4 times 4 is 16 miles that is...

The alarm clock went off at 5:30 this morning and I wished that I could sleep a bit more. This Saturday's training was moved to a 7 am start time due to the high miles. This is how it is going to be from now on. It's a good thing I stay in on Friday nights to rest up for our Saturday runs. I got my water bottle and my cliff bar shot blocks (so much better tasting than the liquid goo - I got margarita flavor with salt and "Razz" Berry.) Everyone was in good spirits as we started up the famous Cliff House hill and then back down towards the park. We ran past the large purple head "scuplture" in Golden Gate Park (photo above) and then past the Rose Garden. We changed the route up and were heading towards the Sunset and down towards Lake Merced and around the lake. One good thing about running through San Francisco is that is is a good way of exploring the city and checking out sights I would not normally see. We ran past Harding Park, the beautiful public golf course which hosted the American Express Open...I made a mental note to play the course after all this marathon training is over. Lake Merced or "the swamp" as a few of my fellow runners called it was a good visual distraction. Quite a few people were out running besides us. There were also a few teams of rowers on the lake / swamp. We also ran by the skeet shooting club...who knew we actually had a facility for that here in SF? Now I know. Once we got around the lake, we headed back towards Ocean beach to a wonderful view of the crashing waves and the smell of sea salt air. We were at 14 miles at this point and my right knee was starting to feel some pain. The lack of arch support (yes time for new running shoes) in my right foot at this point was causing me a bit of pain and discomfort. So the last two miles were the longest of the run so far as I was just trying to finish. I did make it and spoke with Coach John about my pains and he reiterated...time for new shoes. So off to go shop this week. This run was not as difficult as I thought it would be and I am happy I finished. After noshing on food, a few of us decided to brave the cold waters of Ocean Beach to "ice down" our tired and sore muscles. I could only stand the frigid cold water for about 5 minutes as my feet started going numb. Yes there is a reason the surfers are wearing wetsuits out there. Next week we go back down to 8 miles and then on September 8th we have the BIG 18 miler.

Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. - Henry Ford