070325 33 Mile Tapering Run for Ruth Anderson 100K

Distance:	33.32 miles
Time:	5:12:42
Avg Pace:	9:23 min/mile
Marathon:	3:58:59
50K:	4:47:25
Calories:	4334 cal

Laps	Distance (miles)	Time	Pace (min/mile)	Accrued Time	Calories (cal)
1	2.32	20:01.35	8:39	20:01.35	298
2	8.04	1:12:07.70	8:58	1:32:09.05	1043
3	7.90	1:12:36.59	9:12	2:44:45.64	1028
4	12.76	2:01:37.62	9:32	4:46:23.22	1671
5	2.31	26:19.23	11:23	5:12:42.45	294
Total	33.32	5:12:42	9:23	5:12:42	4334

I'm getting to love running alone and afar at the Alameda Creek Trail. However, as usual, I feel really reluctant to get up early on Sunday morning. In particular, after spending the whole Saturday with family, I have a temptation to stay in warm bed and talk with family.

On the other hand, I keep reminding myself that I need solid training for the intensive races this year. Somehow, with this lingering in mind, I was able to wake up before the 3:30am alarm.

Since Ruth Anderson 100K is a week from now, I need to taper my training run. I thought about doing either 20 mile mountain run between Fremont and Sunol, or a 50K on the Alameda Creek Trail. I decided to do the flat Alameda Creek Trail since the coming Ruth Anderson 100K is nearly flat in the city. The following American River 50M two weeks after also relies on the first 27 mile paved path before switching to my favorite trail running. Then I can to save my ankle, which was injured last month. I think I can start to do hill runs after Ruth Anderson 100K.

This will be a shorter run, so I carry less. I have a 20oz water bottle, one can of V8, 5 various Gels, 2 packets of GreenToGo Fruit/Vege powder, and a bottle of GU2O powder.

Lap 1 (mile 0 ~ 2.32): 2.32 miles/20:01.35, pace: 8.39 min/mile - Prepared to face the Darkness

I thought I have everything ready, so I left home and started to run at 4:36am. It turned out I forgot to bring a flashlight after 5 minutes in the streets. To save the weight and hassles, I don't not carry the key. I did not want to ring the bell and wake up everyone. I decided to try my gut to run in dark without a flashlight.

Since I have completed a 40 miles last week, I suppose this 50K to be easier. This might be a chance for me to run faster and test my limit.

Lap 2 (2.32 ~ 10.36): 8.04 mile/1:12:07.70, pace: 8:58 min/mile, Accrued: 1:32:09.05 - Running like a Blind Man

As usual, I hide a V8 near the sign post of mile 8/4. I go out in the direction of the Bay. It's 4 miles to the Bay. Within half mile or so, the city lights can no loner reach the trail ahead. What about star light? Nothing! It's heavy dark cloud over the entire sky. The cloud even covers most of the city light across the Bay - Melo Park and Redwood City. To make it worse, the cloud seems ready to pour down by starting with drizzles. I'm actually not sure if my glasses are fogged or wet. I have to wipe my glasses once in a while.

Not able to see anything, I slow down and carefully listen to the sounds from my footsteps on different terrain - sand, rocks, gravel, marsh land. They all give different sounds. I run away from the trail and into the marsh a few times.

Finally, I can see Bay water ahead. It looks like a mirror even in the dark so that there is enough light reflected in my sight. I am happy to get close to the turnaround, but the problem is I have no idea where the trail ends. I keep running until I step on something soft feeling like a beach. I stop for fear of stepping into the Bay water. Again, I feel like being at the center of the big circle universe.

I turn around and expect to have better sight on the trail. It turns out the trail is even darker because the city lights from Fremont and Union City are now blocked by the hills. The hills are small but good enough to block the lights coming from horizontal. I have to keep listening to the sounds from my footsteps. Perhaps I'm now experienced. I no longer run into the marsh. Once I pass the hill, the trail becomes twice wider and recognizable. I have no problem finishing this lap at the sign post of mile 8/4.

