One Way Trip to Enterprise

Time: 35:20
Distance: 5.16 miles
Pace: 6:51
Map

The reason for being in San Francisco.

Badass Chrome bags.

My run this morning took me from the Castro (rainbow flags), through the Tenderloin (heroin needles), into the Financial District ($$$), and down to the Ferry Terminal (boats and water). I ran straight down Market St. and took in all the sights and smells that is San Francisco. It was good being back in the city (in my mind, "the city" will always be San Francisco) along a route I used to run when I returned for summer during my days at Brown. Once I hit the Presidio, I hooked a right which took me to the SF Giants stadium (who knows what it's called these days) and back in toward the Metreon where I picked up a rental car from Enterprise. Apparently it's a shit ton more expensive to rent a car in San Francisco than anywhere else in the world, at least Charlotte that is.

Looks like AT& T has naming rights these days.

Pimped out pad that I wish we still called home.

Once I was behind a wheel and drove back over to the hotel, showered and loaded up my stuff. My final destination on the day was Santa Rosa (hometown), but first I wanted to drop in to visit the Orthaheel USA headquarters just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. It was great meeting some of the people that I speak to on the phone and send orders to weekly. I wanted to put a name to the face and email which was the sole purpose of the visit. I don't think it hurt that I got to meet the chief operating officer either.

Glad I'm driving down and not running up.

I arrived in Santa Rosa (also the hometown of Julia Stamps, Sara Hall, Levi Leipheimer and Charles Schultz) late in the morning and had the opportunity to visit with my mom and family friends. It was weird being back in a city that is so big (population ~165,000), yet is so small (relatively little to do). I miss the runs in Annadel State Park where you can find trial after trail of hills, soft surface and gorgeous views. However, I'm glad that I don't live there currently, and like knowing I can always visit.

Back to the Bay

Time: 86:51
Distance: 14.52 miles
Pace: 5:59
Splits starting with mile 3: (The first few splits were all over the place because I was in downtown SF and had to deal with tall buildings and Mr. Garmin isn't used to them coming from Norman?), 5:48, 6:14, 6:20, 6:02, 5:56, 5:55, 5:41, 5:29, 5:37, 5:32, 5:26, 7:21, 1:29 (for .23 miles or 6:32 pace)

I started the run out from Read and Andrew's house heading towards downtown San Francisco and Union Square. When I'm in the city I normally start my runs from Market St. and 3rd St. near where my dad's place is. I decided to get on familiar territory by running up and over Nob Hill past some cool sites/sights on the way to the Financial District. I was excited to be back in SF again and could tell the pace was going to be elevated as a result. Running down Market St. is always a bit challenging due to the traffic but I was able to navigate my way safely without too many jumps/sprints in front of cars (5:48 mile). When I hit the Embarcadero I was able to settle the pace a little on my way out to the bridge (6:14, 6:20, 6:02).

San Francisco morning.

Shot of the trolley track and the TransAmerica building taken from the top of California St.

Grace Cathedral atop Nob Hill.

Along the Embarcadero I ran by the tourists at Fisherman's Wharf, around Aquatic Park and out along the Marina. I kept the pace going and made the decision to make this a mini-tempo effort since things had progressed in such a way. The splits out to the warming hut and out to Hopper's Hands were 5:56 and 5:55. I made the turn and headed back in the direction of which I had come. I shed the shirt and picked up the pace clicking off 5:41, 5:29. Up the hill by the Safeway slowed the pace to 5:37 and back down through Aquatic Park and Fisherman's Wharf I picked it up to 5:32 and then closed things out with 5:26 ending at Broadway.

I made the turn and ran back up Broadway, through Chinatown (I had to karate chop a few old Chinese ladies in the process) and up the HILL. I didn't want to run through the Broadway Tunnel so I decided to go over the top like Sylvester Stallone which was the poorest of decisions. The pace was nearly a crawl and I had to stop at one point to clutch my knees it was so steep. I wasn't too far from my buddies' house so I was able to escape without too much frustration.

I had a great time getting back to some familiar spots in San Fran and I'm glad to have put the harder effort in. I'll need to rest up the next few days and since it might be raining I probably won't want to run. I think on Christmas I'll try to hit up the Sacramento River for another good effort.

St. Regis to Fisherman's Wharf

Time: 38:32
Distance: 6.38 miles
Map

I took the bus down to SF this morning b/c I had to get out of SR. I arrived at the St. Regis a little after 1:00 pm and since I had nothing better to do I thought I would go for a run. I ran down 3rd St. to the Giant's ballpark. I'm not really sure what it's being called these days, but two nights ago they hosted the Emerald 'lick my' Nuts Bowl featuring Oregon State and Maryland. I felt pretty good on the run this afternoon. Pace was a bit quicker than it was this morning. Weather was great. Somewhere along the Embarcadero I had to slap the hood of a silver sedan b/c some lady almost ran me over. I jumped out into the middle of the street and gave her car an enthusiastic smack. I was kinda hoping that she would catch up to me and try to say something, but traffic was so bad with tourists heading to the wharf that she never did. Once I got down to Fisherman's Wharf it was hard to run with all the tourists who jam packed the sidewalks. I was still able to maintain a decent clip and finished the run coming back Market St.

St. Regis to Hopper's Hands

Time: 76:26
Distance: 12.8 miles


Last night I flew from LAX to SFO and then took the BART into the St. Regis. The place is almost empty now that it is on the market. In the morning I ran from the hotel, down Market St. and headed west along the Embarcadero. I did a very standard run which turns around at Hopper's Hands. The wind wasn't too strong this morning and the weather was beautiful. It wasn't too foggy or cold.

I felt good, but again, I think the pace was fast. I was clipping along on the way out and hit halfway in 39:30 or so. As I started back I noticed that my breathing was very relaxed, but my legs were having a difficult time responding. For now it's no big deal that I'm not feeling too fresh on these runs as I get back into things, but by Jan. 1 I better be on point. After mapping the run I have a better sense of how far and fast I have been running. It was nice being on flat route since the hills in Agoura were taking their toll.