PCTR - Rodeo Beach Run

Finally, catching up on many things here. Right before the holidays and just after TNF Endurance 50k, Jessica and Rick talked me into running the Rodeo Beach 20k. I tried to convince them to do the 30k in a half-witted attempt to recapture the magic of my 50k experience but they would have none of it. 20k it was if I wanted to maintain my friendships.

(The start out of Rodeo Beach. Courtesy of Rick Gaston)

And so, on a beautiful, crisp, dewy morning we met in the parking lot at Rodeo Beach. As with all the PCTR races, the mood was mellow and friendly. I chatted with GGTC'er Rob Koons who I didn't know was running and found Ken B. from the Endurables group at the last minute. In the parking lot I ran into Sarah Smith, a woman I met when I lived in Rockridge and ran with a group of Oakland runners organized by my friend Raul. She'd magnificently put together the first Providian Relay team I'd been on and we'd been in sporadic contact over the years. With Jessica and Rick I watched as the first wave of runners went off for the 50k and 30k courses and felt a little piece of me die with longing to be among them. My runner's heart wanted to yell, Wait! Wait for me! I can do that distance! But instead, I strolled back to the car to snap a few more pics barely making it back to the start line for my own 20k start.

The course was familiar and lovely as always with frost lingering on the wood bridges. Marincello was, if not conquered, certainly tamed with Rick's 20 yards run/20 yards walk strategy. These were the same trails I'd trained on for months but was now sharing with my great friends, laughing and taking pictures along the way. Jessica, who'd been injured for several months and was making her race debut, held up wonderfully not losing a step with her blazing downhill speed. And Rick gamely held his pace in check to chat, dropping back to talk to other friends, zooming forward to snap pictures. We finished together and it turned out that 20k was the perfect distance for all of us - the 100-mile runner, the injured reserve coming back to the team and the 50k newbie. Marin Brewing Company beckoned.

(Jessica and Rick. Marincello, I don't quite own you yet but I will.)

I found out days later that Sarah was the first woman finisher (and top 10 overall) in the 50k! 4.59.29 - sub-5! That's why it pays to be humble about your accomplishments. There's always someone doing it better, longer, faster leaving you in awe and admiration.