I was originally planning on running Ruth Anderson 100k, almost 14 times around Lake Merritt in San Francisco, to help earn team points in the PAUSATF Ultra Grand Prix for the Quicksilver Running Club to which I belong. Race Director Rajeev Patel puts on a great race, and I have always won prize schwag (an age group or overall winner's plaque). But there were several compelling reasons to diss my team and that race and accept the offer for the comp entry and return to the race I won three years ago:
- My training since late February has been suboptimal, and will likely be even worse in April
- Unless something falls through, I will be moving next month, which puts me at risk for injury, worse if I run repeated flat loops.
- Secondly, I will be doing a lot of repetitive driving back and forth. A point-to-point scenic run sounds more appealing given the anticipated drudgery. This course is gorgeous.
- Because of the move, a race that finishes versus early afternoon in Walnut Creek is the more responsible choice, versus one ending mid to late afternoon in San Francisco.
- I've only run this race once before, versus three times for Ruth Anderson.
- I thought this would be a good excuse to get me to resume blogging and finish some of my backlogged race reports.
- Promoting these races (in addition to the 50k, there are 5k, 10k and half marathon distances) and running it is the right thing to do. I've come to realize you don't have to live right next to Mount Diablo to enjoy it. Many other races take place on or near the mountain. More than any of them, the entry fees for this race most directly go to help support Save Mount Diablo, which for over 40 years has worked
to preserve, defend and restore the land on and around Mount Diablo to ensure healthy ecosystems and continued access for people and wildlife to enjoy. Mount Diablo and its foothills are the most significant natural landscape in our region. Only half of Mount Diablo is currently preserved. The other half is at risk of being lost forever.
masthead photo from their website
4 comments:
Great choice! My knee won't let me attempt the 50K again this year (last year's race was, um, challenging and I only made it halfway), but I'll be there for one of the shorter distances, then hanging around for the 50K finishers. Have a great race - can't wait to read about it!
Thanks, notthatlucas-- please make sure you say "hi" to me post-race. Not sure if you are the man or woman from your profile pic.
I'll be the non-svelte, fuzzy slow guy with my wife playing the part of the sleek gazelle. I'll try not to eat all the food before you get to the finish, but I'm not making any promises.
You missed last years epic battle with mud!!
Our fam of 5 did the 5k and had a blast, covered in mud from head to toe!
This year it will be the hubby and I's first 50k, and hopefully a lot less muddy!
Best wishes out there, hope you have a great run!
oh, and Not That Lucas...that's Allen, the man. He's a beast on the uphills!
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