Sunday, May 4, was the Santa Monica Classic in Santa Monica, CA. A 5K and 10K race to benefit Heal the Bay. Susana and I ran the 10K

Our first time running this race and I’ve got to say, It was a great race! The weather was ideal for running, It was overcast and still a bit cool. If it was much hotter or the sun came out, the lack of shade areas on this course could have made it very tough.   

The race kept us mostly on Ocean Avenue. We had a great view looking north towards the hills with the beach to the left. Running under the palm trees that Southern California is so well known for. After right turn into a residential area and back down to the beach we were again on Ocean Ave. This time running towards the Santa Monica Pier and our finish line.

Susana and I kept pace together throughout the race which was fun. We maintained a 9-10min/mile average for most of the 10K. When we found ourselves within 400 meters of the finish line we of course turned into competitive monsters and sprinted in. Her short legs were no match for mine and I beat her, but only by mere seconds.

My right foot has been hurting after pretty much every run lately. It feels like perhaps my arch is under or over supported. How would I find that out? I am thinking of going to a runing store where they specialize in finding your ideal running shoes. I’ll have them check what shoes are best for my feet and style and maybe that will shed light on why I’m hurting.

Wanna join me in Santa Monica?

Sunday, May 4, 2008

The event was very fun with the entertainment at the opening. The drummers and chinese dragons; culminating with the lighting of 100,000 firecrackers to kick off the start of the race.   

Kristina’s first race and of course, it’s probably the most hilly course there could be, south of San Francisco.  After I ran 2 Miles I circled back to walk the rest of the way with my sister in what we like to refer to as the Asthmatic Parade, 2008. 

There are better pictures captured of us. As soon as the one I purchased comes in I’ll be sure to share that with you.

Superbowl sunday was the inagural Surf City U.S.A. Run in Huntington Beach, California. It was billed as the "Inagural" because for years it was known as the Pacific Shorline Run. I was very excited about this run. The weather has been rather cool and this course was along Pacific Coast Highway, right along the beach with the water and waves in view. Saturday, when we went to the Expo to pick up our racing packets the weather was as beautiful as ever! Sunny, little clouds; but we already had Sunday’s forecast looming over us. Rain!

Now it’s a widely known fact that the weather man is never right; however just this one time he was right on the money. It rained a great deal throughout the morning. The 5K started at 7:15 and it was cold cold cold! Then, by about 7:25, It was fine. No the weather didn’t clear up, I just went numb. The rain was pelting my face and I was drenched through my "Water Resistant" jacket and pants, clear down to my underwear.  The cool weather was nice to be keep me cool, what really killed me was the wind. More than half of the run was against the wind. Wet and heavy clothes really felt like 10 pounds of dead weight.

Anyways. Looking back it was fun in that it was such a different kind of run. It did take me about an hour to feel semi-warm again and my feet are still pruney, but my medal is awesome and totally worth it. Susana on the other hand, she had chosen this race to be her first Half-Marathon. She trained hard and had to endure 13.1 miles of soaking wet freezing hell. Kudos to you Susana! Good thing you didn’t try the Marathon this time around.