tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36731397666071788622024-03-13T05:50:16.420-07:00Pavement RunnerWelcome to PavementRunner.blogspot.com — home of the blog created by a runner, for everyone, runners or non-runners. Please enjoy and feel free to leave comments. This is simply a forum for random thoughts going through the head of someone that runs the pavement.Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.comBlogger253125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-70626457014102795892012-03-18T23:42:00.006-07:002012-03-18T23:56:03.533-07:00THIS SITE HAS MOVED!Thank you to everyone that has supported this blog.<br /><br />I'm happy to say that this blog <b>STILL DOES EXIST…</b> it just exists over here:<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://pavementrunner.com/" target="new">PavementRunner.com</a><div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGgdKt2pf2BJvr9qLopj5ZGRSC4_afRD49udSBxydKwDQurnpKWVsmD_2faDP5XDlkSux2i0jP2_odewQnvSZCo0yvjNklQI-8ti9DUkRmGHzNmLnzi_CjjvD4l-7ilkHwc5Ap3HDckiS/s1600/pavementrunner.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 372px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGgdKt2pf2BJvr9qLopj5ZGRSC4_afRD49udSBxydKwDQurnpKWVsmD_2faDP5XDlkSux2i0jP2_odewQnvSZCo0yvjNklQI-8ti9DUkRmGHzNmLnzi_CjjvD4l-7ilkHwc5Ap3HDckiS/s400/pavementrunner.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721497096336253378" /></a><br /><br />Crazy to think that this blog started in 2008 and has grown up so much (tear). I'm happy to say that I've decided to become a <a href="http://socialmediadentist.com/blog/?p=406" target="new">"self-hosted"</a> blog and have changed locations. All (or most) of the content can still be viewed here at Blogspot, but it has also been moved to the new location as well. It has the same great content, goofiness and running stories, just has simply changed locations. Thank you for visiting and please come check out the new digs.</div><div><br />I'm also available here:<br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/pavementrunner" target="new">Twitter</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pavementrunner" target="new">Facebook</a><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://fitfluential.com/family/brian-kelley/" target="new">FitFluential</a><br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" url="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2012/03/this-site-has-moved.html" text="I've MOVED from here to there. @PavementRunner changes blog locations." via="PavementRunner">Tweet</a><br /><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");</script><br /></div></div></div></div>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-84280761416348961332012-01-26T09:30:00.000-08:002012-01-26T09:41:35.585-08:003 Miles of Shame<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtZoz7xL6Sm36Z4wTUpcf3axRKGPrEt5UFPZvHMN90hTUYhhyXGQ-ilnGkIvIhfZm1bysArAl-dGvS3w8SjgBxwlIfFHUiP0zZeS6Mq1hsxO1kKClTBFhLvmw0IExMiriXFUQ-dHY7JqQ/s1600/nfl-5k-runner.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtZoz7xL6Sm36Z4wTUpcf3axRKGPrEt5UFPZvHMN90hTUYhhyXGQ-ilnGkIvIhfZm1bysArAl-dGvS3w8SjgBxwlIfFHUiP0zZeS6Mq1hsxO1kKClTBFhLvmw0IExMiriXFUQ-dHY7JqQ/s400/nfl-5k-runner.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701994774742217842" /></a><br />I put my running shoe where my mouth was... over 3 miles. Last week, I was sharing in general twitter chatter with a friend and fellow <a href="http://fitfluential.com/" target="blank">FitFluential</a> Ambassador, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/nycrunningmama" target="blank">@NYCrunningmama,</a> about the upcoming NFC Championship game — 49ers vs. Giants. My being in the Bay Area and her being in New York, it seemed only fitting that a friendly running wager should take place.<br /><br />The <a href="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2012/01/nfc-championship-challenge.html" target="blank">rules</a> were simple, pick a team to root for and the loser runs the amount their team lost by in miles. Lose by 7, run 7. We capped it at 20 miles incase a blowout took place and invited fellow bloggers and twitter folk to join in on the fun. By the end of the weekend, we had 30+ people choosing a side and ready to risk the run of shame if their team lost.<br /><br />Sadly, the 49ers fumbled away their chance, literally, at a Super Bowl appearance and lost by 3 points. Honestly, when the Giants had the ball so close to the end zone in overtime, I was rooting for a field goal rather than a touchdown, knowing the loss was inevitable.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzTFWH7pqiEYnptLR427Y5DGxrrtDSb7Zg0oosVKsS2uXWiA_CYEjXgvz_6vTYj-RtxUkaney32l9B9vLZaEoCGj4bQKMwAWzaL5pGhAkCwDPDXBhxLGSw_gyWMO4L2WJ42BrG_gx7M_f/s1600/nfc-run-challenge.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzTFWH7pqiEYnptLR427Y5DGxrrtDSb7Zg0oosVKsS2uXWiA_CYEjXgvz_6vTYj-RtxUkaney32l9B9vLZaEoCGj4bQKMwAWzaL5pGhAkCwDPDXBhxLGSw_gyWMO4L2WJ42BrG_gx7M_f/s400/nfc-run-challenge.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701994853287696482" /></a><br />So, I strapped on my Asics and logged 3 shameful miles. Typically a 3 mile run is routine, but I felt like everyone was looking at me thinking: "There goes that runner that made a running bet on the 49ers." Although this might not have been the case, with my head held high and rocking a red shirt, I ran my 3 miles and did so at a clip that would make Joe Montana proud.<br /><br /><b>Update:</b> <div><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/nycrunningmama" target="blank">@NYCrunningmama</a> is holding a SuperBowl challenge following the same rules. This time she is squaring off against <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/runcupcake" target="blank">@runcupcake</a> and her Patriots. Feel free to join in on the fun <a href="http://www.nycrunningmama.com/2012/01/25/superbowl-challenge/" target="blank">here.</a> I'm rooting for the Giants and will be using the hashtag #MakeBradyCry</div><br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2012/01/3-miles-of-shame.html" data-text="3 Miles of shame, courtesy of @NYCrunningmama and her Giants" data-via="PavementRunner">Tweet</a><br /><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");</script>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-69031794436949539902012-01-23T23:23:00.000-08:002012-01-23T23:54:12.520-08:00Guest Blogger Goes Goofy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yoFxgsNywfFmDWFSevA5JqGmYMrUPBiyKp6G0XD05GkLhso0Ph5-dbQU5NFlMkLGXhHcPjFXCO0VFubAU__qokAhTRuT_NF8k27wWFM2_-aB0XSJqm1cAlJImJMHjx5L7FeOrvEVaKDk/s1600/goofy-challenge.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yoFxgsNywfFmDWFSevA5JqGmYMrUPBiyKp6G0XD05GkLhso0Ph5-dbQU5NFlMkLGXhHcPjFXCO0VFubAU__qokAhTRuT_NF8k27wWFM2_-aB0XSJqm1cAlJImJMHjx5L7FeOrvEVaKDk/s400/goofy-challenge.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701100097786370498" /></a><br />This is on my list of "must-do-races" and I'm hoping to run it in 2013… but for now, let's all live… er, run, vicariously through our guest blogger, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/liz_smc">@liz_smc.</a><div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;">If you are unfamiliar with the Goofy Challenge, here is a Brief Description:<br />Are you looking for the ultimate test of endurance? Then compete in Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge where you will run the Disney World Half Marathon on Saturday and then the Disney World Marathon on Sunday. If you finish both races in the time limit, you will be awarded the coveted Goofy medal.</span></i><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goofy and a half challenge plus another half Challenge</span><div><span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-SVo7LxoavRYOdCa4lEQGlTt-0AQ3rQciDA9Xh66wSjeuhX0sA_rZIJFNfjIC0jNzNITvJBZoboZlc081fri6mpmCz0gso5hY23o-OLm1sYROXUMGJt6f-dQzEGrvW2MIT0rl_3oeHha/s1600/goofy-challenge-disney.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-SVo7LxoavRYOdCa4lEQGlTt-0AQ3rQciDA9Xh66wSjeuhX0sA_rZIJFNfjIC0jNzNITvJBZoboZlc081fri6mpmCz0gso5hY23o-OLm1sYROXUMGJt6f-dQzEGrvW2MIT0rl_3oeHha/s400/goofy-challenge-disney.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701101133346889490" /></a><br />18 years ago as a very <i>“know it all”</i> teen I remember my mom and her friends running the Disney marathon. I also remember saying to them, hours after they had finished and were sore and beat up , <i>"I am never going to run a marathon! Why would you put yourselves through this?”</i> And here I am almost 20 years later running the Goofy Challenge and 6 days after that The AZ RnR half marathon.</span></div><div><span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfznCoMWKtcETnQKbDCgcT_QZA8S4GJoWG31lD9RI0zRtRQC-0xc8OwjNGe3N7_3ewvo6HiWdyjg7tU4GnpzwfZ7QvwJBx-W_sMY68MmyHk-KuguCi42Vabvxs3h24DvwR1QBewU3WjLh/s1600/goofy-challenge-runner.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfznCoMWKtcETnQKbDCgcT_QZA8S4GJoWG31lD9RI0zRtRQC-0xc8OwjNGe3N7_3ewvo6HiWdyjg7tU4GnpzwfZ7QvwJBx-W_sMY68MmyHk-KuguCi42Vabvxs3h24DvwR1QBewU3WjLh/s400/goofy-challenge-runner.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701100885096837154" /></a><br />I am not sure what possessed me to try a Goofy challenge. I have run quite a few half marathons but only two successful marathons up until the Goofy. I also managed to convince one friend to join me in this adventure. Two more friends ran the half marathon portion and another two ran the full marathon. Let me make it clear for those that don’t know me, I love Disney. So it seemed like a great idea to run a Goofy and go to all of the parks in the same weekend. </span></div><div><span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBM3HKf7EQzH6qZzmCYE6vUTLAXkZHy4XO6R0yaP5CAVNYBWhhjIl8Z2wcR_nXCJbp-5qnR3nyAK9ACggykcB-i6XXCVOdilas6kwF7ufpru6tyx531E4TQyDCOFMAbbPChbxK2AhcHVo/s1600/goofy-challenge-marathon.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBM3HKf7EQzH6qZzmCYE6vUTLAXkZHy4XO6R0yaP5CAVNYBWhhjIl8Z2wcR_nXCJbp-5qnR3nyAK9ACggykcB-i6XXCVOdilas6kwF7ufpru6tyx531E4TQyDCOFMAbbPChbxK2AhcHVo/s400/goofy-challenge-marathon.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701100621016266866" /></a><br />I must admit that getting up at 3 AM two days in a row was not fun. I also made certain I was on the very last shuttle to the starting line (4AM) both days. I learned from my 2010 experience not to get there too early especially if its cold. Although nothing like the sleet and wind of 2010, it was still cold this year. My strategy for the Goofy was to just do an easy run for the half in order to save my legs for the marathon. Since my friends and I all lived around the country, I decided I would start in their coral G versus my Coral C so I could hang with them and not take off too fast. This was a very bad decision on my part. I failed to realize how many non-runners actually participate in the half marathon. From the beginning it was elbow- to- elbow people and a lot of the time 5 people across walking! Needless to say I was very frustrated. The course itself for the half is very narrow. I don’t remember it being that narrow previously. So in order for me to actually jog (no chance of running at this point) I had to try and get to the outside of the pack which meant running on an incline in the dark with risk of twisting an ankle or falling. And it never opened up. I kept thinking, <i>“ok, by mile 6 all these runners and walkers will spread out.”</i> Nope. I still had fun. I still stopped for an occasional photo (not too many since I figured I could get some the next day). And after I finished in a record slow pace I quickly got back to my room and then hit the parks.</span></div><div><span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsQT8PP9TOBs2KhvcVxVYEGp7OIOYd3l4De3wB4i_8rPFN18Sws4P4MA2NvmldhzccDdsfZ4TV6N12xgYVB1oVSDiEI_jKFmCeX5LrtN1E1I9213Kp4yWaynexWw_bGJwOKURYTR77Jr2/s1600/goofy-challenge-half.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsQT8PP9TOBs2KhvcVxVYEGp7OIOYd3l4De3wB4i_8rPFN18Sws4P4MA2NvmldhzccDdsfZ4TV6N12xgYVB1oVSDiEI_jKFmCeX5LrtN1E1I9213Kp4yWaynexWw_bGJwOKURYTR77Jr2/s400/goofy-challenge-half.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701100362327598898" /></a><br />The Marathon portion was by far the better of the two races. It was not wall -to -wall people like the previous day. And it covered all 4 parks. I called it my back lot tour with no shuttle service. The only problem was that I got sick the previous night. At first I thought it was nerves. But when I spiked a fever I knew it was not going to be pretty. I didn’t tell my friends how sick I was. I went to the start shivering, nauseated and running a low- grade fever. By mile 9 my friend Diann looks over at me and says, <i>“Are you ok Liz? You look awful.”</i> At that point I fessed up. She replied “ no problem, we will just walk it in if we have to”. I responded, <i>“How about we stop for every photo op and we run /walk?”</i> So that was our plan. I have some great pictures. I had a lot of fun chatting with the other runners on the course and I finished. By mile 18 my fever had broke. I knew because I got my appetite back . I was starving. Thankfully a nice spectator was passing out pretzels right around mile 20. I managed to run the last 4 miles in with strong legs. And I can proudly say I finished a Goofy. </span></div><div><span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YietIQ2TKrJKDSwg9e75ZOEoGvxHD-QujibtD_QNgXxkX3tRZVKlf_vXvAE8qwi0G6E6iqaEUuAlHSEtBfrYfdRv1CSSxdAueUCbto9hmb7QNgx5DkV7Z83y-lJEabkB_w3UNnllKla3/s1600/goofy-challenge-disney-marathon.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YietIQ2TKrJKDSwg9e75ZOEoGvxHD-QujibtD_QNgXxkX3tRZVKlf_vXvAE8qwi0G6E6iqaEUuAlHSEtBfrYfdRv1CSSxdAueUCbto9hmb7QNgx5DkV7Z83y-lJEabkB_w3UNnllKla3/s400/goofy-challenge-disney-marathon.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701101362031500434" /></a><br />For those considering the half versus full , I would say run the full. Do not waste your money on the half marathon. It is just too crowded. But if you’re going to run the full you might as well go for a “Goofy.” It is well worth the sense of accomplishment you’ll have at the finish line. Oh, and the medals (all 3) are super cool. If you’re feeling overly ambitious then run the 5k on Friday and do an unofficial “Dopey.” Or be like me, and 6 days later, run another half marathon. I was not happy about being sick with the flu (yes that’s what I had) but it made my accomplishment that much sweeter. It also forced me to rest and that’s probably why I was able to run my fastest half marathon the following weekend. <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;">(that's right, she PR'd six days later at RnRAZ)</span></i></span></div><div><span><br />Next year is the 20th anniversary of the Walt Disney Marathon. I am hoping to make it back there to run. Only my goal is to help my mom participate in it. If you have read any of my previous guest blogs you will know she has dense hemiparesis (left sided paralysis) from a debilitating stroke. So if you see a “Goofy” girl running and pushing a wheelchair at the same time in 2013 chances are it’ll be me.<br /></span></div></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>* * * * *</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Thanks Liz. Excellent job on a back-to-back fabulous weekends. Feel free to give Liz a shout out in the comments below… she ran a full marathon and 2 halfs in 2 weeks with the final race a PR. </span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>STELLAR!</span></div><div><span><br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2012/01/guest-blogger-goes-goofy.html" data-text="Guest Blogger @liz_smc Goes Goofy" data-via="PavementRunner">Tweet</a><br /><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");</script></span></div>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-67516088092594702772012-01-18T11:47:00.000-08:002012-01-18T12:04:55.795-08:00NFC Championship Challenge<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNCgdLeG8a7M7P5ubbHMe5XO4YFyaVqL5QRjktaJCX41EpV_XyY6KWVVzu2mhMnwmjDKzLzqf5ggLmsYq5W_P6a39bEp4bAYN3AeVPIzYP3S2VguwZHgd0dE_fRZZob9kT_fkhMBr_bzc/s1600/NFC-49ers-Giants.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNCgdLeG8a7M7P5ubbHMe5XO4YFyaVqL5QRjktaJCX41EpV_XyY6KWVVzu2mhMnwmjDKzLzqf5ggLmsYq5W_P6a39bEp4bAYN3AeVPIzYP3S2VguwZHgd0dE_fRZZob9kT_fkhMBr_bzc/s400/NFC-49ers-Giants.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699062213574099938" /></a><br /><b>Time to put your running shoes where your mouth is...</b><br /><br />Twitter friend <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/nycrunningmama" target="new">@nycrunningmama</a> and I decided to have some fun with this weekend's NFC Championship game. My being in San Francisco and her being in New York, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to make a friendly running wager on the game.<br /><br />And it's not limited to just us... you can totally play along. Here are the rules:<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">Rules:</span></b> If your team loses, you have to run the point differential in miles. Simple. <i>For example, WHEN the 49ers beat the Giants 24-17, </i><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/nycrunningmama" target="new"><i>@nycrunningmama</i></a><i> will have to run 7 miles. </i><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">Mile limit:</span></b> In the occurrence that a the power goes out in Candlestick Park, AGAIN, and it turns into a blowout, we've capped the miles to 20 — meaning the most either of us would run is 20 miles. This works for us because we have a solid base and can log the distance. If this mileage is too high for you based on your current training, feel free to cap it at 10.<div><br /></div><div>But <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/nycrunningmama" target="new">@nycrunningmama</a> and I are running freaks and we don't blink at 20 miles — or we are incredibly confident <i>(read hopeful)</i> in our teams that we think it will be a close game.<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">To be run by:</span></b> I think within a week of the game sounds fair, but outstanding circumstances are understood.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">Prove it:</span> </b>Tweet out a photo of your garmin in shame... LOL.<br /><br />Feel free to play along. I<span style="font-weight:bold;">f you are rooting for an AFC team — Patriots vs. Ravens — same rules apply.</span> You don't need to challenge an individual, just make an agreement with yourself to run the difference after you pick a team. If you could care less about stupid football, but are forced to watch the game, at least you'll have something to root for.<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">Oh ya, put your running shoes where your mouth is and let us know in the comments which team you are picking...