A Saturday in San Francisco

Another day, another mundane training run?

Ha!

I've enjoyed running around Alameda and Fremont the past few weeks, but it's time to get out there and get after it in San Francisco. On Saturday we went into the City and had a very scenic, enjoyable run and bike ride from Crissy Field. We started out from Crissy Field and ran across the GGB, then headed into the Marin Headlands for a bit of trail running.

We kept an easy tempo that my legs loved... until we got across the bridge. It's true there are some not enjoyable sections before the bridge, but a steady tempo helps ease the pain. The single track we ran up on the other side of the bridge, however, went up, up, and up some more. Ouch.

My ego takes a beating each time the old man beats me while we're out running or cycling, so that's something I will certainly work on in the future. (I guess I can take solace in the fact that he has completed several half marathons and full marathons over the years, while I've been at it just over a month or so.)

Here are a couple of pictures from our running adventure:

(It may look like I was in pain, but it actually was the drastic drop in temperature on our way back across the GGB that caused such a grimace. Running in fog, then warmer weather, and back into the fog wasn't something I was quite prepared for. Dad had a long sleeve shirt on, and it's obvious he was quite content with the temperature. I'm clearly young and dumb.)

After returning to Crissy Field -- logging almost nine miles -- it was time for a bike ride. We hit our first climb one mile into the ride, and it became apparent that the old man who dominates me while running would be in for a world of hurt in the saddle. Whew. I can take it easy a bit.

We headed away from Crissy Field and towards the beach, not really following a real route, and found our way towards the S.F. Zoo. We turned around at the zoo, a bit shorter (about 20 mi. from our expected total distance) and headed home. Dad didn't want to risk another injury that could take months to recover from again, so it was better safe than sorry. Although I didn't admit it at the time, I was very pleased that we were turning around, as my legs still aren't used to all of this cardio.


We left Crissy Field, ate pizza and bought some stuff from Lombardi Sports, then went home. What a pleasant, entertaining day!