It's All How You Spin It
Today was one of those incredible days that remind you how lucky you are to live in northern California. Again. (Is it me or does that feeling seem to come around at least once a week?) It was high 70's-low 80's with air so clear you could see the crisp outline of the Farallon Islands to the north and Mt. Diablo to the east. People were out in swimsuits at Stinson beach, playing in the water, surfing, BBQ'ing. It was Summer: The Epilogue.
I had the good fortune to be racing in a PCTR (Pacific Coast Trail Runs) event - the Stinson Beach 12k, 20k, 30k and 50k race - with a great group of people. Most of my Endurance training peeps did the 30k in preparation for our own 50k on December 6 while a few did the 50k in preparation for a 50-miler. All told, we ran from Stinson Beach up and down and up and down again around Mt. Tam, out to Muir Beach, along the Dipsea and back to Stinson. My friend Jessie signed up at the last minute and logged not only her longest run ever (18+ miles) but a 3rd place finish in her age/sex group. (Last we checked, we had no idea how many more than 3 had signed up but a top 3 finish is a top 3 finish!)
Jenny and I finished top 10 in our age/sex group - a, ahem, slightly more competitive group filled with sinewy women who look like they were born running trails. "Real runners" we refer to them as, although having done 4-5 straight weeks of 20 miles ourselves we're no slouches. No matter how many events I do, and no matter how well I place, when it's race morning and I'm lined up with the competition waiting to start, I inevitably feel slightly less fit and confident. The truth is that the longer I go, the stronger I get. Usually.
It was a great day of accomplishment for a lot of people I've been training alongside. Cliff took first place in the 50k, coming in just ahead of the 2nd place runner and breaking the course record. So fast and so humble. Joel and Ken also had super strong finishes in their age groups while Jorge placed 3rd overall in the 30k. I think he did 9 minute miles. Cliff did 8:44! That's what I ran on a flat, paved, road to qualify for Boston! I mean, seriously? Steven G came back from weeks out with an injury to finish the 30k, a HUGE accomplishment in itself; my fellow Crossfitter, Chris, took 2nd in his age group in the 12k; and Noreen from the old GGTC crew took 2nd in her age group!
It was a great day of accomplishment for a lot of people I've been training alongside. Cliff took first place in the 50k, coming in just ahead of the 2nd place runner and breaking the course record. So fast and so humble. Joel and Ken also had super strong finishes in their age groups while Jorge placed 3rd overall in the 30k. I think he did 9 minute miles. Cliff did 8:44! That's what I ran on a flat, paved, road to qualify for Boston! I mean, seriously? Steven G came back from weeks out with an injury to finish the 30k, a HUGE accomplishment in itself; my fellow Crossfitter, Chris, took 2nd in his age group in the 12k; and Noreen from the old GGTC crew took 2nd in her age group! 
Our Endurance coach, Jim, finished his training run with the 1/2 marathon program and came out to see the end. As I crossed the finish line it was a warm welcome to see my training group cheering me on. Months ago, I had doubts about signing up for a running program. I figured running was free, easy to do on your own, a no-brainer, but Jenny talked me into it, said it was a great group, great coaches and it's true. It's been worth every cent. 
December 6 is race day and I feel ready to go. Today was a big step - while not the longest effort, it was one of my strongest efforts. Hoo yaaa!
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