To Race or not to Race? How bout two Races?

2011 Redondo Beach Super Bowl 10k 

Free beer and a race or two sounds like the making of a good day.

I believe for the last 5 years now I have competed in the Redondo beach Super Bowl 10k.  This year marked the the 33 year of event that known to draw up to 10,000 people for its 5k and 10k combined.

Currently my focus  is on the Copper Canyons Ultra coming up March 6th.  My body is not a t full strength and I really wish to put forth good showing down in Mexico.  I wasn't  sure if I would be participating in the Redondo race until about Friday afternoon when I decided I would run the 5k.  Racing for just a few minutes was deffietely (well Hopfully) not gonna do my body any damage.

Both my nephews and my sister would be running the 5k. So since I'd be down there anyway I figured could hobble around the course and finish respectably especially if it meant I would recieve free beer afterwards.  (in years passed they gave out 2 Asahi's)

Saturday 

Luna Equus

My sister and nephew rode their bikes bikes down to the race to go pick up their numbers.  I was running late.  I jumped on my skate wearing My Luna Equus (you can't really skate in Flip Flop's but you can Luna's.)   trying out a different tape job for my foot that felt really comfortable.  I was flying at top speed and caught them about 1/2 way to the expo.  

The weather was perfect and made for a nice morning ride.

My sister has had this bike for over a year and it's the first time shes used it.  (perhaps  she will become a world class triathalete and we will look back to this day, when the gears were set in motion)

Superbowl 10k expo

My nephew scaled the wall twice as fast as the adult in front of him.  Probably because  his Uncle told him to take off his shoes.

Proud Mom

Southen California USTAF

Last year this event was the SoCal 10k Track and field Championship.  I ran both races in in 2010 (in Vibram Sprints) and couldn't get my calves to loosen  it time to run a decent 10k after the 5k.  

I found out that this year they switched it up and made the 5k  the Championship race.  Hmm maybe I' should try and run fast?  I hadn't yet renewed my dues for USTAF  ($30) I had planned on doing it online but forgot but  for once I got rewarded for my procrastination.  For signing up at the expo I scored a free dri fit track and field shirt

Enough with the boring prelude time for race day

Super Bowl Sunday

Smelliest person always has to sit in the back of the mini van

Guess who that is?

If you want good parking for the race you must show up well before the butt crack of dawn. (I haven't used that expression in a long time) We were parked and were ready to go by 6:30 a.m.

Gear

The gear I decided to use:  USTAF hat, Moeben Bamboo tank top, USTAF shorts, Moeben Black Sleves XS, Cep Calf Sleeves WS. On my wrist i used my trustyGarmin 310xt to track my progressI also taped both feet on my forefoot with a X pattern going over my plantar fascia and around my ankle.  

and of course I had on my Original Luna sandals with a leather top and leather laces

Eventually we crawled out of the mini van (because of the smelly dude in the back) to get ready for the race.

by the way check out my nifty Sweatshirt.  My sister got me some Bourbon Feet attire for my Birthday.  I've got a few Extra T-shirts black size large and XL.   If your interested shoot me an email and we can work something out.

Bourbonfeet@gmail.com

Close up of  T-shirt

I love that my nephews are still young enough to pose like a ballerina on command

While my family did some calistenics to warm up.  I began to size up my competition.

I cant tell if these guys are coming or going. They may be tough to beat.

Bud Man

He looks pretty strong.  Bud man may beat me in a steak eating contest 

(Perhaps this will be the first Microsoft paint  piece of art to hang in Louvre)

I call it

"Stone Gargoyle Running at the Redondo Beach 10k"
(clever tittle I know)

 But Bud Man doesn't stand a chance against a runner fueled on Stone Craft Beer.

Course map

I wished my family good luck before meandering to the front of the starting line.  I saw the usual array of local runners plus some dudes from out of town who looked pretty fast.  I think there was a $500 paycheck awaiting the winner which usually draws some good competition.  I did't  expect to win and really wasn't sure how my body was going to respond.  Because my body has not been 100% I have done very little training and almost no speed work.  I guess theres only one way to find out where you stand.

Time to Lace up my sandals and run.

Photo by Jared Thompson

Against this field my racing strategy was not going to hold up well but I went for it anyway. Jump out in front and when people start to catch me try and run faster.  That I did and i was going at a sub 5:00 min pace for the first half mile.  My legs felt more lethargic than I hoped.  I expected the competition to be faster but Nobody had yet asserted themselves as the front runner.  Right before making the turn up Herondo a a familiar face passed by.  It was the dude who beat me a The Conquer the Bridge race over the summer.

