilers" dressed more for a snowball fight.  The pace was brisk as they headed into the first of about a dozen or so underpasses.  These underpasses seemed to be the most popular topic of conversation among the finishers.   Although this new course was certainly more scenic than the old Mathews Road course out near the County Hospital, the up's and down's would take their toll on many of the runners.  No complaints from Bill Marweg, however . . . after running up the hill at Woodside the day before, 10 rolling miles along a levee must seem easy.

The Sundance Running Club did a fabulous job preparing the course and stocking the aid stations along the way.  I've always been impressed at what a great job the club has done hosting the event over the years, especially during it's PAUSATF heyday.  The only knock on a small club hosting such an intimate event is that you may not get the results before Easter.  So, I can't tell you who came in first for the 10K or the name of the woman who won the 10 mile race.  But I can say that everyone had a good time.  I know a few of the Lodi High runners were gunning for the famed "Sub 60" tee-shirts and they accomplished their goal. 

Congratulations to all the runners and thanks again to the many helpers from Sundance Running Club--way to start 2011 off on the right foot!   Help yourself to any of the pictures. 

And don't forget, every month a new blog follower or commentor will receive a gift card.  So please comment.

Bittersweet Start to 2011

By 3:15 Friday afternoon, I was officially done.  I sat there in my parked car for a few moments and just exhaled.  And coughed.  Man, was I done.  It had been a rough first week back in class.  I thought about what had gone well and maybe not so well during the week.  I thought about the trunk full of work to correct and next week's lessons to plan.  And I was sick.  I coughed again.  I just needed a few moments to pull it all together before stepping out of the car for track practice.  Long exhale.  And another cough.  Well, at least the week's done.    It was time to get ready to run.  The 2011 season starts tomorrow. 

I turned on the radio just as the Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony" began.  Somehow it seemed to fit the moment.  Maybe I should add this to tomorrow's playlist, I thought.

 I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind, I feel free now.

I was looking forward to starting 2011 with 22 miles at the Crystal Springs Trail Run, hoping to pick right up where I left trail running about 13 months ago.  I had put together about six months of solid base building with some exceptionally strong long runs.  No injuries, only a few little nics.  I felt ready to go.   I knew I'd have a hard time matching my sub-3 hour run from December 2009, but at least I could see where I was at the start of 2011 in relation to the end of 2009.  Crystal Springs was going to be the start to my best year of running yet.

The 22 mile course elevation profile

And then I started to cough.  Four days before the race I could feel it.  Still, I figured it would pass, so when Steve Uniack said he was going over to Woodside for the race with some other locals, I decided to go online and ponder making the commitment.  I saw the list of entrants and noticed some familar names, including my ultrarunning hero, Scott Dunlap.  Hello.  I took out the credit card and signed up for the 22 miles.

Being sick, I declined Steve's invitation to car pool and made my way to the bay early Saturday morning.  I tried to maintain my usual fueling/hydrating routine on race morning but I could tell I wasn't 100%.   Cars were backed up as they opened the park gates at 8:00 so things were hectic for the 8:30 start of the marathon and 50K.    

The Man!

I roamed around the start, wondering if maybe I'd notice a familiar face or two.  I tried not to look to stalkerish when I noticed Scott.   He was still getting his gear in order with just a few minutes before the start so I waited discretely for a quick window to gush just a little and snap a quick picture.  Mission #1 accomplished.

I got in line for my bib number and saw Bill Marweg.  We said hey and then noticed the bibs were labelled "Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon."  Hmm. Odd.  We decided we were in favor of  Coastal Trail Runs conserving some resources but I should have recognized a bad omen when I saw one. 

  

We then met up with Steve Uniack, Layla Bohm and Bill's wife Debbie and daughter Amanda.  Amanda's a former student and she and her parents have gone to Europe no less than 3 times with my class.  Steve is the father of another of my students, Chris.  And Layla was my favorite News Sentinel reporter/blogger while she worked there.  All good people.    The race was just a few minutes away.  We all geared up, visited the bathroom one last time and made our final preparations.  Some wondered about the condition of the trail, others wondered how many layers to wear.  I was already hungry and the race hadn't started yet.  Cough.  Uh-Oh.

The 9:00 start was a combined field of 5-milers, 11-milers and the 22.  It starts on a fast downhill for the first 3/4 mile.  We soon found out the trail was a little slick but , overall, fast and puddle-free.  I settled in about 4 runners off the front and found my comfort zone.  When the first climbs began, my legs seemed to respond well.  But I was coughing from deep, deep down, abdominally, and I started having doubts by the third mile.  I took a few 10 second walk breaks on the uphills, letting my heart rate come down and cleaning out the old throat each time.  I was also pretty light-headed and started thinking about coming back down the hill with the 11 mile runners.  I didn't know if I had three hours or so of work in me.

Don't let the smile fool you . . .

