My claim to fame, TNT - Ask Charles

Sadly, this is the closest I will ever come to sports fame...

NBA Eastern Conference Finals - 2011
Bulls v Heat, Game 4, Heat lead 2-1
Ask Charles - halftime segment:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apuKZgae6do&feature=youtu.be

 ...unless I can somehow convince Michelle Kwan to marry me.

Ohhh how I've missed you...

12/11/11 - Santa Cruz 5k (3.1 miles)

Finish line

I didn't end up finishing 1st at the 5k this past Sunday.  In fact, I didn't finish second, third, or fifth either.


I placed 4th overall out of 248 in the Santa Cruz 5k - Toys for Tots.  My estimate, based on prior year, was that I needed to run a 19:16 (6:13/mile) to have a chance to win the race.  I ended up running an 18:27 (5:57/mile) and I wasn't even close to winning.  Not only was I not close to winning, but I was somewhat embarrassed about losing to the 2nd and 3rd place guys:

1st place - Stud

2nd place - Guy pushing a stroller

3rd place - 14 year old

4th place - Me


You might be surprised that I'm relieved to not win this race.  When/if that day comes I would like my parents, and a few specific other close friends, to be there to see it.  My parents came to almost every single one of my track/cross country meets and it wouldn't be the same to finally win a race without my #1 supporters.  I think it's kind of like what my friend Scott says about the 2010 World Series - he wishes that he went home to watch it with his parents.  I don't think it's the same when you don't get to share victories with the ones that you went through the hard times with you.

Early 2011 at the Davis Stampede

The timing is a little off because as you can see I forgot to turn off my watch until slightly after the race:  http://connect.garmin.com/activity/134446087

1st

I've had a chip on my shoulder since running track/cross country in high school.

Alright, so it doesn't get as much media attention as his....BUT....

I've never won a race.

In high school I was the #2 runner on a team that went to the California State Championship Meet.  I was never faster than our #1 runner, Jeff, who was much more talented and ran at the college level.  The highest I ever finished was 2nd overall.  It was standard, for people in my situation, to run one JV race to experience 1st place, but unfortunately for various reasons (mainly fracturing my foot) I never got that chance.

The problem at this point in my life is that the races are public - it's not just high school kids.  There is usually some collegiate or professional runner that is just flat out more athletic, taller, and faster than me.  However, I still have my eye on the prize!  When I heard the words "first place" I automatically envision crossing a finish line and breaking the tape.  (Usually there isn't tape at a finish line...but that would be great!)

Tomorrow I'll be running in the Toys for Tots 5k in Santa Cruz.  I've been training this past week for it semi-seriously.  My method has been very rudimentary:  run 3.1 miles as fast as I can and then put in some extra miles to maintain my distance training.

Wednesday, the first day that I timed it, I ran 5k in 19:10:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/133351899

Thursday I ran it in 19:13.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/133459197

Today I felt terrible, but managed to run it in 19:30.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/133797769

Last year nobody "out of my league" participated.  The winner did it in 19:14.  We will see what happens this year.

11/24/2011 - Walnut Creek Turkey Trot 10k (6.2 miles)

Yes, not the best picture ever, but it's the ONLY one that Brightroom took of me in this race.  Brightroom is one of the companies that takes a bajillion photos at races and sells them afterwards to the runners.  Needless to say - I won't be buying this picture.

I almost didn't end up going to this race.  It was raining hard at 5:30 AM driving from San Jose to Walnut Creek.  However, runners are notoriously stubborn (nice term for "dumb"), and I raced despite the weather.

If you ever wondered what a race is like...it's not glamorous.  Here is an example of a typical bathroom line at a race:

Goal:  To not slip and die in the rain

Time:  40:29

Pace:  6:32/mile

35th place/1,273

I realized that for my last 5 races I've gotten a combined 10 hours of sleep.  I seriously wonder how much better I could do on a full night's rest.

Garmin Forerunner405

My most recent purchase:  $140 as a Amazon Deal of the Day.  You can literally race against a virtual version of yourself on past runs.

It's amazing what this thing can do.  I went with the Garmin because it seems the most popular among runners and they're obviously a well known GPS brand.  My friend, Scott, has an older model Garmin and I was amazed by the capabilities.

It's much easier to show you than talk about it.  Check out the "View Details":

10/16/2011 - Nike Women's Half Marathon (13.1 miles)

San Francisco, CA

Late post.  I decided that the NWM was too special of an experience to leave out.  I know what you're thinking, "Steve, why/how did you run the Nike WOMEN'S Marathon?"

Statistic:  I heard there was 27,000 runners there.  I also heard - 22,000 women; 5,000 guys.

Explanation:  I ran the race because several female coworkers at PwC were doing the race and wanted me to participate.  Plus, you get a Tiffany's necklace to give to that special lady...(my mom).

This was the biggest race that I've ever participated in - it was mayhem.  Here's a picture at the start of the race in Union Square:

I was able to take pictures because I promised a friend that I would walk the race with her.  It was hard.  I was EXTREMELY tempted to start running, but I had to keep my promise.  It was great though - I got to hang out with Shelley and Melissa while enjoying a gorgeous course:

 

I can't wait to run the race next year - it's an amazing experience.  This isn't a race that you're going to PR in - it's just way too crowded, but the race is extremely well put together by Nike and the atmosphere is jam-packed with excitement.

Finally, Here is what the 2011 NWM necklace looks like: