Running in 2008

In Loving Memory of my son and running partner,
Charlie "Chuck Huggz" Harrison











This year's plan was to try to do 75% of Hal Higdon's running regime, and play hoops two or three times a week. One run during the week and organized runs on the weekends. I'm not going nuts like this guy, Adam Blum.

My (dis)organized run schedule, and what really happened:
Date, Run, Distance, (goal time)
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2/3/08 SuperBowl 10K, 3K - DNS (did not start =scratch). Not ready.


4/6/08 Sunday - Presidio 10, 10K @ 57:32, in memory of Ashlyn Dyer, too. (see my tribute on Stories at her site link). 4/13/08 Sunday - Santa Cruz, 10K @ 53:23 as bandit. Kee ran the Half in 2:11 (!). 4/19/08 Saturday - UCSC Slug Run, 10K @ ~58:00? behind Mav and P. Back and hip in pain. Not promising and not training...


4/27/08 Sunday - Long Marine Lab 10K @ 56:36 with Mav behind P. Right leg and hip numb. Right leg shin splints hurt, too. 5/3/08 Saturday - (r) Pat's Run, 4.2 Miler @ 1:37:56 Walked it due to shin splints and hip. 5/10/08 Saturday - Mt. View Human Race, 10K Walked the 5K only. Tender.

5/11/08 Sunday - Watsonville Homeless Shelter, 10K (Charlie would run this one!). DNS.

5/18/08 Sunday - (r) SF Bay To Breakers 12K (Charlie would run this one!). Got on the train but never made it to the starting line. Long story involved Santa Clara U. and Smirnoff.
5/24/08 Saturday - Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras 10k (<~50 min?) DNS. 6/1/08 Sunday - Practice Dipsea 6.8 Miler (Mill Valley, tentative) . DNS.

6/7/08 Saturday - (r) Nisene Marks Half Marathon (<~2 hours). DNS. Pre-paid the fee, but simply was in no shape to run this one. This means that any hope of running the FULL SF marathon is probably out the door.
6/15/08 Sunday - CRY 10k Mtn View (tentative) DNS. 6/21/08 Saturday - Pacifica Trail Run, 9K, 21K, 30K, 50K (tentative only - dance day)

7/4/08 Friday - SC Firecracker 10K (or the Angel Island run below?). DNS. I should've at least tried to run this. Still not in shape. Recovering from the Vermont trip.

7/5/08 Saturday - Angel Island, 8K, 16K, 25K, 50K (tentative longest run). DNS.

7/13/08 Sunday - Los Gatos Jungle Run Half Marathon (<~2 hours) . Pre-paid for this one so I showed up to see if I could run a half marathon (13.1) completely cold with virtually no running training at all for the past three months. I ran the first 6 miles in 62 minutes, but fell in and started talking with a slower runner at that point. My calf cramped at 10 miles and walked/jogged the last 3 miles. Finished in 2:25, 25 minutes slower than in 2007 when I ran a pretty strong race in exactly 2 hours. Bummer, but I finished.

7/27/08 Sunday - (r) Wharf to Wharf 6 Miler with Simon. Pre-paid. The gun time at mile one was 20 minutes. We ran the whole way but somehow a lot slower than in 2007. I figure our tru running time was about 1:16. ScottP and Greta gave us a ride home. That was key.

8/3/08 Sunday - SF Marathon 26.2 Miles (4:30). Pre-paid. The day before I downgraded to the Half Marathon. Ran the 1st half that goes over the Golden Gate bridge. My new bib # put me in the very last wave of runners (8) starting, so I was starting with walkers and joggers and first-timers just hoping to finish. I actually felt OK and must have passed thousands of runners in the first 10 miles. My right knee swelled up at the 10 mile mark, so I was basically running on one leg from then. I lost my wind but still finished in 2:17, which is at least better than the LG Jungle Run. All in all, survived with no serious injury and did much better than I could have hoped. No way could I have run the Full marathon on this day! Maybe next year - but maybe not. Long distance running may be too hard on my bow legs, HS football injured knee, bad hip and chronic back problems. Maybe I should stick to hoops, some 5k's and 10k's and ride the bike some more. Charlie would be cool with that.

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further possibilities...

August 9, 2008 Saturday - Dammit Run
8/17/08 Sunday - Felton Race Through the Redwoods 10K
9/27/08 Saturday - SC Mountain PCTR 10K, 21K, 29K, 50K (3:30 don't bonk!!!)
10/4/08 Saturday - Angel Island 8K, 16K, 25K, 50K
10/4/08 Big Sur Half Marathon, Marathon, 5 Miler
10/5/08 San Jose Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon
10/26/08 Silicon Valley Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K

--- Pics and Run Recaps ---


The San Francisco Half Marathon. What a goof-ball face. I'm feeling good at this point, (7 or 8 mile mark), coming back over the bridge and still passing lots of people.












The 2008 Wharf to Wharf with Simon. He is giving the "buck" sign and wearing his "Never Stop Believing" Santa Claus shirt. I'm giving the Mama forehead salute and wearing Charlie's memorial shirt. We're about to finish really strong.














The Presidio 10 mile or 10K on 4/6/08, coming back from the run across the Golden Gate Bridge. I knew Charlie would've loved to be there especially the great live music at the end. When I learned of the tragic loss of Ashlyn I knew I had meet her parents. I sent a tribute to her, and Ashlyn's spirit and goodness lives on. Next year I'll find out how to get an orange shirt...















The Santa Cruz Half Marathon and 10K on 4/12/08. It was HOT and the race was sold out, so I had to run as a 'bandit' (no bib # or official time). I ran the 10K with the turnaround right in front of my house. I found a bib in the garbage afterward and traded it in for a t-shirt and medal. I think Charlie would be proud of that move! My colleague from Ariba, Keeyoung, ran the Half in 2:11. Not too shabby, Kee!




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Last 2007 year results.... (can be found from http://www.zinsli.com/)