</span></b></div><br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2012/01/nfc-championship-challenge.html" data-text="Put your running shoes where your mouth is — a NFL run bet!" data-via="PavementRunner">Tweet</a><br /><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");</script>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-76242969130227647382012-01-11T00:05:00.000-08:002012-01-11T00:45:57.732-08:00Time to Vote: 2011 #runchat Blog Awards<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXu2eExM8nW5tSsTn_5y3I8hnb55J-bXld_1_1CYMtjYJV5697-1-pKy6P92ggqosjxuOqhK2mtfU5qc_wgCehjC280kEo0AiUtSt_JgiYDKmEkt5tTH-uF8g4iyYcDR9bw7xF_Z7UD0I/s1600/runchat-logo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXu2eExM8nW5tSsTn_5y3I8hnb55J-bXld_1_1CYMtjYJV5697-1-pKy6P92ggqosjxuOqhK2mtfU5qc_wgCehjC280kEo0AiUtSt_JgiYDKmEkt5tTH-uF8g4iyYcDR9bw7xF_Z7UD0I/s400/runchat-logo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696290882198629698" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">I have officially been nominated for my first blog-social network-twitter award thingy. <i>How exciting is that?</i> It's from Twitter's ever popular <a href="https://twitter.com/#search?q=%23runchat" target="new">#runchat</a> and I've been nominated in the category of <b>FUNNIEST RUNNING BLOG</b> for 2011.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://www.impressity.com/Survey/sl.aspx?SurveyLinkId=xwhsnizlxjnvgbnfbubk" target="new"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;">Here is where you can vote.</span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;">But before you get all click-happy, let's see who else has been nominated in their respective categories. Below is the entire list along with links to blogs and twitter pages. Enjoy! <i>AND DON'T FORGET TO VOTE — voting ends Thursday, Jan. 12 at 8 p.m. ET</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;"><br /><b>Best New Running Blog </b><br /><a href="http://www.themommymiles.blogspot.com/" target="new">themommymiles.blogspot.com</a> — <a href="https://twitter.com/TheMommyMiles" target="new">@TheMommyMiles</a><br /><a href="http://poundstomiles.com/" target="new">poundstomiles.com</a> — <a href="https://twitter.com/poundstomiles" target="new">@poundstomiles</a><br /><a href="http://runstrongereveryday.com/" target="new">runstrongereveryday.com</a> — <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/Abby_NYC" target="new">@Abby_NYC</a><br /><br /><b>Most Inspirational Running Blog </b><br /><a href="http://www.mile-posts.com/" target="new">mile-posts.com</a> — <a href="https://twitter.com/mileposts" target="new">@mileposts</a><br /><a href="http://fittestfatgirl.tumblr.com/" target="new">fittestfatgirl.tumblr.com</a> — <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/fittestfatgirl" target="new">@fittestfatgirl</a><br /><a href="http://lovingtherun.com/" target="new">lovingtherun.com</a> — <a href="https://twitter.com/lovingtherun" target="new">@lovingtherun</a><br /><br /><b>Funniest Running Blog </b><br /><a href="http://www.shutupandrun.net/" target="new">shutupandrun.net</a> — <a href="https://twitter.com/ShutUpRun" target="new">@ShutUpRun</a><br /><a href="http://www.seekingbostonmarathon.com/" target="new">seekingbostonmarathon.com</a> — <a href="https://twitter.com/seeksboston26mi" target="new">@seeksboston26mi</a><br /><a href="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/" target="new">pavementrunner.blogspot.com</a> — <a href="https://twitter.com/PavementRunner" target="new">@pavementrunner</a><br /><br /><b>Best Running Blog </b><br /><a href="http://www.runtothefinish.com/" target="new">runtothefinish.com</a> — <a href="https://twitter.com/runtothefinish" target="new">@runtothefinish</a><br /><a href="http://runworkeatsleep.wordpress.com/" target="new">runworkeatsleep.wordpress.com</a> — <a href="https://twitter.com/Rubia_25" target="new">@Rubia_25</a><br /><a href="http://thereshegoes.org/" target="new">thereshegoes.org</a> — <a href="https://twitter.com/ThereSheGoes11" target="new">@ThereSheGoes11</a><br /><br /><b>Best #runchat Participant </b><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/katierunsthis" target="new">@katierunsthis</a><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/ActiveBeerGeek" target="new">@ActiveBeerGeek</a><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/autopilotlegs" target="new">@autopilotlegs</a><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">And that's the list, links and all. Now you can go an make an informed decision. But of course, don't forget, I did <a href="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/04/incredible-photos.html" target="new">this:</a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfiDclVXm7GmnGlcNaIeO_af8ag49X0XtryBCxjjeCqn-gTVl6EnzPjWrLypztke0Pj7i4EV_9NT1gNiApF0Uj6DU5HBHsMdw5_CKZFHr7gC0bVyn5Wh4w7gOgVPy_tcsqVdehVxVdFN1/s1600/hulk.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfiDclVXm7GmnGlcNaIeO_af8ag49X0XtryBCxjjeCqn-gTVl6EnzPjWrLypztke0Pj7i4EV_9NT1gNiApF0Uj6DU5HBHsMdw5_CKZFHr7gC0bVyn5Wh4w7gOgVPy_tcsqVdehVxVdFN1/s400/hulk.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696289556722511298" /></a></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfiDclVXm7GmnGlcNaIeO_af8ag49X0XtryBCxjjeCqn-gTVl6EnzPjWrLypztke0Pj7i4EV_9NT1gNiApF0Uj6DU5HBHsMdw5_CKZFHr7gC0bVyn5Wh4w7gOgVPy_tcsqVdehVxVdFN1/s1600/hulk.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.impressity.com/Survey/sl.aspx?SurveyLinkId=xwhsnizlxjnvgbnfbubk" target="new"> Here is the link to vote again.</a> Please feel free to share on twitter or facebook. Thanks again.<br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" url="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2012/01/time-to-vote-2011-runchat-blog-awards.html" text="Time to Vote: Entire #runchat awards list —" via="PavementRunner">Tweet</a><br /><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");</script><br /><br /><br /><script>function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}</script><style> html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?6:26981) no-repeat top left; }</style></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()">Share on Facebook</a></span></div>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-83140630460622747212012-01-09T00:50:00.000-08:002012-01-09T01:12:56.440-08:00Nominations for #RunChat Blog Awards<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGpOm2ry8iqHkIgmCauUjqQVtwJ9UAcn3yJNhEk7so56rLTlPQwV2th5NpIpWEVp76R9cv8jhJ0P13WYO8pS9WMHL0DXmCBKhYQygJnSh6PCGoabikXZqE5QTMnCumKtDVXDunSZ27xFu/s1600/runchatvisor.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGpOm2ry8iqHkIgmCauUjqQVtwJ9UAcn3yJNhEk7so56rLTlPQwV2th5NpIpWEVp76R9cv8jhJ0P13WYO8pS9WMHL0DXmCBKhYQygJnSh6PCGoabikXZqE5QTMnCumKtDVXDunSZ27xFu/s400/runchatvisor.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695554248245016610" /></a><br />If you are a runner and on twitter, you may have seen the hashtag: <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23runchat" target="new">#RunChat</a><div><br /></div><div>If you've seen it, it's probably because it fills up your twitter feed on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month. It's <i>"a way for runners of all levels to connect with each other, to share tips, to get advice and, quite simply, to have fun."</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Exciting news, they have blog awards. Not so exciting news, nominations end Monday at 8 p.m. ET.</div><div><br /></div><div>All it takes is a single e-mail and you can nominate:</div><div><ul><li>Best overall running blog</li><li>Best new running blog (must have began the blog in 2011)</li><li>Funniest running blog</li><li>Most inspirational running blog</li><li>Best #runchat participant on Twitter</li></ul><div><b>To nominate bloggers for the categories, simply send an email to <a href="mailto:runchat@therunchat.com?subject=#runchat awards&body=(1) Best overall running blog (2) Best new running blog %E2%80%94 must have began the blog in 2011 (3) Funniest running blog (4) Most inspirational running blog (5) Best #runchat participant on Twitter">runchat@therunchat.com</a> with “#runchat awards” in the subject line by 8 p.m. ET Jan. 9.</b> Include the nominee’s URL and Twitter handle if you know it. You may leave areas blank, but please fill out at least 3 of the categories.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>The above instructions were pulled from <a href="http://therunchat.com/2011/12/nominations-wanted-for-runchat-blog-awards/" target="new">here</a> where you can read more in detail.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh ya, winners get a badge for their blog and a super cool visor. <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cc0000;">(AHEM, I look pretty cool in a visor — see below)</span>.</i> I appreciate your support and it's not too late to vote for you favorite bloggers. All it takes is one nomination to be considered. <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cc0000;">(Did I mention, I rock the shit out of a visor?)</span></i></div><div><i></i><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikf9Np3EPpkZvdb4anDOHE4ldoqoNX4AR2iZi2CK80gIXTzRvGQEW29DawECeAZ8u-mPkTjLjH3I2sRoY-HNMVkls2qtQfx0hBxDefMyq4e90Td6T2TaVrtqi0D0sUYHaf5vHSI_lNnDE4/s1600/ushalfmarathon.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 383px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikf9Np3EPpkZvdb4anDOHE4ldoqoNX4AR2iZi2CK80gIXTzRvGQEW29DawECeAZ8u-mPkTjLjH3I2sRoY-HNMVkls2qtQfx0hBxDefMyq4e90Td6T2TaVrtqi0D0sUYHaf5vHSI_lNnDE4/s400/ushalfmarathon.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695555118223879250" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" url="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2012/01/nominations-for-runchat-blog-awards.html" text="Send a Nomination for Your Favorite and Inspirational Running Blogs" via="PavementRunner" hashtags="runchat">Tweet</a><br /><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");</script><br /><br /><script>function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}</script><style> html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?6:26981) no-repeat top left; }</style><div style="text-align: left;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()">Share on Facebook</a></div></div>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-42431205398763655482011-12-29T00:17:00.000-08:002011-12-29T01:23:47.874-08:002011, A Year of Halfs… Halves?With 2011 coming to close, I wanted to take look back at this year's events. This was the first calendar year (since I began running in 2006) that didn't include a Full Marathon… hence the title: A Year of Halfs. Let's take a look at my journey down the 13.1 mile road. Enjoy.<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.oaklandmarathon.com/site10.aspx" target="new">Oakland Marathon,</a> March</div><div>Half Marathon: 2:29</div><div><i><b>Quick Recap:</b> I ran this purely for fun dressed as the Incredible Hulk. Loved all the photos (see below), but those hands got super heavy after a few miles. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Pavey Posts: <a href="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/03/oakland-running-festival-recap.html" target="new">Oakland Running Festival: Recap</a>, <a href="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/04/incredible-photos.html" target="new">Incredible Photos</a></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7AasSQpIO13JWTeywjF_6QPyqCfp14UypEsQFx_IsjtX4QvGDtdgub7j6yRVtvsySv0p5CpVZX__er46ADmXb1SEzSlUk7xhx8iSESyCP_WZOAu7EvZzfOoBbpDH7ya4Prq3dAFfrAhp/s1600/oaklandmarathon.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7AasSQpIO13JWTeywjF_6QPyqCfp14UypEsQFx_IsjtX4QvGDtdgub7j6yRVtvsySv0p5CpVZX__er46ADmXb1SEzSlUk7xhx8iSESyCP_WZOAu7EvZzfOoBbpDH7ya4Prq3dAFfrAhp/s400/oaklandmarathon.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691463171406161122" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrsrBo2kBVm19s3FLReNn8eQo35O9Gq49qi3NxmpQqoz6QRj4ISfVJImbl8BUDYL8Op_CddPBMpQGdZuqRjdUpxxdgsUJH3aXxpaslJtTWwlTHdOHAnZ0CvCdbri-sD3ryxvsus46QnVd/s1600/oakland-half-marathon-2011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; text-align: center; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrsrBo2kBVm19s3FLReNn8eQo35O9Gq49qi3NxmpQqoz6QRj4ISfVJImbl8BUDYL8Op_CddPBMpQGdZuqRjdUpxxdgsUJH3aXxpaslJtTWwlTHdOHAnZ0CvCdbri-sD3ryxvsus46QnVd/s400/oakland-half-marathon-2011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691463640235982098" /></a><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.changeofpace.com/moonlight.html" target="new">Davis Moo-nlight Half Marathon,</a> July</div><div>Half Marathon: 1:51* (12.2 miles due to course error)</div><div><i><b>Quick Recap:</b> Other than being on pace for a PR and missing a whole mile due to a mistake by the event, it was fun. I was "all in" once I heard it was a night race with a glow-in-the-dark shirt and medal.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Pavey Posts: <a href="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/06/racing-again-with-cows.html" target="new">Racing again… with Cows,</a> <a href="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-shortest-half-marathon.html" target="new">My "Shortest" Half Marathon</a></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLuBbku8ibd-636yHdz7xfVqm6Qb7xeTiO4oGE3eo7F_MIobeVxLo9pYtlG7zLZ1xido13lRAV7dE1v0EWbP-BcrWlpdCj4yaZWApvGlHx1xJRk7m83CYkuRcK8R7Lbyy7gcL24IKN4lK/s1600/medal.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLuBbku8ibd-636yHdz7xfVqm6Qb7xeTiO4oGE3eo7F_MIobeVxLo9pYtlG7zLZ1xido13lRAV7dE1v0EWbP-BcrWlpdCj4yaZWApvGlHx1xJRk7m83CYkuRcK8R7Lbyy7gcL24IKN4lK/s400/medal.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691465240542614594" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwXF5msXbaaWlFTH8Bj5M_NTiH9rLYFtuL9QL52iF6tWGrxpMHGuWcsagJlTMk-Li5RnyHvLVZxjhQnxBs6ukl6HVG00-ZdsBqtwE-pjZhAjn8Z73EAZF8_QdGowVkb_ZGA5c_0We0zCM/s1600/davis-moonlight-medal-2011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwXF5msXbaaWlFTH8Bj5M_NTiH9rLYFtuL9QL52iF6tWGrxpMHGuWcsagJlTMk-Li5RnyHvLVZxjhQnxBs6ukl6HVG00-ZdsBqtwE-pjZhAjn8Z73EAZF8_QdGowVkb_ZGA5c_0We0zCM/s400/davis-moonlight-medal-2011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691465366757347778" /></a><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.race-sfgiants.com/" target="new">The Giant Race,</a> August</div><div>Half Marathon: 2:06</div><div><i><b>Quick Recap:</b> After some technical errors with my garmin and bonking around mile 10, my day was pretty much over. Highlights include high-fiving Brian Wilson, finishing inside Giants' stadium, taking a finishers photo with my mom and friends, and of course the Tim Lincecum bobble head.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Pavey Posts: <a href="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/08/giant-race-playlist.html" target="new">The Giant Race Playlist,</a> <a href="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/08/giant-race-recap.html" target="new">The Giant Race Recap</a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8u73_-7MSYvuMsUpaNLMA2ztqxzcYpbHwj_GztK3CCOap4azpnPY6bDnyNPaVZkOwKe7fsjj1Wbd0BZvdpAtoO7aAsZBvxvXnAm0KJAzJX_dUXHANSR6Ic-7alUngwOpFt4ca06iYdcR/s1600/giantsrun.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8u73_-7MSYvuMsUpaNLMA2ztqxzcYpbHwj_GztK3CCOap4azpnPY6bDnyNPaVZkOwKe7fsjj1Wbd0BZvdpAtoO7aAsZBvxvXnAm0KJAzJX_dUXHANSR6Ic-7alUngwOpFt4ca06iYdcR/s400/giantsrun.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691466563794267826" /></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWF7DxKJQv1qtjMHnJVRQhh9iJlyLSL9UIUvY2PdnhdrGj0es_mZsJpVk9uNdg4SKWuNceUruP88epJVvV5xHtvv-dxr9ISSPldqw-4265yFLopeG2D6kP4hPdgQxliqv4odS6jo7wf92/s1600/giants-race-medal2011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWF7DxKJQv1qtjMHnJVRQhh9iJlyLSL9UIUvY2PdnhdrGj0es_mZsJpVk9uNdg4SKWuNceUruP88epJVvV5xHtvv-dxr9ISSPldqw-4265yFLopeG2D6kP4hPdgQxliqv4odS6jo7wf92/s400/giants-race-medal2011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691466478098462802" /></a><br /></div><div><a href="http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/san-jose" target="new">San Jose Rock n Roll Half,</a> October</div><div>Half Marathon: 1:59</div><div><i><b>Quick Recap:</b> Thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/DiaryAvgRunner" target="new">Alyssa,</a> I was able to run this race for the 5th year in a row. I gave it my all and finished with my first official sub 2-hour time. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Pavey Post: <a href="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/10/dont-pass-out-dont-puke-do-pr.html" target="new">Don't Pass Out, Don't Puke, Do PR</a></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuYcVDRBLO9UYvTiX2CUZmczNVKfF2TDhr-CNeGEl1w_ZAT_zY_l6mGMBkGkXunCqQfdHlAJRyDwZ3n2-DosIi0FP1uxzQJr1t67hQK1fVCXkgSgEisIXGz7CTPgr7AC5hhbFNyKCSKPO/s1600/SanJoseRocknRollMedal2011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuYcVDRBLO9UYvTiX2CUZmczNVKfF2TDhr-CNeGEl1w_ZAT_zY_l6mGMBkGkXunCqQfdHlAJRyDwZ3n2-DosIi0FP1uxzQJr1t67hQK1fVCXkgSgEisIXGz7CTPgr7AC5hhbFNyKCSKPO/s400/SanJoseRocknRollMedal2011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691468437039720386" /></a><br /></div><div><a href="http://ushalf.com/" target="new">US Half (1),</a> November</div><div>Half Marathon: 1:58</div><div><i><b>Quick Recap:</b> A solid time on a challenging course. Also shaved a minute off my finish time from a month earlier, met some great runners and snagged the first half to my 2-piece medal.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Pavey Posts: <a href="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/11/us-half-2012-recap.html" target="new">US Half 2012 Recap,</a> <a href="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/11/us-half-photo-recap.html" target="new">US Half: a Photo Recap</a></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju35ao6KgOafTf82BXgY_N8iWRM-02gw3dckJBE46M-9pp_BaQ7KeHMkS6nQkQjoz5TgnJYle1W0Wa03Ok6xG6LpoE7C8CEAngw7qQlH2OA0OzRgfdEnGeGom1n1SipxfbsEYHiesOuZkX/s1600/ushalfmarathon.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 383px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju35ao6KgOafTf82BXgY_N8iWRM-02gw3dckJBE46M-9pp_BaQ7KeHMkS6nQkQjoz5TgnJYle1W0Wa03Ok6xG6LpoE7C8CEAngw7qQlH2OA0OzRgfdEnGeGom1n1SipxfbsEYHiesOuZkX/s400/ushalfmarathon.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691471026572379634" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzHmQLGBNd81s-R7OfHOG9GbODNTnY5q5T435btuvIrXkGACgxtlNitlBLoyD6fDM1-hFFBdb8r50ATUsO4VyjRpt0A_lk1BxBmT4fVny31YS_NS_sxK8gU0kaG4jlvPu5VPH1tJJAxmy/s1600/ushalfmedal2011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzHmQLGBNd81s-R7OfHOG9GbODNTnY5q5T435btuvIrXkGACgxtlNitlBLoyD6fDM1-hFFBdb8r50ATUsO4VyjRpt0A_lk1BxBmT4fVny31YS_NS_sxK8gU0kaG4jlvPu5VPH1tJJAxmy/s400/ushalfmedal2011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691470972028085234" /></a><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.changeofpace.com/wctt.html" target="new">Walnut Creek Turkey Trot,</a> November</div><div>5k: 50:25 (PR)</div><div><i><b>Quick Recap:</b> A great way to spend Thanksgiving morning. Walked the course with my mom and enjoyed every minute of it. Although I was sore afterwards… walking fast sure does a number on the calves.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Pavey Post: <a href="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/11/turkey-decision-recap-and-pr.html" target="new">A Turkey Decision, Recap and a PR</a></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOEm7fipzvqcrwavSabU79z5hhpOadwM0IdPrn5j77exyA4OoRekjOCyhsoWhfRjhoesBPS3tUTeuVC028nRf-aRZTJUiZCaFZ3-4LgYjxHObnb65KudwFhDZIiKUnomplnQJLu51Ssv3/s1600/turkeytrot.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOEm7fipzvqcrwavSabU79z5hhpOadwM0IdPrn5j77exyA4OoRekjOCyhsoWhfRjhoesBPS3tUTeuVC028nRf-aRZTJUiZCaFZ3-4LgYjxHObnb65KudwFhDZIiKUnomplnQJLu51Ssv3/s400/turkeytrot.