Lap 3 (10.36 ~ 18.26): 7.90 mile/1:12:36.59, pace: 9.12 min/mile, Accrued: 2:44:45.64 - Run faster and Test my Thirsty Limit

I quickly drink the cached V8. Today I don't turn around and run to the Bay again. I just keep running to the other end. It is daybreak and I can see a few people walking by.

Like last week, I start to one Gel after 4 miles and one every 4 miles. With the V8, I skip the first water fountain near Quarry Lakes, but stop at the second water fountain to take two salt tablets. I am wondering if I want to go into the park on my way back, but I will be tired then. When I get to the end of the trail, i.e. sign post of mile 0/12, I take one Gel and turn around.

Lap 4 (18.26 ~ 31.02): 12.76 mile/2:01:37.62, pace: 9:32 min/mile, Accrued: 4:46:23.22 - Struggling for Marathon and 50K Targets

I start to feel tired. When I see a runner 100 yard behind me, I somehow motivate to pick up my pace.

I decide to enter Quarry Lakes and do a big loop. I figure I need to do this loop to make today's route enough for 50K. I thought the loop is no more than 3 miles, but it turns out to be 4 miles. The minor difference predicts my struggling later.

The trail in the park is a little rolling compared with the Alameda Creek Trail. I feel tired and frustrated when I can not open a power bar with my sticky sore hands and my teeth tied to my tired body. It takes me a few minutes and I finally finish the power bar. I think it can last 2 miles until the next I take a Gel at the sign post of mile 4/8.

I finally complete the loop and go back to the Alameda Creek Trail. I figure that I will be very close to the Marathon distance at the last water fountain. Therefore, I run back and forth there, try to get to the Marathon before the final supply of water.

Last week, I reached the marathon distance at 4 hr 15 min. I push myself a bit thinking if I can do a sub-4hr marathon. Finally, I am able to do it and have 3hr 58min 59sec for the marathon - 16 minutes faster than last week. Then I am happy to drink enough water and ready to go for my next target - 50K under 5 hours.

Sun already comes out, but it's not that bad. I'm struggling and, as usual, I sometimes close my eyes to let the time and distance go faster. You may say it's a way to enjoy the pain. I figure I should be able to run a sub-5hr 50K if I can keep this slow pace. Therefore I have faith and keep moving my arms and legs forward. I pass the gravel path, paved path, gravel path, and a few underpasses that the Alameda Creek Trail goes under the streets. I regularly drink electrolyte drink and take Gel as I count the half mile sign posts. I finally get to the end of this lap - sign post of mile 8/4. However, it's still about 100 yards short of 50K, so I do not stop and head toward the bridge.

Lap 5 (31.02 ~ 33.32): 2.31 mile/26:19.23, pace: 11:23 min/mile, Accrued: 5:12:42.45 - Take Easy and Go Home

When I run on the bridge across the Alameda Creek, I just make up the 100 yards for the 50K. I make it under 5 hours - 4 hr 47 min 25 sec, 18 minutes faster than last week. I feel totally exhausted. I walk for a few seconds as a reward, but then pick up my slow pace in order to feel better for the last two miles. As I run closer to my home, my energy level goes up little by little. I'm happy to finish this "shorter" run and get ready for Ruth Anderson 100K on the coming Saturday.

070318 Finishing a 40 MileTraining Run

Distance:	40.06 miles
Time:	6 hr 40 min 43 sec
Avg Pace:	10 min/mile
Marathon:	4 hr 15 min
50K:	5 hr 5 min
Calories:	5260 cal

Laps	Distance (miles)	Time	Pace (min/mile)	Accrued Time	Calories (cal)
1	2.32	21:28.92	9:15	21:28.92	300
2	8.04	1:17:16.54	9:37	1:38:45.46	1049
3	8.06	1:17:50.96	9:40	2:56:36.42	1053
4	7.92	1:19:34.50	10:03	4:16:10.92	1038
5	7.84	1:21:49.05	10:26	5:37:59.97	1039
6	5.88	1:02:43.91	10:40	6:40:43.88	781
Total	40.06	6:40:43	10:00	6:40:43	5260

After the 50K training run last week (see 070311 50K Training Run and Anew), I got more confident in going farther this week. I planned to do 40 miles and I had never run that far.

