Run Like It's Recess 5k Race Report

The Green Girl ran the Run Like It's Recess 5k this morning at El Dorado East Regional Park along with a number of Sole Runners.

The Run Like It's Recess event featured a 5k run/walk, 1k kids run/walk, and 50-yard Toddler Run.


The race benefited a local school, Newcomb Elementary.

The morning started off with some light drizzles but the sky cleared up as the race start approached.

Run Like It's Recess 5k backpack, shirt, and goodies

The event was well staffed with volunteers and the late registration process went smoothly.

I wasn't expecting a goodie bag so I was thrilled when I received a green Run Like It's Recess backpack containing a race shirt, an anti-bacterial gel from the LBS Financial Credit Union (the bottle fits the holder on my Nathan Trail Mix belt), a Newcomb Elementary water bottle, and a Naked Juice berry blast lip balm.

The Green Girl and the Sole Runners before the Run Like It's Recess 5k

I went into this race without any expectations. I'm still struggling to build up mileage without aggravating the Achilles tendon bursitis (retrocalcaneal bursitis) in my right heel.

Before the race start, they warmed up all the runners with some upbeat music and exercises.

Run Like It's Recess 5k pre-race warm-up

As we crossed the Starting Line, my body felt good so I immediately fell into a brisk pace.

I managed to do the first mile in an even 9 minutes but I couldn't maintain that pace beyond Mile 1.

I slowed down significantly on the second mile but continued to try to push myself.

The Green Girl's 5k PR 32:53:55

I wasn't able to make it to Mile 2 without a walk break. I tried to catch my breath and pull myself together before I started running again.

I dug as deep as I could for the last mile and really engaged that ChiRunning lean.

I couldn't believe it when I got to the Finish Line and the clock read 00:32:xx.

Run Like It's Recess 5k Finisher Pancakes

According to Mr. Orange Garmin, I finished in 32:52:55. I unofficially shaved almost two minutes off my 2011 Wrigley River Run 5k time of 34:41.

As I exited the chute, Coach Steve congratulated me on my PR and advised I keep moving since I was breathing so hard.

Mixing the Run Like It's Recess 5k pancake batter

Fresh pancakes complete with strawberries and whipped cream were served to the finishers.

I was pleasantly surprised and pleased with my performance today. And grateful that my Achilles wasn't aggravated.

For the past few months, I've been working with a personal trainer, Chris from Beach Cities Mobile Fitness, to correct my biomechanical running issues through strength training.

It was nice to see that work paying off. Even though I'm not in good running shape, I was able to run a pain-free 5k today and unofficially PR by almost two minutes!

Winter Solstice Christmas Tree Run Race Report

Runners at the Starting Line with rain ponchos and umbrellas

On a rainy shortest day of the year morning, at the Winter Solstice Christmas Tree 5 Mile Run, the Green Girl's boyfriend joined her and did his very first race.

The race was held at a very soggy El Dorado Park.

It was amusing to see so many rain ponchos and umbrellas at the Starting Line.



It was a relatively sluggish start because most of the runners were slowing down and going around the large puddles.

I tried to keep up with my boyfriend but I lost him and the crowd of runners around him before the Mile 1 marker.

At a blazing 13:30 minute mile, however, I managed to leave all the walkers in the dust mud.

I maintained a steady pace as I ran around the park. I couldn't stop blinking because of the pelting rain and I regretted leaving my baseball cap at home.

After awhile, I started wondering if I was even on the course anymore. There wasn't a runner in sight.

I decided I was officially lost when I reached a dead end with the largest ducks I'd ever seen in my entire life.

I suddenly realized this was the Summer Solstice Watermelon Run all over again.

Once again, since I'm familiar with the park, I started heading in the general direction of the Finish Line when I felt the mileage was appropriate.

I ended up having to go backwards through the Finish Line and then I quickly turned around and announced I was actually finished.

All the finishers received a full sized Christmas tree.

My boyfriend enjoyed his first race and he said he's ready for a 10k!

The Sole Runners 'Run Like It's Recess' For Cupcakes

The Green Girl cheered on the Sole Runners as they did the Run Like It's Recess 5k today at El Dorado East Regional Park and ran for cupcakes.

Run Like It's Recess featured a 5k run/walk, 1k kids run/walk, and 50-yard Toddler Run. The race benefited a local elementary school, Newcomb Academy.

The 'cupcake' portion was not actually an official part of the race but a couple of the Sole Runners, Barb and Larry, baked a few batches of cupcakes for all the Sole Runners to eat at the Finish Line.

Since the Sole Runners were running for cupcakes, they all pinned 'Will run 4 cupcakes' signs on their backs.

It was a beautiful day at El Dorado Park and the weather was perfect for a race.

The event was well organized and the volunteers were cheerful and energetic. Newcomb cheerleaders worked the aid stations and handed out cups of water.

After everyone had completed the 5k, we headed over to cheer on the junior Sole Runners in the 1k kids run/walk.

Suffice to say, everyone did their very best to Run Like It's Recess today.

The Green Girl's San Gabriel Riverbed Trail Run

The Green Girl had to work yesterday so she missed her Sole Runners Saturday run. Instead, I headed out for a run this morning.

I decided to run along the San Gabriel River Bed. The San Gabriel River Trail is a bike path that extends 38 miles from the base of the San Gabriel Mountains to the Pacific Ocean in Seal Beach.

The trail has designated bi-directional bike lanes. The runners tend to stay on the shoulder of the paved path or on the dirt alongside.

