30 years passed and in July of 2005, I decided to retire my couch and I joined the Loma Linda Lopers running group.  I started to chase my marathon dream again.  The Lopers give me a better concept both technique and attitude towards running and finishing a marathon.  I have to say that the Lopers organization and runners are the best.  I was on my way training for the L.A. Marathon (March 2006).  I never believed that my old body was so fragile.  First couple of weeks into my training, I suffered from leg cramps.  A couple of weeks later, I developed the beginning of shin splints and had problems with the It band caused by two pairs of the wrong shoes.  The final kicker was the development of runner’s knee during my first 10 mile run coming down the last hill.  From July to October, I ran with the 11, 12, 13, and 14 minute-mile groups.  With my runner’s knee injury the doctor side-lined me with a recommendation of no running for three months.  I could not run and running the L.A Marathon was not for me.
I started running again in January.  I continued to run with the 13 minute-mile group.  I felt that there was something missing in my training.  I decided to investigate the use of a professional trainer.  Since I couldn’t run the L.A. Marathon, I set my sights on the San Diego Rock n’ Roll Marathon.  I saw Karla’s advertisement in the Loper Gram and decided to give her a call.  We discussed my goals and her training regime and I decided to go forward with her training program.  Her training techniques included lean diet, muscle toning using weights, and increasing endurance.  Within the first two to three weeks, I started to notice that I felt stronger when I ran.  I had lost a good deal of weight and my endurance was significantly greater.  My first test for ability to finish a race occurred with the Run through Redlands half marathon.  I completed the half marathon in 2 hours, 5 minutes, 45 seconds but had hurt my left knee again running down the extreme hills of this race.  So, back to the doctor with resulting bad news!  The doctor recommended for me to stop running as I had re-aggravated my old injury.  I told the doctor that I had to complete a marathon.  The doctor, a runner himself, provided some good tips including that I stop running temporarily so the knee could heal.

With Karla’s recommendations to continue training to stay loose, I worked on endurance in the gym.  I didn’t run for almost four weeks prior to the marathon.  I was worried that with the injuries suffered so far, I wouldn’t be able to complete the marathon.  Good news was that I did!  To be conservative, I ran the marathon with a slower pacer group than I was running prior to my injury.  This was a good decision as I completed the marathon strong and healthy.  I completed my first marathon in 5 hours, 26 minutes, 22 seconds.  It was not the fastest I could have done but the next day I was able to walk/run 3 miles to work out the sore muscles and I put in a full day at work!  I think there were a few runners I passed during the marathon that didn’t get out of bed that Monday!  I could not have completed this marathon without Karla Adams’ training.  I continue to use her recommendations for diet and exercise to prepare myself for the next half or full marathon.  Thank you Karla for your continued support.