A Great Half

This Sat. it was a very unusual morning in regards to the weather.  Depending on which way you came to Venice, it was either pouring rain coming over from the valley, or totally dry coming from downtown.  In either case, the dark storm clouds hugged the coastline, but as we got set to run, it just started to breakup and eventually cleared for a great cool day of running.

We started with about 26 runners, and we did 13.2 miles, covered it with an average pace just a tick over 15min/mile and took about 3 hours and 20 min.  The big issue was that we did it the hard way, by going all the way up San Vicente to 26th street.  This route means that a major portion of the workout is going up hill. Everyone did very well, and we had a nice tight group at the finish, and this included people who had not trained much prior to this, people who had slight hip or leg issues, and people who just had to work a bit harder to stay with the group.

It was great just to get the half marathon distance done, we know there is a lot more to go, but it just feels good to reach this significant point.

Esther, Walt, Josie - 510 Grant Ave. S.F.

510 Grant Ave. today

Among the stories covered during this run was a story from my childhood, which was a bit involved, but ultimately it was about being able to go back home and revisit your old stomping grounds.  In my case it was a small park in San Francisco's Chinatown, and a few years ago, it was amazing to see how small it seems now and how the hill we would roll down is this little bump. 

I always believed that it's important to remember where we came from, whether it was good or bad, because it's a good gauge to see how far we've gone. As some of us head back to home or families for Thanksgiving, it might be a good time to revisit the old stomping grounds.  Either way, have a great time.

The group will be meeting as usual next weekend, so enjoy your holiday, but try to keep it reasonable, and if you will be out of town, just bring your running shoes, and do the best you can.  The group will be going for 14 miles, so it's more important to get some kind of run in, even if it's not the total distance, but just try and get some workout in.

Have a great Thanksgiving, I know I have a lot to be thankful for....

Walt

Short and Sweet

Academy of Entertainment and Technology, SMC

I found out tonight I got the teaching position at Santa Monica College!  I am more than beside myself with relief that I got this position.  I thank all those who were wishing me positive thoughts about this.  I tried to be positive, and though it might seem a bit much to put so much of my personal struggles and stories in these emails, I somehow hope you don't mind too much.  I thank you for your patience with me in regards to this.

For me, it's always been a challenge to do what I think is right and to try and live my dreams. I truly believe that if I can have the vision, I can attain the goal.  I believe in taking the time and figuring out what it takes, and to do what is necessary to create the foundation and do the work that is required to get what it is that I want.  I do the research and the analysis to do what I believe needs to be done.  I have been teaching in some respect for as long as I can imagine, and find that I really do enjoy sharing ideas with others.  I have been working on getting a job like this for a long time, patiently waiting for the right door to open.  This was not an accident, this was a calculated outcome....I just didn't know where or when it was going to happen.  I've been preparing for this position my entire life.

We all have to train and work towards our goals if we truly want to get there....we have to do our workouts, we have to improve our mind and body to be ready for it, and finally we have to be willing to stick out necks out and dare to believe in ourselves.  I had my doubts on this one, and I was in a mild depression and funk when I didn't think I did well in the last interview, but the person who called me told me I impressed everyone in the room, except for the President guy.....but one of the faculty members, really fought for me, and he was convinced. 

I basically did a very good job in the first interview, when I gave my 30 min. presentation on how I would teach an intro editing class, and they were very impressed.  I had really prepared and rehearsed for that and it paid off.  I paid a lot attention to detail and I guess I nailed it.

I hope we can all participate in the LA Marathon this coming spring, and I know if we all make the effort to train and prepare together, we will all be successful.  All it takes is some vision, a bit of heart, and a lot of faith....yes we can.

thanks to you all,

Walt

Half Way There

This Sat. we'll be going for our 13 miler....in fact, we'll try to hit at least 13.1 miles, because that would be exactly a Half Marathon.  Yes, we have already gotten there.  This is a great accomplishment, and you don't want to miss it.  Even if you've been a bit behind, come on out and even if you did a partial run, you can still be part of our main group that went for the Half.

What makes this a good challenge and one to savor is that it'll be done on the North course, so we got some hills to climb, but that's how we like it.  So please be on time, if not early, because we'll first start off by heading South through the alley to Washington, just to get warmed up, then head North all the way to the Totem Pole, take a right up Adelaide, right on 7th, and then a left onto San Vicente.  We head all the way up to 26th Street before turning back down. 

Just so you know, we'll be doing this a few more times, and the good thing is that, when we come back down on San Vicente from 26th street, this is in actuality the last 2 some miles of the LA Marathon finish....so this is our home court advantage.  Learn to love it, because it'll be our home stretch in more ways than not.

