Running “adventure miles” in our 2011 event brings us to The Golden Gate Bridge for race #3.
It was a brutal day of weather on the Golden Gate Bridge as the rain and wind made it difficult to run fast. It was more of a “go” then “slow” type of race as I had spots where I could open up the speed followed by spots where I had to shuffle or scrape my feet on the ground in order to just stand up on the course (you can check this out in the video as I had to go around the first tower 180 degrees shuffling my feet so I would not fall).
When I came off the bridge and tried to turn for the last 300 yards to the finish line, I slipped badly and fell backwards. I am glad that I did my balance reaches in the warm-up as I put my hand behind me and slid on the rain soaked surface for a few feet before I pushed with my right hand and lifted my body back up to standing position. My butt did not hit the ground, but it was close (laughing spectators said I looked a like Apolo Ohno, the speed skater). My timer and protector behind me on the bicycle said afterwards that he would have also crashed into me as well if I had fully landed on the ground. So I finally finished the race in 5:04.72 standing upright with no injuries. It might have been my slowest mile race of the year, but it was also the most fun. I had a blast.
I travel to Jackson Hole for a few days visiting friends, then Detroit for a night, then to Maine to train before returning to Florida for 5 days before we take the long trip to India (via Dubai) to race #4 in Agra, India at the Taj Mahal.
I am glad that you had fun running in the rain and fog across a very windy bridge because that does not look like a lot of fun to me! Good job running so well in those conditions. Looking forward to having you guys here in Jackson Hole. See you soon.
Dave,
What an adventurous run in SF! Yikes.
Please keep me posted of your travel plans for New England. Hope to visit with you and Sekyen while you’re here! All the best!
Jim
I wouldn’t have enjoyed the run WHILE it was happening but AFTER IT WAS OVER, saying that was FUN!!!!!! It’s like playing tennis in the wind – you gain so much from playing/running under those conditions. Looking forward to reading more. Have a wonderful trip to Dubai. (If that’s your wife cheering you on in the background – she ROCKS!)