TNT Half-Marathon

They serve who also sit on their ass and hand out Gatorade. San Gabriel Valley Team in Training hosted an invitational half-marathon. Teams from LA locales such as the Westside, Riverside County, San Fernando Valley arrived to run 13.1 miles on our trails around and above the Rose Bowl. A perfect day to stop back and visit the team.

With a bum leg, I manned a water station at the top of a steep, rocky hill just past Jet Propulsion Laboratories. Most runners huffed and puffed their way to the top where I served them Gatorade, water, orange slices, pretzels, salt packets, and banana slices. A number of folk noticed my cast and asked nervously whether I'd broken a bone on the rocky hill they'd just ascended. They were relieved to learn I'd been running on a flat course during a 5K.

Several runners shared stories about bad breaks and sprains suffered on level terrain. Breaking a bone like that should be listed under running natural disasters: like California earthquakes, they go with the terrain.

In any case, it was good to see my Teammates again. I got a little sun and a bit of exercise. Someone asked if I'd travel to San Diego and cheer on the Team. I said I needed to put this marathon behind me and focus ahead on the next one. (Though I'll be following everyone's time online.)

Hopefully, one more week in the cast.

Getting Around with a Leg Cast

Brother, can you spare a ride? Still can't drive. There are only a few friends who live close enough to pick me up and don't work during the day. I must ask for rides with care so as not to burn anyone out. The Dutchman, an old roommate, is a TV camera operator with a late afternoon call time. He's gotten me to the doctor twice and the bank once.

I'd really like a haircut. But I don't want to burn a car trip for one.

This feels similar to house arrest.

Broken Bone Update

Those are the breaks. A minimum two more weeks in a cast. The doctor says it could be more. Old bone must be replaced by new bone and that takes time. However the break continues repairing nicely, no fragmentation.

I'm eating a lot. Or else just as much as before minus cardio activity. In any case, I'm putting on weight.

Pretty soon I'll be using the freeway truck scales.

Two more weeks.

TNT vs T'ai Chi

For five years I studied Yang family t'ai chi at a little studio in Burbank. Recently I was thinking about the differences between my martial arts classmates and the Team in Training runners.

First off, t'ai chi movements stimulate internal energy. Often called "meditation in motion," t'ai chi form practice leaves you awash in soothing endorphins. No belts or sashes are awarded for advancement. You progress like the tao: a motionless movement.

With Team in Training you're facing nothing but deadlines. For example, weekly mileage increases in order to complete a marathon. (Most people run 3 to 5 times a week, plus cross-training.) In addition, you're on the hook to raise several thousand dollars. For Hawaii last year, the minimum was $4,200.

Yet in general Team in Training runners exhibit more serenity, laughter, and optimism than my martial arts chums. For instance, among t'ai chi peers, there were several New Age passive-aggressives, a political rage-a-holic, and a wisecracking, retired radio comic who dressed like Chester Cheeto. There were also decent, down-to-earth folk, but the malcontents and exotics dominated. Why do runners seem more at peace than Chinese martial artists? Better endorphins? Can't say.

United 93 Film

A very tense film. Even though I knew the ending, I hoped the passengers would pull it off somehow. The director used cell phone conversations and cockpit tapes to recreate much of the action. Hand-held cameras and an unknown cast gave the film a riviting documentary feel.

I didn't leave humming the music, but I did gain an added appreciation for ordinary people who rose to perform extraordinary deeds aboard United Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001.

A 20 Mile Run, But Not My 20 Mile Run

All the best to my Team in Training chums as the prepare to log 20 miles this Saturday. From there, they'll taper down in distance as the San Diego Marathon approaches on June 4.

Six months ago I ran 20 miles in preparation for the Honolulu Marathon. Six months from now I should be running 20 again as I gear up for the Phoenix Rock 'N Roll Marathon.

And now, back to my deadlines.

TNT '06 Photos

A long Saturday run back in March with teammate PJ.







Thanks to assistant coach Mark for the digital memories.