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691469806484368610" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.runwalnutcreek.com/" target="new">Walnut Creek Half Marathon,</a> December</div><div>Half Marathon: 1:54 (PR)</div><div><i><b>Quick Recap:</b> A great end to a busy 3 months. With PRs in October and November at the half distance, it made sense to do it again for December. Shaved 4 minutes off my time on another challenging course and concluded my journey in the <a href="http://www.norcalhalfseries.com/" target="new">Northern California Half Marathon Series.</a></i></div><div><br /></div><div>Pavey Posts: <a href="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/12/walnut-creek-half-race-report.html" target="new">Walnut Creek Half Race Report</a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWiED9LREpWESNVu7pA3Py9X9Di4dg_TkXoPmwo2kux8MbthJBsFa_PLVA_9TinR0fKlZXxSGJzPJmc91Dn1ykfxLJKH9CC7Qj6n1cYXn26YXr9jNmxS7yz-2DniLV8SZjPRPysU12UM-/s1600/walnutcreekhalf.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWiED9LREpWESNVu7pA3Py9X9Di4dg_TkXoPmwo2kux8MbthJBsFa_PLVA_9TinR0fKlZXxSGJzPJmc91Dn1ykfxLJKH9CC7Qj6n1cYXn26YXr9jNmxS7yz-2DniLV8SZjPRPysU12UM-/s400/walnutcreekhalf.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691473305546153554" /></a><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYtShKEw64ewdGnyWIsB6OSnOLkjseQhO5hYTMD0RYuYsvSJTFk4y-5EWwqNDweoWsU_TCgp6AnbeNZzV6zllXLhznT4VZpxV2NOJch1HIdia7Jlvk-GnLHkjgmNGiQTtX2DEBCzlMJ4n/s1600/walnutcreekhalfmedal2011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYtShKEw64ewdGnyWIsB6OSnOLkjseQhO5hYTMD0RYuYsvSJTFk4y-5EWwqNDweoWsU_TCgp6AnbeNZzV6zllXLhznT4VZpxV2NOJch1HIdia7Jlvk-GnLHkjgmNGiQTtX2DEBCzlMJ4n/s400/walnutcreekhalfmedal2011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691473247359414706" /></a></div><br />As part of the <a href="http://www.norcalhalfseries.com/" target="new">Northern California Half Marathon Series,</a> by racing 4 (pre-selected) races, I was awarded an extra medal. They've expanded the series for 2012, adding in Southern California races and including many that participated in the inaugural 2011 series.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_zzlFxYtZq5uzsoYXVPSZfDalPhu-xwgwREIcF0YkI0hO4O1YSaV0qxwpwvye1XLDDIfH6A4cch4pg4nTUEISRf3ND21zrVepICwhyphenhyphennMEGqs0raSHLbz2ea1tFqQL1vcIKyiCe-KVn-h/s1600/nor-cal-half-series-medal-2011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_zzlFxYtZq5uzsoYXVPSZfDalPhu-xwgwREIcF0YkI0hO4O1YSaV0qxwpwvye1XLDDIfH6A4cch4pg4nTUEISRf3ND21zrVepICwhyphenhyphennMEGqs0raSHLbz2ea1tFqQL1vcIKyiCe-KVn-h/s400/nor-cal-half-series-medal-2011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691474099962549202" /></a><br />Here are the 4 races I ran: <a href="http://www.oaklandmarathon.com/site10.aspx" target="new">Oakland Half Marathon,</a> <a href="http://www.changeofpace.com/moonlight.html" target="new">Davis Moo-nlight Half,</a> <a href="http://www.race-sfgiants.com/" target="new">The Giant Race</a> and the <a href="http://www.runwalnutcreek.com/" target="new">Walnut Creek Half Marathon.</a></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4Ht8Lq-3Ue3czOYSgsWxQCSip4bcaAk-eQWUFovoTRXwZ6OAgoaSCtrEJIoZR03Q62_xhdZivaO3dVM_AGW5G3pGl0j6GOqOQvOdJ1G0pOB17qMlmpE06ORAgTrGcn1SoQB10HIMqaZn/s1600/norcal-half-series-2011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4Ht8Lq-3Ue3czOYSgsWxQCSip4bcaAk-eQWUFovoTRXwZ6OAgoaSCtrEJIoZR03Q62_xhdZivaO3dVM_AGW5G3pGl0j6GOqOQvOdJ1G0pOB17qMlmpE06ORAgTrGcn1SoQB10HIMqaZn/s400/norcal-half-series-2011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691474770089003490" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you to everyone that gave me the extra motivation, inspiration and support that I needed to make 2011 a successful running year. I'm enjoying the newly found speed at the shorter distances and hope to carry that into 2012. Cheers.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">I'd love to hear how your 2011 running year went in the comments. </span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">What was your favorite race of the year?</span></i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/12/2011-year-of-halfs-halves.html" data-text="»» Pavey Post: 2011, a year of halfs… halves?" data-via="PavementRunner">Tweet</a><br /><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");</script><br /><br /><script>function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}</script><style> html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?6:26981) no-repeat top left; }</style><div style="text-align: left;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()">Share on Facebook</a></div></div>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-74111765803702062822011-12-21T09:44:00.000-08:002011-12-21T11:47:33.387-08:00Running with an iPod: yay or nay?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hYJOuA7rnXSJHCsI5qaCs3VhaN-yQfivrhodmSgYCeRZYOgO1jJsuw29khz4e02OXuIhZhhJyumGACEKAU2QULUs9GJy3D1LeJkm1ZnMKRRscZtaJUEIIPKgDJeuR92168prVPTHwDd9/s1600/ipod.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hYJOuA7rnXSJHCsI5qaCs3VhaN-yQfivrhodmSgYCeRZYOgO1jJsuw29khz4e02OXuIhZhhJyumGACEKAU2QULUs9GJy3D1LeJkm1ZnMKRRscZtaJUEIIPKgDJeuR92168prVPTHwDd9/s320/ipod.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688639646462158898" /></a><br />On the radio this morning, they were talking about the iPod and how in 2009 it was named the "Decade's Top Music Moment" and it got me thinking: <b>How has that affected the running community?</b><br /><br />When I was training for my first marathon, all of my long distance runs were without music. I was going to be running the event without headphones, so it made sense to prepare for race day. However, on my shorter mid-week runs, the ear buds were busy bumping The White Stripes and 30 Seconds to Mars. Since then, I have trained and ran events with a predetermined play list going through my iPod shuffle.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJOs_dYZWfUisjhrtoxe0sQjXYvqPY-pBG15Mk0D_nSBfNkmYHh2siOSaR3EXccLknXfl6Sy7zkpt9m8tJKstyi37IaDCSLbqusW5aCox2qaxfzLmt5Cy1EqQEAB1qLfDcetSvNvs0pd7/s1600/walkman-yellow.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJOs_dYZWfUisjhrtoxe0sQjXYvqPY-pBG15Mk0D_nSBfNkmYHh2siOSaR3EXccLknXfl6Sy7zkpt9m8tJKstyi37IaDCSLbqusW5aCox2qaxfzLmt5Cy1EqQEAB1qLfDcetSvNvs0pd7/s320/walkman-yellow.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688639512052581698" /></a><br /><b>Time to show your age:</b><br />Who remembers running with a Walkman? Was it yellow?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCHeeDTsGNwHjvd6-X23durTb8AwX3eKvofltqeuwu15an3GmkEqSisWFsRCEq5KQnzj7RMGmyHHgpYq6PYzZGhB7B-H9xjjulaLLZZKTv1AZQHsugEVGrueeVI4nRvFCxyBnSupHg2_h/s1600/discman2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCHeeDTsGNwHjvd6-X23durTb8AwX3eKvofltqeuwu15an3GmkEqSisWFsRCEq5KQnzj7RMGmyHHgpYq6PYzZGhB7B-H9xjjulaLLZZKTv1AZQHsugEVGrueeVI4nRvFCxyBnSupHg2_h/s320/discman2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688639391521522690" /></a><br /><b>Time to show your age, AGAIN:</b><br />Who remembers running with a discman? That <i>"anti skip"</i> button never really worked and you were left trying to hold that thing as still and flat as possible as you bounced up and down the street.<br /><br />Placing safety aside, and yes, I understand that is a huge factor to take out of the equation. Has the iPod (and sister products) benefited the running community? Has it provided motivation for those less likely to run, to strap on their mp3 player and log some miles to Kid Cudi?<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">How has the iPod affected your running? For the better? For the worse?</span></b><br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/12/running-with-ipod-yay-or-nay.html" data-text="»» Pavey Post »» Running with an iPod: yay or nay?" data-via="PavementRunner">Tweet</a><br /><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");</script><br /><br /><script>function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}</script><style> html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?6:26981) no-repeat top left; }</style><div style="text-align: left;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()">Share on Facebook</a></div>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-8793214086516819012011-12-16T10:16:00.000-08:002011-12-16T10:35:00.699-08:00Happy Birthday Bart YassoThis weekend is Bart Yasso's birthday and I wanted to pay homage to the man himself with a post.<br /><br />In 2008 I was at the San Francisco Marathon expo and doing what most of us do, I was wandering around looking at the booths. I came across a gentlemen sitting at a table selling a book he had written about running. I stopped at the table, said hello, looked at the book and moved along. About five minutes later I thought: <i>"I should go back and get that book."</i> I'm not really sure why I was drawn back to that table, yet alone back to that book. I had never seen the book before, or met the man that wrote or heard anything about him.<br /><br />So I went back and bought the book: <a href="http://www.bartyasso.com/mylifeontherun" target="new">"My Life on the Run."</a> He asked me if I would like him to sign it... i said sure, thanked him and went about my day. Little did I know that I had just interacted with a running icon. A man, that I'm, ashamed to admit, I had no idea about or who he was to the running community.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-NSO26PdJmESO6hc1qmgLQtpaxBPymmElBOQr7oS3iy4LdPrkTkNimoVKOlS4gX2CDSnLbm8WrqWYbmMtTWWESOdpge1cwTV1yUn8-RunvFmmvOipdhdgDYLHEAPOAIaiQ0G25n6dD4I/s1600/starbucks_bartYasso.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-NSO26PdJmESO6hc1qmgLQtpaxBPymmElBOQr7oS3iy4LdPrkTkNimoVKOlS4gX2CDSnLbm8WrqWYbmMtTWWESOdpge1cwTV1yUn8-RunvFmmvOipdhdgDYLHEAPOAIaiQ0G25n6dD4I/s320/starbucks_bartYasso.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686793796784330962" /></a><br />Later that year I read the book and learned all about the legend that is Bart Yasso. His adventures, how Yasso 800's came to existence and was instantly motivated. I wanted to do those things. I wanted to experience that same excitement on my running adventures. I friended Bart on Facebook assuming (like most celebrities) we would get updates and not much interaction. I posted this photo (above) and tagged Bart, saying that I was enjoying the holiday season with a good book and coffee. Little did I know, that I would get this response from Bart in my comments:<br /><br /><i><b>Running, books and coffee that is the trifecta. Bart</b></i><br /><br />Blew my mind. The cool thing about Bart is that he is always accessible and interacts with the running community. You can ask him a question, tag him in a post and (usually) you'll get a response back or a <i>'thank you.'</i><br /><br />In early 2009, my sister was training for her first marathon and raising money for Team in Training. I wanted to host a raffle to help her raise money and since I had enjoyed Bart's book so much, I wrote Bart an email to see if I could buy a couple of his books and asked him to autograph them. He kindly donated the two books to the cause and shipped them my way. Amazing. He made two winners extremely excited.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGZduwKlhHMHRzH3yu9Jwo1Om3R5UV8PlTZtgiUm6uMwR7yjvLRSLpxzRLW5Roqp1J3OQgJ6d0GSsNhhct9PX3Wn4X8dN7kco7FQQvVDxoG8HLJa9GTuKuSd7vnOZr4d-Plwt6wKF0X9h/s1600/DSC05565.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGZduwKlhHMHRzH3yu9Jwo1Om3R5UV8PlTZtgiUm6uMwR7yjvLRSLpxzRLW5Roqp1J3OQgJ6d0GSsNhhct9PX3Wn4X8dN7kco7FQQvVDxoG8HLJa9GTuKuSd7vnOZr4d-Plwt6wKF0X9h/s320/DSC05565.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686793503808476498" /></a><br />I then met Bart again later in 2009 at the Big Sur Expo. This time I was ready. I had my camera, wanted to thank the man in person and was prepared for celebrity interaction. Down to earth as usual, we chatted and he wished me luck on the race and snapped a photo with me. He even made a comment about thinking my handle Pavement Runner was <i>"pretty cool"</i> considering most people go by trail runner, road runner... he liked that I used pavement. A comment he has since made to me on other occasions. We always smile about it.<br /><br /><b>Here is a blurb from my <a href="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2009/04/beauty-of-big-sur.html" target="new">2009 Big Sur Race Report:</a></b><br /><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Random moment of the race: being escorted by a motorcycle cop, a Lexus SUV was making it's way past us (slowly). The license plate said RUNHER 1, so I made way to see who was in it. The car wasn't traveling fast and hanging out the back seat window was one Mr. Bart Yasso talking with runners as the car made it's way down the road. The car's speed was slow, so he was holding casual conversations with runners who were willing to chat. Pretty cool moment. I think I stayed within ear shot for maybe a half mile.</span><br /></i><br />That was one of my favorite moments in my race history. It really doesn't get much better than running the beautiful Big Sur course, next to a running icon chatting with runners from his car. A moment that might never repeat itself.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovy9jkm83cgVV7khpHXEXtBXfB4i_gzvRMfey24bSzo5G_MzNnYcu2fE6cNzz-gkuInBYAEaLtWUekaD0sbLIwDdTN8d5y46-L4DJ8NVlblwB71nD3V3YBOfhyphenhyphenT3KSfLfNAzWmB_Y4Umz/s1600/IMG_1139.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovy9jkm83cgVV7khpHXEXtBXfB4i_gzvRMfey24bSzo5G_MzNnYcu2fE6cNzz-gkuInBYAEaLtWUekaD0sbLIwDdTN8d5y46-L4DJ8NVlblwB71nD3V3YBOfhyphenhyphenT3KSfLfNAzWmB_Y4Umz/s320/IMG_1139.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686793333332984994" /></a><br />Okay, one more photo. Here is Bart and I in 2010 at the San Francisco Expo. He usually attends that particular expo and of course was willing to snap a photo with me. Bart and I were working on a radio/podcast project earlier that year so we chatted about some ideas we had. Sadly we eventually left the program, but it was great to interact with him on a regular basis on a side project. Who knows, maybe we'll work together again in the future. <i>(Runner's World office in San Francisco? I know a great graphic and web designer willing to make that dream come true... hint hint)</i><br /><br />Thank you for all that you do Bart. You continue to motivate and inspire people simply by being who you are and sharing what you love. Happy Birthday and may all your wishes come true. Cheers, to many more birthdays and many more miles.<div><br /></div><div><b><i>Share your Bart Yasso experiences below. What was you favorite moment with him?</i></b></div><br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" url="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/12/happy-birthday-bart-yasso.html" text="Happy #BirthdayBart Yasso" via="PavementRunner" lang="en">Tweet</a><br /><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");</script><br /><br /><script>function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}</script><style> html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?6:26981) no-repeat top left; }</style><div style="text-align: left;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()">Share on Facebook</a></div>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-57063580069107771522011-12-15T13:09:00.000-08:002011-12-15T13:38:23.980-08:00Oakland Marathon Giveaway Results<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejNV6_XVFZ8HBX0z2BXKTkMUw60o9-yHCoT9Ehwf8dAOOghPLW-WIX96cDYqGrb7vTs0IZ8i2t29ZqwLy5qEqX8Zs6PkBDuJP4FOjKJPa19_meh5rWLHLVEfb5n3uT96P2dPX8n-CotvQ/s1600/OakMarathonLogo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejNV6_XVFZ8HBX0z2BXKTkMUw60o9-yHCoT9Ehwf8dAOOghPLW-WIX96cDYqGrb7vTs0IZ8i2t29ZqwLy5qEqX8Zs6PkBDuJP4FOjKJPa19_meh5rWLHLVEfb5n3uT96P2dPX8n-CotvQ/s320/OakMarathonLogo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686467913432100034" /></a><br />I'd like to thank everyone for participating in the <a href="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/12/win-entry-to-oakland-running-festival.html" target="new">Oakland Marathon giveaway.</a> I'd also like to thank the race for offering not one, but two entries for the community.<br /><br />Overall we had almost 146 entries spread out among almost 25 runners. Everyone deserved to win, but unfortunately, there could only be two. I listed all the entries on an excel spreadsheet and labeled each entry, wether it was a follow, a tweet, or a comment. Then through a random number generator, the winners were selected.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPVV8J2HWUXw288I0_n6nlOIukYxD6lu8pQU6wj08aIc33YoL9Z3gpGZRCFlBoP2PB-HNoDFr53Z9ASgHm1DPUZsWwcgdFHdfkRdqRfN_YUkDR0dUy04iF57R1GZrr8Kqxu9S_1RBQ40B/s1600/generator_113.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 168px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPVV8J2HWUXw288I0_n6nlOIukYxD6lu8pQU6wj08aIc33YoL9Z3gpGZRCFlBoP2PB-HNoDFr53Z9ASgHm1DPUZsWwcgdFHdfkRdqRfN_YUkDR0dUy04iF57R1GZrr8Kqxu9S_1RBQ40B/s400/generator_113.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686466909958950050" /></a><br />Congratulations Paulette, <a href="https://twitter.com/paulettezf" target="new">@paulettezf,</a> you won the first entry.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvSOCzwVdROz87WVyOTeQLMKHjhqXk6Rsa0jnwEpsCKSARnvqy9e90cy3GgWA3IA30HaWJGvr0tJZ5XsBc6UwZljhX4rswTMd8HQdixLqPHPcZ2daMdgcjrdiaHMKkt3AEPsva1juMfm9/s1600/paulette.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 374px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvSOCzwVdROz87WVyOTeQLMKHjhqXk6Rsa0jnwEpsCKSARnvqy9e90cy3GgWA3IA30HaWJGvr0tJZ5XsBc6UwZljhX4rswTMd8HQdixLqPHPcZ2daMdgcjrdiaHMKkt3AEPsva1juMfm9/s400/paulette.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686467016398017042" /></a><br />Paulette also can be found through her blog at: <a href="http://sojustkeeprunning.blogspot.com/" target="new">SoJustKeepRunning.blogspot.com</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcEfvCxdMdONs77LAdjGDC1BEqNAY-mkA3bGZ6rhwTvKCxIdZvJ0ecrx-4V74pSB2JN_qu14FF2xsGZtL3ynW0pPob_uO3JZk7xqLcMtjkMQvfg0JZyz5LaLcEH7HB-8EroaYCBkvG1y-/s1600/generator_3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 168px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcEfvCxdMdONs77LAdjGDC1BEqNAY-mkA3bGZ6rhwTvKCxIdZvJ0ecrx-4V74pSB2JN_qu14FF2xsGZtL3ynW0pPob_uO3JZk7xqLcMtjkMQvfg0JZyz5LaLcEH7HB-8EroaYCBkvG1y-/s400/generator_3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686467391071187026" /></a><br />Also, congratulations to Beth, <a href="https://twitter.com/Boston2Berkeley" target="new">@Boston2Berkeley,</a> you won the second entry.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxXSv7OraklEqGDDFQUmGrRdHP9_jCF_r-As7KXDYI4lhRd225SxikWjOmRiZSnKSa5CgIUNpAkW_YEWTP9jDkSVfYw3745TcOc7TEWnoavSBxyaaHV57BgLdABO8A89JQL21LubTNrBm/s1600/boston.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxXSv7OraklEqGDDFQUmGrRdHP9_jCF_r-As7KXDYI4lhRd225SxikWjOmRiZSnKSa5CgIUNpAkW_YEWTP9jDkSVfYw3745TcOc7TEWnoavSBxyaaHV57BgLdABO8A89JQL21LubTNrBm/s400/boston.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686467504442945458" /></a><br />Beth can also be found through her blog at: <a href="http://boston2berkeley.wordpress.com/" target="new">boston2berkeley.wordpress.com</a><br /><br />I'll be reaching out to you both via twitter and give you further instructions on claiming your prize.<br /><br />As for all the other entrants, thank you again. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">I'm working with the </span></b><a href="http://www.oaklandmarathon.com/" target="new"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">Oakland Marathon</span></b></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"> to make sure that you don't go away empty handed.</span></b> Please keep an eye on your twitter DM inbox, or FB message board for additional information.<br /><br />I'm hoping to see you all out there on race weekend March 24-25, 2012. I know plenty of people that will also be running the event and there has been discussions of a massive tweetup happening, so stay tuned.<br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/12/oakland-marathon-giveaway-reults.html" data-text="The @OaklandMarathon Giveaway Results" data-via="PavementRunner" data-lang="en">Tweet</a><br /><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");</script><br /><br /><script>function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}</script><style> html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?6:26981) no-repeat top left; }</style><div style="text-align: left;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()">Share on Facebook</a></div>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-64634975309605172792011-12-14T16:19:00.000-08:002011-12-14T23:43:12.335-08:00Project: Birthday Bart<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQPaWtYyltonFUb86F-RnBibWvD2T4bxbVHFNuSNmia-6K4edUe_368br2rfHLIPRC1oQu6z928BGtq7j1ox7NHCdN2YSnRvowB1dXiTsm9NboIIwnoycY_MXOsO4Y7ZW3CJg_6uquNSw/s1600/bart-yasso.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQPaWtYyltonFUb86F-RnBibWvD2T4bxbVHFNuSNmia-6K4edUe_368br2rfHLIPRC1oQu6z928BGtq7j1ox7NHCdN2YSnRvowB1dXiTsm9NboIIwnoycY_MXOsO4Y7ZW3CJg_6uquNSw/s400/bart-yasso.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686146043790792834" /></a><br />Fantastic idea... well, I came up with it, so of course I would think it's fantastic. Let's see if you agree with me.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bartyasso.com/" target="new">Bart Yasso,</a> Runner's World's Chief Running Officer, is celebrating his <i>(insert number here)</i> birthday this Saturday, Dec. 17. As a birthday present, we should let Bart know how much he means to the running community.<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">Challenge for Bloggers:</span></span></b><br /><br />Schedule a post on what Bart means to you. It doesn't have to be long, it can be a quick write up on how Bart has affected your life. Maybe you met him at an expo, maybe he sent you a congratulations after an event, or a good luck message before. Perhaps you read <a href="http://www.bartyasso.com/mylifeontherun" target="new">his book</a> and it motivated/inspired you to run a few miles. Or, more than likely, you have screamed his name <i>(in frustration or excitement)</i> while running <a href="http://www.bartyasso.com/800s" target="new">Yasso 800's</a> during your training. If you have one, include a photo of yourself with the running icon.<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">Challenge for Readers and non-bloggers:</span></span></b><br /><br />Leave a comment on my post Friday (or below now) on how Bart has affected your life. Bart has done so much for the running community, let's take a few seconds and let him know how much we care and appreciate him.<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">SPREAD THE WORD: </span></span></b><br /><br /><b>Twitter users:</b> So that we can all enjoy your stories, please use the hashtag <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/search/realtime/birthdaybart" target="new">#BirthdayBart</a> when sharing and also be sure to tag him. <a href="http://twitter.com/BartYasso" target="new">@BartYasso</a><br /><br /><b>Facebook users:</b> Tag Bart in your post or share it on his wall for all to read. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bart-Yasso/118295040323" target="new">Bart's FB page</a><br /><br />I'll have my post up and ready to go Friday morning. Let's help promote this so we can show Bart how much he means to us. Please RT this or share on Facebook.<br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/12/project-birthday-bart.html" data-text="Project: #BirthdayBart — share how Bart has motivated you" data-via="PavementRunner" data-lang="en">Tweet</a><br /><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");</script><br /><br /><script>function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}</script><style> html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?6:26981) no-repeat top left; }</style><div style="text-align: left;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()">Share on Facebook</a></div>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-23700471391930986812011-12-12T10:57:00.000-08:002011-12-12T14:39:15.070-08:00Walnut Creek Half Race Report<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kos3jUKs74vwCovVhDuz9KTwcjeUJPzral67DNDqnAK25TQ-FljB1gqVF52MwS0kvTvMaNNnMKIb6-G-0ap_wacQ9IM52cPuMDd9nwJioinlLOFOTcVBf546XqsiBRYYE0L319vMejhj/s1600/walnutcreekhalf.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 108px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kos3jUKs74vwCovVhDuz9KTwcjeUJPzral67DNDqnAK25TQ-FljB1gqVF52MwS0kvTvMaNNnMKIb6-G-0ap_wacQ9IM52cPuMDd9nwJioinlLOFOTcVBf546XqsiBRYYE0L319vMejhj/s400/walnutcreekhalf.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685324076930325842" /></a>With the <a href="http://www.runwalnutcreek.com/" target="new">Walnut Creek Half Marathon</a> as my final race of 2011 and my fifth half for the year, the expectations were different from most events. Recently my legs seem to have developed a little bit of speed and my pace has quickened by almost a minute per mile.<br /><br />With the course covering a route that I regularly run as part of my training, the mystery of the route was instantly removed. <b>The good:</b> <i>I know what to expect on race day.</i> <b>The bad:</b> <i>I have zero excuses to fall back on if my race is a disaster. </i><br /><br />Four other friends that I regularly train with joined me at the start as this race was the final event of the <a href="http://www.norcalhalfseries.com/" target="new">Northern Ca. Half Marathon Series.</a> We had all participated in four (pre-selected) half marathons throughout the year and this was the culmination of our hard work. Oh ya, and we got an extra medal at the end.<br /><br />We met up before the race and walked about a mile to the start. It was in the low 30s and was a great way to get the blood flowing. The starting line was pretty low key. There was plenty of room for the runners to line up, but there were no corrals and the porta-potty situation was less than desirable (only 6 available). Apparently there was a mix-up with the vendor. Luckily, our group was all fellas and we were able to <i>"water the bushes."</i> Not ideal, but I'm sure the 85 ladies in line appreciated us not taking up a spot in line.<br /><br />I ran into (figuratively) <a href="https://twitter.com/SJRedGirl" target="new">Katie</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/LaylaBohm" target="new">Layla</a>at the start line. We exchanged well wishes, good lucks and high-fives. Layla was pacing the 2:10 runners and Katie told me she would be cheering at the 5/10 with the LuLuLemon crew. Of course she told me this while whacking me with Layla's pacer sign and calling me a baby. She is a ball of energy and it was awesome.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTaeOtOrRJIFq3_qLzDX_ox3rAhq4YJG3MAbM9pC6FgcKOSTMdKLS0lXvUsmZNk4lqluJ6BGrYs1wcnwuxYHNxbJRQ5dR5Iey3ZPcCpLR247IP-P81ETA_p53QBmbayTIan70LHbuCZxC/s1600/start.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTaeOtOrRJIFq3_qLzDX_ox3rAhq4YJG3MAbM9pC6FgcKOSTMdKLS0lXvUsmZNk4lqluJ6BGrYs1wcnwuxYHNxbJRQ5dR5Iey3ZPcCpLR247IP-P81ETA_p53QBmbayTIan70LHbuCZxC/s400/start.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685322640798861026" /></a><br />I met back up with my group, snapped a photo together and all of a sudden everyone started running. From where we were, we didn't here a "Go" or a National Anthem or any indication that the race was starting. I was fine without the bells and whistles at the start. I'm sure the neighbors appreciated it as well.<br /><br />I ended up coming upon Layla and her 2:10 runners. As I ran by, I screamed out some jibberish to cheer on the 2:10ers... crickets. I guess I'm used to larger events where you can shout out to a group and everyone around joins in. Nope. Luckily Layla gave me some shouting back, otherwise I just would have been that weird guy screaming at mile one.<br /><br />Subconsciously, I think I ran the first 6 miles at an easier pace than I had originally planned for. Knowing the course, means I knew how giant that hill was near the turnaround. Taking it easy on the way out would set me up for flying towards the finish line. Here were my splits for the first half:<br /><br />Mile 1: 8:13<br />Mile 2: 8:42<br />Mile 3: 8:56<br />Mile 4: 8:43<br />Mile 5: 8:42<br />Mile 6: 10:39 (up the hill)<br />Mile 7: 8:03<br /><br />There was a decline going down during mile 7, but one that we would soon have to climb again on the way back. At the halfway point, I was on pace with some downhill portions coming.<br /><br />Mile 8: 9:05<br />Mile 9: 8:53<br />Mile 10: 8:01 (down the hill)<br /><br />At the base of mile 10, I came across the LuLuLemon cheer crew again — the first time around at mile 5, I made sure to slowly maneuver to the right so I could spot Katie. She cheered like a crazy-energetic runner the first time and it totally fueled me to make the climb. I also got to high-five from <a href="https://twitter.com/CourtPancakes" target="new">Courtney</a> as well. On the return trip, they spotted me again and showed lots of support. Thanks ladies, I was really looking forward to feeding off your energy. <a href="https://twitter.com/runnersrambles" target="new">Aron</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/running_onfaith" target="new">Kerry</a>, and <a href="http://twitter.com/kristin_running" target="new">Kristin</a> were also there, but they are ninjas, so I didn't recognize them on the course. <div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>For a full spectator report and photos, check out Aron's blog </i><i><a href="http://www.runnersrambles.com/2011/12/spectator-report-2011-walnut-creek-half-marathon.html" target="new">here.</a></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><a href="http://www.runnersrambles.com/2011/12/spectator-report-2011-walnut-creek-half-marathon.html" target="new"></a><i>Also a major shout out to <a href="https://twitter.com/Boston2Berkeley" target="new">Beth</a>, who ran the 5k — read about it <a href="http://boston2berkeley.wordpress.com/2011/12/12/race-recap-walnut-creek-5k/" target="new">here.</a><br /></i><br />Oh ya, I also came across the 2:10 pace group on the return trip. At this point, I had been running for an hour, so my support was much more mellow and I didn't want to frighten the runners... AGAIN. I gave Layla a shout out and she returned it right back. She ended up leading her group to a 2:09 finish, which is amazing on her pacer debut on an unfamiliar, challenging course. Kudos.<br /><br />For the final three miles, I decided to put the pedal to floor and see how long I could hold it. I knew the route coming back was mostly flat-to-downhill, so I was going to give it my all. There was a small climb at 12, but it was manageable.<br /><br />Mile 11: 8:13<br />Mile 12: 9:26<br />Mile 13: 7:47<br />Mile 13.1: 6:40/pace<br /><br />Finish Time: 1:54:18 — a 4 minute PR<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFA4tAc70W-9p3-kICxaMqvbHIaCnis4w_adx3l59CP4piVuzs-0C8gL_vCJMOJgqvhxtyJqNM_bZuPHLWxw3S68HTrA8rN4nE5YHwOtkSV12AOLlGZsmuskT0VbayVjlJP2aHVyoGvaQg/s1600/medal.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFA4tAc70W-9p3-kICxaMqvbHIaCnis4w_adx3l59CP4piVuzs-0C8gL_vCJMOJgqvhxtyJqNM_bZuPHLWxw3S68HTrA8rN4nE5YHwOtkSV12AOLlGZsmuskT0VbayVjlJP2aHVyoGvaQg/s400/medal.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685323440788626162" /></a><br />Overall, I was really happy with my time. I was aiming for 1:55, but had 1:53 in the back of my mind as a <i>"I will go absolutely nuts if I finish that fast"</i> goal. I gave it my all and if you didn't notice, my final mile was a sub-8... holy moley. I didn't know I had that in me after 12 miles. That gives me incredible hope and confidence that I can keep getting faster.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivedl-_mVifOPdCzniiKyTGqfmIvzEfA7b5iar_JiMxXPWfpYB0H9WiZ4RxysLNi68QH85USLI2kl6GQm6F7mhGikpC2-urD8W7w3j2FQYKk8KG1faYQADitmbCFFlaFieW01VY2IvEmCy/s1600/gerry.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivedl-_mVifOPdCzniiKyTGqfmIvzEfA7b5iar_JiMxXPWfpYB0H9WiZ4RxysLNi68QH85USLI2kl6GQm6F7mhGikpC2-urD8W7w3j2FQYKk8KG1faYQADitmbCFFlaFieW01VY2IvEmCy/s400/gerry.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685323688605011106" /></a><br />After the race, I met <a href="https://twitter.com/4GFarms" target="new">Brent</a> and a co-worker that dressed up in costume. I'll let you guess which one is my co-worker. Congrats to Brent and Gerry on a great race. Gerry was the star, I saw other runners asking to take a photo with him at the start and cheering him on the course. He ran CIM last weekend and was back for more!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZl50hf-N8IPfzEbl5OLTGcan9uj3YjfzhD2aAu8OLQSUzoTU2DZnh0JCYaheta30QAfk9mNU12tlbVD-b-8wJKiDEejY3RLYjeYdB7d1o0mPh30cLwxITGwsR-_9m8g-UQCltem9zlpC/s1600/paul_me.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZl50hf-N8IPfzEbl5OLTGcan9uj3YjfzhD2aAu8OLQSUzoTU2DZnh0JCYaheta30QAfk9mNU12tlbVD-b-8wJKiDEejY3RLYjeYdB7d1o0mPh30cLwxITGwsR-_9m8g-UQCltem9zlpC/s400/paul_me.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685322919673555234" /></a><br />I also took advantage of the podiums they had at the finish line area with my friend Paul. Clearly we are enjoying our TWO medals.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobc6_hhw8OyXPTHepyuYnApWUxoTmYV7U5i6uw9QKAEPaHzoVWpH_OmK3UdutW8nrjeNoibiSVpaHbDJ91OzR-dPUrhoB1nqqhYguItIrPKw49OQUALJDCbFONLGfpDNh5jDkzgKxVutd/s1600/food.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobc6_hhw8OyXPTHepyuYnApWUxoTmYV7U5i6uw9QKAEPaHzoVWpH_OmK3UdutW8nrjeNoibiSVpaHbDJ91OzR-dPUrhoB1nqqhYguItIrPKw49OQUALJDCbFONLGfpDNh5jDkzgKxVutd/s400/food.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685323928473638082" /></a><br />After the race, we all gathered at <a href="http://www.katyskreek.com/" target="new">Katy's Kreek</a> for a post-race brunch. If you know our running group, you know that we can easily take over a restaurant pretty quickly. I'm glad I made reservations a week in advance. We celebrated, ate, drank and enjoyed each other's company. It was the perfect end to a great race and a wonderful 2011 race year.<br /><br />Thanks again for all the support and congratulations on Facebook and Twitter. You definitely provided some extra motivation to strive towards a fantastic finish.<br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" url="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/12/walnut-creek-half-race-report.html" text="Walnut Creek Half Marathon Race Report" via="PavementRunner" lang="en">Tweet</a><br /><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");</script><br /><br /><script>function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}</script><style> html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?6:26981) no-repeat top left; }</style><div style="text-align: left;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()">Share on Facebook</a></div></div>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-90789946630727889332011-12-09T10:09:00.000-08:002011-12-09T10:21:01.868-08:00Dear 1:55Dear 1:55<br /><br />I honestly didn't think I would be writing this letter so soon. It was just a few months ago in San Jose that I met your older sister <a href="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/10/dont-pass-out-dont-puke-do-pr.html" target="new">1:59.</a> She was incredible, but sadly, the time to move on came rather quickly and unexpected.<br /><br />It came out of nowhere and I'm going to be 100% honest with you... I've been flirting with you for some time on my training runs and I keep finding myself drawn towards you.<br /><br />I have a race this weekend. The Walnut Creek Half Marathon and I'm anxiously waiting for the opportunity to meet you. I'm going to do my best to make your acquaintance this Saturday. My race plan is to maintain 8.5 min miles, <i>which would draw me towards your much younger sister 1:51,</i> but with some pretty significant elevation changes I'm factoring in four 9+ minute miles.<div><br /></div><div>I'm not going to lie to you. If I have the opportunity to trim those 9+ minute miles, or find myself flying at low 8 minute miles, I may have to introduce myself to 1:53. It's the reality of the situation and I wouldn't be true to myself if I didn't say I was intrigued by that challenge.<br /><br />But 1:55, I am looking forward to looking at my garmin and seeing your beautiful face. If you wait for me at the finish line, I'll do my best to get to you as quickly as possible. </div><div><br /></div><div>See you soon?</div><br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/12/dear-155.html" data-text="An Open Letter to 1:55" data-via="PavementRunner" data-lang="en">Tweet</a><br /><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");</script><br /><br /><script>function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}</script><style> html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?6:26981) no-repeat top left; }</style><div style="text-align: left;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()">Share on Facebook</a></div>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-23506433523007713952011-12-06T09:21:00.000-08:002011-12-06T09:37:02.517-08:00Becoming FitFluential<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVrKWLR86b7g_B5bVRVPYfMNG96mvGvlwi8pQoiiFhYP9ig6ZZJyQy5e7BZVz6mUCsSTheNqRq-Gx3z_p7x8rwjxBGwndXEXl8Us-U9NjwYWmiV3lzPiT1jYriDG4kdoBEM7E63WiIYqb/s1600/fitfluential_logo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 104px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVrKWLR86b7g_B5bVRVPYfMNG96mvGvlwi8pQoiiFhYP9ig6ZZJyQy5e7BZVz6mUCsSTheNqRq-Gx3z_p7x8rwjxBGwndXEXl8Us-U9NjwYWmiV3lzPiT1jYriDG4kdoBEM7E63WiIYqb/s400/fitfluential_logo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683067463160725330" /></a>If you are on twitter as much as I am, you've probably noticed hash tags that say <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23fitfluential" target="new">#fitfluential</a> or seen the official twitter handle <a href="https://twitter.com/FitFluential" target="new">@fitfluential</a><br /><br />It's not just a clever way to tag your workout, athletic lifestyle or nutritional recommendations. It's a nationwide network of fitness enthusiasts called <a href="http://fitfluential.com/" target="new">FitFluential.</a> It was founded by <a href="https://twitter.com/KellyOlexa" target="new">Kelly Olexa</a> in April of this year to help motivate and inspire others. A lot of us bloggers got started looking to not only reach out to others, but to catalogue our journey and self-inspire from current and past experiences. We put our thoughts or challenges down and embrace the community that welcomes us as we share stories similar to theirs with motivation and inspiration flowing both ways. Better to give than to receive? Yes, but it can be both.