I always love the San Francisco Marathon. I think it’s one of the best-run events in the country, and I come back year after year. So, it was great to be here.
However, goodness was this race a mess for me.
I knew I’d be really slow this year. I hadn’t trained like I wanted. Etc. Etc. Let’s not get mired in excuses. The point is, I knew this would be a tough run…
And it was.
I tried to keep a good-ish eye on how I was doing with the time limit. I did a mix of jogging and walking.
Once I made it to the Golden Gate Bridge, I jogged that whole part, because the bridge is breathtaking and powerful. (Also, it’s crowded. So I get a little nervous about walking any part of it, as I don’t want to be in anyone’s way.)
And once I made it to the other side, I decided to stop to use the restroom.
I really had to pee, and I thought I could hold it, but I knew if I didn’t stop then, it’d probably be a while before the next restroom… I almost never use the bathrooms during races. And I really think I could’ve made it just fine without doing it! But I was lured into the working bathrooms they had by the visitor center. And with the long line of women (that I kind of underestimated time-wise), I think I lost at least over 15 minutes in there.
And 15 minutes isn’t the end of the world, but I wish I would’ve saved them…
I jogged back across the bridge and then got into Golden Gate Park.
Once I make it past the halfway point, I’m feeling pretty good.
I still haven’t seen a sag wagon, or balloon girl, or whatever/whomever is bringing up the rear in this race. So, I’m cool, right?
Nope.
Because I make it out of Golden Gate Park and all of a sudden me and all of the other runners are running onto San Francisco streets re-opening up to the public.
Uh oh.
I was fully prepared to try to pick up the pace if someone came behind me and told me I had to…
I was not prepared for coming out of the park in panic and having no idea how far behind I was from the end. (Gulp!)
For the rest of the race, it was just running with groups of other runners trying desperately to find our way back. I knew I was on track when I saw a timing mat being taken up – but also, darn! That means my chip isn’t getting a time here.
“Oh crap, does that mean I’m gonna miss the finish mat too,” I wonder.
Aye aye aye aye aye.
And this is where I’ll pick up tomorrow!