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!

Lose about 10 lbs. Wear a short sleeve tee, even though it was windy, cloudy, and a bit chilly at the start.

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.


Hills! That, and it would be nice to be 10-15 lbs. lighter.... soon enough!


Very enjoyable race. The volunteers were great and I had a wonderful time! Hope to come back again next year.