US Half

I'm looking forward to running the US Half this weekend. That's two times across the Golden Gate Bridge, starting and finishing in San Francisco.

race humour

Nike San Francisco FULL Marathon: 4:12:57

Finished my first marathon!

The course was probably about as flat as possible in San Francisco - but a flat San Francisco course is impossible. The hills took their toll. I learned something every time I ran during training - and I learned something today too: respect the hills! In hindsight, I think I might have broken 4hrs if I'd walked down the early hills. !! But I couldn't resist the temptation to pick up some time on the early downhills. I trashed my legs and paid the price in the second half.
Miles 19 through the finish were a head down, teeth gritted, whole body (and mind) effort to keep putting one foot in front of the other and finish strong. Miles 19 through the finish were pretty horrible, but as so many have said - endure short-term pain in exchange for everlasting achievement!

Replay my run.

What I endured was nothing compared to what our many honorees have endured. I wore the names of some of my honorees on by back: Dad, Mom, Tia Teresa, Tia Maritza, Edward F, Ana. I had them in mind as I persevered during the last 8mi.
The Team In Training Nike San Francisco Marathon runners raised more than $14M for cancer research. That's more than $500k per mile.

I was touched by so many supporters who lined the course and called my name or cheered for Team In Training. I was especially touched having all of my coaches run a portion of the race with me, as well as several team captains and mentors.


My next Team In Training full marathon is March 7th in Napa!

3 Days to My First Marathon!

Following 5m of training, my target time of 3:59:59 is within reach - challenging but feasible. Over the last 5m I've dropped 20lbs, taken 4" off of my waist, and definitely increased running speed and endurance. 2wks ago I finished the San Jose Rock & Roll 1/2 Marathon in a personal best time of 1:47:58 beating my target time by 2min and last year's time by 22min! Last week I ran a 10k also in a personal best time of 48:30. And thanks to generous donations I met my summer fundraising goal of $2,500. Thank you!

This Sunday I'll be running in honor of: Dad, Tia Maritza, Tia Teresa, Ana, Edward F, Kristin, Mom, Wayne, Rob, Keith, Doug, Carlos, Leah, Jack, Patti, Mike, Ellen, Todd

I can't think of a better city in which to be running my first marathon, better people with which to run it, or for any better a cause. Thanks TNT!

Run for Your Life 10k

The SF Full Marathon is 1wk away. Like everyone on our team, I've been tapering the distance over the last week or so - allows the body to recover from training in advance of the race. However it's good training to include short, fast runs during the taper. So I ran the "Run for Your Life" 10k around Stanford University campus, in support of Stanford Hospital Emergency Medicine.

Fastest 10k of the season for me: 48:30. A 10k is 6.22mi, so this finish time corresponds to 7:48 min/mile. My 1/2 marathon pace last Sunday was 8:15 min/mi.

I ran this race in honor of my good friend Rob who was recently diagnosed. I learned of his battle just this past week. Fortunately the prognosis is excellent. In addition he has a super attitude - will kick his cancer's butt. Rob - today's PR was for you and I'll be thinking of you when I have to dig deep around mile 22 or so next Sunday!

1:47:58 !!!

Replay the run.