I was cold when we started off but that changed pretty quickly. The first section is going uphill all the way to the top of the island. It is never hellishly steep but a definite uphill grade all the way. As a hiking trail, it's pretty easy. As a running trail, it was HARD. I just tried not to let all of the walking people pass me (especially the guy pushing a stroller.) Avg. HR for this section was 160 - so I put out a very good effort here. REALLY trying to stay ahead of one group of walkers. I don't hike (or run) fast AT ALL so it was hard, but I did it, then I left them behind for good once we got to the top and I could actually run in some fashion. (The first 25k runners were coming down for their first lap as we were hitting the fire road.)

Once you're at the top you run along a fire road for a while, and then back around on some other trails. Fairly flat through this whole section with a few rollers and some steady low-grade stuff going up and down. I'm in a sorta no-mans land as far as speed right now, I'm slower than the runners but faster than the walkers, I was pretty much by myself most of the time. Totally scenic and 99% on dirt which was great. We ran through a couple of meadows w/ wildflowers, through stands of trees, through the forest, around the edge of the island, so you could see the bay - too bad the fog was in - cause the views would have been spectacular. My only complaint is that you couldn't see anything from the island across the bay. Seriously, just RUNNING here was a reward for doing the race. Just pristine and wild.

Once you finish that off - it's back down the hill. This part was really fun for me, the fastest I've run in YEARS. Just trying to let it go and practice running fast. The biggest thing I had to pay attention to here were all the 25k people who were passing me. It was hard to find places to let them by. All singletrack trail and not really steep, although there were a few sections that I walked cause I didn't feel the footing was that good.

Finished with a sprint to the finish with official chip timing. "My name is Chip, and I will be your timer." - Actual quote from pre-race talk. They actually keep the times on paper - that's how low key they are.

Nutrition: I didn't take the gels I had with me, I just drank one bottle of sports drink w/ extra salt added and one water bottle. They were both empty by the end, and it seemed like just the right amount of fluids/calories for the amount of effort and time.

Nothing much - I pushed pretty hard the whole way. My HR monitor was either above 160 or at 160 most of the time (except going back down the hill.)

There was one part that was slightly uphill and I wasn't moving very fast and I kinda got stuck behind these two girls. I was worried that I would pass them, and then I wouldn't be able to stay ahead of them. I shoulda just went for it.

Walked around slowly and tried to remember how, as my legs were instantly sore and very stiff. Stretched a bit, and ate some food, and then we got back on the ferry and enjoyed the ride back over to Tiburon. The sun had finally come out for good, and all the sailboats were out - just way cool. Had lunch in Tiburon by the bay and then headed back home.


Well - duh. Some of it is genetic (I'm just not fast) but another part is that I just weigh too much and it slows me down. A LOT. Going uphill limits my ability to perform faster.


This is a LOW KEY event. If you want to run in a location with totally awesome scenery and be self-sufficient this is for you. You HAVE to carry your own aid, there are NO drink stations on the course. If you want lots of support and lots of other racers this is not the race you should choose.

Update: Ok, I uploaded a photo - and I will just say that I do NOT like pics of myself, especially racing, cause I look so DAMN fat. But I think I will like it more later on...