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Running Routes
Half Moon Bay Half: road race for trail runners
I had originally envisioned my Half Moon Bay Half as graduation day of Phase 1 of the Donna Schumacher Goofy Challenge Training Plan, testing out the train less-but-fast philosophy which I did and I was. ~ So there! It was such a “pretty” race, what with a route along the cliffs above the Pacific […]
Take 2: Double Disney
Once upon a time, I eagerly showed up at my running club for the Disney raffle, hoping for a pink T-shirt with the word “princess” written in rhinestones across the front. Instead, I came home with an entry ticket to the Goofy Challenge, a half marathon followed by a marathon, back to back with only […]
Icon Run: Chrissy Field
Whatever else you might want to say about former President Clinton, he did know what to do with a well endowed military (wink wink). His decision to transfer large portions of Army land to the National Park Service gave San Francisco access to an incredible stretch of land with a drop dead iconic view […]
America’s Cup 2013~ Loma Prieta
Close to downtown, with easy access to public transportation and an uncluttered route with no significant stop lights along the way, the Embarcadero easily became the go-to spot for running clubs and friends meeting after work. Thank you Loma Prieta!! It was the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake that finally answered the stand off between the […]
Comfort Run: Strawberry Hill
Some days are meant for Comfort Runs. A run you can cuddle up to. Something easy on the eyes, knees and determination. A macaroni and cheese of a run. Buffered from street noise by the encircling waters of Stow Lake, Strawberry Hill is a leafy green oasis that combines the steady regularity of a one […]
Night Lights: Market Street
Starting at Montgomery BART, follow the festive holiday LED snowflake banners hung along Market Street like breadcrumbs from the fairytale Hansel and Gretel, leading you deep into the forest, in this case this stretch known as Mid-Market which is well worth a night time visit this season. You heard it here first~ this neighborhood […]
Night Lights: Union Street
Running in cold dark rainy weather is an annual challenge. But that’s why the holidays were invented, right? A festival of lights to cheer us all up when the world is so dreadfully gloomy? From Union Street to Union Square, the city is bustling with holiday lights to add a bit of spice to your […]
Following the Conversation (1974)
My torn Achilles’ tendon renders stairs a nuisance and the act of running on them the forbidden fruit and the promised land simultaneously. But that’s not true for you now is it? Enjoy! Stairs anyone? The Conversation (1974) was known as much for the editing techniques of Walter Murch as for the direction of Frances […]
Abbotts Lagoon: an ice bath for your feet
Hurting cowgirls need to to make their days off from running count. Miles of the turbulent ice bath known as the Pacific Ocean provide ample options for Bay Area residents but Abbotts Lagoon at Point Reyes National Seashore is a particularly dreamy spot. The ever present California crowds, intimidated by the hour and half […]
Hill Park
A necklace of the white marble fragments of broken headstones are worn like talismans by the west side walkways of Buena Vista Park: evocative of a pioneer past, when this small mountain was known as Hill Park, and bodies were allowed to be buried on San Francisco soil. But in 1900 Board Supervisors voted to […]
Run for Coffee
In the need of a bit of motivation for your next run? Run for Coffee!! The extra bonus of a tasty cup of jo might be just the trick to nudge you out of bed on a cold wet dark morning. Iphone app Coffeespot helps you find an indie coffee shop near by or […]
In the footsteps of Giants’ (fans)
Want to relive this jubilent week of civic pride? Take a run down the route of the World Series Victory parade along Market Street, starting at the Ferry Building and turning in toward Civic Center Plaza at 7th. Just don’t forget to wear your orange and black! I’ll admit to an appalling lack of knowledge […]
Graton (i think i can, i think i can)
Following the tracks of the once vital Petaluma and Santa Rosa Railway (P&SR) are the The West County and Joe Rodota Trails, a fitting location for my first day after post-18 mile run with my i think i can, i think i can mantra chugging through the miles with disbelief. Transversing the apple orchards and […]
MainE Marathon (OK, the half)
The morning of the Maine Marathon was delicious cool (boysenberry ice cream in July): 45C at the start, bright, blue sky with autumn color splashes, dark cobalt sea blinking in and out of view reminding me of my former life in Boston. I ran my pace like a clock: thanks to the relatively flat course, cool […]