Running, Hiking, and National Parks, That's All Folks.

For those of you who didn't hear me shout it from the rooftops, I did finish the trail marathon! But it wasn’t a sure thing… As luck would have it, the day before I had a pretty horrible cold. I know that might not sound so bad, but I was worried that I’d have a fever for the race and really hurt my brain/body by running 26.2 miles in that state. Or that I’d pass out on the trail somewhere.  But then as I was moping around, I realized I’ve ran in way worse situations. Like the time I got extremely lost at a county park, then ran out of water, then had to bike 10 miles home. Or the time I ran in Colorado in hot-as-hell temperatures with no shade, then ran out of water, then had to hike a mile back to Madeline’s place. Or the time I ran in NJ in the dark at 5am and wasn’t sure if I was seeing deer or bears crossing the road in front of me. Or, that time I twisted my ankle in a state park here and had to limp 7 miles back to the car. Or…you get the point. I’d have no problem running with a little cold.

The morning of the race passed in a blur of bananas, peanut butter, and porta-potties. The first few miles, I ran in the middle of a huge pack and barely even noticed I was running. Once the pack finally broke up, I was so happy not to be stuck behind someone that I barely noticed I was running. It wasn’t until around mile 13 that someone near me announced we were halfway done when I really thought about miles. I am eternally grateful to the volunteer at the water station around mile 15 who took my hydration pack off, filled it with water and ice while I was downing sports drinks, and helped me put it back on. And to the lady who poured water on my head. Armed with the most delicious ice cold water, I was still feeling really great. Oh, and my cold? I continually collected dead leaves to blow my nose with since I can’t do snot rockets but other than that it was fine. Roughly miles 17-20 I chatted with another racer which was an awesome distraction. It wasn’t until after we parted ways that I finally began to really feel tired. The last three miles were brutal. I was so tired that at mile 25 I didn’t even look up to see the views of the Pacific Ocean that this race is famous for. Passing through the finish line I was overwhelmed by emotions but also thinking just one thing: I was so freaking relieved to be done!!

 

Pre-race chilling

There were so many things I wanted to do after the race (walk! stretch! cheer people on!) but mostly I just sat on a bench eating chips and drinking beer, enjoying the special moment that comes after you just finish pushing your body above your limit. Thank you to everyone over the last few months who ran with me, pigged out with me, offered moral support on the phone, or just pretended to care about my crazy running endeavors.

 

If I had actually swam in the ocean I think I would've drown so I settled for wading 

The next weekend Owen had training for the National Guard so I went to San Francisco for the day. Remember how I had been desperately hoping for rain? Let’s just say that I got my fill that day. Amid a steady downpour, I walked along the Bay for too many miles until I finally arrived at Fisherman’s Wharf. It was packed with tourists, overpriced restaurants, and souvenir shops. The sea lions chilling on the docks were the real deal though. Famished and soaking wet, I sought refuge at In-N-Out, a California fast food chain which did not disappoint. My next destination was Ghirardelli Square, where I whiled away a few hours looking out at the Golden Gate Bridge, seeking refuge from the intermittent rain showers, and getting as many free Ghirardelli chocolate samples that I could con from them (I only got 2). On my way back to the train station I walked straight through Chinatown, then splurged on some new socks at a running store I passed by (to be changed into on the train home). At this point, the rain had finally let up and I was truly beginning to appreciate how unique San Francisco is. I was dazzled by people hanging off cable cars and streets steeper than the Sierra Nevadas. On the train ride home, I settled in with a good book, a dry pair of socks, and some well-deserved chocolates. There’s nothing finer.

 

The sea lions were unfazed by the rain

 This brings me to last weekend, which kicked off with a comedy show Friday night. Christopher Titus did not hold back, tackling everything from raising kids to politics to his crazy ex-wife (his words, not mine). Saturday morning, we drove up to the Marin Headlands (the area north of San Francisco). Our original plan was to go to Muir Woods, but how often do Owen and I follow our original plan? Muir Woods was completely overrun with tourists, so instead we drove a bit further up the coast and did a hike through steep ravines and redwood forests with an amazing view of San Francisco at its highest point. Also as per usual, we didn’t bring enough food with us so we stopped at a little country store across from the ocean and literally ate an entire box of donuts between the two of us! On the way home we drove across the Golden Gate Bridge. Pretty neat, but I’ll be honest, the best views of the bridge are from off the bridge.

 

Classic CA coastline

Still trying to figure that out too

At work last week, I realized that not only am I a running store employee, I’m also part therapist, doctor, coach, and technology guru. From “what pace should I do my long run at?” to “can you help me walk on my broken leg?” to “what’s my iPhone passcode?” I feel like I’ve heard it all.

This weekend we reverted to college mode and stayed up ‘late’ watching movies (late for us is now midnight; I’m pretty sure in college that was my usual bedtime). Yesterday we checked out Pinnacles National Park, the newest national park only two hours south of us. This place was in the middle of nowhere. The road leading into the park was only one lane wide (technically one and a half lanes wide in some spots, according to the park brochure). The park is named for its pinnacles, and we did a nice loop hike up into the rock formations. I rocked hiking poles for the first time and although I felt a bit like my 80-year-old self, I’m totally hooked now.

 

Navigating around the base of a pinnacle formation

Today we finally had our lazy weekend day indoors while listening to the steady rain outside. This was something we had fantasized about in the summer when the damn sun wouldn't stop shining. We did venture outside once to explore a county park in the Santa Cruz mountains near us and the short trip was well worth it.

Our reward for hiking in the rain

Coming up next, less than two weeks until I go to New Zealand to visit Kelli! I leave the night of election day which I don’t think I could have planned any better. Let’s just say I’ll be taking advantage of the free drinks on the plane ride when they announce the results.