Beverly Hills Nike Town Run

I just got back from the Nike Town run in Beverly Hills tonight. I've been doing this run, which by the way meets every Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. behind the Nike Town, for about 7 years (not every week by any means). It is a great run for beginners through experts - offers a 3 mile run, 5 mile run, and an eight mile run.

I completed the five mile run in 44 minutes tonight. It was a beautiful night, the temperature was perfect and met a friend during the run too (we both arrived at about 6:50 p.m. due to work obligations).

This is definitely the best free deal in Los Angeles. Afterwards, Nike does a raffle and provides free fruit and drinks.

If you would like more information about it, e-mail me.

Camp Pendleton Triathlon Coming In July

Added to my race schedule this summer is the international distance Camp Pendleton Triathlon on July 19, 2008. The race's website provides a race overview:

COURSE: The 1.5K swim is in the boat basin of Del Mar Beach, Camp Pendleton. The average water temperature for the event is 68 degrees. We advise wearing wetsuits. The out & back 40K ride leaves Camp Del Mar, follows Vandegrift Blvd. to Stuart Mesa Rd., and continue east to a turnaround point on Las Pulgas Rd - moderate hills throughout. THE BIKE PORTION IS NOT A CLOSED COURSE. YOU WILL BE SHARING THE ROAD WITH CARS - PLEASE RIDE SAFELY. The 10K Run will be a 2-loop course through Camp Del Mar. This run is flat and fast with a few easy inclines. Aid stations: at the transition, at the bike turnaround & every mile on the run. Please note: there is a 3 hour 40 minute time limit on the completion of the course.

Playa Del Run - Santa Monica Results

Results are in for the Playa del Run event from last Sunday in Santa Monica. I have to say that this is a great event, especially for newcomers to the sport. It is informal, and everyone I met at the race was extremely nice. However, this was my second time competing in one of Playa del Run's events, and I've noticed that the event seems to attract very fast competitors - so if you compete in one of their events, focus on your individual time and not how you do in your age group overall (this is good advice for every race anyway).

I managed to complete the 1,000 meter swim (just over .5 miles for you Americans) in 21 minute and 18 seconds. I really need to improve my swim time - but my buddy that did the race with me, Angel, had the exact same swim time and we both noted that if we swam in a straight line, we could have probably shaved a minute or two off of the swim time.

The run was 3 miles, and I completed this in 26 minutes 57 seconds, for a total time of 48 minutes and 14 seconds. Click here for a course map.

Newport Beach Triathlon

I competed in the Newport Beach Triathlon on April 20, 2008.

Out of 490 “age-groupers” I finished 183^rd with a final time of 1 hour 32 minutes and 14 seconds. Within my age group (30-34 years old) I finished 22^nd out of 64. I swam .5 miles in 17 minutes and 41 seconds. It took me 1 minute and 54 seconds to transition onto my bike. I rode 15 miles in 48 minutes and 50 seconds. It took me 1 minute 46 seconds to get off my bike, put on my running shoes, get some feeling back into my legs, and transition into the running portion. I ran 3 miles in 22 minutes (which is a 7 minute 21 second per mile pace).

I am very happy with my results – the first time I finished in the top ½ of my age group (which

was my goal).

The weather was perfect for the race. The swim was surprisingly warm, due

to the fact that the bay was shallow and the weather had been very warm the days leading up to the race. Despite the course description, the bike course had a big hill at the turn around, it was a two loop course. The run was flat for

the most part, but again, at the turn around there was a substantial hill. All-in-all though, the course was a great one. Also, the UC Irvine Rowing team volunteered to work the course, and I have to say they were the most enthusiastic group of volunteers that I've ever encountered at any race.