Earth, Wind and Rain

One week to go before the Surf City Half-Marathon.

I haven't had a chance to get a long run in yet so I arranged to meet my running buddy Natalie down by the beach at the base of San Vicente. This would also get to be my first chance to test my right hip on a run longer than the daily 6 miles I've been putting in.

The first thing I noticed I arrived was the abudance of runners out there. It was not a warm morning either. The sky was menancing, threatening to open up in a downpour at any given second. Adding to it was a strong, southwest to northeast headwind. Yet, there were dozens of runners out to brave the elements.

It must be marathon season.

Natalie knew of a route that was approximately 11-12 miles in length that started on San Vicente and Ocean, down to the bike path, past the pier, through the Venice Boardwalk, before finally turning around in Marina Del Rey and back where we came. We started off very slowly at around a 10-10:30 pace to warm up. It would take us awhile given the conditions. And it certainly didn't help that we were running into the wind.

It was an interesting run to say the least. Because it was raining in buckets last night, there were several points where giant puddles had formed. Run through and risk wet feet, or turn back and find an alternate way around. We did a little of both.

Right as we were approaching the turning point in Marina, the drizzle started. And on the way back, the sky really opened up. Lightly at first, but in buckets towards the end. We were getting drenched. I loved it.

We completed the run in a little under 2 hours when it was all said and done. Hardly record setting time, but I got what I wanted to get accomplished: a) put in a long run before the half-marathon next weekend, and b) test the hip out on a long run.

Let me tell you though...that shower when I got back home ranks in the top 10 of all time. Nice to be dry finally now too.

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818 days since my last cigarette