A Snail’s Pace Run Club is ready to run Surf City. Huge...

A Snail’s Pace Run Club is ready to run Surf City. Huge shout out to all my Snails and all my friends running tomorrow. It’s going to be a great beach side run. #running #asnailspace #pacer #runsurfcity #surfcitymarathon (at Surf City Marathon Expo)

A nice quick swim post 8 mile run. First swim with the Garmin. First swim since summer. Need to get in the water more! #swim #fitness #crosstraining #triathlonsomeday #garmin #920xt #nuunbassador #fasted #lowcarb

A nice quick swim post 8 mile run. First swim with the Garmin. First swim since summer. Need to get in the water more! #swim #fitness #crosstraining #triathlonsomeday #garmin #920xt #nuunbassador #altrunner #fasted #lowcarb via Instagram

A nice and easy fasted 8 this morning. A little test run for the...

A nice and easy fasted 8 this morning. A little test run for the pacing duties tomorrow at Surf City half. #running #surfcitymarathon #lamarathon #training #vibramfivefingers #garmin #920xt #nuunbassador #fasted #lowcarbrunner (at Newport Back Bay)

One more throwback Thursday before the night is over. Pacing the...

One more throwback Thursday before the night is over. Pacing the Surf City half marathon last year. Will be pacing again on Sunday, but this time I’ll be leading the 2:05 group. Amazing to think, last year this was only my 4th half marathon and Sunday it will be my 15th. Come join me for a nice and easy coastal run! #tbt #running #asnailspace #pacer #surfcitymarathon #surfcity #huntingtonbeach

Sometimes you just have to pause the gps, stop, and take it all...

Sometimes you just have to pause the gps, stop, and take it all in. Taking in the amazing view of the south OC valley, Pacific ocean, Catalina and San Clemente islands. #running #trail #vibramfivefingers #garmin #nuunbassador #nuunlove #orangecounty #whitingranch (at Whiting Ranch)

After yesterday’s not so great run, I was determined to...

After yesterday’s not so great run, I was determined to get out again. 2-3 miles in, I was entertaining cutting the run short, but found motivation to make it to the top of the hill. By mile 7, I was just enjoying being on the trails and 11+ miles later my run weekend was salvaged. #running #trail #hills #lamarathon #training #vibramfivefingers #garmin #nuunbassador #whitingranch #lakeforest (at Searrano Creek Trail)

Rough run this morning. Pace was much slower than last week, had...

Rough run this morning. Pace was much slower than last week, had to take a few breaks, and had to cut down my 20 to 18.5. Weather was really dry, windy, and warm. I should have been able to run through that, but I also had some problems with my feet and the new shoes. I know better than to put so much miles on new shoes, but I don’t have much time to figure it out with only 2 more long runs left until LA. Looks like my Five Fingers will be getting another marathon on them. In a way, it’s refreshing to not have to wonder how my feet would feel in the later miles with “regular shoes”. #running #lamarathon #training #generationucan #nuunbassador #newport #backbay #balboa #newbalance #garmin #strava (at Newport Beach Back Bay)

We run the night… and Newport Beach. Lululemon run club....

We run the night… and Newport Beach. Lululemon run club. #chasingnewport #running #lamarathon #training #lululemon #runclub #garmin #vibramfivefingers #nuunbassador #strava #blackandwhite #newportbeach #fashionisland (at lululemon athletica Newport Beach)

Brought out the new racing flats for the second time last night...

Brought out the new racing flats for the second time last night during Nike run club. I will still do the bulk of my training and running in my Five Fingers but wanted something just as light with a tad bit more cushion for the marathon. Gotta get a few test runs in with them before the big day though. #running #lamarathon #training #nikerunclub #werunoc #newbalance #garmin #strava #nuunbassador (at Nike Running South Coast Plaza)

Closing the loop on my weekend… Started with a sunrise 18...

Closing the loop on my weekend… Started with a sunrise 18 around the back bay yesterday, and ending with contemplative sunset 9 to the back bay and back. #running #lamarathon #training #aseenonmyrun #sunset #backbay #newport #nofilter (at San Diego Creek Trail)

After missing last week, it was great to get out there and kill...

After missing last week, it was great to get out there and kill my long run. Ran a bit faster then I should have but felt good and comfortable. #running #lamarathon #training #lowcarbrunner #generationucan #nuunbassador #vibramfivefingers #garmin #920xt #newport #backbay (at Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve)

Sometimes you have to get up earlier than the sun #running...

