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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
Sole Runners Kick-off and Carbo-loading Party Thursday, October 14, 6:30 PM at Buono’s Pizzeria
SPECIAL $10 OFF REGISTRATION FEE – ONE NIGHT ONLY – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, AT 6:30 PM
Sole Runners Kick-Off Party and Long Beach Full and Half Marathon Thursday, October 14, 6:30 – 8 PM or until we stop eating at Buono’s Pizzeria in downtown Long Beach. 250 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802 phone 562-432-2211
Find out about the Sole Runners training program, meet the coaches, mentors, your fellow runners, pick-up your Sole Runners shirt, ChiRunning book, learn about the Pre-Season training, training schedules, the different marathons you can run this fall and you can register.
The carbo-loading dinner for the Long Beach Full and Half Marathons – Special buffet pricing for the Sole Runners – $9.95 (all you can eat).
6:30 – 7 PM Meet, Mingle and Register
7 – 8 PM Eat/Carbo-load, Sole Runner Program Overview, Testimonials and Pre-Race Talk
Carbo-load Focused, Steve Mackel Head Coach Sole Runners
Click on the picture or to see the Mentors’ good wishes for your successful race.
A special thank you to Mentor Janet for creating this brilliant .pdf file. It has awesome and has great pre-race messages.
Train Focused, Coach Steve, Sole Runners Head Coach
Long Beach Full and Half Marathon Information
All the Information You Need Before the Long Beach Full and Half Marathons.
Preparing for your race is a BIG DEAL. Have all your ducks in a row. The staff at the Long Beach Marathon have done a great job getting all the information out there. To check it all out in one place use the link below:
http://runlongbeach.com/2010/10/parking-and-race-day-questions/
Here are some of my special tips:
- Avoid the 710 on Sunday Morning
- Plan on getting there 1.5 hours early
- Use mass transit if possible
- Lay everything out the night before
- Use our Race Day Checklist
- Smile when you feel any anxiety or stress
MarathonTraining.TV Race Day Must Have!
Race Day Checklist in a Larger Size
Trying to Take a Long Training Run Seriously – In the Heat
Click the “View Details” to Peruse the Data
You can peruse the charts and you’ll find a some interesting data. I turned the “Auto Pause” setting OFF on my Garmin. I understand why it’s cool feature but on Long Training Runs I like it off. How long do these long training runs really take and how do I feel? That’s what I want to know.
This run included: Changing shoes, long stops at our aid stations (I ate way too much out on the course yesterday), long red lights and even a quick dip in the Long Beach bay to cool my feet and legs before I finished.
Did I mention that it was hot. The hottest run of the year so far, and let’s keep it that way.
I went out fast and my left foot was starting to hurt from the new shoes I was wearing. It’s ok to wear new shoes on a long training run. I didn’t know how I would like them so I brought and second pair and left them in the car just in case. Our run doubled back at mile 10 and that gave me a chance for some Body Glide on my feet, a shoe change, bathroom stop, food and drink.
My next stop was almost 5 miles later, the Sole Runners aid station. Thanks to Colby, Spencer and Annie who were our support. It was stocked with great food and drinks. I had watermelon, boiled potatoes covered in salt, a small cup of Coke and topped off my water. I planned on being back there 7 miles later, hopefully about an hour.
Now the heat was setting in. I got lucky and there were multiple festivals along the Long Beach shoreline. Everyone was very generous, giving me ice cold water. Half went in me and the other half went over my head.
I was slowing down and fighting those ANTs (automatic negative thoughts). I made to the Queen Mary one last time this season. I touched her and was back in the heat.
I had planned on doing this run under 4 hours and now it wasn’t looking like I was going to make my goal. I had two more miles to the aid station. Any excuse was good enough to slow down and walk. Shade became an excuse.
When I got back to the aid station I had logged over 21 miles and part of me wanted to help them pack it up and take a ride back to the park. I resisted that temptation and was back on the bike path. I had one more good mile but I had eaten too much and my stomach was not digesting the food very well. I decided that the ocean looked too good to pass up and I was going in.
At almost the 4 hour mark, my goal shot, I was in the perfect place to take off everything except my running shorts and walk into the ocean, so I did. Still on the clock, I stood there in waist deep water, it felt great. Just a couple of minutes thenI rinsed my feet and finished the last mile and a half.
I could have gone the entire 26.2 but at that point I wouldn’t have gained anything. In fact, I could have injured myself. My foot was rebelling against the first pair of shoes, my stomach was done and I was too. Still with all that I ran 25.2 miles in 4:17 and learned a lot (again). It was a good rehearsal in tough conditions. You never know what conditions you will get race so I am prepared now. See you at the Long Beach Half Marathon, Athens, Greece – I am ready for you.
Train Focused, Steve Mackel – Head Coach Sole Runners
Mt Baldy 2010 Run to the Top – Race Report
Another tough part of the course. It is straight down on the right. photo by Ivan Buzik
For those you that don’t know, this is my favorite race in So Cal. It is what I call a “Baby Race”. A “Baby Race” is a race that is super tough, puts you in pain, so you wonder why you even decided to participate in it in the first place. But, an hour, a day, a week or a month later, you have forgotten the pain, can only remember the view from the top and are ready to schedule it on next years race calendar.
