Pony Espresso Express
March 23rd, 2009
Dear PE’s:
Well, Spring has sprung and we are now getting better weather (although it can still be pretty cool in the early morning). The days are longer and the afternoon runs more and more beautiful. We now have a good core of ponies doing the Wednesday AM track workouts at La Costa Canyon High School track at 5:45 am. Many are in training for an upcoming half marathon or marathon. The results are evident. Our repeats, while not too fast are getting somewhat faster and a lot easier. The gate at the tennis court is almost always open before we arrive (otherwise we have to squeeze through) and as each of us walks down the bleacher steps to the track we see other shadows moving around the track. Soon, the faceless bodies turn into real people (or ponies) as the sun rises. Last week we had a gorgeous morning with a half moon to light the track. Soon it will actually be light as we begin the workout. As usual, we do 800m-1600m warm up and then various repeats. Our last track session had a step program with 400m, 800m, 1600m, 800m and 400m. Tomorrow, I think we’ll do 5 x 800m with 200m walk/jog in between each repeat. It is sooooooooo much easier with a group! Please join us J
Below is a picture I took (with my phone) at the start/finish of our regular RSF golf course loop at the corral this past Saturday afternoon. I thought these were ponies but they turned out to be Icelandic horses. I thought it was fitting that they greeted me at our home base. For those of you who haven’t joined us at the Ranch for our 4.5 mile loop, I thought the beautiful setting might just inspire you. The actual running (horse) path is just beyond the wooden fence and in front of the trees and bushes. The surface is ideal- dirt covered with wood chips. It is firm…but soft. Not only will you see other runners and horses, but beautiful flowers, plants, trees, lakes, fairways, sand traps and greens. We generally have an afternoon run around the golf course on Thursday afternoon starting either here or, more often, at the elementary school at the corner of La Granada and El Fuego. These usually start at 5:30 pm. We park in the school’s parking lot. When we start at the school, the corral is our half way point. The rock structure is a trough for the horses. There is a separate one for dogs and a fountain for human ponies.
Don’t forget that the Carlsbad 5000 is coming up soon. Even if you’re not running/racing it, it is worthwhile to be there to see the elite runners in the final event. The men will be running just over 4:00 min/mile and the women way under 5 min/mile! Also, we’ll set up some longer runs for the weekend if you’re not already running with a group. The LA Marathon (and Saddleback Half) are in 2 months, the RNR San Diego 1 week later; the 1st Seattle RNR Marathon is in late June!
Let me know if you have any good events planned or good races in the bank.
Happy Trails and Tracks,
JRB