14 miles ain't 14 kilometres

I just got back from the farthest run I've completed in my life so far. 14 miles. When I woke up at 5.15am this morning I did not feel like running at all. In fact, I've been fighting of a cold for almost two weeks. This little itch in your throat that comes and goes, heavier sweating than usual when you're exercising and sometimes at night. So far, I managed to hold it at bay but I was a little concerned that the long run might allow it to finally succeed. Nevertheless, I got up, had breakfast, got on my motorcycle, and drove to the meeting point of my training group at Ocean Beach. I love the time right before the sunrise. Even though it's the coldest time of the night. The whole city seems to hold its breath, waiting for the bright, warm, orange ball to finally show up so it can exhale and breathe again. And start the new day.

Ten minutes later, I was on the trail. Running up along the waterfront, uphill to the Cliff House and farther up on the Lands End Trail. It was beautiful. Right before sunrise, the water a velvety blue, slight fog above the surface along the hills on the other side of the bay. Morning mist along the trail. And no one to be seen. Well, until I almost ran into a coyote who disappeared into the bushes just a few meters in front of me. And then, behind the next turn, the priceless view: the bridge. Sleepy, still. Starting to stretch out and reach her cold bones towards the sunlight that had crawled over the hills. Its beams breaking through the branches of the trees in front and next to me. It was 7am, I had 12 more miles ahead of me, stairs and hills, but I felt so happy and energized. This gorgeous ocean to my left, the sleepy bridge ahead and soft ground beneath my feet.

At the first water stop I got sent on the wrong track but as the next stop was at the starting point, I just ran back on the streets and enjoyed a beautiful view over Sunset all the way to Pacifica. While running up another hill. Then back down past the Cliff House overlooking Ocean Beach, some dog walkers and the first surfers. I prefer this beach to any other beach in the world. It reminds me of home, of the west coast of northern Germany. Well, it's more like the adult version of that coast. It's wild, not made to sunbathe ot to go for a nice swim. Sometimes it's calm. Sometimes huge waves keep crashing on the sand. It's different, every time I make it out here. I wish I would come more often.

When I reached the next water stop I was told that I was one mile ahead due to my detour. So I decided that I could just run 14 instead of the planned 13 miles. And I kept running. A small loop along the water down Great Highway and back to the same water stop and then into Golden Gate Park. 3 miles in and 3 miles out. The first 3, miles 9-11, uphill. Well, one of these slowly ascending hills, that never seem to end. But, 3 miles uphill meant 3 miles downhill after that. So I went and noticed that, even though my feet hurt and my butt still felt sore after Thursday's work out, I still felt good and so full of engergy and motivated. Not tired at all. Thank you, runner's high :-).

Finally, I passed the De Young Museum and reached the turning point. At that time, the park was already full with runners. But it was still beautiful in its morning glow. Barely awake, still sand in its eyes. At that time I had gotten two calls from my mentor and coach already, as I couldn't seem to stay on the marked track and they wanted to make sure I was alright. Which I was. I became a little faster, determined to reach the below 9.55 minutes/mile mark before I got to the finish line. And I made it! Two more months to go until the marathon and it feels great. Just 12 more miles. Might feet might not like that but I'm ready to go :-). And here is why I'm doing this: http://pages.teamintraining.org/gba/sanloobi14/evachief