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzxdlnFBOxdLNZ5rDpCTv40z9l1g9yDY-n6RH51Xwznp8h5lTLrm5h-JEo4v2OWWKTcpHdaws8eHAoVGxrAgqC0LKUYkjuw_KA_fmH0lrlo-2dHRZMTO2-p_MFD2h1LpUsvsNCRFsolqi/s1600/image.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzxdlnFBOxdLNZ5rDpCTv40z9l1g9yDY-n6RH51Xwznp8h5lTLrm5h-JEo4v2OWWKTcpHdaws8eHAoVGxrAgqC0LKUYkjuw_KA_fmH0lrlo-2dHRZMTO2-p_MFD2h1LpUsvsNCRFsolqi/s400/image.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683067346729978898" /></a><br />I'm proud to announce that I was asked to join the FitFluential Ambassador team. What does this mean? It means I'm joining a network of highly influential people with various areas of interest. From runners, to bloggers, to nutritionist, to yogis, to people interested in keeping a fit lifestyle. I'm happy to join the team and look forward to additional opportunities (through working with brands) and information (through working with other FitFluential Ambassadors) I'll be able to share with you in the future.<br /><br />Here is my <a href="http://fitfluential.com/family/brian-kelley/" target="new">official page.</a> Yep, that's my name and photo. Weird, right?<br /><br />So, does this mean my holiday list just increased 10 fold?<br /><br />Feel free to share in the comments how you maintain a fit lifestyle or ways you wish you could improve upon it..<br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/12/becoming-fitfluential.html" data-text="Becoming FitFluential" data-count="horizontal" data-via="PavementRunner">Tweet</a><script type="text/javascript" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br /><br /><script>function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}</script><style> html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?6:26981) no-repeat top left; }</style><div style="text-align: left;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()">Share on Facebook</a></div>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-26118544976307789252011-12-01T00:01:00.000-08:002011-12-02T15:07:18.692-08:00Win an entry to the Oakland Running Festival<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdx3ADRM5Nzsndt_kPru7OHzVCN0_Qq17rScAHBMd37fgO-oiecdu0-MBWzsgdur3z0epqGDrLWKMfdJT_kPOkuaDZo6ZojjFq8jgcHe3rnJwFtZPIiQtJKN-h0AD3eBntJYgTo3KW1MZ/s1600/FINAL-SEPT-2009-OAKLAND-FESTIVAL-WHITE.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdx3ADRM5Nzsndt_kPru7OHzVCN0_Qq17rScAHBMd37fgO-oiecdu0-MBWzsgdur3z0epqGDrLWKMfdJT_kPOkuaDZo6ZojjFq8jgcHe3rnJwFtZPIiQtJKN-h0AD3eBntJYgTo3KW1MZ/s400/FINAL-SEPT-2009-OAKLAND-FESTIVAL-WHITE.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681052076266116354" /></a><br />What are you doing on March 25, 2012? Wanna experience the <a href="http://www.oaklandmarathon.com/site10.aspx" target="new">Oakland Running Festival?</a><br /><br />I came across the Oakland Running Festival in 09, its inaugural year and the return of a full marathon to Oakland in 25 years. Compared to other Bay Area events the distances may be the same, the runners may also be the same, but what makes the Oakland Running Festival unique is the community and fans along the course. With a 97% saying they would recommend the race to a friend (from <a href="http://www.oaklandmarathon.com/AssetFactory.aspx?vid=2752" target="new">post-race surveys</a>) there is clearly something going on with this growing event.<br /><br />When I run other events I always notice people along the course cheering on specific runners: "Go Suzy!" or "Go Team in Training!" Such signs are popular and motivating. But what I noticed the past 2 years in Oakland is that although there are similar signs, there are also members of the community that aren't cheering on "specific" runners. Rather they are cheering on everyone. They are cheering for the city and happy to see thousands of people participating. It's people stepping out of their homes and business and clapping, simply because they were moved to do so.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJ-w4JD8aqXWdNd_wJVede9nYT29SGEy9Y1I3FLjZHntt7Hgg7kOZ_yAydgkiQv8wILzCOzrV-eazIHZ179ML4uGQnrAEDyBG5lf-BDmJeDJqJh4ewaU-0IkEw3BDKMTHrs2TVG1iF9QL/s1600/06.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJ-w4JD8aqXWdNd_wJVede9nYT29SGEy9Y1I3FLjZHntt7Hgg7kOZ_yAydgkiQv8wILzCOzrV-eazIHZ179ML4uGQnrAEDyBG5lf-BDmJeDJqJh4ewaU-0IkEw3BDKMTHrs2TVG1iF9QL/s400/06.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681052290589370930" /></a><br />The race has sold out each year in its existence, but I've squared away<b> two complimentary entries for the 2012</b> (Full or Half Marathon) and want to share them with you! I'm running the event again and want YOU to join me!<br /><br />I'll draw two names at random on December 15 at noon (PST). That gives you two weeks to enter. Here are several ways to throw your name in the proverbial hat:<br /><br /><div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Follow my blog.</span> <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 entry per person</span></i></li><br /><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Follow <a href="http://twitter.com/pavementrunner" target="new">@PavementRunner</a> on twitter and/or <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pavementrunner" target="new">"friend request" on FB</a>.</span> <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 entry per person — (let me know you've done this or already do this in the comments)</span></i></li><br /><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Follow <a href="http://twitter.com/oaklandmarathon" target="new">@OaklandMarathon</a> on twitter and/or <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oakland-Running-Festival/163291141339" target="new">"Like" on FB</a>.</span> <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 entry per person — (let me know you've done this or already do this in the comments)</span></i></li><br /><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Tweet out this contest (tagging @PavementRunner and @OaklandMarathon) and/or share on FB — tweet/share buttons at end of post.</span> <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 entry per person — (let me know you've done this or already do this in the comments)</span></i></li><br /><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Leave a comment below telling me "Why you think you should win the entry." Also, if you've done any of the ABOVE, let me know here as well. This is the easiest way for me to keep a reliable count.</span> <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1 entry per person</span></i></li></ol><div><br />That's a total of 5 entries per person,<b> but here is the bonus part:</b><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b>BONUS:</b> Each day you can send out a tweet (tagging @PavementRunner and @OaklandMarathon) about anything.</span> <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;">(Running related is encouraged. Negative tweets disqualify you entirely. Sorry, I am judge and jury on this.)</span></i><br /><br />That's up to 15 additional entries. 1 per day, per person will be counted. If you @tag me, I'll see it, so no need to notify me on these daily tweets through the comments. <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Sorry, this *bonus* is a twitter only opportunity.</span></i><br /><br />That's it! If you do it right, <b>you can enter the contest 20 times.</b> Wowzers. Good luck everyone. Any questions, let me know.<br /><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;">The entry forms will be mailed to the winners to be filled out and returned to the Oakland Marathon. Postage and a return envelope will be provided to each winner. Travel and hotel expenses will not be provided to or from the event. The entries can be transferred PRIOR to filling out the entry form. Once the form has been mailed to the Oakland Running Festival, all information is final. Entries must be filled out and received by the Oakland Marathon prior to 1/15/2012.</span></i></div></div><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" url="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/12/win-entry-to-oakland-running-festival.html" text="Win an entry to @OaklandMarathon (3/25/12) " count="horizontal" via="PavementRunner">Tweet</a><script type="text/javascript" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br /><br /><script>function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}</script><style> html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?6:26981) no-repeat top left; }</style><div style="text-align: left;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()">Share on Facebook</a></div>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-87569776659257589182011-11-29T07:00:00.000-08:002011-11-30T23:12:27.610-08:00A Turkey Decision, Recap and PR<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAsqcx0LFnhGjABF3Gu3bva5vg-nwYaWonzxyEyXt4W_87wWgOuEqN4e9YLDdB34SgdntYJ3D_Vm3rgU00OpnqUf0Oex3U5G4yNuGJJ1Ye5_SGNuyxKUhP7EHBx3nUwwYjxJnNHHWJpxCv/s1600/start.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAsqcx0LFnhGjABF3Gu3bva5vg-nwYaWonzxyEyXt4W_87wWgOuEqN4e9YLDdB34SgdntYJ3D_Vm3rgU00OpnqUf0Oex3U5G4yNuGJJ1Ye5_SGNuyxKUhP7EHBx3nUwwYjxJnNHHWJpxCv/s400/start.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680474031440344930" /></a><br />I recently made one of the best decisions of my running career. It may be a simple one, but at the same time one I'm ashamed to admit that took a bit longer than it should have to pull the trigger.<br /><br />This year I decided to do a local turkey trot in Walnut Creek (Ca). It's a small 5k/10k that benefits local education. Which is great. I've done it once in the past and enjoyed it. I've only run a couple 10ks so it isn't a distance I typically do. That last time I ran a 10k I pushed myself to a 51 min. finish, which at the time was challenging. I'm trained for long distances, not fast paces over smaller distances.<br /><br />The decision was this:<div><br /><ol><li>Register for the 10k and see if my recent increase in pace allows me to push myself even further for a faster time.</li><li>Walk the 5k with my mom who has been walking a lot over the past year and is getting excited about improving her health/pace.</li></ol><br />Seems like an obvious choice, especially on Thanksgiving. But being competitive with myself and always trying to improve my time over any distance made me think, shamefully, longer than I should have.<br /><br />I thought about it for a couple days, already knowing which was the right decision to make. But that little devil on my shoulder kept whispering: <i>"Your mom won't mind if you run the 10k."</i> Which is true, Moms rule that way.<br /><br />Although the devil kept whispering, I didn't let that little red bastard get the better of my judgement and registered my mom and myself to walk the 5k. And I couldn't have been happier.<br /><br />We made our way to the start line decked out in our running gear, my mom wearing her race day tech shirt, which I think may be her first. We started at the back to avoid becoming jammed in a bottleneck on the course and allowed the speedy folks to start ahead of us. We weaved through other walkers, strollers, dogs and even these guys in turkey capes:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkHHcRxaKJm2EZjU2b3GsJ1mZOfgqzQhWx6ln5q_XDAr9xCMPRp6-5j-0qkK-W7AOod9OWDDtYbfsC-r_3w8OHUDyrmwqKFN7PytvGFc8Wh9BBvqdQYMI-O3Ib73zG7tP_XJpmgEAaNEc/s1600/capes.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkHHcRxaKJm2EZjU2b3GsJ1mZOfgqzQhWx6ln5q_XDAr9xCMPRp6-5j-0qkK-W7AOod9OWDDtYbfsC-r_3w8OHUDyrmwqKFN7PytvGFc8Wh9BBvqdQYMI-O3Ib73zG7tP_XJpmgEAaNEc/s400/capes.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680474077571851922" /></a><br />My mom has become pretty fast at the walk. I definitely felt the burn in my calves. Funny, right? But I'm built for running, not speed walking. Different muscles are emphasized.<br /><br />We walked and talked and grabbed a couple photos together. Laughed at some folks taking short cuts over the sidewalks, easily shaving .1 off the course. <i>Disqualified.</i> We talked about running watches and how my mom could start incorporating some running into her 3 mile walks. I was pretty proud. Yep, son was watching his mom start to get the race bug. This was her third 5k and now that she is seeing the differences in events, starting to discover what she likes and doesn't like.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPX1EvkTBpUzvqfmpRz0BCsQ8ega5v79jvvKQT2GfFtBwgUBSyKbeuWDLwl_oSWCZMg_MBD0ZabHkITctznfC7NMgMa_OkhiLSrGF7HnvuQxHMvwBIrHjti81m5ABmSoQouw0Jm2saslJX/s1600/mom.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPX1EvkTBpUzvqfmpRz0BCsQ8ega5v79jvvKQT2GfFtBwgUBSyKbeuWDLwl_oSWCZMg_MBD0ZabHkITctznfC7NMgMa_OkhiLSrGF7HnvuQxHMvwBIrHjti81m5ABmSoQouw0Jm2saslJX/s400/mom.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680474132508475282" /></a><br />It was a great way to start Thanksgiving Day and I'm glad that I decided to spend some extra time with my mom. She has done so much for me and I was happy to experience the event with her. I would make that decision 10 out of the next 10 times. <i>Oh ya, and since this was my first 5k, I set a PR! </i><br /><br />Thanks mom for a wonderful day and kicking my butt on the 5k. You go girl!<br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-count="horizontal" data-via="PavementRunner, OaklandMarathon">Tweet</a><script type="text/javascript" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br /><br /></div><script>function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}</script><style> html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?6:26981) no-repeat top left; }</style><div style="text-align: left;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()">Share on Facebook</a></div>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-46901066847572029772011-11-28T10:02:00.000-08:002011-11-28T10:21:02.361-08:00A photographic runWith my this weekend's run, I decided to have some fun and photograph my journey. Sure that meant taking a 1-2 minute break mid-run to dig out my phone, snap a photo, tweet it, then resume running, but my I was willing to make that sacrifice for the sake of twitter-dom.<br /><br />And I haven't run over 13.1 miles since February, so striving for 16 was going to be a journey on it's own.<br /><br />I used a hash for those that wanted to follow along, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23Sunday16" target="new">#Sunday16</a>, but I also want to share with my non-twitter readers or those that may have missed it. Here we go. Text below the photo's is what I Tweeted out with the photo.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQh3LFuI46QCFoICnXBMwhAzZUaSmTfoRePEUTdvpdqzPGcEiavA4XrxadsM6O-DdYTYJAK_wvtMvTnJy-2r07vU5Zjw_DtVfKUf6cC-9BrLURpP5UJ1Pcz2qgH7t3zF4Hih-ATGkrntE/s1600/shoes.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQh3LFuI46QCFoICnXBMwhAzZUaSmTfoRePEUTdvpdqzPGcEiavA4XrxadsM6O-DdYTYJAK_wvtMvTnJy-2r07vU5Zjw_DtVfKUf6cC-9BrLURpP5UJ1Pcz2qgH7t3zF4Hih-ATGkrntE/s1600/shoes.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQh3LFuI46QCFoICnXBMwhAzZUaSmTfoRePEUTdvpdqzPGcEiavA4XrxadsM6O-DdYTYJAK_wvtMvTnJy-2r07vU5Zjw_DtVfKUf6cC-9BrLURpP5UJ1Pcz2qgH7t3zF4Hih-ATGkrntE/s400/shoes.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680109733265405074" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">"If I sit by his running shoes, then he has to take me, right?"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikR70A6b7NWOxucj2g2Dzv9FYxV7Zb9W6nJRK7cO7aVMviRJ6Ap1YTK32hE8O-CR-uMHixyQOz9eGYdtbzIaTfzjOGqVm5-N5neC7qEpcZRzcRS1p4dpyPe5NuziXgbd63K5h0TeVlxQKk/s1600/mika.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikR70A6b7NWOxucj2g2Dzv9FYxV7Zb9W6nJRK7cO7aVMviRJ6Ap1YTK32hE8O-CR-uMHixyQOz9eGYdtbzIaTfzjOGqVm5-N5neC7qEpcZRzcRS1p4dpyPe5NuziXgbd63K5h0TeVlxQKk/s400/mika.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680109675333918514" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Couldn't resist the pup's face, so I took her for 3 miles, dropped her off, heading for remaining 13</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oB-3etS_ZbgnZGWyE_FwmsSLGycWAhjppXQzglq_If0zrWCF3OhT0Q9UDOZ2TIa9_DN3N4BnkHfzA5pliw70cVQWrijhxXPZJByaHNDsWTIctQ_d0M3iUpRO449sGPiBkUlCGqaaulbG/s1600/hill2.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oB-3etS_ZbgnZGWyE_FwmsSLGycWAhjppXQzglq_If0zrWCF3OhT0Q9UDOZ2TIa9_DN3N4BnkHfzA5pliw70cVQWrijhxXPZJByaHNDsWTIctQ_d0M3iUpRO449sGPiBkUlCGqaaulbG/s400/hill2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680109613500036034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I always see this hill, parallel to my normal route. Today I'll go up it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjXdss_nvelQkCPbZt7W_KaAYeNKqM72IM5Ni0C93hcZXIUIKIXMBvhF5aO6vCPxZK-jQk3LncCA8nT4SC4Hv1zWfdLLzrnhtmI04jIfNSHZ6Hn06o0LGDoJVlOenSTLvBdgauLkBpHJD/s1600/mail.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjXdss_nvelQkCPbZt7W_KaAYeNKqM72IM5Ni0C93hcZXIUIKIXMBvhF5aO6vCPxZK-jQk3LncCA8nT4SC4Hv1zWfdLLzrnhtmI04jIfNSHZ6Hn06o0LGDoJVlOenSTLvBdgauLkBpHJD/s400/mail.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680109402732496898" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Mailbox! How long will we still be using these? Timeless? Something to think about over the next few miles.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZBXJm44P6IlfYU54iv9wj9iFyBnpZJ9dk_LZj3rg_lIWaXlo_6pCa47P79Q5U68Um4EyflrZRAyZ679d6eGdZZHTFUoc1KxCawf6FU3GgSrXM9RDOAMVbioy5Q3nDSg8n75D_va0Sv-Z/s1600/rose.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZBXJm44P6IlfYU54iv9wj9iFyBnpZJ9dk_LZj3rg_lIWaXlo_6pCa47P79Q5U68Um4EyflrZRAyZ679d6eGdZZHTFUoc1KxCawf6FU3GgSrXM9RDOAMVbioy5Q3nDSg8n75D_va0Sv-Z/s400/rose.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680109345836433730" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Where I married my wife a little over 6 years ago. Heather Farms Rose Garden, Walnut Creek.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMO5tUK3Ch-bIr52NIBZ0pvIEgqFBOt6FUrGkNaU2nbkNRkpZM-k128Vh2VXKDhiLmBxdADCe4_fh4wPTRGLPrz8VeVruM_k9kh0dys4bxs0XItz1AyfOMNpW-gLoptYcfEBf9UEDQ9Mzc/s1600/gobble2.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMO5tUK3Ch-bIr52NIBZ0pvIEgqFBOt6FUrGkNaU2nbkNRkpZM-k128Vh2VXKDhiLmBxdADCe4_fh4wPTRGLPrz8VeVruM_k9kh0dys4bxs0XItz1AyfOMNpW-gLoptYcfEBf9UEDQ9Mzc/s400/gobble2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680109251855723890" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Still Thanksgiving on my run. 11.38 miles, home stretch. Gobble Gobble.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnyGbKq2lbmPWlrr29x1YpuiED6HNcwngA9LZ-CWuCSR4JVTD9Yx4ns3GcjUZLU328dzGmZP8_w9_NAmK3SBUgXIMf4s3rrtOhqM2MthldoK8p6_xGRk3Jq87O93U8oT8YRGDzhig-s6-/s1600/ygnacio.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnyGbKq2lbmPWlrr29x1YpuiED6HNcwngA9LZ-CWuCSR4JVTD9Yx4ns3GcjUZLU328dzGmZP8_w9_NAmK3SBUgXIMf4s3rrtOhqM2MthldoK8p6_xGRk3Jq87O93U8oT8YRGDzhig-s6-/s400/ygnacio.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680109079562968418" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Up the hill. Pay attention WC Half Marathoners, this is your future. It goes higher after the bend.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPJW1i4-XXoCbyRPEaX0siRAXsKN8V1dCIaN_Q_JBLXF_xEaBz4Ny4GwHiPoLDBBWVyoPkPWjzyiqFPA8dNT8xb5CluTQ7Lj09Es5HBHRoV47MzvhZv_fIy4fpvIIiMlmk1qP78mRea-Z/s1600/stop.