Even with that, more doubts were still wandering in mind and stayed even longer. In particular, I found Alameda Creek Trail, which I'd run on, was so windy and chilly when I had a bike ride with my two kids the day before. I imagined it could be even worse when I set out in the early morning.

The Day - Early Bird

Now it seems much easier to get used to DST (Daylight Saving Time) than the usual jet leg between USA and Taiwan. Unlike last Sunday when I couldn't start early for a 50K training run, I easily wake up at 3:30am earlier before my alarm set at 3:40am. However, the doubts are there about "Shall I?" or "Can I?". I am nervous about how tough it'll be to run the entire 40 miles.

Feeling sleepy, I finally get up 10 minutes after I reset the alarm. It's 3:50am. Again, busy morning ritual and preparation help me forget the doubts and I am motivated with some confidence.

Walking out to pick up the heavy Sunday paper, I find it's not that cold out there. But who knows what it is like a few miles away in the wild open area near the Bay?

I wear a long sleeve tech shirt and a short. I have two cans of V8 in one hand and a 24oz water empty bottle with a flashlight in the other. I have two pouches pinned at my waist belt with the following items.

• 8 variety of Gel packets (GU, HammerGel, CytoMax, CliffGel)
  
• 1 small bottle of GU2O powder with salt
  
• 3 GreenToGo Fruit/Vege powder (bought from Costco)
  
• 1 Gummy bear packet (with sugar and some Vitamins)
  
• 2 pain reliever - ibuprofen (in case my toothache bothers me again)
  

Sorry no camera this time because I want to execute this training run successfully. I'm not sure if I can complete it today (still have doubts). Once I am able to do it and set up confidence, I'll bring it next time for fun.

Lap 1 (mile 0 ~ 2.32): 2.32 miles/21:28.92, pace: 9.15 min/mile, Accrued: 2.32 miles/21:28.92 - Practicing Carrying All Supplies

I wait for my Forerunner 305 to capture satellite signals in front of my garage. It's right before 4:40am. The street is quiet. I'll have to run 0.75 mile on my neighborhood streets. Then run another 0.75 mile on a paved trail called Ardenwood Path before get to the paved Alameda Creek Trail. Finally, there is another 0.75 mile paved trail to the dirt path at the other side of the creek. This is the first lap of mileages.

It takes some time to get used to carrying two cans of V8, a water bottle, and a flashlight with my hands. As later in the run, I find I have better arm strength to hold them possibly thanks to the training last week.

The end of the lap is the sign post of mile 8/4 that I will start the run on the dirt trail. It is 8 miles to the hill near Mission Blvd and 4 miles to the Bay, both end points of the 12 mile trail. I hide the V8 at one secret spot near this sign post because I'll visit it a few times.

Lap 2 (2.32 ~ 10.36): 8.04 mile/1:17:16.54, pace: 9.37 min/mile, Accrued: 1:38:45.46 - Enjoy the Solitude

On the dirt Alameda Creek Trail, I'll first run the 4 mile section to the Bay and back - 8 miles in total. I'll do this 8 mile lap twice before heading toward the other part of the trail. Having this plan is because I love this remote wild open section. Since there is no water there and it can become hot without shade later in the day, I'd like to do it as early as possible.

It seems darker than last week perhaps due to the DST. I have a flashlight in my hand but do not use it for a while because I can still recognize the trail about 10 feet ahead. There is dense cloud above covering the entire sky, even the Moon. The city lights from Union City and Fremont are getting farther and dimmer behind as I run toward the Bay. Those little lights reflecting from my surrounding are able to show me just enough, though little, about the trail ahead.

It's windy like yesterday and it's headwind. It is maybe chilly but I can take it because I'm running and able to get warm. To be honest, this is great running temperature with heat and sweat brought away so quickly that I do not break any sweat until two hours later - stay hydrated.

As I move farther into the Bay, I feel the city lights ahead from the other side of Bay getting closer even they are over 5 miles away. Although I can see the trail, I turn on my flashlight at half way as a way to practice using it in future 100 milers. I remember how I was nervous about nightly running before and how I suddenly had great time in some 100 milers I've done last year.

