There’s something eternally cool about doing a race in your own back yard. Especially when that back yard contains some of the most prime real estate in San Francisco, the swooping streets of the Presidio, along with the magic & majesty of three miles out & back on the Golden Gate Bridge.
Sunday’s race was the Presidio 10 Miler, and we couldn’t have asked for a better day. Cloud cover and cool temps provided perfect race conditions, and Tommy, Brooke and I toed the start line with eager anticipation.
Tommy was a man on a mission, coming straight off a 4th place overall (1st American) at the Georgia Half Marathon. He was in it to win it on Sunday, and not only did he smash the men’s field, he did so by more than four minutes. It amazes me that when a guy is running a sub-5:30 pace, he has the mental wherewithal not only to recognize me as we passed on opposite sides of the GG Bridge, but also to wave hello. If I ever ran that fast I would surely be in an altered state where I’d be lucky to even recognize my own two feet. But that, I suppose, is what sets the serious running star apart from the age-group competitor wannabe.
Brooke impressed me equally with her tenacity and speed. Brooke started running a mere year ago, coming off a road bike racing college career. Never having run 10 miles without stopping prior to this morning, she laid down the law in the 20-29 age group, finishing with the top third of her division. Watch for Brooke on the running podium soon!
I was thrilled with my own race, achieving the elusive negative split, turning in a solid first seven miles through the hills and over the bridge, and kicking into high gear for the last three mile push to the finish. My goal was 1:20 and I came in at 1:19:12, so it was one of those rare races where I couldn’t find a single thing to criticize in my performance. Of course, it did cross my mind that in two weeks I’ll be running that same distance twice, with a 10k thrown in for good measure, to complete Boston. Seems a bit daunting at the moment, especially as I sit here groggily sipping my coffee and nursing my sore quads, but with some serious R&R coupled with selective memory, I think I’ll do just fine.