Saturday 16 July - the Davis Moonlight Half Marathon

The highlight of the day was the Davis Moonlight Half Marathon. Prior to that race which started at 7pm I spent what I thought would be my last time pool side and had fruit and coffee at lunch time in my hotel room. I set off for Davis at about 4:30pm and got there in plenty of time, but just as well as parking became a bit tricky shortly after I got there. I claimed one of the last places in the Kaiser Permanente Parking Lot. I enjoyed the race which was a mile short due to an error by the marshalls. I was 39/959 overall and 1st out of 17 in my age group. Refreshments were laid on afterwards, they included bagels, fruity chews and dried plums. I headed back for Sacramento afterwards, Pita Pita was closed so I grabbed a sandwich and crisps from the 7-11.

Friday 15 July - Lazy Day by the pool plus Folsom Outlet store

The 1500 metres finals were scheduled for an early morning start (7am). I didn't quite make it to the track that early but I particularly wanted to see the M70, M60 and M55 finals so I didn't need to get there until later anyway. . In the M70 race Sid Howard struggled and did not finish. In the M60 David Oxland claimed the bronze to go with various others that he had already won (Gold in the cross country etc.) Ian Snow was 10th in 4:48.66. I then spent some time by the pool before driving to Folsom Outlet Mall where I spent a couple of hot hours after which I needed to cool in the pool back at Motel 6. In the evening I went back to the track to watch the 400 metre semi finals. Later on I called in at Stingers bar and had a take away from Wings Chinese.

Thursday 14 July - Sacramento Capitol, Old Town & Discovery Park

No WMA races today. In the morning I went down to Old Sacramento to do a training run. I met a couple of runners called Amy and Zac who guided me past the closed bike trail and on towards Discovery Park via Jibboom Street. I then did a loop in Discovery Park and returned to Old Sacramento. I took the opportunity to do a walking tour of Downtown Sacramento, round the Capitol building and back again. I spent the late afternoon at the pool then walked to the Hoppy Brewing Company at 65th and Folsom I had a couple of beers. and a burger, fries and shake at Famous Burger. I jogged back home, had one beer at Mountain Mikes and returned to my hotel.

Wednesday 13 July - Sacramento WMA 1500 metres

This was the morning of my 1500 metre race. I was feeling quite tired this morning and didn’t get up until close to 8am, that being the latest time I could leave it and still have sufficient time to get ready. I left the hotel at 9am and drove with Anne Darby to ARC Beaver Stadium, we got there at 9:30 and I checked in at the call room. I had to be back then at 10:24 for the final call. My objectives were not to come last and to run a good time. I am still a novice at 1500 metre running so I was aware that I might go off too fast and blow it. Whereas if I didn't go fast enough I would never get the time I wanted - it is a delicate matter of judgement. As it turned out the number of heats was compressed to three, I was in heat 1. I ran reasonably well for two laps, lost it a bit on the third as is often the case but today I was unable to recover any time on the 4th lap. I ended with 5:32.61 which was a little disappointing. I was 12/14 in my heat and 36/42 overall. On the positive side that is my fastest time for 1500 metres outside of the UK. The results were published here:

http://www.flashresults.com/2011_Meets/outdoor/07-06-wma/ARC/110706P594.htm

Anyway, after the race I relaxed back at the hotel pool for a couple of hours. I decided to have a burger and fries - my first bit of junk food on the trip. If I was going to have junk food I would have good junk food so I drove to West Sacramento to Whitey's Jolly Kone Burger  and had burger, fries and a vanilla milk shake.

Back at the hotel I relaxed by the pool until the sun was disappearing and it was getting a little chilly. There was a bit of celebrating going on with athletes letting off a bit of steam after finishing their events, some were heading across the road to Mountain Mike's for a drop of alcohol, but I decided to give that a miss and just have yet another quiet night in.