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPJW1i4-XXoCbyRPEaX0siRAXsKN8V1dCIaN_Q_JBLXF_xEaBz4Ny4GwHiPoLDBBWVyoPkPWjzyiqFPA8dNT8xb5CluTQ7Lj09Es5HBHRoV47MzvhZv_fIy4fpvIIiMlmk1qP78mRea-Z/s400/stop.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680108998136580610" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes you have to listen to the signs and your body. 15.5 miles and done. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There is my photo journey. I fell short, which gives a little humor to my #Sunday16 hashtag, but it was too late to change it to #Sunday15.5 — which looks funny, so forget it. Thank you to everyone that responded along the way. I definitely recommend giving this a try on your next run. Most cell phones have cameras, so it's an easy point and shoot. I found myself looking around a lot more as I ran.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-count="horizontal" data-via="PavementRunner">Tweet</a><script type="text/javascript" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br /><br /></div><script>function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}</script><style> html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?6:26981) no-repeat top left; }</style><div style="text-align: left;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()">Share on Facebook</a></div></div><br /></div>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-85745379603392590322011-11-25T09:42:00.000-08:002011-11-25T09:55:18.077-08:00All black everythingIn honor, <i>or perhaps protest,</i> of black Friday, I'm going to write about something that has nothing to do with black Friday. So for poops and giggles, here are all the black running items in my closet:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7nYzLSbSEgShfWq2V28DG3L2TxwCEKmaFZbsVoGRB2qoQ1tW4642zYpFgkEFs6K0GQde4jmh-zkUF9uXGC-_tVMGY3N357WLZC0EX4iiqD686O6GT-g4mCgZjni8mpIBgbuI9YtWVKps/s1600/pants.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7nYzLSbSEgShfWq2V28DG3L2TxwCEKmaFZbsVoGRB2qoQ1tW4642zYpFgkEFs6K0GQde4jmh-zkUF9uXGC-_tVMGY3N357WLZC0EX4iiqD686O6GT-g4mCgZjni8mpIBgbuI9YtWVKps/s400/pants.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678990876394120514" /></a><br /><b>Adidas 3-stripe pants</b><br />These are my favorite running pants in the world, better yet, universe. I have 2 pairs, the one shown and a gray pair with orange stripes. They fit well, are light and keep me warm. They also have zippers on the pockets that come in handy when holding shenanigans. The also have reflective piping towards the bottom and slight ventilation as well.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_V6-QvfpL95X7xa1ICpVtibuojVPyXgVTe6nXgoP0pumz9-xDq-2Qx0Y955ufWNcJh2I32j6bsC56Iof3agM9CzIkuRkhxB1ucyYu0j5X6oEauYnTy_e-GEGDmrvamubwjUEzt9PIRuN/s1600/bruce.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_V6-QvfpL95X7xa1ICpVtibuojVPyXgVTe6nXgoP0pumz9-xDq-2Qx0Y955ufWNcJh2I32j6bsC56Iof3agM9CzIkuRkhxB1ucyYu0j5X6oEauYnTy_e-GEGDmrvamubwjUEzt9PIRuN/s400/bruce.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678991244232629714" /></a><br /><b>Adidas 3-stripe 1/4 zip Bruce Lee 'thingy'</b><br />This is also one of my favorite running tops (not a jacket, not a t-shirt, a 'thingy') in the fall/winter. It totally gets me in ass-kicking mode, Bruce Lee style. Mid-run, I've been known to confront the Korean underworld gangs, fight my way up the levels of a pagoda and kick a seven-foot basketball player in the face. It happens — like I said, one of my favorite tops. (the colors are inverted, but let me have my childhood moment)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSnCLSqcrMYdOQltkX-f_Mepq0-HNrL99Sc7NDocUd720jTvV_ftgGW8vDoIKY8wDQlQbv_UAYXsn51p8-n__hdK6qWpIvVPqSWX5Azx_ZNsZn8117iZfCXC1n4W8pgzWZtt1YxyKYQGy/s1600/champ.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSnCLSqcrMYdOQltkX-f_Mepq0-HNrL99Sc7NDocUd720jTvV_ftgGW8vDoIKY8wDQlQbv_UAYXsn51p8-n__hdK6qWpIvVPqSWX5Azx_ZNsZn8117iZfCXC1n4W8pgzWZtt1YxyKYQGy/s400/champ.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678990971402986002" /></a><br /><b>Champion running shorts</b><br />Clearly Adidas makes super-duper running clothes, but not everything has to be three-stripe gear. Here are a pair of cost-friendly running shorts by Champion. They have reflective piping, light weight and comfortable. Draw string keeps them comfortable and they are (for me) a proper length since I don't rock the 70s jogging shorts. Not pretty.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOj7fwYoAmOamlzdJGw829NBdItEgoQFV2Te7i-9DZOd2DlW8zaRU0zZqrsb0Bl1BWcScs0EHSnuM7qFZ4FPGkl7seH_fKQ0zjyW_4sgJr6YmhJl38S97-y7Z9EDKMJXTCyKmJL8-9hiA/s1600/socks.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOj7fwYoAmOamlzdJGw829NBdItEgoQFV2Te7i-9DZOd2DlW8zaRU0zZqrsb0Bl1BWcScs0EHSnuM7qFZ4FPGkl7seH_fKQ0zjyW_4sgJr6YmhJl38S97-y7Z9EDKMJXTCyKmJL8-9hiA/s400/socks.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678991063627416722" /></a><br /><b>Asics running socks</b><br />My feet are sponsored by Asics. Well, they are sponsored by my paychecks, but they prefer Asics. I have been wearing Asics Kayano's since 2006 and is the only shoe I run long distances in. But those are typically white, so screw them. However, my socks are ALWAYS black Asics socks. I've bounced across a couple styles, but they are always black, low cut Asics. These are hydro.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMuXlp6pLf-xmaTC-zSGvs2ufL0S09nkS8P-27Wuct8Nsl31CpITgqyxGiwp27l_SWmG3SeFsynKTC2Pqn3uSCiZoi39odqrO5Qjt3BZqzwALxVgXRJWnIXMw5ywIsvgY0wWnIBRWi7jT/s1600/group.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMuXlp6pLf-xmaTC-zSGvs2ufL0S09nkS8P-27Wuct8Nsl31CpITgqyxGiwp27l_SWmG3SeFsynKTC2Pqn3uSCiZoi39odqrO5Qjt3BZqzwALxVgXRJWnIXMw5ywIsvgY0wWnIBRWi7jT/s400/group.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678991155800200466" /></a><br /><b>Road Runner visor, Nike arm sleeves, Nike gloves</b><div><b><br /></b><b>Visor:</b> I purchased the visor after seeing them popular in the ultra community. It made perfect sense. When wearing a hat, at some point in the race my head became too warm. Perfect solution: a convertible hat for my head.<br /><br /><b>Arm Sleeves:</b> I like these because they are made of dri-fit material. They breathe really well and keep me warm. Perfect for the beginning of races and if it becomes too warm, they easily roll down or fit nicely into your pocket. Definitely not bulky, but effective. Downside? The upper arm is too tight. If I flex, it is uncomfortably snug. Luckily I don't make bodybuilder poses mid-race.<br /><br /><b>Gloves:</b> these rock. I have 2 pairs, both Nike. The ones shown are lighter and all dri-fit material with reflective swoosh. My other pair has a bit more warmth to them, which can help. Not too heavy, but more in comparison. It also has a terry cloth thumb and outer, inner-hand section for wiping sweat. Important especially if it's misty and you have a mustache. Sorry ladies, well some ladies, but that was a boy perk.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_fazwGSpZq5QUcpjptgC5iRupDbAo3tkAMA06xWY2Vp3WNRDMzkHU4XpBUnCdUSMke4dAsDo5rTUCVYzm7l0Ws4z01jkA4Ozxn3PW06-i-yMZjAx2bKxYdHN7lVn4zQmabjahRdu3Niy/s1600/trot.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_fazwGSpZq5QUcpjptgC5iRupDbAo3tkAMA06xWY2Vp3WNRDMzkHU4XpBUnCdUSMke4dAsDo5rTUCVYzm7l0Ws4z01jkA4Ozxn3PW06-i-yMZjAx2bKxYdHN7lVn4zQmabjahRdu3Niy/s400/trot.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678990778134615666" /></a><br /><b>Finisher shirts</b><br />I have two black finisher shirts. One is a RNRSJ shirt which I wear often and the second I just received from yesterday's Walnut Creek Turkey Trot. It has a fat turkey on the front wearing a race bib and running shoes. Silly turkey.<br /><br />There you are. That's a peek into my running closet, your black Friday is complete.<br /><br />Any of you have these also in your closet? I was surprised at the lack of black running gear I have, but I guess brighter colors benefit us in the morning or at night. <br /><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" count="horizontal" via="@PavementRunner">Tweet</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br /><br /><script>function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}</script><style> html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?6:26981) no-repeat top left; }</style><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()">Share on Facebook</a></div>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-25071107658259432882011-11-22T07:15:00.001-08:002011-11-22T07:25:26.396-08:00Last Chance to OrderFirst off, I want to thank all of you for putting up with my tweets and Facebook posts about these<a href="http://pavementrunner.bigcartel.com/" target="new"> shirts.</a> I've had a lot of orders, which is fantastic. To be honest, I'm just real excited about making running shirts. I'm a graphic and web designer, so excuse the inner nerd.<div><br /></div><div><b>Note: </b><i>If you would like a cotton version, please let me know. They are not available on the store, but I can order you one for $15 (regular or v-neck).</i><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1OzzXrxkmfRT5H65U_BAPV8rAKYJbq9lHwjE6I5jbPh7tRpkfaog5B6VXkSaN377dowsp6T9berbtAATpUNYtJMoi4HcgC1rWB1naVf-sE0WmW-fqxk0p5AD585NRSyZBDGSZiZjel7B/s1600/runner_wmns.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 383px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1OzzXrxkmfRT5H65U_BAPV8rAKYJbq9lHwjE6I5jbPh7tRpkfaog5B6VXkSaN377dowsp6T9berbtAATpUNYtJMoi4HcgC1rWB1naVf-sE0WmW-fqxk0p5AD585NRSyZBDGSZiZjel7B/s400/runner_wmns.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677839409376580498" /></a><br />Online store: <a href="http://pavementrunner.bigcartel.com/" target="new">http://pavementrunner.bigcartel.com/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Because I'm ordering these in bulk it benefits me to obviously have more orders, hence the frequent promotion. If I can get 20+ orders, then I should be able to keep the cost around $20 each. Not bad.<br /><br /><i>If you are wondering, they are costing me about $17 each, so I'm not in this for the profit, but for the thrill of making something for me (and us) to run in.</i><br /><br /><b>For future shirts, here is my plan:</b><br /><br /><ul><li>I'll design a unique running shirt every 2-3 months</li><li>I'll take pre-orders during that time frame to (hopefully) get a decent quantity, keeping the price low.</li><li>If I can consistently get 20+ orders, then I can afford to do this. If it looks like the demand is low, then the order might be cancelled and refunds issued.</li><li><i>Luckily with these two, we came pretty close to what we needed. I'm also giving some out to friends as Xmas presents (and maybe a couple runner bloggers out there).</i></li></ul>This seems to be the easiest way to help help keep the cost down and allow me to make one giant order and distribute after. If we had to print one at a time when ordered, these would be $30 shirts, and that ain't gonna happen.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsUYjfPw6eWB8KzjwBaiCnC40V27wg2VWxd3o-G8k_8NeXe4t55FOUNDnBJXbkBgUkHJS6Rr-6jhMyGHkaQK3xjxMLrUGNoAUzjfaXr8UvDNfPKceFdrv4Wq7iOPQffCP_rypFlNmRtyT/s1600/ldr_men.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 380px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsUYjfPw6eWB8KzjwBaiCnC40V27wg2VWxd3o-G8k_8NeXe4t55FOUNDnBJXbkBgUkHJS6Rr-6jhMyGHkaQK3xjxMLrUGNoAUzjfaXr8UvDNfPKceFdrv4Wq7iOPQffCP_rypFlNmRtyT/s400/ldr_men.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677840179151489858" /></a><br /></div><div>That also means, this is your last chance to get these two designs. <b>I'll end the sale Wednesday (11/23) morning,</b> so I'll only print what has been ordered. It takes 2 weeks to print, which gives me a week to ship them to you, arriving just in time for the holidays.<br /><br />Thanks again and I'll definitely plan on posting some photos of you awesome runners rocking the shirts. Thanks again.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is the link to go shopping: <a href="http://pavementrunner.bigcartel.com/" target="new">http://pavementrunner.bigcartel.com/</a></div><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" count="horizontal" via="@PavementRunner">Tweet</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br /><br /><script>function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}</script><style> html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?6:26981) no-repeat top left; }</style><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()">Share on Facebook</a></div>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-55042330613434895282011-11-11T18:19:00.000-08:002011-11-11T18:59:22.787-08:00Pavement Runner Shirts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw03MlbKToqKjjbcyO9gR8fi8AwVAmJnQS2h-lzlKOnrGvirfGK3JQ0YUplemHlpDTGodMqKg1bhBM7NbxGtyXKateIssHywCVlaCzQJi16AjrYvBNCbS5eM3ABK27Aaru2XODhvdmWYdS/s1600/runner.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 387px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw03MlbKToqKjjbcyO9gR8fi8AwVAmJnQS2h-lzlKOnrGvirfGK3JQ0YUplemHlpDTGodMqKg1bhBM7NbxGtyXKateIssHywCVlaCzQJi16AjrYvBNCbS5eM3ABK27Aaru2XODhvdmWYdS/s400/runner.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673933748894797890" /></a><br />What do runner's need? Running shirts, of course. As if your closet wasn't full enough with finisher shirts and training shirts, here is another one to add.<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://pavementrunner.bigcartel.com/" target="new">http://pavementrunner.bigcartel.com/</a><br /><div><div><br /></div><div>I've designed a couple shirts that runners, more specifically, twitter users will enjoy. They use hashtags which are common in twitter-verse.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Definition:</b> <i>The # symbol, called a hashtag, is used to mark keywords or topics in a Tweet. It was created organically by Twitter users as a way to categorize messages.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlFK0g8xnZGin7EGk3kcQ9v9eujwnceXt7G3ehT5YfutJjlEiLoGz2YNT3Czt7DnKQKritjsye8A0dlkyRYOBVmHEJk7TdisZjPh5ehJvy13tJXGiC2HeakEg1HjSMuDxQI4OfsrCdVwh/s1600/runner_wmns.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 383px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlFK0g8xnZGin7EGk3kcQ9v9eujwnceXt7G3ehT5YfutJjlEiLoGz2YNT3Czt7DnKQKritjsye8A0dlkyRYOBVmHEJk7TdisZjPh5ehJvy13tJXGiC2HeakEg1HjSMuDxQI4OfsrCdVwh/s400/runner_wmns.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673933867174520514" /></a><br /></div><div>As runners, we use several hashtags daily on twitter, so why not use one on our shirts? "Runner." It says so much about who we are and what we do. We have our own community and speak our own language. How many times are we introduced using that noun. "This is Brian, he's a runner." Which usually results in a conversation about how crazy we are. Guilty as charged.</div><div><br /></div><div>So here are my two shirt designs and my store. <a href="http://pavementrunner.bigcartel.com/" target="new">Click here.</a> It currently just has the 2 shirts in men's and women's sizes, and in black, red and navy with white lettering. </div><div><br /></div><div>The shirts can be ordered and paid for, but will not be shipped until early December, just in time to arrive at your house for the holidays. Since this is a new venture for me, I'm gauging the feedback for the next month. I anticipate taking orders for 30 days at a time initially and shipping all shirts once a month. <i>More designs to come later.</i> The shirts will be printed by <a href="http://www.customink.com/" target="new">Custom Ink</a> which is the same company I used to print our relay shirts the past two times. They make a great product that lasts and their customer service is second to none.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAjiQiT4ZcpBphFYK_mkoR4Egf72d7XaZiGqttZh_do0MKwS-hhfO94_gztJYH8Log27MNK5T5PuhCCYIejl4MT6ax-kYYydK9V5hQt_36ErqKzU8aCGZFZhCLQMKAScOgX6olpIyGEMU/s1600/ldr_w.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 383px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAjiQiT4ZcpBphFYK_mkoR4Egf72d7XaZiGqttZh_do0MKwS-hhfO94_gztJYH8Log27MNK5T5PuhCCYIejl4MT6ax-kYYydK9V5hQt_36ErqKzU8aCGZFZhCLQMKAScOgX6olpIyGEMU/s400/ldr_w.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673934081562849842" /></a><br />And <b>#running …a long-distance relationship</b> — how cool is that?</div><div><br /></div><div>If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at <a href="mailto:pavementrunner@gmail.com">pavementrunner@gmail.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy, feedback greatly appreciated. Thanks.<br /><div><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" count="horizontal" via="@PavementRunner">Tweet</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br /><br /><script>function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}</script><style> html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?6:26981) no-repeat top left; }</style><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()">Share on Facebook</a><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-65504733637746149522011-11-10T08:43:00.001-08:002011-11-10T23:04:55.635-08:00US Half - a photo recapHere are some photos from the US Half last weekend (11/6). Enjoy!<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilG4DIaIzObH01-l8sBPfXEuWlLZIpsmcK6QL5OA3yjH8zEXb8Ln8DXXmB6KfEYyN0scFIZOsLoHkELq3094THpgH_d2IkdKudMzDDX-Q5b_LH5mvNrXsrv254LxBvQSj2OQu3JJNjsBP_/s1600/photo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 383px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilG4DIaIzObH01-l8sBPfXEuWlLZIpsmcK6QL5OA3yjH8zEXb8Ln8DXXmB6KfEYyN0scFIZOsLoHkELq3094THpgH_d2IkdKudMzDDX-Q5b_LH5mvNrXsrv254LxBvQSj2OQu3JJNjsBP_/s400/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673409004194033874" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Me at the finish line! (Sorry, start with the good one, right?)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuu9HtddiHoA4ooiDNodB3dYFCuXq6qySpDW2cX3xrmSvFUkg6KkWpWYSjrfSUpBQZ6pCR2OU0AYmVkK7uN-PCb6krXFW9knjbO2wstPfAX1dMcC3Du_B8ak1mH8jgWd7VWbwCEfRptACg/s1600/startline.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuu9HtddiHoA4ooiDNodB3dYFCuXq6qySpDW2cX3xrmSvFUkg6KkWpWYSjrfSUpBQZ6pCR2OU0AYmVkK7uN-PCb6krXFW9knjbO2wstPfAX1dMcC3Du_B8ak1mH8jgWd7VWbwCEfRptACg/s400/startline.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673625210785510450" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ok, now we'll go chronologically… The start line (taken by FB friend Claudia)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyTh2Bb0EaSBsZE2XbEtzbu-KQVnnn93aCW4Rqa9d3LVLl1RBPazXxK7d0_lVHzzcpQIiQ0IlU7DZ2AfWc8NELeOQeBwmxrCR2KMq4XdgTHW1xN6flqKjrSl3YixqZ8WXCefcaVWPylLU/s1600/bridge.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 382px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyTh2Bb0EaSBsZE2XbEtzbu-KQVnnn93aCW4Rqa9d3LVLl1RBPazXxK7d0_lVHzzcpQIiQ0IlU7DZ2AfWc8NELeOQeBwmxrCR2KMq4XdgTHW1xN6flqKjrSl3YixqZ8WXCefcaVWPylLU/s400/bridge.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673626009654845426" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The back (of the out and back) on the Golden Gate Bridge, somewhere between mile 8 and 9 …apparently there is a plane above me, what else would I be pointing at?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydtxxbzMnQS1Ed0RRvhWctf2hTfoSakLEd0CaOB_HupwndoemlZnOLMntPOBPqBgQs8SdGs6wbYgrC5axwaDK2ntrmeQdRJUSWKMwbT2bszAAXaar1z7jwZBnM_Jn4o7olA_8CoHHQih3/s1600/ggb.