I am able to see the Bay water ahead knowing the turnaround is not far. When I get to the sign post of mile 12/0, it's the end of the trail and the place I'll turn around. The Bay water is only a few feet away. I'm far away from any city lights, or, as you may say, the civilization. It should be totally dark, but I can see only a little around me possibly with the help from the lights travelling from 5 miles away. Now city lights seem to form a big circle of a universe with myself alone at the center. I'm not sure if this is enough for a genius to find out that Earth is not flat. I only stop for a minute or less (to relieve). A great feeling of solitude mixed with joy fills up my mind. The joy comes from the intimacy with Nature, feeling like having sex. I guess endorphin, said to be secreted during exercise and making love, is now working. What a wonderful moment! Maybe that's why I love running :-)

Turning around, I'm facing the direction where Sun will rise later. A little sun lights seem to arrive first before Sun comes out of the hills. I still have my flashlight turned on for a while on my way back. At about half way (~ mile 9), I suddenly twist my ankle just like in the races early this year. It is painful, but what I worry about is how I can continue and finish the 40 miles with this happening at such an early stage. Fortunately, my ankle gets better when I slow down for a while.

I turn off the flashlight as I can see the trail more clearly and I think the training of running with a flashlight is done. It's not that I did not see the trail that tripped me, but I think I did not pay attention to running. Therefore, I don't need flashlight but need to focus more on my steps.

Lap 3 (10.36 ~ 18.42): 8.06 mile/1:17:50.96, pace: 9.40 min/mile, Accrued: 2:56:36.42 - Feeling Joyful about Lives

Before starting this lap, I hide the flashlight at somewhere nearby since I don't need it any more. At the end of the run, I'll stop by and pick it up.

It's getting brighter. However, it seems that I focus on the trail ahead instead of my sides. At the Alameda Ponding area, 3 miles toward the Bay, I am shocked by the ghostlike presence of a big object at my right only 10 feet away. It is a bull staring at me, and looks like the one we met yesterday.

On our way back during the bike ride yesterday, we were told by a scared woman that she could not keep going back since there is a bull with horn tips cut wandering on the trail. We then walked with her to pass that quarter mile of the trail. I used to deal with hundreds of cows when running at Ohlone Wilderness Trail, so I felt quite comfortable under such a situation. Right now, I do not slow down, but keep my pace. It does not bother me.

As I run toward the Bay (for the second time), the trail is now more alive with lots of songs from all kinds of birds. Once in a while I see hares running across the trail ahead of me. This is a great magic to feel so close with them. It seems that the daybreak is a natural alarm for these creatures. Therefore, we need DST to adjust our daily life. I imagine they are busy at hunting, feeding, and maybe going to bathroom just like our busy morning before work or school.

I turn around at the Bay after taking the first Gel (~ mile 14). I have planned to take Gel every 4 miles, so I'll take another one when finishing this lap at the sign post of mile 8/4. After a mile, I start to see a runner far away running toward me. I feel so refreshed to welcome the beginning of the day even after I have run two hours, while others may be still at beds or just start to get up. Sun must have floated above the mountain, but is hidden behind the heavy cloud. This is certainly a great day for running - without much sunlight.

The trail is still full of voices and songs from birds. There are some hares busy around. When I approach the Alameda Ponding Area where I met the bull, there are now a dozen of bulls there. They all stare at me as usual, but they begin to move away, seeming scared at my presence, a moving object with noises from my footsteps. They soon clear the trail for me to pass, but stay at the lower hill, staring at me again. I say "Good morning!"

I can see a few other people doing morning walk. All of us early birds have the privilege to enjoy the pristine green land.

I finally finish the lap at the sign post of mile 8/4. I drink the last can of V8 and take one Gel. Now it's time to run to the other end of the trail - 8 miles to go.

Lap 4 (18.42 ~ 26.34): 7.92 mile/1:19:34.50, pace: 10:03 min/mile, Accrued: 4:16:10.92 - Begin to Race with My Will

I'm entering my usual "wall" at 3 hours, but I feel better this time, thanks to the 50K training last week. I soon find out I forgot to take salt tablets with V8 when I finish the previous lap. I have to wait for finishing 5 miles before I get to a water fountain at Quarry Lakes. Fortunately, the various nutritions and sodium in the V8 does help me a lot at this 5 mile stretch. That's why I usually like having V8 in my training.