Tuesday 12 July

The start list for the 1500m shows 5 provisional heats, with me in the second of the 5.
http://www.flashresults.com/2011_Meets/outdoor/07-06-wma/ARC/

The last check in is on Wednesday morning at the call room at ARC Beaver Stadium at 09:54 for a 10:44 start. In the event schedule, the running order has the F55 heats on before us. The full running order for the morning is:

Date	Cat	Call Room	Start	Heats
13 July	F40	6:26	7:16	2
13 July	M40	6:42	7::32	3
13 July	F45	7:06	7:56	3
13 July	M45	7:30	8:20	4
13 July	M75	8:02	8:52	2
13 July	M70	8:18	9:08	2
13 July	M65	8:26	9:16	3
13 July	F60	8:50	9:40	2
13 July	M60	9:06	9:56	4
13 July	F55	9:38	10:28	2
13 July	M55	9:54	10:44	5
13 July	F50	10:34	11:24	3
13 July	M50	10:50	11:40	5

In the morning I did some planning for the Yosemite trip and checked out some 1500 metre split times. Then it was time for some relaxation by the pool. I drove to Roma’s Pizzeria for some pasta at lunchtime – I actually had a dinner portion with two meatballs! Then I called in at Rayleys for some fruit and yogurt. In the early evening I just went back to the pool before buying a wholemeal wheat loaf from the 7 – 11 and having an early night in with some banana sandwiches!

Monday 11 July

In the morning I relaxed by the pool. This is the start of final preparations for the 1500 metres on Wednesday. My targets for the race are not to come last and also to do a PB. I had lunch to go from Wings and ate poolside. In the afternoon I did a short speed session on the tarmac paths of the SAC State Campus, then, after a quick dip in the pool I went back to the main stadium to watch the 800 metres finals. The Brits who had done well in the Cross Country and 5000 metres events were finding out that the 800 final was one race to many. David Oxland faded badly but Val Copson got a commendable 2nd place.  I bought a souvenir “T” shirt, it was $45 or thereabouts (just under £30) so that had better last me till Brazil 2013! The evening meal was yet another Chinese from Wings Kitchen.  

Sunday 10 July

No athletics today. I went to the Farmers Market and to Southside Park in the morning and the pool in the afternoon. I had planned a training session in the evening but was too knackered and actually fell asleep in my room. So I skipped that and had a lazy evening/night.

Saturday 9 July - - Sacramento WMA 5000 metres

Directions to Hughes Stadium - pick an exit and hope!

To get to Hughes Stadium I have to negotiate this freeway interchange, I approach from the East on highway 50 (which is also 16) with the intention of heading South on 99 (which is also 51); I have managed to get it right once out of four attempts. Still I managed to get to the stadium by hook or by crook every time but not necessarily via the shortest route.  Once there, on this day in particular, I ran in the first section of the 5000 metres finals at the stadium which is located at Sacramento City College. I ran a decent race considering the heat. My time was 20:41.52. I was 5th out of 16 in my race and 23rd out of 39 overall. The most pleasing thing was that I beat three Brits who I had never beaten before. In fact since our star runner (Mike Deegan) dropped out with a pulled hamstring, I was actually the first British finisher. When I got back to the hotel I went out and did an easy recovery run. In the evening, after a dip in the pool, I walked to the main stadium to watch some 800 metre semi finals. I had a late evening meal in Denny's - and, still being conscientious diet wise, I had a chicken salad with pecans, dried cranberries and balsamic vinaigrette dressing. A bit of garlic bread on the side won't cause too much damage will it? That's 10 days so far and no burgers, beer or hot dogs!

Friday 8 July

In the morning I headed for Hughes Stadium at the Sacramento City College campus where Pat Gallagher ran in and won the W65 5000 metres which was scheduled at 11:11am when it was ridiculously hot and since they were running late it was actually even hotter by the time Ann ran. The trip out there was a useful dress rehearsal for me as my race was at the same venue the next day at 11:19. The remainder of the women's 5000 metre programme commenced at 6pm when it was still pretty warm. I was back at the stadium then to see some other British women in action - in particular Val Copson (from Rugby & Northampton AC) won her race, also in style.

Thursday 7 July - Sacramento WMA 8K Cross Country

Once again I woke up at about 5am, although today at least I had race preparation duties to perform. I was ready to leave for the course at Granite Park at about 6:10 which is when Anne knocked on my door. So off we went together. I got my chip and I ran my race. It was tough and it was hot. I ended up 4^th British Runner, the British team came 4^th. Andrew Murray ran very well to finish as 2^nd Brit. Archie who has been suffering from injuries recently was 3^rd Brit, they were both about 1:30 in front of me.  I was 27^th and my time was 35:10. It was a bit disappointing. I went poolside in the afternoon, in the evening I drove out to Arden Fair and had a Panda Express meal - Rice plus two type of chicken (garlic chicken and spicy Kung Pao Chicken). I had a Stone Creamery ice-cream as a treat to follow! I then just drove back to the hotel and had an early night.

