1:02:12 Half Marathon in San Diego

I was 11th at the 2014 Rock and Roll Half Marathon, San Diego, California

I ran a half marathon today in San Diego.  It was fast.  I ran 1:02:12, 4:45 per mile, and finished 11th place.  That is my fastest half marathon since 2006.

A list of my races

7th in Puerto Rico 10k

Aissa Dghoughi 2nd from left in back row, Sammy Kitwara (bent over in blue top) won

I finished 7th today in 29:22 at the Abraham Rosa 10k near San Juan, Puerto Rico.  That was 4:44 pace per mile.

Videos: 2014 Bay to Breakers

I'm in the black shorts and black shirt (0:30 to about 1:00)

5th at Bay to Breakers, 1st in Hayes St. Hill

I was 5th at today's 2014 Bay to Breakers race in San Francisco.  I ran 36:26 for the 12k race (7.45 miles) which is an average of 4:54 per mile.

I was the fastest to run up Hayes Street Hill which is one of the most difficult hills to run on any course.  The hill starts about 2 miles into the race and goes .69 miles up with a average grade of 5.5% and the steepest is 11.1%.  My time was 2:41.0.

The fastest male and female from base to peak wins $2,500!  I was the fastest.

Below is some additional information about Bay to Breakers.

2nd at Vancouver Half Marathon, 1:03:37

Aissa Dghoughi 2nd at 2014 BMO Vancouver Half Marathon

I was second at the Vancouver Half Marathon.  My official finish time was 1:03:37.  That is a 3:01 per km pace or 4:51 per mile.

7th in Des Moines 10k 29:08

Drake Relays Hy Vee 10k results:

10k results  4/28/2014

I returned from Ethiopia on Wednesday, flew to Des Moines on Friday, and raced today.  I planned to run the half marathon but the weather was cold (45 degrees), very windy, and lightning.  The race was delayed by an hour.  Since I was still tired from traveling and because I have races coming up, I changed to the 10k.  I finished in 7th place, 29:08, 4:42 per mile.  Not bad.

Running today was crazy.  Before the race I was tired and I couldn't warm up.  When the race started I felt different.  I was feeling good.  I need to rest well this week to be ready for Bloomsday 12k in Spokane.

Day Off from training in Ethiopia

Aissa Dghough (in the middle) with kids from a training location in Sendafa, Ethiopia

Today was my day off from training.  I spent some time with small kids at training place called Sendafa which is  30 km away from Addis Ababa.  Most of the Ethiopian athletes who become champions come from this town.  It it very high altitude, 8500 feet.

Here are a couple maps so you can see where Sendafa is.

Tempo run with Markos Geneti

Aissa Dghoughi (left) and Markos Geneti

This picture is with Markos Geneti who placed 2nd at the 2013 Dubai marathon in 2:05:13.  His personal best is 2:04:54.

This is just after a 20km tempo run on Saturday. I ran 2 minutes faster than last year.  Last year I ran it in 1hr09min. This year 1:07:20.

2014 Training in Ethiopia

The video is from this morning with Ethiopian runners and Coach Haji Adilo. The workout was 15 x 1km with 90 seconds rest between. I'm in the light blue shorts, long-sleeve white top.

2014 Ethiopia training update

A typical training run in the altitude of Ethiopia.

My training is good.  I just started again this week.  I'm trying hard to get into a marathon in April.  My options are Daegu (South Korea) 4/6, Rotterdam 4/13, and Boston 4/21.

Daegu is very good marathon.  Not too fast for me.  The winner last year ran 2:08:33.  My goal, if I go, is to run under 2:09.  Daegu is my first choice.

Rotterdam is super fast.  Last year's winner ran 2:04.  They have a pace maker for groups 1 -2-3.  If I go it will be just  to run a fast time.

I will focus on road races in the USA for April, May June, and July.

Deriba Merga and Coach Haji Adilo

(let to right) Me, Coach Haji Adilo, and Deriba Merga

Haji Adilo coaches athletes in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  His athletes include Dire Tune, the winner of the 2013 Boston marathon, the winner of the 2013 Rotterdam marathon, and the runner-up in this year's 2014 Dubai marathon.  He also coached Deriba when he won the 2009 Boston marathon.

Said Aouita & Ahmad Al Kamali

(left to right) Said Aouita, Ahmad Al Kamali, and me

Ahmad Al Kamali (in white) is President of the UAE Athletic Federation (UAEAF) and a Council member on the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federation).

Said Aouti (from Morocco) is the 1984 Olympic 5000m champion and former world record holder at 1500m, 2000m, 3000m, 2 miles, and 5000m.

IAAF list of my Personal Bests

The IAAF list of my all-time Personal bests

My IAAF page can be viewed at: IAAF website

Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai

After the 2014 Dubai Marathon at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel

My all time personal bests

A list of my personal bests according the AllAthletics.com

2014 Dubai Marathon - 2:13:35

I ran my second marathon ever.  Last month I ran 2:18:15 at the California International Marathon in Sacramento.  Today I improved by almost 5 minutes and finished 16th place.

I'm very happy.    Official results

2014 Dubai Marathon results