The Los Angeles County Komen Race for the Cure® raised significant funds and awareness at the March 15, 2008 5k walk and run at the Rosebowl in the fight against breast cancer. Seventy-five per cent of the net proceeds raised each year at the Komen Los Angeles County Race for the Cure® stay in L. A. County. The funds go to breast cancer services that directly benefit the women who need them most. The balance of the money raised goes to Komen national research programs. This year instead of giving out finisher medals they gave out pins. I woke up extremely tired but finished the 5k at 35:30. at a 11:20 pace.

It’s two days after the famous Los Angeles Marathon. I woke up worth all kinds of muscle discomfort in my legs, calves, thighs. I put two cartons (each having 3 pounds by weight) of Epsom salt which only cost $2.99 each in a tub. Well worth it and more effective than a expensive massage. I soaked for about 15 to 20 minutes in a warm tub with the Epsom Salt. Wow, what a difference. I can actually move a lot easier.

I finished the Los Angeles Marathon. It took me 7 hours. The first 10 miles was fairly easy. At the 10 mile mark, I had to try and follow another group, a walker runner group 5. I stayed with them next four miles, was out of breath at times and went until I had cramping at mile 14. I had to stop at a store and pick up some salon pas to apply. Mile 18 or so, I tried tying my shoe laces, and when I raised my arms, I had cramps there as well. Also even in the right chest as I bent down trying to tie the laces. I had to use the rest room in the first mile but the lines were long so I skipped it for the first 6 miles. I could have finished at around 6:40 if I did not have the cramping. Also to reduce my time for next year, I need to drop another 15 pounds, and do my homework during the week. I did virtually no running during the week. When I was at mile 19 and 21, or so, it was a little emotional excitement. The group I had initially ran with back in September before I fell out finished around 6 hours, at least that was their pace leaders time. Their projected finish time was 5:18. Steve and his wife finished both around 5:18. When I crossed the line, I started getting cold. Probably from the winds and the wet shirt I was wearing from the water. When I got home, I was shivering cold. I took a warm bath with epson salt and went to bed early and had a good nights sleep for a change — about 10 hours.  Preparation tips for next year - train during the week, lose weight, bring salon pas can or patches, bring carbohydrates items like pretzels or gel, and have your family member bring you sweats and pants for you to wear at the end of the race and make sure use the rest room before you leave because all that water will catch up to you while you are sitting in your car leaving.

I tried to jog today but could not get into it. I walked for about an hour. I did not sleep well even though I had plenty of sleep (seven hours.)

AB2408 would prohibit Juvenile Judges and Juvenile Prosecutors from allowing minors who admit to committing an egregious sex crime into the “deferred entry judgment” program.

Under Welfare and Institutions Code section 790, children accused of certain offenses may qualify to participate in deferred entry of judgment if they are both legally eligible and suitable. Upon completion of the program which last from one to three years, the child gets the benefit of having his case dismissed and his record sealed.

According to its author, AB2408 would prohibit Juvenile Judges and Juvenile Prosecutors from allowing minors who admit to committing an egregious sex crime into the deferred entry judgment program.

“AB2408 really is a lifetime glass ceiling and punishment for these kids,” stated Los Angeles Juvenile Attorney George Kita. “Many of these allegations involve situations where the alleged victim is a family member and the minor charged lacks the maturity level that adults have. It really defeats the purpose of juvenile court which is rehabilitation. Why would you tie the hands of the courts, probation and prosecutors?”

AB2410 also addresses would prohibit a victim’s home phone and address from being disclosed to a sexually violent predator and AB2409 would allow prosecutors and other state agencies to look at all prior sex crimes committed as a juvenile.

I did 7 miles today. Jogged the first 6 miles at 12 min per mile pace. My knee is inflamed. I was told it was warm and there is very minor discomfort. I saw a bunch of student run LA kids. They did 6 miles. Steve did 9 miles at approximately a 9 minute 30 second pace.

Today I did 13.1 miles. I walked the first 5 miles and jogged the last 8.1 miles. Steve said we were only supposed to do 9 miles according to some book he has been reading.

In California, a juvenile charged with special circumstances murder who is alleged to have personally committed a homicide of the victim must be prosecuted in adult court if he or she was 14 or older at the time of the offense. Welfare & Institutions Code section 602(b)(1). Also pursuant to the United States Supreme Court case of Roper v. Simmons (2005) 543 U.S. 551, the court held that the death penalty was unconstitutional as applied to individuals who committed offense before the age of 18. A juvenile charged with certain juvenile law sex offenses must also be prosecuted in adult court if the juvenile was 14 older at the time of the alleged crime and the Juvenile Prosecutor alleged one of the circumstances stated in Penal Code section 668.61(d) or (c) (One strike law). Welfare and Institutions Code section 602(b)(2). Having an experienced Juvenile Attorney to review your child’s case is very important. When a child is prosecuted as an adult, it generally means the Juvenile Prosecutor believes the child is looking at a state prison commitment. Interestingly, the Ventura County Star newspaper reports in an article dated February 17, 2008, that juveniles tried as adults are up 170%.  The Star notes, ” proponents argue that juveniles should be punished for their crimes, but the law must take into consideration that a youngster’s brain isn’t fully developed. State Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, said that a teenager’s brain isn’t completely developed, and a teen’s impulse control, planning and critical thinking are still not yet fully matured. Yee’s spokesman, Adam Keigman, said Yee has introduced a bill to do away with sentencing juveniles to life without the possibility of parole. The bill was supposed to go to the Senate for a vote in January, but Yee postponed that action in hopes of getting the necessary two-thirds support later this year. Yee believes that a sentence of 25 years to life is fair, and it gives some hope to youngsters that, if they behave in prison, they will be eligible for parole after serving 25 years, said Keigman. There are 232 inmates in the state prison system who committed crimes as juveniles, were prosecuted as adults and sentenced to life in prison without parole, said Seth Unger, spokesman for the California Department of Corrections. Unger said he didn’t have the breakdown on how many of those inmates were convicted in Ventura County.”

Its Sunday February 11, 2008. I completed 22 miles today. It was certainly challenging as I did not get a good nights rest and only slept about 4 hours. I walked the first 3.1 miles then jog/ walked the next 13.2 miles followed by walking the next 6.2 miles. I started getting a headache in the last few miles as well as cramping in my calve muscle. I had to sit down along the way about four times for a few minutes to get my muscles some rest. Steve helped motivate me. We did take a short lunch break after completing the first 19 miles eating a hamburger and drinking a Gatorade.