Sometimes you have to get up earlier than the sun #running #lamarathon #training #newport #backbay #nuunbassador (at Upper Newport Bay)

Back at it. Great run with Nike run club. #werunoc #nike...

Back at it. Great run with Nike run club. #werunoc #nike #running #nikerunclub #nikerunning #southcoastplaza #fasted #lowcarbrunner #vibramfivefingers #garmin #920xt #strava (at Nike Running South Coast Plaza)

After last weekends fail of a training weekend, looking forward...

After last weekends fail of a training weekend, looking forward to getting back on it this week. It happens, and the silver lining is I feel fully rejuvenated to hit the high mileage again. A training plan and log are very important tools to training that many people don’t consider. I see more runners out there trying to “wing” their first marathon by running more and more each week with no thought out plan. May work for a 5k or 10k, maybe a half, but a marathon requires some serious thought and preparation to complete without hurting yourself. #lamarathon #training #running #yesispreadsheet #projectmanagement #projectmarathon

Late 2014/2015 Post

I originally wrote most of this post as I was having coffee before the New Years Race half marathon last week. Some of my most introspective moments are the hours before a race. I’m usually sitting in a coffee shop waiting for my espresso to do it’s work and trying to reflect on previous races and training. It’s now almost 2 weeks into 2015 and I just now have a chance to complete my look back at 2014 and forward to 2015.

Running Goals - Last year, I ran my first and second full marathon, as well as many many other races and runs. This year, my goal is to set some personal records in those races. I’d like to break the 4 hour marathon mark and the 1:40 half marathon mark. In addition to those goals, I would like to complete at least a 50K race. I ran 32 for my birthday, but most of that was on flat roads. Along that line, one of my running goals it to run more trails. The benefits of trail running are endless with the more forgiving and varied terrain, better scenery, great training with the hills, etc. and if I am to complete a real 50K race, I will need the sport specific training.

More Crosstraining - Before finding my runner’s high, my training was centered around a power lifting type of program with general cardio added. Last year I focused so much on my running that I completely stopped lifting. This year, I want to make it a point to incorporate strength work back into my weekly training. I want regain back some my strength and become a better overall athlete. Incorporating a proper strength training program will only help my running and endurance. I also want to incorporate more swimming and biking.

Complete A Triathlon - In line with more crosstraining, I have some athletic goals outside of running. I’ve wanted complete my first triathlon for a while now. There are many accomplished triathletes in my run group and they continiously inspire me. I started swimming with them during the summer and in October I completed my first cycling event, a 67 mile bike ride throughout OC. This year my goal is to put it all together and complete my first triathlon of at least Olympic distance. My friends signed up for Ironman (half) Oceanside this year and asked me to join them with full confidence that I would be able to complete it. I would have done it if I had a bike to do some dedicated training on. I’ll need to pick up a bike this year, complete at least my Olympic this year, and hopefully be on the shores of Oceanside with them in 2016.

Refine My Way of Eating - There is no doubt in my mind that taking on this low carb lifestyle has truly been effective. From my consistent energy, increase in performance, recovery ability, and overall general health, I feel like I’m finally finding the balance and benefits of my lifestyle while still being able to enjoy foods I like in moderation and finding the right combination for performance. I well continue to test what works for me in life and performance and tweak as necessary.

Regain Focus - Towards the end of last year, I seem to have lost focus on my professional life. I can’t say exactly what it is. Maybe working at one place for five years put me in a place where I could just coast or maybe it’s time for some change. Definitely something I’ve been considering a lot lately. Either way, I have some professional goals that I would like to achieve and regaining my focus will be key if I want to achieve them. The key professional goal I want to achieve is to finally get my PMP. This is something I should have been working on a while ago, but I’ve found a new found motivation to do so and just need to get focused on the task at hand.

Reinforce Bonds - I made a lot of new friends last year through my run clubs, and fortunately due to our common interests we are able to hang out weekly. This year I want to strengthen the bonds of my old friends. Friends that I may sometimes take for granted because of how long I’ve known them and how they’ve always been there regardless. The end of 2014 really brought to light my age as I attended the wedding of a friend I’ve know for almost 20 years as well as visiting another friend that I’ve known just as long in the hospital after he had a stroke. There are so many people the come and go in your life and it’s important to let the ones that means something to you know it.

