The Awesome Marathon! Santa Monica CA Sep 23 2012

The Awesome Marathon Santa Monica CA Sep 23, 2012

I had a chance to get involved and run in a neat little event this weekend.  A friend of mine told me to check out www.rocketracingproductions.com.  They offer pretty cool, small format, weekly, or close to it, races.  The event I got involved with was called The Awesome Marathon.  In consisted of a 10 Miler, Half Marathon, Marathon, and Ultra.  Being a wimp, I decided to join the 10 miler just to get my feet wet with the group.  I only found out about the event last Wednesday, and thought what the heck.  I registered that day, and got all set up.
Sunday was the day of the event.  Registration started at 6am and the race began at 6:30.  For those who have entered any big races, 30 minutes doesn't seem like a lot of time to pick up your bib and get registered.
Here is a shot of the registration area.

Well the best part about these events is the small amount of participants.  My goal for this race was to come in the top 100.  I think I was able to accomplish that as there were only about 50 people running. 
Here is a shot of the pre-race rundown and instructions.  It was sort of a run to here, turn around, run to there, turn around sort of thing.  Fun and intimate.

 Just prior to the 6:30 race start, I got my bib and was ready to go. Don't mind the numbering system, as I don't really think it meant anything.

On last look up at the morning sky, and we were on our way.

There were a few possible loops that you can run depending on what exact race you were running.  My 10 mile loop was fairly simple.  Run south along the beach and turn around before you get to Venice.  Then run back to the start completing a 2.2 mile loop.  Then run north along the beach for about 4 miles and turn around and come back to the start.  This will give you your 10 mile loop.  Sounds pretty basic, and it was awesome.  Little signs along the sand or chalk lines written along the bike, running path.
Here is a quick and blurry shot from right at the start.  This is on the southbound loop.

Once you get down to the designated turn around for the 10 milers, you head on back to the start.  There you can grab water or a snack.
Here is a shot of me as I get back to the start line.

Once you pass the start line again, you begin your 4 mile out and back.  Here is a shot just passing the starting line heading north and looking toward the world famous Santa Monica Pier.  You can see the Ferris Wheel off in the distance. 

After about a half mile or so, you get a better shot of the pier. Here you can see the Ferris Wheel, Roller Coaster, etc.

Once you pass the pier, you just kind of keep running for another 3 miles or so.  This is from about a mile past the pier looking toward Malibu and the edge of the Santa Monica Bay.

Just keep on winding along and you eventually get to the end of the running/bike path.  This is an open format, so there are no spectators, no cowbells, and no one around as you can see from the shot above and below. 

In fact, there weren't a lot of people around at all. You kind of run at your own pace, and just keep on going.  You cant miss the turn around as they do have a table at the end with refreshments and snacks.  Good place to stop and stretch if you'd like.  The shot above is just before getting to the end of the road.

Here is a quick shot from just before the turn around, about 4 miles from the Santa Monica Pier.  You can see it in the distance.

We had a beautiful morning, and great weather.  It did get a little warm once the sun finally made its way out, but not too bad at all.  As I mentioned, this was an out and back course, so you do see the same places on your way back.
Here is a quick shot of me coming into the finish.  I finished in 2 hours 18 minutes.  Slow jog today.

Once you get to the end of the course, every finisher gets a medal.  I was in a hurry to get back to my car as the parking meters start at 9am, and I was chit chatting after the race and almost forgot about it. 
Anyhow, here is a shot of my finishing medal, from in the car. 

All in all, this was a fun little race.  I definitely think I'll be getting involved in more and more of these events.  The price is right at $28 compared to upwards of $150 for some of the big races.  Good bunch of runners, and everyone was cheering each other on as you'd pass them on the paths.

The part about the whole thing was that I had a top 5 finish!  I actually came in 3rd place.  That probably sounds good except that there were only 4 people in my division.  Oh well!

Happy running!

Fort Worth Texas Trinity Trails Run

Fort Worth Texas Trinity Trails Run

Had a chance to sneak out for a quick run after a day of working the NBS show in Fort Worth.  This is a run that I have done over the past couple of years.  Its a run that combines some outdoor feel, with closed in big downtown buildings.

Here is a shot of a big ol' Texas star in the Fort Worth Convention Center where the show took place.  Of course being in Texas, the star is made out of various cowboy hats.

 I was based out of the Courtyard Marriott on 6th and Houston which is where I began my Trinity Trails run.  Here's a quick look of the state building from about where I started my run.

Here is a look at the building as I got closer to it.  Pretty cool acrchitecture.

 

  From here, I run down Commerce street and join the Trinity Trails system.

 

 

I actually join the trail system at a local park.  I can't really remember the name, but I enter the trail behind some building and run down a pretty cool, shaded, windy brick pathway.  Hard to see in the photo, but this brick trail winds back and forth and it kind of steep.

 

 

Once at the bottom, I join up with the Trinity River.  This is a pretty neat little trail system that consists of a dirt/gravel trail as well as a concrete trail.
Here is a shot as I am crossing the Trinity Park bridge heading over to the actual trail.

Once you get onto the trail you can see the dirt and concrete trails running parralel.

This little trail winds and intersects each other with some little changes in elevation.  I stuck to the dirt side and it was pretty fun.
Some parts of the trail get pretty close to the river.  Here is a shot looking back to the 6th street bridge.  Right about here is where I cross the river and start heading back.  I did about 2.5 miles along the river.

Once I cross the river, I run back upriver for about a half mile then join back into civilization running up one of the main streets through town.
Here is a shot of one of the pretty churches along the way.

