Bridge-to-Bridge

       So the Bridge-to-Bridge was a huge success!  The gathering started at 7:30 at Justin Herman Plaza on the corner of Market and Steuart Street.  That is the piazza that has that weird abstract art fountain in the shape of elongated cubes, with water coming out the ends.

Eat your heart out, MC Escher.

       The actual race started in front of the Ferry Building, followed the Embarcadero along the piers, past Fisherman's Wharf and Aquatic Park, up Fort Mason, through the Marina, along Chrissy Field, turned around at the bottom of the Presidio and returned to the Marina Green.  The weather was in a comfortable high 60's and tapered off to high 70's at the height of the day.  I had stashed some clothes in my locker at the gym, thinking I was going to need to change immediately into warmer attire after the race.  But that day was an anomaly for San Francisco, so I was able to stay in my sweaty, damp running clothes and not freeze my ass off.  

       Finishing time for your's truly was 37:50.  Pacing was around 9.6 mph, which is roughly a 6:06 mile per hour pace.  A little bit under 10 mph.  That is my best time, so far, for a 10k.  Unfortunately it wasn't official. That's right - I have relapsed and am crashing races again.  Can't help it - I compete too much.  I'd go broke from entry fees if I paid for every single race.  Besides, I'm not paying 50 bucks for a 6.2 miles race.  I have crashed cheaper races that were longer distances before.  Plus I thought it would be more bad-ass to show up, clean house and then casually go home.  I'm cocky like that.

        My client and friend David also showed up to the race.  We met up at the end and had a nice walk back along the course all the way to the Embarcadero train station.  David came in at a very respectable 55:00 minutes.  David has been a client for 4 years now.  David was and still is an avid hiker.  Before me, he had never worked out in a gym before.  4 years later he's a running and weight-lifting machine.  What an inspiration!     

The two champs!

       I had crashed the night before at Charle's house.  After showering at his place after the race, we went to Squat and Gobble at Haight and Fillmore.  Charles had eggs benedict, I had a Greek Omelette.

Squat and Gobble.  For some reason I think gay
neighborhoods make more jokes about gayness than straight
people do.  It must be a rite of passage or entitlement thing.  

       Then we walked up to the Castro and sought out Charles' prized vitamin shop, Active Nutrition.  If you haven't been there, I suggest you pay a visit.  Cheap, high quality supplements of all kinds, a huge selection on protein bars, and, best of all, Todd, the owner, who offered to suck me off if I wrote him a good yelp review.  Totally worth your time and money.  This place puts GNC and Vitamin Shoppe to shame.    

Judging by its appearance, you wouldn't think the owner
would be soliciting sex for good PR.

       Afterwards, I said goodbye to Charles and his cats and headed home for Abnormal Psych homework.  And that concluded my day.  

       Stick around on the 20th for Morgan Hill Half Marathon.  This time I plan to beat that 1:22 official time.  That's right - I am actually registered for it.  I have an incentive to do well.  This should be interesting.    

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Upcoming Events

I recently went on a splurge for events and signed up for about 5.  Here is a preview of what I will be doing in the upcoming months:

October 6th, 2013 at 7:30 AM: The Oral-B Glide Floss (No, really) Bridge-to-Bridge.  Weird that they would actually put the completely non-tangential race sponsor's name in the title of the event.  Not "brought to you by" or anything in that nature.  This race will start at the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero and go all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge.  I will be doing this double.  The race itself is a 10k course.  I will be doubling it by running to the GGB and back to Justin Herman Plaza.  You're all welcome to join me or come cheer me on in a tutu.  No exceptions for the tutu if you choose to do the latter.

Sunday, October 20th at 7:30 AM: Morgan Hill Half Marathon.  Located in...Morgan Hill, a beautiful rural area South of San Jose, this course goes around the town and past Uvas Reservoir.  Lots of hills and great views early in the morning.  The course is one giant loop.  

Saturday, November 2nd 9:00 AM: Envirosports Stinson Beach Trail Half-Marathon.  This will be my third time running this event but my first time only doing the half.  As stated before, recovering runners, like alcoholics, need to be tempted every once in a while just to prove their willpower.  This event is the proverbial bottles I keep the cabinet.  Beautiful course that runs up the Mt. Tamalpais trails and through the redwood forests and along the Dipsea Trail.  Probably the only race you'll ever do that actually starts on the beach.  Winner take home a rubber chicken.

Sunday, November 24th at 7:00 AM: The Men's Health (That's more like it) Urbanathlon.  11 Miles of running and jumping over cars, climbing over buses and crawling under caution tape.  Take a look at the picture on the left.  It's about to get real.  Starts at Willie Mays Plaza in SF and ends at Crissy Field.  This is a way to explore the city in a way you never have. 

Sutter is way cuter than Jerry

Sunday, December 8th at 7:00 AM: Sacramento International Marathon.  The fastest marathon in the country due to its relatively flat course.  This will be my fourth time competing in this race but the first time I will only be doing the half.  I expect to get a sub 1:18 on this.  Hopefully.  Course will be starting in Folsom and ending at the State Capitol.  Hopefully Jerry and Sutter Brown will be there.

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