From HoverCloud

Running

I love to run. My favorite race distance is 10 kilometers. I got my best practice running as a member of the Bayland FrontRunners (http://www.baylands.org). I started running as a way to get back into shape, after a few years of sitting in front of a computer at work, a few hundred donuts, and pretty much anything else I felt like eating (icecream, yum!)

I started with the simple goal of running three times a week for half an hour each time. At first I couldn't even run the whole half hour, I'd run for a little then walk for a little. Eventually I could run for a whole half hour and then I started increasing the distance I could make it in the half hour. Now, after several years and the competition provided by running and orienteering clubs, I can run 10 kilometers (about 6 miles) in less than 40 minutes. The longest distance I've ever run is 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) in a flat road race near Sacramento, and I did that in just over two hours (at about 7 minutes/mile).

A great place to look for upcoming local events is The Schedule (http://www.theschedule.com).

The most important thing you can do for yourself if you decide to run is to get some good running shoes, and replace them every 6 months or so, depending on how much you run. The shoes are the most important protection you have. The other nice thing you can do for your body is to run on trails, instead of hard pavement. It's prettier, quieter, and smells nicer too.

I love relay races, because you have teammates and a sense of teamwork. I participated in the Napa to Santa Cruz relay in 1998 with the FrontRunners (http://www.baylands.org). Our 12 member team ran a total of 193 miles in about 20 hours, and came in third place (http://www.therelay.com/ru_results_1998.htm) among the approximately 150 teams entering. Each team member ran three 5-7 miles legs (I believe I ran legs 8, 20, and 32). The two halves of the team rode in separate vans. While one half of the team ran, the other rested. Thus we got two snippets of sleep this way during the 20 hour race, about 3 hours each time. Ah, the joys of sleep deprivation.

In 2003, Phillip, Rubin, Michael, and I ran in the annual Los Gatos Dammit Run (http:/pics/dammit) together. Here's a link to the 2005 Dammit Run Info (http://active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1224376). The race is a steep 5 mile trail run. In 2002, I completed it in 37:17 (a 7:28 pace), 10th in my division (M35-39), 73rd overall. My best time at this race, was in 1998 at around 35:50.

In 2005, I ran the Jungle Run 10K.