At the sign post of mile 4/8, I take one Gel as planned. Then at the sign post of mile 3.5/8.5, I stop at the water fountain to take all three salt tablets sticking to each other in a small plastic zipped bag. I finally can throw away the bag after carrying it in many races in the past.

Along Quarry Lakes, the trail is now run outside of the fence for a mile or two. I can see more visitors. At one time, I spot three runners inside the park on the trail parallel to mine. I catch up and pass them, trying to find out if I know them, but no.

After I pass Quarry Lakes, I get to another water fountain at a nice neighboring community park. I stop and fill up my water bottle for the first time, where I already put Gu2O powder and salt. I plan to drink at every half mile sign post from now on.

As usual, the dogs from the neighborhood backyard show their greeting by barking at me. They seem eager to jump over the fence and chase or bite me. Right before I get the end of the trail to finish this lap, I reach the marathon distance at 4hr 15min. I turn around at the trail end and take one Gel, completing this lap. The feeling of going home boosts a little on my mentality.

Lap 5 (26.34 ~ 34.18): 7.84 mile/1:21:49.05, pace: 10:26 min/mile, Accrued: 5:37:59.97 - Struggling But Feeling Home

Now I follow the pattern of eating and drinking completely - one Gel every 4 miles and drink every half mile. I also start to take pieces of tasty Vitamin Gummy Bear to complement with Gel on energy and nutrition.

However, I start to feel tired, but legs seem to be fine. As I approach the entrance of Quarry Lakes, I decide not to enter it for a big loop over the pretty trails inside because I'm not sure if I can run back home after doing that loop. It turns out later that I have to do some extra to make it 40 miles. I think I should include this scenic loop in my next training run.

I stop at a water fountain and fill up my bottle again with a mixture of powder and salt. I soon pass the 50K mark at 5hr 5min. I'm glad that this is faster than last week. However, I become struggling and start to feel the heat, although the sunshine is better than I expected. As I get to the sign post of mile 8/4, I figure that I need another 3.5 miles to make it 40 miles.

Lap 6 (34.18 ~ 40.06): 5.88 mile/1:02:43.91, pace: 10:40 min/mile, Accrued: 6:40:43.88 - Finish Gracefully with my Training Records in Distance and Time

I could have run on the bridge crossing the creek and head back home. However, I want to make up the 3.5 miles. I have to run on the trail toward the bay that I did in the first two laps. I'll run 1.5 miles out and 1.5 miles back. On the way out, the 1.5 miles looks like forever because Sun already comes out and show his power over this part of unshaded trail. Also I am really exhausted. I sometimes close my eyes, enjoying the pain, but wishing time going by fast and getting closer to the turnaround at a sign post.

Mentality is working again because I finally get to the turnaround and feel much better when I head toward home on the 1.5 miles back. There is a water fountain at the side trail, so I decide to go there and get resupply. After drink enough water, I feel more motivated in running with my exhausted body as I know I'll finish my longest training distance in 30 minutes.

Now I run magically better even when I'm running on the paved trail and neighborhood streets. I keep counting any progress in distance and it seems that every half mile is a milestone to me. Within 200 yards to my home, I found I have half mile short for the 40 miles, so I have to run around my neighborhood to make it up. At last, when I stand in front of my garage, the Forerunner 305 reads 40.06 miles. I feel like I can do even longer training run in future. I happily finish my training today and set my records in training distance and time!

Now I'm thinking when I can do 50 miles or 100K training run. I guess it should be in June between Ohlone Wilderness 50K and Western States 100M. I think I should be able to run better 100 milers in the second half of the year after training runs covering 60% of the distance in the first half of the year.

070311 50K Training Run and Anew

So What's New?

First run after DST (daylight saving time)

I really like this idea. It gets people to make more use of the day. I remember we had this when I was a kid in Taiwan. Taiwan no longer does this, so I don't like to see people still at home when there have been warm sunshine at 6am. This is a little waste of productivity.

