June was my last race. I needed a pick me up, a motivational boost, a challenge, a test, something to kick my own ass.
This was that.
Looking at the elevation profile I tried to convince myself it looked easier than my previous 21k at Tilden Park where I used such descriptive terms as "surviving death", "treacherous", "dying for salt", etc. Eventually, I stopped kidding myself and accepted my doom. Saturday morning, still dark, we were on the road toward Martinez. Obviously there was a Starbucks stop along the way before arriving at beautiful Briones Regional Park for my first run with Brazen Racing. I picked up my bib, timing chip, t shirt, and goody bag...
Taken by a volunteer, this is me probably waiting in line, definitely contemplating my life's purpose.
went to the bathroom about 800 times, laced up, geared up, vaselined up, and I was ready to go.
My prayer to the running gods was clearly working.
Here's some for...