Sole Runners Summer Season Kick-Off Party

The Green Girl attended the Sole Runners Summer Season Kick-Off Party at Buono's Pizza in Downtown Long Beach this evening.

This will be my seventh season as a Sole Runner and my second as a mentor.

Coach Steve welcomed everyone and provided an overview of the Sole Runners program and training philosophy to all the new and potential members.

He also congratulated all the Sole Runners who completed the Vancouver Marathon over the weekend.

Coach Steve also invited a representative from Garmin to talk to us about the Forerunner line of products and answer our questions.

I asked how I could use Mr. Green Garmin's Interval training and still see overall statistics such as average speed, distance, and time. Unfortunately, she was not able to answer my question so she gave me her contact information so I can email her.

Next, Coach Steve had all the mentors give a brief personal introduction.

Some mentors offered words of advice in addition to encouraging people to join our group.

Coach Steve finished off the night with a raffle.

Sole Runners Winter Kick-Off Party

The Green Girl is now a Sole Runners Mentor

The Green Girl attended the Sole Runners Winter Season Kick-Off Party at Buono's Pizza last night.

Coach Steve welcomed everyone and provided an overview of the Sole Runners program and training philosophy to all the newcomers.

After Coach Steve's introduction, he asked mentors to come up and speak about their Sole Runners experience.

Much to my surprise, Coach Steve also announced that I have become a Sole Runners mentor and then he asked me to give a quick speech.

I am deeply honored to be a mentor for such an incredible group of runners.

I have the utmost respect for all of the mentors and it means a lot to me that they have welcomed me into their circle.

Rad Runner Girl attended the dinner and decided to finally make it official. I also chatted, albeit briefly, with Jay from Tri2Thrive.

I was pleased to finally meet Yvette, someone with whom we have mutual friends.

As I chatted with fellow Sole Runners and potential new Sole Runners, I reveled in the positive energy that was surrounding me. Each person I spoke to inspired me in some way.

I am really looking forward to the new season.

Runners just do it – they run for the finish line even if someone else has reached it first. Unknown

Sole Runners Thunder and Lightning Run

Amidst lightning, occasional thunder, and rain sprinkles, the Green Girl ran with the Sole Runners this morning.

Coach Steve started off the morning as usual with updates and advice. He reminded us all that the Sole Runners Long Beach Marathon Carbo Loading Dinner and Winter Season Kick Off will be on Thursday, October 14th at 6:30 PM at Buono's Pizza downtown.

He encouraged us to invite our family and friends to join us and possibly become Sole Runners for the Winter season.

As we started running, I was grateful for the cooler temperature but the air was muggy and I started sweating right away.

The morning clouds cast shadows on the Marine Stadium water.

I intentionally left my patellar strap at home because I wanted to focus on straightening my left leg. The inside of my knee started to hurt a couple of miles in but I concentrated really hard and tried to invoke my muscle memory. Luckily, I was able to make the pain go away in less than a minute.

After the Sole Runners First Annual Charity Meet-n-Greet, the Real Medicine Foundation sponsored an aid station along the course today.

I was so excited to see watermelon slices that I accidentally inhaled a seed. It got stuck in my throat and caused me to violently cough involuntarily. In the process, I managed to spit on three other Sole Runners. They all looked at me in shock and I had to apologize for expectorating on them.

Despite the awkward watermelon seed incident, I had a really good run today. My body felt good and my foot didn't bother me at all.

Wrigley River Run 5k Race Report

The Green Girl did the Wrigley River Run 5k this morning.

All the proceeds from this race go to the Long Beach Neighborhood Foundation (LBNF) to support programs for at-risk city youth. A couple of the Sole Runners are members of LBNF.

Since this was a local event, there were a lot of Sole Runners participating in the race.

The Sole Runners coach, Steve Mackel, gave a free ChiRunning workshop.

My friend, Candy, offered free massages at her Beauty & Wellness Day Spa booth. Phiten was taping up athletes with their titanium products. Road Runner Sports conducted Shoe Dog shoe fittings. Averyboo Arts also sponsored a bounce house for the kids.

Wilson High School cheerleaders were also on hand to show their support along the course.

It was really good to see Penny. She introduced me to her son and his girlfriend who were also participating in the 5k. I've seen her at few races but we had met for the first time at last year's Wrigley River Run. I was looking for Glenn, but Penny reminded me he had his son's graduation to attend this weekend.

I was thrilled with the cool temperature as the race started. Unfortunately, I went out a little faster than I should have and I had to stop for my first walk break just past the halfway point. It also warmed up and the humidity kicked in.

I tried to dig deep but I got really tired the last mile. It really helped me when Penny helped run me in. I cannot remember the last time I pushed myself that hard.

After the Finish Line, there were plenty of bagels and bananas along with lots of water. Buono was also serving fresh pizza slices and handing out coupons in tiny pizza boxes.

The Tadpole run followed and I spotted a tiny Sole Runner crossing the Finish Line.