So remember, join us even if you're a bit behind, and do the best you can, it'll be a great workout either way.  Don't be late, because I'm going to push for us to start a bit earlier at the flagpoles, I don't want to be the last group out.  If you miss us, we'll be heading down the alley towards Washington.
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Whoville

This last weekend, after I had a tough time getting through our 12 miler, my whole family got up early on Sunday, and we did a fun run at Universal Studios and did a 5K as part of their benefit run for a cancer charity.  It was pretty fun, even though there are some wicked hills back there, we got to go through the entire back lot including Amnityville, the phony Mexican town (thank goodness they didn't turn on the water) , past Spartacas square, Euro town, western town, past the Bates Hotel, Wisteria Lane..home of the Desperate Housewives, and a whole bunch more.  Check out my blog to see pictures.

Scary scene at the Bates Motel...he came after us.

Mother's House

Then I had my second big interview with Santa Monica college.  This was a good tough interview with the top administrators, of which there were 5 people.  I was one of three finalist, so I feel good that I made it that far, but in all honesty, I felt pretty bad after the interview.  I felt I did the best I could, and if left up to at least 3 of the 5 folks, I think I might actually have a shot, but the last guy, the President of the College did not seem so impressed.
One can never know, one can never second guess these situations, so I'm just going to secretly wish for it to come true, but I'm trying to keep a pragmatic view that there are always reasons why things don't go the way we want, which we can't have any control over.

I imagine, I won't hear any word for at least two weeks, but I'll be sure to let you folks know as soon as I do.  In any case, it was a great experience going through the process, and confirms my desire to seek other teaching positions if this does not net out.

A family that runs together.....get very sore.

I'm into this for the long run.....no matter how many obstacles come my way......now you know why running marathons can be so much fun....

see you guys early,

Walt

Ebb and Flow

Cool start heading South

 Saturday started off pretty cold, and there was a constant threat of rain overhead throughout the morning, but a solid group of 26 runners came out to run...rain or shine.

We did our full 12 miles, did it in 3 hours for a near perfect pace of 15 min/mile.  On the way back, there were a few drops of rain here and there, but it never really opened up even though the rain clouds were looming overhead.  This also made for near perfect running conditions with the cool air temps.

Mothers' Beach

This being the first time the group has gone the South course, we took a bit of a bathroom break at Mothers' Beach, as I related a bit of the historical significance of the local area. Since this was a lot longer than we have ever gone, I just told the group let's just go 6 miles and then turn around and come back.


I find it helps to break down a run like this into smaller chunks, and if you can think of it that way, it's a lot easier to mentally overcome it.  Our 6 mile turnaround was just along Ballona Creek, and it was lovely this time of year.


During the run, whenever I started to fade a bit, and this was a tough one for me, because this past week I actually had to paint an entire office, and lay down some new flooring....I was pretty sore and tired, I knew I had to do something to keep myself going and to help the group out too.  So when in doubt, tell a good story, and I did so, about three times. 

A Man and His Manor

My stories this week was about some special people I had the chance to work with, and the circumstances of those special moments.  It's a bit too much to repeat all that here, but my point of the stories was that there are times when opportunities and circumstances are such that we realize how privileged we are to be there, and for me I told about those moments.  The first was about working on a tv series, and a very moving scene involving Esther Rolle, and how the entire cast and crew were left breathless, the second was about being in England with Audrey Hepburn and how elegant and wonderful a person she was, and finally the third story was about working with a few of my film heroes, all in one studio...Akira Kurasawa, George Lucas, and Francis Coppola.

On set with Audrey Hepburn...Gardens of the World

Surprise Birthday greeting from Audrey

It may seem like a Entertainment Tonight type moment, but it really wasn't, in all cases, it was something very unique and special.  I have a few more stories left in me, so don't feel bad if you missed these, but it really helped me get through the 12 miler.


With the highs come the lows...as we finished our run, I brought Patricia into the circle, and for those who may not know her, she is the one usually right at the front with the short hair, and her husband is Jamie, the tall guy who is also one of our PLs, and I shared with everyone that she had just lost her mother the day before.  Her mother, whom Patricia was caring for, had passed away, quietly in their home, she was 89 years old.  

Jamie had told me that morning that he wanted Patricia to come out and run with us, because he didn't want her to be alone, and I believe this was a very good decision. This is not the first time we have had runners in our group lose close ones, and it's good to know that just this act of running with a group, to get outside and work it out a bit, can be so therapeutic.  It has worked for me many times.
 
Family can be described and interpreted in different ways, and it may be a bit early for some of us, but I feel there is a lot of family in RW5.
We all got together for a group hug with Patricia, and it's moments like this when you realize how special this all can be.



have a great week,


Walt

Even Dozen

Ballona Creek Bike Path

This Sat. we'll be going for 12 miles.  It just seems like it was only yesterday that we started this season and here we are already up to 12 miles.  Since we'll all be heading South, not sure if they'll let the RW groups start earlier by heading north first or not.  So don't be late just in case.

The good news is that the South course is all flat and that might make it a bit better since we only did 9 miles last week.  And at this point, it's hard to know what the weather will be like, so just to be safe, bring an extra set of dry clothes and leave that in your car for after the run.