I came across this monument when running by a park.  This was a tribute to William...somethingrather who donated land to the Fort Worth area.  Kind of cool, and really tall.

 

 

Once I pass the monument, I end up right back in downtown.  Here is a quick shot of some of the building that I like to wind through.



 

In running through downtown, there are always some neat storefronts, and lots of big windows.



After I took the above picture, I realize that someone inside was waving back to me.  From here, I only had about a block left.  I ran back to the hotel and took a quick shower.  This run came in at 4.5 miles. 

 

I did a little research, as I tend to do when on the road, and found a great little Vegan restaurant not too far away.

The name of the restaurant is Spiral Cafe and Bakery.  Pretty darn awesome.  I actually ended up going here two nights. 
Night one I opted for the Canyonero Burrito and Disco Hash.  This was pretty amazing and had just enough spice to make me refill my water glass multiple times.  The Disco Hash was phenominal.  It basically is hashbrown smothered in "cheese" and their own country gravy.

 

 

 

Night two, after the above run, I went back to Spiral Diner and went with the Truck Stop Burrito.  I started off with their Spicy Chipotle "Queso"dilla. 

Here is a shot of the Quesodilla.

 

Here is a shot of the Truck Stop Burriot of Love...with side of hashbrowns.

 

 

And of course, after any successful show, and run, I like to wash it all down with a nice cold one.

 



 



 

We had a great NBS show this year, and even had the chance to sneak in a nice little run.

Happy running!

 

Reno & Truckee Work, Run, and Fish

Reno & Truckee Work, Run, and Fish

Since my blog is called TheRunningFisherman, I thought I'd throw in a fishing report, and even a little business aspect to what I do.

Just got back from a business trip to Reno Nevada.  The biggest little city in the world.  You'd be able to see it in this photo if I hadn't tried to take it while driving.

This trip was for one of our buying groups called Worldwide.  They are a group of retailers who pool their resources and form a buying group.  Its a pretty fun show with lots of neat things to see.  Everything from pool toys, to submachine guns can be found.  And of course, fishing tackle.
Here is a shot of my Okuma booth.

The show took place at the fabulous Atlantis Hotel and Resort.  Its a nice casino property located right in the heart of Reno.
The weather in Reno was pretty warm in at about the mid 90's.  I really only had one chance to sneak out and get a run in on this trip.  Between the altitude, a little over 4500' and the warm temperature, it was a tough run.  In fact, I only got in two quick miles. Actually, the reason I only got such a quick run is, is that I ran to the Sportsmans Warehouse store to grab my fishing license.  There really isn't too much around the hotel as far as running scenery goes.

Here is a shot of my hotel as I'm running down the street.  There really wasn't much to see other than concrete, construction, and cars.  Really not too exciting.

So prior to this trip I did a little research on Vegan restaurants in the Reno area.  Pretty slim selections really, but I did manage to find a place called Freeman's Natural Hot Dogs.
http://fnhotdog.com/Freemans_Natural_Hotdogs/Home.html
This place was pretty awesome, and had some great Vegan dog selections.  I decided to try it out on my first night and had the Vegan Italian Sausage.  Came with a Asian Slaw.  Pretty incredible.

Day two of the show went really good.  We had some great meetings with some of our great retailers, and wrote lots of orders.
On some of my business trips, I like to try to bring along my fly fishing gear.  If I'm close enough to some fishable water, I'll try to get out and wet a line.
After day two of the show, I had a chance to drive over and fish the Little Truckee River.  I brought the fly gear and had a great time.  I managed two little rainbows, but it was great just being out on the river.

It really is pretty water, and I pretty much fished until dark using both wet and dry flies.  The air was warm, but clean and fresh.  There were no other people for miles.

Day three started off with an early run to the big Truckee river right in down town.  Big, fast moving water that has a plentiful population of big brown trout and rainbows.  Unfortunately, neither of those guys wanted anything to do with me.

Here is a shot of the Truckee River as it passes near Idylewild Park.

It was a beautiful morning, and always great to get out and fish before a day of work.

Once I was done on the Truckee by 7am, I made a quick stop at one of my favorite little Diners.  The Black Bear Diner.

The food is always good, and always large.  I ordered up the Granola Nut cakes.  Pretty darn yummy!

In looking at this picture, it doesn't look totally appetizing, but it was excellent!

After a full day of working the show, I decided to make the run back down to the Little Truckee.
Here is a shot of me as I work my way down to the river, and getting ready for some natural trout action.  Okuma Tuscani Fly Reel and Guide Select Fly Rod were the weapons of choice.

The fishing was fun again, and we had a great little hatch happening at sunset.  This brought the trout up to the surface.  This made for a fun little dry fly bite.  The fish weren't monsters by any means, but there really is something about catching natural fish on a fly.  Pretty indescribable.
Here is a shot of one of the average fish.

Ok, don't laugh.  Unless you are in the water working these fish, you probably don't get the thrill of catching these little guys.  Pretty great.

On the way back from the river, I was having a conundrum.  Couldn't decide what I wanted to do for my final nights dinner.  I decided to run back to Freeman's and go for one more dog.  I guess I splurged a little and went for the Wholly Dog.  The Wholly is a Italian Sausage, Hummus, Tomato, and Lemon Tahini Sauce Vegan dog.  Heck, I even through in a regular vegan dog for good measure.
Here is a shot of the Wholly Dog.

All in all this was a great trip.  We had an excellent show business wise, and some great fishing.  I even had a chance to sneak in a little run.

Happy Running!