M.O.R.E.: Footsteps 5K

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Footsteps 5K

Today we ran the Footsteps 5K that started from Newhall Park and ran out and back on the South Fork Trail. C had mentioned wanting to run it some time ago, but we haven't been able to coordinate or schedules lately, so we waited until the last minute to decide whether we would run or not. It was really nice not to have any pressure leading up to the race (anticipation, anxiety etc.) I just woke up this morning and signed up at the park! Unfortunately C was not able to run, but Marathon Mom, Sea and Sun, and a friend were all there ready to run. I really HATE 5K runs because I am not in the least bit speedy, and that is what you need to be to run a good 5K. I tend to spend my first mile trying to pass the kids and walkers, and end up out of breath for the next mile, and absolutely dead legged on the last mile. I managed to stay behind Marathon Mom, and Sea and Sun for the first mile and I felt pretty good, but I could tell from experience that the last mile was gonna suck, since it was uphill and into the sun. Marathon Mom and Sea and Sun were running like they were on a Sunday stroll (chatting and laughing). Even though I was close enough behind to hear Marathon Mom reprimand the Dad who told his kid to throw is water bottle into the wash, I was definitely huffing and puffing, not chatting. I spent a lot of my energy after the turnaround trying to get around the kid who threw the bottle, kids don't want you to pass them, so they run really slow and when you start to pass they start to sprint. When I told my hubby about all these things that kept me from running faster, he said I need to concentrate on my running more and less on the people around me, hmmmm. We all agreed that we would have liked to run faster,and that the last mile did suck, but it was a fun event, and I am glad I showed up. I have to say that I don't get as stressed about these races as I used to, I am not going to win, and I know that I am going to finish, it is fun to do it with my friends cheering me on (they are always done before me anyway)!!!

4 comments:

marathon mom said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; April 18, 2010 at 1:16 PM
marathon mom said...: Funny you mentioned feeling less stressed out about this race because I was thinking the same thing. Usually before any race, my heart is pounding out of my chest and my mouth is dry from nerves, but not today. I enjoyed just taking a low key attitude about the race because I think I enjoy it more that way. I still ran faster than I normally would on a training run, but I wasn't try for any records either, which is just fine with me. If I can feel this way about all my races, I think I would be willing to enter more of them.
I'm glad we did it and were able to contribute to a good cause. I'm still bugged about that dad who told his kid to throw his empty bottle into the river. Great example he is setting for his son.; April 18, 2010 at 1:18 PM
Patty said...: I mean really, we are doing more than most people our age do, and we are supporting a good cause. I think our marathon really made me realize, that I can stand on a starting line and it is really no big deal! We are spending time with people who like to run, that is it, some we will pass along the way and some will pass us. I like the way I feel afterward, so I think I will keep trying, and see how I do. Probably wouldn't do it without my friends though, so you will have to be out there with me!!; April 18, 2010 at 8:19 PM
marathon mom said...: I think racing is like anything else....the more you do it, the easier it gets. Perhaps helping set up in the beginning contributed to me not feeling so nervous and kept my mind off of the race. I think we should look for another race we can do and just commit to it.; April 19, 2010 at 6:50 AM

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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.