COC Cross Country Race #1; Race Report #9

     With just 48 hours of recovery, Robin and I made the drive down to Santa Clarita for the first of seven weekly Thursday night 3-mile cross country races at College of the Canyons, also known as COC. This year it's the 44th annual happening of the summer cross country series, and everyone from high schools to us masters runners look forward to this event. We drove down, paid our money, got our bibs and timing chips, and warmed up for the first race. I could tell right away warming up that my legs were still feeling the effects of Tuesday's 5k so I knew this would not be a night for a fast time. Unlike the Bakersfield races, COC only matters on the finals night as far as awards go so just getting used to the hills again was my plan for the evening. Keith and Ethan also showed up, as this has become our annual weekly get together to talk about old times, and catch up on family. The race is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM after the kid's race which began at 6:45. I'm not sure why, maybe it was the 4th of July holiday, but there was a very small crowd there for the first race.

Keith and Robin before the start of the start of the COC Summer Series Race #1

     We all line up on the COC baseball field listened to the instructions and took off at the sound of the gun. A lot of the people were complaining about the heat but after running in Bakersfield the temperature didn't seem too bad. It was 93 at the start. It was fun running along and chatting with some of my friends during the race. I hit the first mile in 7:26, and continued up the first big hill to the freeway downhill but had no leg strength. I guess I'm not as young as I once was. Soon enough the fun was over and killer hill loomed up in front of me.

The view up killer hill at the COC Summer Series

     I trudged up the hill, made the right turn and continued on up the hill. A quick down hill, and back uphill we went some more. It wasn't long before I hit the second-mile mark in 8:15, and it was downhill or flat to the finish. I cruised along at a 6:56 final mile. My official finishing time was 22:35.2. Not bad considering the hills and the fact that I had run hard just two days earlier. I saw Keith finish in a 29:33, and I jogged back to run in with Robin as a cool down. Robin crossed the line in 37:31. 

     With the race over there was only one thing left to do. As it has become a tradition for us we headed to Vincenzo's Pizza on Lyons for some post run nourishment.

Vincenzo's Pizza was the scene of our post race nourishment.

     We split a family meal deal and a pitcher of beer four ways. While we ate we relived the race and caught up on various family and friend issues from the past year. Next week it would be race #2, and back to Vincenzo's Pizza.

Santa Clarita Runners Independence Day 5K Classic; Race Report #8

     The morning of Tuesday, July 4th found Robin and I getting up early and heading down the I-5 to Santa Clarita for the Independence Day 5k put on by the Santa Clarita Runners. The only problem with this race is the parking, it's alway bad, and this year was worse because of construction going on at Hart High School. We arrived about 6:30 for the 8:00 AM start and had to park about 1.5 miles away. We walked to the check in, got our bibs and swag then walked back to the car to change our shoes, put on our patriotic gear, and head to the start finish area. Being a recent prostate cancer survivor, the first place I hit was the porta potty line to make sure my custom Depends wasn't going to be over filled during the race.

The view from the porta potty line prior to the Santa Clarita Independence Day 5k

     I did a short warm up, some strides, and got in line for the start about 5 rows from the front. As always, there were people that had no business lining up where they did in front of me. A girl did a fantastic job of singing the national anthem live before the start, and as soon as the timers were ready Martin sent us on our way. 

     When the horn sounded (I miss starting guns) we all took off. I settled into a nice pace and worked around the slow people who had no business starting where they did. When I felt my watch vibrate for the first mile I looked down at my watch and was shocked to see 6:30. I immediately slowed my pace as I felt I had gone out way too fast for my training thus far. Because there is a parade following our race, the course is lined with spectators that cheered us on the whole way. The local high school teams also came out and supplied support by manning water stations, and cheering us on with signs and cheers.

The crowd was great on both sides of the course

     My second mile was a 6:55, a little slow, but closer to what I thought I should be running based on my recent training. I still felt pretty good, so I began to pick up the pace, looking more at my watch to help me speed up and get into a faster rhythm. My third mile was a 6:44 which was more like what I was shooting for. When I turned the corner and could see the finish line I tried to lift my knees and work my arms. I'm sure I didn't look any different, but my watch says I sprinted to the finish in under a six-minute pace. My official time was 20:48. 

Me hitting the finish in my patriotic attire. My legs were the white part of the three colors. Photo by Captivating Sports Photos.

     I congratulated the runners that finished around me, grabbed a water, and headed out on the course to find Robin and finish with her. I didn't have to run far as Robin was scorching the course.

Robin working towards the finish

     I met up with Robin as she rounded the corner towards the finish. She looked good and sounded great. I'm sure the lack of hills on this course had something to do with that. A local high school cross country team was stationed just after the turn, and it was great that they were cheering for everyone like they were battling for the win.  

The high school cross country teams were awesome with their support.

     Robin strode out to the finish and I bailed over to the park so as not to create any timing issues by running across the mat twice. She broke the tape in 35:15 which was one of her fastest times in recent years. Her training for the Wild Wild West Trail Marathon next year is starting to pay off.

Robin hitting the line at the Independence Day Classic 5k. Photo by Captivating Sports Photos.

     Since it was too far to go back to the car for the ice chest and lawn chairs we stood around for the awards and raffle.

Robin and I waiting for the awards. Photo by Captivating Sports Photos.

     Neither of us won anything in the raffle, but I did get first in the 55-59 age group even though my time was a minute and a half slower than the last time I raced here. The lovely Paola Howard presented me with my medal. By now we were both hungry so we headed just down the street to the legendary Saugus Cafe for some food and adult beverages.

 Tuna Melt and a beer after my race.

The view from the bar at the Saugus Cafe.

     The iconic Saugus cafe hasn't changed since the 60's. we went straight to the bar where we were able to order both food and drinks. The beers were ice cold and the food was tasty. It was a great 4th of July. The race had close to 900 participants total. We devoured our food and headed home to recover so that we could attempt COC #1 just 48 hours later.