^WHERE:  China Camp, San Rafael, CA

It’s only been a week since my big PR (personal record) at the Women’s Nike ½ Marathon.  The goal today is just to see what I can do and have fun too.  The pressure is off and it’s a nice feeling.  I carpool up with Bill and Ellen Clark.  Bill is the coach of the Peninsula West Valley Track Club (WVTC) and the father of my good friend Teresa.  He is an original member of this team.  His resume is impressive.  His marathon PR is around 2:20 and he earned a trip to Olympic Trials in the marathon.  He knows his stuff and gives it to us freely.  Ellen is a retired teacher who has a big heart and a passion for kids.  She puts on the Run for Zimbabwe Orphans which raises thousands of dollars every year.

This 4.25 mile race is in China Camp State Park in San Rafael.  It’s a beautiful, chilly morning. Nobody knows exactly what the course is and there is no course map available.  The only marks are tiny pink ribbons hanging from trees and the mile markers.  There are a lot of trails so it can be easy to get lost.  The plan is to keep other runners in sight so I know where I’m going.  I just hope they know where they are going.   I don’t feel any real concern.  It’s actually exciting to see what it’s going to be like.

Standing on the starting line I notice all the women around me.  Most of these girls are "pure" runners and they are tough and fast.  It’s a different feel from the Women’s Nike 1/2.  I know it’s going to be interesting out there because a lot of the course is probably narrow trails, making it hard to pass.  I do love to run trails and I’m looking forward to doing some climbing too.  I have 5 great WVTC teammates with me: Beth Bourne, Ellen Clark, Kim Rupert, Suzanne Segesta and Kim Woody.

We’re off!  Starting out on a wide road but fast approaching a narrow section.  I push it and try to get into a good position.  We jump on the trail.  The footing is uneven but I get into a good rhythm.  I see Suzanne right in the top 5 girls.  She looks strong.  I feel pretty good but my pep isn’t quite there.  I ask the Lord to help me push.  I try not to focus on how my body is feeling. 

We round a corner and I notice some cobblestones ahead!  Oh boy!  These must be for drainage or something.  I brace myself and try to lightly step on them.  Just when I think it’s over, there’s another section of stones!  Don’t fail me legs!

Coming out of the narrow section, I’m gearing up to pass a few girls.  We jump on a paved road and it’s a slight decline.  The footing is sure and I feel faster going downhill.  We hit another trail section.  Climbing a bit.  I push up the hill and surprisingly feel good.  Those hills that I ran in SF last weekend are helping.  We head up some switch backs and I’m able to pass one girl.  As we pass the 2 mile mark, I feel like I’ve already run 4 miles.  I’m going pretty fast but the race is going by so slowly.  This is funny because my ½ Marathon last weekend went by fast.

Back down. We come to the paved road. I can see the girls ahead going into what appears to be brush.  I find myself running on trampled brush.  It doesn’t last long…good!  It looks like they were trying to lengthen the course by adding on that bit. 

We’re back on the trails and we’ve come to another set of switchbacks.  I pass another girl on the way up.  I tell her good job.  I feel strange for encouraging another team.  In a typical road race, it’s common to give and receive encouraging words.  I realize this cross-country race environment is very different.  It feels a little cutthroat out here.  The switchback keeps going up…whoopee this is fun!  The fun ends and I’m coming back down.  The girl I passed, passes me back.  I tell her good job again and I am not surprised to not hear a response.

We come up on the 4 mile marker. Wow, my mile split is a good 25 seconds slower.  Either I slowed down or this isn’t very accurate.  I surge pass that same girl and just push.  400m to go.  I can hurt for a little more.  As I round a corner I see a foot bridge and another competitor and beyond that is the finish line.  As soon as I cross the bridge I dig down and give it all I have.  I don’t want to be passed at the finish line like last time if I can help it.  This hurts but it’s for only a few more seconds.  I pass the girl and continue pushing to the line.  I get there just ahead of her.  Thanks, God, for the great race.  My body was a little more tired than expected but it was able to hang in there.  It was a great course and nice change of pace.  The girls did great!  We didn’t have enough girls to score as an open or masters team unfortunately but this in no way took away from the efforts made out there.

My West Valley Track Club Teammates