LA Marathon 2012 – Sole Runners and Sites of Los Angeles

Los Angeles based Running Coach Steve Mackel was out videoing participants and the course at the 2012 LA Marathon. This video gives you and idea what to expect, the people you’ll meet, and the fun you can have.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I did not register for this race because i had 50 runners participating that I wanted to support on the course. I didn’t bandit this race either. I brought all my own supplies and only took four cups of water from water stations. The chili cheese dog at mile 5 was provided by the Chili Cheese Dog Society, not an official part of the LA Marathon. I also provided our Sole Runners’ Holistic Aid Station at Mile 18, which we gave food, drinks, treated minor injuries and supported hundreds if not thousands of runners. I did not cross the finish line or get a finisher’s medal.

The 2002 LA Marathon was my first marathon. 10 years later, a new route, a few different race management companies and the best weather, my home town was a shining star. We ran by or through most everything that you would want to see in LA.

If I had crossed the finish line my time would have been over 7 hours because I helped our volunteers at the Sole Runners Holistic Aid Station for two hours before getting back out on the course. Running with the “Back of the Packers” is always a humbling experience. These people are tough. And a special thank you goes out to all the volunteers that stayed out for over 7 hours helping the runners.

I Love LA

Train Focused, Chi Running Coach, Steve Mackel

Danny Dreyer Speaking at Runners High in Long Beach Thursday, March 22, 6 – 8 PM Reservations Required


This Video is from the last time Danny Dreyer was in LA speaking to the Sole Runners in 2009

Danny Dreyer is coming back to Los Angeles and is going to be speaking at Runners High in Belmont Shore/Long Beach Thursday, March 22. The event starts at 6 with Danny speaking at 7 PM. This is a FREE event but RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED because we have limited space. Once we reach our limit we will start a waiting list.

Dreyer just released his third book, “Chi Marathon”. He will be speaking about ChiRunning and Marathon Training. He will also autograph books. You can purchase a copy of Chi Marathon at the event. Attendees will received a special goodie bag.

Reserve your spot today at Reservations@SoCalRunning.com Please leave your name, email and phone number. If something happens and you need to cancel please let us know so we can notify someone from the waiting list.

Train Foucsed, Steve Mackel – Certified ChiRunning® Instructor

Pasadena Rock n Roll Half Marathon – Heart Rate Run and Video

As a marathon and half marathon coach I am always testing training paradigms. Recently I took a VO2 Max test and determined my Anaerobic Threshold. I am using it to really spend additional time building more aerobic capacity. I ran this race as strictly by heart rate as a training run. My goal was to run between 130 and 140 bpm. You can check my Garmin file. Click on “View Splits” to see

 

the average heart rate per mile.

My final time was a 1:55:19 while keeping my heart rate in the “zone” the entire race. Somehow I also managed to shoot the video below at the same time.

This was a fun race and very well run for a inaugural event but I expect well organized from a Rock n Roll race. At the same time, for a Rock n Roll half marathon, I needed more bands. We didn’t have our first band until mile 2. I live in Pasadena so running over the Colorado Bridge was one of my favorite miles. I’ll be back running with my local peeps and hangin’ with the Pasadena Tri Club.

Train Focused, Steve Mackel – Pasadena Tri Club President