Day One Fun

What a nice evening to start a summer training program. This cool weather is almost scary because you know the heat is coming. Christopher (my oldest son) and I walked over to Yokuts not knowing what to expect. What was unexpected was that we were not the first at the park. Brooklan, her son and her a couple of friends had already been at park for awhile hitting the jungle gym. Her 2.5 year old definitely has her energy.

Then Ariey suddenly appeared like Nixon in 1968 "tanned, rested, and ready."It was nice to see him and he said Edquist was coming by too. Of course, edquist just got home from a roadie to San Diego and had a six dollar burger before practice. All that was missing was Holt to make it seem like old Driller days. Guess he is lifeguarding up at BC these days.

We also had my first youth runner from the Rio Bravo Greenly district who is looking to get ready for the fall cross country season. Nick ran cross country last year and ran the 3000 in track this spring.

After a mile or so warmup run we did a couple 1200 meter runs at 5k pace. The small loop at Yokuts park is dead on 0.75 miles. The Andrews ran the first in 4 flat followed by Brooklan and Christopher in 4:50 and the others were under six minutes. After a short 3 minute rest, they were sent off for another one.

Ariey picked up the pace a bit and did the second in 3:50 and was followed by burgerman in 4 flat again. Brooklan and Christopher ran a a second or two faster on the second one. All in all it was a nice quick workout to kick off the summer.

If you would like to join us, please do. We meet at Yokuts every week night at 6:30pm except for Tuesdays when we go to either the McFarland or BTC Summer Series 5Ks. More info HERE.

Day One of BDP

Well I got my USATF club number and decided on a time and place for this summer's Bakersfield Distance Project's Summer Training Camp. I plan on meeting everyone at 6:30 pm at Yokuts Park every weekday but Tuesday. Tuesday evenings I will shooting the BTC and McFarland Summer Series. I hope to see many of you at these fine events.

On the weekends, I have listed some local fun runs and races that I will be attending with fellow BDPers. Other Saturday's I plan on being at the Panorama Bluffs doing the Killa Hilla Challenge at 8am. The Killa Hilla course is 5 miles up and down the trials at the bluffs. It is an out and back course that will wake you up in the morning.

The Challenge is to see how many miles I can walk before we cross paths a second time on the course. We take off together and you leave me. On your return trip you see me once. When you finish the out and back course, you had back on the course to find me again. When you find me again, I will record how far I went before you caught me. My son owns the record: he caught me before I got to 3.5 miles.

On Sundays I hope everyone does a long steady run. You should do at least 90 minutes even if you have to walk the whole time. You will improve your aerobic fitness even if you walk. The goal should be a one 120 minute run most weeks but 90 is the minimum. These runs should be real easy and relaxed. Carry a water bottle and just cruise.

How far is not as important as how long. I do at least a 2.5 hour walk heading west on the bike path every Sunday morning and my son Christopher usually does his in the evening on the Panorama Bluffs bike path. We can organize a weekly Sunday run if there is interest.