With recent life changes (& the onset of summer), haven’t stayed super consistent with marathon training. “You’ve done so many, your body is conditioned to run marathons.” Some truth to that, but I tell ya – getting up & randomly running 26 miles after throwing 6’s & an 8 over the past 2 weeks, is a struggle. Still coming to terms with dropping gym membership (eff July 1st). Started finding my groove again last Wednesday – tight timing for Sunday’s marathon (kinda late in the game) but mentally feel I’ve turned a corner & I’m back.
Up early Saturday, caught a flight to San Francisco – my 35th marathon, my 35th different state. Landed in dense fog, temps in the upper 50’s – San Francisco norm for July. Packed long-sleeves & a jacket – my kinda summer weather 🙂
No rental required in SF, great public transportation. Air train to BART to Embarcadero station – 0.7 miles from my hotel, half-mile from tomorrow’s marathon start/finish. At Embarcadero, located the free Marathon Expo shuttle – BAM, easy peasy.
Bib & shirt pickup. Check, done. Explored Fort Mason & caught my first views of SF’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge – the reason I chose this marathon for my California run. Truly stunning.
Early night – 5:30am marathon start tomorrow, one of my earliest.
Quick shower, dressed in layers, running gloves & a hat – not your typical July attire. HA!
Arrived early, waited for my wave start – almost 15 minutes after the Elites. Lungs breathed water from the dense morning fog. Easy 5 mile, 8 minute-pace approaching Golden Gate Bridge. Yep, would be running OVER the Bridge to Marin County & back.
(bridge approach – one of the steepest hills I’ve marathoned. That said, better at mile 5, than mile 25 🙂 )
Got all nostalgic during the 3-mile Bridge out-n-back.
Have crossed the mighty Mississippi, run alongside both Atlantic & Pacific Oceans AND three Great Lakes (Michigan, Superior & Utah’s Great Salt Lake). Raced thru Nebraska & Iowa cornfields, Idaho potato farms, Louisiana bayou, Saguaro cactus in Arizona, down the Las Vegas strip at night, thru Kentucky’s Churchill Downs, viewed lighthouses in Maine, Wisconsin, Rhode Island & Michigan. 50 State Quest has been quite a life journey. Crazy proud of my country, our people & our national diversity.
Lotta hills in San Fran – I knew in advance, but still…a lotta hills in San Fran.
Fatigue set in early – lactic acid build-up near mile 12 (inconsistent training). 4-hour pace group passed soon after.
Haven’t run a large city race since Miami – enjoyed running with folks all 26 miles. While generally a HUGE fan of small-town America, latter miles can often be lonely. You wonder – does anyone know I’m out here?
A bit unorthodox but cell-phoned friends/family at miles 17, 19, 22 & 24. I would finish today. Last hill at mile 23, slogged in the remaining three miles. My 3rd 5-hour marathon – not particularly proud of that stat, guess it’s all part of the journey. Good days, bad days, sunshine/rain/snow/ice/heat/wind – and fog.
Pretty amazing day. Today I ran across the Golden Gate Bridge. Beautiful city San Fran — I’ll be back 🙂
San Francisco Marathon 2015
Bib: 30741
Name: K R Haga
Hometown: Louisville, CO
Finish: 5:07:45
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