Run
Comments: The gun went off and I crossed the start line 22 seconds later. After a nice .5 mile flat start, it was time to head up. So, up we went. 2 miles later we had gained over 420 feet before we hit another flat section. Then it was down to mile 4. I checked my watch at this point... SHIT! 34:35!! The first part of this race is very hilly.. up, up, and more up. I figured the first 4 to be about 33:00, but I was way behind that pace. So, screw it, time to pick it up a bit if I want to have a respectable showing. Crossed the bridge and had a hammer gel on the other side. The race was half over and I'm at ~42:30. Time to go!! Kicked it up a notch and kept the heart rate at about 172, which is a good zone for me. Felt the effects of the earlier hills while heading up from north to south on the golden gate bridge. I made it to the half way point on the bridge, thankfully, and now it was downhill from here to Crissy Field (~1mile). At Crissy Field there were 2 flat miles left and I knew it would be close to 1:20.... a couple of 7:30 miles would do the trick. Did I have it in me? Time to find out! I found a nice rhythm and just held on to it. At mile 9 (or so it said), I was now at 1:11.. but, that can't be right. No way I ran a 6:00 min. mile there. I kept the pace and looked at my watch. 1:19, 1:19:15, 1:19:30..... shit! Kick it in hard and get in at 1:19:58. WHEW!!! They don't use chip timing at this race, so my actual was 1:19:36. Tough run... but very enjoyable! What would you do differently?: Lose about 10 lbs. Wear a short sleeve tee, even though it was windy, cloudy, and a bit chilly at the start. Post race
Warm down: Met Rachel who was at the finish. She brought me a banana and we walked for about 15-20 minutes to stay loose. Grabbed some shwag and food and headed home. What limited your ability to perform faster: Hills! That, and it would be nice to be 10-15 lbs. lighter.... soon enough! Event comments: Very enjoyable race. The volunteers were great and I had a wonderful time! Hope to come back again next year. Last updated: 2008-04-06 12:00 AM
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United States
Presidio 10
50F / 10C
Overcast
Overall Rank = 94/393
Age Group = 40-49
Age Group Rank = 21/52
Awoke at 5:30, ate a banana and a rice cake with peanut butter. Drank a cup of coffee and some water to, ummm, get the "system going". Relaxed and made sure to have all the necessities (sunglasses, HRM, body glide, race number, etc.). Left the house at 7:25 and arrived at the venue at 7:30... nice to have the race close to the apartment.
easy run/job to get the legs loose and heart rate elevated.