COC Race #2; Race Report #10

     Well the second COC race went much better for me than the first. On July 13th we went South to Santa Clarita for the race, and the weather was much cooler than before. With the temperature a cool 84 degrees and my legs somewhat rested I looked forward to the race. I did my usual one and a half mile warm up with some drills and stride and was ready to go. There were many more runners at the second race than the first. 

     When the gun went off I went out a little faster than the first race, hitting the first mile in 6:47. The second mile is the toughest still, and with all the hills my split was 7:56. The downhill third mile was my quickest, 6:37 was my time. I finished with a time of 21:25. This was a minute faster than the previous week. I was pretty happy since I still haven't done much speed work on the track this year. My average pace for the race was 7:05 and my legs felt pretty good. With a lot of races scheduled in the near future, I made sure to warm down a little before the quick drive to Vincenzo's for a quick bite of pizza and some beer before the drive home. 

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.

Bakersfield Track Club Summer Series Race #2; Race Report #7

     On Tuesday, June 20, we drove down to Bakersfield for the second race in the Bakersfield Track Club Summer Series. Since the weather forecast was for hot temperatures, I had hit Home Depot and bought both Robin and myself Enduracool hats and a new Enduracool neck wrap for Robin as well. The weather forecast turned out to be true as the temperature was 108 degrees at the start according to my Garmin app. We both made sure to hydrate extremely well all day long to prevent any medical issues from popping up, I know I did a good job as I had to use the toilet twice before the start of the race. I also froze our handheld water bottles we carry when we run about one-third full, laying on their side, so the cold bottle would be against our hands as we ran the race. When we arrived we found Trevor and Andrea already there, so I parked, changed my shoes, shirt, and shorts, and put on my bib number and custom Depends.
     I did manage about a mile and a half total warm-up before the race, and I felt pretty good despite the heat. As seven o'clock came up, we all gathered near the start line. Everyone was talking about running slower because of the heat, and the announcer kept reminding everyone to hydrate, carry water, and walk if you needed to. Robin was the first to take off, followed by Andrea, myself, then Trevor followed by all the fast runners. I felt that I had run the first race a little easy since I didn't know the course yet, so I went out faster on the downhill first mile this time. With the high temperatures, I was sipping and pouring water on myself starting at about a quarter mile into the race. It wasn't long before I passed Andrea, gave a wave, and was zeroing in on Robin. I went through the first mile in 6:48, and felt good. The heat didn't seem to be playing a factor, but I didn't want to push my luck, so I went to easy mode when I got to the hill. The water bottle was awesome. It felt great to be able to pour water onto my neck and head. The Enduracool products seemed to really help. My second mile, with the hill, was 7:15. The track club did an outstanding job placing five water stations along the course, one of which we ran by twice to make a total of six opportunities for water in a 3-mile race. this was in addition to the water and misters that were at the start-finish area. Most 5k runs provide one water station along the course if that. I continued along to the finish and got passed by a few of the faster runners that had started behind me. I finished the race in 22:05 which was about 35 seconds faster than the first race, and in 108-degree temperatures. I hung around and watched Shane, Joe, and Carl finish refilled my handheld water bottle and set off to find Robin and pace her back to the finish.

My Garmin screenshot from the Bakersfield Summer Series Race #2

     As I ran down the first hill, I stopped and chatted with some photographers and asked about using their pictures on this blog, which they said would be fine. Of course, I haven't been able to find them online yet. Soon enough I found Robin and Trevor running together, so I went back a little further to Andrea and paced her into the finish. 

Screenshot of the finish results showing our real times plus our handicap based on age.

     We all stood around and talked about the race, I was looking for someone from McFarland to ask about the upcoming Jim White Invitational. Naturally, I couldn't find him after the race. Everyone was talking about a runner that had a medical issue during the race. We changed into dry shirts and headed to Ethel's Old Corral Cafe for some food and cold adult beverages. 

My sandwich, salad, and beer at Ethel's after the race.

     Ethel's was a classic vintage roadhouse. I had never stopped in there in all my years of driving by. The food was great, service quick, and, most important when it's over 100, the beer was ice cold. It was definitely a welcome respite from the heat and sweat only an hour earlier.

     

     On a side note, I am sad to say that I found out the next morning that the runner who had the medical issue did not make it, and passed away at the hospital. My condolences go out to his family and friends in this tough time. I will touch more on this issue in a future blog post.

     

PSA Test

    I recently had my second PSA test since my surgery. I used the same lab, and again I passed. My number was .03. My doctor said that since it's the new ultrasensitive test, that it's basically a zero on the old test.

My second PSA test since my prostate surgery

   Back in February, I had my first PSA test, and it was .01. My doctor said not to worry about it being higher, but that's hard to do. I don't worry about the tests like I used to. Last year, when I was trying to figure out if I even had prostate cancer, I would awaken at night, start thinking about the PSA test, and not be able to go back to sleep. So much seems to ride on these simple numbers. I know the PSA test has become controversial because of the anxiety it causes, but it caught my cancer early, and hopefully, I continue to have low test results like this one. I don't worry that badly anymore, but when I do think about it, I still worry a little. I think it's human nature. My next test will be in November. I know that when I'm waiting for the results, I will get nervous. 

Bakersfield Track Club Summer Series Race #1; Race Report #6

     Since high school, I have raced a lot of different all-comer cross country meets held every summer. The first one that I ever ran in was at Pierce College on Tuesday nights back in the 70's.. We would run the 2-mile course, then stick around and run track events later in the evening. It was a blast, the track meet held every event from relays, walks, pole vault, to sprints, middle, and long distance. I also ran the High Desert Track Club cross country meets, which back in the day were held in Quartz Hill. Naturally, I have run many races and thoroughly enjoy the COC summer series.  

