My First Running Mentor

LA Roadrunner Training Run #1: 3.6 miles
Training miles to date: 3.6 miles
Weight: 168
Notes: Pain in left knee and hip. I finished 3.6 miles, but it was a struggle at the end. Found my first running mentor.

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Yesterday was my first day training with LA Roadrunners. I placed myself in Training Group 10, which is the slowest of the running groups (pace = 12:15, which means we run 12:15 minute miles and are projected to finish the marathon in about 5 hours, 20 minutes). It is the perfect group for me because we walk 1 minute after every mile. I like that because it gives me a chance to stretch my muscles out by taking long strides.

After a motivational orientation meeting earlier that morning, all groups headed to the beach where we lined up 2 by 2, and got to know our neighbors as groups 1-9 (faster running groups) took off in order of fastest to slowest.

Our first run was 3.6 miles. I found that quite challenging toward the end. Our group runs behind one pace leader while the other 3 run alongside us and make sure we are doing OK. Within the first mile, my left knee began to ache. Dave, one of our pace leaders must have noticed I was struggling a bit and ran alongside me. He suggested that I get new shoes as soon as possible and that would likely make a big difference.

I did alright during the run, and stayed in pace with my group, but to be honest, I would have quit early into mile 3 if I were alone. For one thing, the water I had drunk before the race was ready to make its exit, and also I was getting a very unpleasant pain in my left hip. I began to worry - was my hip joint grinding into the bone? Would I have to give up my new goal of running the marathon? Was I too old, too heavy, too out of shape to do this?

Dave checked in on me again and I told him about the hip pain. He said that was my hip flexors "screaming at me" and suggested some stretches post-run. He didn't seem to think this would get in the way of my running if I warmed up and cooled down appropriately. When I told him that my goal was to become a runner, he said, "From now on, you can say that you are a runner. Only 2% of the population even takes on a marathon. Now you are part of that 2%."

Here's the most amazing thing about the LA Roadrunner pace leaders: They basically give up their marathon to train others. For example, Dave, normally runs a 9 minute mile but he is hanging back with us slow-pokes so that he can help us become marathoners (which he says is only about 2% of the population!).

Dave got into running a bit later in life. After a stroke - at age 48 - his doctor asked him what kind of exercise he had implemented in his life. Dave said that, until that point, his program consisted of 2 exercises - 1)walking to the refrigerator and2) lifting a margarita glass.

Scared into action by his stroke, Dave began various activities including jogging, and was inspired to take on his first marathon in honor of his 50th birthday. Now, 8 or so years later, Dave has run several marathons, and he has spent the last 4 years helping others, like me, reach for their best life.

I don't know if Dave realizes how much he inspires me or how much gratitude I feel that he is taking the time and effort to "give back" by helping others attain the goals of better health, fitness and accomplishment. As I grow into this sport of running and take more "baby steps" toward the finish line on March 21, I know I will look back on Dave as my first mentor and share his story to inspire others.