80 Min Run (Base) --159--

KOREATOWN -- In celebration of the World Cup, I decided to eschew the usual trudge around the reservoir. Any reason to find a new route is a good one. Hate it when I get bored with routes, especially the reservoir, because it's a great course. This morning provided a good reason. US/England game was one and the sporting interest was piqued. While that game was later in the day, World Cup had been going since 4 am out here.

I thought I'd run down into the Spanish neighbs to find if anyone was out and about, but part way into Silverlake I realized that Koreatown was actually the better bet. Korea had won the opening game 2-0 over Greece and from the World Baseball Classic experience I knew you could count on Korea fans to be excited about national sports. The other nice thing about this plan was it pushed the run to 8.5 miles as I had to get all the way down to Wilshire. Not bad. A few folks still out, three hours after the game ended. Young kids looking pretty worn out taking pictures of themselves and texting, it seemed. A good deal of Korea blue shirts. Cool.

Beck also has the Korea team as her ESPN office pool pick. So if they win, she wins a jersey. Not likely.

The run features at least three or four miles of final hill. Gradual climb back into Los Feliz. Great focus. Good stuff. Speed creation.