This post is… Wildly late.
Due to a troublesome foot injury I haven’t been able to run since the Guardsmen Presidio 10 Mile Race on April 27th. I took up running a few years ago when I trying to find ways to get outside for my workouts. What initially began as a way to get some air and shake up my fitness routine swiftly became a passion.
I love running. I love feeling the air whip past me. I love that my mind goes blissfully blank. I love the endorphin rush. I love hitting goals and improving my times. I love the feeling of my stress just melting away when my feet hit the ground.
{I was beyond excited to pick this up!!}
After having back surgery in August 2013 I spent a long time regaining my strength and took running very slowly when I took it up a year later. The Guardsmen Presidio 10 Mile Race in April was my first race since surgery and I couldn’t have picked a better one.
We started by checking in at Crissy Field at 7:30am and the race began promptly at 8am. It’s hard to imagine a more beautiful course – From Crissy Field we headed up the hill into the Presidio for a loop, then across the bridge and back, and then back around to the starting point.
{View from my very first run across the Golden Gate Bridge. Yes, I’m that person!}
I finished the 10 mile race in 33rd place for my age group and was pretty excited that I averaged right around 8:30 per mile the whole race. Pacing has never been my strength, I get distracted easily, so seeing both my race chip and my Nike running app show that I was running at a consistent speed the whole race felt great.
The highlights for me were getting to run across the Golden Gate Bridge – A first for me – And indulging in some well-earned shopping at Sports Basement with my race discount. Bars + workout gear for the win!
{Noshing on one of my favorites post-race, GoMacro Bars}
Have YOU ever run a race? What’s YOUR favorite race memory?
Want to read more about my love affair with running? Check out All Things Running, Running Essentials, and Running Style.