Running Commentary

Went for a run-walk yesterday. I'm becoming familiar enough with my new surroundings to identify some running routes that could become faves, not to mention finding the best routes for crossing the Mississippi-River-sized boulevards of Wilshire, Santa Monica, Westwood, and Sepulveda.  Yesterday I made my second daylight foray into Westwood Park (I've been by it several times before in the dark and found it not so inviting). It's a fairly small park, but getting to it plus running around it plus running back is good for almost three miles. Especially like the wall with words and illustrations from The Carrot Seed , a book I remember from my childhood. It's a fine read, with its themes of faith and optimism and its illustrations both chunky and charming. Can't wait to take Calvin to the park and read this wall with him! My run would have been more edifying if my right ankle hadn't started hurting for no apparent reason. After 34-plus years of running, I&#

Took a brief trip to Berkeley. It was great to be home, even for a few days. I ran twice, both mornings in weather some 15 degrees cooler than what I've been experiencing here in the land of LA. My running is only so-so these days. It's disappointing that I am not officially injured and yet am not able to run consistently without pain. My piriformis and gluteus medius evidently didn't take kindly to my runs above UCLA on Sunset or to the blinding speeds I reached at the UCLA track. Go figure.  So I've been run-walking, sometimes up to the gym near campus and sometimes just around, trying to keep my spirits and my heart rate both up. My son the doctor took me to a UCLA longevity conference today, and in all four of the sessions we attended I heard experts on healthy aging hammer away at exercise, exercise, exercise. I also heard them describe strength training as vital for the elderly, so I figured make the gym a destination a couple of times a week is a good idea.

Back in Berkeley for a few days. Have been spending a lot of time in LA with my beautiful grandson. It's nice to be here. These days I seem to be semi-injured (piriformis/glute medius/IT band again), but am getting out for some jog-walking as often as I can. My goal is to run, or jog, or jog-walk--to perambulate periodically for a substantial chunk of time in some way--for the rest of my life.  I've run in Berkeley and Albany so many times over the years that I feel I could do it in the dark. Wait a minute, that's exactly what I did on Sunday!  October sunrise over the Albany BART tracks.  

Sunrise over Drake Field. Picture me here. Left, right, left, right, etc. Have been trying, for the most part successfully, to do a track workout once a week. I run to the UCLA track and do the workout Karen Andrews sends around for the LMJS track session that she leads every Tuesday evening in Oakland. It's not the same as being there, but it does make me feel a bit connected to something familiar. In addition to the track work, I run a couple of sets of stairs. Currently I do two sets--am looking to add on more. To step it up, to coin a phrase. These steps have a fairly short rise. Perfect for running, and many people do. Including me!