Since I started trail running, I've discovered I prefer running on dirt so I stayed off the asphalt as much as possible.

I headed south on the trail from El Dorado Park towards the bridge where the San Gabriel Riverbed intersects with the Coyote Creek Trail.

Some sections of the path were so narrow that I had to stop and walk gingerly along the uneven edge of the road.

At times, I would get the wind sucked out of me as the cyclists flew by.

I crossed the Orange Curtain and entered Seal Beach.

I was very grateful for the June Gloom today. It was humid but the occasional breeze made it bearable.

I ran out a little further than I had originally planned but I felt like I needed it after a long, stressful work week.

I passed the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power's Haynes Generating Station. The facility is currently undergoing some upgrades to reduce its future emissions.

I really enjoyed my run today. I had intentionally avoided hills to give my calves and quads a break.

I've had a lot on my mind lately and it was nice to be alone with my thoughts for a prolonged period of time.

Summer Solstice Watermelon 5 Mile Run Race Report

The Green Girl did the Summer Solstice Watermelon 5 Mile Run yesterday with Rad Runner Girl and her Sole Runners friend, Michelle.

The race management company, Try-Us Events, donates a portion of the proceeds from every race to support local school physican education programs. The race was held here in Long Beach at El Dorado Park.

As we were walking to the registration tables, we spotted Penny and her son. I admired her personalized technical shirt featuring her blog logo.

We picked up our bibs and goodie bags and dropped all the stuff at the car before we headed to the Start Line.



True to form, Rad Runner Girl made her way to the very front while Michelle and I settled in the back with some other Sole Runners.

The watermelon theme was consistent throughout the race. It made you feel like you were at a summer BBQ.

Although the race started at 6:00 PM, it was still really warm and I was not a happy green camper. So much for June Gloom. At least the trees provided some respite from the hot sun.

El Dorado provided a scenic route for the race. We ran the perimeter of a large duck pond and even passed an archery range.

I felt course marking was an area for improvement. Michelle and I actually got lost and weren't sure where to go. And we weren't the only ones - we encountered some runners who had strayed and were actually running in the wrong direction!

Since I'm familiar with the park, I suggested we head back when I felt like the mileage was appropriate.

Penny and Rad Runner Girl were faithfully waiting for us at the Finish Line.

I was thrilled to see there were still finisher watermelons left. I eagerly accepted my watermelon. They also had plenty of food and beverages. I love back-of-the-pack-friendly races.

The race organizers generously raffled off watermelon-themed prizes in addition to the age group awards. Penny got a watermelon umbrella and Michelle got a plastic watermelon sun tea dispenser. Rad Runner Girl got watermelon bubbles with a tiny watermelon cap.

The Green Girl was the exception to the watermelon rule. I won a digital camcorder!

Winning the digital camcorder totally made up for the poorly marked course and all was forgiven as far as I was concerned.

Sunday Morning Long Beach SparkTeam Walk

The Green Girl has a routine on Sundays.

To begin, I always wear on my trademark orange SparkPeople shirt so I can be easily recognized by potential new Long Beach SparkTeam members.

One of the highlights of my Sunday mornings is catching NPR's Weekend Edition Puzzle Challenge on my way to the weekly Long Beach SparkTeam walk at the El Dorado Nature Center. I am looking forward to the day when I am picked to do the puzzle on the air with Liane Hansen and Will Shortz.

It was a magnificent morning for a walk. The ground was covered with dry brown leaves but the tree branches were bursting with rich green hues.

After the walk, I like to visit the Long Beach Southeast Farmers Market to purchase my fresh produce for the week.

I love the variety of local fresh fruits and vegetables the farmer's market affords the community. The Long Beach Southeast Farmers Market also offers fresh fish and meats like Lindner grass-fed bison.

Today, I purchased some cilantro and Swiss chard. I got a trio of sweet blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries, along with a big bag of juicy oranges. I also stopped and picked up some raw honey sticks after Isabelle mentioned them yesterday. I'm curious to see if they could be an option for Athens.

It seems like every time I visit this Farmer's Market, I run into some friends and today was no exception. I saw a couple of girls from my running group and another one of my friends.

After the Farmer's Market, I usually swing by the Long Beach State Associated Students Recycling Center to drop off the recyclables.

El Dorado Nature Center Walk

Every Sunday morning, the Green Girl walks with the Long Beach SparkTeam. I really enjoy our weekly walks.

We usually walk around the El Dorado Nature Center but due to recent restoration efforts, we've been using the park across the street as a temporary detour.

We were pleased yesterday when we discovered we could return to the Nature Center for our walk.

The 100 acre El Dorado Nature Center is part of the El Dorado East Regional Park. The park sits on what was previously farmland. It features only California native plants from 5 regional plant communities - oak woodland, riparian, chaparral, coastal sage scrub and grassland.

The Nature Center also features a small Visitor Center with educational displays and a small gift shop that offers environmentally themed books and gifts.

We meet in the parking lot of the El Dorado Neighborhood Library and then walk over to the Nature center. The dirt trail is 2 miles long so if we loop around twice, our total distance, including the walk to and from the parking lot, is approximately 5 miles. The park also offers a quarter mile paved trail.

As part of the stream restoration, they added some foot bridges and made some changes to the trail. It was a pleasant surprise to find the path winding in a different direction yesterday. One duck wandered up on the path while the rest of the ducks remained wading in the stream. We also spotted a rabbit hiding in the bushes.