Friday I ran the locally famous Sky Harbor run. A glorious 28 degrees at 7 am, an adjacent casino providing pre run warm bathrooms (and the temptation to drop a dollar just to see…), beautiful views of the lake, and fabulous company made for the hardest 12 miles I think I have ever run (save, of course, the last 12 miles of the SF Marathon) seem to fly by.
Keep in mind I have been running a lot lately, but usually my favorite 4-6 mile loops. Just over 12 miles was really intimidating, especially when you factor in the hills. Here’s some stats!
12.16 miles (out and back)
Starting elevation: 762
Max elevation: 1263
Lowest elevation : 619
The only one of the group had run it before, and it was strangely comforting when she to,d us that she had the exact same running base. It was an easy, make your own pace for the run, walking when needed–or as I discovered, walking uphill when my “running” turned into more of a waddle. It was a pretty dangerous run–not much of a shoulder, blind curves, some traffic, and a touch of black ice. Not one for the solo runner or someone with a love of ninja style running clothes.
Coming around the bend of the last uphill was an amazing experience–it was so exciting to be that close to the end and to feel like I was going to make it. Coincidence that a large cross at the top of a foothill comes into view at the same moment? It made the “Thank you LORD I’m almost there” a profound existential moment.
Pretty awesome.
Here is the glorious view of cresting the last hill.
Here is a view of what, in addition to working my legs out on the old foam roller, saved Saturday.
It’s two days later and I am still so freaking proud of myself. Until we meet again in March, Sky Harbor…
Spin. Run. Sew. Repeat. 