Coastal Trail Runs Mount Diablo Half Marathon - September 19, 2010

In case you didn't know, I don't race.  I run for fun.  If it wasn't fun, I wouldn't do it.  I will also admit that having fun company is *always* part of my success in finishing the organized runs I do. 

That being said, how lucky was I to get this company last Sunday?  That's right - RBR (Stacey) herself.  She ran a 50k a week before this run and it blistered her feet horribly.  But, being the great friend she is, she agreed to come help me along.  The fact that she had never been to Mount Diablo did make her decision a bit easier.

Along with the half marathon this day, Coastal Trail Runs was also having a four  mile, 10-mile, marathon and ultra-marathon (50k).  We all started at 8:00 am and followed along the same course for the first five miles.  The first two miles was a slight, steady incline.  We ran for a while until Stacey's shins became on fire.  We started hiking and ran when she felt well enough.  But, as luck would have it - as soon as her shins stretched out, the steep climbs started.  From mile two to the summit was 99% steep with a few yards that were runnable.  There is over 3,800 feet of climb in this "run".  We did the best we could but stopped as often as we wanted to take pictures and enjoy the views. 

You see, this run was on my "bucket list" for more than one reason.  Last year I did two organized runs on Mount Diablo.  The first one was a marathon which I absolutely LOVED!  The second one was a 25k that took me DOWN!  I really wanted to get that "loving feeling" back about Mount Diablo.  I did it!

So anyway, back to the run.

After the aid station at mile five we got to enjoy some beautiful single track trails.  Tough single track but beautiful none-the-less. 

We wound our way through to the summit.  Where it was completely socked in with fog.  Great!  Luckily on the way up we stopped quite a bit to take in the beautiful views because there was nothing to see from the top.  We asked someone to take a couple photos of us and we turned around to start our way back down to Mitchell Canyon. 

I was a bit concerned about Stacey's blisters at this point because they were on the balls of her feet and the next 6.9 miles were going to be 99% downhill.  But, as she does, she accompanied me for every step of the way back down the hill.  What took us two hours and 45 minutes to get up took us one hour and 10 minutes to get down.  We finished in 4:22 - a minute behind the first female marathon finisher.  Yes, you read that right.  But like Stacey says in her report, we're used to it.  If you question this, refer back to paragraph 1.  :)

We may be slower but I guarantee we saw a lot more than she did!!!  Here's some more pictures for you to enjoy.

Happy girls at the finish

I am just back from a two day Disneyland trip with Sara.  Walking around yesterday, my quads were KILLING me from all the downhill running.  They are feeling much better today and I will hopefully get a run in tomorrow morning before work.

"MED2010" Accountability:
09/19 - 14 mile trail run
09/20 - 2.75 mile walk
09/21 - 10 hours of walking at Disneyland
09/22 - 3 hours of walking at Downtown Disney


Until later.............