Wrigley River Run 10k Race Report

Wrigley River Run & Tadpole Trot

The Green Girl did the Wrigley River Run 10k on Saturday, June 2nd.

The proceeds from this event benefited the Long Beach Neighborhood Foundation (LBNF) to support educational and athletic events and programs for local youth.

Wrigley River Run sponsors

My running group, the Sole Runners, was one of the race sponsors.

The event consisted of a 10k run/walk, a 5k run/walk (with an official stroller start), and a 1k Tadpole Trot.

The 10k started an hour before the 5k so runners who could finish the 10k in time were given the option to run both races.

Sole Runners at the Wrigley River Run

Wrigley River Run 10k

The route went through the residential Wrigley district of Long Beach with one switchback up and back down the concrete Los Angeles riverbed.

The course was well marked and there were many enthusiastic volunteers to guide and cheer participants.

Sole Runner LeAnn heading up onto the Los Angeles riverbed

I've been dealing with Achilles tendon bursitis (retrocalcaneal bursitis) in my right heel so my strategy was to take it easy and listen to my body.

The switchback nature of the course enabled me to cheer on Sole Runners who were racing towards the Finish as I was still heading out.

Wrigley River Run 1k Tadpole Trot

For me, the 1k Tadpole Trot is the highlight of the Wrigley River Run.

I love watching the kids sprint from the Starting Line.

The overall male and female winners of the 5k and 10k races were awarded gift certificates for a pair of shoes from Road Runner Sports.

The top 3 male and female in 14 age categories received medals.


The top male and female for the combined 5k/10k received trophies.

Wrigley River Run Medals

A number of Sole Runners, including Coach Steve placed in their respective age divisions.

Despite achieving a Personal Worst for the distance, I had a really good time at one of my favorite races.

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.

Sole Runner Summer Kick-Off Party

The Green Girl attended the Sole Runners Summer Season Kick-Off and Running Gear Discount Party last night at Road Runner Sports in Torrance. Sole Runners received a 15% discount that could be combined with Road Runner's VIP member discount.

I enjoyed listening to Coach Steve as he shared his marathon training experiences with the group.

He talked about how he had worked with City of Hope to create their Walk for Hope 5k/10k series and marathon training program.

Coach Steve gave a high level overview of the Sole Runners program and handed out sample marathon and half-marathon training schedules.

There was a Saucony shoe giveaway but unfortunately, my name wasn't pulled. (I was hoping I would win so I could give the pair to my friend, Jeannie.)

After the session, I headed out for a short run with one of the Sole Runners, Michelle. We headed west on Crenshaw towards Country Hills.

This was my third run in my new shoes. So far, they feel really good under my feet and my arches are well supported.

Since I started running in the 1012's on Saturday, all my posterior tibial pain has gone away. I'm really looking forward to taking them out on a longer run this Saturday.

We ran past a Japanese restaurant, Rice Heaven, where they proudly proclaimed 'We make you smile with rice'.

Dusk is my favorite time to run, especially in the warmer months. I feel much more relaxed when I run later in the day. I find comfort in the diffused light and the way it softens the sky.

As the last of the sun's illumination faded, we passed De Portola Park. We ran in darkness for awhile and then headed back to our cars.

The Green Girl Loves Green Superfeet

When my left arch started aching after my very first 5 mile run, I knew I needed additional arch support. My New Balance stability shoes had served me well for the shorter distances but my feet needed more support for the longer distances.

My arches almost completely collapse when I put weight on my feet. I also tend to overpronate when I run. The arches in your feet are designed to collapse and provide shock absorption. This is considered normal pronation. If your arches collapse so much that your feet roll inward, this is overpronation. For me, both my feet overpronate but my left foot rolls in more than the right. If your feet roll outward, this is supination.

I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis years before I decided to take up running. This is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thin layer of tough tissue supporting the arch of the foot. Because of my plantar fasciitis, activities like ice skating or roller blading are very painful for me. I also prefer to run on hard, even ground - running on soft surfaces like grass or sand are much more painful for me. When I was first diagnosed with plantar fasciitis by my podiatrist, she recommended I get custom orthotics. The orthotics were not covered by my insurance so I had to pay for them out of pocket. Unfortunately, they were uncomfortable and I never wore them. The edges cut into my heels and the orthotic only extended to the middle of my foot. With each step I took, I could feel the edge against the soles of my feet.

The day after my painful 5 mile run, I went to Road Runner Sports to get some advice on insoles. If you have a Road Runner Sports near you, I highly recommend visiting their store. They have this tool they call the Shoe Dog which they use to evaluate your gait, pronation, and stride. After analyzing me with the Shoe Dog system, the salesperson suggested I try a pair of Green Superfeet insoles.

At first, I thought they were too stiff but my feet responded really well to them. Because I had such a demanding training schedule, I had limited time to break them in. I wore them out to dinner, to work the next day and I ran a few miles when I got off work. I was concerned I needed more time for my feet to get accustomed to them but that wasn't the case.

The Green Superfeet insoles gave me the extra support I needed to increase my mileage. I'm able to manage my plantar fasciitis by wearing my New Balance stability shoes, the Green Superfeet insoles, and icing my feet after my long runs. I also massage the bottoms of my feet on a daily basis with a golf ball and stretch my calves every chance I get.

Shortly after I got my Green Superfeet insoles, I went to an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine and he mentioned he always tells his patients to try a pair of the Green Superfeet before investing in expensive orthotics. I wish my podiatrist had suggested the Green Superfeet from the start.