Basically, we'll head South and just go 6 miles out, turn around and head back.  This will mean we'll get as far as Ballona creek, and basically the South route is always interesting, because we go through a variety of areas.

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This week, a bunch of stuff happened..,.mostly good, some even great. For me the main thing is that I'm a finalist for this job I've interviewed for and that interview is coming up on Monday.  This is for a teaching position at Santa Monica College.  Will give more updates as this unfolds.  So thanks for all the positive thoughts from last time, and I'll be needing a few more to help me through this next stage.

But the other good news, is that if you remember from an earlier post, I was able to get a few of my former students an interview for a job at an ad agency, and the woman who got the job, my former student, got it because I believed she had a much more interesting personality.  I just got a call from the producer at that agency, who did the hiring, is now telling me how much everyone is so loving her, and how well she is doing.  On top of that the other reason he called was to basically give me a commercial to cut, and this is after about a year and a half of no calls or no jobs from this producer.  Things happen in strange ways.

This brings me to the conversation I had with a young producer (28 ish) who asked me how did I balance my life and career, my decision to have kids, and whether that changed my outlook on my life and decisions I made at that time.  I'm not going to go into my entire answer here, since we'll have to be able to get up early for the Sat. run....but....I did answer her, and it did take a while, but what was more interesting to me was why did she want to know.  Basically, she was getting frustrated with trying to figure out her own career path, and at this moment, could not see a clear goal, and what she thought she had wanted to do....being a filmmaker....was being clouded by the "disingenuous" people she had met in the business, and the struggles she was going through.  She related stories of how people she had dealt with all seemed to either be struggling or those who had jobs, had to work around the clock just to keep up, and perhaps not loving their jobs.

I wouldn't describe this person as being lazy, or not hard working, because she does work hard, I just basically told her, this is the way of the world.  We all struggle and we all have to work hard, and how I didn't always know my end goal, but basically I knew that I only wanted to work with good people...I really didn't care about the type of work per se, but more about the working environment.  Perhaps I was just fortunate, but I was able to pick and choose my way through my so called career, and if there was any clear goal was that I only wanted to work with good people and do good work.

I tell my students, never work for money, because then all you have is a job, work for the love of the art and craft of what you can create, and you'll have a career.

This is not to say I didn't have tough times or never worked for "disingenuous" people, I've had my share, but I made it a point to keep moving forward.  My only advice to her was that sometimes, it's okay not to have a clear vision, and that you have to try this and that till you formulate a better one, but the key is to keep moving forward, and to keep at it.

I feel we do have a say and we can plot our destiny, if anything, attributing things to fate is only an excuse, and then it's just a matter of figuring a work around, but to keep moving towards better things.  It's worked well for me so far.

So as we go and tackle this 12 miler, it's longer than we have ever gone, it's going to a place some of us have never been, but we know how we're going to do it, just keep moving forward, and I know we'll be doing it in the company of great people.

see you early,

Walt

Cool and Dry

Clear cold morning Santa Monica

This past Sat. it was definitely a cold morning, but it was dry down at the beach.  We had 28 runners, and we opted to do a full 9 miler, instead of the recommended 8, since next week, we'll be jumping up to 12miles.  The group stayed tight and finished with a very tight 14:59 mile pace. The group started South, turned at Washington and back up all the way to the Totem Pole, and then back. Both Mary and I missed the run, Mary was out of town with family, and I was working the first water station as part of the plan for all the PLs to do at least one shift during the training.

Looking North to the SM Pier

It was great to take care of the water, and to see all the groups come by, and this includes the Leggers who also run the same course.  I've helped out at water stations at other races and there is such satisfaction when you feel you're really helping these folks along.  I would recommend it if you ever have the chance, just to see the types of people out there running, and having been on both sides of the table, you realize how much more a small cup of water can mean during a race, especially when there are people out there handing them out.

300 cups filled and ready

RW5 heading North

 As we get into the winter months, I know how cold those mornings can get and how even more difficult it is to get out for your weekday runs.  But as we start building up that mileage, we all need to get out and do our runs.  If it's really miserable and wet, yes, that may not be worth it to chance getting a cold, so see if you can come up with some back up plan now to at least use a treadmill, or some other kind of aerobic exercise, such as a stationary bike, or swimming.  I too have that problem, and I know how hard it is to leave a warm bed and get out into the cold.  I can't run with too many layers, so I sometimes will put on light gloves, and I always run with a hat, and that at least keep the extremities warm.  I find that as soon as I get going, I warm up pretty well, and what's worse is to have too many layers, work up a sweat and then do the cool down and really get cold because I'm wet and it's cold out there.  So the best thing is to keep running till you get back to the house, or the car and have a dry warm sweatshirt to put on.  It's important to stay healthy as we get into these winter months.

Keep up the good work, and see you on Sat.

Walt

RW5 heading home