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Still dealing with Garmin deficiency and although I must say that the naked running is very freeing to say the least, times that I need to “check in” with my pace to make sure I am on track for the Ragnar Relay: Vegas legs… I had opted to drop the $9.99 on iTunes to use RunKeeper Pro to track my pace.

Although my iPhone is my baby (my very expensive and co-dependent baby) running with it has made me pretty nervous at times. Not only that, but the fact that I have to use an app that sucks my GPS and battery constantly to tell me how fast I’m going… not a big fan.

RunKeeper Pro is accurate, simple and easy to use, it tracks your pace, mileage and allows you to even load a playlist so you can listen to music when you run. The pitfall for me was the battery usage, once I started using it for 10 mile runs on a fully charged battery I was barely able to squeeze out a finishing time before my iPhone totally died.

I’ll give it a B- good for short runs but doubtful I will end up using it a ton.

Punkrockracing.com Tech Tee

Father’s Day is June 20, 2010. If you are stumped on what to get for Dad for Father’s Day, I’ve come up with a list of gifts that would be great for runners (and for those of you on a tight budget). If you want to spend more, you can always give him a gift pack made up of multiple items. This will be especially great for him if you know he is training for a race.

Here are some suggestions with a wide price range to accommodate varying wallet sizes:

Race Day Gift Bag

Might be best to use this gift bag as an outline/starter and make your own for dad using his favorite sports brand duffle bag as a starter. This Nike Race Day Duffle Bag filled with race goodies would make for an ultimate Race Day goodie gift bag for Nike lovers.

The Stick

Although it looks like a medieval torture device, it’s a really great stretching tool for runners at all levels. The Stick is used in lieu or to aid sports massages, taking out tough knots all over the body.

PunkRockRacing.com Tech Tee

For the rock out and run out Dad (and Ramones fan). A very cool tech tee he’d actually wear. Check out the black runner tea with eagle emblem for the image featured in this post.

GUTR Ultimate Sweatband

Strange looking headband but super effective. Kind of works like a rain gutter for profuse sweating. Great gift for gear geeks.

Aqua Jogging Gear

Dad might be looking for an alternative way to stay out of the heat during summer training. This kit comes with a how-to DVD.

Born To Run by Christopher McDougall

This is the must read book for runners everywhere. Great for bookworms and serious running enthusiasts.

Finish Line Doormat

It’s kitschy. It’s cute… it’s good for Dad’s workshed… maybe the house if it’s allowed.

iTunes Purchase RunKeeper

For those on a tight budget you can get Dad the RunKeeper App Pro. It tracks your pace and mileage. Great for those who are Garmin-less.

In case you ever wonder about the allure of the City of Angels. Here’s my second favorite place to run at the moment.

If you’re not doing the Ragnar Relay like me and my kick ass team and are looking to meet some really kick ass endurance athletes who are are also not on my team, you should get your booty over to the Westside and run a fancy (well it’s not fancy at all) 10K with some folks led by the legendary P-Dub or Peter Williams (aka LA Marathon social medialite) check out the Facebook Event for more info. Bummed that I can’t do this run since two of my all time favorite bars (Renee’s and The Shack) are both in the line up.

I’ll be brutally honest, I have always had an innate aversion to Griffith Park… it has always had an association with being totally ghetto, scary, barren, etc. Not sure why, I think that was just the word on the street from the kids around me growing up in LA. I finally took a closer look at the second largest state park in California, and completely fell in love with it – this place is HUGE. Not only that, it offers countless trails and attractions from the historic carousel, observatory, horse ranch and the volunteer only kept Amir’s Garden. And that’s only what I have seen in the few visits I’ve made out there so far…

Did I also mention I ran here at night?

If you’re a fan of trails and want to meet some interesting folks I suggest you give yourself a jaunt through Griffith and prepare to give your heart away to this nature preserve in the heart of LA.

Here’s a video of my last visit there with a friend (those aren’t my legs in the camo shorts).

Mineral Wells Trail of Griffith Park: Length: 2.0 miles; Elevation Change: 200 ft. A easy dirt road trail along Oak Canyon Drive and Griffith Park Drive. Trailhead: The trail is accessible from Oak Canyon Drive and Griffith Park Drive. [MAP]