Dipsea Trail,Warren Hellman,Restricted Diets and Jed Smith Ultra Run

Saturday Secretariat and I entered and ran a half marathon at Stinson Beach hosted by Coastal Trail Runners.  The weather, ocean and mountainous views were spectacular.  The trail, although rocky, rutted, steep, and tree fallen was relatively dry.  The running   trails and scenic views were like being in a Star Wars or Avatar movie.  We also used part of the famous Dipsea trail.  Lucky us! All in all, there were plenty of steps, and of course the famous ladder.  There was actually a ladder connecting two parts of the uneven trail.   I found this half marathon, tough.

Secretariat ran well and was waiting for me at the finish.  He received a well-deserved Silver medal.  In spite of getting lost-I was following two guys, I received a gold medal.  After the race, we went back to shower at Beverlee Bentley’s home in Mill Valley.  Beverlee’s story can be found in Chapter 18 of “It Has Nothing To Do With Age.  “Incidentally, she was a gold medal rower.  As we were leaving, a tow truck pulled up with Adam’s car (he is one of her sons) attached.    His car broke down, but he was not injured.  Thank goodness for that.

Secretariat and I and then headed to downtown Mill Valley.  I dropped off a couple of my books at the Depot a bookstore and café.  We stayed for lunch.  We found Russ and Marilyn Kiernan there as well.  Russ is the Dipsea Legend and found in Chapter 4 of my book and in 1997 was my first ride and tie partner.  We chatted and exchanged stories. We talked about Warren Hellman and about Russ meeting Richard Blum, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein friends of Warren’s.  Russ was full of good stories.

By the time we reached the foothills, the memories associated with the toughness of the morning run were forgotten.  The morning pain and discomfort was hidden somewhere in my mind. Now, I have to get ready for next Saturday’s Jed Smith, 50 K.   Lucky me! Secretariat and Chris Turney plan to join me.

Last week I wrote about aging.  A few facts, about aging, were found in the Wall Street Journal, August 27-28, 2011.  For example, the average life expectancy of the Cro-Magnon was 18 years; the Renaissance man was 30 years; America in 1850 was 43 years; 78 years in America today; and estimated 101 years in the developed world by the year 2300.  Further, there were 2300 centenarians the United States in 1950; 79,000 in 2010 and an estimated 601,000 in the year 2050.  That number was based on current trends of the US Census Bureau. The trend is growing.  Do you want to be part of the trend?  

In the laboratory, researchers have extended the life of worms 900%; fruit flies 100%; monkeys 60%; and mice 45%.  More specifically, a 2009 study with rhesus monkeys demonstrated how reducing diets (fewer calories) by 30%, affected the two groups.  Pictures of the monkeys on restricted and non-restricted diets were shown.  Just by physical appearance, I would prefer to be on the restricted diet.   Hands down, there was no comparison.   I intend to write more about this fascinating subject tomorrow.

Dipsea Trail,The Depot, MillValley,and Placer Farm Supply

"There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do."– Freya Stark

Last Friday, Secretariat, and I headed for Carrie’s place in Tiburon. We had dinner in San Rafael, at an Italian restaurant.  Unfortunately, even though Secretariat’s mother and family is Italian, he can only gesture.  He is unable to speak a word of Italian.  As a result, we had to order, from the menu, in English.  After dinner, we arrived at her place before she returned from work in San Francisco.  She had her dinner and then we all had desert, which included peach pie and ice cream.

Early Saturday morning, after oatmeal, fruit, tea, and peanut butter, we headed for Stinson beach.  We arrived in plenty of time, and parked in the parking lot.  We noticed there was a large group of runners milling around.  We soon found out why.  There was a rumor going around that the race had been canceled?  Secretariat called home to find out if we had received an e-mail about the cancellation.  Sure enough, I did.  A little while later, the race director appeared and told the running group a sad story about the particulars of why the race was canceled.  Secretariat’s motivational drive dropped rapidly.

