Pirates Cove Training Run

So next weekend is my first ultra race of the season, PCTR's Pirates Cove 50k. The trails utilized by the event is within the area where I do most of my training so no surprises there. Besides I ran the race last year. I was out for the usual long run on Sunday but this time I had some company. I volunteered to lead a trail run for our tri-club and I took them on a scenic 6.5 mile loop that is part of the 30k and 50k race. It was especially rewarding since four of the runners had never run this route before. It was my pleasure to show them the way. Everyone enjoyed the views even though there was some grumbling about the Pirates Cove climb. Haha, it's a beauty of a climb, short, sweet and steep. The views of the coast was amazing as usual. Everyone seemed to have had a great time.

I ran the 2 hours to the meeting point in the Headlands and as I was leaving the city I ran headlong into runners participating in the "Emerald Across the Bay 12k". They started in Sausalito, climbed a big hill, ran across the Golden Gate into San Francisco. I saw many familiar faces - spotted Glorybelle. She looked happy. I can't say the same for some of the runners behind her though. If I hadn't been tight on time I would have turned around and ran with her to the finish. She was only about a half mile out at that point. The run back to SF wasn't as exciting and it took much longer. All the rushing to make it to the group run on time caught up with me in the end:)

I'm excited to be racing again. Gonna take it easy this week, short stuff, nothing over an hour. I've also been ice bathing to help the muscles recover faster from the long run. I will show up for track tomorrow though. Intervals are intense but they're short so I'm thinking it should be okay. I believe in tapering for a race but I didn't bother doing much of a taper for this event. It's the first of several races and just part of the training for the longer events. It should be alright.

The time to beat is 4:56, my time from last year. Many friends will be in attendance and I'm looking forward to catching up with them as well.

The gang at Muir Beach. The Pirates Cove race doesn't actually hit the beach, we couldn't resist coming down when we saw it from the top of the hill.

Leaving Muir Beach, heading back to the start of our run at Tennessee Valley.

Daniel on the Pirates Cove climb. There's a little bit more at the top that isn't visible.

Almost at the top, Muir Beach somewhere back there.

Where we just came from, back here next week.