Photo by Jared Thompson

My legs were slowing fast and I think I finished the first mile at about 5:22.  Other runners began to pass me, My lack of adiquite training was starting to show and I felt like my body was carrying too much weight about 148 lbs.(maybe I've gotten to carried away with my Vegan Debauchery blog lol)

I had hopes of finishing around 16:30 and if everything came together maybe sub 16:00 but by the time I finished my second in 5:40 both of those desires became nothing more than wishful thinking.

As much as I though I wanted to push my body my competitive drive was not there. Perhaps my sub-contious was making me run cautious. I wasn't experiencing pain or injury  I felt soft.  Today listening to my my body was more important than giving it my fastest effort.

I took this pic later in the day, it was way foggier at the end of the 5k.

Sometimes these little 5k feel like they take forever and this was the case today.  I hype it up in my mind to be  over in an instant but when I am actually out there time seems to slow down.  During the  third mile I caught a little bit of tail wind finishing it in  5:28  and through the finishline in 9th place out of 3,308 with a time of 17:20

I was bummed at how slow I was and a little out of it when I crossed the finishline  after about a 5 second personal pitty party,  I got my act together, Inspired by the prospect of free beer awaiting  me.  I quickly ripped off my timing chip (possibly breaking it, whoops) and sprinted out of the finishers coral past the people hunched over who beat me (including that dude who won the bridge race who won this one as well)

Along my path volunteer armed forces tried to hand me water.  Why would I spoil my thirst on h20 when I could have beer?

Beer, Beer, Beer, Jiggly Beer Beer, Beer

Into the empty beer garden I ran to claim my prize, sadly instead of 2 beers they were only giving out 1 and it was Michelob Ultra (Kind of a beer water hybrid) About 4 seconds later it was gone and stopped my watch

18:55 3.4 miles.

I'm not sure how many people sprint to the beer but I was deferentially first and it was about another 10 minutes before the next person got there.  I wanted  a few more drinks but since I was the first one there the volunteers were sticking to their game plan.  Oh well.

Garmin data for 5k Plus beer drinking

I stuck around the beer garden for a few minutes talking to the local media, and signing autographs on girls boobs (maybe I'm getting a little carried away here). I had to return to the finish line to cheer on my family.

Nice Form

I got back just in time to catch my nephew Thomas finish his first real 5k.

He's like half the size of everyone surrounding him.

Finishing in 29:46

And he ran the race wearing Van's slip ons.

Both my my nephews have been members of the 100 mile club since they start of the school year.  They have been running a few times a week before school and will hit the 100 mile mark sometime in the next month or two.  They look forward racing are both getting stronger very quickly and really have a love for running.

Thank you

to 

Kara Lubin and the 100 mile club for helping make a difference in nephews lives.

I was really proud of my nephew and felt very privileged to be the first one to congratulate him at the finish line  He had ran so fast his glasses had fogged up.  

Having finished just one beer and one race.  My legs and feet felt pretty decent .  In a spur of the moment decision I decided I would earn my second beer the hard way and run the 10K that was going to start in less than 20 minutes.  I really din't think I was going to do both races but just in case I brought  a filled out entry form along with a blank check. As I have siad before (I rarely listen to myself).  I sprinted over to registration and signed up with just minutes to spare.

Lucas and my sister blissfully approaching the finish

I had to get to the starting line so I didn't get to see them finish but thankfully my good buddy Justin took my camera and snapped a few photo's for me

Congratulations Lucas.  I love the smile.

I know my sister would have liked to have gone a little faster but there's no way she would trade the experience running with here son for personal accolades.  They came in at 46:44 and I think thats pretty damn respectable for a 6 year old.

So I says to the Burke.

Since I got to the starting line a little late I really had to bob and weave my way to the front.
 I ran into my good buddy Mr. Hermosa 24 himself Christian Burke, as well as Danny Westergaard Annie Seawright and Allison Atkinson

I'm only about 1/4 second off the leaders 8 seconds into the race.  Unfortunately I kept close to that ratio through out the entire race.



World record centipede

Every year there is a centipede division and I always see that baby black poncho out on the course.  This year they went sub 35mins and set a world record.  You can see them pass yours truly at the 25 second mark

The year prior my calves were really locked up going into the second race but today they felt pretty decent.  A pack of runners jumped way out in front.  Catching them was out of the question.  The first 2 miles of the course are exactly the same as the 5k.  I was feeling good but running slow 5:51 and 6:02 about 50 seconds slower than the in the 5k.