Race Day shirts were handed out along with goodies for the run.  Although there were no trail markings, we decided to start off with our own run, along with many others.  The first part of this trail run is on the Dipsea trail.  We navigated many steps going up the mountain and then took another trail that was ruddy, narrow, and rocky with very lush surroundings.  I have to chuckle because there is one part on the trail where we have to use a ladder to reach the adjoining part of the trail.  Secretariat got in front and then waited for me at the parking lot, which would have been an aid station.  We talked about which trail to take and because, in part because he was bummed out, we decided to take the 12 K. loop back.  Once on that trail, we passed many hikers and proceeded for a couple miles until the trail became unclear.  I took the lead and followed this one path and then proceeded to slip, slide and fall down frequently in the process.  My butt got dirty, my socks got dirty, my handheld water bottles got dirty, and my shirt got dirty as well.  After laughing and ducking underneath trees, we eventually reached the correct trail.  At that point, I decided to walk the rest of the way, since I was concerned that I might have pulled a muscle in the process.

Once back at the beach, we cleaned up and headed for The Depot in Mill Valley to have lunch and drop off two more books for distribution.  While there, talking to the store employees, who other than the Dipsea legend walks in, with his wife?  Russ Kiernan was there in downtown Mill Valley for a ribbon-cutting Dipsea ceremony.  Incidentally, Russ is Chapter 4 in “It Has Nothing To Do With Age.”

That was the first time that I had entered a running race that had been canceled.  Hopefully, it is the last.  All in all, I enjoyed, hanging out with Secretariat, staying with Carrie, meeting up with Russ, and running in beautiful Mill Valley at Stinson Beach. What a life!

Book signing November 26 from 12:00- 2:00 PM at Placer Farm Supply. Phone (916)663-3741

Expectation,Stinson Beach,Western States 100, and Triathlons

Yesterday’s famous Amos quote had to do with belief or expectations.  Expectations can be a powerful motivator, depending upon how realistic we are.  Expectations can be influenced by past performance and/or experience.  Successes can lead to increasing our level of aspiration or expectations.  By the same token, failures can lead to lowering one’s level of aspiration or expectations.  The more realistic, we are, the more successes we have can lead to more and more achievement.  As a result successes are very vital in the expectation formula.

Today I took Digger with me on my trail run.  I ran the same course that Randall and I did on Sunday.  This time, Chris did not join me, but I had my wire haired terrier with me.  This run is easily 13+ miles, with plenty of elevation, especially Maine bar at the end. My tapering begins tomorrow for the Stinson beach half marathon.

Randall has a plan for Saturday.  He would like to run from my house and proceed to Rucky Chucky and back.  That distance is about 18 miles.  His wife Diane is going to bring the vehicle to green gate so we will have an aid station.  Since I am tapering, I am not going to run the entire distance. Chris indicated last week that he would join us for Saturday’s run.  Secretariat is scheduled to return home tomorrow and hopefully will join us.  For those of you that do not know, Rucky Chucky is the crossing of the American River for the Western states 100 mile run.   Randall has not been on that part of the trail and is looking forward to that part of the run.

The September 27, 2011, Wall Street Journal had an article about a college athlete track and field runner currently working in an office.  Michael Johnson entered the workforce in 2000 and found it difficult to sit at a desk for eight hours without exercising. In 2003, he found workout partners and began entering 5K, 10k and half marathon races.  He joined the Walt Disney Company in 2006 and last year joined their triathlon team.  After one year of training, Johnson competed in the Nautica Malibu triathlon and finished in one hour and 58 minutes.  Currently .33 years of age Johnson has found a new and better life.

Johnson admitted that he could not gain weight while in college because he was exercising so much.  He claims he now gains weight easily. So, he cut out sugar and cut his carbohydrates in half.  For example, breakfast muffins, bagels, and most bread are eliminated.  He also reduced his juice intake because of all the sugar.   For him, snacks are usually almonds, peanut butter, and apples.  PS, he also works out during his lunch hour.  It is good to read about people finding direction, goals and increasing their expectations.  He wants to be a terrific triathlon participant.   Good luck Johnson.