M.O.R.E.: Running for the Health of It

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Running for the Health of It

I am always writing about the benefits of running and talking with my friends. It is obvious to anyone who watches us run, and to our families that our running is about more than running. We really never stop talking, and the amazing thing is that the more we run, the fitter we get and thus, the more we talk. I was thinking about how much fitter we are than we (or I) were when we first started out running together. Speaking for myself, I would try to join in on the conversation, but after a while had to just listen because I was breathing so hard. On our run today, Marathon Mom, C, her daughter, K and I started at Cheesepark, ran to the Albertsons trail and took that toward Decoro before we headed back up the trail to join up to McBean, and back to Cheesepark. It is a 4.3 mile route and we haven't run it in a while. As we were running down the Albertson's trail, we were really keeping a good pace, (we didn't have the GPS, so no numbers) but never broke stride with our conversation. I have to say, we really have come a long way, and I KNOW that all the running we do is benifitting us in ways we don't necessarily see. I know I felt guilty yesterday leaving to run with a sick child (even though he was asleep), it is not easy for Moms to spend so much time doing things for themselves, but I know that we are doing it for our families good also, because we are in better moods, and undoubtedly healthier for all our time spent doing something we enjoy so much!

Today was my oldest's 28th birthday, he is as much of a joy today as he was as the most adorable baby ever born (up until that day 28 yrs. ago). We ate a HUGE breakfast together as a family and watched old vacation videos that showed all the kids in their younger years. There is much to remember and much to look forward to, so I will keep up the running in the hopes of keeping up with my children for some time to come. HAPPY BIRTHDAY #1

2 comments:

marathon mom said...: I was happy to see your comments about us being "fitter" because "fit" doesn't necessarily mean skinnier in my book. I thought I was going nuts because since we've been doing this marathon training, I've GAINED weight, instead of losing and then when you confirmed the same for yourself, well in some weird, selfish way that made me feel better (ha, ha). I'm still waiting for that point when the weight starts to come off. Maybe when we start doing 20+ per day? It was again humid this morning, but I enjoyed this morning's run.

I hope your #5 son was feeling well enough to enjoy the wonderful breakfast you made for your #1 son's birthday. It amazes me that with everything going on, you still had time to post on our blog.; August 12, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Patty said...: I know I focus a lot on my weight and I have been unhappy with the couple of pounds that seem to have crept on this summer. I think we have to really take pride in the fact that we have been so consistent this summer with our schedule. I have been feeling good with the running and I think the longer miles are really starting to pay off, hopefully now they will pay off by taking off those pounds. #5 seems to be feeling better this afternoon and did get to enjoy the breakfast but the fever spiked again and he slept the day away, which is why I had time to post, it has been quiet here. No school tomorrow to prepare for, hopefully Friday. Have a good run Sunday, I will hopefully be in L.Vegas.; August 12, 2009 at 6:09 PM

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Favorite Trails

South Fork 3.1: Start from dirt parking lot on Magic Mtn Pkway and run to the loop at Wiley Bridge and return the same way.

Tesoro 3.25: Start in Albertson parking lot and take sidewalk/trail until it ends and then enter the water tower road to the top two towers where the ends. Return the same way.

Chesebrough 3.25/4.60: From Chesebrough Park, N. to Copperhill, So. on Bike Trail, turn around at Decoro, back up trail to power lines to bridge at park. Turn around at Heritage will give you 4.6 miles.

Chesebrough 3.5: Chesebrough Park down to McBean, south to Northpark Dr., the paseo trailhead. Take the paseo to Helmers and back. Very hilly.

Bridgeport 4.0: Fairly flat, run toward Lowes and under Bouquet bridge to RiverPark community until you reach the closed gates and return. For a hilly run, go north into Helmers and run up the paseo switchbacks into Northpark where the paseo ends and return the same way.

Chesebrough 4.0: N. to Copperhill to west side of river trail, run S. on Bike Trail past Decoro bridge, across Decoro to the east side of river trail, up back to power lines trail, back to park.

Chesebrough 4.0: From park down power line trail to Heritage Park and back same way.

Bridgeport 4.0: From School, cross McBean via bridge or street and head into industrial center on Ave. Scott Bridge and enter bike trail going south toward the train bridge. Turn around at train bridge and return same way or cross the bridge and head toward Peet's after crossing train bridge and back onto the Lowes Trail.

Heritage 4.0: From park, run up bike trail to Decoro, over McBean Bridge into Helmers, and into Bridgeport through lake trail back to park. Can be done in reverse. Moderately hilly.

Chesebrough 4.25: Chesebrough north to Copperhill, left to Albertson side of bike trail. Run south on trail to Decoro and cross over bridge and head north all the way to Copperhill on east side of river trail and back to the park the same way as started.

Cheese/Decoro/Helmers 4.25: From the park, down dirt trail to bike path, south to Decoro. Leave bike path at Decoro and cross paseo bridge at McBean. Stay on paseo up hill towards Helmers. Run up water tower trail once then continue on to switchbacks and paseos back to park.

Heritage/Bridgeport 3.3: Heritage Park south to McBean Bridge @ Panera. Cross and head toward Lowes bike trail and head east toward Bridgeport Park. Halfway mark is at park bathroom, head back by entering trail along the lake and back onto the bridge.

Lowes 4.25: Lowe's parking lot to McBean, cross the bridge and to South Fork. At Valencia Bridge, enter trail behind Hart Baseball diamonds. Continue on trail to Bouquet and across the bridge on the east side and back under the bridge again towards Lowes.

Peet's & Decoro 5.2: Peet's Coffee to train bridge path; to Decoro and across bridge; back down McBean side of bike trail back to Peete's.

Peet's & Wiley 6.0: Start at Peet's Coffee and head east toward South Fork trail and past the Wiley Bridge. Keep running another 200 yards to where the trail forks left and right. Turn back same way.

Peet's & Copperhill 6.0: From Peet's to bike trail heading north to Copperhill and back.

Albertson 7.0: From the Albertson parking lot on Copperhill, enter the westside bike trail and head south until the train bridge. Return the same way.

Peet's 8.5: Run to Copperhill on east side of river trail and return via train bridge on other side.

Lowes 10: Start in the Lowes parking lot. Enter the bike trail heading west. At McBean, cross the bridge and head east toward SouthFork trail. Continue on trail until you come to the Wiley bridge and head back the same way.

McBean 14: This route can be done from anywhere along the trail route. Starting from McDonald's across the post office, run to the end of the South Fork trail and return the same way, cross the McBean bridge and run on the Lowes trail until you hit Bridgeport Elementary and then cross Newhall Ranch via the bridge or street and run back towards McBean. Continue north on McBean until you hit Copperhill. At Copperhill, cross McBean and enter San Francisquito bike trail and run south on the trail until you are back at McDonalds.