Author Archives: Scott D.
“I’VE BEEN CARTOONIZED!”
Hi Trippers,
Thanks again to all of you who entered the “Get Cartoonized” contest. Here’s grand prize winner Scott Bartos for all of you to see…
CONTEST: “BAND ON THE RUN”
Hi Trippers,
When you’re running a race… be it a marathon, half marathon or other distance, you’ve got a goal time in mind. Right?
Battle of the bands!
For me, it’s been 5-hours in the marathon and 2-hours in the half marathon.
The dilemma though is how do you know if you’re on target to crush that time or if you’re falling behind and need to pick up the pace. While your GPS watch can give you your current time and a slew of other info, it’s not always so good at telling you (in a quick glance) if you’re on race pace or not.
Enter the Paceband!
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY…
Not really a running-related post, although I have had the musical group “Red Wanting Blue” on my music mixes in the past.
Just a little treat for Mother’s Day… click on the image below and enjoy!
Happy Mother’s Day and Run on!
“You’re My Las Vegas.”
STUCK IN THE MIDDLE
Hi Trippers!
Decisions, decisions
A bit of a conundrum run this morning. Last Sunday I ran the OC Marathon and had a fantastic time. Now, according to my routine post race recovery schedule, today’s run should have been a very slow and fairly short run… say an easy 8 miles to ease my legs back into running.
However…
I also am only three weeks out from the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. And typically three weeks before a marathon is when I have my longest training run done at near race pace… something in the neighborhood of 20- 23 miles.
In there lies the dilemma. Long or short? Hard or easy?
Hmmm.
FAST FACT: “MAY” WE RUN NOW
On Sunday, May 4th I ran the OC Marathon. It seems I had plenty of options.
Here’s the latest fast fact for you to chew on. Enjoy.
Run on!
Source: FindMyMarathon.com
NOTE: According to the website, not all of the 2014 race dates had been confirmed, so the result is subject to change (as are most things in life).
COMPRESSION CONVERT
Hi Trippers!
Sock me!
After a brief hiatus following the OC Marathon, it was back to the gym yesterday to work out my “man gams” and start prepping for the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in 3 1/2 weeks. During my two day hiatus, however, I noticed a big difference in comparison to how I felt following the LA Marathon back in March.
The day after the LA Marathon I lumbered around like Frankenstein’s monster (complete with incomprehensible groaning… and a fear of pitchfork wielding townsfolk). But this past Monday, just one day removed from my 26.2 mile Newport Beach jaunt, I was walking around with very little real discomfort (still scared of armed townsfolk though). So what was the difference between then and now? Had I improved my level of fitness tenfold? Acquired mutant recuperative powers like Wolverine (and hopefully retractable Adamantium claws)?
Nope.
The answer is a pair of socks… compression socks to be more specific.
REVIEW: THE OC MARATHON
OC Bling!
Come on down to Orange County for the annual running of the OC Marathon. Celebrating its tenth anniversary and sponsored by US Bank, the race celebration featured several events, including: a full marathon, half marathon, 5k and kids fun run. On a beautiful first weekend of May (a little warmer and sunnier than originally forecast) an announced record 22,000 overall participants lined up to have fun and pound pavement in and around the heart of the OC. At the forefront were the marathon (2211 finishers) which started before dawn and the half marathon (10,345 finishers) which commenced shortly afterward. Having run the half marathon in 2013, I was looking forward to seeing what the full marathon course had to offer.
THE OC MARATHON EXPERIENCE: “POST MORTEM” AKA “BARRIER BROKEN”
Hi Trippers,
Glowing with excitement.
Can you hear that sound? Wait, do smiles make a sound… perhaps the “balloon like” stretching of my skin as I sport an ear-to-ear grin.
I’m back from the OC Marathon and I am so happy to say that after five long years and six prior attempts, I’ve managed to crack the 5-hour barrier!
It certainly didn’t come easy, not at all.
For starters let me say it was a great weekend. I attended a carbo-load dinner last night with about 20 members of the Half Fanatics/Marathon Maniacs/SA2LV groups. A few people I knew, but I ended up making several new friends. And that put me in a great mood for today’s race.
On top of that, as I made my way to the starting line, I found my T2 running buddy Stacey. She and I ended up running the first half of the race together, chatting up a storm. At mile 13 (shortly after we passed the infamous “fork in the road”… only a quick chat between me and the cabeza, by the way) Stacey had to use the “facilities” and was also planning to step off of the gas a little. She told me to go on ahead.
THE OC MARATHON EXPERIENCE: “RACE MORNING”
Good Morning Trippers!
Thumbs up, OC!
Up at 3:45am, dressed, caffeinated and heading out the front door of the hotel and walking right to my corral. Can I tell you how cool it is having a hotel that is starting line adjacent? That would be very cool indeed.
Number of runners for OC Marathon/Half: 14,000
Temperature forecast for the start (5:30am): 63 degrees.
First Song on My Running Mix: “Promises”- Def Leppard
Bring on the 26.2…”Post Mortem” later today.
Run on!
THE OC MARATHON EXPERIENCE: “AT THE FAIR”
Hi Trippers!
Woo Hoo…26.2!
Greetings from sunny Newport Beach. Drove down around lunch time to grab my bib and tech shirt at the OC Marathon Expo.
Located at the OC Fairgrounds (which also serves as the finish line and race after party) the race expo was overflowing with energy as excited half marathoners and marathoners milled about checking out the latest in running gadgets/apparel and sampling some of the race foods and drinks offered by vendors.
I ran into Rob from RaceGrader and got a chance to chat about upcoming races. He also asked when I was going to attempt my first triathlon… my dance card is full for 2014, so I’m thinking next year.
Rob from RaceGrader.
It was a good time walking about the floor and I ended up making a few purchases. I picked up a pair of compression socks to try out on the ride home tomorrow.
Squeezin’ da calves.
I also saved a few bucks and registered for the Surf City Half Marathon in February. Yup, I’m currently signed up for races all the way through April of 2015.
Running at the surf in 2015.
And I also met the head of CrankSports and he gave me some samples of their e-Fuel endurance products to try out. I’ll post a review once I’ve given them a test run in the weeks to come.
e-Fuel Endurance Blend.
Now it’s time to hang for a little bit at my hotel…located right at the starting line. Yup, I get a whole extra hour of sleep tomorrow morning (I’ll still be getting up at “Sparrow’s Fart”… as in really damn early) and won’t have to deal with catching a pre-race shuttle.
So, before I head off to dinner with a bunch of Half Fanatics and Marathon Maniacs I’ll leave you with a few other images from today’s expo.
Run on!
THE OC MARATHON EXPERIENCE: “COMICS FIRST”
Hi Trippers,
Free Comic Book Day swag from DC Comics!
It’s Saturday morning… or should I say “Race Day Eve”?
My bags are packed, my runner’s OCD is in full swing and I’m ready to head off to Newport Beach for the OC Marathon. By the way, organizers are expecting a record turnout for the race (22,000 runners pounding the pavement for the various events).
I can’t wait to get down there and dive right into the mayhem. But before I hit the road I must feed one of my other passions.
Today is the 2014 installment of “Free Comic Book Day.” If you’re a fan o’ comic books or haven’t picked one up since you were a kid (you can also use your own kids as an excuse to let your inner geek out for a stroll), be sure to check out the link to the Free Comic Book Day website. It’ll let you know all about it and a way to locate participating comic book stores near you.
WINNER: “GET CARTOONIZED” CONTEST
Hi Trippers,
I wanted to extend a huge “thank you” to everyone who submitted a photo for the “Get Cartoonized” contest.
You’re a very photogenic (and happy) bunch and each of your shots would look look great as a running caricature.
I wish each of you could win, but it is a contest so without further delay… drum roll please.
The winner of a free caricature from “I ❤ to Run” is:
Scott Bartos
THE FORK IN THE ROAD
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.-Robert Frost
Decisions, decisions.
On Sunday I’m running the OC Marathon/Half Marathon. Two different distances. So, which one am I doing?
In 2013 I ran the half marathon; this year I’m running the full marathon (the whole 26.2 mile enchilada). Not my first full marathon (it’ll be number 7), but my first full marathon with this specific “wrinkle.”
This will be the first time I’m running a full marathon where there is the option of running a half marathon distance. When I ran the LA and Chicago marathons, it was 26.2 miles or bust.
The vast majority of runners in OC will be opting for the half marathon distance.
Last year, less than 16% of the runners selected the full marathon, while a whopping 84% chose to pound pavement for 13.1 miles (I was one of ’em).
It’s just made me think about something new (to me) that I’ll face on Sunday…
THE FORK IN THE ROAD.
UPDATE: “GET CARTOONIZED” CONTEST
Hi Trippers,
Time is running out on the “Get Cartoonized” contest. Post a fun “running” picture of yourself on the “Tripping The Kenyans” Facebook page (and please give us a “like” while you’re there).
The winner receives a caricature done for FREE (a $29 value) courtesy of “I ❤ to Run.”
Two runner ups will win a “Gone Running” sign.
Here’s another example of an eBib, featuring my “cartoonized” mug:
eBib created at “I ❤ to Run”
Deadline for submitting your photos is 5:00pm PST on Thursday, May 1st. Winners will be notified by e-mail and announced on TTK on Friday, May 2nd.
And be sure to check out I Love to Run’s website and Facebook page. They’ve got really cool apparel for men, women and accessories.
Run on!
“BIBGATE 2014” SOLUTIONS
Last week sports fans nationwide cheered the running of the 2014 Boston Marathon. The support and solidarity surrounding the event in the wake of last year’s tragedy exemplified the true spirit of the marathon and good sportsmanship.
Naughty naughty.
Of course that doesn’t mean that there still weren’t a few rotten apples in the running barrel.
By now most people have heard about four individuals who photocopied bib #14285 and illegally ran the race.
And then there’s the story of Chelsa Crowley, wife of Foursquare Founder Dennis Crowley (her accomplice), who copied the bib digits of Kathy Brown, a woman who was running the marathon in order to raise money to benefit multiple sclerosis research.
Tripping The Kenyans 