Wednesday 6 July - Sacramento WMA Womens Cross Country

I woke up at about 5am, though I did snooze the alarm a couple of time. I spoke to mum on a video call on Skype on my laptop and then met Anne at 6:10. We drove to Granite Park in about 10 minutes and I walked the course between 7 and 8. I was strolling along in the shade of some trees at the park when I passed a South African Lady who was sitting and chilling before her race. I'm guessing that you might recognise her. I asked if I could take a photo and she obliged. We then had a chat for about 10 minutes on various racing topics, she really is a most delightful lady and very inspirational. this was a big highlight of my running career. There were three races, Anne’s race was at 8:00; the older men started at 9:00, this race included our M80 team, Ron Franklyn was DQ’ed but happily was re-instated on appeal. The younger ladies started at 10:00 – it was quite hot by this time. Zola was second; her team mate Lettie also ran a very good race. I went to Roma’s for lunch, called in at Rayley’s for fruit and yogurt and checked out the Laundrette. I then spent some time by the pool. Other pool goers included Fred and Jane Pidgeon, Fiona Argent, Ken and Moira, Alison and Tom Phillips, Fiona and Sam Hooton.

Tuesday 5 July

Some British Athletes marching along at the Opening Ceremony

I drove out to Beaver Stadium for a training session on the American River College (ARC) track. I did 2 * 120 + 80. I set up the session on my marvellous new Garmin but I did not press the right buttons so it did not turn out quite right. I shall get there eventually. On the way back I called in at Wal-Mart and bought some provisions. I got some lunch from Wings Kitchen - General Chicken with steamed rice. I used up the excess steamed rice with some low fat vanilla yogurt - it was very tasty! I Skyped my mum and then went to the pool. A few more Brits have arrived – including Fred and Jane Pidgeon. In the early evening I walked over to the stadium to watch the opening ceremony. I saw Anne Darby there and I promised her a lift to the cross country in the morning.

Monday 4 July - Sacramento - July 4th 5 Miler

I woke up in plenty of time to get ready for the July 4 road race; in fact there was quite a commotion outside the motel at about 6am so it was a good job I had to get up anyway. I drove to Glen Hall Park for the Buffalo Chips Running Club July 4 - 5 Mile road run which I completed in just over 35 minutes. I then returned to Motel 6 and parked up and walked across to the TIC to register and collect my WMA credentials. I also saw Archie Jenkins and got my name ticked off on the team list for the cross country. I walked back to the Motel and met Michelle Hooton at the pool. I was unable to access the internet, Motel 6 had supplied me with an invalid internet access code and they had not resolved the problem in time for me to Skype the UK. So I obtained a refund, but not before having to ring their support line – for their problem! Oh well, I had to spend a few hours at the pool instead - another catastrophe!  I ran out of sun cream (after a mere three days!). Later on Michelle and I went for a meal, Roma’s was closed and so was the Outback Steakhouse – so we found Chilli’s and had a meal there.

Sunday 3 July

Today I had to pack up and leave the Best Western Expo Inn. A bit of a disappointment because I had settled in quite well. I only got in there as a late booking and I still don't quite understand how I got it so cheap - it was a bargain! The Sacramento Central Motel 6 has rather less to offer, so eventually I get what I pay for. When "electronic door locks" is featured in the list of amenities you know you should not expect too much. Still, it is within walking distance of the main stadium so that is a bonus. Of course at the moment it is pretty much too hot to walk anywhere! However, to continue to acclimatise I went and did a speed work session in the middle to late afternoon when it was still around 100F. I created a speed work session on Garmin's training centre desktop software and uploaded it to my Garmin. I still haven't figured it all out but it is an impressive piece of equipment. By the time I had returned to the hotel I was soaked in sweat and had stinging eyes due to the liberal coating of sun block that I had applied earlier. After a nice cup of tea I took a drive up to Glen Hall Park. I have to be there at 7am tomorrow morning for the 4th July 5 mile road race. After sussing the lie of the land I drove to Roma's pizzeria on Folsom Blvd for some minestrone soup and spaghetti arrabiatta. It was powerful garlicky/spicy stuff and came with two big chunks of garlic bread just to make my pores sweat garlic. I am writing this at 7pm. It is still extremely warm outside. I don't fancy the pool this evening so I'll just settle down and read my book.

Saturday 2 July - Sacramento - The Firecracker 10K

A bit naff but it proves it was sunny!

