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13.1 Los Angeles Half Marathon January 16, 2011
What a great, beautiful Sunday in Los Angeles. The stage was set for the 2nd annual 13.1 Los Angeles Half Marathon. It just doesn’t get any better than this in January. The race started at 7:13 AM. About 3,500 runners took on this race through the streets of Venice and West LA. The course is flat and fast. In this video I tried to show the on course entertainment, the cool people, fast runners and most of all the fun attitude of everyone involved.
Personally I didn’t set any personal records (PR’s) because I just wanted to have a good time, which I did. But, there were many PR’s set and smiles after the race. We followed the race a fantastic breakfast. I love racing, meeting new people and running with old friends.
The 13.1 is a series of 9 races across the Untied States over 2011. For more information on the 13.1 series go to http://www.131marathon.com
Train Focused, Steve Mackel – Certified ChiRunning® Instructor
Lost in Madrid, Espana – November 2010
Madrid, Spain is a beautiful city with lots of great site, varied terrain and runners. I had a great time just walking around but running was even more fun. I take you around a small but popular part of Madrid, running on tiny streets, through town squares, parks and past the local sites.
I was scouting Madrid as a possible Marathon to take the Sole Runners to one of these years. It is a great fun place to be and run.
Train Focused, Steve Mackel – Co-founder SoCalRunning.com
Athens Classic Marathon – The 2500th Anniversary of “The Marathon” 31-10-10
I don’t even know where to start but can I ever top this marathon? Probably not. Today was history. Today, 2500 years later we retraced history. Everything about the day was special and the last 2 minutes of the video are almost worth the first 10 minutes.
Once again I try to show you the course and the people running it, as well as share my personal experience with you. I met people from all of the world. What I don’t show you or talk about are the smells. International marathons, or at least this one had some smelly people. If you smell the chances are I don’t interview you. Second, more men run than women and it feels like it is the exact opposite in the States. Also, the runners are much faster. I haven’t seen the official stats but the median finishing time has to be closer to 4 hours rather than most marathons in the States which seem to be around 5 hours.
The city of Athens stepped up and this marathon was managed very well. I felt it ran smoothly and have some suggestion for race directors that I Iearned today.
I also managed to PR which added to the day and my feelings but nothing beats running into the marble Olympic stadium in Athens. The music was pumping and the people never stopped cheering. It was amazing.
Now, I can start looking for the next international marathon to run. Join the email list in the center column and it will keep you in the loop because the Sole Runners had a great time and are going to make this an annual event.
Lastly, I have to thank all the Sole Runners that made the trip over with us, Michele for making our wings that everyone loved, and all our well wishers. I’ll see you State-side soon. Look for my Madrid video at the end of the week.
Train Focused, Steve Mackel – Head Coach Sole Runners
My Amsterdam’d Fun Run – October 2010
This video gives you a good idea of Amsterdam, and the type of terrain if you are considering the Amsterdam Marathon in October. I also take you around to some of the more popular sites. It could be considered as our 2011 Annual Away Marathon.
Train Focused, Steve Mackel ChiRunning® Instructor
A Typical Sole Runners Saturday Run – Join the Fun Before Its Too Late!
There’s a lot more information at
Train Focused, Steve Mackel – Sole Runners Head Coach
Calf, Soleus and Achilles Tendon Stretches in All Three Planes of Movement
I’ve been getting so many questions about calves, and lower leg injuries I thought I put up a video I made about 18 months ago that made it on MarathonTraining.TV but not on SoCalRunning.com
I do these stretches everyday and try to always do them just before my runs. What a difference they make!
The truth is the rolled up towel method doesn’t work as well as a slant board, not even close but it is a place to start and slant boards are $60 – $100 on-line. You could probably make one for $15 if you buy the materials and it would take you an hour.
This video honestly could change your running by reducing potential injuries and you’ll probably feel better. And remember, anytime you stretch you should stretch in all three planes of movement.
Stretch Focused, Steve Mackel – RRCA Marathon Coach
Palos Verdes Half Marathon 2010, Easier Than You Think and the Price is Right
The Palos Verdes marathon and half marathon have a reputation as tough races. It seems like Southern Californians are afraid of a few hills. Well, I went out to do my usual interviews but spent a little more time showing you the course. Miles 4 – 6 are mostly down hill, while miles 7 – 9 are what you just ran down, not that bad. Western Ave is a steep half mile uphill but at mile 2, and it means you get to run down it at mile 11. The last 1.5 miles are flat, fast and beautiful. And, you can’t beat the views.
This is an awesome race and they keep the entry fee affordable. A new push on SoCalRunning.com will be supporting races that keep the entry fee affordable. The Palos Verdes races top this list.
Train Focused, Steve Mackel – ChiRunning® Instructor
LA Marathon 2010 – Start to Finish
Why watch it in parts. You gotta love YouTube but they limit the time length of your videos. Viddler doesn’t but they don’t have the deal with Facebook and other sites. I know 16 minutes seems long but heck the marathon is 26.2 miles and takes hours. In fact, over 7 hours for me this day. I did take a couple hours at Mile 18 to help man the Sole Runners Holistic Aid Station.
If you want to run a marathon join the Sole Runners – The only marathon training program that uses ChiRunning® and yoga for your best experience.
Race Focused, Steve Mackel – Sole Runner’s Head Coach
LA Marathon 2010 Part 2
Part 2 is my experience after working 2.75 hours at the Sole Runners Holistic Aid Station at mile 18. Coach Gary tells why he had such a great time helping other marathoners and I run in with the back of the pack. I have never finished at the 7+ hour mark before. i meet a lot a great people and learned a lot. There are interesting stories. Watch and see why this race and the the new course attracted so many runners that gave it their all to cross the finish line.
Race Focused, Steve Mackel – RRCA Marathon Coach
LA Marathon 2010
I Love LA – The LA Marathon organizers stepped it up this year with an all new course that truly reflected what LA is all about: Dodger Stadium, Downtown, Sliverlake, Echo Park, Hollywood Blvd., The Sunset Strip, West Hollywood, Beverly Hill and Century City… At least that how far I get in PART 1. LA has a lot of ground to cover in less than 10 minutes for YouTube and I couldn’t do it so, when you finish this video look for PART 2 up soon.
Train Focused, Coach Steve – Head Coach Sole Runners Marathon Training
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