That was only my 2nd participation to this originally low-key and informal fat-ass which started with only a dozen of runners back in the 80s. I wasn’t born — to ultra running, that is — but read that the original course followed the 49-mile scenic drive across and around the City by the Bay. Keith in particular, more recently, extended the distance so the event could count in his multi-decade long streak of running at least one 50-miler every year. And it looks like a shorter 50K option, or shortcut, has been available for a while too.
Thanks to my log, and blog, I could confirm that I first participated in 2015. I don’t appear in the results on UltraSignup because I had a tough and cut it short to 36 miles, skipping the run around Lake Merced for instance then jogging straight back to Twin Peaks instead, as I was nursing a shin splits inflammation.
I didn’t even took the time to read my 2015 race report when preparing but did print the maps and turn-by-turn instructions as I remembered the difficulty of navigating the downtown area in particular. I also uploading Pierre-Yves’s 2016 GPX course trace which Keith has on his web page. This turned out to be super useful as I I had then to just follow the instructions of my Coros watch. (An anecdote to share how precise such guidance is: at some point at Spartathlon, in the middle of a long stretch, my watch was telling me to run right, when there was really no intersection for a few kilometers. It took me a while to realize that the recording was made on the right side of the 2-lane road while I was running on the left side, against the road traffic, and the watch was expecting me to be on the other side.)
I see that, in 2015, I mentioned that it was the largest field ever at 85. Well, fast-forward 10 years and Chihping had to close registration when the demand exceeded 150 this year! Hence my thanks for being included in the party despite missing the confirmation email back in August. Maybe because it was free, or because of injuries or later conflicts, 22 ended up not starting. Still a very large number taking on that tradition on the San Francisco streets last Sunday. Like Chihping put it a few days later, an overwhelming field for 18 brave volunteers. In addition to Keith and Chihping, unofficially organizing: the real legend, Stan, Steve, William, Christine, Noé, Marcus, Janice, Tom, Zagdaa, Hollis, Allan, Leandra, Andy, Judy, Nicholas, Miranda, Paul. And even Pen as photographer extraordinaire.
I carpooled to the start with Keith, who dropped my in the misty, windy and cold fog at the top of Twin Peaks around 6:25 am. I was already so cold after a quick stop by the restroom that I went for a 10-minute jog to try warming up. To no availability. I waited for the very last minute to remove my pre-race layers and was still working on my drop bag when Chihping sent the large field off. Pen took that shot as I eventually started at the very back. Two pictures, credit to Pen.
Quite a shot with Keith running on the right with the flag, and Chihping escaping on the left after sending the pack off!
Speeding through the pack helped gaining a bit of heat but we were shortly back to the windy top for the first out and back, then a long effort-less downhill to leave Twin Peaks. I passed and chatted a bit with Mark Tanaka — Western States lottery winner ! — and Bob Hearn. Not sure if my watch would provide accurate guidance, I settled behind Kevin Moore, who knows this course by heart. Our miles were oscillating between high 7s and low 8s. We would form a group of 5 for the first 13 miles or so to Japan Town.
Before the Coit Tower at mile 17 I started running ahead, just following my watch’s directions. Kevin and Connor passed me as I was trying to find a restroom at the bottom of the Coit Tower. Hint for next time: there is a very convenient bathroom stop on the subsequent downhill on Lombard Street, on the left, at the North Beach Pool/Joe DiMaggio Playground Park.
The stop was brief but I was still falling slightly behind. I could see Kevin leaving the Marin Green aid station when I was getting in, I’m not sure if he even stopped there. Connor was also a few hundreds yards ahead. Rebecca Heymann, lead gal, looked impressively strong. I even assumed she was on the 50K. The god had dissipated but the sky still cloudy and I was still feeling quite cold, unable to warm-up at this 8:15 min/mile pace, but also unable to really go faster as my muscles wouldn’t lose-up and unlock. Which made me work even harder.
William and another volunteer helped me refill my GU Energy Brew bottle at Marin Green. I wasn’t feeling that great when I saw Stan at Seacliff but still moving under 9 min/mile. Quick stop to grab a piece of brioche, and 2 potato chips. I was now running alone, and slower, yet resolute to go to the end this time.
Barely seeing the Golden Gate Bridge from Land's End:
By the end of circling around Lake Merced, I saw Kevin in the far distance, less than half a mile ahead, then Connor, a quarter mile behind. I spent a few minutes stopping at the water fountain of the Lake Merced parking lot, before getting on the long stretch on Sunset Boulevard. Half-way, someone yelled my name on the other side: that was William, from his aid station I had missed for running on the left side. I would have appreciate the care of an aid station as I was struggling through a low point, but didn’t feel the necessity to cross over.
I caught up with Connor in Golden Gate Park but he was still faster when not walking. After our loop around Bleu Heron Lake I mde a pit stop and lost sight of him for good. I chatted a bit with our legendary Rocket, who turned 76 2 days later.
Before the climb to Twin Peaks, Stan asked me if I needed anything, from his car. I passed on the offer as I was still carrying enough water and GU gels and chews. What I was missing was more stamina but I was pulled ahead by the eagerness to finish. I found the last miles excruciatingly long in particular because we were following such a detour around Twin Peaks. But 50 miles are 50 miles...
Smelling the barn, I jogged part of the last gasp and even caught up with, surprise, Rocket! Either the end of the 50K route is different and more direct than the 50-mile route, or he took a shortcut. Well, he deserved it! :-)
Chihping sent me back on the final figure 8 which we did at the start and that confused my watch as that wasn't part of the 2016 recorded track from Pierre-Yves. This time, it was sunny at the top but I was still feeling cold. And tired/exhausted after my muscles had to work twice as much in this context.
Given the circumstances, I was happy not just to finish, but to break 8 hours. Here is a Relive.cc flyover giving a great overview of the course around the City by the Bay. (Click on this link, or the picture below.)
Agnès and Greg arrived 5 minutes later to pick me up and I really enjoyed the heating seat of my car. I know, kind of ridiculous to complain about the temperature, compared to what runners in other states, and on the East Coast in particular, have to endure through their winter. Not to mention Kevin was running in a singlet!
At 30, Eduardo Morales won the 50-mile for the third year in a row and this time in a blazing 6:40. The next 3 finished within 3 minutes, 50 minutes behind Eduardo: Brian Wooden, Rebecca Heyman and Kevin. Then me, almost 30 minutes behind, and Connor, who had stopped for 20 minutes at a coffee shop after Golden Gate Park. All results on UltraSignup.
What an ultra party thrown by this small team of hard core volunteers. Again, very grateful for the opportunity they gave is to push the enveloppe on such a scenic route. I hope to be back to run that route again with my muscles more relaxed. I might also be tired of quite some racing through October and November. See you all next year then!