Big Sur

We flew into San Jose Friday afternoon, rented some kind of cool car that Eric is in love with and headed for Monterey. We ran into a lot of traffic, so eventually pulled off for dinner. By the time we were back on the road, traffic was clear. We got into Monterey at dusk and had time for a quick walk along the beach. Saturday morning we slept in, then made our way to the packet pick up. We picked up a couple "I survived Hurricane Point" official finishers shirts, some gu for Eric and a new pair of sunglasses for me. After that we searched and searched for a Starbucks so I could get a rice krispy treat to carry in the race. We decided a drive of the course in the cool car was in order. Sure seemed like a long way to drive, much less run! We followed that up with a search for Cannery Row, where we ran into Darrell and his son Tyler. We chatted for a while, then Eric and I left to find some groceries.

Later, we headed over to a great pasta place to meet up with Darrell, Tyler, Dori and Donald. Dori spotted us right away, and a few minutes later, Donald walked up, followed shortly by Darrell. We took pictures (all picture posting will have to wait till we are home). Once we were seated, Donald threw out a challenge. To find out what it was, you'll have to wait for Eric to post, because it was his challenge. I will just say that it was fun and hilarious. We had a great evening with everyone - a big thanks to Donald for hosting us! It is amazing how easy it is to talk to bloggers when we meet - the talk soon turns to running, and it's like we've known each other for ever.

Race morning rolled around early - 3 am. We had to be on a 4:15 bus (one of the later ones) and we had decided to walk the half mile to the pick-up point. As we walked over, we saw lots of buses going by. School buses, short buses and luxury buses. Can you guess which we got to ride on? The short bus! After an hour drive, we were at the start. We got off the bus to find that it was amazingly warm. Warm enough that we waited in our singlets with a garbage bag over. No coats, no gloves. I was actually a little worried about it, but Eric assured me we were in a protected spot, and once the wind hit us, we'd stay cool. Eric and I got in side-by-side porta-potty lines, where Eric proceeded to trash-talk me about getting to the potty first. The people around us thought we were hysterical. I think it is possible that the young man in front of Eric will never look at old married couples the same again.

Finally it was time to start. They lined us up by estimated finish time, so I went out first and walked way, way back. They had a cool start, with the national anthem, and releasing a flock of doves. Once started, it took me four minutes to cross the mat. Here is what I have to say about Big Sur - fabulous scenery, beautiful weather (this year) and lots of hills. The course went something like this: up, up, up, down, down, down, repeat for 26.2 miles. I felt great starting out - running my 5/1 regularly, up hill and down. I chatted with other runners and kept a steady pace. There was a big long hill at about mile eight, where the wind was blowing so hard and cold that I thought maybe I was mistaken about where Hurricane Ridge was. I knew it wasn't Hurricane Ridge when I got to the top though - I knew it was two miles long and I thought it came at mile 11. It actually came at 10. I kept moving up, alternating running and walking on a shorter cycle. I loved the drummers at the bottom they were incredible. Once at the top, I really enjoyed the downhill. I'm not sure where it was exactly, but I saw Tyler, Darrell's son during a walk break. He ran a relay leg and was cheering us on from the side.

A guy running beside me told me he liked my pace. We chatted a minute, then he left me on my walk break. A while later I caught him, and he asked if he could run with me. This was his first marathon and he was struggling a bit. We ran together for about four miles. I coaxed him up the hills and hopefully, kept him distracted with stories. He had to break for the potties and I left him behind. It was kind of hard to leave him, but I also wanted to keep moving. I never saw him again.

I started worrying about making the cut-off for mile 22. I was pretty sure I was good, but I wanted to be sure. I made it with 20 minutes to spare. Right at 22, I stepped on a rock and laid my ankle on it's side. I almost fell, but caught my balance. For about four steps, I wasn't sure it was going to support me, but it held, and after a minute or two did not hurt at all. At mile 23 I thought to myself that if I could just run my normal week day pace, I could be done in 39 minutes...however, I was not quite at my weekday pace - I was about a minute over. I was watching for Eric from about 24 on, and found him about a mile from the finish. He walked up the last big hill with me, then I ran it in. I forgot to turn off my Garmin till well after I finished, but I looked it up and my chip time was 5:35 and change. I feel really good about that - it was warm, it was hilly, the race info said to add 20 minutes to your expected time, and I turned in my regular time!

We wrapped it up and got on the bus for Monterey. The route back took us right in front of the hotel, and the bus stopped at the stop light. Another runner asked if she could get off there, and the driver let her, so Eric and I hopped off too - saving us a half-mile walk (much appreciated).

We had a great meal on Cannery Row, and a Starbucks, and a double chocolate Dove ice cream bar. I think I'm recovered. In about an hour, we're off to meet Dori and her husband for coffee. All in all, an excellent day.

I re-blistered all my blisters from Yakima. That's three toes worth. And, once again, I have that weird bright red rash on my feet, from toes to ankles. I guess it has to do with heat, though doesn't look like a typical heat rash. These are the same socks I've run in forever, so who knows?
I liked this course - it is stunning. I didn't like the sharp camber of the road (for those who've run Yakima, this is worse). Donald - the only thing I missed was the strawberries - they were gone when I got to the aid station, and gone when I got to the finish. As for how it compares to others - it's tough. Your hills are relentless hills. I enjoyed it all!

Tomorrow, Eric is going to makes some work-related calls in the area, and I am hanging out in Monterey, then we head home Tuesday. I've got one day at home, where I expect a 12 hour day, then I am off to a two day retreat. I'm gonna enjoy this break while it lasts!