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 382px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydtxxbzMnQS1Ed0RRvhWctf2hTfoSakLEd0CaOB_HupwndoemlZnOLMntPOBPqBgQs8SdGs6wbYgrC5axwaDK2ntrmeQdRJUSWKMwbT2bszAAXaar1z7jwZBnM_Jn4o7olA_8CoHHQih3/s400/ggb.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673626939255910162" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Coming off of the bridge, around mile 10 …that plane must be following me, I'm pointing at it again! Still have the arm sleeves on.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0i0pCDU8F7qEtBBpvVho5w7aNsUp_G3u9nI6lf5IYP-eRjaXYj_O22BKLxAUf631opkJ23jqv5LjF7DkOCEnvU5cWPUfrqC7ugQtq9rEtG1P2TCmRxolRTbPGAequ7YBJehji6mFAwJ0j/s1600/finish.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 383px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0i0pCDU8F7qEtBBpvVho5w7aNsUp_G3u9nI6lf5IYP-eRjaXYj_O22BKLxAUf631opkJ23jqv5LjF7DkOCEnvU5cWPUfrqC7ugQtq9rEtG1P2TCmRxolRTbPGAequ7YBJehji6mFAwJ0j/s400/finish.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673627643073196114" /></a>The look of relief crossing the finish line. Shaved off almost a minute and a half off my half marathon time. Sleeves have been rolled down. Think that happened around mile 12-13.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIa-vzshlWZi1YZppWw6W9dPIPk5u00f7ta1Bac-TeZht0pszcJ6ccdHfxir_xau_U3onk9m3PxzuI3n6A3vsDK7blMATjMezCVyx7j18vrIIbUOdgCfZptOAbDuaqL7T-2qZugH0-oLC/s1600/me.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIa-vzshlWZi1YZppWw6W9dPIPk5u00f7ta1Bac-TeZht0pszcJ6ccdHfxir_xau_U3onk9m3PxzuI3n6A3vsDK7blMATjMezCVyx7j18vrIIbUOdgCfZptOAbDuaqL7T-2qZugH0-oLC/s400/me.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673628340427405986" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Me, post race with my earth friendly re-usable water bottle. Think of all the plastic water bottles not being used and not being thrown away. Nice job Project Sport. (photo taken again, by Claudia)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KEhZyG-sO9ny7HJjXTaiwaTVKnRbg6GVw1pO87ahLhN-OC2kVKu5l9tt7aij8k6St68MxL1uffLCQGuZ-bGtxMEcBhGdS5ZH7JX0Y69FUkDV72jwIQm8dsa4efciM1NHEnqAHgaCWNoG/s1600/bk_cc.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KEhZyG-sO9ny7HJjXTaiwaTVKnRbg6GVw1pO87ahLhN-OC2kVKu5l9tt7aij8k6St68MxL1uffLCQGuZ-bGtxMEcBhGdS5ZH7JX0Y69FUkDV72jwIQm8dsa4efciM1NHEnqAHgaCWNoG/s400/bk_cc.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673628561855832690" /></a>And finally, Claudia and I… finish line behind us.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGgazQ3esdwR0pADkAg61Tf99JzyOAI96sRsjRw5FPzUMkc8YFACa-ktV-LkjCDqDQMkMNaVVZ8xjrmOh-bihzTzhtTg9RJOOI-PNDEippoaWCYZtlEjd7t9yXmMnX7ZjECUGXE_z9sEI/s1600/postrace.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGgazQ3esdwR0pADkAg61Tf99JzyOAI96sRsjRw5FPzUMkc8YFACa-ktV-LkjCDqDQMkMNaVVZ8xjrmOh-bihzTzhtTg9RJOOI-PNDEippoaWCYZtlEjd7t9yXmMnX7ZjECUGXE_z9sEI/s400/postrace.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673629110804023730" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Blogger reader and FB friend, Niko and I, post race.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij18AKWTalDFHI2HGZLfjvQZTj7l4Shqx4-AVUib5YmjLzuOvSTmJR2YMy2Zik9Ny8gmShIQm3h7jS55D198MrPnCyhuwYEEb5OPliQl2_Eh7915tdaSy7iHAcR2mB5VGDTNLwIAG39WWy/s1600/group.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 383px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij18AKWTalDFHI2HGZLfjvQZTj7l4Shqx4-AVUib5YmjLzuOvSTmJR2YMy2Zik9Ny8gmShIQm3h7jS55D198MrPnCyhuwYEEb5OPliQl2_Eh7915tdaSy7iHAcR2mB5VGDTNLwIAG39WWy/s400/group.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673629774385991794" /></a>Ana, Claudia and I with a group photo. As you can see, we don't have finisher medals due to an error with the company making them. Apparently they shipped April 2012's medals… oops. But it's okay, we all ran strong races and look happy! That's what counts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">* * * * * *</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks to everyone that wished congratulations on Twitter and Facebook… it was a tough race, but that makes the PR that much sweeter. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And am I the only one that likes making funny faces, opening their mouth and pointing at planes during photos?</div><div></div><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" count="horizontal" via="@PavementRunner">Tweet</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br /><br /><script>function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}</script><style> html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?6:26981) no-repeat top left; }</style><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()">Share on Facebook</a>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-37803660673067034272011-11-08T08:14:00.000-08:002011-11-08T10:09:46.284-08:00US Half 2012 Recap<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyEV82TVNvbnBanYsbViGL8uOHUMDApBYsU0aocqIuZXVO_4pgATm5Xg3HmDlZNldjk8l3cjrUxk8ylDEk0zyfN1cCU3ZwKTju_NHqTX6RAyofPxWwWmtpemOkZX7Pfcw0VJQJv2xHe13/s1600/248298_10150191934246699_31717516698_7169456_5545740_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 374px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyEV82TVNvbnBanYsbViGL8uOHUMDApBYsU0aocqIuZXVO_4pgATm5Xg3HmDlZNldjk8l3cjrUxk8ylDEk0zyfN1cCU3ZwKTju_NHqTX6RAyofPxWwWmtpemOkZX7Pfcw0VJQJv2xHe13/s400/248298_10150191934246699_31717516698_7169456_5545740_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672684727089903490" /></a><br />Going into races it's always tough to handle expectations. Heading into this race a month after a <a href="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/10/dont-pass-out-dont-puke-do-pr.html" target="new">PR at RNRSJ</a>, I was hoping for a repeat performance. With RNRSJ my first official sub 2 hour finish my legs seem to have realized that they can fly at 9 min. miles for an extended period of time. <i>Bonus. </i><div><br /></div><div>The other leg realization is that they can fly FASTER than 9 min. miles for an extended period for time. Since Oct. 2, I've been running sub 9 min. miles on my training runs. At first I thought it was just a result of being lower mileage (2-5 mile runs). But then I started building mileage back up for race prep. 8 miles at a 8:36 pace. Then an 11 mile run at 8:50 pace. So, of course my brain starts racing <i>(pun totally intended)</i>: "How fast can I go at the <a href="http://ushalf.com/index.php" target="new">US Half Marathon?</a>"</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Let's find out!</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The morning started with the typical rigamarole. Getting up early, packing my race supplies while the pup watches hoping to join me on a run. Sorry Mika, it's just me this time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once I found parking near the start of the race (which can be difficult at any race, more specifically a race in SF), I made my way to the start. A few days before the race, I thought it would be a great idea to organize a <a href="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2011/11/us-half-meet-up.html" target="new">meet-up</a> at the start line. It was late notice, so I was hoping a few people would be able to wish each other luck pre-race.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was able to meet Facebook friends Niko, Brian (and his brother Keith), Claudia and Ana. Also, my training buddy Leo and his fellow running-friend Brian. Unfortunately, we weren't able to all organize for a pre-race photo, but it was great to meet everyone in "real life." I came across another training friend Diana, at Mile 3, we ran together for few seconds and met up post-race as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>As the race started, I planned on going out with a 8:30-9 minute pace. The elevation climb was going to be an issue at staying within that range, but I figured what slowed me down going "up," I could make up going "down." </div><div><br /></div><div>It was extremely congested most of the course, but I tried not to expel too much energy weaving in and out early on. It typically thins out as the race goes along, so I was anticipating that. First three miles were right on pace: 8:55, 8:46, 8:48. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6soYW3SAqVbV4ZVuLCjoLWH3uPxkJeyfPO7CU7R3i07h3_vugFjDUOwEqglNphOVD61LImjrpI8oB3vw8RZVh8up_GDix1HMT9DIMtlL6sPRJEJS1HnQR4yPOEigutvqeRahj0gqZZFww/s1600/elevation.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6soYW3SAqVbV4ZVuLCjoLWH3uPxkJeyfPO7CU7R3i07h3_vugFjDUOwEqglNphOVD61LImjrpI8oB3vw8RZVh8up_GDix1HMT9DIMtlL6sPRJEJS1HnQR4yPOEigutvqeRahj0gqZZFww/s400/elevation.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672681788439973042" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Mile 4 had an incline heading up to the Golden Gate Bridge, 9:52. Miles 5 and 6 fell victim to runner-congestion on the Bridge. Due to construction we were restricted to one side of the bridge (going up and back). This segment seemed to have slowed most people down and trying to pass people on a walkway that fit 3, maybe 4 across posed a challenge in passing runners. Miles 5 and 6, 9:57, 9:12. At this point I thought my hopes for a PR were shot. The bottlenecks along the bridge slowed most runners down to a walk, plus we were about to make a 400 foot climb on the Marin Headlands (photo from mile 7 below) side of the bridge. Mile 7, 10:19</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JqgTelwrZw6gJlxmu3LVPLX2CMkvTejm_jFOPEQcfpyJAYqzNDBfsvol0xSOabL5tUZl1WJGmwF3pgIRM_whuoPPFmEMh9ewwOceZCRWomVGWMRgtLZZ9jPnchkqS60w2q7noJdik_7W/s1600/c4254.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JqgTelwrZw6gJlxmu3LVPLX2CMkvTejm_jFOPEQcfpyJAYqzNDBfsvol0xSOabL5tUZl1WJGmwF3pgIRM_whuoPPFmEMh9ewwOceZCRWomVGWMRgtLZZ9jPnchkqS60w2q7noJdik_7W/s400/c4254.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672681582041172546" /></a><br /></div><div>As I was heading down the climb, I decided to give it more than my all on the way back and hope not to crash and burn at the finish. I knew I could cruise the remainder of the course and come in around 2:05+ comfortably. OR, I could haul ass and try to see if I could PR this bad boy. The downside to the latter was if I burned out before the end, my finish could end up closer to 2:10. <i>Can you guess what option I went with?</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Coming down the mountain, I was able to pick up some time that was quickly lost at a major bottleneck on the bridge. I was slowed to a walk, then to a standstill as runners were funneled into two single lanes (those coming across and those heading back). I could tell based on the faces of other runners, that this was a huge issue. Some tried to make the best of it... the race does not have control over construction, keep that in mind. Mile 8, 9:04.</div><div><br /></div><div>After that, there were some downhill portions that I tried to quickly take advantage of. Mile 9, 8:35, back on pace. Mile 10 and 11, I kicked it into a gear that I haven't seen in some time, 7:27, 8:01.</div><div><br /></div><div>At this point, having home-field advantage, I knew exactly where I was and how far I had to go. Looking at my watch, I figured if I could keep sub-9 min miles, I had a chance. Doing math while running is always fun. <i>"Okay, If I'm at 1 hour 36 minutes and have 2 miles to run at a pace of 9 minutes, carry the one, subtract the 5, x is equal to… look, a dog!" </i></div><div><br /></div><div>Mile 12 was pretty solid, 8:26. Mile 13 had a minor climb (87 feet), quickly followed by a steep decline. The climb took a lot out of me mentally, but I was able to focus and nailed a 8:56. The final .1 miles, I knew I had the PR, it was just a matter of by how much. </div><div><br /></div><div>I finished at 1:58:38, shaving almost a minute and a half off my RNRSJ time for a PR at the half distance. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlPF_hN5ALbeaQH2-7wqPA4mQlylRZeeW07AmItRBEpx4yPWb5ggOz2nkMDD8tiges0LF4CjoJWTYRoNZuxPzuMPuB8P5QEx6Xtwgs_89vKi363d-bJ9zWgjHD2koLOVCXN4AFOlSX_Rk/s1600/laps.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlPF_hN5ALbeaQH2-7wqPA4mQlylRZeeW07AmItRBEpx4yPWb5ggOz2nkMDD8tiges0LF4CjoJWTYRoNZuxPzuMPuB8P5QEx6Xtwgs_89vKi363d-bJ9zWgjHD2koLOVCXN4AFOlSX_Rk/s400/laps.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672681964990047154" /></a><br /></div><div>Looking back, miles 4-7 is where my pace fell apart with the congestion and the incline. Coming off the mountain and back across the bridge, it was much easier to maneuver. Looking at my times, I was able to PR only because of miles 10 and 11. If my ideal pace was around 8:30, I shaved a minute off mile 10 (7:27) and 30 seconds off mile 11 (8:01) and that's the minute and half I PR'd by. No other mile split was lower than 8:30 (mile 12 was 8:26, but ya).</div><div><br /></div><div>After the race, I was able to connect with Claudia and Ana who also ran strong races. This time, we were all about the photos (more to come)! I originally met Claudia a few years ago at this exact race. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZteFDFKtounpMUCelqq7DsXne-ENK4P8ETFniR7tJ6g3jnkTXga9XAZzN7McA72oBTxMgkSkZId_mk6EP35iQOmo-WgPV6JeGWVXpy1M5f9m2cpl9zz2GUOS40P2FPIhegCmty1c0OmUs/s1600/oregon.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZteFDFKtounpMUCelqq7DsXne-ENK4P8ETFniR7tJ6g3jnkTXga9XAZzN7McA72oBTxMgkSkZId_mk6EP35iQOmo-WgPV6JeGWVXpy1M5f9m2cpl9zz2GUOS40P2FPIhegCmty1c0OmUs/s400/oregon.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672684564473909778" /></a><br /></div><div>I also met up with Niko again and snagged a post-race photo.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2R_tQ5nTS6Uo5_GPt_Qn7lZBClJbbUU3pOJ7tU8LAAs8avajBxmoCrZE6dUGPEh10rm1Omt02s6h5aV1Y61Q2cPGeXDTT5_In4IySHonUmv-YXo5sUaUeKvpQHl7ppvb7yziX6JtpYpvW/s1600/postrace.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2R_tQ5nTS6Uo5_GPt_Qn7lZBClJbbUU3pOJ7tU8LAAs8avajBxmoCrZE6dUGPEh10rm1Omt02s6h5aV1Y61Q2cPGeXDTT5_In4IySHonUmv-YXo5sUaUeKvpQHl7ppvb7yziX6JtpYpvW/s400/postrace.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672688680073988546" /></a><br /></div><div>As more photos become available, I'll be sure to share them. I'm sure there are some great ones since it turned out to be such a beautiful day. Thank you to everyone that wish us luck on facebook and twitter. You all rock and inspire!</div><div><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" count="horizontal" via="@PavementRunner">Tweet</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br /><br /><script>function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}</script><style> html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?6:26981) no-repeat top left; }</style><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()">Share on Facebook</a><br /></div>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-30129190132827460202011-11-04T09:13:00.000-07:002011-11-04T09:50:54.546-07:00US Half Meet Up<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbI1d5FhIZ0R0fMo08RwaC-t5EP6RBGuqPwA1j4aV8jkoAsJYJwf6kqS4nOB5nkiZwAqVOsNqQkJJ3C4KFfGVMo2ZJ5JSqI4o41koy9MBtXyrBIVEKj1r5r4X0TCFydMWhnyEwQ3AyZ_qt/s1600/logo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbI1d5FhIZ0R0fMo08RwaC-t5EP6RBGuqPwA1j4aV8jkoAsJYJwf6kqS4nOB5nkiZwAqVOsNqQkJJ3C4KFfGVMo2ZJ5JSqI4o41koy9MBtXyrBIVEKj1r5r4X0TCFydMWhnyEwQ3AyZ_qt/s400/logo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671178446237640642" /></a><br />Hi everyone, this weekend is the <a href="http://www.ushalf.com/" target="new">US Half</a> and what better way to start an amazing race than with a bunch of runners wishing each other luck and giving high-fives?<i> Okay, I'm a fan of the high-five and am hoping it makes a come-back. It's way better than the fist bump and that exploding hand thing, I don't get the explode… did my hand blow up when it collided with yours? Why would I want that?.</i> I digress.<div><br /></div><div>There are several people I know across the social networks (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pavementrunner" target="new">FB</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/pavementrunner" target="new">Twitter</a>) that are running it, so I was hoping we could organize a start line meet up. I know 2 friends coming from Oregon that are planning on meeting up along with 3 others that I train with in San Francisco… I plan on being at the start line around 6 AM (with a race start time of 7 AM.) But, let's plan on meeting here around 6:30.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipijN19gGXm2knYUhrThuSeTw5f9zYZIS3QItpv8yuO-piI8WdZcShF3h2VSwmHsn6UUDz9kkvJrSRPqW4cmvkb03FX00xpFKAyp2PqYJdkTnsIIX5z_OFyDjj9r8YqYCsY0TgAcFN9wMl/s1600/bridge.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipijN19gGXm2knYUhrThuSeTw5f9zYZIS3QItpv8yuO-piI8WdZcShF3h2VSwmHsn6UUDz9kkvJrSRPqW4cmvkb03FX00xpFKAyp2PqYJdkTnsIIX5z_OFyDjj9r8YqYCsY0TgAcFN9wMl/s400/bridge.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671183762785192626" /></a><br /></div><div>The meet up spot is really close to the start line. Here is a better shot so that you can see how close it is. It's about a 30 sec. to 1 min. walk away from the start line. Convenient. I'm hoping that we can grab a group photo… hopefully someone has a camera, if not, we can use my iPhone to grab a snap shot of a bunch of runners about to kick some tail across the Golden Gate Bridge! Yea!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOyYq43-N4EUgoNDmBdVGz3gFsUulYTHXK7GwyzZPAOUWDiOuycd4k6FEgsuX2jLTlFnMnhYms4-UsABbNO2nJrdrPbszHCv_pO1Yhbfe3-rq6UC3mKK2L1EwT3By2BGpAXocAiBD86l-/s1600/wall.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOyYq43-N4EUgoNDmBdVGz3gFsUulYTHXK7GwyzZPAOUWDiOuycd4k6FEgsuX2jLTlFnMnhYms4-UsABbNO2nJrdrPbszHCv_pO1Yhbfe3-rq6UC3mKK2L1EwT3By2BGpAXocAiBD86l-/s400/wall.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671183971765145474" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It's an easily identifiable spot near the start line. It's essentially at the entry way to a couple docks. I'll plan on being there before 6:30, so if you see me, come over and say hi. This is what I'll be wearing (and here are some <a href="http://pavementrunner.blogspot.com/2010/01/look-back-at-2009.html" target="new">photos</a> of what I look like).</div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNc-dpgaihTJymHfm7xYqROeBYnp9MbIg8mN7GMGh2MM7tffZ8AAjK4KvN6B8lZVpVnfZ_a0prLdipC9LOGax7fCxxY5nzkrroQYhyYtX2rFOE_Lx4-28fE15xIrylmZL7kJfb9y7AFwX4/s1600/clothes.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNc-dpgaihTJymHfm7xYqROeBYnp9MbIg8mN7GMGh2MM7tffZ8AAjK4KvN6B8lZVpVnfZ_a0prLdipC9LOGax7fCxxY5nzkrroQYhyYtX2rFOE_Lx4-28fE15xIrylmZL7kJfb9y7AFwX4/s400/clothes.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671176092367601138" /></a><br /></div><div>Hope to see you all out there. This is a challenging course, so any extra good running mojo from fellow runners will always help. Have a great race!</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Feel free to leave a comment if you will be joining us, that way I can keep an eye out for you. Cheers.