Pacifica 21k

I'm almost positive I didn't come in last today, but the results are not "official" yet so we'll have to see. I'm always in the bottom 10% or so, that I can promise you. I went into today with absolutely no goals or expectations for myself. The longest Christy and I have run since October, I think, is 6.5 or 7 miles maybe. But, we didn't want to drive all the way to Pacifica for a 9k run, so we signed up for the 21k. Not a big deal. It wasn't like we didn't think we could do it. The initial climb of 3.5 miles is that -- a climb! There is no flat, no downhill, just UP. It was no surprise though, I have done this course before. It took me 70ish minutes to get up to the top of the first loop and 31 minutes to get back down. I passed about 20 people on the downhill that passed me going up. Of course, on the second loop we played leapfrog again.
Oh, let me tell you that Christy and I have never run a race together. What I mean by this is we never run with each other in races. We say our goodbyes at the starting line and then reconnect at the finish. I know it's strange but it works for us. I am not competitive, she is. I'd rather start in the back and pass people rather than have them pass me and make me feel even more anxious than I do. I lallygag, I take pictures. I breath heavy and don't like people to hear me. In our daily running life, we start, stay with each other, and finish together but when it comes to organized runs, she pours it on easier than I do. And for some reason I just lose my nerve. Now that you know this information, the following should not sound strange to you.
After the first loop, I came into the aid station where Mike, aka (Hold It! What am I doing?) was volunteering. He informed me that Christy "took a spill, a face plant." I was freaked out about this. I felt so bad that I wasn't there when she wiped out and I hoped she was not seriously hurt. Honestly, if I did see her wipe out, I probably would have been totally traumatized though. I started up the second loop and I really didn't want to finish. I kept telling myself to just turn around. It was only a 9k loop but my heart wasn't in it anymore. I guess I lost my motivation. I knew I couldn't call Christy but I was worried and sad for her. She finished about 15 minutes before me. She said she tripped over a root and flew face first, trying to catch herself with her arm. The end result is a bruised cheekbone, a scraped right arm, a couple huge bruises on her right leg, on her hand and she thinks she messed up her shoulder pretty bad. Our husbands, Keith and Steve, were golfing together so I called Keith and told him what happened and of course he relayed it to Steve. She wouldn't let me drive home which I really wish she would have. I called her about an hour ago and she says she's getting more purple on her cheek and her elbow. She may go have it checked out on Monday if it's not better.



The trails are all about this narrow. And the majority of the first loop was full of loose gravel and rocks. I enjoyed running on so much single track, that's for sure. I want to go back and do that 9k loop. No dogs are allowed in the park which kind of sucks. But, I would like to try that loop again.

Finally at the top of the 9k loop

Christy showing a little of her wounds

Me and Victoria basking in the sun. No, not really. I just finished and she was about at her sun limit because she finished about an hour before me. She is so freakin' unbelievably fast.

The three of us hung out for a while after the run and had soup and soda and other goodies.

I finished the 21k (13.02 on my Garmin) in 3:23. The good news is I feel fine. No IT issue, no knee or leg pain at all. Yay! I enjoyed the scenery (a little too much, no doubt.) The weather was perfect! The people at the PCTR events cannot be topped. It's like a little community. People don't rush off when they're finished running. They stick around and talk about the run. Undoubtedly, new friendships are made at every race they put on. And it's always nice to go with a good friend and see old ones while you're there.