Reflections of the night

The College of The Canyons Race Series ended last night, thank God! I have been in plenty of 5Ks over the years and did all but 2 of these races this summer. But, last night was the true test after the week I had. Here is the early "Week in Review":

I started off the week on Sunday meeting with the Santa Clarita Runners Club to run a 10 mile course in training the upcoming marathon in November. All was going well, until I got lost. I didn't stay with the pack. No big deal, I had the map so I got back on track. Good run, felt great. Until....I came upon the last few miles in Stevenson Ranch. This is where I saw a guy coming south on The Old Road making a right onto Stevenson Ranch Parkway. I thought he was not part of our group so I followed to keep up. He seemed to be one of those gangly type of runners. The type you read about, fast and tough. Okay, I thought, I am tough too! So, we proceeded down the road towards Pico Canyon, he took one side of the street while I on the other. We were both running side by side battling it out like we were vying for position. I could only see him in the corner of my eye, but he kept pressing. I would burst a little further ahead knowing it bothered him. He was very strong all the way. We approached Pico Cyn when I noticed the ladies in our group came back from their own side route in Mentryville. One of the gals saw him and yelled out "you are late!" They all laughed and turned around back towards the finish at Granary Square. Pooped out at this point, I figured I would join in with them, after my water break. I remember last time the hidden water bottles were by the bus stop. Damn! They were not there! Almost spent, I sucked it up and chased the ladies and the lone runner. I come to find out at the end that he is the "Forrest Gump" of the Santa Clarita Valley!! Dan is his name and he mentioned to me in the parking lot that we had a nice little chase together. I really felt inspired, especially after attending church later that morning. What a great DAY!

Monday was a different story. In preparation for the Thursday night final, I decided to kill myself on Towsley Canyon Loop. It is a 5 mile mountain trail that is one of my favorites. But, not in 90 plus degree afternoon heat! Still, I was wondering why I was way too slow. Oh well, I thought, maybe I texted my daughter too much at the top? I didn't think too much about it.

Tuesday & Wednesday were off days. This is why I was slow! Whenever the kids get sick, I follow suit. Why does my wife never get sick? Because mothers and teachers are tough as nails and they need to be healthy to take care of the young!!! I started to get really pissed. thinking that I better just man up, suck it up and charge forward and quit complaining. Damn, this machismo stuff can be addicting!

Thursday evening---I stood there very quiet at the starting line with my new friends. BANG! We were off! I sprinted the length of the baseball field and turned the corner with a comfortable position. Was doing great at the first mile. a little over 6 minute mile pace. Keep this up, and I might break 20 minutes! Yeah, right!!! The heat, the dust, the head cold, and that damn Claritan D! Word to the wise: no matter how congested you are, do not take a decongestant before any demanding activities. Yes, I was able to breathe again. But, with that clearing up in my head my body was suffering from dehydration. I should've just had a shot of Patron! The final mile was fast but torture. I really began to think way too much about life; my past, present and future. Just run you idiot! Cotton mouth, cramping right calve and pounding head got me to the track for the final push. I would really need to dig deep here in order to meet my goal. All I could remember on the final turn was one of the track coaches yelling and pushing me along. I gave out a thunderous scream which got her attention! She loved it! I came across the finish line at 20:29 (?) Almost the same as my best time. Sitting there with my head in my hands wondering "is this all there is?" I contemplated getting up and getting my complimentary In-and-Out cheeseburger. No, not yet! I realized that there was a Cougars football practice going on! God I love football! I brought myself up, staggered to the burger line and thought to myself, "why do I do this?" Just like I have always thought when mountain biking and looking at the huge hill that I am about to climb, I do it because it is there.

RUSH "Limelight" LIVE

Rush Concert Setlist at Gibson Amphitheatre, Universal City on August 11, 2010 | setlist.fm

Rush Concert Setlist at Gibson Amphitheatre, Universal City on August 11, 2010 setlist.fm: "

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This was the 6th time I have seen these guys from the Great White North, and even for their advancing age, they seem to still hold on as top performers of the day. They had few different approaches to songs, but still captured the audience magnificently. They put a spin on "Closer to the heart" and "Working man". I believe I heard a few "what the f@#k...?" from loyal fans who cannot seem to open the mind up. All in all, the show went to almost three hours and everyone wanted more! Sure, I was even fading after "Camera Eye", but it had been just a super long day and I was putting my endurance to the test. I had a great group of people who joined me for this even: Thank you Steve, Billy and the ever impressionable Todd! You guys are the best. I couldn't believe that I was the youngest of our crowd. Yeah I feel like a kid! That is what going out on a Wednesday night is all about! Grasping youth and not letting go! I'll never give this up.