However, as a runner having to get out early for a run to save family time, I feel like losing one hour. In particular, I need longer training run to build up as my series of races are approaching.

Taste Various of Gels

Talking about gels. Knowing that I would need to do long training run, I bought a bunch of gels from Zombie Runner last year - one for each brand and each flavor. Later after the run, I can say which one is better. I guess I love gels overall, but I remember becoming sick of them after taking 20 or more in longer run.

Today, I'm going to run long hours, so it's a chance for me to carry a few different kinds of gels.

First Training run with my camera in a pouch

The camera SD600 is needed for my family. Since it's lightweight, I'm happy to have it during a run. I'd like to capture any moments to share with my family and post them on this blog to share with my friends. I did use it in a race (see 070217 Sequoia 50K - Barely Finish with a Screaming Ankle), but this is the first time I carry it during a training run. I bought a "weather-resistant pouch" made by Case Logic. I feel fine with it, but still keep reminding myself to take great care of the camera for fear of dropping it, in particular, when my hands become sweaty, sticky, and exhausted.

First Time to use Forerunner 305

Yeah! I finally bought a Forerunner305 after months of thinking about having spent too much on entry fees so far this year. Today I do not carry the heart beat monitor because I want to get used it in other casual run first so that I won't get screwed up in those important long run like today. It is more important that I'll correctly record my mileage.

First Time to complete Alameda Creek Trail Round Trip

Alameda Creek Trail is a 11 mile paved road at south side of the creek and a 12 mile dirt path at the north side. It borders Fremont and Union City. I have trained there for years ever since I started to run. However, I only ran part of it at a time. To run the entire course in one shot has been an impossible dream to me. Today, I'm going to run the entire 12 mile dirt path out and back - 24 miles, and more.

Two Hours in Dark

I did not go to bed until midnight. I somehow was busying checking how my friends were doing in Cool 50K (Congrats to our Ultraholic folks - Yuki, Rajeev, Anil, see the Results). I did not adjust my alarm for DST, so it was actually 4-ish when I got up on the alarm at 3:40am. The usual doubt of why I should do today's long run disappeared during my busy morning ritual. I had six Gel's, one small prescription used bottle of GU powder, one 24-oz empty water bottle, and my SD600.

Since I have lost one hour due to DST and stayed late last night, I run out from my home at 5:20am, which is 4:20am the night before. I hold a can of V8 and I'll drop it at a place of 4 miles out and back, where there is no water available.

The street is quiet and I feel great. However, within a quarter mile, I feel a minor lingering pain from my previously injured ankle (see 070217 Sequoia 50K - Barely Finish with a Screaming Ankle). After 20 minutes or so, it disappears. I guess I was a little nervous about today's training. Although keeping moving triggers the symptom, but also relives it afterwards.

My pace is gentle - 8:15 min pace. It takes me 11 min on the neighborhood streets before I get to the Alameda Creek Trail. I first get to the paved path, i.e. at Fremont side. It takes me another 6 minutes to get to the other side, the dirt path at Union City side. I drop the V8 there and begin to run toward the Bay for 4 miles out and back, i.e. 8 miles in total.


Running towards the Bay, I am surprised to feel the warmth. It's not like spring, but more like early summer (Again global warming). I can see city lights at the west across the Bay 10 miles in front of me. If I happen look over my shoulder, I can see city lights with 5 miles in Fremont at left and Union City at right. It's foggy so I can not see many star but a bright half moon above. Populated across the sky are the busy flights and they are definitely not UFO. Alone is myself running on the trail, which I can only faintly see 10 feet ahead. I feel alone but my mind is as clear as a crystal. Running always brings me chances to think about some tough questions that are not easily figured out at other time.

Sunrise


When I get to the Bay, I stop for seconds, relieve myself, and turn around. There is a V8 waiting for me 4 miles away. I can see some lights far ahead in the sky toward east. I'm going to Mission Peak, or not due to the dense fog. Oddly, it becomes a little colder as I leaving away from the Bay and run toward the hills even when it is near sunrise.