The start and finish line being set up before the start of the Bakersfield Track Club race #1

     One of the meets that I have never participated in is the Bakersfield Track Club Summer Cross Country Series. This year after my prostate cancer surgery, I decided to try to compete in both the Bakersfield races, as well as the COC races. The races in Bakersfield are different in that they use a handicap start system similar to the Dipsea Race in Northern California. The goal of the handicap start in Bakersfield is to have everyone finish as close to 7:30 PM as possible. I was at the course early, checked in and got the bibs for Robin, Trevor, Andrea, and myself. The race is chip timed, and we keep the same chip embedded bib for all of the races. The bib has our name and starts time on it. Next to the start line is a big clock with the time of day going so we knew when to approach the start line. I did a short warm up with Shane, a few strides, and felt ready to go.

The handicap table for the Bakersfield Track Club Summer Series

     My start time was 7:08, so I got a 3-minute head start on the high school kids. The P.A. announcer was on top of everything calling us to the start line for our race. This is the first year competitors have been allowed to wear watches, as this is a no electronics race. That means if you are caught listening to music on the course during the race you will be disqualified. I love that aspect of the race. The reason for no music is safety. I ran up on some slower competitors pretty fast so I was glad they could hear me coming.
     After the race started, I came upon slower people pretty quickly. There are lots of families that do the race as a walk and jog for fun. I carried water as I did not know how the warmer air temperature would affect me. It was 97 when the race started, and the race organizers were well prepared, as they had four water stations along the 5k course. The course itself wasn't that difficult. We ran on pavement and dirt, there was one small hill, and a good amount of single track dirt. The heat makes up for the lack of hills. I managed negative splits in the race, 7:21, 7:17, and 7:15 for the 3 miles. The handicap start kept everything spread out, so there was never any crowds of runners that went out too fast for me to try to pass on narrow sections. I really enjoyed the race, and am looking forward to the next one.

My Garmin screen shot after the race. Note the temperature on the bottom right

     I finished the race in 22:39, Trevor 30:00, Andrea 38:42, and Robin did not race since she's in South Carolina playing with our grandson Henry. By the way, Henry was in his first 5k yesterday at the age of 11 days. Since scoring for the races is different than most, I cannot post the finished results since they have yet to be posted. The way I understand things, the race organizers take our run times, add it to our start time, and that will be our finish time. They will take the best 3 times for each runner, add them together, and that will determine winners at the conclusion of the series. The races will be held on every other Tuesdays, with the finals being a fun run, barbecue, and handing out of awards. Trevor, Andrea, and I finished the night at Tony's Pizza with some delicious pizza and beer.

Incontinence After Prostate Surgery

     It's been awhile since I updated my incontinence issues but things have been getting much better for me lately. Back on April fourth, I wrote about going to physical therapy for the first time, and how much harder the doctor wanted me to contact my pelvic floor muscles to help with my control. I went back for a second physical therapy appointment for my incontinence about three weeks after the first, and things were much better. I was able to hold my pelvic muscle contracted for about twenty seconds. That would be twenty seconds with the lights on the bio feedback in the red. All of this was helping. I was doing the Kegels harder, and I was doing fewer of them than before. My issues of peeing myself were becoming fewer and fewer. I was even able to drink some beers, and not go straight to the bathroom. Caffeine was still giving me problems, I'm not sure why. Since I was having fewer issues with my incontinence, I decided to try a different pad other than the Depends Ultra protection I was wearing. It also coincided with the first heat wave of spring. and the Depends weren't that comfortable in 100-degree weather. I purchased a container of Tena pads. I played it safe and went for the level 3 pad they sell, which is for moderate incontinence issues. The Tena pad is much more comfortable than the Depends pad. If anyone is going through something similar to this, buy different small containers of pads, and see which ones you like best. It was only a matter of about 10 days though, and I began to notice my pads were staying drier and drier as the days went by. A quick side note, make sure the pad is firmly attached to your underwear before you pull up the briefs around your waist. If the pad fall over as the underwear is pulled up, the sticky side of the pad comes into contact with the scrotum, and it hurts when the pad is pulled off. I found this out the hard way. Anyway, about a week and a half ago, I decided to try and work without wearing the pad. I'm only having issues when I sneeze or laugh too hard after drinking some beers. The experiment has worked, as I only need to currently wear a pad if I'm running.
     On May 20th, Robin and I went for a bike ride to celebrate our wedding anniversary, and I wore my custom made Depends pad for the ride. I was nervous, as I hadn't been biking yet. Not only did I survive the ride, but I was able to stop and pee after about an hour of riding. There was some liquid in my Depends, but I had been able to hold some inside me for a change and get rid of it like a normal person. This was a huge milestone for me. This past weekend Robin, Maggie and I went for an eight-mile hike and run that featured over 2000 feet of climbing, and lasted over 3 hours. At the turnaround point, i decided to change my pad since I could feel a little moisture between my legs. I had brought 2 extra pads, just to be safe. When I went into the bushes to change my pad I was surprised to find the pad mostly dry as the moisture I had been feeling was from sweat. Not only that, but I was able to stop and pee twice over the course of the three hours.
      I was ecstatic over the progress I had made suddenly, but it wasn't so sudden when I think about it. I have been consistently doing exercises and following directions of doctors for the past 4 months, and it is paying off. The hard part now will be to continue to do the exercises. My goal has to be running without a pad, and until then, I guess I'm still suffering incontinence after prostate surgery.