San Francisco Marathon

This past weekend, Randy joined his friend Jagdev to run his first marathon. Although there are plenty of marathons to choose from for an "easy" first marathon, Randy decided to pick San Francisco for a couple reasons. What better way to see the entire city? The race takes you along the embarcadero, across the Golden Gate Bridge and back, through Golden Gate park, and then you weave your way through downtown as you run downhill to the finish line. Also, where else can you race on July 25th in 60 degree weather? Here is Randy and Jag before the race, ready to join their starting group! Their wave started at 5:32 a.m. You wouldn't know it was 54 degrees by looking at their clothing though. They should have snapped one shot of me, in jeans, long sleeve shirt, hooded jacket (hood on 'cause of the breeze), ready to get a warm coffee in my hands as soon as the Starbucks around the corner opened at 6 a.m.!

The San Francisco Marathon's motto is "Worth the Hurt". I know they weren't referring to the hurt Randy sustained spraining his ankle only a half mile from the starting line, but that was a big hurt in Randy's race. Despite his frustration, he decided to press on and run the race. He said the uphills actually helped take the pressure off his ankle. So between the hills in the first half (which he had trained well for in the mountains) and his adrenaline, he actually finished the first half at 1 hour, 47 minutes. At mile 16 the downhills began and he had to slow way down to compensate for the jarring his ankle took. Around mile 20 he said he felt that "wall" that marathon runners refer to, and chose to walk for about a mile. He finished well though, smiling through the last corral, not showing a limp, even warming down by walking the mile uphill back to our hotel.

Unfortunately, because of the layout of the race around the city I wasn't able to go to different spots to cheer for the boys and take photos. I hung out at the starting line for a good half hour, walked to get myself a coffee nearby, then sat near the finish line with my coffee and a book until the first finisher came through, running 2 hours 22 minutes! I then chose to stand near the finish line, cheering on the runners! Jagdev ran a great race, finishing at 3 hours, 25 minutes. This was his sixth marathon, and he was a great encouragement to Randy as they trained together the past 6 months! Jag's wife, Manjit, was there too, running the half marathon. Although her wave left after the guys, and she finished across town in Golden Gate Park, she made it across town in the shuttle bus in time to see both Jag and Randy finish! Randy was hoping to run around 3 hours, 45 minutes. At 4 hours, Jag and I started getting worried that he may have hurt himself. Although, unfortunately, we were right, we didn't have to worry long. Way to go Randy! Feelin' it...but finished! We were able to head back to the hotel and shower before we had to check out. We headed out of the city and celebrated Randy's finish with a pizza and a pint at Pyzano's Pizzeria in Castro Valley! After getting home Randy iced his ankle well and relaxed on the couch the rest of the evening. He's a bit sore this morning but already thinking about what he can improve on for "next time". It must not have hurt too bad. I am so proud of him! He has worked hard towards this goal for months and his training and dedication showed as he ran on a sore ankle. Way to go Randy!