Today I did the Sacramento Firecracker 10K I discovered that at 7am you can get around Sacramento extremely rapidly using the Freeways and Interstate highway. Once the traffic builds up however these roads are like the M4 round Newport on a Friday afternoon. This race started at 9am with the packet pick-up commencing at 8am. This was very much a fun run/walk with just one or two quicker runners. I was 7th overall and the 1st M50+. I met a couple of South Africans, Aletta Saayman and Morne Saayman. Aletta is running in the F45-49 Cross Country event on July 6. She is a team mate of Zola Pieterse. Aletta won her age category at the Firecracker 10K and Morne collected a nice plaque so must have been in the top 3. I ran the 6 laps of the 10K in 41:24 but I suspect the 10K was short. My Garmin data would seem to confirm this. When I got back to the hotel I went for a swim in the pool. It was so hot today that the pages in my book unglued themselves and the thing fell apart. That is something that doesn't happen in the UK very often!

Friday 1 July

Spot the cloud! (Tricky 'cos there are none!)

Well, at breakfast I had to try the biscuits and grits and the electric waffle maker, it was all very exciting and unhealthy! Back in my room after breakfast I had a jet-lagged kip and when I woke again I drove to Land Park to check tomorrow's 10K course. I also bought a can of food at Raley’s supermarket on Freeport (10K race entry stipulation). I parked up near the Land Park golf course and ran for about 3 miles, sussing out the route for the 10K. Driving back the Interstate looked jammed so I drove along ordinary roads picking up the highway just for one exit. There was a crash on Howe close to College Town Drive which caused a bit of traffic chaos - like the M4 through Newport on a good day! After lunch I went pool side again. The sky was really blue – not a cloud in it! In the evening I drove across to the Arden Fair shopping mall to eat pasta at Sbarro. I also bought a small kettle from Sears so I can make decent cups of tea while at Motel 6, I am British after all! I was amused to read (in Kevin Pilkington’s travel diaries) that Gervais and Merchant think Kevin is a moron “when he goes on holiday he’s the sort of guy who packs some tea bags “. Ha! Tea bags were the only food item that I brought with me! 

Thursday 30 June

Fresh fruit and veg in California? No problem!

After breakfast which was toasted egg sandwiches plus fruit, yogurt and coffee, I went to Safeway and did a shop. I had a fridge and single cup coffee maker in my room so I bought fresh fruit & salad stuff and meat and yogurt plus other bits and pieces. I then went to Fleet Feet to get my Garmin Forerunner 610. I continued on to Discovery Park where I did a 4 mile run, 2 miles out and 2 miles back.. I had lunch back at the hotel and then had a couple of hour’s pool-side.  I then went to the Arden Fair shopping Mall, bought 2 pairs of Levis and some “T” shirts and had a Thai meal at Ruby Thai Kitchen in the food hall followed by an ice cream at the Cold Stone Creamery.. I drove to the seven-11 by Motel 6 to check out the lie of the land. I bought some coffee – on the way back I stopped at another Safeway (at 424 Howe) and bought some meat and glue (to repair my favourite beach shoes) and more yogurts and bananas. 

Wednesday 29 June

Best Western Expo Inn - the hotel pool looking very inviting

I left Newport on the 03:45 bus to Heathrow and Gatwick. I arrived at Heathrow Central Bus Station on time and breezed through the formalities. Security was the usual hassle of getting things off and into the trays etc. Travelex in the airside departure longe had my dollars ready for me. 

I had plenty of time to kill. I had a cappuccino and some fruit and water, the latter was free with a Newspaper purchase. I completed the Telegraph crossword en-route. The flight was OK but the food provided was a meal early on and then a long wait until a roll, crisps and Twix about an hour from San Francisco. We had a bit of a wait on the tarmac before our gate was cleared but the connecting flight to Sacramento was late anyway. The size of the plane, it was a 36 seat prop plane meant we had to go down some stairs on to the tarmac, i.e. not through the advertised gate, that was a bit confusing. The flight to Sacramento was very quick when we got going, maybe 30 minutes – no time for refreshments for sure. Baggage reclaim was in the public area at SMF, the shuttle bus to the car hire centre operated from outside the terminal building and whisked me over to my Chevrolet Aveo.My trusty sat nav got me to my hotel quite comfortably. I was at the hotel before 7pm – so that was about 25 hours after I got up to start my journey in Newport. I went to an Outback Steakhouse across the road from the hotel (Best Western, Expo Inn) and had steak & jacket potato (dressed with bacon & chives only), side salad and unlimited diet coke (4 large glasses) I tipped $4 on a $19 bill. I then grabbed a few hours sleep.