Now I can hear a lot of sound around from birds. I smell skunk, but I don't spot them but see rabbits once in a while. It is a busy hour for them. I get motivated and feel very energetic with so many life around.

I try to take a few shots, but find them failures later at home. The best one is shot when I turn around from the Bay and waiting for sunrise from Mission Peak. The sunlight reflects through the cloud and spread itself all over. Within 30 minutes, I can see orange dyed sky ahead. What a great day coming for today!

I later pick up the V8 and feel replenished. I keep steady 8:30 min pace but don't feel any rising in temperature around.



When I am near Quarry Lakes, I decide not to enter the park, but stay on the this trail to avoid any possible paved road. I also know there are two water fountains ahead. I skip the first one as the way to test my thirsty, but I take my first Gel. The second one is within one mile, where I'll take two salt tablets as it is almost two hours.

Running toward the hill end of the 12 mile Alameda Creek Trail, there are dogs barking at the other side of the fence. Like I did in the Fremont Fat Ass, I take my another Gel at the turnaround.

Coming Back and Start Struggling

I came back to the second water fountain again. I drink enough water and fill up my water bottle for the first time. Yes, I started with an empty bottle. One entrance to Quarry Lakes is nearby, but I feel not ready to enter it and do loops there. When I did a shorter training run last week, I did a big loop inside the park. The park was beautiful in the morning and I regretted not bringing my camera. I'll enter the park next time when I do a longer training run.


Sun has risen for an hour. I started to get warm and tired as well. Coming back to the first water fountain, I'm taking another two or three salt tablet since they are stick to with each other. There do have about half mile on the asphalt. It becomes less tolerable when body is tired and sun is up.

Sometimes I think i should take some break for more pictures when I am tired. Now I'm tired but it's not true. I feel no energy to repeat the process of taking pictures. Still I feel like taking shots for the last and save my little energy for the last few miles. I know it's getting close to done.


Looking back at the hill, I take the final shot on the beautiful trail. No matter how I train or become an ultrarunner, I find I always hit the wall at mile 22 or so. Here I am, but I don't feel that exhausted as before. I think that's a great thing to become an ultrarunniner. We usually hit a couple of walls in an ultrarunning race.

I am tired and feel like I have 10% or less energy left. Finally I arrive at the place where I drop the V8. It is where I can turn around and head home. It is also the place for the 4 miles out and back to the Bay. Next time I'll do this 8 mile stretch one more time.

Going Home

Before I leave the Alameda Creek Trail with 1.5 mile to go, I decide to run an extra mile because I need it to make a 28 mile according to the mileage on my GPS. Somehow I feel a little recover perhaps because it's close to finish or because of the ultrarunning training, whatever.

When I get home, I figure out I accidentally stopped my GPS in the beginning for 30 minutes or so. It was so dark at that time and I was not familiar about Forerunner305. Hence I am even happier because I have done about 50K and run over 5 hours (about 5:10). I'm totally satisfied with today's training and looking forward the longer one on next Sunday.

Hit by a Car While Running

Today I went out for the usual lunch time run around my company in Sunnyvale. It was another great day and I met a couple of runners. I remember complaining how dangerous to pass the I-237 underpass.

On my way back, I carefully went though the I-237 underpass at Maude St. Within 30 seconds (about 50 yd), I was hit by a (Civic-like) car rushing out from a company parking lot. My right leg was hit by the front bumper. I was flying up for two feet high and landed near at the rear bumper. I had my hands and legs on ground. I rose up and, miraculously, I was not injured at all, not even a scratch. I had to find out why the senior lady behind the wheel did not stop at the intersection and pay attention to the pedestrians, but she was too stunned to say anything. Two other ladies passing by nicely asked if I was injured. I checked and felt fine. I immediately sprinted away (as a way to examine my precious legs)

I recall I was lucky. When it happened, I must be up in the air at my stride so that I was like a free object and took only minimal impact from the car after gaining momentum (Physics). Also after running an hour with sweat, my body was more agile than usual and had better landing. (been trained on technical trails ;-))

Anyway, running is great and has helped me in this accident, but be careful if you have to run on streets. Have a safe and enjoyable running!