Scurrying in San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO -- Over 19,000 people ran the 31st Annual San Francisco Marathon races yesterday. The start and finish line was located at the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero as previous years. The start for the event was an early 5:30 a.m. After a scurry to the start line from my faraway hotel, I joined the thousands on the Embarcadero for the first half of the Marathon. The course ran along the Embarcadero west to the Golden Gate Bridge, past Pier 39, and then through the Richmond District to Golden Gate Park. No tourists were to be seen at this early hour.
The second half of the Marathon continued through the Park, the Haight and Ashbury District (the Panhandle), and back to the Ferry Building for the grand finale. The modest crowd that lined the Embarcadero was noticeably subdued this year, even at the end of the Marathon. The Richmond crowd wasn’t very noticeable either. Maybe 5:30 was too early for most people? I do remember the Sports Basement crowd with their drums, tambourines, and cheering at the start of the big hill proceeding up to the bridge, the entrance to Fort Scott.
The Golden Gate Bridge was as crowded with runners as ever. “Can you let us run by please please?” All 600,000 rivets in each tower were still in place as I ran by. I counted! The view was meager due to the overcast conditions and it was relatively cool up there on the roadbed. In fact, the entire race was a cool 50-some degrees. The way back was equally crowded, the cars behaved, and the run continued into the Richmond District towards my finish line. I was done by the middle of Golden Gate Park. “Where are the buffalos? I want to see buffalos!” Anyhow, I was tired, sweaty, and ready for my water, banana, and tidbit of sourdough bread. I gathered my medal, and then I proceeded on the busses past the pretty rose garden, and back Market Street.
The rest of the weekend was equally as fun. We went to our forth Mission, Mission Dolores. Mission Dolores is a central place for religious, civic, and cultural life in San Francisco. It was founded June 29, 1776, under the direction of Father Junipero Serra and is the oldest original intact Mission in California. It is one of the oldest buildings in San Francisco. The Basilica Parish of Mission Dolores was a beautiful site with a vibrant, intact parish. The Mission has a unique historic, religious, and architectural significance, which makes our fourth mission a destination for others to visit on the mission tour. We toured the historic spot, and then we had to rush to our meeting with Lara’s old friend from Us in the Son, Matt Yellow, who also ran the Marathon. We went to mass at Old St. Mary's. Dinner was at the Stinking Rose (Matt's treat! Thank you, Matt!), where made some new Texan friends, and the company and food was delightful.
Other events for the weekend included the tourist thing to Ghirardelli Chocolate, eating at Fisherman’s Wharf, Cable Car, pubic transportation on the Muni, the Bart and bus, and finally, home to the Central Valley via Bart once again. Can you believe that the hotel wanted sixty dollars a day to park our car? Bart was the only way to go into the City. The car would have been an inconvenience anyway. So public transportation worked for us for once. The weekend was quick, the race fun and enjoyable, and we had a really good time. Our next race is where Lara?
San Francisco Marathon - 1st Half Marathon
Bib: 14066
Name: Sean
Place Overall: 2560 out of 6679
Men: 1562 out of 2983
M 30-39: 582 out of 1083
Age Grade: 45.85% Place: 2560
FINISH: 2:09:10 pace: 9:52
7.5 Mi: 1:16:23 pace: 10:11
Chip Time: 2:09:10
Gun Time: 2:25:00
The second half of the Marathon continued through the Park, the Haight and Ashbury District (the Panhandle), and back to the Ferry Building for the grand finale. The modest crowd that lined the Embarcadero was noticeably subdued this year, even at the end of the Marathon. The Richmond crowd wasn’t very noticeable either. Maybe 5:30 was too early for most people? I do remember the Sports Basement crowd with their drums, tambourines, and cheering at the start of the big hill proceeding up to the bridge, the entrance to Fort Scott.The Golden Gate Bridge was as crowded with runners as ever. “Can you let us run by please please?” All 600,000 rivets in each tower were still in place as I ran by. I counted! The view was meager due to the overcast conditions and it was relatively cool up there on the roadbed. In fact, the entire race was a cool 50-some degrees. The way back was equally crowded, the cars behaved, and the run continued into the Richmond District towards my finish line. I was done by the middle of Golden Gate Park. “Where are the buffalos? I want to see buffalos!” Anyhow, I was tired, sweaty, and ready for my water, banana, and tidbit of sourdough bread. I gathered my medal, and then I proceeded on the busses past the pretty rose garden, and back Market Street.
The rest of the weekend was equally as fun. We went to our forth Mission, Mission Dolores. Mission Dolores is a central place for religious, civic, and cultural life in San Francisco. It was founded June 29, 1776, under the direction of Father Junipero Serra and is the oldest original intact Mission in California. It is one of the oldest buildings in San Francisco. The Basilica Parish of Mission Dolores was a beautiful site with a vibrant, intact parish. The Mission has a unique historic, religious, and architectural significance, which makes our fourth mission a destination for others to visit on the mission tour. We toured the historic spot, and then we had to rush to our meeting with Lara’s old friend from Us in the Son, Matt Yellow, who also ran the Marathon. We went to mass at Old St. Mary's. Dinner was at the Stinking Rose (Matt's treat! Thank you, Matt!), where made some new Texan friends, and the company and food was delightful.
Other events for the weekend included the tourist thing to Ghirardelli Chocolate, eating at Fisherman’s Wharf, Cable Car, pubic transportation on the Muni, the Bart and bus, and finally, home to the Central Valley via Bart once again. Can you believe that the hotel wanted sixty dollars a day to park our car? Bart was the only way to go into the City. The car would have been an inconvenience anyway. So public transportation worked for us for once. The weekend was quick, the race fun and enjoyable, and we had a really good time. Our next race is where Lara?San Francisco Marathon - 1st Half Marathon
Bib: 14066
Name: Sean
Place Overall: 2560 out of 6679
Men: 1562 out of 2983
M 30-39: 582 out of 1083
Age Grade: 45.85% Place: 2560
FINISH: 2:09:10 pace: 9:52
7.5 Mi: 1:16:23 pace: 10:11
Chip Time: 2:09:10
Gun Time: 2:25:00
Labels: adventures
Posted by Sean
1:33 PM
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