This past weekend was a BIG milage weekend for me. I have the San Antonio/Las Vegas double-day race for Rock ‘n’ Roll in two weeks and needed to get good strong back-to-back runs in. I had the US half marathon on Sunday, so I decided to do 20 miles the day before. Both races were set to be at comfortable paces, but both contained some strong elevation changes.
This is what Saturday’s 20 miles looked like:
I felt pretty exhausted after this run. Truth? I did a lot of 20 mile runs during September, but sort of let October slip. I had a couple of half marathons, but nothing longer in terms of distances. Jumping to 20 was going to be tough and although it usually is not recommended to jump that high, I knew my body could handle it, if I allowed it to walk when it needed to. I slept in compression gear Saturday night to help speed up recovery and decided to just run the 13.1 on Sunday. Truth again? I wanted back-to-back 20 mile days. I probably could have done 20 on Sunday, but it would have wiped me out for the week and I would rather get in some strong 7 mile runs early in the week rather than use them as recovery days. See? I can be smart about things sometimes.
It really is all about knowing your strengths and listening to your body.
On Sunday, I met up with Tracy at the start who drove up from San Diego with friends for the race. I had the opportunity to meet her earlier this year at RnRSD and was happy she decided to come and enjoy San Francisco for the weekend. She ran a really strong race and set a PR… the US Half is a challenging course, so kudos to her for having a really great race.
After that, I met up with my friend Chris and we ran the race together. We came across some familiar faces and took advantage of a gorgeous day in the city. The sky was clear and it actually started to get a bit sunny/warm on the course.
Let’s go up the hill!
One of my favorite sections of the course: going under the bridge then back across it.
I crossed the finish line around 2:05 and was happy with how strong my legs felt considering I had run 20 the day before. Being familiar with the course helped as I knew what to expect in terms of elevation gain/loss. I’ve learned to run the Golden Gate Bridge pretty strong over the past couple years, where it used to be more of a “mental challenge” for me in battling the climb/descent.
We stayed on a consistent pace for most of the race. I stopped to take a couple photos, we walked a couple times and I took advantage of the water stations as I was running without hydration. Chris is training for an Ironman, so he had gone on a 100-mile bike ride on Saturday… ya, we are “that kind of crazy” and use races as ways to get in the second-half of a back-to-back weekend. It really is the best way as you can feed off the energy and excitement of the race… and you get a medal at the end.
Of course, the US Half continues to impress with their medal design.
Thanks to all the kind words and encouragement on social media all weekend. I love seeing how this community comes together to cheer each other on, offer support when we need it and celebrate running, no matter the distance or speed.
Update on the RUN ALL DAY and #runner shirts:
Katy of KatyWidrick.com did a giveaway here — did you win?
Angela of Eat-Spin-Run-Repeat is doing a giveaway here — did you enter?
Mindy of RoadRunnerGirl.com is doing a giveaway here — did you enter?
Christine of LoveLifeSurf.com is doing a giveaway here (11/4) — did you enter?
The last day to order your shirts is November 11.
Check out the gear here.
How was your weekend?
Love it! I actually live in San Diego though (where we met!) thanks again for meeting up, it was a great race!
haha… oops. Fixed.
Great job! I’ve got to remember to use the trick of running a race as a way to get in back to back long runs. Definitely would be more energetic way to push through the miles.
Most people would run 20 and be done for the weekend….I’m just saying!! You continue to inspire me to push further!!! Way to go!
Hi there! Visiting from Christine’s blog Live, Life, Surf. Happy to have found another runner. I can’t believe you did 20 before a half and then came in just over 2 hours. Nice job! I also love the view – wow!!! So jealous as I’m an east coaster…
#runner
Great job on the back to back! Wow, 33.1 miles in a weekend is impressive!
I have no idea how you do it
and work
and rock the dad
and rock the HUSBAND.
Im in awe.
from my 44 year old core…
You and your golden gate views! AH! One day one day! Congrats on an awesome high mileage week!
You are so freakin’ awesome. I love your sense of community as well. You have a way of bringing people together, no matter where they are.
Great race! Gorgeous course. Nice week, and good job on being smart and not pushing for the second 20.
I sa what Carla says – I am in awe of all of you that do this plus have family & work too!!!
The pics & views are beautiful!!!!
You’re crazy (in a good way)! Very motivating. The pictures are awesome.
Wow great races!! You did awesome! Great way to get in two back to back long runs!
That is one heap of miles for the weekend! I just entered Christine’s giveaway… fingers crossed!
What a gorgeous day for a race. Congrats on a whole lot of miles. And thanks friend for helping me celebrate my blogoversary!
Looks like the perfect day – great landscape and run of a race. I only wish I could put in as many miles as you. You are a great inspiration.
You are a running stud! Way to rock it. I have to say I am so bummed about not getting that awesome bling, but with Berkeley coming up and still recovering from my full (stupid ankle) I resisted the urge to sign up last minute! Definitely need to order a shirt!
Awesome jam packed running weekend!!! Jealous of the views on that run too!
I had a great weekend going to NYC to cheer on my best friend running her first marathon! I also got a long run in with another friend while we were down there too!
You are a mile machine!!! I’m impressed – that is a lot of mileage for one weekend! I don’t know how you manage to do as many races as you do and stay injury free (it seems this year has been the big year of health issues for me!) but I think it’s awesome – you’re such an inspiration, and I LOVE looking at your running scenery. If I could run near the Golden Gate Bridge all the time, I literally would RUN.ALL.DAY. :)
Wow!!! You amaze me! And I just LOVE the views you have while running! I MUST visit San Francisco soon…my best friend just moved there this summer and my sister lives there too. ;-)
I recognize that route ;) That is some crazy mileage right there. I think I would have been toast after the 20. Run 13.1 the day after? hahahahaha. no.You are a beast. Great job on those runs!! How did you feel after the 1/2??
HA!! AWESOME! i set to run this same race/course in a little more than a month’s time and I feel ill-prepared…lol
it’ll be my 6th Half but first in non-flat Florida. GREAT!!! You describe the course as challenging…ahh, my quads my explode, lol.
I’m excited and nervous all in one!