Emerald Across the Bay 12k - Run

Since this was more about the experience than anything for me I wasn't concerned with trying to get a good starting place in the crowd. My gun time and chip time were 29 seconds different, so I was clearly a good ways back in the crowd at the start. The initial downhill was very easy. Not so steep that I had to use the "brakes". Just a nice easy pace. Once I hit the flat at the bottom of the hill I jumped off the road to take a picture of the bridge with my cell phone. Across the flats at Ft. Baker and then started up "the Hill". If I had been going hard, this thing would have kicked my butt. As it was I just motored on up, breathing hard, but going easy. About half way I walked a few steps just to break the stride up a bit, and then went back to that easy jog. After I got onto the bridge I stopped again to take another picture, then back to that easy pace. Half way across the bridge the wind off the Pacific hit. It was blowing hard but it didn't affect me too much pace wise. I stopped again twice more while on the bridge to take pictures. Winding down through the maze to get to sea level again my legs felt good. I saw a port-a-potty and jumped out to use it (drank a bit too much water before the race I think) Down at the bottom and heading back towards the base of the bridge I stopped again for another picture. I ran past the race photographers with my whole outfit on but as soon as I was past I pulled the gloves and jacket off, tied the jacket around my waist, and put the gloves in the pocket on the back of my tri top. With about 2.5 miles to go I picked up the pace and just had a really good run. Probably somewhere in the range of 8:30 per mile pace for the last 2 miles. The last hill was tough, but I kept my form smooth and just powered up. Down the other side felt really good until near the bottom where it gets very steep and I started to use the brakes a bit to slow down. Once on the flat I went right back to that smooth steady pace until I saw my wife and daughters, then I veered over to them and gave them high fives as I went by. Steady run across the line and then walked around to get hugs from my girls.

Walked over and hugged my girls and my wife. Drank more water from my bottle. Walked to the park where the post race activities are set up and got my finisher's T-shirt and then found the tech shirt tent to pick that up as well. Stopped and had my picture taken with my daughter and the Nesquik bunny. Then headed back to the hotel for a shower and some lunch from In-n-Out Burger.


Training level was not up to "racing" this distance.
Also a slight ankle injury that wont seem to go away.
One stop mid-race to use a port-a-potty
Wearing a jacket and needing to tie it around my waist part way through.


Fantastic event! I had so much fun. If I do it again I will run the whole thing and not stop to take pictures.