Training to run an ultra sometimes feels as shaky as my commitment to do more gardening and eat less meat. I want to be able to run double or more the distance I do now, just as I want to replant our flower box and eat lower on the food chain, but then I wonder if I like the idea of doing those things more than actually doing them.

On Thursday, I emailed some friends to find out about their weekend long-run plans, hoping to tag along and recharge in the company of others since my motivation to do a long run was wavering. I knew I needed a friend or an inspiring course to help me go the distance and remind me why the weekend long run is so crucial to training and ultimately so satisfying. Thankfully, I got both and unexpectedly found myself on the cliff-hugging Miwok and Coastal trails in Marin. (more…)

Morgan, the kids and I arrived in Buenos Aires last Tuesday and spent the first five days learning our way around, struggling with Spanish, and adjusting to lunch at 3 p.m. and dinner at 10. (You can read about our travels on our other blog.) We also found ourselves preparing for a marathon, since the Buenos Aires Marathon was Sunday, October 11.

At the race expo, trying to get used to the concept of running 42K or 21K (rather than 26.2 or 13.1 miles).

Morgan and I approached the race day with few expectations and no goals beyond wanting to finish and see the city. Morgan broke his toe about six weeks ago and didn’t run a step for more than a month, so he was happy to do any running again. He opted for the half marathon (21K). As for me, my weekly mileage took a nosedive about a month ago. I’ve slowed so much that when I tried to “sprint” the other day, I sped up only to my regular marathon pace.

Normally I take extra care during a pre-marathon week to eat healthy, cut out alcohol, stay off my feet and go on short runs just to loosen up and practice pacing. Not last week! We walked around the city until our feet ached, and we ate steak and empanadas daily, washed down with vino tinto and cerveza. To compensate for the gastronomic indulgence and to regulate our whacked-out systems, we took turns venturing out on a few solo runs that were on balance more stressful than stress relieving — constantly stopping at lights, dodging taxis that play chicken with pedestrians, and trying not to trip on all the chunks of broken sidewalks. Now and then, in the back of my mind, I’d think, I’m running a marathon Sunday? For real? ¡Ay, caramba — lo que sea! (“whatever!“) (more…)

When a couple of old friends recruited me to replace an injured runner on their team for the June 13 Tahoe Relay, I said yes right away. What better way to kick off  summer, party with friends and family, and get in a high-quality run? Plus, it marked the one-year anniversary of falling down the front porch and breaking my foot. I wanted to celebrate a comeback year and experience the camaraderie that comes with team effort.

The seven of us formed a coed masters (40 and over) team, dividing the 72-mile lake loop into legs ranging from 8 to 12 miles each. My leg was a hilly 12.3 miles, which I covered in 1:33:14, or 7:35 average pace — but that includes a minute-and-half-long potty break. Given the altitude and some tummy troubles, I’m pretty satisfied with my time.

I brought along a brand-new Flip camera, shot a lot of goofy and shaky video, messed around with iMovie for the first time and made the following 6-minute movie — which has left me rather brain dead and short on words. Thanks to my “Tahoe Redondo” teammates — Mark Tipton, Christine Chapon, Dave Sloane, Jennifer Ray, Brett Wilson and Keith Evans-Orville — for letting me join them this year!

Len running around Lake Tahoe, wearing the LMJS team singlet.

When I’m 64 . . .

When I look ahead to turning 40 in 2009 and wonder how much my speed and strength might decline with age, I take heart in the examples set by older runners such as Len Goldman, 64, a fixture in the Oakland and Piedmont running scene. One might never guess that this genial, avuncular man who looks like he could be Bill Gates’s older brother is fiercely fast and focused once the gun goes off. A few years back, we lined up together at an Alameda 10K, and he clocked the first mile around 6:02. By keeping him in sight, I was able to break 40 minutes, and ever since then I’ve tried to pace off Len at races.

Len, retired after 31 years with AT&T, is the president of the Lake Merritt Joggers and Striders and the cross country coach at Piedmont Middle School. The Road Runners Club of America has recognized his work with running clubs and youth and in 2004 named him Male Master Runner of the Year. He and his wife, Jayme, recently became grandparents.

When I chatted with Len after the Piedmont Turkey Trot, I thought to myself: When I’m his age a quarter-century from now, I sincerely hope I can run even half as well he does. I interviewed him to find out how he defies age and injury to keep running fast and strong, and I extrapolated the following lessons from his answers. (more…)