 Interestingly the race was going by fast (unlike the 5k)  I felt like I could grind out this pace all day long if I had to.  I thought I was running in about 40th place and sometime during the 3rd mile this guy that looked like he was 100 years old cruised effortlessly passed me.  ("What the hells going on here.") My Ego was wounded but as much as I tried I couldn't overtake dude.  At one point he got as far as about 400 in front of me.  I finished the 3rd mile in 5:58

As the race progressed I tried to trick myself into running faster.  When I approached a hill I told myself "Pat your climber you better pass those guys."  When I hit the downhill "Pat you got long legs start spinning them, damn it." The strategy was working and I began to pass a few people but still couldn't catch the old man. I finished the forth mile in 5:53

I kept for some of my friends to catch me but they never did.  During the 5th mile out of nowhere I was passed by this absolutely gorgeous girl. (I had just been Chicked) But instead of damaging my Ego it inspired my labito :)  (i was more than happy to follow this girl all the way to the end of the Earth.  I now had tunnel vision and my sights were not on the finish line. :) I finished the 5th mile in 5:50 my fastest one of the race.

The body was holding up good and I started to enjoy myself.  I caught up to the old guy sailed passed him finishing  mile 6 in 5:51

A few more steps and I was through the finish line directly behind the first place woman in 23rd place out of 3,686 in 36:38.

Strangely the beautiful girl who beat me does not show up in the
 officially results.  Was she some kind of guardian angel? Was she a figment of my imagination?
If she was a figment of my imagination I sure hope I can conjure up that image at every race I run in the future.

The Luna Sandals felt great on my feet and the tape did it's job.

 "Dude the race is over."  Not for me it wasn't.

Once again time sprint through expo passed the soldiers and into the beer garden.  This time however the place was packed with 5k runners.  Doing my best emulation of a football player I dodged my way through the crowd and into the End Zone (I mean Beer Zone).   I was the first runner to the beers and this time I scored 2 before stopping my watch.

38.20 and 6.41 miles

I even had a few fans.  Perhaps they thought I was one of them

Total for the day

57:15  for 9.61 miles

+

3beers

Compared to last year my 5k was slower and my 10k was faster.

Garmin Data 10k
Official results

I got a few in the paper
Easy reader article

Somehow I found another beer in my hand which disappeared as faster than it had arrived.  I headed over to the track and field booth to see I how I finished in the which I had not checked yet.

Sweet

I scored a silver medal for 2nd place among USTAF members in my age group 

I saw my family at the finish line but since that's not where my race ended It was time to go find them

Along the way I ran into Christian Burke who finished a few minutes behind me

There they are

They were jumping for joy when they saw me approach.  Maybe they should run the 10k if they had this much energy left.

They are getting way to big for my scrawny arms, 

but

 I still love them.

2010 Vs 2011

It was a great morning although my speed was not as fast as I had hoped things are going in the right direction  and I am optimistic about the future.  

I came home for about about an hour before hitting the gym for a light work out and an hour in the sauna.  I wanted to stay longer but I had to get ready for the big game

Pic from summer Same Limo

I've been going to this same Super Bowl Party for years and always had a fun time.  Great food lots of booze  and I suppose a Television set.  No need to worry about drinking and driving Because my buddy was picking me up in his Limo.

The party had everytype of meat you could imagine. And about 10 types of light beer.
Pretty much the opposite of what I consume.  I made the best of it eating about 2lbs of fruit salad and countless wussy beers. Not surprisingly the one vegan was the skinniest  guy at the party.

Super Slow Pat from about 2004

Epilogue:
If you follow this blog closely you will notice that if I am serous about a race I usually have a really bad short hair cut.  I am the complete opposite of Sampson.  The longer my hair is the slower I run.  Right now my hair is about the longest it's been in 3 years.

 I have another 5k race this coming weekend down in San Diego County  sponsored by Stone Brewing Co.  I expect my hair will be a little shorter and my time to be faster.
and
This time I'll have real beer waiting for me and it's all you can drink.

Fueled by the Juice of the Barley. The Beer Footed Runner

Ah the joys of being a procrastinating blogger.  It is usually my intention to post about once a week.  I have all kinds of spectacular ideas (spetacularly deranged) .  Every once awhile I make to the computer at about 5a.m. hopped up on 4 cups of coffee.  It is now that time
so here goes it. (I've always liked that expression)

Well, heres what I can recollect.

1/21 I found myself with a desire to play Disc Golf competitively.  the following day was the ICE BOWL  held at Elisian park above Doder stadium. It's tournament held all over the country to collect food and raise money for local food banks. The motto "No wimps whiners" some people are playing in terrible weather below freezing conditions.  Here L.A. rarely have the temps dropped below 60 degrees for this tournament.