By the 4 mile mark I was thinking alot.  Thinking way too much.  Thinking of all the things that felt wrong.  Thinking of all the stuff I had to do when I got home.  Thinking of how bad it is to think so much.  By the time I hit the 5 mile mark I had talked myself into turning around for the 11 mile race.  The terrain levelled out and I just focused on easy breathing as I eased into the aid station.  I really wasn't hungry or thirsty.  52 minutes into the race and I hadn't taken hardly any water and the very thought of putting down a GU or anything else made my stomach turn. 

I was on the verge of heading back down, when for some strange reason I started up the next trail on the 22 mile course.  Looking back I don't know why.  But about a half mile up the course I stepped in a huge puddle and it occurred to me that if I continued, I would be not only wiped out for the rest of the weekend with my family but probably zapped for a few weeks for running.  It wasn't worth it, I figured.  So, I turned around.



DNF Nazi says, "No chute for you!"

 I went back to the first aid station and waited for Steve and Bill, thinking I'd hitch a ride with the guys back down the hill.  The fellas proved to be jovial company, even coining a new trail running term, "checking the map" (based on a encounter my bladder had with a CHP officer just hours earlier).  It was a fun ride down the mountain, chatting and just soaking in the magnificent redwoods.  As we approached the finish, I felt unworthy of the chute.  I ran off to the side and handed my race bib to the timer and told her to mark me as a DNF.  First time in my life, "Did Not Finish." 

In retrospect, maybe I should have just ran a fast 11 miles and called it a day.  Or maybe I shouldn't have been out there at all.  I was still trying to figure it out when I went back to the car and called my wife.  She was surprised to hear me call so soon but relieved that I turned back early.  Wives . . . 

Me, I was still searching.  But when  I tossed my running bib into the backseat, it hit me like a lightening bolt.   Flashback 4 years . . . in the midst of a long drought, I signed up for a marathon with a friend hoping it would motivate me to get back on the horse.  Well, I never ran that marathon, I just ate the $100 and registered my one and only DNS.  And which marathon was it?  Why, no other than the Bizz Johnson Marathon, the same name I saw on the label of my one and only DNF.  Weird coincidence.  Curse you, Bizz Johnson!  You give BJ's a bad name!

And if I told you what the first song was when I turned on the radio to drive home from Woodside, you wouldn't believe me. 

No change, I can't change
I can't change, I can't change
But I'm here in my mind
I am here in my mind
And I'm a million different people
from one day to the next
I can't change my mind
No, no, no, no, no, no, no
I can't change
I can't change it

'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life

Winter Wonderings and New Year's Resolutions

Happy 2011!  I hope the holiday season treated you as well as it treated me.  After spending a few months wondering how I ended up on someone's naughty list, I am happy to say 2010 ended with me counting my many blessings. 

The last two weeks of vacation have been marvelous and I have savored each day.   It's great to spend time with family and friends but there's nothing like winter break to completely de-con-tract.  No alarm clocks, no classes,  no tests, no lunch lady.  Forget the ties, forget shaving, I've worn a single pair of cargo pants for 16 days straight.  Awesome.  When I did try to clean up a bit and give myself a haircut I forgot to put on the plastic #1 attachment and I gave myself a true buzz cut.  Frickin' Full Metal Jacket.  I don't think my wife has ever laughed so hard.  These are the days.

As usual, I watched too much TV but somewhere in those lost hours in front of the boob tube I found my first New Year's resolution. 

Over the hill?  No, more like top of my game. 

It came in the form of Wes Anderson's The Fantastic Mr. Fox, an inspirational reminder that you're never too old to dream the impossible dream, along as you have a plan, or two, or three . . .

Christmas came and I actually got what I really wanted: running gear.  And even when I did receive the occasional hideous sweater this year , I took it back to the store for credit to get what I really wanted: more running gear.  Who cares if the compression socks make me look ridiculous?  Who cares if a bare dome doesn't suit my facial features?  I'm rebuilding myself for one sole purpose:  I'm going the distance; I'm going for speed.  Gear up!




Resolution#2: Bring the right gear . . . and your game face!

 And more important than gear is attitude.  It seems like I ran every day during the break no matter the time or the weather.  If anything, I relished the rain, I plowed through puddles and I whistled through the wind.  This is my favorite time of year to run because it's just so exhilarating, so rejuvenating.  While everything around goes dark and silent in December, I feel reborn.   The roads belong to me alone and I'm alive.   I think Winter has become my Spring.  Resolution #3: Don't forget to savor every mile of it.  The clock is always ticking and whether it's a bad race, a personal best or maybe even my last lap, I'm going to enjoy my run.

 

Don't worry about the horizon . . . it's just the Winter Solstice

 

So I've got my plan A, got my gear and got my goofy smile.  What are your New Year resolutions?  Feel free to add a comment and share your resolution.  It doesn't have to be running-related or some pathetic metaphor for life..  Posting it makes it that more likely to come true and don't forget that each month I'll have a lottery to give out a gift card to anyone who comments on a blog or becomes a follower.  I'll also enter anyone who is willing to donate to the Lodi High Track & Field fund.  I don't mind running in the mud but our local athletes deserve better.    

Year-round dedication in tough conditions

 

Next week, stay tuned for the first 2011 race reports:

Crystal Springs and the Cal-10.