I rode from Saratoga to Pleasanton!
The hill wasn't as big as the one to Santa Cruz, but it was still really tough. I wasn't riding alone this time, I think that makes it harder for me to push through the tough spots, I can't get lost inside my head so easily when I'm worried about someone waiting for me.
TMI update: my butt didn't hurt, I'm getting stronger!

I need to pick up the pace now, 50+ mile rides on Saturdays and Sundays. I wish I had people to ride with.

Ryan wants me to log an 80-mile ride soon, this one isn't even close.
But I did have Sophie on my back, and it was windy, that must count for something!

Hey Ry, check this out!

My muscles might have been able to take another 60 miles.
My butt? Nope.
I'm working on it though!

This weekend something well over 50,000 of us made the annual trek from Embarcadero to Ocean Beach.
Co's a lion and I'm on safari. I tired to be the lion...it just wasn't going to work out. I was wearing a shirt under the white shirt, I promise. You can see that we're surrounded mostly by people intending to walk the full distance.


Curiously, many courteous gentlemen were very concerned that Co and I were all alone out there and offered to escort us along the route. I couldn't count how many people pulled Co's tail. Or how many people roared/growled/purred, or how many times I stood to the side while people took pictures with her (this is why I couldn't be the lion, I'm just not that patient). I did get one lovely proposal from a self-proclaimed "30 year-old who never quite got over it frat guy" in a shimmery gold jacket, he offered to take good care of me, I'd have anything I wanted, I just had to move to Orange County. I know I made a huge mistake passing on this amazing opportunity, I'm sorry ma. All that considered, the ban on booze and floats seemed to help curb the raging madness we've seen the past few years. There was still plenty of booze and dummies, and of course plenty of naked, but I didn't finish the day feeling depressed about the state of humanity. Hooray for people controlling themselves enough to not use a front porch as a restroom!

So, why the heck did I walk B2B? Official announcement: I've retired from running.
At least until late July.

I've taken up cycling for a bit, bought a fancy road bike, my first padded knickers, and I'm hitting the road. I've done a few 20ish mile rides in the past few weeks, this weekend I'm going to ride from Saratoga to Santa Cruz...yowza (~40 miles). I'm on the hunt for a super sweet jersey that will make Ryan jealous as he chases after me in STP.

sad

walking, hand on hip, biting cheek, refusing to acknowledge the photographer.
Proof that Big Sur kicked my butt. But man it was a beautiful day.

The Big Sur Marathon was really tough.
I went into it feeling a little off, my stomach wasn't really settled, something just felt funny.
I started out smart, keeping with the 4:00 pace group for a strong and steady race, not going out too fast like I usually do. Almost immediately my left knee was bothering me. I tried to put it out of my mind, sometimes I imagine an ache just because I'm worried about hurting myself.
At mile 8 I couldn't take it anymore, when I got to the next aid station I had to have my knee wrapped up. I watched the 4:00 group pass me. I hobbled along, cringing and clenching my fists. At mile 17 the 4:15 group passed me. Hobbling, hurting, disappointed. At mile 20 the 4:30 group passed me. I finished just under 4:45. What a bummer.
I'm not sure what it was, I'm guessing the banking of the road was just too much strain. Right now I'm feeling lucky I didn't get into New York, I'll get some time off to properly rest my knee and I'll have a change of sport....
So check out my sweet new ride!


I forgot to take photos before/after the race, but here's an idea of how beautiful it was in Monterey this weekend.

location location location

And race day wasn't all bad! After the race, ma, Kev, and Taxi were waiting at the finish line. We went to lunch with Shannon and I had a wonderful tofu scramble with mushrooms, black beans, brown rice, and tapatio (perfect post-marathon meal).