Running

If you haven't yet checked out homeboy Kyle's blog via the link on the right, do so. Its called 'Where there is a wheel, there is a way.' This post is addressed to Kyle:

Lots of times, you've asked me how it feels to walk or run. You say you wonder what the sensation is to jump, dive, and stretch with two legs touching the ground.

I decided before I got home yesterday that I would run after work. A tough Sunday practice had my legs feeling a little tight. And I knew, from Ben Faust and others, that running would loosen the acid, strengthen my legs, and simulate the tournament experience (Sunday practice = pool play, Monday run ~ bracket play). The above picture is my route.

The following story is my play-by-play with descriptions of my legs: I never start a jog from my doorstep. I hate jogging as soon as I get to the sidewalk. I think my legs appreciate the bridge from resting in the house to running in the hood. Walking for at least a minute or two helps.

So, I got out of the driveway and walked to the end of my block. At Main, I started jogging. At first, I am aware of the people and things I see. I get to a mile or so and know I'm sweating from the exertion. My mind moves to my form and some of the sensation from a tight calf. I've never been to San Pedro, so the thoughts on my body mix with more images of what South/Central LA is.

I stay aware of the way my arms pump back and forth (like one end of a two-person saw cutting a tree). And other than some little bumps off the sidewalk and stops at stoplights, I'm confident my legs are getting warm and ready for the next five miles.

After a couple more minutes and a stretch break, my legs feel heavier than before. Either the sweat is starting to weigh down my socks and shorts or lactic acid has rushed to the muscles in my legs. I look down at my shoes to watch the transfer from foot to foot... each one with a quick heel touch to the ground and a spring off the ball of my foot/toes.

I enjoy the regular jumps up from street to sidewalk cause I know I have some spring left in my tiring legs.

This whole time, I've had a 12 ounce water bottle and I stop at Vermont and the 10 to finish it off before what I thought was my homestretch. My first speech with someone comes here with a bikerider going the opposite way as me... he says 'good form' and i say 'good luck.'

I like seeing the street numbers increase but I get to 37th Place and stop for a minute. After this stop, my legs feel really stiff. I imagine this is how it feels to have a brace on: lessened range of motion and more difficult extension forward.

I pass Exposition Park (think Coloseum and Cali Science Center) with my burgeoning 'last half-mile rush.' This reminds me of the rush I feel when the Peachtree Road Race route hits 10th Street. Finally, I cross under the 110 and then Broadway. At 41st St, I jump to hit the stop sign and I'm done. A little stretching behind the apartment and my legs feel great. Today, my legs have a soreness, especially in my right calf. They feel a little more powerful and have a general feel of 'exercised.'