It was an early start that morning, meeting up with Kelly and Cara for the drive to Tiburon at 4:45am!!!
We could see the fog rolling over the hills, as we were driving down . . . hmmmm . . . how far inland was the fog?!!!
We got down to Tiburon, parked, and waited for the ferry to take us across to Angel Island. There were 434 people racing – 336 ran the 12k, once around the island and 98 ran the 25k. We were looking forward to cool temps after so many hot summer runs, but we actually were freezing, teeth-chattering, hands-shaking cold!!! Brrrrr . . .
Me, Kelly, and Cara . . . freezing!!!
The race started around 9:30 after two loads of people were brought across the bay by ferry. I was looking forward to my first trail race and getting warm!!!
Off we went up . . . up . . . up . . . a little down . . . up . . . up . . . . around . . . down . . . down . . . down . . . turn around and repeat!!!
The fog was burning off slowly, but surely. I had decisions to make – was I running by MAF or running a race? With so much steady uphill and my heart rate already over 136, I made the decision to just run and enjoy. I did keep an eye on my heart rate, but not trying to keep it at my MAF rate, which would be 126. I ran the race between 136 and 150. I felt great, the temperature was perfect, and the elevation decrease a bonus.
It was definitely different running single file on a trail. At times the trail would widen, but mostly single file. I tried to be aware when others wanted to pass me and I would run as far right as possible or at times I just slowed and moved off the trail. I found that I just had to run and let others work around me. What became even more hectic for me was when there were runners behind me and the 25k’s running back up for the second time around passing me, as well as random hikers here and there.
Golden Gate Bridge
The views were amazing!! I didn’t take pictures the first time around. The second time around it was pretty much just me and the trail and I loved it!! There were people a ways in front of me and a ways in back of me. I didn’t feel any pressure. I could just run my race in God’s amazing creation!!
Looking toward SF with Alcatraz in-between
Golden Gate Bridge, again!
Looking down into the bay and Tiburon
I loved running down the final long hill!! It’s kind of like being a kid again . . . running free . . . filled with joy!! At the same time, watching carefully all those rocks in the trail because I’m not a kid again and I didn’t want to fall . . .
And . . . I finished!!
It was a total climb of about 2000 feet!!! My quads and calves were talking to me when all was said and done.
My time was 2:56, which is a PR for me, as this was my first 25k!!
I came in 2nd for my age group!! Okay . . . I must confess . . . there were only two in my age group!!! 🙂
Would I do this again? Absolutely!!! I loved it!!!!
I wasn’t sore on the days following the race, which helped me to see that I could have given more. Good information for next time.
What’s next? I have two half marathons coming up in October and tonight I printed out blank calendar sheets for laying out my marathon training!! I’m getting excited, overwhelmed, nervous, excited, ‘what-the-heck-did-I-sign-myself-up-for’ – I will just say, a myriad of feelings flow through me at any moment of my thinking process for the upcoming CIM in December.
When this happens, I just need to sit quietly with a great God, who is the one that gave me this body and the desire to run. I pray I can learn more and more how to rest in Him and trust Him for all I will need to do in this journey of running and in this journey of life. There are so many lessons to be learned in both . . . they go hand-in-hand.
Thankful . . .
Patty 🙂
Stumbling with Perseverance . . . Running with a Great God 