Tag Archives: Walk

Health & Fitness

Dogs Dress up for Heart of the City 5K

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If you live in DTLA you know  there’s a pretty vibrant neighborhood in the proximity of Staples Center called South Park.  California Hospital Medical Center sits right at the south end of this community at 1401 S. Grand Avenue.  This past Sunday, April 13th, California Hospital Medical Center hosted their 2nd Annual Heart of the City  5K run/ walk.  They obviously have some pull with the city because we were  treated to the pleasure of strolling down the middle of the pristine, empty, quiet streets of this newer, more modern section of downtown.  Whether it was the decorum of this chic neighborhood or the proximity of FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) never have I seen so many well-dressed dogs out for a morning stroll!

The event started in front of California Hospital Medical Center at 8:00 a.m.

4 12 race time

Parents pushing babies in strollers,  lots of leisurely walkers                and dogs galore!  Here Coco has turned around to make sure I’m going to catch up!

4 12 Coco waiting for me

Let’s just say I was more in it for the fun of it–but I did spend a little time on my wardrobe, too.

4 12 in the race

Now here’s some serious competition!

4 12 Big poodle dog

Love the matching shoes and wings!

4 12 fair dog walking

Coco & Jay make their move to overtake the beflowered prancing poodle

4 12 Jay and Coco

The finish line in our sights!

4 12 CA Health Bldg

Yes, there were medals for the winning runners–more on that for another post..but the  biggest competition was about to go to the dogs…

Who would you pick?

4 12 ladybug dog 4 12 minnie mouse dog winner 4 12 panty dog 4 12 Pink dot dog 4 12 pink stripe T and skirt dog 4 12 scout dog4 12 fairy dogs

It was a close competition but the pup in the red and white polka dot I Love Lucy dress (some called it a Minnie Mouse frock) took home the prize.

4 12 big dog

And  there were those who just couldn’t believe that  any self-respecting dogs would subject themselves to such humiliation.   Thank goodness Matteo Pasquini from the famous Pasquini Espresso Company was there serving free cappuccinos and sufficiently distracting dog owners from thoughts of  XXL velour doggie jogging  suits.

Make a note on your calendar to check The Heart of the City 5K website next January to see when the 2015 event will take place.  This year the fund-raising goal was $123,000 and so far $80,263 has been reached.  There are 6 days left to donate. Click HERE if  you’d like to support the work of this dedicated  facility that does so much for the downtown L.A. community.  More to come on this amazing place with heart after I get my tour in May!

Health & Fitness

Made it to the top! What’s next?

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1,400 steps and it felt great!  Well, maybe not every floor–there were a few pauses to catch my breath, let my ears pop and drink some water that volunteers were handing out. The pauses were also to remind myself that pushing one’s limits is a good thing but going past them could defeat the purpose.  My time was 19:28 and I finished 15th in my division of women 50-59.  Training was key–both doing  the stairs in my building twice a week as well as one-hour workouts on Wednesdays and Saturdays, whenever possible, with  trainer Bayo who NEVER lets Jay or me get through a session without  pain as well as some good laughs.  And beyond my physical accomplishment I was so incredibly motivated by the donations from friends and family that raised over $850 for the American Lung Association to help save lives.

So what’s next?

Heart of the City 5 K Walk/Run

I think I’m going for something a little less strenuous.   I like the sound of A 5K with Heart.  It’s a dog-friendly Run/Walk race in downtown L.A. on Sunday, April 13th that will benefit California Hospital Medical Center.   I’m looking forward to a brisk spring  stroll that Jay, Coco and I can all do together with our downtown neighbors and visitors.  The route is a loop that starts in front of the hospital  at 1401 S. Grand Avenue, traveling along Grand Ave., 11th Street and Figueroa Street between 7th Street and Venice Boulevards.

The goal of the race is to raise funds for, and awareness of, California Hospital Medical Center which has been serving the needs of downtown Los Angeles since 1887…more on the value of the hospital in a separate post.  Heart of the City 5K participants, through support from their friends and colleagues will be contributing to  two priority projects: the acquisition of a state-of-the-art 128-slice CT scanner for faster, more detailed imaging with less radiation exposure, and the renovation of the 9th floor of the patient care tower which, according to the hospital website, will maximize comfort and convenience and create a more healing environment.

So if you’re in the mood to enjoy the streets of downtown L.A. with two and four-legged ambulators see you on Sunday April 13th!