Relationships - This not so much of a goal, but more a reflection on 2014 and optimisn for 2015. 2014 saw me get into two of the shortest relatioships I’ve ever been in while attending the most weddings I’ve ever attended, causing me to question myself and whether I was ever going to find someone. I now thank those experiences as 2014 ended with the blossoming of an amazing relationship. A relationship that I may not have been as opened to had I not experienced everything I did earlier in the year. I look forward to exploring and growing. “Everything happens for a reason”

Overall, 2015 looks to have quite a bit of potential and a life changing and goal accomplishing year for me. Something that I look as a continuation of the foundation I started building n 2014. Here’s to an amazing 2015!

Great first Nike run club of 2015. Meant to do an easy 4, but...

Great first Nike run club of 2015. Meant to do an easy 4, but just kept going. Always great running with awesome people. #running #nike #runclub #nikerunning #werunoc #garmin #920xt #vibramfivefingers #nuunbassador #southcoastplaza (at Nike Running)

Camarillo half marathon done! 1:55 official time. 2nd half of...

Camarillo half marathon done! 1:55 official time. 2nd half of the weekend. Hit my goal of sub 2 for both. Time to eat and rest! #running #camarillomarathon #halfmarathon #lowcarbrunner #vibramfivefingers #nuunbassador #nuunlove #generationucan #asnailspace #camarillo (at Camarillo Marathon)

Camarillo half marathon. Race 2 in 24 hours #running

Camarillo half marathon. Race 2 in 24 hours #running

A little reflection before my second half marathon in a little...

A little reflection before my second half marathon in a little over 12 hours. Last night’s race was a major confidence booster for LA Marathon. That was a tough course with the cold weather, for Cali standards, and over 1000 ft elevation gain. I was happy with my overall pace and was even able to keep pushing up the hills consistently without the need of any on course nutrition but about 6 sips of water. Today will be the big test simulating the tail end of a marathon as I run on tired legs. #running #reflection #newyearsrace #lamarathon #training

Live. Run. Celebrate. #newyearsrace #legacystatus #running...

Live. Run. Celebrate. #newyearsrace #legacystatus #running #instamedals (at New Year’s Race Los Angeles)

Oh, you know, just stopping for a selfie while running inside...

Oh, you know, just stopping for a selfie while running inside Dodgers stadium during a half marathon. #running #newyearsrace #dodgers #doyers #losangeles (at Dodger Stadium)

New Years Race done for the third time! Official time 1:52. 15+...

New Years Race done for the third time! Official time 1:52. 15+ min course PR. Tough hilly course and ran it much harder than I probably should have considering I have another half marathon in less than 12 hours. Time to start recovery. #running #newyearsrace #halfmarathon #lowcarbrunner #asnailspace #vibramfivefingers #nuunbassador #nuunlove #dtla #losangeles (at New Year’s Race Los Angeles)

New Years Race LA. #running #newyearsrace #losangeles #dtla (at...

New Years Race LA. #running #newyearsrace #losangeles #dtla (at New Year’s Race Los Angeles)

Obligatory pre race gear shot. #running #newyearsrace...

Obligatory pre race gear shot. #running #newyearsrace #halfmarathon #asnailspace #asprc #nuunbassador #curearthritis

Almost time to run this city for the third time. #newyearsrace...

Almost time to run this city for the third time. #newyearsrace #halfmarathon #legacystatus #running #dtla #losangeles #resolution #testmylimits #race1of2 (at Downtown Los Angeles)

One more throwback Thursday: 2 years ago I ran the inaugural New...

One more throwback Thursday: 2 years ago I ran the inaugural New Year’s Race LA as my first half marathon. Last year, I ran the same race again as my 3rd half marathon. Saturday, I will run it for the 3rd time as my 13th half marathon and less than 12 hours after finishing I will be running the Camarillo half marathon as my 14th half marathon. “Sometimes you just do things” #newyearsrace #legacystatus #camarillomarathon #challengeaccepted #lamarathon #training #running #fitness #lowcarbrunner #nuunbassador #tbt

Made a little pit stop along my drive to my dads to squeeze in...

Made a little pit stop along my drive to my dads to squeeze in my first run of the year. A nice 5 mile trail and beach run at Torrey Pines State Nature Reserve. Beautiful day and views and a perfect way to start the running year. #running #fitness #vibramfivefingers #garmin #lowcarbrunner #nuunbassador #nuunlove #lamarathon #training (at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve)