Bay to Breakers - 05/16/10

Only in The CITY can you race against a fuzzy pink gorilla  ...  and lose.  Tommy the Gorilla came in about a minute ahead of me in this year's ING Bay to Breakers.  This is a guy who can legitimately put down a sub-5:00 pace.  He came in tenth overall (without the costume) a few years ago.  The costume costs him about 1:20 per mile.  I saw him up ahead for the first couple of miles, but he was gone after that.  If he faded, it was not enough for him to come back into sight.  He was seeded as an elite male and actually beat one of the 20 elite males in the race.  How embarrassing is that?

This event has a little of something for everyone.  There are people who want to race up front.  Those looking for a good run in the middle.  Those who want a party in back and mixed in along the way.  Many people run in costumes.  There are floats.  The floats were causing problems a few years ago.  There was talk of banning them, but The CITY wants a party.  So, the floats have to have a permit and follow some rules.  A shopping cart rolling down the street with a keg of beer is no longer a float (or even permitted).  When the drunks started threatening and pelting the city cleaning crews (because they did not want the party to stop) the crackdown started.  You do not mess with the public employee unions in The CITY.  Lots of people also don't like having their flowers ... um ... watered.  This year's race still had problems and the debate on what to do continues. 

On top of the craziness and spectacle, the event is a mass of humanity.  It claims to average about 33,000 registered runners and walkers, but a total of 60,000 participants each year.  This year's results show a total of 24,423 official finishers.  At its height, the race had over 100,000 participants.  Bandits -- those who run but do not pay -- are a significant problem for the race organizer.  Even our Mayor ran as a bandit (did not pay) and a turkey (crossed the finish line without a number).  He woke up early on race morning and decided to participate.  Other than some grousing in the running community, no one seems to have noticed or cared. 

The predicted weather for the race was sunny and warm. The weather forecasts never seem to be too good at predicting when the fog will first roll in.  Race morning was cool, but not cold. It was overcast -- low clouds or high fog, depending on your view. There was a slight breeze, but not really a wind. Much better conditions for running than the predicted conditions. I came out of The Relay feeling much better than last year and decided to run for time.

 ... Three, Two, One [Bang]

I saw Edward H. just before the start.  We lined up five to ten feet behind the start line to the right of center.  There was the final count down, the gun and we were off.  Tommy started with the elite runners and was out of sight before too long.  I passed Mile 1 at about 6:21.  Shortly after that, I saw the first naked runner.  He was hauling cookies.  I could see them as he ran by.  Despite running naked, he decided he needed a hat.  Shortly after he passed me, his hat flew off.  He stopped and ran back to get it.  I had to watch his naked butt go by a second time.  Fortunately, he was out of sight before too long.  His picture is on some of the other blogs.  I am not going to put it here.

Around a mile and half into the race, I fell into pace with a group of six guys with red coats and toy rifles, running in their jockey shorts.  Somewhere shortly after mile two, they were organized in a rectangle with two lines of three each.  I was a few feet behind them, on their left corner.  Just as we passed an intersection, a group of patriot soldiers ambushed them, jumping from the crowd with their pop guns blazing.  The redcoats stopped to engage the attackers and a fierce gun battle ensued.  I almost crashed into the back of the redcoats as they stopped.  I made a quick swerve to the left and continued.  Clearly the redcoats survived since the photo of them looks like it was taken a couple of miles later.

The Hayes Street Hill

I saw the Mile 2 marker, but was distracted at the point where I needed to hit my watch.  So, I did not get a split time.  I was probably looking up the Hayes Street Hill, planning my approach.  There is a gradual rise leading to the Hayes Street Hill.  At about Mile 2.5, the serious climbing starts with an 11.7% grade for nearly half a mile.  Mile 3 comes shortly after the summit.  My total time was 19:59 at Mile 3, which is a little slower off the hill than I was hoping. 

The often repeated information is that the Hayes Street Hill is the high point of the race and the course then gradually flows downhill to the finish.  The statement may be true figuratively since the hill is the signature challenge of the race.  Still, it is not true in fact.  One local blogger suggests that this was said once and has been repeated so many times in the mainstream media that it is taken as true.  Based on data from a Garmin watch and topographic maps, the chart above is closer to the real profile of the race.  That explains why I have traditionally had so much trouble getting back on pace along the Golden Gate Park Panhandle, leading to Mile 4.  The real high point, a little before Mile 5.5 in Golden Gate Park, is ten feet higher than the Hayes Street Hill.

The Post Hill Push

6:44 was my pace at Mile 4 with a cumulative time of 26:43.  This is going the wrong direction.  I push heading into the park.  Mile 5 is 6:29.  Better but I have more time to make up.  I know exactly where the serious downhill starts.  It is ahead of the bridge that takes Crossover Drive over Kennedy Drive.  My plan is to be in full downhill running mode when I hit Transverse Drive, just past the bridge.  My split at Mile 6 is 6:08.  Now I am making some time and I can feel the strain in my legs.  There are bands along the route in the park, like this Jewish surf music group. 

At the west end of the park, near the windmill, I approach the Mile 7 marker.  It looks to be out of place.  The time for Mile 7 is 5:46 and the last .46 of a mile is 3:13.  The Mile 7 marker is definitely out of place.  Mile 7 is probably closer to 6:00 and and the last bit to the finish was probably about 3:00. 

I finished in 48:15, an average pace of 6:28 per mile.  I came in 209 out of 24,423 finishers and 6 out of 1934 in my age group (50 - 59).  That is my best Bay to Breakers time in six races and my third best 12K ever.  I was happy with the result.

Afterwards

When I got to the finish line I did not see anyone I knew.  I went to the expo, but many booths were still setting-up and a few were only at the point of unloading their trucks.  I recalled the difficulty I had last year getting home on Muni and decided that if I left right away I would have better luck.  I did.

My wife was out when I got home.  I decided to go out for some breakfast.  As luck would have it, I saw her along the way at the California Street and Market Street cable car stop.  We went over to Perry's and I had the Tortilla Scramble for the first time.  It was tasty.  What a great morning.

For a limited time, there are race photo proofs at Sport Photo.  You can click on the event (ING Bay to Breakers) and then enter my name or bib number (164).  I did not find them compelling enough to pay for them.

Next up is the Marin Memorial 10K (on Memorial Day) as part of the Pamakids Racing Team. 

Devil's Slide Track Club - The Relay 2010

The Beginning

"YOU MAY NOT REMEMBER ME, but we met at a DSE race."  It was 2006 and Steve N., the Captain of the Devil's Slide Track Club, needed to replace a runner for The Relay.  In fact, it was the second runner he needed to find in the week before the race.  With the race starting on Saturday, Steve was working the phones looking for a replacement.  We had worked the finish line together the first time I volunteered at a DSE race.  Since it was already Thursday, Steve was trying any connection he had.

In 2006, I was splitting my time between Los Angeles and THE CITY.  Most weekends were in Los Angeles.  This was one of the few I was planning to be in THE CITY.  Steve is low key as a sales guy.  He told me about the race, gave me a couple of websites to look at and asked me to think about it.  I don't remember if I decided on the spot or took time to think about it, but I was in.  It was something new and sounded fun. 

This year is the fourth time in the last five races that I have run.  I was runner 1 in 2006, runner 3 in 2008 and runner 11 in 2009.  In 2007 I had an injury that prevented me from running, much less racing.  The injury was, in part, a result of over-training for The Relay. 

At this relay race, a team is made up of 12 runners who each run three legs.  This year I will be runner 4. That means I will run legs 4, 16 and 28 for a total of 17.8 miles.  Runners 1 - 6 are in van one and runners 7 -12 are in van two.  Runner 1 starts and then the van moves to each runner exchange point where the "baton" (actually a large rubber-band-like wrist band) is exchanged and the next runner in order proceeds.  The van usually stops at one or two locations between the runner exchanges to provide water and encouragement to the active runner.  Once the first six runners have done their legs, there is a van exchange.  At that point, runner 7 takes over, the second van goes into service and the first van goes out of service.  While out of service, the runners rest, eat, sleep and sometimes shower.  This continues until 36 legs are completed and runner 12 crosses the finish line. 

Devil's Slide Track Club 2010

Start: Calistoga 5/1/10 1:00 PM

The Devil's Slide Track Club exists to run The Relay.  It is whatever team Steve N. happens to put together for the race that year.  The "club" does not function otherwise.  The first eight or nine runners, usually a core from the prior year, fall into place fairly easy. It is the last three or four, along with the injury replacements, that are the struggle.  Steve has the endless Rolodex and is perfectly suited to the task.  This is the thirteenth year for the Devil's Slide Track Club in The Relay.  One member, Ken R., completed the cycle of all twelve legs this year.

Starting times for the race are staggered to even out the runners on the course and to provide a shorter window during which different locations along the course need to be staffed.  Teams start in waves on every hour and most half hours beginning at 7 AM and finishing at 3 PM on Saturday.  Our team would be slotted at 3 PM, but we pay extra for a 1 PM start time.  This allows us to get runner 10 off of a dirt trail over a mountain and across a ranch before dark.  It also allows us the best chance to get the vans back to the rental agency on Sunday and avoid an extra day of charges.

First Leg: Napa Valley 5/1/10 2:40 - 3:30 PM
Distance: 7.4 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate

My first run, leg 4, is along the Silverado Trail in the Napa Valley from St. Helena to Yountville, North of the City of Napa, in Napa County.  The Silverado Trail was originally built in the mid-1800's and was the first permanent route between Calistoga and Napa.  It transported agricultural products initially.  A few years later, mining took hold at the base of the near-by mountains and silver was discovered.  The silver played out after a few years, but other mining and activities, like wine making, continued.  The trail became an important trade route.  In the 1880's, Charles Bolles, a highway robber known as "Black Bart" plagued travelers and targeted mining payrolls until his eventual capture.  The trail was a dangerous place until the early 20th Century when motorized bus service improved security.  Today, the trail provides a scenic drive and boasts many fine wineries. 

