My race (now virtual) is on Sunday, October 3rd and this past weekend I ran 8 miles. 8.19 to be exact. My goal was to get a 9 miler under my belt before the race but at this point, going from 8 to 10 miles isn’t a huge push. It might not be the prettiest 2 miles, but it will get done.

A few weeks ago I went for a 5 mile run at Blackie’s Pasture in Tiburon. I wanted to run without thinking and without hills. Going sans music or listening to a podcast or a book on Audible wasn’t in the cards but lo and behold I park the car and realize, snap, I forgot my armband for my iPhone.

Yes. I actually considered going home and getting it. But then I sucked it up and ran without anything to listen to. It was a while since I did this and I actually had a great run. I let my mind wander, sorted out some things that had been rattling around in my brain and listened to my breathing. I mean, I don’t want to do it all of the time, but it wasn’t horrible.

Yesterday’s run was across the Golden Gate Bridge, down to Chrissy Field and to the Marina Green. There was a slight breeze and it was overcast, which is my favorite running weather. And this is one of my favorite runs because even though it’s an out and back, it’s broken up into sections that makes tracking the miles easy.

• From the parking lot in Marin County across the span of the GG Bridge is 1.7 miles.
• Down the path and down the stairs to the bathrooms near the Warming Hut brings you to 2.1 miles.
• Continue along Chrissy Field to the bathroom/parking lot gets you to 3.3 miles.
• From there to the middle of the Marina Green is 4 miles.
• If you continue to the middle of Aquatic Park, you’re at 5 miles.
• All the way to the Ferry Building is 6 or 6 1/2 (it’s been a while).

Once you get to your mark, you turn around and head back.

Pro Tip: If you want to run the bridge, you’re better off going early to avoid the throngs of tourists.

Another bonus of this run is there are bathrooms and water fountains along the way and you’re running on paths not the street. Is that one bonus or two? Anyway, it’s safe.

Because this race is virtual, I think I’m going to do the same run only extend it to Aquatic Parkso I to 10 miles. I think October in the City is perfection and this feels like the right way to re-enter my race circuit. Wish me luck.

Now go run!

Keli 🙂