Chavez Ridge at Elysian park above Dodger stadium
 Pic from  2009 Ice Bowl

You really got focus while putting knowing that creepy vato Dodger fans could be stumbling out from their homes in the bushes at any time.

  I have won this event 4 times in the past (I'd be a long shot to win today)  and have competed in it almost every year . This year however I procrstinated too long and could not get into the event for it was sold out.


Good thing I had a back up plan

The Southern California Ultra Trail Running Series was having it's award ceremony  at the base of Mt Wilson above Los Angeles. (where all the T.V. antennas are)  I hardly ever get out to the trails and thought this would be great opportunity to test out a prototype  recyclado Luna sandals with extra wide elasticized leather laces.

I was very pleased with how taping my foot felt when running Calico so this time I gave it try on both feet.  I was now ready to climb a mountain
(Maybe I will look less crippled and more cool If I switch to black tape.)

Almost all my trail running experience has come during races.  For once I was gonna be able to take my time enjoy the scenery and even take some pictures.  I arrived at the trail head a little bit late It was a about 8:45 a.m. a group of runners had just left at 8:30 a.m. and a few that were planning on going all the way to the top of Mt Wilson had left well be fore them.  I had planned on doing on doing about 10 miles but things could change.

The view was awesome  and the weather was perfect about 75 degrees.  (the same weather my disc golf friends must have been suffering through at the Ice Bowl lol)

About 1.5 miles up I caught up with the 2 overall champions  for the year Jack Cheng and Diana Treister. I had a brief chat with them before leaving them on a climb The trail was mostly uphill and I was climbing fast but when it came to downhill I took it slow and easy. 

Sometime during the third mile I decided to ditch my sandals and do some barefoot trail running.  Sure the path was a little bit rocky but that only made it more fun.  I was carrying my handheld and Lunas in my right hand. while filming my stride with my left hand.  You think running barefoot on a rocky trail is dangerous try aiming a camera at your feet the whole time while making sure each step lands in the right place.

I know what your thinking.

"What a dumb ass but he sure does have some sexy legs?"

My  guess is that you find at least half this statement to be true.

Since I was only carrying 1 water bottle I ran out after about  90 minutes.  I was thirsty and had a choice keep charging anonther 2.5 miles straight up the mountain or head back down 5.5 miles back to the start.  I bet you can guess which one I did.

There's those antennas I told you about. 

I made it to the top but could not find any water.  I was thirsty.  If I kept looking I would probably find some but I was running late (literally) for the awards ceremony. The hell with water I could make it another down the hill a little parched, maybe build some mental toughness.

The view alone was worth a little dehydration

On the way up I ran mostly barefoot for the way down I wore my Luna's the whole time. At times I charged it hard but for the most part I just flowed down the mountain water.  (dirty smelly water)

Which way to the beach?

I think  I was that last person to arrive at the awards ceremony.  I made it just in time to watch Diana and Jack receive their awards.  Congratulations to both of them.

I didn't run enough races in the series last year to qualify for any awards.  Last year I won my age division.

and

In 2008 at the same park I received my award as the Overall Champion.

the only thing I won this year was a Pair of Injinji toe socks from a raffle. Which I gladly accepted while my running peers laughed.

By the time the awards ceremony ended I was dirty and very thirsty.  My  sister had won a tickets to Medieval Times and a hotel room next door from a silent auction.  I jumped in my car picked up some beer from the liquor store and met them at the hotel pool.

The water felt great and I had a fun time splashing around with my nephews

before heading off to the Dinner and tournament.

I was Stoked we got the Green Knight.  He's the evil one that refused to kiss the kings ass.  We were winning the tournament till at the last second the kings son helped that stupid white night stab his sword through the Green Knights armpit.

Who new they had Vegi meal

This not my pic but it is what the served me plus except my pilaf was served stuffed in a portobello mushroom and get this they gave me a knife and fork (my sister was jealous) and I was happy.

I ended up crashing at the hotel.  the next morning I was up bright an early for some disc golf.

The next few days I spent at the beach.  I took my camera down and filmed the sunset.  Heres a little montage of running footage from Mt Wilson and the beach last week.

Now to the good stuff

Stone Brewery

 Last ThursdayI had an appointment at noon down at the Stone Breweries in Escondido California to discuss sponsorship. The Brewery is about 90 miles from my house.  I decided to get up at the crack of dawn beat the morning traffic and play some disc golf before my meeting.