</i></div><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" count="horizontal" via="@PavementRunner">Tweet</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br /><br /><script>function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}</script><style> html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?6:26981) no-repeat top left; }</style><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()">Share on Facebook</a>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-29122760685590231402011-10-26T16:10:00.000-07:002011-10-26T19:23:54.780-07:00DIY: Medal & Bib HolderFirst things first: I have been looking for a way to display my running medals. I love training for them, earning them and getting them… unfortunately they sit on a shelf for awhile, then eventually get moved into a bag under the stairs. For all my hard work, this seems a rather unfitting resting place. I did a Google search for medal holders, or racks, or some search along this lines and found <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/runningonthewall" target="blank">this.</a> I thought: <i>"What a wonderful solution for not only medals, but race bibs."</i> I hold onto all of my race bibs and they sit in a shoe box. As you can see, I like holding onto things, but display them poorly.<div><br /></div><div>I thought the idea was fairly simple and being a fan of HGTV (yep, I typed that), I figured I would try and make my own. A little DIY project that I thought I might appreciate on a personal level in the long run (pun totally intended). But to be upfront and honest, doing it myself: 1) Cost more than ordering it and 2) took a lot of trial and error to finish. Again, here is the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/runningonthewall">link</a> for my inspiration if you would like to save yourself some time and money.</div><div><br /></div><div>But if you want to get all Tim "The Toolman" Taylor and build one yourself, here is how I made my rendition.</div><div><br /></div><div>I purchased to pre-cut boards from a local craft store that cost me around $14.99/ea.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ51ETJgyoajCoBbcyfDkJOjvphOpJrrZs7a2icphUqEV1TFEpaBSvwqGNBP9QuaDqq9U3UUn6GnkKZSHhsjmm3hTlpEEW3igjBjvH-if9Xdx760LtqGiPzuAtyG89pNoaMnxSHwSQl_h2/s1600/boards.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ51ETJgyoajCoBbcyfDkJOjvphOpJrrZs7a2icphUqEV1TFEpaBSvwqGNBP9QuaDqq9U3UUn6GnkKZSHhsjmm3hTlpEEW3igjBjvH-if9Xdx760LtqGiPzuAtyG89pNoaMnxSHwSQl_h2/s400/boards.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667945097196245122" /></a></div><br />They have embossed edges, which was a nice touch. I then purchased some gray spray paint for $3.99 and covered both sides.<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM98PpBf7hNXQQDXOkFtQef3VkawbeTLYaprsfbwr9Deixq2GoEAkzSZNdlUPoLUt5GnWQAWSpmixRToTLRHjofnEeL8HQnuvhTsiet6oFo7L8DO_jFWo6-6W3V2fzhW6EpHY7Ey-8Q8nQ/s1600/board_running.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM98PpBf7hNXQQDXOkFtQef3VkawbeTLYaprsfbwr9Deixq2GoEAkzSZNdlUPoLUt5GnWQAWSpmixRToTLRHjofnEeL8HQnuvhTsiet6oFo7L8DO_jFWo6-6W3V2fzhW6EpHY7Ey-8Q8nQ/s400/board_running.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667945940005698562" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0oVUc9YJQkPfUhuoealkk211tshyphenhyphenA4ardrGcG06xb54P0ko6i9TGpjJ_MnkVGzy4-1F0QvLrdz_kMcPxDXjHN2aYNWs0pwulJM0OU80roZwFlWWae_FIYWDBTtBjjlVvtskF0M5Le9KW/s1600/board_square.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0oVUc9YJQkPfUhuoealkk211tshyphenhyphenA4ardrGcG06xb54P0ko6i9TGpjJ_MnkVGzy4-1F0QvLrdz_kMcPxDXjHN2aYNWs0pwulJM0OU80roZwFlWWae_FIYWDBTtBjjlVvtskF0M5Le9KW/s400/board_square.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667946054839875346" /></a><br /></div>Once that was done, I purchased some stencils (around $4.99) and planned on using some leftover white paint I already had in the house. I decided to use "RACES" for the bibs, but it could really say anything.<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wH_rhRuJYZCtYsqFcgpLBpj-1UX9hsX2fpACq6QOTOvsDCy-DbjbI_rnhUb26fsuzzYRTNsFBqjU21OoBmoY1HN3wVLdC12KlyUG34zjcJebfdv-VIuIS77F55d920AepN1E8oacRk-M/s1600/stencil.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wH_rhRuJYZCtYsqFcgpLBpj-1UX9hsX2fpACq6QOTOvsDCy-DbjbI_rnhUb26fsuzzYRTNsFBqjU21OoBmoY1HN3wVLdC12KlyUG34zjcJebfdv-VIuIS77F55d920AepN1E8oacRk-M/s400/stencil.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667946509611087266" /></a><br />I taped up the stencils where I wanted them and applied the white paint.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpBeF37EFoPUmNXvQDJ5RaYdaohPXjaupFysR-NPciQahY0yYgTc6xVVQ9Eeyzp9jdzZDrb_3SlaKRydyA-JqM3nnkuRyeMc9dxrZ6XQG17qCOdQ_dumtn5NLL6TLeBglMiTeDKlOESBp/s1600/fail.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpBeF37EFoPUmNXvQDJ5RaYdaohPXjaupFysR-NPciQahY0yYgTc6xVVQ9Eeyzp9jdzZDrb_3SlaKRydyA-JqM3nnkuRyeMc9dxrZ6XQG17qCOdQ_dumtn5NLL6TLeBglMiTeDKlOESBp/s400/fail.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667946855541259186" /></a><br /></div>As you can see: FAIL. The paint just didn't work. This was some old paint, so it might have been too "watery" and just leaked through. I wiped down what I could while it was still wet, then simply covered the mistake up with another layer of gray spray paint. I essentially hit the "reset" button.<div><br /></div><div>Since I was having success with the gray spray paint, I went back to the hardware store and bought some white spray paint ($3.99) and re-taped my letters.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpwcoy9FK11AldyIOf42i8WOj_gLX-P7Z40HQcjHmfR_W6GE6MOpOdlEIfBnsYNSqMNK786ky4j-yD0A-4rKtukaf9Q2Iadau-QOyD0s41J1t3TFPEHnoR84dNl0NTjKuamMx2JRzXhwp/s1600/races_stencil.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpwcoy9FK11AldyIOf42i8WOj_gLX-P7Z40HQcjHmfR_W6GE6MOpOdlEIfBnsYNSqMNK786ky4j-yD0A-4rKtukaf9Q2Iadau-QOyD0s41J1t3TFPEHnoR84dNl0NTjKuamMx2JRzXhwp/s400/races_stencil.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667947826137590626" /></a></div><div><br />As you can see, much better. (There was some white between the E and the S that leaked through, but I spray painted a Q-tip with gray and simply covered it up. (Easy-breezy.)<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Next step was attaching the hanging hook for the back. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUKOJZNgTfZwefVEWTlbbE-OXdya-vfk0A7santbSXYWz4q3Chse_WN1vGGZHLDeHVSJjZ3N7Qkoi7Ms-X4mMiY485NhPWUdXVuacJmnRF65EanNNj-oq-A1HrF9EI4CTG-9QQ0u0MN_F/s1600/hang.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUKOJZNgTfZwefVEWTlbbE-OXdya-vfk0A7santbSXYWz4q3Chse_WN1vGGZHLDeHVSJjZ3N7Qkoi7Ms-X4mMiY485NhPWUdXVuacJmnRF65EanNNj-oq-A1HrF9EI4CTG-9QQ0u0MN_F/s400/hang.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667948927203268210" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>As for the front, I looked at my race bibs and there were 2 sizes. Big (NYCM, Rock n Roll Marathon size) and small (everything else). So I penciled in where the hooks needed to go and twisted the screws in. This was also the solution for the bibs on Etsy.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUVWtnj64MjLdoMB03v9rF6bAb_67c6OvkCBCSSowazzG2OEhCTjUTPvNEXRdU7AlAiitddiSSQzT3bf1yddd_iYTA7V4A927BUyW_n21NLbFaolEFpLwLiI5EgUGN9bq82pfAHsS61NV/s1600/races.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUVWtnj64MjLdoMB03v9rF6bAb_67c6OvkCBCSSowazzG2OEhCTjUTPvNEXRdU7AlAiitddiSSQzT3bf1yddd_iYTA7V4A927BUyW_n21NLbFaolEFpLwLiI5EgUGN9bq82pfAHsS61NV/s400/races.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667948744385279986" /></a><br /></div>Once that was done, the bib project was finished.<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSCI-M-EZAtBuuKj0eKrXrYf0ttNqOJZuhMIJCTkyJF2KQ-M_UuduDv23OGHOm_-mWyyf0wjtiiVXITkXNpkmizHYa1uaAhPFH_D9DHOHZB3IfCvlzjDWu7-SwVPAgRa-iyAhKa_Paq9m/s1600/success.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSCI-M-EZAtBuuKj0eKrXrYf0ttNqOJZuhMIJCTkyJF2KQ-M_UuduDv23OGHOm_-mWyyf0wjtiiVXITkXNpkmizHYa1uaAhPFH_D9DHOHZB3IfCvlzjDWu7-SwVPAgRa-iyAhKa_Paq9m/s400/success.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667949469166661074" /></a><br /></div>I then repeated the same steps for the medal holder. I decided to go with RUNNING since my race distances vary, so I couldn't write MARATHONS. There are plenty of options that could be used, but I wanted to keep it simple.<div><br /></div><div>After spray-painting both sides (above). I taped my letters.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9qFfFbYkJsT-dmZ1RqAA75-0r2tKOveM6fgVvZwLLfddi_HQUnGWqI2tl_dY4FxB7AeKYC0Kx8pMClY97VwUK5EXQSHIz9f9Pug1M3nsYjAc6Xxq2fZkTGigiEcAwHdUDo77qylll692/s1600/stencil_running.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9qFfFbYkJsT-dmZ1RqAA75-0r2tKOveM6fgVvZwLLfddi_HQUnGWqI2tl_dY4FxB7AeKYC0Kx8pMClY97VwUK5EXQSHIz9f9Pug1M3nsYjAc6Xxq2fZkTGigiEcAwHdUDo77qylll692/s400/stencil_running.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667950162238114738" /></a><br /></div>As you can see, they only supplied one "N" in the box, so I had to create place holders. Spray it, then add the missing "N" where needed.<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWu4C8Adjhpj1-T7NzYL1SUqva-6YOlIGCHvwNCp12zy_EwwVHz22s6iF2EzlEusZsytBgHHPszydm-SlgmIUxf3CU8fP-r0q9lh3Wt9-ywDdJOPJypcTrEm3VvGWIR1-X7r8YnweIwFKA/s1600/running.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWu4C8Adjhpj1-T7NzYL1SUqva-6YOlIGCHvwNCp12zy_EwwVHz22s6iF2EzlEusZsytBgHHPszydm-SlgmIUxf3CU8fP-r0q9lh3Wt9-ywDdJOPJypcTrEm3VvGWIR1-X7r8YnweIwFKA/s400/running.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667950540009320018" /></a><br /></div>Then I measured where I wanted the hooks and screwed them into the board. I decided to go with various positions to have some medals hang at different lengths. Here is a sample of the front and back hooks for both. Packs of 4 cost me under $2. Make sure that the length of the screw isn't longer than the depth of your board.<div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAtIPmMAyRGZVtVmYj2-aU_5cuCYNtDsk2NpKWTUkDinl3IFYgivSNT4TJGzIGQwG61MUzJjS-srMgKETTxOV34JDdZyAroIpxOStj1-MHTSxzrRdYPClZISnhgONHDVwoCf2-3OmvJry/s1600/hooks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAtIPmMAyRGZVtVmYj2-aU_5cuCYNtDsk2NpKWTUkDinl3IFYgivSNT4TJGzIGQwG61MUzJjS-srMgKETTxOV34JDdZyAroIpxOStj1-MHTSxzrRdYPClZISnhgONHDVwoCf2-3OmvJry/s400/hooks.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667988077696647602" /></a><br /></div><div>I placed nine hooks, since I have a decent amount of medals, it needed to be able to hold quite a few at different lengths. I placed them about 3.5" apart from one another.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8Upc9G6LRol3V45kAmWuagTBnTKZNOF1UAcjD25CKI3D2AQpK5RI8nVJ4qaiZb9T-cWe8-eWhe3pbYZw2z4cMO0hq4qkVFJeIvysxeUlcS5gsagJohy9djrjtg0rjwKQtdpvVtisQIW8/s1600/running_final.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8Upc9G6LRol3V45kAmWuagTBnTKZNOF1UAcjD25CKI3D2AQpK5RI8nVJ4qaiZb9T-cWe8-eWhe3pbYZw2z4cMO0hq4qkVFJeIvysxeUlcS5gsagJohy9djrjtg0rjwKQtdpvVtisQIW8/s400/running_final.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667988514376643330" /></a><br />And that is pretty much it. Since it will hold a lot of medals, I placed 2 brackets on the back for support. I'm sure it would have been fine with one, but better safe than sorry.<div><br /></div><div>Here is the final product. I only placed one medal on each hook for the photo, but I'm planning on each hook holding multiple medals.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02pmfVPYLySyY5jhXF5W9ZYMbAOvi1amIdg7Blyq271dcO6vL9f2FlyWkbH6HmRC1q5icdEJxwvijN4xzvI0wJdwd5iXgFiHs6n7tlVoM2iO97Ggf7pbl0k7Euc8ZLGBY78jIRG2-TRwi/s1600/running_medals.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02pmfVPYLySyY5jhXF5W9ZYMbAOvi1amIdg7Blyq271dcO6vL9f2FlyWkbH6HmRC1q5icdEJxwvijN4xzvI0wJdwd5iXgFiHs6n7tlVoM2iO97Ggf7pbl0k7Euc8ZLGBY78jIRG2-TRwi/s400/running_medals.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667988998537527778" /></a><br />As you can see, everything seems to have worked out. After a few missteps and multiple trips to the hardware store, they are up. I'm very happy with them and even though it cost me more in materials then it would have to simply have placed the order off Etsy, I'm glad it is something I was able to accomplish without injuring myself or cutting out the electricity in the neighborhood.<div><br /></div><div>Here they are living happily together on the wall. Let me know what you think…. </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmWjU-k0U_Vw-E91yq_1OWukcxaAAAdfEGWQOW1ijunh2dR0HLifY8FsN-tSWeF1IU9VWOo1aikJBeTWZn_gpnot4Tsi2KMT7pCOcHoeTMfskoZmcvsHYg1yg3J479q0rqy5ToMyMgwTd/s1600/final.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmWjU-k0U_Vw-E91yq_1OWukcxaAAAdfEGWQOW1ijunh2dR0HLifY8FsN-tSWeF1IU9VWOo1aikJBeTWZn_gpnot4Tsi2KMT7pCOcHoeTMfskoZmcvsHYg1yg3J479q0rqy5ToMyMgwTd/s400/final.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667989961428098642" /></a><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" count="horizontal" via="@PavementRunner">Tweet</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br /><br /><script>function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}</script><style> html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?6:26981) no-repeat top left; }</style><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()">Share on Facebook</a>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673139766607178862.post-11687191069347083572011-10-18T21:48:00.000-07:002011-10-19T07:00:19.693-07:00Once a Thief, Not a RunnerMy car was broken into at some point over the past couple days. We've been at home with a newborn, so my car hasn't moved much from it's parking spot. When we do go out, it's in our other car and I'm sure my car feels slightly neglected... to make matters worse, it has now been violated.<div><br /></div><div>So why does this post show up on what is mostly a running blog? Because I believe that the person that broke into my car IS NOT a runner. I believe there is a 66% (or 2 out of 3) possibility that the person who violated my car is NOT a fellow member of the running community.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Here is my rationale:</b></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIDRVpsjSk3gk3Cs48FdRsUXH5f2mSFQiNGZzZq4HEyLHlfyV2eI7wM8CJd9E8X_MaKP60177vjOdkTrbO7JnWflw-tIMMhH_ldl0bk4mXZyKVdgcGO5BFd5Zb3E1eTRUlYLcr6-52jlq/s1600/Trail+cover+spring+11.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 305px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIDRVpsjSk3gk3Cs48FdRsUXH5f2mSFQiNGZzZq4HEyLHlfyV2eI7wM8CJd9E8X_MaKP60177vjOdkTrbO7JnWflw-tIMMhH_ldl0bk4mXZyKVdgcGO5BFd5Zb3E1eTRUlYLcr6-52jlq/s400/Trail+cover+spring+11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665071109406577890" /></a><br /></div><div>There were 3 items in my car that I consider valuable to any runner. The first was a Trail Running magazine that was released by Runner's World earlier this year. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlP_ODInV7aIfh06Afs9akcGpBjcTFsSxPeQ7b9JjuPboc6PidIY9-alLzQXk7m2FztQpkViWW1ojEM6OebPKpshRHACLJE9ycHl3aI-CvkMctPWyWG-gt1u4ZaYvkYD7d8N1fC1ZuMXna/s1600/DeanKarnazes.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 465px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlP_ODInV7aIfh06Afs9akcGpBjcTFsSxPeQ7b9JjuPboc6PidIY9-alLzQXk7m2FztQpkViWW1ojEM6OebPKpshRHACLJE9ycHl3aI-CvkMctPWyWG-gt1u4ZaYvkYD7d8N1fC1ZuMXna/s400/DeanKarnazes.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665071326112586178" /></a><br /></div><div>The second is <a href="http://www.ultramarathonman.com/web/" target="new">Dean Karnazes'</a> latest book: RUN!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTGKEwTyWOmaGhYwNjSYS34OUj_Om02Vljli-bSoeDmbSBYhfSW0v0iHZ8L7Dh31V8CiY4UPzcxTQCLvZA6OXzJ9YnTSv7NT9lUgekarbtEmTBmhmt5MxYS_KN8FtLxq6kDUnRInFfvYP/s1600/ipod_gray.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTGKEwTyWOmaGhYwNjSYS34OUj_Om02Vljli-bSoeDmbSBYhfSW0v0iHZ8L7Dh31V8CiY4UPzcxTQCLvZA6OXzJ9YnTSv7NT9lUgekarbtEmTBmhmt5MxYS_KN8FtLxq6kDUnRInFfvYP/s400/ipod_gray.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665071566486895746" /></a>Lastly, the only item stolen from my car: an iPod Nano.</div><div><br /></div><div>Those are three things that any runner would love to have. Trail running magazine's aren't that common, or easily found. And if you've ever read a Dean Karnazes book, you know that they are page after page of inspiration, motivation and some pretty out-there tales of life on the road. The iPod is a toss up. This was a given to be stolen out of any car by a runner or not (even if it was tucked away in my glove box). Due to it being a Nano (small in size) I'll place it in the running category since I like to imagine that most of us prefer the smaller iPod's or iPod shuffles when we run.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since only 1 of the 3 running related items was taken, that means there is a 66% likelihood that the <strike>jerk,</strike> er culprit was not a runner. And I have many years of watching Law & Order, CSI, Without A Trace, Numbers and other investigative shows to back up my profile of the theif. And that's a big deal — pretty much equivalent to several years at Langley.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Here are some other quick notes about the thief:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><i><b>Does not frequently travel into San Francisco</b> (I live in the East Bay)</i></div><div>In my ash tray, coin tray, whatever you want to call it, there were tons of quarters. I'm guessing at least $5-$8 worth. That is San Francisco-meter gold. And if you park in the city, those are 100% necessary. To top it off, I also have a FasTrak (allows you to drive through SF tolls without having to stop) that was not taken.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>Not a Laker fan</b></i></div><div>I have a mini-basketball with a Laker logo that hangs from my rear-view mirror that was not stolen</div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>Not an Oakland Athletics fan</b></i></div><div>I also have a yellow A's blanket that was a special give-away at the Coliseum that was left untouched.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>Not afraid of getting wet in the rain</b></i></div><div>Yep, umbrella in the back that is still there. Maybe this person is some kind of frog-like-amphibian who isn't affected by rain.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>Is not aware of Malcolm Gladwell</b></i></div><div>C'mon — this guy is a <a href="http://www.gladwell.com/" target="new">fantastic writer.</a> Yes, that also means I had 2 books (both half read) sitting in my car… and a magazine. Sorry ,I like to read, apparently the thief does not. <i>Side note: I just found out he also used to be a runner (read about it <a href="http://gladwell.typepad.com/gladwellcom/2010/06/my-greatest-triumph-.html">here</a>). I didn't include this in the "running items" list because I'm a fan of his and JUST learned about his running history on Tuesday from his blog.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>So if you happen to see someone that doesn't look like a runner listening to a grey iPod Nano with amphibian like characteristics not in Laker or A's gear and couldn't give two-cents about Malcolm Gladwell — call the police. Thanks. </div><div><br /></div><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" count="horizontal" via="@PavementRunner">Tweet</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br /><br /><script>function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}</script><style> html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?6:26981) no-repeat top left; }</style><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" onclick="return fbs_click()">Share on Facebook</a>Pavement Runnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02881530606891640970noreply@blogger.com3