If you think agricultural area, you will picture the open rolling land and the exposed roadway with a few scattered wooded patches.  Exposed was the story for this leg.  The sky was clear, the sun was high and temperature may have been as high as 80 degrees.  When it is that hot, a runner needs to adjust the pace and adapt to the conditions.  Owing to the heat, I was not able to set and hold the pace I wanted.  I finished in 49:27, a pace of 6:40 and one second off of the team's all time leader board for this leg.   

In relays there is a decidedly un-sportsmanlike practice of counting "road kill."  A runner counts one road kill for every competing runner passed and subtracts one if passed by another team.  I pass ten runners on this leg and do not get passed by anyone, a net ten road kill.

After our legs are complete, the van goes to Marie Calendar for dinner.  I study the menu and a nutritional facts binder.  I eliminate everything fried or high in fat.  To my surprise, the pasta is high in fat and probably too high in calories.  I end up with the soup and sandwich - vegetable soup and turkey sandwich.  Not my first choice, but the best choice on the menu for racing.  After that we go to the next van exchange at the Marin French Cheese Company.  After some fussing around, I try to snooze in the van.

Second Leg: Southern Marin 5/2/10 12:15 - 12:50 AM
Distance: 5.3 Miles
Difficulty: Easy

My second run, leg 16, is in Southern Marin County, about a half hour drive North of The CITY.  It includes a tour of small towns, starting in San Anselmo, going through Ross, Kentfield and Larkspur, before finishing in Corte Madera.  Think wooded suburban area with a couple of small towns along the way.  I start at a shopping center and end at a bank.

On the map, this appears to be a twisty leg.  So, I went out the weekend before to drive it and to run it (with the assistance of my always supportive support crew).  Once I did that, it was pretty simple.  Run two miles, turn right at College Avenue, run another two and half miles, turn left at Redwood Avenue, put down the hammer to the finish.  Ignore all the other twists, turns and street name changes.  On the ground, they do not matter.  I finish in 34:04, a 6:25 pace and a new team record for this leg.

I pass ten people.  The third or fourth person I pass tried to keep with me.  As I pass he compliments my pace.  After that, I can hear him sticking off my shoulder.  This is only a mile to a mile and half into the leg.  Unless he was dogging it before I passed, he can't hold that pace for the rest of the leg.  I push the pace a couple of seconds faster.  He sticks with me for around 20 seconds and then I hear him fade back.  I do not get passed by anyone.  Another net ten road kill.

The next van exchange is on the South side of the Golden Gate Bridge.  Runner 6 gets to run the bridge under a full moon.  We head to La Canada College.  I take a shower, buy a bagel and head back to the van for some sleep.  Last year I started using ear plugs and it was very effective in helping me fall asleep.  The hardest part is waking up after only a couple hours of real sleep when you are still tired.  It takes about a half hour for me to regain my wits.  There is a Starbucks at the end of leg 25.  I will be running within an hour.  Do I risk stomach upset and get the coffee or play it safe and wait?  I get the coffee.

Third Leg: Santa Cruz Mountains 5/2/10 8:35 - 9:10 AM
Distance: 5.1 Miles
Difficulty: Hard

My third run, Leg 28, starts in Los Altos, proceeds into the Santa Cruz Mountains and past the Stevens Creek Reservoir.  At this point in the race, we have passed most of the other teams -- the porta johns are clean and well stocked and there are fewer competing runners on the road.  I pass five and do not get passed by anyone.  A net five road kill and a total of 25 for the weekend.  I finish in 35:49, 7:01 pace and also a new team record for this leg.  No upset stomach.  The coffee was OK -- probably even helpful.

Our van finishes its legs and we head toward the finish to meet the other half of the team when they arrive.  We stop in Scotts Valley along the way to get coffee and bagels. 

Finish: Davenport 5/2/10 3:00 PM

The finish is at the Swanton Berry Farm on the coast, just north of the town of Davenport.  When we get there, the wind is screaming and it is cold.  So, we opted for shelter in the van or in the small berry shop.   Our team finished at a few seconds after 3:00 PM.  The tradition is that the whole team crosses the finish line together, behind runner 12.  Our time was 26:00:17.  In the final results, that was good for 13th place out of 212 teams and first place masters team (fifth year in a row) out of five masters teams. 

Photos

1.  Devil's Slide Track Club logo from team website.
2.  Race Map from event website.
3.  Devil's Slide Track Club team photo by Janet N.
4.  Me leaving an exchange on the Silverado Trail in 2008.  Photo by Alex Dutro.
5.  Scenery from Silverado Trail.  Photo credit unknown.
6.  Event logo from event website.
7.  Me on Stevens Canyon Road (Leg 28) about to rack up another road kill.  Photo probably by Mike S.
8.  2010 team headed to the finish line in Davenport.  Photo probably by Janet N.
9.  Team photo at the finish line.  Photo probably by Janet N.