I skipped it last year because of the Station Fire and had forgotten just how steep some of those section are. This is a tough race, considered one of the toughest in all the states.
It was business time. I needed a test to check my inner strength and this is that annual test. This time, I never questioned myself out on the course. I ran my race, which is to stay consistent for the first four miles, no walking, take a gel at the ski lodge and run every part that is not super steep, quickly walk/hike up the steep stuff and keep a positive attitude. I succeeded.
When the race started many people ran past me. This happens every year and I know many of them will break down. I just have to stick to my race plan. But this year was different. Fewer people were breaking down I was and getting passed by some strong athletes. I think with the popularity of the Ultra scene, and the book “Born to Run” more people are up for this type of challenge and training harder.
I didn’t get discouraged, I had set a goal of 1 hour and 32 minutes to get to the top. If I could do it, it would be my second fastest time ever. I have done this race at least 6 times. It was a personal battle against Baldy’s unrelenting single track, technical climbs and altitude.
In the last four miles you get surrounded by athletes of similar ability. This is where I wanted to gain some ground, hoping my course knowledge and recent training was going to let me be stronger and know when to attack. Well, not much attacking happened, so my next thought was not to get passed and with 2 miles to go and I didn’t.
The last half mile is a climb, straight up. This year the group took a steeper but more direct route and I wasn’t thinking as much as following. At one point I passed this man, and the five steps I took to pass him took more energy out of me than I could imagine so I just got back on pace and settled back in for the last 400 meters.
Finally, I saw the finish line and heard the race official yell out 1:32:25. I did it, It wasn’t my prettiest race, but my second fastest time up that hill and 55th overall.
The plaque proves it. Dave made it to the Top for the first time
I walked up to the 10,064 ft, elevation plaque and once again was on the top of So Cal. I took in the 360 degree view, then kept walking as my body was adjusting to the altitude and cooling down.
Sole Runners long time Mentor Vern does it again and PRs
I spent the next hour and half welcoming runners to the Top and talking to new and old friends. I was proud to see Sole Runner mentor Vern PR by 1 minute. I greeted runners Kevin, Dave, Kris and Carolyn cross the finish line for the first time. They had listened to me talk about Baldy for months and now knew what it was like to join this elite club.
Carolyn and Kris emailed me last week and asked if they would be able to make it to the Top, they did!
It was time to go back down, the 4 mile walk to the ski lift, that they don’t tell you about in the brochure. Roberto grabbed an empty water jug and I grabbed a trash bag. The first mile down took 27 minutes. The trail going back to the ski lodge was like the 405 at rush hour. Over an hour later we were at the bar lifting a pint in celebration of another great Labor Day at the Top.
Roberto and I get the annual picture at the Top
Look for the video soon,
Train Focused, Steve Mackel – Co-founder SoCalRunning.com
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
A Running Dialogue – The Sole Runners Mentors Newsletter Issue 2
Click here to open the pdf file of: A Running Dialogue – The Sole Runners Mentors Newsletter Issue 2
A Running Dialouge – The Sole Runners Mentors Newsletter for People in Training
A Running Dialouge. Vol. 1, Issue 1 Click Here to Download Newslettter in pdf
There is some good information here. Please take a look.
Train Focused, Steve Mackel Sole Runners – Head Coach
Sole Runners and SCR Member Becomes a Sponsored Athlete with Jamba Juice
Mary, a Sole Runner and SoCalRunning.com Member becomes a sponsored athlete with Jamba Juce. Below is a post taken from Mary’s blog TheRunningGreenGirl.com on being selected.
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The Green Girl is a proud member of Team Jamba Juice 2010.
Team Jamba Juice is part of the Active.com‘s Active Ambassadors program. The Active Network created this program to help connect companies to like-minded consumers. As an Active Ambassador, you have the opportunity to become a brand ambassador and promote products you believe in on a grassroots level.
When I heard Jamba Juice was looking for 100 ambassadors for their 2010 team, I had to apply. I’m convinced I am one of Jamba Juice’s biggest fans. At one point, I even set out to drink every Jamba Juice drink on the menu.
On the application, I let Jamba Juice know as a true back of the packer, I was their biggest bang for their buck. I mean not that many runners are out there on the course as long as me!
A few days after I submitted my application, I received the following email:
Dear Athlete:
Congratulations! We’re pleased to announce that you have been selected to become a member of the 2010 Team Jamba Juice Sponsored Athlete Team.
The selection process was tough, and we thank you for your patience. Your athletic accomplishments and individual interests are a perfect match for the sponsors’ goal of building a dedicated team of athletes who are passionate about their sport and community. Your 2010 goals, past achievements, future motivations, and overall dedication to the sport best demonstrate this commitment.
Shortly after, I received a package in the mail containing the team manual, my Jamba Juice branded apparel, $1 off Jamba Juice coupons, window clings, and tattoos.
As a Jamba Juice Ambassador, I will help promote Jamba Juice’s current campaign, Jamba Juice’s SuperActive Summer powered by Superfruit.
I will also sport my Jamba Juice branded gear when I participate in local events and hand out the coupons, window clings, and tattoos.
I think this will be a great opportunity for me. I’m really excited about this.
Go, Team Jamba!
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