Kit Karson park Escondido

I arrived at Kit Karson Park at about 7:30 a.m. the weather was brisk.

 but still warm enough to barefoot.

I had a few errant shots land in a stream than runs through the park.  I wouldn't want to swim in it but the water felt nice between my toes.  I played 2 quick rounds and then it was off to my second course of the morning

California State University San Marcos

I didn't even know this course existed until 10 days ago

The course plays through the surrounding ball fields and track before going straight through the heart of Campus.  

I had to pay $3 for an hour of parking so I decided jog most of the round.

I got many a puzzled looks from the students walking to their classes. 

"What the hell is that barefoot guy doing playing frisbee with himself."

"So thats what those metal baskets are for.

The Course is Dedicated to Tim Selinske.  One of the founders of Innova Disc Golf and a good friend of mine.  Tim was one of the nicest guys I ever knew! He was very encouraging and always had smile on his face

Tim and I back in 2001 my last tournament before going pro sadly I finished in 2nd place but Tim made me feel proud.  I miss that dude. He was a good man.

I made it back to my car with about 10 minutes to spare. It was only 10:45 maybe I could squeak one more course in before lunch

Montiel Park

About 5 minutes away from the Stone Brewery is Montiel.  It's small nine hole course that plays that plays straight up hill and then back down. 

Tangent alert:

I had a weird sense of Deja Vu, about a year ago I had dream of almost this exact park but it the dream the course was located in Torrance near my home but I could never remember how to get there.  Why I still remember that dream I don't know.

The course was short I played 2 quick rounds and made it the brewery with time to spare 

and 

I was parched.

Hmm

The Bar at the Brewery changes its beer list every day. 

So many options. They have about 20 different craft beers on tap (No fizzy yellow commercial variety)and about 100 different types in the bottle.  I love that they embrace all craft beers.  Thats the beauty of making a quality product.

Oaked (in Bourbon Casks)

Almost impossible to make a bad choice I was very pleased with my decision.  

Last time I made it to the brewery I was over stimulated, inebriated and forgot to check out the garden. This time.  I had arrived a few minutes early so I took a little stroll.  I could of stayed their all day (but that would have meant a very expensive cab ride home)

I don't really thing the the fine workers at Stone feed their Coi Beer, but the fish sure were begging for it. I was way to selfish to share plus a few of the fish may have been under age.

12:00 arrived and the bartender told me to look out for the dude from the home make over show.

It turns out the guy I was meeting Chris Cochran could of passed for his twin. I sat down with Chris for about an hour and half. We had a really good conversation about the brewery and what they represent. I already had really good impression of the company and Chris further solidified  those thoughts. Because Stone is privately owned they are able to stay dedicated to making the craft beers they enjoy.  They do not advertise (although they were in almost every episode of Weeds last season) and they give a lot back to the community including their give a pint get a pint blood drive.  I could go on for awhile but I'll save that for future posts.

 I may use the moniker Bourbon Feet but as my logo shows I am a Beer Footed runner.

Chris is a really cool guy and seemed pretty stoked on me as well.  I'm  am very excited to represent Stone.  Stone has always brewed some of my favorite beers.  I  love the fact that I will representing a proactive company and I will do my best to make their support in me a worthy endeavor.

Thank You Chris and thank you to all the people at Stone. 

 I do not have to drive all the way down to Escondido to receive refuel.  Although I probably will because I love the food at the Bistro that much.

  

Stone Breweries owns their own distributing company and will deliver to my house.

I feel like a kid trying to spot Santa sleigh on X-mas eve.

I can't wait to see this truck pull up in my driveway.

One of my favorite Ale's it can be found at most Liquor stores and super markets in southern CA.  If you have never tried it pick up a bottle and tell what you think.  If you like it come on over to my place and have another.

After I was done talking I picked up a little gear and sat down for lunch.

Vegan  Tempeh Sheppards pie

I absolutely love the Bistro at Stone. As I have written before Mondays they do a completely meatless menu.  Well it was Thursday and they still had a lot of good vegan options. They even have their own Stone hot sauce.  I got to try their chipotle and jalapeño but unfortunately couldn't rangle up the Habanero variety (but I will )  

I left the brewery by about 2:30 just in time to beat most of the traffic up the 5 freeway to squeeze one last round of Disc Golf in at El Dorado in Long Beach.

What great day!

It was now time to get focussed and prepare my belly for

Vegan Pizza day

  1/29 should be a national holiday

I made and ate 3 pizza's using over 35 different ingredients and 15 hot sauces 

full recap can be found at

Vegan Debauchery