The show had the usual Rush humor. But, I have to say that the final video from Jason Segal and Paul Rudd just had everyone rolling! "Slapping the Bass, man"....Geddy, you are hilarious!!! Bands like this who really like to have good clean fun and not take themselves too seriously make watching them a pure joy. They performed the entire "Moving Pictures" album in its entirety, which was a first. I decided not to video tape a whole lot of songs due to the fact that this time I really wanted to focus on just enjoying the show. My personal favorite off "Moving Pictures" has to be "Camera Eye". What an awesome video that went along with the song. Painted the picture perfectly. I did capture "Lime Light" and "Red Barchetta" so those will be posted to my YouTube channel soon. Of course, I do love the really old songs. "2112" just blew everyone away and "La Villa Strangiato" was my personal favorite. Yes, I missed the COC race on Thursday evening, but it was all worth it!

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The perfect Monday and start of Marathon Training

Started the day knowing that it would be our last full day of vacation. It was a little overcast at the beach through the week-end, but had great sunsets. That is how it has been most of the summer in Santa Barbara and Carpinteria. I was able to get my girls up early to go to the tide pools near the campground. They loved it and enjoyed the donuts afterwards. My wife sure loved the time alone, for sure! The beach was still cloudy but I knew that I needed to get all the chairs, towels, and toys down there before the crowds showed up. I knew that it would be a nice day starting around 11 am when the sun appeared. This is when I started digging. Digging a massive play area ditch for the girls sandcastles. Boy, that worked me out! About an hour straight of just bunker training! Was able to relax after the surf with a nice lunch when I decided to take that mountain bike ride. So, around 2:30 I told my wife that I'll be back in about 90 mins. Yeah right!
I proceeded to drive up to Romero Canyon where I found a parking spot to get started on the ride. I noticed a pleasant couple start riding and figured they were going to the top where I was going. They went up the fire road, while I went up the trail. I figured this out at about 30 mins into the ride. Dripping with sweat and carrying my heavy Marin bike, I knew that I was in for some little adventure. About an hour later, I emerged from the wooded canyon where an easy flowing stream ran. I made it! To my surprise, I heard voices. I got my photo shot near the top, so I was satisfied then sped down hill to see who was approaching. It was that same couple! The guy definitely looked surprised to see me! Yes, I am the knucklehead that went the opposite and hard way! Story of my life. Now I know. What a beautiful mistake and gorgeous vistas! Wouldn't have traded it for the world. I had to make it back quick to take the girls out to dinner!
A quick pit stop to fuel up on "Rocket Fuel", Patron....then dove in the ocean to cool off. This is where it got strange. There I am. Empty stomach right before dinner, laying there on the beach drying off, I was spent. I gazed up to the sky and noticed the wispy clouds formed a sitting dog. There also appeared to be a rainbow around the dogs mouth and neck. For that moment in time, exactly where I was laying down, it appeared to me that the wispy looking sitting doge had a rainbow leash in it mouth dangling down by its neck. Wow! What was in that shot of Patron!?
Got up, took a shower and took the girls to The Palms in Carpinteria. Fantastic steak and grilled it myself.

The start of marathon training was today with the Santa Clarita Runners Club. Brian, David an Matt led us off. It was only supposed to be a 14 mile run, so I knew I would be okay. Of course, running with people always is a good push. So, probably about half way through, I decided I wanted to "keep up" with the effortless David. This guy can sure run. It really looks like he is just walking really fast and seamless. I am so glad to be doing this, because I know I will need help when trying to run the Santa Clarita Marathon in November. This has been the best week in way too long. But, there is another on coming up! Rush at The Gibson Amphitheater on Wednesday, review to follow! Now lets see if I can make it to Race Series #6 at College of the Canyons on Thursday night.